O-uchi-gari (major inner reap) is a leg technique from group one of the gokyo. Tori drives uke backward, slides a leg between uke's legs and reaps the supporting leg from the inside in a wide arc. Uke lands on the back, often with tori on top.
Not flashy, but it pays. It is one of the attacks that scores most often in competition across all weight classes, and one of the best setups for the big forward throws.
The off-balance: uke sits back on one heel
For a right-hander, the kuzushi for o-uchi-gari targets uke's rear left corner. Uke's weight has to move onto the left heel.
The right hand (tsurite) drives the lapel back and down, forearm against the chest. The left hand (hikite) pulls the sleeve down toward your hip. Uke ends up sitting on one leg.
One detail changes everything: your head goes against uke's chest. It stops their upper body from coming back forward.
How to do o-uchi-gari in four steps
- Small step with the left foot forward, behind your right foot, to close the gap.
- The right leg slides between uke's legs, knee bent.
- Your calf or the back of your knee hooks the inside of uke's left knee.
- The leg draws an arc backward and to the right, like a big windshield wiper. Your body drives in the direction of the reap.
The reaping foot skims the mat. It does not rise.
What makes o-uchi-gari fail
Reaping a leg that is carrying weight comes first. If uke's weight is on the right leg, reaping the left one achieves nothing: it lifts and nothing happens. Sometimes you need to make uke step back once to load the right leg.
Space between the bodies is next. Tori reaping from a distance has the leg too straight and the hook slips off. You need to be chest to chest.
The third mistake is reaping straight back. The correct path is an arc that opens uke's leg to the side. In a straight line, uke just takes a step back.
Combinations: the heart of the system
O-uchi-gari is worth most for what it causes. Uke feels the leg go, pulls it back and pushes forward to rebalance. At that instant, uke hands you the front.
- O-uchi-gari into seoi-nage, the classic for shorter judoka.
- O-uchi-gari into uchi-mata, for taller players.
- O-uchi-gari into ko-uchi-gari, to stay on the back corner when uke keeps retreating.
It also works in reverse. A seoi-nage fake often makes uke step back and load the heel, and o-uchi-gari arrives right on time.
Counters to know
O-uchi-gaeshi is the direct counter. Uke lifts the attacked leg and pulls it away while pivoting. Tori, committed forward, falls into empty space and uke helps them to the mat.
Judoka who turn a lot can also answer with a shoulder throw as tori comes in, or with uchi-mata if tori's leg stays trapped between theirs.
The best protection is to reap fast with your head glued to uke, and never stand on one leg for more than an instant.
In Brazilian jiu-jitsu
O-uchi-gari is widely used in BJJ, often from a clinch. One thing to watch: after the throw you often land between your opponent's legs, which means inside their guard. You then have to pass the guard. BJJ competitors often chain the reap straight into the pass so the opponent has no time to close the legs.
How to get better at it
A useful drill: uke walks backward along a line, tori follows and reaps as the left heel lands. Then switch roles. Uke walks forward and tori first has to make them step back.
Our advice: if you could train only one rear throw for a whole season, pick this one. It works from any grip and against any body type. It also makes your forward throws more dangerous. Log what comes after it in your training journal or in Jutrack. An o-uchi-gari that scores alone is rare. A combination that scores off it is far less rare.