Foot Sweep
Takedown · Standing
De ashi barai takes you from collar and sleeve to side control by sweeping a foot as it lands. Use it while they move and step, never from a standstill. Hold the sleeve and move with them; as the stepping foot is about to touch down and the weight starts onto it, sweep it with the sole of your foot along the mat, your arch against the back of their heel, in the direction they are stepping. At the same moment pull the sleeve down and to the side, so the feet go one way and the shoulders the other and they fall sideways. Timing decides it: too early the foot is in the air, too late it is planted. If they step wider and slower, shoot a single; if they lift the foot over, use the knee tap.
How to do it
- Hold the sleeve and move with them, watching their steps: the throw is found in their movement, not forced from a standstill.
- Wait for the moment their foot is about to land and the weight is just starting to come onto it.
- Sweep that foot with the sole of your foot along the mat, the arch against the back of their heel, in the direction they are stepping.
- At the same moment pull the sleeve hand down and to the side, so the upper body tips over the swept foot: the feet go one way, the shoulders the other.
- They fall sideways; keep the sleeve and land on top in side control.
Key details
- Timing, not force: sweep the foot the moment it lands and the weight starts to come onto it. Earlier it is in the air, later it is planted.
- Sweep with the sole of your foot along the mat, not the toes: the sole gives a wide, flat contact that carries the foot away.
- Pull down with the sleeve hand as you sweep, so the upper body tips over the swept foot instead of staying above it.
- Sweep the heel from behind with the arch of the foot, in the direction they are stepping: you add to their own movement rather than fighting it.
- Turn the upper body like a steering wheel: the sleeve hand draws down and across while the other hand (collar, or underhook in no-gi) lifts, so their body goes over the foot you just took away.
- Against a bent-over opponent with the hips far back the sweep does not reach: first win the grip, bring your posture up and draw their hips close, then sweep on their step.
Common mistakes
- Kicking the leg. — It hurts the partner and does not move their base, because a kick hits the shin instead of carrying the foot. — Sweep along the mat in the direction of their step, sole against the heel.
- No pull with the hands. — The foot slides but their upper body stays over it and they simply step again. — Work the sleeve as you sweep, so the shoulders go the other way from the feet.
- Sweeping a foot that is already planted. — It carries the weight and will not move. — Sweep as the foot touches down, before the weight fully settles on it.
How to drill it
The partner steps sideways, you sweep on the landing, 20 reps each side; then free movement for 1 minute.
Safety
Sweep the foot with the sole, do not kick the ankle. Hold the sleeve for the breakfall.
What comes next
Where it comes from