Ashi-Guruma Tips | Riki Judo Dojo
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Ashi Guruma·Riki Judo Dojo
Riki sensei explained ashi-guruma (足車 - foot/leg wheel) during judo class on 1-26-2023. 0:00 definition 0:18 te-waza o…
Ashi Guruma
SubFamily足車(Ashi Guruma)
TraditionalTranslation: leg wheel
Overview
Ashi Guruma is a judo foot technique where the attacker extends the leg across the opponent's thigh or shin and uses a rotational pull to wheel the opponent over the extended leg. [1] Similar to Hiza Guruma but with the blocking contact higher on the opponent's leg, creating a larger wheel radius and more dramatic throw. [1] Classified in the Gokyo no Waza. [1]
Ashi-GurumaJPLeg Wheel ThrowAshiguruma
History & Origin
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus. [1]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Kodokan judo lineage: Jigoro Kano (1860–1938) systematized this technique as part of the Kodokan judo curriculum. Transmitted through the Kodokan instructor system to judo federations worldwide. Adopted into BJJ through Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie → the Gracie family lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Recognized Kodokan judo technique but rarely seen in modern IJF competition due to rule changes favoring forward-throwing techniques. Occasionally appears in kata demonstrations and regional tournaments. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Extended leg blocks across opponent's thigh/shin while rotational pull wheels them over
Joints Involved — Attacker's hip (deep entry + rotation), extended leg (barrier), arms (rotational pull)
Force Vector — Large circular arc — bigger radius than Hiza Guruma
Impact — Dramatic sideways fall
Position & Entry
From fighting posture — Step deeply across, extend rear leg across opponent's upper thigh, pull in large circular motion
As combination — After a failed Hiza Guruma, continue the rotation with leg extended higher
Variants
High Ashi Guruma — leg across the hip for maximum leverage
Low Ashi Guruma — leg across the shin
Spinning entry — full rotation into the technique
Videos
How to do Ashi Guruma in Judo and BJJ | Leg Wheel | 足車
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Ashi Guruma·Sampson Judo
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Larger rotation than Hiza Guruma.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
IJF Judo— Kodokan classified technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025PDFUnified MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFTraining Notes
✓The leg must be STRAIGHT and extended firmly — a bent leg collapses
✓Enter deeper than Hiza Guruma — the contact point is higher on the opponent's body
✓The circular pull must be powerful — the larger radius requires more force
✓Keep your body close to the opponent during the rotation
Common Mistakes
!Not extending the leg fully — reduces the barrier effect
!Entering too shallow — becomes a weak Hiza Guruma instead
!Losing balance during the rotation — stay tight to the opponent
!Telegraphing the deep entry step
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Drive opponent forward → deep entry step → extend leg and wheel
2Hiza Guruma attempt → opponent resists → transition to Ashi Guruma with higher contact
3Pull opponent's head down → step across → Ashi Guruma
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
1BookKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
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)
5CitationKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
Community
Athletics
Requires
flexibility for leg extension, strong core for rotation, balance during deep entry
Key muscles
hip flexors, quadriceps (extended leg), core obliques (rotation)
Notes
Ashi guruma (leg wheel) uses the leg as a fulcrum across the opponent's thigh while wheeling them over with upper body rotation. A foot technique (ashi-waza) in the Kodokan classification. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly should I place my leg on my opponent's body for ashi guruma?
According to Riki Judo Dojo, you want to catch the leg midway between the ankle and the knee, and the leg stays there—it does not sweep.
How important is hip rotation in ashi guruma?
Hip rotation is critical to the technique's effectiveness. Riki Judo Dojo emphasizes that your koma-musubi (hip position) must turn—if it stays in place, the technique is not effective, but when rotated it becomes very effective and generates the energy needed for the throw.
What's the correct hand position and movement for ashi guruma?
The pulling hand (hikite) comes to your hip bone while your other hand pushes on the opponent's collarbone, first pushing back then turning in the same direction as your hips to rotate them over your leg, according to Riki Judo Dojo.
What's the correct distance to stand from my opponent when setting up ashi guruma?
Sampson Judo recommends you should be about a foot and a half away from your opponent—close enough that you're slightly in front of them to break their balance with gravity, but not so close that you break your own balance.
How does the Ashi Guruma work?
Ashi Guruma is a judo foot technique where the attacker extends the leg across the opponent's thigh or shin and uses a rotational pull to wheel the opponent over the extended leg. Similar to Hiza Guruma but with the blocking contact higher on the opponent's leg, creating a larger wheel radius and more dramatic throw.
Where does the Ashi Guruma come from?
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus.
Is the Ashi Guruma legal in competition?
IJF Judo: Legal: legal — Kodokan classified technique; IBJJF: Legal {src:IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024|/sources/IBJJF: legal — Rules-v6.0-June-2024.pdf}; Unified MMA: Legal {src:Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025|/sources/Unified: legal — MMA-Rules-August-2025.pdf}; FIAS Sambo: Legal {src:FIAS International Sambo Competition Rules|/sources/FIAS: legal — Sambo-Rules.pdf}
How dangerous is the Ashi Guruma?
Danger rating 6/10. High — larger rotation than Hiza Guruma.
How do I set up the Ashi Guruma?
The standard setup chain: Drive opponent forward → deep entry step → extend leg and wheel → Hiza Guruma attempt → opponent resists → transition to Ashi Guruma with higher contact → Pull opponent's head down → step across → Ashi Guruma.
How do I defend against the Ashi Guruma?
Standard counters include: Step over the extended leg / Lower your center of gravity — harder to wheel over / Counter with Ura Nage — lift and throw backward.
What are the variants of the Ashi Guruma?
Common variants: High Ashi Guruma (leg across the hip for maximum leverage); Low Ashi Guruma (leg across the shin); Spinning entry (full rotation into the technique).
How effective is the Ashi Guruma in competition?
Recognized Kodokan judo technique but rarely seen in modern IJF competition due to rule changes favoring forward-throwing techniques. Occasionally appears in kata demonstrations and regional tournaments.
What are common mistakes when doing the Ashi Guruma?
Top errors to watch for: Not extending the leg fully — reduces the barrier effect / Entering too shallow — becomes a weak Hiza Guruma instead / Losing balance during the rotation — stay tight to the opponent / Telegraphing the deep entry step.
What are other names for the Ashi Guruma?
The Ashi Guruma is also known as Ashi Guruma, Ashi-Guruma, Leg Wheel Throw, Ashiguruma.