How to Do the Ouchi Gari Judo Throw

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Ouchi Gari is a classic and effective judo throw that involves sweeping your opponent's leg to off-balance and take them down. It's a fundamental technique in judo, but it can also be used in other martial arts and self-defense situations. To perform a successful Ouchi Gari, you need to focus on your balance, timing, and technique. This article will guide you through the steps to execute an Ouchi Gari throw.

Steps

Preparation

Find a Judo dojo. While this isn't necessary to do Ouchi Gari, you will find it beneficial to find a community of judo practitioners with diverse levels of skill and expertise, preferably with certified instructors.

Acquire Proper Equipment. A proper fitting gi and a soft surface are necessary to ensure a safe and serviceable practice environment.

Steps

Start in a proper stance. Begin by standing in a natural and balanced stance with your feet shoulder-width apart. Your knees should be slightly bent, and your weight should be evenly distributed between both feet.

Establish grips. Establish a solid grip on your opponent. You can use a standard judo grip, where you and your opponent each grip the other's uniform. Ensure you have control over your opponent's sleeve and lapel with one hand, while the other hand controls their opposite sleeve or collar.

Off-balance your opponent. To effectively execute Ouchi Gari, you need to off-balance your opponent. Push or pull them in a direction that makes them shift their weight onto one leg.

Step across. Move your front foot (the one on the same side as your gripping hand) slightly forward and across your opponent's body. This step is crucial to set up the leg sweep.

Sweep the leg. With your front foot in place, use your back leg to sweep your opponent's supporting leg. Aim to make contact just below their knee with the inside of your calf, hooking behind their ankle. Your sweeping motion should be sharp and controlled, like a pendulum.

Drive your hips forward. Simultaneously, thrust your hips forward to help unbalance your opponent and drive them backward. Keep a tight grip on their upper body to maintain control throughout the throw.

Complete the throw. As your opponent's leg is swept out from under them, they will fall backward. Continue driving your hips and upper body forward, guiding them to the ground. Ensure they land on their back or side to secure a clean throw.

Maintain your balance. Throughout the throw, it's crucial to maintain your balance. Do not overextend or lean too far forward, as this can leave you vulnerable to counterattacks. Keep your core engaged and stay centered.

How to Improve

Practice and refine. Like any martial arts technique, Ouchi Gari requires practice. Repeatedly drill the steps with a partner. Pay attention to your timing, balance, and the fluidity of your movements.

Master the Ouchi Gari variations. As you become more proficient in the basic Ouchi Gari, you can explore variations and combinations with other throws. Learning to adapt the technique to different situations will make you a more versatile judoka.