IMAC Dojo Judo Curriculum · Level 4

Judo Level 4: Ko Uchi Gari — Link the inside reap to backward weight movement

Name: Ko Uchi Gari — Video lesson 1
Uploaded: 2020-04-07T08:52:59-07:00
Description: An IMAC Dojo clip accompanying Ko Uchi Gari. Use the observations and distinctions in this article to guide your viewing.

Ko Uchi Gari combines backward imbalance with an inside reap. The target foot and upper-body direction must relate; an isolated reap against a stable partner misses that connection.

Compiled by Phoenix — Co-founder of IMAC Dojo

Thaninpong Supapitakpong (Phoenix)Co-founder of IMAC Dojo

Updated 29 Sept 2026

Author: Thaninpong Supapitakpong (Phoenix)
Published: 29 Sept 2026
Last updated: 29 Sept 2026
Sources: 1
Reading time: 2 min

Short Answer

Ko Uchi Gari combines backward imbalance with an inside reap. The target foot and upper-body direction must relate; an isolated reap against a stable partner misses that connection.

Key Takeaways

Identify whose foot is whose before checking contact.
Compare backward upper-body movement with the reap.
Follow hand control through the descent rather than release after the reap.

Begin with the partner’s weight rather than only the thrower’s foot, then ask why the brief reaping action occurs at that moment.

In this article

What the name tells us

小内刈, ko-uchi-gari, is a foot technique: ko means minor, uchi inside and gari reaping.

How the technique works

In Kodokan’s right-sided example, the practitioner’s right foot reaps the partner’s right leg from inside while breaking balance backward. This helps comparison with O Uchi Gari’s different leg relationship.

Read the targeted leg with backward imbalance. In Kodokan's right-sided ko-uchi-gari example, tori's right leg acts on uke's right, unlike o-uchi-gari's opposite-side target, although both enter from inside.

What to watch in the clips

Identify whose foot is whose before checking contact.
Compare backward upper-body movement with the reap.
Follow hand control through the descent rather than release after the reap.

A distinction worth noticing

O Uchi Gari also enters inside but targets the other partner leg in the right-sided description. Minor and major do not measure force; examine path and target.

Reaching the foot does not prove control of the base. If uke's torso remains over stable support, faster foot movement may not change that condition. Observe where the hands guide uke before the reap.

Taking the lesson back to practice

Have an instructor set clear, slow steps before adding speed. If the leg reaps but upper-body guidance stops, revisit hands and imbalance rather than jerk the foot repeatedly.

The Level here refers to the IMAC Dojo curriculum. Use the article and clips to prepare questions and review them with your instructor. Practical training needs a suitable partner, space and controlled conditions.

Tell your instructor which leg is targeted and where uke could step to recover support. This is more specific than 'move the foot quickly' and separates a timing error from confusion over sides.