Ko-uchi-gari (minor inner reap) is a foot technique from the second group of the gokyo. Tori reaps uke's heel from the inside with the sole of the foot, at the moment that foot is carrying weight, and drives uke backward. For a right-hander, the right foot reaps uke's right foot.
Almost every competitive judoka has it. Not always to score with it. Mostly to set everything else up.
A throw that works for other throws
On its own, ko-uchi-gari scores less often than the big throws. Its value lies elsewhere: it moves uke. When you reap the right foot forward, one of two things happens. Uke falls, or uke pulls the foot back and leans the chest forward to recover. In the second case, uke hands you exactly what seoi-nage and the other shoulder throws need.
That is why it is usually taught with its follow-ups. A lone ko-uchi-gari is worth little in randori. Ko-uchi-gari followed by a forward attack is one of the most reliable combinations in judo.
How to do ko-uchi-gari (right-handed)
- The kuzushi goes to uke's rear right corner. Your right hand (tsurite) pushes the lapel down and back. Your left hand (hikite) pulls the sleeve down.
- Your left foot steps in close, in front of uke, so you face them square.
- Your right foot slides between uke's legs. The sole lands behind uke's right heel, from the inside.
- Reap toward uke's toes, skimming the mat.
- Your body moves forward at the same time, chest leading. Uke falls backward.
The foot reaps. The push from your hands and body is what takes uke down.
When it works
Ko-uchi-gari lands as uke puts the right foot down, especially when that foot is slightly forward. A step toward you is ideal. The heel touches the mat, the weight follows, and your reap catches uke in that transition.
It also works against a defensive stance with the feet spread wide. The lead foot is easy to reach and the gap between the legs leaves room for yours.
Common mistakes
Reaping sideways. The correct line goes toward uke's toes. Reaping outward only moves the foot.
Leaning forward is the second mistake. Your chest moves forward but your head stays upright. Otherwise your hands pull down instead of pushing back.
Many people also reap a foot that carries no weight. If uke is standing on the other leg, the right foot just floats away and you end up hopping on one leg.
Combinations
- Ko-uchi-gari into seoi-nage: the reference combination, especially in a same-side grip.
- Ko-uchi-gari into uchi-mata: uke pulls the right foot back, the legs open and your leg has room to lift.
- Ko-uchi-gari into o-uchi-gari: uke keeps backing up, so you switch feet.
- Ko-uchi-gari into ko-soto-gari: you attack the same heel twice, first from the inside and then from the outside.
There is also a version where tori wraps uke's arm and drops with them, known as ko-uchi-makikomi. It does well against a stiff opponent.
Counters
Ko-uchi-gaeshi is the direct counter. Uke lifts the foot as the reap arrives, tori is left on one leg and uke turns tori over in the direction tori was going. It punishes ko-uchi-gari thrown without kuzushi.
The simpler answer is to lift the foot and reset. That still counts as a small win for tori, who got the opponent moving.
Ko-uchi-gari in BJJ
Ko-uchi-gari is popular in Brazilian jiu-jitsu because you never turn your back. A collar and sleeve grip is enough, and the fall puts you straight on top. It belongs on any list of beginner BJJ takedowns.
Drills
Uke takes a step forward. Tori reaps the foot as it lands, without throwing, just to move it. Ten reps per side. Then add the combination: reap, uke steps back, tori turns in for seoi-nage.
For randori, count attempts rather than falls. A judoka who tries ten ko-uchi-gari per round is dangerous even when none of them score, because every attempt is setting up the next throw.