De Ashi Barai

SubFamily

出足払い(De Ashi Barai)

Traditional

Translation: advancing foot sweep

Overview

De Ashi Barai (advancing foot sweep) is a fundamental ashi-waza technique in which the thrower sweeps the opponent's advancing foot at the moment it is about to bear weight, using a lateral brushing action of the sole. ^[1] The throw exploits the brief instant when the opponent steps forward and transfers weight to the lead foot — the sweep arrives just before the foot plants firmly, catching it in transition and sweeping it away. ^[1],[2] Kuzushi (balance breaking) is achieved primarily through the pulling action of both hands (tsurite and hikite), drawing the opponent forward and slightly to the side of the sweeping foot. ^[2],[3] De ashi barai is considered one of the most important throws in judo, often taught as the first throw to beginners because it embodies the core principle of maximum efficiency with minimum effort (seiryoku zenyo). ^[3]

Also known as

De Ashi HaraiJP^[1]Advancing Foot Sweep^[2]Forward Foot Sweep^[3]

Used in

Judo BJJ Sambo MMA

History & Origin

De ashi barai was included in the original 1895 Kodokan gokyo no waza as a first-set technique, reflecting Jigoro Kano's belief that foot sweeps represent the purest expression of judo's principle of using an opponent's movement against them. ^[1] The technique has been a staple of judo instruction for over a century, and many legendary judoka — including Kyuzo Mifune and Masahiko Kimura — were renowned for their devastating ashi-barai timing. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

De ashi barai (advancing foot sweep) sweeps the opponent's lead foot as they step forward, using their momentum against them. ^[1] It is considered one of the most fundamental yet technically demanding throws in judo. ^[1],[2]

Lineage

De ashi barai is one of the original 40 throws in Jigoro Kano's Kodokan judo syllabus, classified as ashi-waza. ^[1] It is often the first throw taught in judo programmes. ^[2]

Competition Record

De ashi barai has scored ippon at every level of judo competition, including the Olympic Games. ^[1]

Images

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Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Pulling and lifting with the arms to load the opponent over the shoulder or upper back

Joints Involved — Attacker's shoulders (loading point), elbows (pulling action), hips (turning under the opponent)

Force Vector — Forward and downward rotation — the pulling arm creates circular momentum while the body turns underneath

Kuzushi (Off-balancing) — Forward — breaking the opponent's balance forward over their toes allows the turning entry

Position & Entry

From judo grip — Use push-pull timing (kuzushi) to catch the opponent as they step, sweep the support foot in the direction of their movement

From clinch (collar tie) — Push or pull to make the opponent step, sweep the stepping foot at the exact moment it lifts off the mat

Videos

JBBA Judo Education Channel

DE ASHI BARAI START TO FINISH

De Ashi Barai·JBBA Judo Education Channel

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1 video

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Moderate4/10

Foot sweeps use timing over force; lower impact but head strike risk remains

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Advanced

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Restricted

— no leg attacks below waist

UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF

Legal

— IJF — Legal throwing technique

IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF

— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels

IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF

— Unified MMA — Legal throwing technique

Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF

— ADCC — Legal

ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF

— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal

FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF

— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal

FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓De ashi barai (advancing foot sweep) catches the opponent's lead foot as they step forward

✓Sweep the sole of your foot against their ankle or lower shin at the moment their advancing foot touches the ground but before weight transfers

✓The hands pull the opponent forward and down in the direction of the sweep — the upper body action is as important as the foot

✓This is considered the most fundamental foot sweep in judo and the first ashi waza taught to beginners

✓Time the sweep to the opponent's natural walking rhythm — step, step, sweep on the third beat

✓Use de ashi barai as a combination starter: if the sweep doesn't fully throw, it disrupts balance for a follow-up technique

✓Mifune demonstrated de ashi barai with such precision that opponents appeared to throw themselves

Common Mistakes

!Sweeping after the weight has already transferred to the advancing foot — it is too late and the foot is planted

!Kicking the ankle instead of sweeping through it — the motion must be a smooth, accelerating sweep

!Not pulling with the hands to load the opponent's weight onto the foot you are sweeping

!Attempting the sweep when the opponent is moving backward or standing still — de ashi barai requires forward motion

!Looking down at the feet, which telegraphs the sweep

!Sweeping too high on the leg — the target is the ankle, not the knee

!Using excessive force that pulls you off balance when the sweep misses

Related Techniques

Foot Sweep — complementary off-balancing technique using similar directional forces Breakfall (Ukemi) — essential receiving skill for safe practice of this throw

Counter Techniques

Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute Lift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping action Counter-Throw — exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them instead Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration Stiff-Arm — maintain distance with straight arms to prevent the entry

Setup Chain

1Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) — establish the controlling grips needed for the throw

2Off-Balance (Kuzushi) — break the opponent's balance in the throwing direction

3Entry (Tsukuri) — position the body for the throw by turning, stepping, or loading

4Execution (Kake) — complete the throwing action with full commitment and follow-through

Sources & References

Primary Source

Kodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification

1BookKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification

Traditional Judo throwing technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)

2SyllabusKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification

Official Kodokan ground technique classification system

3SyllabusKodokan Judo Institute — Official Waza Names

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 technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)

Community

Athletics

Requires

precise timing, ankle coordination, upper body kuzushi ability

Favours

excellent balance and quick reflexes

Key muscles

tibialis anterior, calves, hip rotators, forearms (grip)

Sub-techniques

Standard De Ashi Barai

Genus

Standard De Ashi Barai is the classical execution of the advancing foot sweep where the thrower uses the sole of the foot to sweep the opponent's lead foot laterally as it advances, while both hands (tsurite lifting and hikite pulling) direct the opponent's upper body over the swept leg. [1] The sweep is performed with a snapping motion of the ankle, contacting the opponent's foot at or just above the ankle joint and brushing it in the direction of travel. [1,2] The technique scores when the opponent, deprived of their advancing support, falls to the mat from the combined effect of the sweep and hand direction. [2,3]

Explore

Notes

De ashi barai (advancing foot sweep) appears in 13 passages across 4 books. Masahiko Kimura famously practiced this sweep 10,000 times daily. It requires the attacker to catch the opponent's foot at the exact moment of weight transfer — considered the purest expression of judo timing. (Kano, Kodokan Judo; Kimura biography)

Frequently Asked Questions

What footwork pattern should I use when performing de ashi barai?

You should use Sugiashi, a follow foot pattern, where you step and follow with your other foot. This footwork is essential to the technique and keeps you light on your feet rather than heavy and telegraphed.

Why is it important to keep my knee straight during de ashi barai?

Keeping your knees straight is critical for the sweep's effectiveness, similar to how a golf club needs a straight shaft to hit the ball well. A bent knee compromises your leverage and power in the technique.

How do I set up de ashi barai when my opponent steps forward?

As your opponent steps forward and places weight on their front foot, you should aggressively lead with your hips while sweeping their foot. The key is to catch their foot as they commit their weight forward, making it difficult for them to recover.

How does the De Ashi Barai work?

Where does the De Ashi Barai come from?

De ashi barai was included in the original 1895 Kodokan gokyo no waza as a first-set technique, reflecting Jigoro Kano's belief that foot sweeps represent the purest expression of judo's principle of using an opponent's movement against them. The technique has been a staple of judo instruction for over a century, and many legendary judoka — including Kyuzo Mifune and Masahiko Kimura — were renowned for their devastating ashi-barai timing.

Is the De Ashi Barai legal in competition?

IJF: legal — Legal throwing technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; UWW: restricted — Legal in freestyle, banned in Greco-Roman (no leg attacks below waist); Unified MMA: legal — Legal throwing technique; ADCC: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal

How dangerous is the De Ashi Barai?

Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — foot sweeps use timing over force; lower impact but head strike risk remains

How do I set up the De Ashi Barai?

The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).

How do I defend against the De Ashi Barai?

Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Lift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping action / Counter-Throw — exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them instead / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration.

What are the variants of the De Ashi Barai?

Common variants: Forward sweep (sweeping the foot in the direction the opponent is stepping); Rear sweep (sweeping the foot backward as the opponent retreats); Combination sweep (chaining sweeps to both feet); Counter sweep (timing the sweep as the opponent initiates their own attack).

How effective is the De Ashi Barai in competition?

De ashi barai has scored ippon at every level of judo competition, including the Olympic Games.

What are common mistakes when doing the De Ashi Barai?

Top errors to watch for: Sweeping after the weight has already transferred to the advancing foot — it is too late and the foot is planted / Kicking the ankle instead of sweeping through it — the motion must be a smooth, accelerating sweep / Not pulling with the hands to load the opponent's weight onto the foot you are sweeping / Attempting the sweep when the opponent is moving backward or standing still — de ashi barai requires forward motion.

What are other names for the De Ashi Barai?

The De Ashi Barai is also known as De Ashi Barai, De Ashi Harai, Advancing Foot Sweep, Forward Foot Sweep.

de ashi barai throw foot leg technique throw ashi waza foot sweep throw judo bjj sambo mma de ashi harai advancing foot sweep forward foot sweep