THE O SOTO THROWS O Soto Gari O Soto Otoshi O Soto Guruma
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O Soto Guruma·welcomematstevescott
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O Soto Guruma
SubFamily大外車(Osoto Guruma)
TraditionalTranslation: major outer wheel
Overview
O Soto Guruma is a judo throwing technique classified as ashi waza (foot/leg technique) in the Kodokan syllabus. [1] The attacker breaks the opponent's balance to the rear and sweeps both legs simultaneously by driving the attacking leg across both of the opponent's legs in a wheel-like motion, rather than reaping a single leg as in O Soto Gari. [1],[2] The key distinction from O Soto Gari is that the reaping leg contacts across both legs, creating a wheel effect that topples the opponent directly backward. [2] It is classified in the Gokyo no Waza (five groups of instruction) and appears in multiple Kodokan judo references as a fundamental ashi waza technique. [1]
Osoto GurumaJPOsoto-GurumaJPO-Soto-GurumaJPBig Outside WhirlMajor Outer Wheel Throw
History & Origin
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 — Driving the attacking leg across BOTH of opponent's legs in a sweeping wheel motion — different from O Soto Gari which targets one leg
Joints Involved — Hip extension of attacking leg (sweep), upper body push-pull (kuzushi)
Force Vector — Backward and downward — the wheel motion across both legs removes the entire base simultaneously
Impact — Opponent falls directly backward
Position & Entry
From right natural posture — Break opponent's balance to rear, step left foot outside their right, sweep both legs with right leg in a wheel motion
As combination — After failed O Soto Gari, continue the sweep across both legs
Variants
High sweep — targeting above the knees
Low sweep — targeting at ankle level
Combination entry — following O Soto Gari attempt
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Backward fall with both legs swept can cause head/back impact if ukemi is poor.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
IJF Judo— classified in Gokyo no Waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025PDFUnified MMA— all throws permitted
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFFIAS Sport Sambo— all throws permitted
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFIBJJF— takedowns and throws permitted
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFTraining Notes
✓The sweep must contact BOTH legs simultaneously — this is what distinguishes it from O Soto Gari
✓Drive forward with the upper body while sweeping — the throw needs both push and sweep
✓Practice the timing of the sweep with uchikomi (repetition drilling)
✓The supporting leg must be deeply planted for stability
Common Mistakes
!Sweeping only one leg — that makes it O Soto Gari, not O Soto Guruma
!Not breaking balance to the rear before sweeping
!Leaning back instead of driving forward
!Insufficient follow-through on the sweep
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Push-pull to break balance backward → O Soto Guruma sweep
2Failed O Soto Gari → continue sweep across both legs → O Soto Guruma
3Lapel grip pull → opponent steps back → immediate wheel sweep
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
1BookKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, Kodokan Judo, Nage-waza chapter
2BookKudo, K. Judo in Action. Japan Publications.
[2] Kudo, Judo in Action, p. 106
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
5OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
6CitationKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, Kodokan Judo, Nage-waza chapter
7CitationKudo, K. Judo in Action. Japan Publications.
[2] Kudo, Judo in Action, p. 106
Community
Athletics
Requires
strong legs for the sweeping wheel motion, upper body strength for kuzushi
Key muscles
hip extensors, quadriceps, core for driving force
Notes
O soto guruma (major outer wheel) sweeps both of the opponent's legs simultaneously using a large sweeping action. Distinguished from o-soto-gari by targeting both legs rather than just one. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What grip should I use for O Soto Guruma?
You can use pretty much any grip you want, but a same-side sleeve and lapel grip is a solid choice for this technique.
When I execute O Soto Guruma, should I pull my opponent down or up?
Either approach works—some instructors prefer pulling down, while others pull up. Choose whichever feels more natural and effective for your timing.
What kind of leg movement do I use in O Soto Guruma?
O Soto Guruma uses a sweeping action where you shoot across and sweep the opponent's leg with a Guruma (wheeling) motion, similar to but distinct from O Soto Otoshi.
How does the O Soto Guruma work?
O Soto Guruma is a judo throwing technique classified as ashi waza (foot/leg technique) in the Kodokan syllabus. The attacker breaks the opponent's balance to the rear and sweeps both legs simultaneously by driving the attacking leg across both of the opponent's legs in a wheel-like motion, rather than reaping a single leg as in O Soto Gari.
Where does the O Soto Guruma come from?
O Soto Guruma is one of the original 40 throws of Kodokan judo (Gokyo no Waza), classified under ashi waza (foot/leg techniques). It was systematized by Jigoro Kano as part of the judo curriculum and remains a standard technique taught at all levels.
Is the O Soto Guruma legal in competition?
IJF Judo: Legal: legal — classified in Gokyo no Waza; Unified MMA: Legal: legal — all throws permitted; FIAS Sport Sambo: Legal: legal — all throws permitted; IBJJF: Legal: legal — takedowns and throws permitted
How dangerous is the O Soto Guruma?
Danger rating 6/10. High — backward fall with both legs swept can cause head/back impact if ukemi is poor.
How do I set up the O Soto Guruma?
The standard setup chain: Push-pull to break balance backward → O Soto Guruma sweep → Failed O Soto Gari → continue sweep across both legs → O Soto Guruma → Lapel grip pull → opponent steps back → immediate wheel sweep.
How do I defend against the O Soto Guruma?
Standard counters include: Step over the sweep — lift the targeted leg / O Uchi Gari counter — hook the sweeping leg / Sacrifice throw — use the forward momentum against the attacker.
What are the variants of the O Soto Guruma?
Common variants: High sweep (targeting above the knees); Low sweep (targeting at ankle level); Combination entry (following O Soto Gari attempt).
How effective is the O Soto 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 Soto Guruma?
Top errors to watch for: Sweeping only one leg — that makes it O Soto Gari, not O Soto Guruma / Not breaking balance to the rear before sweeping / Leaning back instead of driving forward / Insufficient follow-through on the sweep.
What are other names for the O Soto Guruma?
The O Soto Guruma is also known as Osoto Guruma, Osoto-Guruma, O-Soto-Guruma, Big Outside Whirl, Major Outer Wheel Throw.