O Soto Otoshi

O Soto Otoshi, known as the 'Major Outer Drop,' is a powerful throw that combines the reaping action of O Soto Gari with a strong dropping motion to take the opponent down. Unlike O Soto Gari, which focuses on reaping the leg and driving the opponent backward, O Soto Otoshi emphasizes dropping your body weight while reaping to force the opponent straight down. To perform O Soto Otoshi, establish a firm grip on the opponent's sleeve and collar. Step across their body with your lead leg and position your other leg behind their leg, similar to O Soto Gari. However, instead of driving backward, drop your hips and body weight straight down while reaping the opponent's leg. This combination of the reaping action and the downward dropping motion creates a powerful takedown, often resulting in a high-impact throw. The effectiveness of O Soto Otoshi relies on proper positioning, a strong reaping action, and the ability to drop your body weight quickly and efficiently.