Yoko-otoshi
横落よこおとし
- Yoko-sutemi-waza
- Gokyō: Dai-sankyō
Key idea
The defining action sacrifices onto the side while sliding a leg outside uke’s foot and pulling the balance laterally.
Kodokan official demonstration
Kodokan technique list (opens in a new tab)YouTube (opens in a new tab)
VISUAL GUIDE
How to read the movement
Look for tori sliding a leg outside uke’s foot line and dropping sideways to continue the imbalance.
- Tori
- the person applying the technique
- Uke
- the person receiving the technique
- Red line
- main direction or point of contact
AT A GLANCE
Technique shape
IN SEQUENCE
Three-frame concept
- 1Break balance sideways
- 2Slide the leg outside
- 3Drop to the side
Original AI-generated educational illustration for TokyoWaltz, 2026. A simplified three-stage concept; practise under qualified instruction.
PLAY WHEN NEEDED
Watch the movement slowly
- 1Starting pointBreak balance sideways
- 2Decisive actionSlide the leg outside
- 3CompletionDrop to the side
1 / 3Starting point— Break balance sideways
Follow the red line and phase indicator. The guide does not autoplay or loop.
How it works
The central principle of Yoko-otoshi is the coordinated action that sacrifices onto the side while sliding a leg outside uke’s foot and pulling the balance laterally.
Kuzushi
Create usable imbalance
Create the imbalance described by the official definition and continue it into the entry. Uke should not be able to recover stable support before the decisive action.
Tsukuri
Enter and stay connected
Enter with stable posture and continuous control. Use the official demonstration to check the required position, contact line, and direction.
Kake
Complete the defining action
Complete the defining action described in the official definition and shown in the demonstration. Maintain control through uke’s fall.
Key points
- To identify Yoko-otoshi, watch for the moment the side sacrifice becomes decisive rather than naming the technique from the landing alone.
- The official definition centres on an action that sacrifices onto the side while sliding a leg outside uke’s foot and pulling the balance laterally.
- When reviewing Yoko-otoshi, check that balance breaking, contact and direction stay connected from entry through the controlled finish.
Similar techniques
| Technique | Japanese name | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| Yoko-wakare | 横分 | Yoko-wakare places both feet outside uke’s foot and drops sideways so uke rotates across the line of the body; Yoko-otoshi sacrifices onto the side while sliding a leg outside uke’s foot and pulling the balance laterally. |
| Yoko-guruma | 横車 | Yoko-guruma counters an attack by controlling the hip, sliding a leg between uke’s legs, and rotating from a side sacrifice; Yoko-otoshi sacrifices onto the side while sliding a leg outside uke’s foot and pulling the balance laterally. |
| Yoko-gake | 横掛 | Yoko-gake sweeps or pushes the outside ankle; Yoko-otoshi sacrifices onto the side while sliding a leg outside uke’s foot and pulling the balance laterally. |
Reference
Open the detailed source material when you need definitions, technical distinctions, training context, or references.
Official definition
What this technique is
Within the Kodokan list, Yoko-otoshi belongs to side sacrifice techniques. Its name is attached to the action that sacrifices onto the side while sliding a leg outside uke’s foot and pulling the balance laterally, not to every contest exchange that ends in a similar fall or final position. The official Yoko-otoshi demonstration is therefore the best starting point for recognizing the technique before comparing variations in timing, grip or stance.
Core principle
The central principle of Yoko-otoshi is the coordinated action that sacrifices onto the side while sliding a leg outside uke’s foot and pulling the balance laterally. In this technique, timing, balance breaking and continuous control must work together. Pause the official Yoko-otoshi demonstration before the decisive action and check what support remains, where contact is maintained and whether tori is lifting, reaping, blocking, rotating, wrapping or applying controlled pressure.
Detailed execution
Key recognition points
- To identify Yoko-otoshi, watch for the moment the side sacrifice becomes decisive rather than naming the technique from the landing alone.
- The official definition centres on an action that sacrifices onto the side while sliding a leg outside uke’s foot and pulling the balance laterally.
- When reviewing Yoko-otoshi, check that balance breaking, contact and direction stay connected from entry through the controlled finish.
Distinguishing this technique
The practical identifying feature of Yoko-otoshi is the side sacrifice: sacrifices onto the side while sliding a leg outside uke’s foot and pulling the balance laterally. Compare that action with neighbouring names in the same Kodokan category. If the contact point, control route or sacrifice direction changes, the result may belong under a different official name even when the landing position looks similar.
Training and safety
Training and safety
Practise entries, controlled finishes, and ukemi under a qualified Judo instructor. Competition rules and permitted applications can vary, so confirm the current ruleset before competitive use.