Judo Lesson 3 - Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi
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Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi·Judo Master
In this video the General demonstrates the Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi. This is one of the traditional forty throws of Judo as …
Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi
SubFamily支え釣り込み足(Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi)
TraditionalTranslation: propping drawing ankle
Overview
Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi (propping lifting-pulling foot) is a judo foot technique in which the thrower blocks the opponent's advancing foot with the sole while simultaneously using a lifting-pulling hand action to rotate the opponent over the blocked support. [1] Unlike sweeping techniques that displace the foot, sasae tsurikomi ashi uses the foot as a fixed prop or block, and the throwing force comes primarily from the hand action that drives the opponent forward and over the obstruction. [1],[2] The technique is executed at the moment the opponent steps forward, with the thrower's foot pressing against the opponent's ankle or lower shin to prevent it from advancing while the hands direct the body forward and down. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Sasae tsurikomi ashi was included in the Kodokan gokyo as a first-set technique, one of the foundational throws in Jigoro Kano's original curriculum. [1] The technique demonstrates the judo principle of using the opponent's forward momentum against them by simply blocking their advance while redirecting their energy. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Sasae tsurikomi ashi is part of the Kodokan judo ashi-waza syllabus and is one of the first combination-appropriate throws taught. [1]
Competition Record
Sasae tsurikomi ashi is a common scoring technique in IJF competition and is frequently used as a setup. [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
No Gi Judo Throw | Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi
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Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi·LongShot Martial Arts
No Gi Judo throw Sasae Ashi - Foot Block Sweep This is a great throw for Gi or No Gi grappling and MMA
2 videos
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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
✓Sasae tsurikomi ashi (supporting foot lift-pull throw) blocks the opponent's advancing foot with your sole while pulling them forward over the block
✓Place the sole of your foot against the opponent's ankle or lower shin as they step forward
✓Simultaneously lift and pull with both hands — pulling them forward and upward over the planted foot
✓The foot does not sweep — it blocks. The opponent's momentum carries them over the obstruction
✓This is a propping throw: your foot is the fulcrum, and the hands pull the opponent over it
✓Timing: block the foot at the moment it begins to bear weight during the step forward
✓Sasae is considered one of the most elegant throws in judo because it uses the opponent's forward momentum entirely
Common Mistakes
!Trying to sweep instead of block — the foot must be planted firmly against the ankle, not sweeping through it
!Blocking too late when the opponent's weight is already over the foot — they step through your block
!Not lifting and pulling aggressively enough with the hands — the block alone does nothing without strong upper body kuzushi
!Placing the foot too high on the shin, which is easier for the opponent to step over
!Blocking the wrong foot — block the foot that is advancing and about to receive weight
!Not generating forward momentum in the opponent before blocking — push them forward first, then block
!Releasing the grip during the throw instead of controlling the opponent all the way to the ground
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
Sasae tsurikomi ashi (propping drawing ankle throw) appears referenced in 22 books under 'sasae' — one of the most widely documented foot techniques. The attacker blocks the opponent's advancing foot while pulling them forward over the block. First throw in the Kodokan's gokyo no waza (first group). (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key positioning mistake beginners make when attempting Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
Most beginners try to hit or forcefully block the opponent's leg, but according to LongShot Martial Arts, you should instead step to the side and lock in to stop the opponent from setting their foot down—it should be an effortless motion rather than a forceful one.
How should I time the leg block in Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
You need to catch your opponent while they're moving and stop them from setting their foot down, then slowly dive over the blocked leg. LongShot Martial Arts emphasizes that this should be done as the opponent is in motion, not after they've planted their weight.
What's a good solo drill to develop power for this throw at home?
The Judo Master recommends using a folded belt wedged in a door crack, then practicing the hip and leg action by stepping across, rolling your shoulders, tilting your body, and executing the hip and leg action repeatedly to build the power needed for the throw.
How does the Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi work?
Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi (propping lifting-pulling foot) is a judo foot technique in which the thrower blocks the opponent's advancing foot with the sole while simultaneously using a lifting-pulling hand action to rotate the opponent over the blocked support. Unlike sweeping techniques that displace the foot, sasae tsurikomi ashi uses the foot as a fixed prop or block, and the throwing force comes primarily from the hand action that drives the opponent forward and over the obstruction.
Where does the Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi come from?
Sasae tsurikomi ashi was included in the Kodokan gokyo as a first-set technique, one of the foundational throws in Jigoro Kano's original curriculum. The technique demonstrates the judo principle of using the opponent's forward momentum against them by simply blocking their advance while redirecting their energy.
Is the Sasae 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 Sasae 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 Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Sasae 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 Sasae 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 Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi in competition?
Sasae tsurikomi ashi is a common scoring technique in IJF competition and is frequently used as a setup.
What are common mistakes when doing the Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
Top errors to watch for: Trying to sweep instead of block — the foot must be planted firmly against the ankle, not sweeping through it / Blocking too late when the opponent's weight is already over the foot — they step through your block / Not lifting and pulling aggressively enough with the hands — the block alone does nothing without strong upper body k… / Placing the foot too high on the shin, which is easier for the opponent to step over.
What are other names for the Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi?
The Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi is also known as Sasae Tsurikomi Ashi, Propping Drawing Ankle Throw, Supporting Foot Lift-Pull Throw, Ankle Block.