Nage Waza - O Soto Gari

Nage Waza - O Soto Gari

One of my favorite throws (to attempt anyway) is O Soto Gari. In spite of my joking about being a "master" in my first post, in this case, you have the opportunity to learn from a real master: Yamashita Yahusiro. I've provided links below to video of instruction he gave at Georgetown University. Thanks to senseishin for posting these.

O Soto Gari, Video 1

Notes:

1. Notice how he turns in once before throwing, which I think drives uke onto the leg Yamashita wants to reap.
2. Always practice with big motions.
3. Step straight forward, not off at an angle.
4. Point your toe.
5. Step on the ball of the foot with the lead foot and grip with the toes. This is much stronger than planting flat footed.

O Soto Gari, Video 2 (Kazushi)



Notes:

1. Always use both hands.
2. Drive uke's chin up. It looks to me like this would be a good exercise. Do as Yamashita does in the demo and have students pair off and practice pushing each other's chin up, then throw.
3. In using your hands, find the dynamic that works for you: push up - pull down, push up - pull across, whatever, just use both hands.

O Soto Gari, Video 3 (Timing For Entry)

Notes:

Time the throw to catch uke when all of his weight is full on his foot and his center of gravity is such that he cannot step back without shifting his weight to his other foot.

O Soto Gari, Video 4 (O Uchi Gari/O Soto Gari Combinations)

Notes:
I've summarized below what I understood about the techniques he is demonstrating.

O Uchi Gari to O Soto Gari renraku waza

1. Attempt O Uchi Gari (turning the hip in to uke)
2. When uke steps back, follow and throw O Soto Gari with the same leg you attempted O Uchi Gari, but attack uke's opposite leg

The other variation he described was the feint.

O Uchi Gari to O Soto Gari feint

1. Pretend to do O Uchi Gari so that uke steps back with the leg you're attacking and stiff arms
2. Take a small step forward and past his forward leg with your outside leg attack his forward leg with O Soto Gari with the same leg you attempted

O Soto Gari to O Uchi Gari feint

1. Pretend to do O Soto Gari so that uke steps back with the leg you're attacking and stiff arms
2. Pretend a second time (or third time)
3. When uke steps back, turn your hip in and attack his forward leg with O Uchi Gari

Drill (Combo: De Ashi Harai, O Uchi Gari, O Soto Gari)