Inside Foot Sweep TAKEDOWN!
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Foot Sweep·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian
This video Anton breaks down an inside foot sweep out of the clinch that can be used for wrestling, bjj, or mma. Check …
Foot Sweep
Family足払い(Ashi-barai)
TraditionalTranslation: foot sweep
Overview
The Foot Sweep family covers techniques where the attacker uses their foot to sweep the opponent's foot or ankle out from under them while simultaneously directing the upper body in the opposite direction. [1] Foot sweeps exploit timing and the opponent's weight transfer — the optimal moment for a sweep is when the opponent's weight is shifting onto the target foot, making it the sole point of balance. [1],[2] Sweeping that loaded foot away creates an instantaneous base collapse. [2] Foot sweeps are predominantly drawn from judo's ashi-waza classification and include techniques like de ashi barai, ko soto gari, okuri ashi barai, and sasae tsurikomi ashi. [2],[3] These techniques are among the most technically refined and timing-dependent takedowns in any martial art. [3]
History & Origin
Foot sweeps are fundamental to judo, where ashi-waza was classified as one of the five main throwing categories by Jigoro Kano in the Kodokan system. [1] Japanese martial arts refined foot sweep timing to an extraordinary degree, with techniques like de ashi barai considered the most technically demanding throws in judo. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Foot sweeps are high-frequency scoring techniques in judo competition at all levels, from local tournaments to the Olympic Games. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Penetrating step and level change to attack the opponent's legs — disrupting their base of support
Joints Involved — Attacker's knees and hips (level change), opponent's knee or ankle (controlled point)
Force Vector — Forward and downward — closing distance and driving through the opponent's lower body
Takedown Mechanic — Removing one or both legs from the opponent's base forces them to fall or be driven to the mat
Position & Entry
From clinch range — Establish upper body control (collar tie, underhook, or body lock), obstruct the support leg with a trip or sweep, and drive the opponent to the mat
From grip fighting — Use push-pull action to shift the opponent's weight, then attack the loaded leg with the trip
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Timing-based sweep; lower force than trips
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— leg-to-leg contact prohibited
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDFLegal
— 2 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— Unified MMA — Legal takedown technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— ADCC — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal — all takedowns permitted
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF— 2 points
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓The sweep must arrive at the exact moment the opponent's foot touches the mat with weight transferring onto it
✓Use both hands (tsurite and hikite in judo) to control the opponent's direction and timing
✓The sweeping foot stays light — it redirects rather than kicks
✓Pull the opponent in the direction of the sweep with your hands to amplify the effect
✓Practice the hand action and footwork separately, then combine them
✓Foot sweeps are highest-percentage when the opponent is moving — catch them mid-step
Common Mistakes
!Sweeping when the opponent's foot is in the air (no weight) or fully planted (too stable) — timing must be at the moment of weight transfer
!Kicking the foot instead of sweeping it — a sweep is a smooth redirection
!Relying on the leg sweep without using the hands to direct the opponent's balance
!Sweeping with the wrong part of the foot — use the sole or the instep, not the toes
!Standing too far away, reaching for the foot with a straight leg
!Trying to sweep a foot that the opponent is deliberately keeping light
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attemptLift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked to avoid the reap or sweepStep Over — lift the targeted leg over the sweeping limb to evadeCounter-Throw — use opponent's committed weight shift to execute a counter technique
Setup Chain
1Establish Grip — secure collar tie, underhook, or body lock for control
2Off-Balance (Kuzushi) — push or pull to shift opponent's weight onto the target leg
3Execute the Reap/Sweep — attack the loaded leg with the sweeping or tripping action
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
1BookKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
Traditional Judo throwing/takedown terminology (Kodokan Institute)
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
Traditional Judo throwing/takedown terminology (Kodokan Institute)
Community
Athletics
Requires
timing, balance, upper body control for push-pull
Favours
good coordination and sense of opponent's weight distribution
Key muscles
core stabilisers, hip adductors/abductors, calves
Sub-techniques
De Ashi Barai
SubFamilyDe Ashi Barai (advancing foot sweep) is a foot sweep subfamily where the attacker sweeps the opponent's advancing foot at the moment it contacts the mat, using a lateral sweeping motion to knock the foot out from under the transferring weight. [1] The technique requires exquisite timing — the sweep must be executed at the precise instant the opponent's foot touches down and begins accepting weight. [1,2] The attacker uses the sole of the foot to contact the outside of the opponent's ankle or lower shin and sweeps it in the direction of the opponent's toes. [2] De ashi barai is considered one of the purest expressions of judo's principle of maximum efficiency with minimum effort. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Ko Soto Gari
SubFamilyKo Soto Gari (minor outer reap) is a foot sweep subfamily where the attacker reaps the opponent's heel or ankle from the outside using the sole of the foot or the heel, while driving the opponent's upper body backward over the reaped leg. [1] The 'minor' designation distinguishes it from o soto gari (major outer reap) — ko soto gari uses a smaller, more precise reaping action targeting the ankle rather than a full leg sweep. [1,2] The upper body drives the opponent's weight backward onto the heel, and the reap removes that support point. [2] Ko soto gari is effective at close range and from various clinch positions. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Okuri Ashi Barai
SubFamilyOkuri Ashi Barai (sliding foot sweep) is a foot sweep subfamily where the attacker sweeps both of the opponent's feet simultaneously or in rapid succession as they slide laterally, catching both feet together with one sweeping motion. [1] The technique exploits lateral movement — when the opponent is moving sideways, there is a moment where both feet are close together and the weight is transferring between them, making them vulnerable to being swept as a unit. [1,2] The attacker drives the opponent laterally with hand control, then times the sweep to catch both feet at the moment of transfer. [2] Okuri ashi barai produces spectacular, seemingly effortless throws when timed correctly. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi
SubFamilySasae Tsurikomi Ashi (lifting-pulling propping ankle block) is a foot sweep subfamily where the attacker blocks the opponent's advancing foot with the sole of their own foot while using a lifting-pulling hand action to direct the opponent's body over the blocked foot. [1] Unlike sweeping techniques that remove the foot, sasae blocks the foot in place and rotates the opponent's upper body over this fixed point, creating a rotational fall. [1,2] The technique requires the attacker to time the block with the opponent's forward step and simultaneously create a strong circular pulling action with the hands. [2] Sasae tsurikomi ashi is one of judo's most elegant techniques, demonstrating the principle of using the opponent's force against them. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Notes
Foot sweeps appear in 172 passages across 46 books — extensively documented across judo, karate, and MMA sources. The timing-based takedown family — the attacker sweeps the opponent's foot during weight transfer. Considered the most technically demanding takedowns in judo. (46 books; Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
After I sweep someone with an inside foot sweep, what should I do next?
Coach Brian recommends turning to hunt for their back as you come down from the sweep. You may end up in half guard, and from there you can transition to mount if both their legs are down.
Why is the inside foot sweep useful in jiu-jitsu specifically?
In jiu-jitsu, people typically go to guard after being taken down, so Coach Brian emphasizes getting the knee leg in during the sweep to control that outcome and set up your position more effectively.
How does the Foot Sweep work?
The Foot Sweep family covers techniques where the attacker uses their foot to sweep the opponent's foot or ankle out from under them while simultaneously directing the upper body in the opposite direction. Foot sweeps exploit timing and the opponent's weight transfer — the optimal moment for a sweep is when the opponent's weight is shifting onto the target foot, making it the sole point of balance.
Where does the Foot Sweep come from?
Foot sweeps are fundamental to judo, where ashi-waza was classified as one of the five main throwing categories by Jigoro Kano in the Kodokan system. Japanese martial arts refined foot sweep timing to an extraordinary degree, with techniques like de ashi barai considered the most technically demanding throws in judo.
Is the Foot Sweep legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal (ashi-waza) — trips executed without grabbing opponent's legs are permi…; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, scored as takedown (2 points); UWW: restricted — Legal in freestyle, restricted in Greco-Roman (leg-to-leg contact prohibited); Unified MMA: legal — Legal takedown technique; ADCC: legal — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal — all takedowns permitted; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, scored as takedown (2 points)
How dangerous is the Foot Sweep?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — timing-based sweep; lower force than trips
How do I set up the Foot Sweep?
The standard setup chain: Establish Grip → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Execute the Reap/Sweep.
How do I defend against the Foot Sweep?
Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Lift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked to avoid the reap or sweep / Step Over — lift the targeted leg over the sweeping limb to evade / Counter-Throw — use opponent's committed weight shift to execute a counter technique.
What are the variants of the Foot Sweep?
Common variants: Standard trip (blocking or sweeping the support leg while driving the up…); Combination trip (chaining an inside trip with an outside trip when the opp…); Counter trip (using the trip as a counter when the opponent attacks); Clinch trip (executing the trip from a tight clinch position).
How effective is the Foot Sweep in competition?
Foot sweeps are high-frequency scoring techniques in judo competition at all levels, from local tournaments to the Olympic Games.
What are common mistakes when doing the Foot Sweep?
Top errors to watch for: Sweeping when the opponent's foot is in the air (no weight) or fully planted (too stable) — timing must be at the mom… / Kicking the foot instead of sweeping it — a sweep is a smooth redirection / Relying on the leg sweep without using the hands to direct the opponent's balance / Sweeping with the wrong part of the foot — use the sole or the instep, not the toes.
What are other names for the Foot Sweep?
The Foot Sweep is also known as Ashi-barai, Ashi Barai, Foot Sweep Takedown, Sweep.