Morote gari

Summary

This is the same type of Te waza (Hand techniques) as the Kuchiki-taoshi (One-hand drop).

Features of this Waza

The Morote-gari (Two-hands reap) consists of grabbing both of the opponent’s legs with both arms, and then tackling him onto his back.

Waza details

The Morote-gari (Two-hands reap) differs from the Kuchiki-taoshi (One-hand drop) and the Kibisu-gaeshi (Heel trip) in that those Waza reap only one leg, while the Morote-gari (Two-hands reap) reaps both legs.
Although the attack method is similar in all these Waza, the Kuchiki-taoshi (One-hand drop) goes for the calf, and the Kibisu-gaeshi (Heel trip) goes for the heel, in order to destabilize the opponent toward his rear, but the Morote-gari (Two-hands reap) consists of grabbing both the opponent’s legs and tackling him onto his back.
This Waza is performed at the moment the opponent relaxes his guard, and it requires a swift and coordinated movement.
Although it is difficult, from a Grappling stance, to release the grip of both hands and lunge forward to grab both the opponent’s legs, it can be done in an unguarded moment, by stepping forward quickly between the opponent’s legs.
In order to obtain an “Ippon gachi” (Win by ippon), you must pin the opponent firmly to the floor with your body as he falls backward. This Waza is widely used by Judo practitioners in Europe and in Central American countries.

  • This Waza will not be effective if the opponent manages to move backward away from it. Therefore, after grabbing the opponent’s legs, the attacker must continue taking forward steps (forward motion) until the opponent is tackled.