Harai-tsurikomi-ashi (lift-pull foot sweep) is a sweep from the third group of the gokyo. Tori lifts and pulls uke forward while the sole of the foot sweeps the front of uke's ankle. The upper body goes forward and the feet go back. With no base left, uke tips over and lands on the side. It is pure timing and needs almost no strength.
The name describes the movement
Three words, three actions at the same time. Harai is the sweep. Tsurikomi is the lift-pull of both hands. Ashi is the target foot. Miss one of them and nothing happens.
It belongs to the ashi-waza, the leg techniques in the nage-waza repertoire, and forms a family with two other foot techniques in the gokyo:
- Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi blocks the ankle instead of sweeping it. Uke trips over tori's foot.
- Harai-tsurikomi-ashi sweeps that ankle backward while the chest is pulled forward.
- De-ashi-barai sweeps the advancing foot just before it takes weight, with a pull down and to the side.
Beginners mix these three up constantly. That is fine early on. Sooner or later, though, you need to feel which one you are doing.
Timing the sweep
Harai-tsurikomi-ashi works when uke is moving, usually stepping back or about to. The target is the foot that still carries weight, or is about to, at the moment tori stops the retreat by pulling the chest in. Uke planned to step back. Suddenly the upper body is pulled forward while the foot is driven backward, and uke has no base.
Too early, the foot is still planted and you bump into it. Too late, it has already moved and you sweep air.
What the hands do
Tsurikomi needs both hands. The hikite pulls the sleeve up and toward you. The tsurite lifts the lapel as if to bring uke onto the toes. Together they tilt uke forward, which is the opposite direction to the sweep.
The rule to repeat in class: hands before foot. Half a second is enough. The principles of off-balancing are covered in our article on kuzushi, tsukuri and kake.
The sweeping leg
The attacking leg stays straight with the ankle locked and the sole facing uke's ankle. Contact is on the front of the ankle, not the shin. The leg sweeps from the hip in a wide arc and does not come back until uke has gone. Tori's body stays upright and nearly still. The action happens at the bottom and the top, with nothing in the middle.
Common mistakes and fixes
- Sweeping with the edge of the foot or the toes. The contact slips and it hurts. Use the sole like a paddle.
- Bending the attacking leg. The sweep loses its reach and turns into a little kick.
- Leaning toward uke to reach the ankle. Your chest goes forward, your hands lose the pull and you are the one off balance.
- Waiting for a static position. Against a uke standing still, the technique almost never works.
Counters and combinations
A missed sweep leaves tori on one leg. An alert uke can lift the foot, let the sweep pass and reply with a sweep of their own, or with ko-soto-gari against the standing leg. Foot sweeps are often countered by other foot sweeps.
The other way round, a harai-tsurikomi-ashi attempt often makes uke react backward. That opens o-uchi-gari, or a ko-uchi-gari on the same side.
Who should use it in randori and competition
It suits mobile judoka who like footwork and fight well in opposite stance. Against a heavy, static opponent, forget it. Against someone who keeps backing away to avoid engaging, it becomes a dangerous weapon.
Building the timing
Start with the leg action alone, in place, sweeping a belt laid on the mat. Then move with a partner who steps back at a steady pace, and sweep on every third step. After that, vary uke's rhythm, because that is where timing is really built. One practical point: do this work early in the session while you are fresh. Tired judoka push with the body and the movement falls apart.