Here is Kirill Denisov’s arm clamp variation of his Kosoto gari.

With both judoka fighting to get their hip in front, in order to throw forwards, Denisov uses this moment to feint for his Uchi mata, and then go backwards for the Kosoto.

This usually comes about from the opponent wanting to throw with Uchi mata, or wanting to stop Denisov’s Uchi mata.

In this situation both judoka maintain an extreme left to right stance. Uke is attempting to block Denisov’s Uchi mata, by getting his hips in front and initiating his own Uchi mata.

Denisov says that sometimes he and his opponent will step in front of each other several times, before a strong enough throw is launched.

In any case, Denisov’s response is to feint for another Uchi mata, and then switch into Kosoto gari.

His left handed grip tends to be back of the collar, or a high back grip. And there is the clamping action of both arms. This allows him close control of the opponent’s upper body.

Here, you can clearly see tori is defending Denisov’s Uchi mata by getting his hip in front of him and, as with his Tobikomi, it’s Denisov’s full commitment to the twitch and the change in direction that makes the Kosoto work.

Denisov’s arm movement works in a steering wheel motion. He moves his hands in a clockwise direction for the Uchi mata feint, and then in an anti-clockwise direction when switching to the Kosoto gari.

As he attacks with the Kosoto he will oftern find himself behind his opponent.

As a result, when it actually comes to throwing, the technique can quite easily resemble Ura nage, or even Tani otoshi. This all depends on the opponent’s reaction and Denisov finding the most effective way to take them down to the mat.

Look at the close control of the grips. There’s the twitch for Uchi mata. Then the change in direction, and that arm clamping action as he attacks with Kosoto.

And here, in close up detail, is the twitch of the left leg.

The twitch is led by his head, and then he immediately drops down into that arm clamping action.

Here’s a great view of that change in direction of the head, followed by that close control of the upper body.

And, as with his Tobikomi, once he’s changed to the Kosoto he aims to be relaxed and light on his feet.

So, here’s Denisov’s arm clamp variation of his Kosoto gari in a competitive situation.

Both judoka fighting for the Uchi mata, and then comes the switch to the Kosoto.

Uchi mata and Kosoto gari working together to produce a huge throw.