Tani-otoshi (valley drop) is a side sacrifice throw from the fourth group of the gokyo. Tori slides a leg behind uke's heels, drops onto the side and takes uke down backward. Most judoka know it as a counter. Against a poorly prepared uchi-mata or harai-goshi, it is one of the safest answers in judo.
The logic of the valley
The name paints the picture. Tori's body and outstretched leg form a valley on the mat, and uke falls back into it. The kuzushi is to uke's rear corner, diagonally, when the weight sits on the heels.
It is a yoko-sutemi-waza, where tori falls on the side. It forms a trio with yoko-otoshi and uki-waza. All three are done by falling sideways, but with a different leg position and a different direction. Seeing where the trio sits in the nage-waza catalog and in the gokyo helps keep them apart.
Tani-otoshi as a counter
This is its main use, and usually the one taught first. The names follow the original attack here: tori attacks, uke counters.
Tori turns in for uchi-mata or harai-goshi without lifting uke first. Uke feels the hip coming and keeps the heels down. As tori turns the back, uke slides a leg behind tori's heels and wraps an arm around tori's back. Then uke drops to the side and takes tori down backward.
It works because tori, mid-rotation, is on one leg and cannot step back. Uke just takes the rear corner that is being offered. Our page on utsuri-goshi covers another counter that exploits the same faulty entry.
As an attack: the classic pattern
As a direct attack, it fits when uke steps back or arches. For a right-hander:
- Tori pulls uke's right sleeve down and pushes the lapel back. Uke's weight shifts to the heels.
- Tori slides the straight left leg behind both of uke's heels, as far as possible.
- Tori drops onto the left side close to uke, shoulders turned toward uke.
- The hands keep pushing back and down. Uke falls on the back over the leg.
The contact point is not the knee but the back of the heels or calves. Tori's leg does not reap. It is an obstacle.
Mistakes, and a safety issue
- Falling far from uke. The leg no longer reaches behind the heels, uke steps back and tori is left alone on the mat.
- Falling with no control of the upper body. In a counter, if your arm is not holding the attacker's back, the attacker completes the rotation and scores.
- Landing with your body weight against uke's straight supporting leg. This is the dangerous one, because uke's knee can twist. Fall beside the leg, never onto it.
That last point matters most in randori with less experienced partners. If uke's leg feels stiff and locked, let it go.
Counters to tani-otoshi and follow-ups
When uke feels the leg sliding in, uke can step back over it and stay standing. Another option is to fall onto tori and look for a pin. After a successful tani-otoshi, tori is right next to uke, on the side. The transition into kesa-gatame or yoko-shiho-gatame is immediate.
Tani-otoshi in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
BJJ players use it to bring down an opponent who is backing up, or to counter a standing back take. Since the goal in BJJ is often to land in a dominant position rather than score a clean throw, the ground follow-up matters more than the quality of the fall.
Training it without hurting your partners
Step one is the side fall alone, leg straight and head protected. Step two: static uke, slightly arched, while tori places the leg and drops. Step three is the counter in context, with uke attacking uchi-mata in slow motion and tori answering.
Our view: every judoka who attacks with hip throws should get countered by tani-otoshi in training, regularly. Nothing teaches careful kuzushi faster than landing on your back after every sloppy entry.