Combat Sports
Gi O-Soto-Gari
Gi O-Soto-Gari is a jacket-grip judo throw that takes a partner backward over a reaped leg. It develops balance, pulling control, and coordinated hip and leg action.
Higher injury risk. Read the safety notes before adding weight.
- Advanced
- Compound
- Higher injury risk
- Rest 1 min 30 sec
How to do it
- Take their left lapel in your right hand and their right sleeve near the elbow in your left hand.
- Guide your partner toward their right rear corner through your grips, shifting their weight onto their right heel.
- Step your left foot close beside the outside of their right foot.
- Bring the right side of your chest close to the right side of their chest.
- Swing your right leg forward past the outside of their right leg.
- Reap your right leg backward against the back of their weighted leg as your upper body directs them backward.
- Support their descent through your sleeve grip until they complete the landing.
Form cues
- Keep your supporting knee soft.
- Move your chest with your hips.
- Look forward, not at the floor.
Common mistakes
- Reaping before breaking balanceWait until your partner's weight settles onto the target leg rather than attacking while they remain evenly balanced.
- Hooking with the footUse a sweeping action from your hip rather than curling your foot around their ankle.
- Throwing with the arms aloneCoordinate your grip pressure with your body movement instead of yanking your partner down.
Safety
An uncontrolled throw or poor breakfall can cause serious head, neck, or shoulder injury. Twisting a trapped leg or striking the knee sideways can injure either partner's knee.
- Practice under a qualified judo instructor's supervision with a partner who can reliably breakfall.
- Use a clear, properly fitted throwing-mat area with enough space for the full fall.
- Begin with cooperative entries before attempting complete throws or adding resistance.
- Stop before fatigue reduces control; never drive your partner's head downward or drop your body weight onto them.
Choose entry-only practice if either partner lacks safe falling skills, and seek professional advice first for current knee, neck, shoulder, or back symptoms.
Muscles worked
Primary muscles
Secondary muscles
Equipment
- Combat Training Mat
- Grappling Jacket
Sets and reps
- Sets
- 2–3
- Target
- 3–5 reps per side
- Rest
- 1 min 30 sec
The steps describe a right-sided throw; reverse the grips and legs for the left side, allowing a full reset between repetitions.