DRAWING OKURI ASHI BARAI
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Okuri Ashi Barai·welcomematstevescott
Okuri Ashi Barai (Sliding or Send-After Foot Sweep) is one of the most effective throwing techniques used in any combat …
Okuri Ashi Barai
SubFamily送り足払い(Okuri Ashi Barai)
TraditionalTranslation: sliding foot sweep
Overview
Okuri Ashi Barai (following foot sweep) is a judo foot technique in which the thrower sweeps both of the opponent's feet simultaneously by catching the trailing foot as it moves to join the lead foot during lateral movement. [1] The technique exploits the moment when both feet are close together during a side-stepping motion, sweeping the trailing foot into the lead foot and displacing both in the direction of travel. [1],[2] The hands guide the opponent sideways with a strong lateral pull and push, creating the side-stepping movement that sets up the double-foot sweep. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Okuri ashi barai was included in the original Kodokan gokyo as a first-set technique, recognised as a fundamental expression of the judo principle of exploiting the opponent's movement. [1] The technique is particularly associated with uchikomi (repetition training) drills where both partners move laterally, and is frequently taught early in the judo curriculum. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Okuri ashi barai has scored ippon at the highest levels of judo competition, including Olympic Games and World Championships. [1]
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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
Okuri Ashi Barai Tutorial - Drill Development
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Okuri Ashi Barai·The Judo Coach
Okuri Ashi Barai Tutorial - Drill Development - https://youtu.be/b6QvivOXWxs Ashi Waza is believed to be the essence of…
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Foot sweeps use timing over force; lower impact but head strike risk remains
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— no leg attacks below waist
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDFLegal
— 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 RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Okuri ashi barai (following foot sweep) sweeps both of the opponent's feet by catching the ankle as they slide laterally
✓Move the opponent sideways with your grips — pull them into a lateral step — then sweep the foot that follows
✓The sweep catches the trailing foot as it slides to catch up with the lead foot — both feet leave the ground
✓This is one of the most spectacular throws in judo when executed perfectly — the opponent floats off their feet
✓Push or pull the opponent sideways to create the lateral movement first, then time the sweep to the trailing ankle
✓The entire technique feels like a wave: push, step, sweep — the sweep rides the lateral momentum
✓Okuri ashi barai is most effective when the opponent is circling or stepping sideways naturally
Common Mistakes
!Sweeping the lead foot instead of the trailing foot — the trailing foot is the one that is light during lateral movement
!Not generating enough lateral movement before attempting the sweep — the opponent must be mid-step
!Sweeping too early before the feet come close together — the ideal moment is when the feet are closest during the lateral slide
!Standing in place and trying to sweep from distance — you must move with the opponent laterally
!Using excessive force on the sweep, pulling yourself off balance
!Not following through with the hands in the direction of the sweep — the arms must guide the opponent to the ground
!Attempting okuri ashi barai against an opponent moving directly toward or away from you — it requires lateral motion
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to executeLift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked above the sweeping actionCounter-Throw — exploit the attacker's committed weight to throw them insteadGrip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configurationStiff-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)
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 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
Notes
Okuri ashi barai (following foot sweep) sweeps both of the opponent's feet as they step laterally. The sweep catches the feet as they come together during lateral movement. One of the most elegant throws when executed with correct timing. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the correct foot positioning before executing okuri ashi barai?
You should position yourself slightly behind your partner rather than squared up directly in front of them. The Judo Coach emphasizes that being slightly behind allows you to step with your partner and sweep in one fluid movement without missing the timing.
How do I avoid missing the sweep when my opponent is moving?
The key is to stay slightly behind your partner as they move, rather than trying to catch up from ahead. The Judo Coach stresses that you must step together with your partner while maintaining control of the lapel and speed to execute the technique effectively.
How does the Okuri Ashi Barai work?
Okuri Ashi Barai (following foot sweep) is a judo foot technique in which the thrower sweeps both of the opponent's feet simultaneously by catching the trailing foot as it moves to join the lead foot during lateral movement. The technique exploits the moment when both feet are close together during a side-stepping motion, sweeping the trailing foot into the lead foot and displacing both in the direction of travel.
Where does the Okuri Ashi Barai come from?
Okuri ashi barai was included in the original Kodokan gokyo as a first-set technique, recognised as a fundamental expression of the judo principle of exploiting the opponent's movement. The technique is particularly associated with uchikomi (repetition training) drills where both partners move laterally, and is frequently taught early in the judo curriculum.
Is the Okuri 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 Okuri 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 Okuri Ashi Barai?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Okuri 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 Okuri 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 Okuri Ashi Barai in competition?
Okuri ashi barai has scored ippon at the highest levels of judo competition, including Olympic Games and World Championships.
What are common mistakes when doing the Okuri Ashi Barai?
Top errors to watch for: Sweeping the lead foot instead of the trailing foot — the trailing foot is the one that is light during lateral movement / Not generating enough lateral movement before attempting the sweep — the opponent must be mid-step / Sweeping too early before the feet come close together — the ideal moment is when the feet are closest during the lat… / Standing in place and trying to sweep from distance — you must move with the opponent laterally.
What are other names for the Okuri Ashi Barai?
The Okuri Ashi Barai is also known as Okuri Ashi Barai, Okuri Ashi Harai, Sliding Foot Sweep, Following Foot Sweep, Double Foot Sweep.