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Osotogari
As practiced by Grandmaster Cho Jea Ki, Olympic Bronze medallist |
Foot Technique
Osotogari is a very simple technique, but you have to repeat your
uchikomi many times. Sometimes you can practice against the wall
and sometimes against a tree. You must establish a good balance
on your standing leg. Your foot placement is very important. You
must put your foot even with your opponent's foot; there should
be a distance of the width of one foot between your foot and your
opponent's foot. Also, you must observe the angle of your opponent's
foot and match it, so your foot is parallel to his/her foot. You
must practice to make your first step solid. Next you must sweep
your other leg straight up as high as possible and as quickly
as possible. Then, pull your leg back as high behind you as possible.
In summary,
- Get a good balance
- Kick as high and as quickly as possible
- Pull back through as high as possible behind you.
These three actions are three separate steps, and you must concentrate
on each of them. Finally, you can combine the three steps. You
need to practice it one hundred times every day for a month. Then
you will feel sure of your technique.
Gripping
I use a combination of grips to set up the osotogari technique.
I like to start with a left-handed cross grip (with my left hand
on my opponent's left lapel). With my right hand I grab my opponent
either on the elbow or on the fold at the underarm. Then I move
my left hand to grab my opponent behind the neck.
Where I pull my hand depends on the height of my opponent.
- If my opponent is taller than I, I pull his/her right arm
to the left and down.
- If my opponent is the same size as I am, I pull my right arm
back, parallel to the ground.
- If my opponent is shorter than I am, I pull my right arm back
at an upward angle.
The direction I pull matches what feels natural and comfortable
to me, as my body type relates my opponent's body type.
I also have a left-handed sasai tsurikomi ashi, which I use first
to set up the osotogari.
Good luck.
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This webpage was created by Anne E. Dunning