Ouchi Gari
Major inner reap that reaps the inside of the lead leg and dumps the opponent backward — a high-percentage judo trip for BJJ clinches.
From StandingTo Top / Side Control
Overview
Ouchi gari attacks the inside of the opponent’s lead or supporting leg, reaping it while driving their upper body backward. In BJJ it pairs with collar-and-sleeve or underhook clinches and chains cleanly with kouchi gari and ankle picks when they step to defend.
#Break Balance
Load them onto the leg you will reap.
- Establish collar-sleeve or underhook control
- Drive their posture backward onto the target leg
- Step into a strong throwing stance
- Feel the weight settle on the inside-attacked leg
#Reap Through
- Swing the reaping leg to the inside of their support leg
- Reap through heel/calf as hands drive them back
- Keep chest contact so they cannot hop free
- Commit through the fall
#Settle Top
The throw ends in a pin.
- Follow to side control or a stable top pin
- Clear immediate frames and turtle turns
- Establish cross-face/underhook
- Only then hunt submissions
Key Grips & Control Points
- Collar and sleeve (gi) or underhook / head-and-arm (no-gi)
- Chest pressure that loads them onto the target leg
- Reaping leg attacking the inside of their heel/calf line
- Hands driving back through the throw, not just pulling
Timing & Movement Cues
- Reap when weight settles on the lead or target leg
- Attack as they step forward into your collar or underhook pressure
- Chain to kouchi or ankle pick when they hop the foot free
Pressure & Weight Distribution
- Break balance backward before the inside reap
- Reap through the leg; a light tap rarely finishes
- Follow to a pin so they cannot pull guard cleanly
Typical Counters to Expect
- Stepping the target foot back and circling out
- Hip blocks and counters into their own trip
- Guard pulls as you overcommit chest pressure
Follow-Up Options
- Side control or knee-on-belly after a clean fall
- Kesa / scarf-hold pins in the scramble
- Pass chains if they recover open guard on the way down
Setups & Entries
- Collar-sleeve pressure that forces a heavy lead foot
- Fake osoto to make them plant the inside leg
- Underhook clinch that loads them onto one base leg
Training Drills
- Uchi-komi style balance-break and inside-reap reps
- Gi collar-sleeve ouchi entries to a controlled pin
- Ouchi–kouchi chain rounds with light resistance
Coaching Notes
- Balance break first, reap second
- Drive with hands and hips together
- In BJJ, prioritize a safe landing and immediate top control
Related Study
Connect this movement with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
Ouchi gari is posture break plus inside reap. Load the target leg, reap through it, and land in top control — then chain kouchi or ankle pick when they hop free.