Ko Soto Gake

From Red River Judo
Ko Soto Gake
General information
DomainTachi-Waza
ClassificationNage-Waza
Sub-ClassificationAshi-Waza
KodokanYes
GroupingDai-Sankyo
RelatedKo Soto Gari
Ko Soto Makikomi
ComplexityTech-Intermediate
ArcsRetreating
Technique name
RōmajiKosoto gake
Japanese小外掛
EnglishSmall outer hook
Korean발뒤축 걸기

Kosoto Gake (小外掛), sometimes known as “minor outer hook,” is one of the original 40 throws of Judo developed by Jigoro Kano. It belongs to the third group, Sankyo, of the traditional throwing list, Gokyo (no waza), of Kodokan Judo. It is also part of the current 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo. Kosoto Gake is classified as a foot technique, Ashi-waza.

Kosoto Gake is often used as a counter-throw to Tai Otoshi, after stepping over the leg. To perform the technique, the tori (the person executing the throw) grabs the uke (the person being thrown) using one of several compatible grips, with the traditional example being the sleeve-collar grip. The tori then steps forward diagonally to place all of the uke’s weight on the foot that the tori wishes to reap.

This leg is reaped by wrapping the tori’s leg around the uke’s leg from the outside (doing it from the inside is Ōuchi Gari) and plucking the ankle or calf upward with the back of the tori’s own ankle or calf, respectively. Because the weight is planted on this foot due to off-balancing the uke, the tori can make the uke fall. If the uke’s weight is not on the leg being swept, the uke will remain stable and be able to keep their balance.

This should all be done in a fluid motion so that the uke’s weight is moving backward while the leg is being reaped. Otherwise, it will be too heavy to lift, although the throw can still work sometimes from this position.

Demonstration