Yoko Gake
0
Yoko Gake·WINNING
The fundamentals of the "Yoko Gake" (Side Sacrifice) Throw is demonstrated by Sensei David Becker @ the Tohkon Judo Acad…
Yoko Gake
SubFamily横掛(Yoko Gake)
TraditionalTranslation: side hook
Overview
Yoko Gake is a side sacrifice throw where the attacker hooks the opponent's ankle with their foot while falling sideways, dragging the opponent down with them. [1] The attacker steps to the side, hooks the opponent's near ankle with the sole of the foot, and drops their body weight sideways while pulling the opponent into the fall. [1] It requires precise timing to catch the opponent mid-step. [1]
Yoko-GakeJPSide Body DropYokogake
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 — Hook opponent's ankle with sole of foot while falling sideways, dragging them down
Joints Involved — Foot (ankle hook), body (controlled side fall), arms (pulling grip)
Force Vector — Sideways and downward — the ankle hook removes the base while body weight pulls them down
Position & Entry
From natural posture — Step to the side, hook opponent's near ankle with sole of foot, fall sideways while pulling
Against stepping opponent — Time the hook as they shift weight to the near foot
Variants
Inside Yoko Gake — hooking from inside
Outside Yoko Gake — hooking from outside
Drop Yoko Gake — dropping body weight more aggressively
Videos
Yoko Gake Kata
0
Yoko Gake·WINNING
The fundamentals of the "Yoko Gake" (Side Sacrifice) Throw as demonstrated by Sensei's David Becker & Robert Mita @ the …
2 videos
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
5
High5/10
Moderate.
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 ankle hook must catch the opponent's ankle BEFORE you fall — don't fall and hope to catch it
✓The pulling direction determines where the opponent falls — pull them over your body
✓The fall must be to the SIDE, not backward
✓Timing is critical — hook when the opponent's weight is on the target foot
Common Mistakes
!Falling before hooking — the hook misses
!Hooking too high (calf instead of ankle) — reduced leverage
!Not pulling during the fall — opponent doesn't follow you down
!Landing flat on your back instead of your side
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Grip fighting → get opponent to shift weight to near foot → Yoko Gake
2Feint a forward throw → opponent shifts weight back → immediate Yoko Gake on the planted foot
3Circular movement → catch opponent mid-step → Yoko Gake
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
precise foot placement, timing, controlled side falling
Key muscles
hip flexors (hooking foot), core (side fall), grip (pulling)
Notes
Yoko gake (side hook) is a side sacrifice throw where the attacker hooks the opponent's ankle while falling to the side. A subtle technique that uses timing and direction change rather than force. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What grip should I use to set up yoko gake?
Use a cross grip where you take your opponent's arm with a cross grip while reaching your other hand over their back to control them tightly.
Why is eliminating space so important in yoko gake?
In Judo and ground work, you never want space between you and your opponent; keeping everything tight and hugging your opponent into you maintains control and pressure throughout the technique.
Is yoko gake a sacrifice throw?
Yes, yoko gake is a sacrifice throw where you must commit fully to the technique and finish the throw as you fall.
How should my foot contact my opponent during yoko gake?
You should capture the arch of your foot into the groove of your opponent's body rather than executing a tight kick.
How does the Yoko Gake work?
Yoko Gake is a side sacrifice throw where the attacker hooks the opponent's ankle with their foot while falling sideways, dragging the opponent down with them. The attacker steps to the side, hooks the opponent's near ankle with the sole of the foot, and drops their body weight sideways while pulling the opponent into the fall.
Where does the Yoko Gake come from?
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus.
Is the Yoko Gake 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 Yoko Gake?
Danger rating 5/10. Moderate.
How do I set up the Yoko Gake?
The standard setup chain: Grip fighting → get opponent to shift weight to near foot → Yoko Gake → Feint a forward throw → opponent shifts weight back → immediate Yoko Gake on the planted foot → Circular movement → catch opponent mid-step → Yoko Gake.
How do I defend against the Yoko Gake?
Standard counters include: Lift the targeted foot — remove the hook target / Step back quickly — deny the hook / Drive forward — overwhelm the sacrifice.
What are the variants of the Yoko Gake?
Common variants: Inside Yoko Gake (hooking from inside); Outside Yoko Gake (hooking from outside); Drop Yoko Gake (dropping body weight more aggressively).
How effective is the Yoko Gake 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 Yoko Gake?
Top errors to watch for: Falling before hooking — the hook misses / Hooking too high (calf instead of ankle) — reduced leverage / Not pulling during the fall — opponent doesn't follow you down / Landing flat on your back instead of your side.
What are other names for the Yoko Gake?
The Yoko Gake is also known as Yoko Gake, Yoko-Gake, Side Body Drop, Yokogake.