Ashi-waza are the judo foot and leg techniques, throws where the thrower's foot or leg sweeps, reaps, hooks or blocks the opponent's leg. Judoinfo.com describes them as including sweeping, reaping and hooking techniques, and calls them some of the most magnificent throws in judo when done right.
- Japanese name: ashi-waza, "foot techniques". Ashi means foot or leg.
- Kodokan classification: the largest group of standing throws, with 21 of the 68 nage-waza in the Kodokan list of techniques.
- In BJJ: foot sweeps and reaps are the lowest-risk way to take someone down in a gi, which is why judo-trained BJJ players lean on them.
What are the 21 foot and leg techniques?
The Kodokan list of techniques names: De-ashi-harai, Hiza-guruma, Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi, O-soto-gari, O-uchi-gari, Ko-soto-gari, Ko-uchi-gari, Okuri-ashi-harai, Uchi-mata, Ko-soto-gake, Ashi-guruma, Harai-tsurikomi-ashi, O-guruma, O-soto-guruma, O-soto-otoshi, Tsubame-gaeshi, O-soto-gaeshi, O-uchi-gaeshi, Hane-goshi-gaeshi, Harai-goshi-gaeshi, Uchi-mata-gaeshi.
They divide by action. Sweeps: de-ashi-harai, okuri-ashi-harai, harai-tsurikomi-ashi, where the foot sweeps the opponent's foot as their weight moves onto it. Reaps: o-soto-gari, o-uchi-gari, ko-soto-gari, ko-uchi-gari, where the leg reaps the opponent's leg from outside or inside. Props and wheels: hiza-guruma, sasae-tsurikomi-ashi, ashi-guruma, o-guruma, where the foot or leg becomes a pivot. Uchi-mata sweeps up the inner thigh. Six of the list are counters, from tsubame-gaeshi to uchi-mata-gaeshi.
How do you train foot and leg techniques?
- Learn to feel weight. Foot sweeps work in the moment the opponent's weight is on the moving foot; drill with a walking partner until you can feel the step.
- Start with o-soto-gari and de-ashi-harai: one reap, one sweep, one backward and one sideways.
- Keep the hands working. Every ashi-waza in the Kodokan definitions begins with breaking the balance; the foot finishes what the hands start.
- Sweep with the sole of the foot, and reap with the back of the calf, with the toes pointed.
- Drill timing with slow walking patterns, then faster, then in randori.
The most common mistake is kicking at the leg instead of sweeping it. Judoinfo.com warns that ashi-waza are not easy to master, and the reason is timing: a sweep on a planted foot does nothing.
Foot techniques reward light, fast movement, which means mats you trust. Our judo training gear is rash guards made for people who train; wear one under the gi on drilling days.
Video: KODOKAN official channel
Are all foot techniques legal in judo?
Almost all. The IJF Sport and Organisation Rules make kani-basami and kawazu-gake hansoku-make, and allow the leg wrapped around the opponent's leg in throws such as osoto gari, ouchi gari and uchi mata.
Sources
- Judoinfo.com describes them, JudoInfo
- Kodokan list of techniques, Kodokan Judo Institute
- IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, International Judo Federation
Related terms
Osoto gari (major outer reap), De ashi harai (foot sweep), Uchi mata (inner thigh throw), Ouchi gari (major inner reap), Standing techniques (tachi-waza).