Since Ogoshi involves throwing the opponent forward by rotating your hip into their hip, and Tani Otoshi utilizes pushing the opponent backward while tripping their heel with the sole of your foot, you can use either as a feint. This makes them exert force and put weight into either a forward or backward direction, allowing you to take them down with the opposite direction.

We start by securing either an underhook or overhook on our opponent and fighting for the grip on the other hand. From there, you can immediately switch to a body lock and perform a Tani Otoshi or rotate your hip in to execute an Ogoshi, just ensuring you have control of their far-side arm.

Tani Otoshi Tip

You can use your hand to push on their chest to bring them backward or shoot your arm across their body to the side of their face to effectively push them backward onto the “chair” you created with your squat, tripping them with your foot. Remember not to chop on their ankle but to set it up like a trap to trip them only.

I found it’s easier to get the body lock and perform the Tani Otoshi since I felt more in control, but of course, there’s still a chance of me botching the technique and hurting my partner.

We ended the day of training with two rounds of ice baths, five minutes each. I came out refreshed and freezing cold (of course). I love this Friday tradition with the Jiu-Jitsu guys, where we motivate each other to endure and be better.