Judo Level 2: O Uchi Gari — Read backward imbalance before the inside reap

大内刈, o-uchi-gari, means major inner reap and belongs to the foot-technique group. Uchi identifies the inside approach.

Kodokan describes backward imbalance and an inside reap. Watch the partner’s torso move away from its base in coordination with the leg action, rather than hands and legs working in disconnected directions.

O-uchi-gari begins with uke's backward imbalance; then read the leg entering inside uke's base. In Kodokan's right-sided example, tori's right leg acts on uke's left. This distinguishes it from ko-uchi-gari more clearly than guessing how wide a 'large' leg circle should be.

Ko Uchi Gari also works from inside, but the targeted leg and entry path differ. Major and minor do not simply mean more or less force; do not identify the technique by apparent strength.

If the leg enters but uke remains balanced over the other foot, stronger leg action alone does not explain the missing imbalance. Watch the upper body and the supporting leg together. Reaping is not an instruction to kick the back of a joint.

Ask an instructor to check stepping timing and upper-body direction before reaping. If reaching with the leg destroys your base, reset the distance. Slow practice still requires care for the partner’s backward fall.

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.

Note whether uke is stepping or stationary when the entry begins, and ask how that timing relates to the backward direction. Slow practice should allow the base and finishing control to be checked. Falling together is not itself proof of a successful reap.