Okuri-ashi-barai with Modified Grip | Takedowns for Jiu-jitsu
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Standard Okuri Ashi Barai·Takedowns For Jiu-jitsu
#kumikata #okuriashiharai #footsweep In this video, we demonstrate an armpit grip that will improve your Kuzushi (off b…
Standard Okuri Ashi Barai
Genus送り足払い(Okuri Ashi Barai)
TraditionalTranslation: sliding foot sweep
Overview
Standard Okuri Ashi Barai executes the classical following foot sweep where the thrower guides the opponent into lateral movement, then sweeps the trailing foot into the lead foot with the sole as both feet come together. [1] The sweep must be timed to catch the trailing foot at the exact moment it is moving to join the lead foot, while the hands maintain strong lateral direction to amplify the sweeping force. [1],[2] The result is a dramatic throw where the opponent's feet are swept out from under them in the direction they were already moving. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Okuri ashi barai, when executed with correct timing during lateral movement, produces some of the most spectacular and clean ippon throws in judo, as both of the opponent's feet leave the ground simultaneously. [1] Inokuma and Sato describe it as a high-reward technique that requires precise timing of the sweep to coincide with the moment both feet are close together. [2]
Lineage
Competition Record
The standard okuri ashi barai is scored regularly in IJF competition. [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
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
Videos
OKURI ASHI BARAI USING A BACK STEP TO DRAW OPPONENT IN
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Standard Okuri Ashi Barai·welcomematstevescott
This video shows how to apply Okuri Ashi Barai (Sliding Foot Sweep) using Taisabaki (Body Management in a Circular Patte…
JUDO - Vol-25 ASHI-WAZA (Footsweeps)
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Standard Okuri Ashi Barai·MastersMagazine
Buy DVD or Video Download at: https://em3video.com/judo-vol-25-ashi-waza-footsweeps/ JUDO - Vol-25 ASHI-WAZA (Footsweep…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
Standard okuri ashi barai is a lateral foot sweep throw executed through coordinated footwork and body mechanics. Takedowns For Jiu-jitsu emphasizes that the technique involves a shuffling side-to-side motion (or circular movement in live grappling) where the sweeping leg slides one opponent foot into the other, creating a collision effect that destabilizes and throws the opponent. A critical element across instructors is off-balancing: Takedowns For Jiu-jitsu advocates gripping underneath the opponent's armpit rather than the lapel to generate maximum body tilt with minimal hand movement, creating better mechanical advantage. welcomematstevescott demonstrates the draw-in footwork pattern using a back step to invite the opponent forward, establishing rhythm and timing through a step-back-turn-sweep sequence that synchronizes the tilt with the sweep execution. MastersMagazine illustrates various grip configurations and continuous driving actions, emphasizing the integration of leg hooks, shoulder pressure, and elbow control while maintaining forward momentum through the throw. The core mechanics remain consistent across instructors: proper grip application, body angle manipulation, synchronized footwork timing, and controlled follow-through. Takedowns For Jiu-jitsu and welcomematstevescott both recommend drilling the movement pattern independently to develop the precise timing and rhythm essential for successful execution.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- welcomematstevescott — OKURI ASHI BARAI USING A BACK STEP TO DRAW OPPONENT IN: Demonstrates the back-step draw technique to establish rhythm and timing; emphasizes the step-back-turn-sweep sequence and provides solo drilling methodology for developing proper cadence.
- MastersMagazine — JUDO - Vol-25 ASHI-WAZA (Footsweeps): Shows multiple grip variations and continuous driving mechanics; illustrates integration of leg hooks, shoulder pressure, elbow control, and forward momentum through various execution contexts.
- Takedowns For Jiu-jitsu — Okuri-ashi-barai with Modified Grip | Takedowns for Jiu-jitsu: Identifies the armpit grip modification as superior to lapel gripping for achieving body tilt; clarifies the sliding-foot-into-foot mechanic; demonstrates both side-to-side and circular movement patterns in realistic grappling scenarios.
- The Judo Way of Life — Gokyo-no-Waza - 80 Throws In 4 Minutes || Left And Right Versions: Provides visual reference for left and right-sided variations of the technique within gokyo classification context (minimal detailed pedagogical content in transcript).
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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
✓Begin by moving the opponent laterally using your grips — push them sideways with the lifting hand and pull with the sleeve hand
✓Step with the opponent to maintain range as they move sideways
✓As the opponent's trailing foot slides to catch up with the lead foot, sweep the trailing ankle with the sole of your foot
✓The sweep should travel in the same direction as the opponent's lateral movement — ride the momentum
✓Pull with both hands in the sweep direction to amplify the off-balancing
✓The opponent should land on their side or back as both feet are taken from under them
✓Drill by having the opponent slide sideways repeatedly while you time the sweep to the trailing ankle
Common Mistakes
!Not moving the opponent sideways before sweeping — there must be lateral motion to create the floating moment
!Sweeping against the direction of movement instead of with it
!Timing the sweep to the wrong foot — it must be the trailing foot, not the lead
!Stopping your own lateral movement and trying to sweep from a stationary position
!Pulling the opponent downward instead of sideways — the kuzushi is lateral, not vertical
!Over-committing the sweep and losing balance when it misses
!Not maintaining proper distance — too close and the sweep jams, too far and it misses
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)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the basic motion for executing a standard Okuri Ashi Barai?
The standard Okuri Ashi Barai uses a lateral, side-to-side shuffling motion, followed by executing the sweep with your foot against your opponent's foot.
How can I improve my control when throwing with Okuri Ashi Barai?
Instead of grabbing the lapel, reach underneath and grab under the armpit—this modified grip gives you more control and more twist on your opponent's body, allowing you to control the throw and bring them down gently or forcefully as needed.
What's the timing relationship between my sweep and my opponent's body position?
Time the tilt of your opponent's body with your sweep by pulling them in a circular motion around you, then sweep your foot across as they step, causing their foot to sweep into their other foot and bringing them down to the ground.
How does the Standard Okuri Ashi Barai work?
Standard Okuri Ashi Barai executes the classical following foot sweep where the thrower guides the opponent into lateral movement, then sweeps the trailing foot into the lead foot with the sole as both feet come together. The sweep must be timed to catch the trailing foot at the exact moment it is moving to join the lead foot, while the hands maintain strong lateral direction to amplify the sweeping force.
Where does the Standard Okuri Ashi Barai come from?
The standard form of okuri ashi barai is one of the foundational Kodokan judo throws, included in the first set of the gokyo since 1895. It is one of the most visually spectacular sweeps when executed with perfect timing in competition.
Is the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Okuri Ashi Barai?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Okuri Ashi Barai in competition?
The standard okuri ashi barai is scored regularly in IJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Okuri Ashi Barai?
Top errors to watch for: Not moving the opponent sideways before sweeping — there must be lateral motion to create the floating moment / Sweeping against the direction of movement instead of with it / Timing the sweep to the wrong foot — it must be the trailing foot, not the lead / Stopping your own lateral movement and trying to sweep from a stationary position.
What are other names for the Standard Okuri Ashi Barai?
The Standard Okuri Ashi Barai is also known as Okuri Ashi Barai, Classical Sliding Foot Sweep, Standard Following Foot Sweep.