Random thought on Life, Judo Olympics, Judo Self Defense, The Art or Judo Kata, Judo An International Sport. Things that inspire or annoy me or things that I just had to write down.Exploring the Subtle Differences: O-soto-gari, O-soto-otoshi, and O-soto-guruma
Here is some Judo throw description on differences between closely related Waza from the 講道館 公式チャンネル／ KODOKAN Official YouTube Channel. The similarities can make it difficult to determine the differences between some techniques. This is especially true for O-soto-gari, O-soto-otoshi, and O-soto-guruma, which all involve backward balance-breaking movements and similar leg actions. However, examining the details of each technique reveals their distinct characteristics.
 |
| Stand Tall: Respect and Affect Click Here For More Information |
大外刈（おおそとがり）/ O-soto-gari: The Classic Leg Reap
O-soto-gari is one of the most iconic throws in Judo. Tori (the person executing the throw) uses their right leg to reap Uke’s (the opponent’s) right leg from the outside. The objective is to break Uke’s balance backward, while the right leg executes the reap. The technique is fluid, as the leg sweep and the upper body control occur almost simultaneously. The key to this throw is Tori’s ability to apply backward pressure on Uke’s shoulder while the leg sweep completes the motion, causing Uke to fall backward onto the mat.
大外落（おおそとおとし） / O-soto-otoshi: A Subtle Vertical Suspension
I have struggled for years to figure out what differentiated O-soto-otoshi and O-Soto-Gari and at first glance, the video below doesn't help much. For one throw to be different from another there has to be a difference in the breaking of the balance, kuzushi and the description in the video simply says:
"A technique to throw down the opponent vertically by breaking his balance backward and sliding down the right leg on the back of his right thigh."
It sounds like the only difference between the throws is the placement of the leg a little higher up Uke's leg. The placement of the leg in this fashion simply makes it a variation of O-Soto-Gari. However, if you concentrate on the video rather than the description you can see that there is a kind of suspension of Uke in the air, vertically upwards, only slightly angling him backwards before the throw. With this suspension in the air, combined with the higher-up leg reap, you can see that the kuzushi is quite different from O-Soto-Gari. In O-Soto-Gari, Tori's hands propel Uke backwards over his shoulder and the throw is finished with the leg reap. It is subtle but it is there.
Comparing the Three Techniques
At first glance, O-soto-gari & O-soto-otoshi & O-soto-guruma appear to share the same basic mechanics. They all involve breaking Uke’s balance backward and using a leg sweep. However, when studying their application, the differences become more apparent. O-soto-gari focuses on a straightforward leg reap, while O-soto-otoshi emphasizes an upward suspension and vertical drop. O-soto-guruma, on the other hand, utilizes both legs to rotate Uke, adding a unique spinning element to the throw.
In competitive Judo or demonstration, these subtle differences can make a significant impact. The choice between O-soto-gari & O-soto-otoshi & O-soto-guruma may depend on Uke’s posture, reaction, and balance.
No comments:
Post a Comment