Large inner reap (o-uchi-gari) — a grappling technique useful for boxers and street-fighters
This self-defense tip continues the subject of grappling drills that transfer well to many fighting techniques of various combat sports, for example, to boxing. In this tip I describe technique and drills for o-uchi-gari (large inner reap).
Practice of o-uchi-gari develops awareness of opponent’s footwork, balance shifts, and the best time for shooting straight to his center.
O-uchi-gari and its drills. Description for a right-sided technique:
1. Stand face to face with your partner. Hold his right sleeve outside and below his elbow with your left hand. Hold his left lapel at chest level with your right hand. Both your arms are slightly bent. Your partner has the same grip on you.
2. Make your partner step with his left foot toward his left and forward. To do so do not strive with your arms but just step to your left and forward (along an arc) as if to circle your partner. The weight of your body attached by your arms to your partner’s jacket (and his need to keep facing you) will cause him to move as if around a circle. As he does, extend his movement by gently pulling his left shoulder up and to your right, then with his reaction using your right arm press back at about 45° forward and right (you look in the same direction, over his left shoulder), and then as his shoulder is on its way down press or pull down (depending on the grip of your right hand). During this whole action your left hand presses his elbow toward his floating ribs, pointing his elbow inward, toward his centerline.
If your your opponent does not follow your arc he will set himself up for some different throw — sooner and usually harder on him. So, if in practice your partner tries to act “smart” (tries not to move at all or moves unnaturally) use it against him and let him feel the brunt of his “smarts.”
3. Nearly simultaneously with these arm actions make slide steps (as many as it takes — one, two, or more) leading with your right foot so to glide it inside and behind his left heel. The end result is that your partner’s weight is mostly on his left heel and his back is arched back and to his left so his left shoulder is pressed down towards his left heel. The reap is done by sliding your right foot along an arc to the outside and toward your back while your upper body presses 45° forward right and down (but you do not need to finish the technique in the drill). This form of the o-uchi-gari is the Kodokan standard so if my description is unclear you can ask a Kodokan-certified Judo instructor to show it to you or you can view it on a video such as Judo Kodokan Nage Waza.
After getting this simple form of the o-uchi-gari fit-in make it more difficult — try attacking when your partner moves not on a circle but backwards and forwards, then use a single hand grip (either sleeve or lapel) during setup, and eventually practice attacks (fit-ins) without a preliminary or constant grip — maneuvering around each other. Soon you will notice that you sense when your opponent is in mid-step and can be struck, punched, or kicked with impunity.
Self-defense tip from Thomas Kurz, co-author of Basic Instincts of Self-Defense and author of Science of Sports Training, Stretching Scientifically, and Flexibility Express.
Self-Defense Moves
For your defense moves to work under stress they must be based on your natural, instinctive reactions, require little strength and limited range of motion, and be proven in fighting experience.To learn how your natural reactions can instantly defeat any unarmed attack, see the video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense.
Defend Against Weapons
To defend against weapons you have to know how they are used. Also — every stick has two ends … the weapon of attack may become a weapon of defense in your hand …To learn how the typical street weapons (club, knife, razor) are used by an experienced streetfighter and how to practice with them, see the video Self-Defense: Tools of Attack — Club, Hatchet, Blackjack, Knife, Straight Razor.
Mental Toughness
Staying cool under pressure is more important for self-defense than being physically fit and technically skilled. If you can’t control your mind what can you control?To learn mental techniques that let you calmly face any threat and act rationally in the heat of a fight, click here.
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