Ko Uchi Gari

SubFamily

小内刈り(Ko Uchi Gari)

Traditional

Translation: minor inner reap

Overview

Ko Uchi Gari (minor inner reap) is a judo ashi-waza technique in which the thrower reaps the opponent's near leg from the inside, using a small, quick hooking or sweeping action against the inner ankle to remove the support. ^[1] The 'ko' (minor) designation reflects the smaller range and closer distance compared to o-uchi-gari — ko-uchi-gari targets the near foot with a short, sharp reap rather than reaching for the far leg. ^[1],[2] The throw is typically performed as a quick snapping attack when the opponent's weight settles on the near foot, and it is one of the most effective setup techniques in judo for chaining into larger throws like o-uchi-gari, uchi-mata, or seoi-nage. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Minor Inner Reaping Throw^[1]Small Inner Reap^[2]Inside Ankle PickWrestling^[3]Maly Vnutrenny Zatsep (малый внутренний зацеп)^[4]

Used in

Judo BJJ Sambo MMA Wrestling

History & Origin

Ko uchi gari was included in the Kodokan gokyo as a first-set technique, reflecting its importance as a fundamental attack and combination starter. ^[1] The technique is universally taught in judo as one of the first ashi-waza techniques, and its role as a combination setup makes it essential at all competitive levels. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

Ko uchi gari (minor inner reap) hooks the opponent's inner ankle or lower leg while pulling them forward and down. ^[1] It is one of the most versatile ashi-waza, usable as a primary attack or combination setup. ^[1],[2]

Lineage

Ko uchi gari is part of the Kodokan judo ashi-waza syllabus. ^[1] It is widely adopted in BJJ, sambo, and MMA. ^[2]

Competition Record

Ko uchi gari is one of the most frequently attempted and scored ashi-waza in IJF competition. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Sweeping, reaping, or blocking the opponent's foot or leg to remove their base of support

Joints Involved — Attacker's sweeping leg (ankle or shin contact), opponent's supporting ankle or knee (swept)

Force Vector — Two opposing forces — the upper body is directed one way while the sweeping leg removes the support in the opposite direction

Timing Principle — Maximum effectiveness when the opponent's weight is committed to the targeted foot — timing supersedes strength

Position & Entry

From judo grip — Use push-pull timing (kuzushi) to catch the opponent as they step, sweep the support foot in the direction of their movement

From clinch (collar tie) — Push or pull to make the opponent step, sweep the stepping foot at the exact moment it lifts off the mat

Videos

The Judo Coach

How to do Ko-uchi-gari: Learn 6 effective variations.

Ko Uchi Gari·The Judo Coach

#judo #kouchigari #ashiwaza How to do ko-uchi-gari (minor inner sweep): 6 effective variations. Ko-uchi-gari means min…

1 video

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

High6/10

O-Uchi-Gari and variants; backward fall risk with head impact (Kano 1986)

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Restricted

— no leg attacks below waist

UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF

Legal

— IJF — Legal throwing technique

IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF

— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels

IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF

— Unified MMA — Legal throwing technique

Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF

— ADCC — Legal

ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF

— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal

FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF

— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal

FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓Ko uchi gari (minor inner reap) reaps the opponent's near foot from the inside with a short, sharp action

✓The reap targets the foot closest to you — hooking or sweeping it outward from the inside

✓Ko uchi gari uses a small, precise reaping motion rather than the large sweep of o uchi gari

✓It is one of the most commonly used techniques in competition judo, often as a setup for larger throws

✓Step to the inside angle and reap the opponent's lead foot while pushing them sideways and backward

✓Ko uchi gari transitions perfectly to o uchi gari, seoi nage, or uchi mata — it is the ultimate combination starter

✓The timing can be aggressive (attacking) or responsive (catching a step)

Common Mistakes

!Reaping the far leg instead of the near leg — ko uchi gari specifically targets the closest foot

!Using too large a reaping motion — ko uchi gari is a small, precise foot reap, not a big sweep

!Not driving the opponent's upper body sideways and backward during the reap

!Attempting ko uchi gari from too far away — you must be at close range to reach the near foot

!Reaping without kuzushi — the opponent must be off-balance for the reap to complete the throw

!Using it only as a standalone throw instead of as a combination setup

!Reaping the weighted foot when it is fully planted — timing it to the moment the foot shifts is ideal

Related Techniques

Foot Sweep — complementary off-balancing technique using similar directional forces Breakfall (Ukemi) — essential receiving skill for safe practice of this throw

Counter Techniques

Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute Lift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping action Counter-Throw — exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them instead Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration Stiff-Arm — maintain distance with straight arms to prevent the entry

Setup Chain

1Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) — establish the controlling grips needed for the throw

2Off-Balance (Kuzushi) — break the opponent's balance in the throwing direction

3Entry (Tsukuri) — position the body for the throw by turning, stepping, or loading

4Execution (Kake) — complete the throwing action with full commitment and follow-through

Sources & References

Primary Source

Kodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification

1BookKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification

Traditional Judo throwing technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)

2SyllabusKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification

Official Kodokan ground technique classification system

3SyllabusKodokan Judo Institute — Official Waza Names

Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)

4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)

Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)

5CitationKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification

Traditional Judo throwing technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)

Community

Athletics

Requires

precise timing, ankle coordination, upper body kuzushi ability

Favours

excellent balance and quick reflexes

Key muscles

tibialis anterior, calves, hip rotators, forearms (grip)

Sub-techniques

Standard Ko Uchi Gari

Genus

Standard Ko Uchi Gari executes the classical minor inner reap where the thrower hooks or sweeps the opponent's near foot from the inside with a quick reaping action of the sole, pulling the foot out from under the opponent while the hands push the upper body rearward. [1] The reap is short and sharp, targeting the inner ankle or heel of the near foot, and the hands create a pushing force that loads the opponent's weight onto the attacked foot. [1,2] The technique can score directly as a throw or, more commonly, serves as an attack that disrupts the opponent's balance and creates the opening for a follow-up technique. [2,3]

Explore

Notes

Ko uchi gari appears in 3 passages across 2 books. A small inner reap that attacks the opponent's heel. One of the highest-percentage combination throws — used as a setup or follow-up to virtually every major throw in judo. (2 books in corpus; Kano, Kodokan Judo)

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the most common mistake beginners make when setting up Ko Uchi Gari?

Beginners often get hold of their opponent and immediately start following their movement, which leads to getting thrown. Instead, you should establish your grip and start by dragging your opponent to control the pace and direction of the technique.

How important is changing your angle of attack in Ko Uchi Gari?

Changing your angle of attack is critical—many people make the mistake of staying in a straight line with their opponent. You should come in at approximately 45 degrees to your partner rather than pushing straight back, which allows them to simply push you back in return.

Where does the power come from when executing Ko Uchi Gari?

The power comes from your legs, not just your hands. You should transfer power from your back leg to your front leg, and as you transition into the throw, your back leg creates the driving force that completes the technique.

Why is grip pressure important in Ko Uchi Gari?

Maintaining constant tension and pressure in your grip is essential—you should squeeze at the end of your grip and keep tension throughout the technique rather than just getting hold and assuming you're done, especially when practicing at lower levels.

How does the Ko Uchi Gari work?

Where does the Ko Uchi Gari come from?

Ko uchi gari was included in the Kodokan gokyo as a first-set technique, reflecting its importance as a fundamental attack and combination starter. The technique is universally taught in judo as one of the first ashi-waza techniques, and its role as a combination setup makes it essential at all competitive levels.

Is the Ko Uchi Gari legal in competition?

IJF: legal — Legal throwing technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; UWW: restricted — Legal in freestyle, banned in Greco-Roman (no leg attacks below waist); Unified MMA: legal — Legal throwing technique; ADCC: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal

How dangerous is the Ko Uchi Gari?

Danger rating 6/10. High — O-Uchi-Gari and variants; backward fall risk with head impact (Kano 1986)

How do I set up the Ko Uchi Gari?

The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).

How do I defend against the Ko Uchi Gari?

Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Lift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping action / Counter-Throw — exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them instead / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration.

What are the variants of the Ko Uchi Gari?

Common variants: Forward sweep (sweeping the foot in the direction the opponent is stepping); Rear sweep (sweeping the foot backward as the opponent retreats); Combination sweep (chaining sweeps to both feet); Counter sweep (timing the sweep as the opponent initiates their own attack).

How effective is the Ko Uchi Gari in competition?

Ko uchi gari is one of the most frequently attempted and scored ashi-waza in IJF competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the Ko Uchi Gari?

Top errors to watch for: Reaping the far leg instead of the near leg — ko uchi gari specifically targets the closest foot / Using too large a reaping motion — ko uchi gari is a small, precise foot reap, not a big sweep / Not driving the opponent's upper body sideways and backward during the reap / Attempting ko uchi gari from too far away — you must be at close range to reach the near foot.

What are other names for the Ko Uchi Gari?

The Ko Uchi Gari is also known as Ko Uchi Gari, Minor Inner Reaping Throw, Small Inner Reap, Inside Ankle Pick, Maly Vnutrenny Zatsep (малый внутренний зацеп).

ko uchi gari throw foot leg technique throw ashi waza major inner reap judo bjj sambo mma wrestling minor inner reaping throw small inner reap inside ankle pick maly vnutrenny zatsep