Kids Judo Books by Koka Kids
Judo Books by Koka Kids

Yoko-Gake how to do this judo throw

Yoko-Gake

Yoko-Gake is a side sacrifice throw, as you drop down you sweep your partner’s foot, falling onto your own side in the process.

Yoko Gake
Yoko Gake

How to throw with Yoko-Gake

  1. Pulled forwards, and bring uke off balance over the front corner
  2. Fall to the side uke is off balance.
  3. As you drop down, sweep your partner’s foot.

Here is a great demonstration on the International Judo Federation page.

Kosoto-Gake

Kosoto-Gake is another technique that requires you to attack the foot; this time instead of sweeping you reap the attack, and also, you maintain your upright position rather than falling on your own back as you throw.

Kosoto-Gake

Deashi-Bari

Deashi-Barai is a good place to start if you are looking to build up to Yoko-Gake. Learn how to unbalance your partner and sweep out their foot. From this base, you can then go onto progressing the movement into the Yoko-Gake.

Deashi Barai
Deashi Barai – good for beginner judoka

Improving footwork

If you want to be a great judoka you need great footwork! Good footwork means knowing where to place your feet (or foot) to be in the perfect-on-balance sweet spot for an attack. It also means being able to attack, unbalance and set-up your opponent.

You can get better at footwork by using drills like in the Judo Skill Training book (below) and practicing movement patterns over and over again through Shadow Judo.