Kotegaeshi is particularly effective against knife thrusts. This technique is also very popular in matial arts movies.

As uke attacks with his right hand, nage presses his thumb on uke's knuckles while his other fingers close around his palm.

Riding on uke's thrust, nage leads uke outwards. At the end of this thrust, nage reverses uke's wrist back towards his forearm. Using his right palm to close on his own left thumb, nage twists uke's wrist back. This torsion will unbalance uke and lead to his fall.