YOKO OTOSHI 3 Variations
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Yoko Otoshi·welcomematstevescott
Yoko Otoshi (Side Drop) is a popular and effective throw and has a lot of variations. This video presents three effectiv…
Yoko Otoshi
SubFamily横落とし(Yoko Otoshi)
TraditionalTranslation: side drop
Overview
Yoko Otoshi, the side drop, is a sacrifice throw in which tori drops to one side while extending a leg in front of uke's advance, using a strong lateral pull to bring uke crashing down over tori's outstretched body. [1],[2] The technique relies primarily on timing and the pull of the arms rather than leg sweeping or body contact — tori creates an obstacle with their extended body and uses uke's forward momentum to complete the throw. [2],[3] Yoko otoshi is considered one of the purest expressions of the judo principle of using an opponent's momentum against them. [3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Yoko otoshi is part of the Kodokan judo yoko-sutemi-waza syllabus. [1]
Competition Record
Yoko otoshi is scored in IJF competition. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Pulling and lifting with the arms to load the opponent over the shoulder or upper back
Joints Involved — Attacker's shoulders (loading point), elbows (pulling action), hips (turning under the opponent)
Force Vector — Forward and downward rotation — the pulling arm creates circular momentum while the body turns underneath
Kuzushi (Off-balancing) — Forward — breaking the opponent's balance forward over their toes allows the turning entry
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
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Yoko-Sutemi-Waza; lateral falling sacrifice; shoulder/rib impact risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
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 RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Yoko otoshi (side drop) throws uke by falling to the side while pulling them past you — a pure hand technique executed as a sacrifice (Kodokan Judo, Kano, 1986)
✓There is no leg contact in yoko otoshi — the throw is accomplished entirely through grip work and your falling body weight
✓Fall to the side while pulling uke strongly in the same direction — your body weight amplifies the pull
✓The key is timing: execute when uke is moving laterally, adding your fall to their existing momentum
✓Yoko otoshi requires exceptional grip strength and pulling technique — the arms do all the work
✓This throw works well against opponents who circle laterally in a predictable pattern
✓In randori, use yoko otoshi when uke steps sideways to avoid your forward attacks — redirect their lateral movement
Common Mistakes
!Trying to trip or sweep with the legs — yoko otoshi uses no leg techniques; it's all hands
!Falling without pulling uke — your body drop alone does nothing unless uke is being pulled
!Pulling uke toward you instead of past you — they should go over the space where you just were
!Not committing fully to the side fall — a half-drop has no effect
!Attempting when uke is stationary with a strong base — yoko otoshi needs uke to be in motion
!Releasing the grips during the fall — the grips transmit all the throwing force
!Not directing uke's fall properly — pull them to the mat, not onto you
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to executeLift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping actionCounter-Throw — exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them insteadGrip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configurationStiff-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)
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)
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Yoko Otoshi and a counter groom?
Yoko Otoshi and a counter groom can look similar, but Yoko Otoshi uses a slightly different grip approach, such as coming through with a two-on-one grip variation.
How does the Yoko Otoshi work?
Yoko Otoshi, the side drop, is a sacrifice throw in which tori drops to one side while extending a leg in front of uke's advance, using a strong lateral pull to bring uke crashing down over tori's outstretched body. The technique relies primarily on timing and the pull of the arms rather than leg sweeping or body contact — tori creates an obstacle with their extended body and uses uke's forward momentum to complete the throw.
Where does the Yoko Otoshi come from?
Yoko otoshi is one of the original Kodokan sacrifice throws and appears in the gokyo no waza. The technique exemplifies Jigoro Kano's principle of maximum efficiency with minimum effort, as it requires very little physical strength when timed correctly.
Is the Yoko 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 Yoko Otoshi?
Danger rating 6/10. High — Yoko-Sutemi-Waza; lateral falling sacrifice; shoulder/rib impact risk
How do I set up the Yoko Otoshi?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake) → Fall (Sutemi).
How do I defend against the Yoko Otoshi?
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 Yoko Otoshi?
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 Yoko Otoshi in competition?
Yoko otoshi is scored in IJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Yoko Otoshi?
Top errors to watch for: Trying to trip or sweep with the legs — yoko otoshi uses no leg techniques; it's all hands / Falling without pulling uke — your body drop alone does nothing unless uke is being pulled / Pulling uke toward you instead of past you — they should go over the space where you just were / Not committing fully to the side fall — a half-drop has no effect.
What are other names for the Yoko Otoshi?
The Yoko Otoshi is also known as Side Drop, Lateral Drop Throw, Yoko Otoshi.