Ouchi Gari Breakdown

Ouchi Gari, with “O” meaning “Big,” “Uchi” meaning “Inside,” and “Gari” meaning “Sweep,” translates together as “Big Inside Sweep.”

We start from a standing position, securing an underhook grip on their shoulder or lat, with the same lead leg forward. Use your other hand to control their opposite arm’s wrist or bicep. Step forward into them, closing the distance between your hip and their hip, and have your other foot follow behind your lead leg, with your toe touching the lead leg’s heel. Rotate your back leg inward so that your heel and toes point to either side, creating a sort of perpendicular alignment with your lead foot—as long as it’s close enough within the heel line.

The tip is when to step up: plant your toes on the mat to make a sound, transferring the base from the lead foot to the following foot.

From there, open your hip up without rotating (if that makes sense). Utilize your underhook grip on their shoulder to drag them down and break their posture. Then, circle your leg inside between their legs (hence the name), scooping their leg on the underhook side. Make sure to break their posture simultaneously while keeping your toes on the floor, drawing the circle on the mat.

Notes on Attacking from Closed Guard

I’ve been having trouble when the opponent connects their hands together behind their back while I have them in closed guard, creating a sort of body lock position where we’re stuck in a stalemate. They can’t break my closed guard, and I can’t open it since they could step over my knees and legs to pass. My coach taught me to push their face away and bring your leg over their shoulder as an entry to omoplata. Use your hand to help bring your foot over their face and neck (like a rubber guard). Once your foot is over, use your leg to push them away, which should break their hand grip behind your back. From there, you should be free to continue the omoplata submission. I’ll try that the next time I roll!