Defence and counter to O-uchi-gari

As in all these leg sweep throws, the thrower will try to get your weight over the leg he is sweeping. Don't let him. Keep on the move with your feet about shoulder width apart. You will be able to see with which foot he will attack by watching his grip. If he is a right hander he will attack your left leg with his right. Against a really good right o-uchi-gari, hold the tip of the opponent's sleeve with the cloth gathered in until the jacket is tight on the wrist. Then push the arm off strongly every time he attacks. He will be able to stagger you but will find it very difficult to complete the throw.

In the counter-throw, let your partner attack and, as he moves his leg forward to hook in, step back with your left foot and sweep his left leg diagonally across in front of your left foot. This counter is similar to the de-ashi-barai (foot sweep throw). As you sweep across with your right leg, pull him down to the ground with your right arm. Note that this counter is against a left side o-uchi-gari. Reverse legs and grips for right o-uchi-gari.

Throws and Defence

Although the best form of defence is attack it is necessary to know how to defend properly and to be able to counter-throw. It is possible for the older and slower individual to base his judo on defence and counter-throws. This, from the spectator's point of view, is boring judo and in the long run it usually gets beaten. The reason is that when a man realises that his opponent is purely defensive, it gives him a chance to really 'open up' and not worry about his own defence too much.

Throws - Conclusion

The stomach throw concludes the description of ten basic and important throws. There are many others, but the ones I have described are perhaps the best known. Most of the throws I have described are capable of many variations for different types of movements and opponents. One throw can cover most situations although not all. Try to get in as much throwing practice as possible with all these ten throws on a non-resisting partner. The faster and harder you throw the better. Gradually you will find that one or two throws suit your physique. These are the ones to specialize in. When moving around in free practice (randori), try to create opportunities by your own movement. Study the pictures of the throws carefully. They will show much more than can be gleaned from the text.

Sometimes the thrower in these will differ in his position slightly from that of the text. This is because he has adapted his throw in its actual execution to the defender's resistance. However much it is necessary to adapt a throw keep its direction much the same. In the next part I will cover the defence and counter attacks for the previous ten throws.