O Soto Gari

O Soto Gari, commonly referred to as the 'Major Outer Reaping Throw,' is a fundamental and highly effective leg throw in Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. It involves using your leg to reap the opponent's leg from the outside while using your upper body to control and throw them backward. To perform O Soto Gari, establish a standard grip with one hand on the opponent's sleeve and the other on their lapel. Step forward and across the opponent's body with your lead leg, positioning your other leg behind their leg. Use your leg to reap their leg from the outside, sweeping it backwards and upwards. Simultaneously, use your upper body grips to pull the opponent forward and downward, breaking their balance and driving them to the mat. The combination of the large leg reap, strong upper body control, and driving force makes O Soto Gari a powerful and versatile throw. It can be used as a primary attack, a counter, or in combination with other techniques. Along with uchi mata this technique is a staple of judo.