De ashi harai (出足払) is the judo foot sweep: you sweep your partner's foot away with the sole of your own foot at the moment they step onto it. It is the first throw in the first group of the gokyo.
- Japanese name: de ashi harai, 出足払. The judoinfo.com ashi-waza page translates it as Forward Foot Sweep.
- Kodokan classification: ashi-waza, a foot and leg technique. The Gokyo no Waza listed on judoinfo.com places it first in Dai Ikkyo, the first group.
- In BJJ: the foot sweep is a low-risk standing attack from the collar tie or sleeve grip. Read Judo for BJJ Players for how judo throws carry over.
What is de ashi harai in judo?
The Kodokan defines de ashi harai as a technique to sweep the opponent's right foot with the left foot and throw him down immediately when he takes a step forward and loads his weight onto it. The whole technique is in that word, immediately: the foot is swept as the weight arrives on it, before the step is finished.
The judoinfo.com ashi-waza page files it with the sweeping leg throws.
How do you do de ashi harai?
Right-handed, as the Kodokan describes it; mirror for the left.
- Move with your partner. Walk or circle so that they step, and watch for the moment their right foot comes forward.
- Break the balance to that foot. As the foot moves, pull the sleeve down and push the lapel hand so their weight starts to settle onto the stepping foot.
- Sweep with the sole of the left foot. Catch the outside of their right ankle, just above the heel, with the sole of your foot, toes pointing down and in.
- Sweep across. Drive the foot across in front of you, in the direction their foot was travelling and beyond, so the foot leaves the mat before the weight lands on it.
- Finish with the hands. Pull the sleeve down and lift the lapel at the moment of the sweep so they rotate and land on their side or back.
The most common mistake is sweeping too late, after the foot is planted and weighted, which turns the sweep into a kick to the ankle. Sweep the foot while it is still moving, and let the hands finish the throw. Our judo training gear covers the kit for moving uchi-komi, where the timing is drilled.
Video: KODOKAN official channel
What are the counters and variations of de ashi harai?
Tsubame gaeshi: the Kodokan describes it as fending off the opponent's foot sweep and counter-sweeping with the same foot that was attacked. Your partner lifts the foot over your sweep and sweeps you with it as your own foot passes.
Okuri ashi harai sweeps both feet together as the partner moves sideways. Both are on the Kodokan list of techniques.
Is de ashi harai legal in judo competition?
Yes. The IJF Sport and Organisation Rules score a throw when it is a Kodokan classified technique or a recognised variation, and de ashi harai is one, so a clean throw can score yuko, waza-ari or ippon.
In BJJ a throw counts as a takedown: 2 points under the IBJJF rules once your partner lands on the back, side or seat and you hold the top for three seconds.
Sources
- Kodokan defines de ashi harai, Kodokan Judo Institute
- Judoinfo.com ashi-waza page, JudoInfo
- Gokyo no Waza listed on judoinfo.com, JudoInfo
- IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, International Judo Federation
- IBJJF rules, IBJJF
Related terms
Kouchi gari (minor inner reap), Kosoto gari (minor outer reap), Sasae tsurikomi ashi (propping drawing ankle), Off-balancing, Foot and leg techniques, Entry and execution.