YR Sports Lab
You reap the leg and your opponent just hops away and stands firm. Or you step in and immediately get their weight dumped on you. That is the classic sticking point of Ouchi Gari (大內刈). It is a foot technique in the first group of the Kodokan Gokyo, known in English as the major inner reap: a throw that sweeps the opponent's leg from the inside. This guide covers its classification and numbering, the technique breakdown, entry timings, general counter ideas, and the IBJJF takedown scoring rules.
1. Origin and Story: Throw No. 7 of Kodokan Group One
Ouchi Gari has no verifiable single "inventing match" or signature figure, so this section only states classification facts that were cross-checked. The Wikipedia entry says it is one of the traditional 40 Kodokan throws, developed by Kano Jigoro, belongs to the first group of the Gokyo no Waza (Dai Ikkyo), and is one of the 67 current Kodokan throws, classified as a foot technique (ashi-waza), meaning a throw driven mainly by reaping, sweeping or hooking with the legs. Wikipedia's Judo entry records that Kano opened his school in February 1882 at the Eisho-ji temple in Tokyo, which is regarded as the founding of the Kodokan.
The numbering can be matched across two sources. Wikipedia's Gokyo no waza entry lists O uchi gari as the 7th of the 8 throws in the first group, alongside De ashi barai, Hiza guruma, Sasae tsurikomi ashi, Uki goshi, O soto gari, O goshi and Seoi nage. Judo Info labels it the 7th of the 40 throws overall and states that the curriculum originated in 1895 at the Kodokan in Tokyo and, from 1920 to 1982, consisted of 40 throws in 5 groups. The 7th throw of the first group is the 7th overall, so the two sources agree.
What the Name Means
The Japanese characters 大內刈 are translated by Wikipedia as major inner reap or large inner reap. By the meaning of the characters, 內 (inner) points to the inside of the opponent's leg and 刈 (reap) to a sweeping or cutting action, while 大 (major) distinguishes it from its smaller sibling, Kouchi Gari (小內刈). That last point is an inference from naming; the sources do not state it.
For other reaping throws in the same family, see Osoto Gari from the first group. Other judo throws in this series include Seoi Nage and Uchi Mata.
2. Mechanics: Deep Step, Hook, Break Balance, Control the Landing
Wikipedia's description is concise: the attacker (tori) uses a leg to reap the opponent's (uke's) leg from the inside while using the hands to pull or push uke toward the ground; in competition the reaping action is sometimes replaced with a hooking or lifting motion, and the free hand may lift or block uke's other leg. A BJJ-oriented guide (Digitsu) adds grips and entry detail. The table below combines both and marks the source.
| Stage | Key points |
|---|---|
| 1. Grips | Collar-and-arm or collar-tie grips in the gi; in No-Gi, a collar tie and inside bicep control replace the lapel, and the reap mechanics stay the same (Digitsu) |
| 2. Deep step | Step the driving foot deep between the opponent's feet; a shallow entry turns the reap into a weak tap that the opponent can ride out (Digitsu) |
| 3. Inside hook | Hook the other calf behind the opponent's far knee from the inside, toes pointed to keep the reap connected (Digitsu) |
| 4. Reap and break balance | Reap the leg toward you while your grips and chest drive the opponent diagonally back over it; the pressure goes over the reaped leg, not straight back, or the free leg can base (Digitsu) |
| 5. Control the landing | Ride the fall with posture control, landing inside the opponent's open guard or passing directly to side control (Digitsu); in judo the throw lands the opponent on their back with impetus and control (Wikipedia Judo) |
Digitsu lists three common mistakes: reaping with a straight leg from too far away, which gives the opponent time to step over or sprawl; driving straight back instead of over the reaped leg, which lets the free leg base out the throw; and neglecting your own posture during the entry, which exposes you to snap downs and front headlocks. KokaKids adds that Ouchi Gari can be used as a direct attack and is also very effective in combination with other techniques.
3. Entry Timing and Setups
The three entry points below are drawn from Digitsu's Ouchi Gari entry. They are technical descriptions, not statistical conclusions:
First, when the opponent stands square with a wide base. Digitsu says the throw punishes square stances and wide bases, and the space between the legs that lets you step in deep is our inference, which the source does not state.
Second, when the opponent stiff-arms you. Digitsu notes that opponents who stiff-arm tend to drift into Kouchi Gari range, so you can switch to the small inner reap; those who push back instead open up forward throws.
Third, when a single reap fails and the opponent hops away. Digitsu suggests moving to Kouchi Gari, or shooting a double leg off the recovery step. This matches KokaKids' point that the throw combines well with other techniques.
4. Strengths and Limitations
| Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|
| Works as a direct attack and combines well with other techniques (KokaKids) | A shallow entry turns the reap into a weak tap the opponent can ride out (Digitsu) |
| Can land you inside the opponent's guard or pass straight to side control (Digitsu) | Reaping with a straight leg from too far gives the opponent time to step over or sprawl (Digitsu) |
| In judo, a throw that lands the opponent on their back with impetus and control scores ippon (Wikipedia Judo) | Neglecting posture on entry exposes you to snap downs and front headlocks (Digitsu) |
| Under IBJJF rules, stabilizing top position for 3 seconds scores 2 points (Exponential Jiu-Jitsu) | A takedown started after the opponent initiates a guard pull earns no points (IBJJF Article 4.1.11) |
5. Common Counters
This section lists the counters the sources state explicitly and marks the parts that are inferences from them:
First, Ouchi Gaeshi (大內返). Wikipedia describes it as a reversal, or counter-throw, meant to counteract Ouchi Gari. Its name means "big inner reap counter," it is classed as a foot technique, and it was added later to the Kodokan's Shinmeisho no waza list. The entry gives no grip or timing detail and this article does not guess; ask your coach to demonstrate.
Second, keep the free leg based so the weight never lands on the reaped leg. Digitsu lists "pressure not going over the reaped leg lets the free leg base out" as an attacker's mistake. Conversely, a defender who keeps weight on the free leg and holds a solid base can neutralize the reap (inference from the source).
Third, punish a collapsed posture. Digitsu warns that an attacker who neglects posture on entry is exposed to snap downs and front headlocks, so a defender can push the head or neck down as the attacker steps in deep and leans forward (inference from the source).
Options After Being Stopped
If the opponent hops or bases out, Digitsu suggests switching to Kouchi Gari, or shooting a double leg off the recovery step.
If the opponent stiff-arms, Digitsu notes they tend to drift into Kouchi Gari range; if they push back, forward throws open up.
For a systematic look at landing and defense from the thrown side, see our BJJ takedown defense and ukemi guide.
6. Competition Frequency and Rule Legality
On the rules side, Exponential Jiu-Jitsu's summary of the IBJJF rulebook says that establishing top position for 3 seconds scores 2 points for a takedown. Article 4.1.10 says that if you start a takedown before the opponent starts a guard pull, you receive the 2 points; Article 4.1.11 says that if you start a takedown after the opponent has begun a guard pull, you receive neither points nor advantage. The page was published in October 2024, states no rulebook version, and also warns that slamming a guard player earns an immediate disqualification, so control the landing instead of dropping the opponent. Check the latest IBJJF rulebook for actual competition.
On frequency, IBJJF and ADCC publish only placings and brackets, not per-technique statistics, and we found no reliable third-party frequency figure for Ouchi Gari, so this is qualitative only: in BJJ instruction it is generally treated as a reaping entry from standing grip exchanges, combined with Kouchi Gari and the double leg, rather than a standalone mainstream weapon.
7. Safety: Judo Injury Sites and Landing
We found no injury study specific to Ouchi Gari, so only judo-wide data is cited. The systematic review by Pocecco et al. (2013) in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reports an average injury risk of about 11 to 12% at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games; sprains, strains and contusions, usually of the knee, shoulder and fingers, were the most frequent injuries, and being thrown was the most common mechanism, while severe injuries were rare and usually affected the brain and spine. These are judo-wide figures and cannot be read as the risk of Ouchi Gari itself.
・The opponent's weight goes backward during the reap, so the person being thrown should practice ukemi: chin tucked, back rounded, arm slapping the mat, never reaching back to post
・Control the landing and do not slam the opponent into the mat; an IBJJF slam is a disqualification (Exponential Jiu-Jitsu)
・Hooking puts torsion on the knee and ankle, so beginners should drill slowly on soft mats with an experienced partner
・If you feel lasting pain in the knee, shoulder or fingers, stop training and get it assessed
FAQ
What does Ouchi Gari mean?
Ouchi Gari is the Japanese name 大內刈, translated as major inner reap. Wikipedia describes the attacker using one leg to reap the opponent's leg from the inside while pulling or pushing the opponent toward the ground with the hands. It is a judo foot technique (ashi-waza).
How many points does an Ouchi Gari takedown score under IBJJF rules?
Establishing top position for 3 seconds scores 2 points. Under IBJJF Articles 4.1.10 and 4.1.11, a takedown started after the opponent has initiated a guard pull does not earn those 2 points. The rules summary cited here does not list legal techniques one by one, so check the latest rulebook.
Is Ouchi Gari in the same family as Osoto Gari?
Both are foot techniques in the first group of the Kodokan Gokyo. Wikipedia's Gokyo no waza entry lists O soto gari as the 5th throw and O uchi gari as the 7th. The outer and inner in the names refer to reaping the outside or the inside of the opponent's leg.
What if I reap the leg but my opponent just hops away?
Switch to Kouchi Gari or a double leg. Digitsu suggests that when the opponent hops or bases out, you move to Kouchi Gari, or shoot a double leg off the recovery step. A shallow entry turns the reap into a weak tap that the opponent can ride out.
Is there a dedicated counter to Ouchi Gari?
Yes, Ouchi Gaeshi (大內返). Wikipedia describes it as a counter-throw meant to counteract Ouchi Gari, added later to the Kodokan's Shinmeisho no waza list. The sources used here give no grip or timing details for it, so ask your coach to demonstrate.
References
1. Wikipedia contributors. Ōuchi gari. en.wikipedia.org/O_uchi_gari (retrieved 2026/10; supports one of the original 40 throws developed by Kano Jigoro, first group, 67 current throws, foot-technique classification, the major inner reap translation, and the technique description with competition hook or lift variations)
2. Wikipedia contributors. Gokyo no waza. en.wikipedia.org/Gokyo_no_waza (retrieved 2026/10; supports O uchi gari as the 7th of 8 throws in the first group and the other members of that group)
3. Judo Info. The Gokyo of Kodokan. judoinfo.com/gokyo1 (retrieved 2026/10; supports the 1895 origin of the Gokyo, 40 throws in 5 groups from 1920 to 1982, and Ouchi-gari as the 7th throw overall)
4. Wikipedia contributors. Judo. en.wikipedia.org/Judo (retrieved 2026/10; supports Kano founding his school in February 1882 at the Eisho-ji and a throw landing the opponent on their back with impetus and control scoring ippon)
5. Wikipedia contributors. Ōuchi gaeshi. en.wikipedia.org/Ouchi_gaeshi (retrieved 2026/10; supports Ouchi Gaeshi as a counter to Ouchi Gari, the 大內返 characters and later addition to the Shinmeisho no waza list; the entry gives no grip or timing detail)
6. Digitsu. Ouchi Gari. digitsu.com/t/ouchi-gari (publication date not stated, retrieved 2026/10; supports BJJ grips, deep step, inside hook, pressure direction over the reaped leg, controlled landing, entry timing, the Kouchi Gari or double leg follow-ups and three common mistakes)
7. KokaKids. O-Uchi-Gari. kokakids.co.uk (publication date not stated, retrieved 2026/10; supports O-Uchi-Gari working as a direct attack and combining well with other techniques)
8. Exponential Jiu-Jitsu. IBJJF Rules, Takedowns. exponentialjiujitsu.com (published 2024/10, retrieved 2026/10; supports 2 points for 3 seconds of top position, Articles 4.1.10 to 4.1.12 on guard pulls, and the slam disqualification warning)
9. Pocecco E et al. (2013). Injuries in judo: a systematic literature review including suggestions for prevention. Br J Sports Med;47(18):1139-43. PubMed PMID 24255909 (supports the average Olympic judo injury risk of about 11 to 12%, knee, shoulder and finger sprains, strains and contusions as common injuries, and being thrown as the most common mechanism)