Legrand’s direct Koshi Guruma is done in a situation where he is being made to look passive, with Uke having his sleeve and a dominant right grip over the top.
Legrand’s first step is to get a double lapel grip. From an inside lapel grip with his left arm, he sends his right arm to the opposite lapel. In order to enter for the throw, Legrand needs to create space. He does this with a shoulder roll. First he pulls down with both arms building tension. Then he pulls his right shoulder up and back, whilst simultaneously dropping his left shoulder down and inwards - slipping it under Uke’s arm. Then Legrand raises it back up. At the same time he rotates his hips inwards. It’s important to note that although Legrand is in a passive situation he’s not completely bent over, he can still move.
With the space now created Legrand is able to enter for the Koshi Guruma. Off the shoulder roll he releases his left arm and sends it around Uke’s head, making sure he wraps the head up tight in his arm, leaving no space. He pulls on the lapel with his right arm, keeping his elbow raised, pulling his opponent up onto his body, locking them in place. As he sends the left arm around their head, he starts to turn his own head. Rotating it so he ends up looking forward, over the top of his right forearm.
Legrand steps with his left leg, accompanying the left arm being sent around Uke’s head. He takes a big step, deep between his opponent’s legs, while pivoting on his right foot. Rotating just enough to face forwards with them behind him. The left leg has to go past Uke’s to get the close hip contact needed.
Notice that Legrand stays on his toes on his left foot - and has a slight bend in both his legs. This is needed so he can spring off them to finish the throw.
Next, he brings his right leg up to join his left. He steps it deep between his opponent’s legs. Staying on his toes and bending at the knees. This gets Legrand’s hips down and right underneath Uke. The step through also drives his hips back into Uke, lifting them up, taking their feet off the mat.
With their hips back Legrand keeps pulling on the lapel and maintains the tight wrap on the head, continuing to secure them onto his back. Driving forwards off of his legs and rotating his top half, sending his opponent over onto their back. He has to fully commit his weight, as Legrand is effectively attached to his opponent.
Here Legrand demonstrates the effectiveness of his Koshi Guruma in a more realistic situation. He gets the double lapel grip, creates space, steps the leg through and sends the arm, right leg goes back and hip contact, drive and rotate. A great technique to execute when Uke has a dominant grip, enabling you to attack from a passive situation.
Up Next in Ugo Legrand
-
Movement Attack | Koshi Guruma | Ugo ...
Legrand’s moving Koshi Guruma begins the same as his direct variation – he starts with an inside left lapel grip, before bringing his right hand onto the opposite lapel.
With both hands on lapels, Legrand looks to feed his left hand up and around Uke’s head. Taking hold of a high collar grip, ri...