Tani Otoshi

SubFamily

谷落とし(Tani Otoshi)

Traditional

Translation: valley drop

Overview

Tani Otoshi, the valley drop, is a side sacrifice throw in which tori drops to the ground beside uke while sweeping or blocking uke's legs from behind, causing uke to fall backward over tori's body into the 'valley' created by tori's position. ^[1],[2] The throw is executed by tori sliding their body alongside and slightly behind uke, extending one leg behind both of uke's legs as a trip, and pulling uke backward and downward with the arms. ^[2],[3] Tani otoshi is highly effective as a counter-throw, particularly against forward-moving opponents who attempt hip or shoulder throws. ^[3],[4]

Also known as

Valley Drop^[1]Valley Drop Throw^[2]Tani OtoshiJP^[3]Rear Trip^[4]

Used in

Judo BJJ Sambo MMA

History & Origin

Tani otoshi has been part of the Kodokan gokyo since its earliest formulation and is one of the most frequently used sacrifice throws in modern judo competition. ^[1],[2] The technique's popularity as a counter-throw increased dramatically during the late 20th century. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

Tani otoshi (valley drop) drops to the side behind the opponent while tripping their legs, pulling them backward. ^[1] It is commonly used as a counter throw when the opponent attacks forward. ^[1],[2]

Lineage

Tani otoshi is part of the Kodokan judo yoko-sutemi-waza syllabus. ^[1]

Competition Record

Tani otoshi is frequently scored in IJF competition, particularly as a counter to forward throws. ^[1]

Images

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Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Loading the opponent onto the hip and rotating them over it — the hip acts as the fulcrum

Joints Involved — Attacker's hip (fulcrum point), knees (deep bend for loading), core (rotation), opponent's centre of gravity (elevated)

Force Vector — Rotational — pulling and turning motion loads the opponent, then hip extension and rotation drives them over

Kuzushi (Off-balancing) — Forward and upward — breaking opponent's posture forward lifts their centre of gravity onto the attacker's hip

Position & Entry

From judo grip — Break the opponent's balance forward (kuzushi), turn in with hip below their centre of gravity, and rotate to throw

From clinch (overhook or underhook) — Secure inside position, turn the hips across the opponent's body, load and throw

Videos

Sampson Judo

How to do Tani Otoshi

Tani Otoshi·Sampson Judo

In this tutorial I am showing you how to do Tani Otoshi. Learning this technique provides an excellent foundation for fu…

JUDO

Judo Tani-otoshi technique

Tani Otoshi·JUDO

Judo Tani-otoshi technique #judo #taniotoshi #judoka #judô #дзюдо

2 videos

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

Yoko-Sutemi-Waza; lateral falling sacrifice; shoulder/rib impact risk

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Advanced

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

— 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

— UWW — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman

UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF

— 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

✓Tani otoshi (valley drop) drops your body behind uke's legs to topple them backward over you — one of the most common counter-throws in judo (Mifune, Canon of Judo, 1956)

✓Step behind uke's legs with your near leg extended, then sit down while pulling them backward

✓Your extended leg acts as a barrier — uke trips backward over it as you pull them down

✓Tani otoshi is the premier counter to forward hip and hand throws — wait for uke to turn in, then drop behind them

✓Pull uke's upper body backward and to the side as you sit — the pull direction is diagonal, not straight back

✓In no-gi grappling, tani otoshi is used frequently to counter wrestling shots and body lock attempts

✓Keep your back straight as you sit — don't slump forward or you lose pulling power

Common Mistakes

!Not extending the blocking leg far enough behind uke — they step over it

!Sitting down without pulling uke backward — they simply stand over your seated body

!Pulling straight backward instead of diagonally — the diagonal pull creates the rotational topple

!Dropping too early before uke commits to their attack — tani otoshi is a counter, not an offensive throw

!Landing on uke's legs — sit beside them, not on them

!Not maintaining upper-body grips — you need to control their fall

!Attempting offensively against a well-balanced opponent — tani otoshi is far more effective as a counter

Related Techniques

Major Hip Throw — shares hip-loading mechanics and similar kuzushi principles 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 Block the Hip — post hand on the thrower's hip to prevent loading Step Around — circle away from the throw direction to avoid being loaded 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

5Fall (Sutemi) — commit body weight to the ground to generate throwing force

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

hip rotation speed, core strength, lower back stability

Favours

strong hips and core, good flexibility for turning entry

Key muscles

hip rotators, core, quadriceps, latissimus dorsi

Sub-techniques

Standard Tani Otoshi

Genus

Standard Tani Otoshi is the classical valley drop in which tori, from a standard gripping position, slides to one side, extends one leg behind uke's legs to form a barrier, and drops their body weight laterally while pulling uke backward over the outstretched leg. [1,2] Uke falls backward over the combined obstacle of tori's leg and body, typically scoring ippon when executed with sufficient control and force. [2,3]

Explore

Notes

Tani otoshi (valley drop) appears in 13 passages across 8 books — one of the most referenced sacrifice throws. The attacker drops behind the opponent's hip and drags them backward over their body. Frequently used as a counter-throw in judo and a takedown in BJJ. (Kano, Kodokan Judo; multiple book references)

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the most important thing to remember about leg placement when doing Tani Otoshi?

You need to fully extend your leg so it goes past your opponent's leg to trap it between yours, and you must not cut your stepping action short. According to Sampson Judo, your leg needs to be positioned between the opponent's legs with full extension, as this allows gravity to drop your body more powerfully into the technique.

How should my hand and arm move when executing Tani Otoshi?

Your hand action should come up and around in a smooth, fast motion. Sampson Judo emphasizes that understanding how the mechanics work allows you to execute this hand action with maximum efficiency and minimum effort, which is the core principle of judo.

Should I step back or forward when setting up Tani Otoshi?

You should step forward and extend your leg, not step back. Sampson Judo stresses that stepping backwards is a mistake—instead, you need to move forward to properly trap your opponent's leg.

Where should my leg stay after I throw my opponent with Tani Otoshi?

Your leg should stay on the mat with your toes touching down. Sampson Judo notes that after executing the throw, you extend your hips while keeping your leg on the mat to maintain control.

How does the Tani Otoshi work?

Tani Otoshi, the valley drop, is a side sacrifice throw in which tori drops to the ground beside uke while sweeping or blocking uke's legs from behind, causing uke to fall backward over tori's body into the 'valley' created by tori's position. The throw is executed by tori sliding their body alongside and slightly behind uke, extending one leg behind both of uke's legs as a trip, and pulling uke backward and downward with the arms.

Where does the Tani Otoshi come from?

Tani otoshi has been part of the Kodokan gokyo since its earliest formulation and is one of the most frequently used sacrifice throws in modern judo competition. The technique's popularity as a counter-throw increased dramatically during the late 20th century.

Is the Tani Otoshi legal in competition?

IJF: legal — Legal throwing technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; UWW: legal — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman; Unified MMA: legal — Legal throwing technique; ADCC: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal

How dangerous is the Tani Otoshi?

Danger rating 6/10. High — Yoko-Sutemi-Waza; lateral falling sacrifice; shoulder/rib impact risk

How do I set up the Tani Otoshi?

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

How do I defend against the Tani Otoshi?

Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Block the Hip — post hand on the thrower's hip to prevent loading / Step Around — circle away from the throw direction to avoid being loaded / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration.

What are the variants of the Tani Otoshi?

Common variants: Standard hip throw (full turn-in with hip below the opponent's centre of gravity); No-gi hip throw (adapted without gi grips, using overhook and collar tie); Drop hip throw (dropping to one knee to lower the fulcrum point); Combination hip throw (chaining from a failed foot technique or hand technique).

How effective is the Tani Otoshi in competition?

Tani otoshi is frequently scored in IJF competition, particularly as a counter to forward throws.

What are common mistakes when doing the Tani Otoshi?

Top errors to watch for: Not extending the blocking leg far enough behind uke — they step over it / Sitting down without pulling uke backward — they simply stand over your seated body / Pulling straight backward instead of diagonally — the diagonal pull creates the rotational topple / Dropping too early before uke commits to their attack — tani otoshi is a counter, not an offensive throw.

What are other names for the Tani Otoshi?

The Tani Otoshi is also known as Valley Drop, Valley Drop Throw, Tani Otoshi, Rear Trip.

tani otoshi throw sacrifice throw sutemi waza side sacrifice judo bjj sambo mma valley drop valley drop throw rear trip