大腰 O-goshi major hip throw

O-goshi in detail

Reference video

Classification

O-goshi (大腰, "major hip") is the fifth throw of the first group (Dai Ikkyo) of the Kodokan Gokyo and the classic hip technique (koshi-waza). Where Uki-goshi uses only a half turn and the twist of the upper body, O-goshi brings the whole hip across: Tori turns in fully, gets below Uke's centre of gravity and lifts Uke over the hips. It is the foundation for many other hip throws such as Harai-goshi, Tsuri-goshi and Koshi-guruma.

Principle

Tori draws Uke forward and up onto the toes, turns in a full 180° and puts the hips below Uke's belt, with the right arm deep round Uke's back. Uke's centre of gravity is now above and behind Tori's hips. When Tori straightens the legs and bows forward while pulling the right sleeve strongly, Uke is lifted on the hips and rolls forward over them, head first, landing on the back in front of Tori.

Grips (kumikata)

The animation shows two right-handed judoka in ai-yotsu: both stand in migi shizentai (right foot forward) and grip the same way – right hand on the partner's left lapel, left hand on the partner's right sleeve.

• Left hand (hikite): the outside of Uke's right sleeve at the elbow. It draws Uke forward and up, then pulls strongly down and round during the throw.
• Right hand (tsurite): starts on Uke's left lapel; during the entry the right arm goes deep round Uke's back, pulling Uke tight onto Tori's hips.

Step-by-step

1. Draw: pull Uke forward and up with the left hand, so that Uke comes onto the toes.
2. Step in: step the right foot in front of Uke's right foot.
3. Turn: turn a full 180° to the left and bring the left foot back, so both feet are inside Uke's feet, pointing in the throwing direction.
4. Hips and arm: bend the knees and bring the whole hip across, below Uke's belt; wrap the right arm deep round Uke's back.
5. Lift and pull: straighten the legs, bow forward and pull the sleeve strongly down and round – Uke rolls forward over your hips.
6. Finish: stay balanced and keep the sleeve, so that Uke lands under control on the back in front of you, slapping the mat with the left arm.

Key points to get right

These points are also shown as callouts in the animation at the moment they matter.

• Draw Uke forward and up onto the toes. A light Uke is easy to load; a flat-footed Uke can block the hip.
• Step in and turn a full 180°. Both feet inside Uke's feet – a half turn leaves you beside Uke instead of in front.
• Whole hip below Uke's belt, arm deep round the back. Getting under Uke's centre of gravity is what makes the lift easy.
• Straighten the legs and pull the sleeve – Uke rolls over. Lift with the legs, not the back; the strong sleeve pull turns the lift into a forward roll.
• Keep the sleeve, stay balanced. A controlled finish gives Uke a safe landing.

Variations and related techniques

• Uki-goshi: only a half turn and the right hip; the throw comes from the twist of the upper body.
• Tsuri-goshi: the right hand grips Uke's belt and lifts.
• Koshi-guruma: the right arm goes round Uke's neck and the hips go further across.
• Harai-goshi: the same entry, with the right leg sweeping Uke's legs.

Combinations and counters

Set-ups: O-uchi-gari or Ko-uchi-gari make Uke step back and then push forward again – the moment to turn in for O-goshi; when Uke blocks the hip by bending back, O-uchi-gari or Tani-otoshi can follow. Counters (kaeshi-waza): Uke can step round the hip and counter with Utsuri-goshi or Ushiro-goshi, especially when Tori turns in without kuzushi or stays too high.

Safety for teaching

Uke rolls forward over Tori's hips and needs a reliable breakfall onto the back with a left-arm slap. Teach the turn-in and the lift first as uchi-komi (lifting Uke just off the mat and setting them down again); then throw slowly. Tori lifts with the legs, keeps the sleeve and lifts slightly at the end, and throws in front, not onto their own feet.