O GURUMA (大車)
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O Guruma·Jukido Academy
#oguruma #jukidojujitsu #jujitsu #jujutsu #jiujitsu #jukido #judo #nagewaza #大車 #柔術 Rego Sensei, 5th dan, demonstrating…
O Guruma
SubFamily大車(O Guruma)
TraditionalTranslation: major wheel
Overview
O Guruma is a judo throw where the attacker sweeps across both of the opponent's legs with the extended leg while turning, creating a large wheel effect that topples the opponent backward. [1] The attacker enters deeply, extending the rear leg across the front of both of the opponent's legs while pulling and turning. [1] Distinguished from O Soto Guruma by the depth of entry and the angle of the sweep. [1]
O-GurumaJPMajor Wheel ThrowOguruma
History & Origin
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus. [1]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Kodokan judo lineage: Jigoro Kano (1860–1938) systematized this technique as part of the Kodokan judo curriculum. Transmitted through the Kodokan instructor system to judo federations worldwide. Adopted into BJJ through Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie → the Gracie family lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Recognized Kodokan judo technique but rarely seen in modern IJF competition due to rule changes favoring forward-throwing techniques. Occasionally appears in kata demonstrations and regional tournaments. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Deep entry with extended leg sweeping across BOTH opponent's legs in a large wheel
Joints Involved — Full hip rotation (deep entry), extended rear leg (barrier across both legs), arms (driving pull)
Force Vector — Large backward wheel — removes entire base simultaneously
Impact — Direct backward fall — no ability to post a leg
Position & Entry
From close range — Enter deeply past the opponent, extend rear leg across both their legs, drive and turn
Against a backing opponent — Chase with the entry and catch both legs with the wheel
Variants
Standing O Guruma — from upright position
Drop O Guruma — dropping body weight during execution
Combination O Guruma — following another throw attempt
Videos
O Guruma
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O Guruma·Seiryoku Zenyo
Mark Gilston, 4th degree judo black belt, shows ways to throw O Guruma (Major Wheel Throw) and Ashi Guruma (Foot Wheel T…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Full backward fall.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
IJF Judo— Kodokan classified technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025PDFUnified MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFTraining Notes
✓The entry must be DEEPER than Ashi Guruma — you need to reach across BOTH legs
✓The driving force comes from the upper body push combined with the leg sweep
✓This is a commitment throw — once you enter, you must finish
✓Practice the deep entry step separately before adding the throw
Common Mistakes
!Not entering deep enough — only catches one leg (becomes Ashi Guruma)
!Losing the upper body connection during the turn
!Not sweeping the legs forcefully enough — the opponent steps over
!Attempting from too far away — the technique needs close contact
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Push opponent to create reaction → deep entry when they push back → O Guruma
2Failed Ouchi Gari → opponent's legs are close together → O Guruma wheel across both
3Grip break → re-grip → immediate deep entry O Guruma
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
1BookKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
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)
5CitationKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
Community
Athletics
Requires
explosive entry, strong legs for the sweep, upper body driving power
Key muscles
quadriceps (deep step), hip extensors (sweep), core (rotation), grip (driving pull)
Notes
O guruma (major wheel) uses the leg across the opponent's thighs as a large fulcrum for a wheeling throw. A powerful technique that requires significant strength and timing. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key to controlling my opponent's weight in O Guruma?
Pull your opponent high and forward, thinking about shifting their weight onto their toes. As you position yourself, their weight naturally gravitates to about 60% on one leg because they remain attached to you during the pull.
Where should I place my foot when executing O Guruma versus Ashiguruma?
In O Guruma, step in the center and stay very close to your opponent. In Ashiguruma, step further away—almost just inside your opponent's opposite leg—and place your foot at about halfway up the shin rather than at the waist.
How should I position my foot for Ashiguruma to make it effective?
Keep your foot flexed with your toe pointed, as this gives you strength on the side of your foot. A straight foot is very weak going sideways, so flexing it is the only way to properly catch with the side of your foot.
How does the O Guruma work?
O Guruma is a judo throw where the attacker sweeps across both of the opponent's legs with the extended leg while turning, creating a large wheel effect that topples the opponent backward. The attacker enters deeply, extending the rear leg across the front of both of the opponent's legs while pulling and turning.
Where does the O Guruma come from?
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus.
Is the O Guruma legal in competition?
IJF Judo: Legal: legal — Kodokan classified technique; IBJJF: Legal {src:IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024|/sources/IBJJF: legal — Rules-v6.0-June-2024.pdf}; Unified MMA: Legal {src:Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025|/sources/Unified: legal — MMA-Rules-August-2025.pdf}; FIAS Sambo: Legal {src:FIAS International Sambo Competition Rules|/sources/FIAS: legal — Sambo-Rules.pdf}
How dangerous is the O Guruma?
Danger rating 6/10. High — full backward fall.
How do I set up the O Guruma?
The standard setup chain: Push opponent to create reaction → deep entry when they push back → O Guruma → Failed Ouchi Gari → opponent's legs are close together → O Guruma wheel across both → Grip break → re-grip → immediate deep entry O Guruma.
How do I defend against the O Guruma?
Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips away from the entry / Step back quickly — deny the deep entry / Counter-rotate — turn the same direction as the attacker to void the throw.
What are the variants of the O Guruma?
Common variants: Standing O Guruma (from upright position); Drop O Guruma (dropping body weight during execution); Combination O Guruma (following another throw attempt).
How effective is the O Guruma in competition?
Recognized Kodokan judo technique but rarely seen in modern IJF competition due to rule changes favoring forward-throwing techniques. Occasionally appears in kata demonstrations and regional tournaments.
What are common mistakes when doing the O Guruma?
Top errors to watch for: Not entering deep enough — only catches one leg (becomes Ashi Guruma) / Losing the upper body connection during the turn / Not sweeping the legs forcefully enough — the opponent steps over / Attempting from too far away — the technique needs close contact.
What are other names for the O Guruma?
The O Guruma is also known as O Guruma, O-Guruma, Major Wheel Throw, Oguruma.