O Goshi – Major Hip Throw

O Goshi, also known as the Major Hip Throw, is one of the most fundamental and powerful techniques in judo and jujitsu. This throw involves using your hips as a fulcrum to lift and throw your opponent over your body, effectively utilising leverage and body positioning. O Goshi is particularly effective when your opponent is pushing forward or when you want to take control of the fight by bringing them to the ground with authority. Here’s a step-by-step description of how to perform O Goshi – Major Hip Throw:

Step-by-Step Description:

1. Establish a Grip:
• Collar Grip: With your lead hand (typically the right hand for right-handed throwers), grip your opponent’s collar or lapel near their neck. This grip gives you control over their upper body and helps set up the throw.
• Waist Grip: Simultaneously, use your other hand to reach around your opponent’s back and grip their belt or the fabric near their lower back. This hand placement is crucial for pulling your opponent onto your hips and executing the throw.
2. Break Their Balance:
• Pull Them Forward: Use your collar grip to pull your opponent slightly forward, breaking their balance and shifting their weight onto their toes. This movement disrupts their posture and makes the throw easier to execute.
• Step In: As you pull, step forward with your lead foot, bringing it close to the inside of your opponent’s foot. This step positions your body close to your opponent and sets up the throw.
3. Turn and Position:
• Turn Your Back: As you step in, turn your back towards your opponent while simultaneously pulling them towards you with your waist grip. Your hips should rotate so that they are directly in front of and close to your opponent’s hips.
• Lower Your Hips: Bend your knees and lower your hips beneath your opponent’s hips. Your back should remain straight, and your hips should be the main point of contact against their body.
4. Execute the Throw:
• Lift with Your Hips: Straighten your legs slightly as you lift your opponent onto your hips. Your hips act as a fulcrum, and the lifting motion should be smooth and controlled.
• Rotate and Throw: As you lift, rotate your upper body while continuing to pull your opponent’s waist with your grip. This rotation, combined with the lift, will cause your opponent to be thrown over your hip and onto the mat.
5. Follow Through:
• Maintain Control: After the throw, keep a firm grip on your opponent’s waist or collar to prevent them from escaping or countering. This control allows you to transition into a dominant ground position if necessary.
• Prepare for Ground Work: Depending on the situation, you can follow your opponent to the ground and transition into a submission or pin, or you can remain standing to assess the next move.

Key Points for O Goshi – Major Hip Throw:

• Ensure strong grips on your opponent’s collar and waist to control their movement.
• Break their balance by pulling them forward and shifting their weight onto their toes.
• Turn your back and position your hips directly in front of and lower than your opponent’s hips.
• Use your hips to lift and rotate your opponent over your body.
• Maintain control after the throw to secure a dominant position or follow up with ground techniques.

O Goshi is a foundational throw in judo and jujitsu, known for its simplicity and effectiveness. By using your hips as the main point of leverage, you can throw opponents of various sizes with power and precision. This throw is not only a staple in competitive grappling but also a valuable technique in self-defence situations, where taking control and bringing an opponent to the ground can neutralise a threat.