Osoto Gari is a fundamental judo throw that has been effectively integrated into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Its principal utility lies in transitioning from standing to ground, granting a dominant position post-throw. ### Technique Overview - **Position**: Standing - **Japanese Name**: "Osoto Gari" - **Top/Bottom**: Top ### Step-by-Step Instructions #### Initial Set-Up: 1. **Begin in a Standard Grip:** - Secure your opponent's collar with your right hand, maintaining a firm but controlled grip to guide your movements. - Your left hand should grip your opponent's opposite sleeve, providing control of their upper body. 2. **Create Connection and Off-balance:** - Step forward with your left foot, aiming to bring it inside and parallel to your opponent's foot, shortening the distance between you two. - Simultaneously, pull your opponent's collar down and towards you while pushing slightly with the sleeve grip, disrupting their balance. #### Execution of the Throw: 3. **Position Your Sweeping Leg:** - Swing your right leg in a large arc, aiming for the back of your opponent's left (or rear) leg. - Your right leg should remain straight and rigid, maintaining contact from upper calf to thigh, depending on your relative heights. 4. **Follow Through with Upper Body Control:** - As your leg sweeps, pull your opponent's collar sharply down and to their right side. - Push your opponent's sleeve grip forward and slightly across their body, amplifying their compromised balance. 5. **Complete the Throw:** - Continue pushing with the leg and pulling with the upper body to execute the throw, forcing your opponent backward and downward. 6. **Secure the Position:** - Follow your opponent to the ground, maintaining your grips to control their descent. - Ensure you land in a dominant position, ideally transitioning to side control or knee-on-belly for subsequent engagement in ground techniques. ### Tips for Effective Execution: - **Timing and Balance:** Carefully time your movements to coincide with your opponent's steps, using their momentum against them. - **Commitment:** Fully commit to the throw with decisive body mechanics, avoiding half-hearted attempts that allow counter-techniques. - **Body Connection:** Maintain close body contact throughout for better control and force transmission. Osoto Gari, though primarily a judo technique, is highly valuable in BJJ as an effective method to take down an opponent while positioning oneself strategically for subsequent grappling. By mastering this throw, practitioners can significantly enhance their offensive toolkit in standing exchanges.