OKURI ASHI BARAI BASICS
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Okuri Ashi Barai·welcomematstevescott
Okuri Ashi Barai (Sliding Foot Sweep) exemplifies all the technical skills that make a throwing technique work. In this …
Okuri Ashi Barai
SubFamily送り足払い(Okuri Ashi Barai)
TraditionalTranslation: sliding foot sweep
Overview
Okuri 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]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Okuri ashi barai has scored ippon at the highest levels of judo competition, including the Olympic Games and World Championships. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Obstruction of the opponent's supporting leg while applying upper body force in the opposite direction
Joints Involved — Opponent's ankle or knee (blocked or swept), opponent's upper body (pushed or pulled off-balance)
Force Vector — Two opposing forces — upper body pushed/pulled one way while the support leg is swept or blocked the other
Takedown Mechanic — Removing the support leg while simultaneously applying directional force creates rotation around the blocked point
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
Okuri Ashi Barai by Nori Bunasawa
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Okuri Ashi Barai·welcomematstevescott
Nori Bunasawa demonstrates Okuri Ashi Barai (Sliding Foot Sweep) at his clinic on April 6, 2013 at the Welcome Mat Judo …
2 videos
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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
✓Drive the opponent laterally with your hands — they should be sliding sideways
✓Sweep both feet as they come together during the lateral slide
✓The sweep catches both feet simultaneously, removing all base at once
✓Time the sweep when the trailing foot approaches the lead foot — that's the moment of minimum stability
✓Your sweeping foot goes in the same direction the opponent is already moving
✓Use a strong lateral push-pull with the hands to create the sliding movement before sweeping
Common Mistakes
!Trying to sweep when the opponent is stationary — okuri ashi barai requires lateral movement
!Sweeping before the feet come together — if they're spread apart, you only get one
!Not driving them laterally hard enough with the hands — the movement creates the opening
!Sweeping against the direction of movement instead of with it
!Bending over to reach the feet instead of maintaining upright posture
!Targeting one foot instead of both — the technique depends on catching both feet together
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attemptUnderhook — establish inside position to control distance and prevent the takedown entryPost and Circle — post on the attacker's head and circle away to break their angleLevel Change Defence — recognize the shot early and react with appropriate hip defence
Setup Chain
1Establish Contact — use grip, tie, or clinch to control the opponent
2Create Off-Balance — use push-pull action to disrupt the opponent's base
3Execute the Takedown — apply the specific takedown mechanic with commitment
4Follow to Ground — maintain control as the opponent goes down to secure position
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
Notes
Okuri ashi barai (following foot sweep) sweeps both of the opponent's feet as they step laterally. The sweep catches the feet as they come together during lateral movement. One of the most elegant throws when executed with correct timing. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is timing for okuri ashi barai?
Timing is fundamental to the technique—Nori Bunasawa emphasizes that even if you step in slightly at the wrong moment, the entire setup falls apart. Practice the footwork rhythm (one, two, one, two) before adding strength, since timing carries you much further than power alone.
Should I use my hands to lift or push my opponent during okuri ashi barai?
No—keep your hands relaxed and focused on control only. Your foot sweep and hip-driven movement will do the work; using your hands to pick up or crunch your opponent actually stops your kinetic energy and undermines the technique.
How should I actually sweep the foot—is it a kicking motion?
Wrap your foot around the ankle like your hand would, then drive both ankles together with a straight sweep rather than a bent-leg kick or swinging motion. This is a controlling skill, not a club or strike, and should be practiced deliberately to develop proper mechanics.
Should I focus on footwork or hand technique first when learning okuri ashi barai?
Start with footwork and body movement—don't use your hands yet. Lead with your hips, maintain good posture without bobbing, and let your stepping movement control your opponent before you even think about hand techniques.
How does the Okuri Ashi Barai work?
Okuri 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. 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.
Where does the Okuri Ashi Barai come from?
Okuri ashi barai is a classical judo throw from the Kodokan system, classified as an ashi-waza foot technique. The technique is famous for producing some of the most beautiful and perfectly timed throws in judo competition history.
Is the Okuri Ashi Barai 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 Okuri Ashi Barai?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — timing-based sweep; lower force than trips
How do I set up the Okuri Ashi Barai?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Okuri Ashi Barai?
Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Underhook — establish inside position to control distance and prevent the takedown entry / Post and Circle — post on the attacker's head and circle away to break their angle / Level Change Defence — recognize the shot early and react with appropriate hip defence.
What are the variants of the Okuri Ashi Barai?
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 Okuri Ashi Barai in competition?
Okuri ashi barai has scored ippon at the highest levels of judo competition, including the Olympic Games and World Championships.
What are common mistakes when doing the Okuri Ashi Barai?
Top errors to watch for: Trying to sweep when the opponent is stationary — okuri ashi barai requires lateral movement / Sweeping before the feet come together — if they're spread apart, you only get one / Not driving them laterally hard enough with the hands — the movement creates the opening / Sweeping against the direction of movement instead of with it.
What are other names for the Okuri Ashi Barai?
The Okuri Ashi Barai is also known as Okuri Ashi Barai, Sliding Foot Sweep, Following Foot Sweep.