Harai Tsurikomi Ashi

SubFamily

払い釣り込み足(Harai Tsurikomi Ashi)

Traditional

Translation: sweeping drawing ankle

Overview

Harai Tsurikomi Ashi (lifting-pulling foot sweep) is a judo foot technique in which the thrower combines a strong tsurikomi (lifting-pulling) hand action with a sweeping action of the foot against the opponent's lead ankle. ^[1] Unlike de ashi barai, which relies primarily on catching the opponent's foot mid-step, harai tsurikomi ashi uses the hands to actively lift and pull the opponent forward and onto their toes, then sweeps the loaded foot out from under them. ^[1],[2] The lifting action of the tsurite (lapel hand) elevates the opponent's centre of gravity while the hikite (sleeve hand) pulls them laterally, creating a diagonal force line that the foot sweep completes. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Lifting Pulling Foot Sweep^[1]Harai Tsuri Komi AshiJP^[2]Sweeping Drawing Ankle^[3]

Used in

Judo BJJ

History & Origin

Harai tsurikomi ashi was included in the Kodokan gokyo as a second-set technique, representing a more advanced application of the foot sweep concept that integrates active hand manipulation. ^[1] The technique's emphasis on tsurikomi (lifting-pulling) action reflects Kano's pedagogical progression from simple sweeps to more complex hand-foot coordination. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

Harai tsurikomi ashi (lifting-pulling foot sweep) combines an upward pull on the opponent's body with a sweeping action on their foot, creating a powerful rotational throw. ^[1] It is effective against opponents moving forward or laterally. ^[1],[2]

Lineage

Harai tsurikomi ashi is part of the Kodokan judo ashi-waza syllabus. ^[1] It is taught as an intermediate-level throw. ^[2]

Competition Record

Harai tsurikomi ashi is a regular scoring technique in IJF judo competition. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

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

Sampson Judo

Ouchi Gari setup for Harai Tsurikomi Ashi

Harai Tsurikomi Ashi·Sampson Judo

Here's a beautiful combination that I am a very big fan of - Ouchi Gari into Harai Tsurikomi Ashi. This combination is e…

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

✓Harai tsurikomi ashi (lift-pull foot sweep) sweeps the opponent's front foot while lifting and pulling them forward and upward

✓The 'tsurikomi' component means lifting with the hands to make the opponent light on their feet before the sweep

✓Lift the opponent onto their toes with the grips, then sweep the front foot out from under them

✓The lifting action is upward and forward — you are pulling them up and over the sweeping foot

✓This throw combines the principles of lifting kuzushi with the timing of a foot sweep

✓It is effective against opponents who stand tall and resist forward pulls — lift them higher, then sweep

✓Harai tsurikomi ashi is classified as an ashi waza in the Kodokan syllabus despite the heavy hand involvement

Common Mistakes

!Not lifting the opponent before sweeping — the lift is what makes the foot light enough to sweep

!Sweeping the wrong foot — target the foot that the opponent's weight is moving toward

!Lifting without sweeping, or sweeping without lifting — both components must be simultaneous

!Pulling the opponent downward instead of upward — the lift must elevate them before the sweep takes their base

!Attempting from too far away where you cannot generate the lifting action

!Bending at the waist during the lift instead of using the legs

!Telegraphing the lift by visibly yanking upward before the sweep

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 Harai Tsurikomi Ashi

Genus

Standard Harai Tsurikomi Ashi executes the classical lifting-pulling foot sweep where the thrower lifts the opponent onto their toes with the tsurite hand, pulls laterally with the hikite, and sweeps the loaded foot with the sole in a sideways arc. [1] The sweep contacts the opponent's ankle or lower shin and brushes it in the direction of the pull, toppling the opponent over the swept support. [1,2] Proper execution requires the thrower to coordinate the lifting hand action with the sweep so that the opponent is maximally loaded on the target foot at the moment of contact. [2,3]

Explore

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I keep my foot low when executing harai tsurikomi ashi?

Sampson Judo emphasizes that the lower your foot is, the more leverage you have on the throw. If you come up too high, the technique won't work effectively, so you need to push as far back as possible from a low position.

What's the footwork sequence for harai tsurikomi ashi?

According to Sampson Judo, the action is a two-step motion: first you kick, then you sweep. The leg comes up to kick and then executes the sweep as one continuous flowing action.

How much pushing is needed to make harai tsurikomi ashi work?

Sampson Judo stresses that 'a lot of pushing' is required—you need to push your opponent backwards with significant force, similar to how you would control them in ashiwaza, to generate the momentum needed for the throw.

How does the Harai Tsurikomi Ashi work?

Where does the Harai Tsurikomi Ashi come from?

Harai tsurikomi ashi was included in the Kodokan gokyo as a second-set technique, representing a more advanced application of the foot sweep concept that integrates active hand manipulation. The technique's emphasis on tsurikomi (lifting-pulling) action reflects Kano's pedagogical progression from simple sweeps to more complex hand-foot coordination.

Is the Harai Tsurikomi Ashi 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 Harai Tsurikomi Ashi?

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

How do I set up the Harai Tsurikomi Ashi?

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

How do I defend against the Harai Tsurikomi Ashi?

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 Harai Tsurikomi Ashi?

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 Harai Tsurikomi Ashi in competition?

Harai tsurikomi ashi is a regular scoring technique in IJF judo competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the Harai Tsurikomi Ashi?

Top errors to watch for: Not lifting the opponent before sweeping — the lift is what makes the foot light enough to sweep / Sweeping the wrong foot — target the foot that the opponent's weight is moving toward / Lifting without sweeping, or sweeping without lifting — both components must be simultaneous / Pulling the opponent downward instead of upward — the lift must elevate them before the sweep takes their base.

What are other names for the Harai Tsurikomi Ashi?

The Harai Tsurikomi Ashi is also known as Harai Tsurikomi Ashi, Lifting Pulling Foot Sweep, Harai Tsuri Komi Ashi, Sweeping Drawing Ankle.

harai tsurikomi ashi throw foot leg technique throw ashi waza foot sweep throw judo bjj lifting pulling foot sweep harai tsuri komi ashi sweeping drawing ankle