Standard lapel/sleeve grip โ pull-step kuzushi to right front corner โ pivot and extend right leg across uke's lead foot. Key: the throw is in your hands, not the leg block. Pull with tsurite, drive with hikite.
Cross-grip Variation (Andy Hung)
Switch from traditional to cross-grip on the lapel. Creates a different angle of kuzushi โ opponent doesn't expect the direction change. Especially effective against left-handed fighters.
Drop Tai Otoshi
Drop to one knee as you turn โ lower center of gravity makes it harder to defend. Excellent against taller opponents or when they're stiff-arming. Transitions well to newaza.
Russian Tie โ Tai Otoshi
From 2-on-1 control (Russian tie), snap opponent's posture forward then immediately enter tai otoshi. The 2-on-1 provides devastating kuzushi. Pairs with near-leg kouchi gake. (h/t r/judo)
๐ Attack Chains (Renraku-waza)
Tai OtoshiโO-uchi-gari
When they step back to defend tai otoshi โ immediately attack the retreating leg with o-uchi-gari
Ko-uchi-gariโTai Otoshi
Attack their lead foot first โ when they shift weight forward to recover โ enter tai otoshi on the forward momentum
Tai OtoshiโSeoi Nage
Fake tai otoshi entry โ when they brace with stiff arms โ immediately drop into morote seoi nage under their resistance
Fake Tai OtoshiโO-uchi-gariโTai Otoshi
Triple threat (Ishii-style): feint forward โ attack rear leg โ finish with real tai otoshi when they're unbalanced
Russian TieโTai OtoshiโKouchi Gake
2-on-1 control โ snap and enter tai otoshi โ if blocked, switch to near-leg kouchi gake hook
๐ง Competition Strategy
Match Duration (Senior)4 minutes
Win TargetIppon (early!)
Gripping StrategyControl first 10s
Primary AttackTai Otoshi
Secondary AttackKo-uchi / O-uchi
Newaza PlanPin or choke (BJJ edge)
Game Plan: Win the grip fight immediately. Attack within first 30 seconds โ don't let them settle. Tai otoshi is your A-game. If they stiff-arm, drop seoi nage. If they retreat, o-uchi-gari. Your BJJ background means if it goes to the ground, you want to be there. Transition to pins or submissions aggressively. Brown belts at local tournaments often gas after 2 minutes โ stay composed and attack late.
๐ 2026 Rules to Know
The IJF confirmed rules for the 2026 season (post-Paris 2024 cycle). Key points:
๐ต Active Judo Emphasis
Decision of each contest must be in the hands of athletes. Referees will penalize passivity more strictly. Translation: Attack early and often. Don't stall.
๐ก Gripping Rules
Check your specific tournament rules (IJF vs. USA Judo may differ). Know what grips are legal and illegal in your category. Cross-grip attacks must be immediate.
๐ข Newaza Continuation
Modern rules encourage transitions to ground work. With your BJJ background, this is YOUR advantage. Transition aggressively after every throw attempt.
๐ง Warrior Mindset
"In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins โ not through strength, but through persistence."
โ Jigoro Kano (attributed)
"The purpose of judo is the perfection of oneself by the systematic training of the mind and body through techniques of attack and defense."
โ Jigoro Kano
"Before you can throw an opponent, you must throw away your fear."
โ Yamashita Yoshiaki, 10th Dan
Pre-match ritual: 3 deep breaths. Visualize your tai otoshi landing. Feel your feet on the mat. You've drilled this a thousand times. Trust the training. Bow. Attack.
โ Competition Day Checklist
White gi (clean, tournament legal โ no rips, proper length)
Blue gi (backup โ some tournaments require both)
Brown belt + backup belt
USA Judo membership card / proof of registration
Photo ID
Knee/finger tape, nail clippers
Water bottle + sports drink
Light snacks (banana, granola bar, rice balls)
Change of clothes for after
Warm-up plan (dynamic stretches + shadow uchikomi)