Issue 134
November 2015
This cross-grip kouchi gari is a variation of a judo classic to put your opponent on their back
Jimmy Pedro Jr with Aaron Kunihiro
US Olympic judo coach and 6th degree black belt. His former students include Ronda Rousey
1 - Jimmy has a cross grip with his right hand on Aaron’s right sleeve.
2 - He uses this grip to move Aaron’s arm across his own body.
3 - Jimmy squares off with his right foot and grabs the back of Aaron’s belt with his left hand.
4 - Jimmy steps his left foot behind Aaron’s left ankle. Now in close, Jimmy can reap Aaron’s left leg.
5 - Jimmy lets go of the cross-grip on Aaron’s sleeve and now grabs the back of his left knee.
6 - Jimmy drives forward through his opponent with his upper body an picks Aaron’s knee to complete the takedown.
PRO TIP
To get maximum control of Aaron’s leg, Jimmy has it caught on the area between his big toe and shin.
Kouchi gari translates as ‘small inner reap’ in English, and is traditionally a foot technique. In MMA, by grabbing behind your opponent’s knee, you can make sure you have control of your opponent as they go to ground.
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