Combat Sports
Tai-Otoshi
Tai-Otoshi, or body drop, is a judo throw that uses a forward pull, body rotation, and leg placement to tip a partner off balance. It trains coordinated pulling, leg drive, and balance.
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 a right-handed grip facing your partner: your right hand on their left lapel, your left hand on their right sleeve.
- Draw your partner toward their right-front corner until their weight shifts onto the front of their right foot.
- Turn left until your back faces your partner, with your left foot supporting your stance.
- Place your right foot across their path, just outside their right foot, with your right knee slightly bent.
- Lower your hips by bending your supporting left knee.
- Rotate your torso left to direct your partner forward past your outstretched leg through your sleeve-and-lapel grips.
- Guide your partner onto their side with continued sleeve control.
- Release your grips once your partner is stable on the mat.
Form cues
- Look toward the throwing direction
- Keep your lapel elbow close
- Exhale through the throw
Common mistakes
- Pulling straight down too earlyKeep the initial pull forward so your partner cannot settle back onto their heels.
- Loading the partner onto your hipLeave space between your hips and your partner rather than scooping them onto your back.
- Reaching into an oversized stanceShorten your stance enough that you can turn without leaning or losing your footing.
Safety
A poorly controlled landing can injure your partner's head, neck, or shoulder. Your extended knee can also be injured if your partner's weight collapses across it, especially during a mistimed or resisted throw.
- Learn the throw under a qualified judo instructor before attempting full repetitions.
- Use impact-rated throwing mats with enough clear space for the entire landing.
- Practice with a cooperative partner who can reliably perform the required breakfall; avoid live resistance while learning.
- Stop the attempt if your partner becomes trapped against your extended knee rather than moving past it.
If either partner has knee, shoulder, neck, or back symptoms, use non-throwing entry practice only if comfortable and seek guidance from a physiotherapist before full throws.
Muscles worked
Primary muscles
Secondary muscles
Equipment
- Combat Training Mat
Sets and reps
- Sets
- 2–3
- Target
- 3–5 reps per side
- Rest
- 1 min 30 sec
These steps describe a right-handed throw; prioritize controlled technique over speed or fatigue.