Glossary of Judo waza (techniques) terms

Ouchi-gari (Large inner reap)

Summary

This is a representative Judo Waza in which the attacker moves straight into the opponent's chest.

Features of this Waza

The Ouchi-gari (Large inner reap) consists of moving straight into the opponent's chest, and then executing a leg reap from the inner side to throw the opponent onto his back.

Waza details

From the natural posture, Tori (Player executing technique) takes a step forward while pulling Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) toward him, then moves his Support leg forward behind his advanced leg.
Although Tori (Player executing technique) leg is at right angles to Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) at this point, Tori (Player executing technique) makes sure that his chest is squarely facing Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) chest.
Tori (Player executing technique) pulls Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) body snugly against his own, then, while destabilizing Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) balance with his Tsurite (Lifting hand), Tori (Player executing technique) places his reaping foot at the inner side of Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) leg in preparation for the reap.
The foot reap can be performed in two different ways when executing the Ouchi-gari (Large inner reap). One way is swing the reaping foot in a half circle in order to spread Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) legs and destabilize his balance. The other way is to engage Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) leg with the reaping foot, and reap Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) foot while hopping several times on one leg in the backward direction
The Tsurite (Lifting hand) can also be used in different ways. Tori (Player executing technique) can use his Tsurite (Lifting hand) to pull the collar of Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) uniform downward to destabilize his balance, or he can destabilize Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) by pushing Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) shoulder.
The "pulling the collar downward" method is advantageous for a small-statured combatant when facing a larger opponent.
Because the Ouchi-gari (Large inner reap) is used to destabilize the opponent in the backward direction, Tori (Player executing technique) can feign a forward-throw Waza, and when Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) moves backward to protect himself, Tori (Player executing technique) can execute this Ouchi-gari (Large inner reap). This Waza can also be applied as a transition to another Waza.