LEG LACING ASHI GARAMI FUNDAMENTALS
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Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi·welcomematstevescott
Ashi Garami (Leg Entanglement) is also known as Leg Lacing. This video shows the basics of this lower body submission sk…
Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi
Genus支え釣り込み足(Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi)
TraditionalTranslation: standard propping drawing ankle throw
Overview
The Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi executes the fundamental propping ankle block where the attacker uses the sole of the foot to block the opponent's advancing ankle while applying a strong upward-and-circular pull with the hands to rotate the opponent's body forward over the blocked foot. [1] The hand action is critical — the tsurite (lifting hand) pulls the opponent forward and upward while the hikite (pulling hand) drives in a circular arc, creating a wheeling motion around the blocked foot. [1],[2] The opponent, unable to complete their step because the foot is blocked, rotates forward over their own ankle and falls. [2] The technique is most effective when initiated as the opponent takes a natural step forward, loading weight onto the foot that will be blocked. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Standard sasae tsurikomi ashi has been a cornerstone of judo instruction and competition since the art's earliest days. [1] The technique is frequently used in combination with other throws, serving as either a primary attack or a setup for transitions in judo and adapted grappling contexts. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Sasae tsurikomi ashi is effective as a propping foot technique that blocks the opponent's advancing foot while pulling them over the obstruction. [1] Unlike sweeping techniques, sasae uses a static block rather than a sweeping motion, which can catch opponents who have learned to lift their feet against sweeps. [1] The technique is particularly effective when combined with strong pulling actions (tsurikomi) that commit the opponent's weight forward. [2]
Lineage
Competition Record
The standard sasae tsurikomi ashi is a regular scoring technique in IJF competition. [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
Variants
Standard trip — blocking or sweeping the support leg while driving the upper body
Combination trip — chaining an inside trip with an outside trip when the opponent adjusts
Counter trip — using the trip as a counter when the opponent attacks
Clinch trip — executing the trip from a tight clinch position
Videos
Sasae Tsurikomi Course - Standard Fundamentals by Vladislav Koulikov
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Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi·The Grapplers Guide by Jason Scully
The Grapplers Guide is the longest running and most recommended premium BJJ and grappling learning site ever created. L…
De Ashi Barai and Harai Tsuri Komi Ashi
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Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi·Seiryoku Zenyo
Mark Gilston, 4th degree judo black belt, discusses and demonstrates uses for two basic foot sweeps in judo and BJJ. htt…
Sasae tsurikomi ashi 1/2 | Online Judo Lesson You Can Do At Home Alone!
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Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi·Shintaro Nakano
"Do you feel as if your Judo training is NOT getting you to the level you want to be? " -- WORK WITH YOU -- Working clo…
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4 videosWhat Instructors Say
Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi is a foot-sweep throwing technique executed through coordinated hand and leg actions. Shintaro Nakano emphasizes the foundational two-step approach: first, stepping to the side of the opponent while pulling the right hand upward to break balance; second, placing the right foot below the opponent's knee to drop or sweep the leg while simultaneously pushing the elbow upward and rotating the torso (described as 'turning the wheel') to complete the throw. Nakano stresses maintaining close distance, keeping the toes pointed toward the opponent during entry to enable proper body rotation, and bending the knee on the entry step while keeping the sweeping leg straight. The Grapplers Guide by Jason Scully reinforces these principles, noting that the technique involves stepping into the body (either between the legs or to the outer side), applying an upward pull with the right hand while stepping with the opposite leg, and then blocking the foot from the inner side—not sweeping from the outer edge. Scully emphasizes the 'torquing movement' created by stepping in, the importance of maintaining connection and proper body positioning (resembling the letter 'T'), and notes that toe-pointing is less critical in styles where competitors wear shoes. Seiryoku Zenyo's Mark Gilston addresses related foot sweeps (Ashi Barai and Harai Tsuri Komi Ashi), providing tactical context: these are timing techniques best executed during opponent movement, requiring the defender to keep the sweeping foot low and pointed for maximum power, and to coordinate the sweep with sharp downward hand pulls and upward elbow lifts. All instructors agree on the primacy of hand-and-body coordination over leg action alone.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- Shintaro Nakano — Sasae tsurikomi ashi 1/2 | Online Judo Lesson You Can Do At Home Alone!: Detailed two-step entry mechanics: side stepping with toes toward opponent, upward right-hand pull for kuzushi, foot placement below the knee, and torso rotation ('turning the wheel'). Emphasized close distance, knee bend on entry, and straight sweeping leg.
- The Grapplers Guide by Jason Scully — Sasae Tsurikomi Course - Standard Fundamentals by Vladislav Koulikov: Reinforced hand-leg coordination, stepping into the body, blocking (not sweeping from outer side), upward hand action creating weight transfer to toes, and 'torquing' body position. Noted that toe-pointing is context-dependent based on footwear.
- Seiryoku Zenyo — De Ashi Barai and Harai Tsuri Komi Ashi: Provided tactical application context: these foot sweeps are timing-dependent techniques executed during opponent movement. Emphasized keeping the sweep foot low and pointed for power direction, coordinating with sharp downward hand pull and upward elbow lift.
- welcomematstevescott — LEG LACING ASHI GARAMI FUNDAMENTALS: While focused on leg lacing (ashi garami) rather than sasae tsurikomi ashi, demonstrates related foot entanglement principles and standup-to-ground leg-attack mechanics relevant to comprehensive foot technique understanding.
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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
✓Pull the opponent forward and slightly to the blocking side with a strong tsurikomi (lifting pull) action
✓As they step forward, place the sole of your foot against the front of their advancing ankle, propping it in place
✓Continue the circular pulling motion with both hands to rotate them over the blocked foot
✓Your hands create the rotation — the foot just prevents them from stepping out of it
✓Keep your supporting leg slightly bent for balance and drive your hips forward
✓The block and the pull are simultaneous — neither works alone
✓Drill by pulling your partner into a walk and propping every third step
Common Mistakes
!Applying the foot block without the lifting pull — the block alone does nothing
!Pulling without blocking — they just take another step
!Blocking the foot that's not advancing — target the foot that's about to step
!Pushing the blocked foot backward (sweeping) instead of simply propping it
!Leaning back away from the throw instead of driving your weight forward into it
!Poor hand coordination — both hands must work together in a circular pull
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How close should I stay to my opponent when setting up sasae tsurikomi ashi?
You should stay close to your opponent—don't come out or create distance. Shintaro Nakano emphasizes staying in near contact throughout the technique.
What's the first movement I should make to set up this throw?
Pull up with your right hand to lift your opponent off their heels and get them off balance before stepping in with the opposite leg. Shintaro Nakano stresses that you must pull for the first step to achieve the initial lift.
How should I use my foot when sweeping in sasae tsurikomi ashi?
Keep your leg straight and point your toe to make that part of the foot stronger and generate more power in the sweep direction. Seiryoku Zenyo advises sweeping with the sole of your foot to avoid injuring your instep or your opponent's shin.
What's the key principle behind executing this throw effectively?
The foot sweep must be a genuine attack to evoke a real reaction from your opponent; a fake attempt won't work, especially against experienced practitioners. Seiryoku Zenyo notes that you can use this reaction to complete the throw, even if you don't fully commit yourself to the ground.
How does the Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi work?
The Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi executes the fundamental propping ankle block where the attacker uses the sole of the foot to block the opponent's advancing ankle while applying a strong upward-and-circular pull with the hands to rotate the opponent's body forward over the blocked foot. The hand action is critical — the tsurite (lifting hand) pulls the opponent forward and upward while the hikite (pulling hand) drives in a circular arc, creating a wheeling motion around the blocked foot.
Where does the Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi come from?
Standard sasae tsurikomi ashi has been a cornerstone of judo instruction and competition since the art's earliest days. The technique is frequently used in combination with other throws, serving as either a primary attack or a setup for transitions in judo and adapted grappling contexts.
Is the Standard 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 Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — timing-based sweep; lower force than trips
How do I set up the Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi in competition?
The standard sasae tsurikomi ashi is a regular scoring technique in IJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
Top errors to watch for: Applying the foot block without the lifting pull — the block alone does nothing / Pulling without blocking — they just take another step / Blocking the foot that's not advancing — target the foot that's about to step / Pushing the blocked foot backward (sweeping) instead of simply propping it.
What are other names for the Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
The Standard Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi is also known as Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi, Standard Propping Ankle Block, Sasae Tsuri Ashi, Foot Prop Takedown.