De Ashi Harai

De Ashi Harai, often referred to as the 'Advancing Foot Sweep,' is a fundamental foot sweep technique in Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. It is used to off-balance and throw the opponent by sweeping their advancing foot as they step forward. To perform De Ashi Harai, establish a firm grip on the opponent's sleeve and collar. As they step forward with one leg, use the sole of your foot to sweep their foot from the inside, just as it makes contact with the mat. Simultaneously, use your grips to pull the opponent forward and in the direction of the sweep. The combination of the foot sweep and the pulling action disrupts the opponent's balance and causes them to fall to the mat. It is most commonly performed with the gi, in particular judo. The foot sweep is commonly utilised in wrestling and no-gi, but is used differently without grips. The timing of the sweep is crucial, as it must be executed just as the opponent's foot touches the ground.