Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi
0
Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi·WINNING
Fundamentals of Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi (Proping Ankle) Throw as demonstrated by Sensei's Felix & Jim @ the Tohkon Judo Aca…
Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi
SubFamily支え釣り込み足(Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi)
TraditionalTranslation: propping drawing ankle throw
Overview
Sasae 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]
History & Origin
Sasae tsurikomi ashi is one of the original judo techniques classified in the Kodokan gokyo-no-waza and has been a fundamental part of judo training since the art's founding by Jigoro Kano. [1] The technique exemplifies kuzushi (off-balancing) and tsukuri (fitting) principles central to judo philosophy. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Sasae tsurikomi ashi is a common scoring technique in IJF judo competition and is frequently used as a setup for other throws. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
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
How To Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi In 10 Minutes
0
Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi·The Judo Way of Life
How To Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi is taken from the Judo Way of Life online learning program!! Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi is a trem…
2 videos
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
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 foot is a block, not a sweep — plant the sole of your foot on their advancing ankle to stop it
✓Simultaneously apply a lifting-pulling hand action (tsurikomi) to rotate them over the blocked foot
✓Pull the opponent forward and upward with the hands while the foot block prevents their foot from advancing
✓Your blocking foot stays firm — the opponent rotates over it like a wheel over a curb
✓This works best when the opponent is stepping forward with commitment
✓Use a circular pulling action with the hands — the opponent should rotate around your blocking foot
Common Mistakes
!Sweeping instead of blocking — sasae is a prop, not a sweep
!Blocking too early when no weight has committed to the foot
!Not applying the lifting-pulling hand action, relying only on the foot block
!Blocking too high on the shin instead of at the ankle
!Pulling the opponent sideways instead of forward and over the blocked foot
!Placing the blocking foot too far from the opponent's ankle, making it easy for them to step around
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
Sasae tsurikomi ashi (propping drawing ankle throw) appears referenced in 22 books under 'sasae' — one of the most widely documented foot techniques. The attacker blocks the opponent's advancing foot while pulling them forward over the block. First throw in the Kodokan's gokyo no waza (first group). (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key difference between sasae tsurikomi ashi and other similar throws?
The Judo Way of Life emphasizes that sasae tsurikomi ashi involves more complexity than just where you stick the leg—it requires understanding the principles of foot placement, body positioning, and how to break your opponent's balance before executing the throw.
Which direction should I throw my opponent to make it hardest to defend?
WINNING recommends throwing toward the top of the triangle between their feet, as this is the easiest direction for you and the hardest for them to defend; if you throw to the side, they can bridge with their leg to block.
Is sasae tsurikomi ashi a kick or a foot block?
WINNING clarifies that it is a foot block, not a kick—you control your uke with good posture and place your foot to block their step as they overreach.
Can I use sasae tsurikomi ashi with different grip variations?
The Judo Way of Life confirms that you don't have to use the traditional same-side sleeve and leg grip; you can attack with alternative grips like a lapel or top grip while maintaining the same underlying principles of the throw.
How does the Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi work?
Sasae 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. 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.
Where does the Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi come from?
Sasae tsurikomi ashi is one of the original judo techniques classified in the Kodokan gokyo-no-waza and has been a fundamental part of judo training since the art's founding by Jigoro Kano. The technique exemplifies kuzushi (off-balancing) and tsukuri (fitting) principles central to judo philosophy.
Is the Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi 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 Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — timing-based sweep; lower force than trips
How do I set up the Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
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 Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
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 Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi in competition?
Sasae tsurikomi ashi is a common scoring technique in IJF judo competition and is frequently used as a setup for other throws.
What are common mistakes when doing the Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
Top errors to watch for: Sweeping instead of blocking — sasae is a prop, not a sweep / Blocking too early when no weight has committed to the foot / Not applying the lifting-pulling hand action, relying only on the foot block / Blocking too high on the shin instead of at the ankle.
What are other names for the Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
The Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi is also known as Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi, Propping Drawing Ankle Throw, Lifting Pulling Foot Block.