What is the Kouchi Gari?
Kouchi gari is a shorter, quicker inside reap that hooks the near heel or ankle while upper-body pressure breaks balance. It is especially useful as a chain attack after ouchi gari threats, collar-sleeve pressure, and failed ankle picks.
Create the Plant
Force weight onto the near heel.
- Establish collar-sleeve or wrist control
- Drive or pull to load the near foot
- Step into range without telegraphing a big outside reap
- Feel their heel settle
Hook and Dump
- Hook the near heel from the inside with your reaping foot
- Drive upper body in the direction that collapses that base
- Keep chest or collar connection so they cannot hop free
- Commit through the dump
Settle Top
Land ready to pin.
- Follow to side control or a stable top pin
- Clear frames and turtle turns
- Establish cross-face/underhook
- Chain to the next trip if they scramble up
Key Grips & Control Points
- Collar and sleeve (gi) or wrist/collar-tie control (no-gi)
- Upper-body drive that turns their base over the hooked heel
- Reaping foot cupping or sweeping the near heel from the inside
- Hands staying connected through the fall
Timing & Movement Cues
- Attack as they step or plant the near foot after defending ouchi
- Hook when their weight is momentarily on the heel
- Chain immediately when they hop or circle from a failed reap
Pressure & Weight Distribution
- Use upper-body torque more than a giant reap
- Keep the hook tight to the heel — shallow taps get stepped over
- Follow the fall instead of watching them land
Typical Counters to Expect
- Lifting the targeted foot and circling out
- Heavy base and hip block that stalls the hook
- Guard pull as you overcommit forward
Follow-Up Options
- Side control after a clean dump
- Ankle pick if the heel lifts but hands stay connected
- Ouchi or osoto when they overcorrect the planted foot
Setups & Entries
- Ouchi gari feint that makes them hop the far foot
- Collar-sleeve pressure forcing a heavy near heel
- Snap or collar-drag threats that elevate posture into the hook
Training Drills
- Kouchi heel-hook (reap) entries to a controlled pin
- Ouchi–kouchi combination uchi-komi
- No-gi wrist-control adaptations with light resistance
Coaching Notes
- Kouchi is a chain weapon — do not treat it as a lone highlight throw
- Upper-body direction decides whether the heel hook finishes
- Stay ready to switch to ankle pick if the foot leaves the mat
Related Study
Connect this movement with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
Kouchi gari hooks the near heel while upper-body pressure dumps the base. Use it as a chain with ouchi, osoto, and ankle picks rather than a single isolated attack.