Initial Setup: Back Step and Hook
The practitioner begins by executing a back step while maintaining grip, then transitions into a hooking motion with the leg. This foundational positioning creates the necessary distance and angle to set up the counter throw effectively.
Entry and Positioning
As the opponent steps away from the initial hook, the practitioner hops forward and immediately establishes shoulder-to-shoulder contact. Maintaining this close, connected position prevents the opponent from regaining balance or creating space.
Grip Mechanics and Lapel Control
The practitioner secures the lapel grip while pulling the opponent close to establish solid shoulder contact. This controlled connection serves as the foundation for applying rotational force and maintaining dominance throughout the technique.
Foot Positioning and Drive
During the entry, the practitioner's foot must point directly toward the opponent—not angled or sideways. Proper foot alignment enables maximum drive from the base leg and ensures efficient power transfer for the throw.
Center of Gravity Control
The practitioner must position their hips underneath the opponent's center of gravity while maintaining shoulder-to-shoulder contact. Proper hip placement creates an off-balance state that makes the subsequent kick and rotation technically simple.
Execution: Drive and Rotation
The practitioner drives off their base foot while avoiding a backward fall, gets underneath the opponent's center, and executes the kick without releasing their grips. Throughout this sequence, maintaining connection and turning into the opponent amplifies throwing force.
The Shoulder-Blade Grip
Rather than gripping the lapel alone, the practitioner wraps their hand around the opponent's back and shoulder blade as if looping a rope or belt around their torso. This back-grip positioning with elbow down is critical for effective setup and control.
Neutralizing the Shoulder Defense
By controlling the shoulder blade grip with proper elbow positioning, the practitioner 'kills the shoulder,' rounding it out to prevent the opponent from posting their hand. This grip technique disrupts the opponent's structural integrity and eliminates their ability to defend.
Intentional Approach and Timing
The cross-body entry must be executed with clear intent and commitment to maintain control. Without decisive action and immediate shoulder-to-shoulder contact, the opponent can exploit the space and lift the practitioner off balance.
Counter Nomenclature: Hikkomi Gaeshi
This counter-throw is known as hikkomi gaeshi, referring to the pulling and reverse movement that defines the technique. The nomenclature emphasizes the reactive nature of this counter to the initial o soto gari attack.
O SOTO GARI TO HIKKOMI GAESHI COMBINATION THROW
Key Takeaways
- •Initial Setup: Back Step and Hook
- •Entry and Positioning
- •Grip Mechanics and Lapel Control
- •Foot Positioning and Drive
In this video, we show how to use O Soto Gari to set your opponent up and change direction to apply Hikkomi Gaeshi (Corner Reverse Direction Throw). Go to www.amazon.com or www.ymaa.com to get Steve Scott's books THE JUDO ADVANTAGE, SAMBO ENCYCLOPEDIA and JUJI GATAME ENCYCLOPEDIA. Join the Steve Scott Training Group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1094841137237608/ Donations are appreciated. To donate, use this link https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=85EKWV8KBFASS Our channel was started in 2010 as an extension of our program at Welcome Mat. Welcome Mat was founded in 1969 by Steve Scott in Kansas City, Missouri, USA and has produced thousands of successful students, athletes and coaches in a variety of grappling sports. View over a thousand videos on the subjects of judo, freestyle judo, Shingitai Jujitsu, sambo, submission grappling and sport jujitsu are on our YouTube channel. Browse through our playlists to see what we have on our channel. If a video is listed as "private" is it because that video is still in development or scheduled for later viewing. Comments are moderated. Please keep your comments on topic and think before posting them. Comments containing profanity, racial, religious or sexual slurs and comments that are insulting will not be permitted and those posting such comments will be blocked from the channel. Criticism is okay but trolling isn't. You can subscribe for free to our channel at http://youtube.com/user/welcomematstevescott. We strive to provide fundamentally sound and technically innovative skills and information on a variety of grappling sports. We appreciate your support! Please tell others about our channel. You can help support our channel by going to our online store and purchasing items. Go to http://www.WelcomeMatStore.com. We have a variety of books, shirts and other items for sale. Music for the Freestyle Judo show provided by YouTube Copyright Free Audio featuring "Fiend" by Sting and performed by the Jingle Punks and "All This Down Time" by Sting and performed by the Jingle Punks. Visit our club web site at http://www.WelcomeMatJudoClub.com. For information on the Judo Black Belt Association, go to http://www.judoblackbelt.com. Thank you for watching our video. Please tell others about our channel. Our videos are all original material and are copyrighted. Reproduction or showing these videos without the specific permission of Steve Scott is prohibited. #HikkomiGaeshi #OSotoGari #RenrakuWaza
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does this video teach about counter o soto gari?
This video covers initial setup: back step and hook, entry and positioning, grip mechanics and lapel control. It provides detailed instruction from welcomematstevescott.
How long does it take to learn counter o soto gari?
The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 10-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.
What are the key details for finishing counter o soto gari?
The cross-body entry must be executed with clear intent and commitment to maintain control. Without decisive action and immediate shoulder-to-shoulder contact, the opponent can exploit the space and lift the practitioner off balance.
