Alias · Sweeps
forward foot sweep
Also known as De Ashi Harai — the canonical term used on this site.
English rendering of de ashi harai
Forward foot sweep is the English rendering of de ashi harai — “de ashi” meaning advancing foot and “harai” meaning sweep.
Etymology. The name translates the judo term: the attacker sweeps the opponent’s advancing (forward) foot as it steps. “Forward foot sweep” states the target and timing directly in English.
Mechanics. The sweep catches the foot in the instant before weight settles onto it, when it is not yet a loaded support; timing the sweep to that moment means the foot has no base to resist with, so a light contact removes it cleanly where the same sweep on a planted foot would fail.
Cross-reference. Full mechanical coverage on De Ashi Harai.