Osoto Gari Thowing Technique

The Large Outer Reap, (known as Osoto Gari in the Judo World) can be a very useful technique for throwing people in front of you. Also when done correctly, as the person being thrown is taken backwards, it can be very dangerous as the landing area would be the upper back, neck or even the top of the head. When reaping with the right leg to the opponents right leg, most people perform the technique by stepping past there opponent with there left foot, then bringing there right leg round to reap the back of there opponents right leg while simultaneously pushing the opponent backwards and downwards vigorously. This is a good way to learn the technique but the problem is that when you make the initial step with your left foot past your opponent, he/she will see what is happening and will counter accordingly. To stop this, the start of the technique should include a hard and fast pull in. Holding your opponent, pull him/her in to you hard, while simultaneously making the initial step with your left foot. This will pull your opponent of balance, catch him/her by surprise, and by pulling in, you will not need to step as much forward with your left. By pulling in hard, stepping, reaping with your right leg while pushing back hard, the Osoto Gari will be very fast and hard, allowing for the best possible throw.