How To Perform The Osoto Otoshi – Big Outer Drop

The osoto otoshi is a judo throw that is also classified as ashi-waza. This is because it is a 2-part technique. The upper body is used to throw the opponent backward, whilst the legs are used to sweep the opponent’s foot. Osoto otoshi translates into English as “big outer drop” due to the force and motion of how you get your opponent to the ground.

It should immediately be recognized that the osoto otoshi is very similar to the osoto gari, the two of which are often confused. However, the big difference between the two is that the osoto otoshi uses a sweeping technique used to block the leg of the opponent. It is not a full throwing technique, but instead a combination of throw and sweep. The fundamental difference between the two throws, being that your leg will not leave the ground once planted in osoto otoshi.

Osoto Otoshi Setup

The osoto otoshi is mostly entered from the most common grip in judo, which is a typical collar sleeve grip. From here you must bring all of your body weight backward by stepping backward. In general, you want to attack the side on which you have the sleeve grip. This will make it much easier to finish the throw once you have it set up.

If you can get a very high lapel grip this is excellent. With a higher grip, you are able to drive your arm into your opponent’s collar and force their head to move backward. This is great since it immediately puts the opponent off-balance.

Ideally, at this point you should be standing outside of your opponent’s legs. Whilst you are still facing them, you should no longer be directly parallel and/or mirroring them. The next step is to take a big stride forwards with your outside leg, which will land outside, but approximately in line with both your opponent’s feet. This allows a good strong base to attack from, which is not vulnerable to attacks from your opponent due to its distance.

The leg which is closest to your opponent can now be bought behind their nearest leg to begin the throw.

Mechanics Of Osoto Otoshi

The start of the osoto otoshi may seem counterproductive, you want to pull all of your opponent’s weight forwards – even though you intend to throw them backward. This is a well known idea in judo or any grappling sport in general. Not only will the opponent resisting momentum help you, but you never want to truly show what throw you’re attempting until it’s too late to be stopped.

Once the opponent is bought forwards your sweeping leg should be placed behind and through both of your opponent’s leg. Note that your leg DOES NOT come off the floor as it does in osoto gari. Your sweeping foot should be placed back as far as possible, ideally further back than your standing leg. This will make the throw mechanically easier as you are far deeper in on your opponent’s body. A shallow sweeping leg will make the throw much tougher for your upper body.

From this point, you should just need to throw the opponent to the floor using your upper body strength and pushing your weight over the top of your hips. Usually, the opponent would back step and simply stand upright. However, the sweeping leg does not allow this backstep to happen and your opponent is thrown to the mat.

Osoto Otoshi Tips & Finishes

Firstly, the osoto otoshi must be performed aggressively. This is because when putting your sweeping leg through the opponent’s leg, if you aren’t deep or aggressive enough, you put yourself in a 50/50 mirrored position. If your weight is distributed incorrectly, this can open you up to counter throws such as osoto gari.

When finished powerfully, the osoto otoshi will end with both people on the floor. Ideally, you want to keep hold of the sleeve grip and end up in a scarf hold. Not only will this be a more powerful throw, it will also stop your opponent from recovering, especially if an ippon wasn’t scored. You will still have a good chance to submit your opponent from a powerful scarf pin.

Osoto Otoshi In Self Defense

It is not always 100% necessary to follow your opponent to the floor when completing an osoto otoshi. This is ideal for a self-defense scenario where you are wary of going to the floor. If there are other people around, or the floor had broken glass or needles, then it is a nice option to finish the throw whilst still standing.

Avoiding Injuries

You are not in great danger when attempting osoto otoshi, but with that being said, you always need to be careful with your knees. The knee joint has a great range of mobility to go backward and forwards, however, its range of motion is very limited from side to side.

This is why it’s always good practice to point your toes inwards when tripping the opponent over your leg. This way, if the throw goes wrong, all of your opponent’s weight will go on the back of your leg and will push your knee into the ground. This is much better than the opponent landing on the side of your knee and pushing it inwards. This uncontrolled bodyweight can cause catastrophic injuries to the LCL if you are unlucky and positioned incorrectly.

Osoto Otoshi From Georgian Grip

The osoto otoshi can also be performed from a Georgian grip. This grip is not as good overall for the osoto otoshi as you need to fully control your opponent’s posture. If you do manage to get your opponent off balance, then it is very easy to finish the throw with this grip since you have great control over them.

The downside of finishing with a Georgian grip is that your hand and shoulder are in a very awkward position. You are throwing a lot of body weight onto your own wrist and can sometimes can your own arm stuck behind your opponent’s back. This is not ideal for newaza since you’re at an immediate disadvantage with a trapped arm.