Ashi-waza
足技
The largest group of judo throws: throws, foot sweeps and leg reaps. The Kodokan lists 21 techniques in it, from de-ashi-harai to uchi-mata.
Quick Facts
Word breakdown
Definition
Ashi-waza (足技) means “leg techniques”: ashi is leg, waza is technique. In judo it is a group of standing throws (tachi-waza) in which the throw is led by the attacker's leg: it sweeps, reaps, brushes or blocks the opponent's leg. With 21 techniques it is the largest group of throws in the Kodokan list. It includes, for example, de-ashi-harai, hiza-guruma, sasae-tsurikomi-ashi, o-soto-gari, o-uchi-gari, ko-soto-gari, ko-uchi-gari, okuri-ashi-harai and uchi-mata. Six techniques of the group are counter-throws with the ending -gaeshi, with which the attacker turns the opponent's throw against them: tsubame-gaeshi, o-soto-gaeshi, o-uchi-gaeshi, hane-goshi-gaeshi, harai-goshi-gaeshi and uchi-mata-gaeshi.
In practice
Sweeps such as de-ashi-harai and okuri-ashi-harai rely more on timing than on strength: the leg is swept at the moment the opponent shifts weight onto it or is just lifting it. Reaping throws such as o-soto-gari and o-uchi-gari, by contrast, remove the opponent's leg at the moment the opponent stands on it with full weight.
Relations to other terms
See also
Japanese for leg or foot. It is the root of ashi-waza (foot and leg throws in judo), ashi sabaki (footwork) and ashi garami.
Koshi-waza腰技A group of judo throws in which the attacker's hips serve as the support and axis of the throw. The Kodokan lists ten techniques in it, for example o-goshi.
Sutemi-waza捨て身技Judo throws in which the attacker deliberately falls and pulls the opponent down along. The Kodokan divides them into throws falling on the back (5) and on the side (16).