Translation: side drop
Standard Yoko Otoshi is the classical side drop in which tori steps to one side, drops their body to the ground with one leg extended across uke's path, and executes a powerful lateral pull with both hands to draw uke face-down over tori's body. [1],[2] The throw is completed entirely by tori's falling body weight and arm pull, with no sweeping or reaping action involved. [2],[3]
Yoko otoshi was included in the Kodokan gokyo no waza as a yoko-sutemi-waza technique and is demonstrated in the Nage no Kata. [1]
The standard yoko otoshi is scored in IJF competition. [1]
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In this video, we practice Yoko-Otoshi, focusing on how to pull straight down and how to keep your body close for an effβ¦
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Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
Yoko-Sutemi-Waza; lateral falling sacrifice; shoulder/rib impact risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Kodokan Judo β Official Nage-waza Classification
Traditional Judo throwing technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention β native Japanese term (εθͺ/ζΌ’θͺ)
Traditional Judo throwing technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)
precise timing, ankle coordination, upper body kuzushi ability
excellent balance and quick reflexes
tibialis anterior, calves, hip rotators, forearms (grip)
When your opponent tries to escape, you should still be able to place your leg to their neck by maintaining depth. Practice entering with your leg positioned deep around their arm to prevent them from creating space to escape.
Standard Yoko Otoshi is the classical side drop in which tori steps to one side, drops their body to the ground with one leg extended across uke's path, and executes a powerful lateral pull with both hands to draw uke face-down over tori's body. The throw is completed entirely by tori's falling body weight and arm pull, with no sweeping or reaping action involved.
The standard yoko otoshi has been demonstrated in Kodokan kata and shiai since the earliest days of judo and is included in the nage no kata.
IJF: legal β Legal throwing technique; IBJJF: legal β Legal at all belt levels; UWW: restricted β Legal in freestyle, banned in Greco-Roman (no leg attacks below waist); Unified MMA: legal β Legal throwing technique; ADCC: legal β Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal β Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal β Legal
Danger rating 6/10. High β Yoko-Sutemi-Waza; lateral falling sacrifice; shoulder/rib impact risk
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) β Off-Balance (Kuzushi) β Entry (Tsukuri) β Execution (Kake).
Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity β bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Lift the Targeted Leg β raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping action / Counter-Throw β exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them instead / Grip Break β deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration.
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).
The standard yoko otoshi is scored in IJF competition.
Top errors to watch for: Falling before moving uke β they must be off-balance laterally first / Not pulling with enough force β yoko otoshi depends entirely on grip pull; weak pulls fail / Falling at the wrong angle relative to uke's movement β your drop must align with their lateral direction / Balling up instead of extending long β the extended body creates a longer lever.
The Standard Yoko Otoshi is also known as Yoko Otoshi, Classical Side Drop, Standard Lateral Drop Throw.
