Okuri-ashi-barai (sliding foot sweep) is a foot technique from the second group of the gokyo. As uke moves sideways, tori sweeps the trailing foot into the other one and carries both feet away in the direction of travel. Uke goes horizontal and lands on the side or back.
Done well, it is one of the most elegant throws in judo. Done badly, it costs you almost nothing. That risk-to-reward ratio alone is a good reason to train it.
Sideways movement comes first
Okuri-ashi-barai does not exist against a static opponent. Uke has to be side-stepping, feet closing then opening with each step. That is exactly the situation in the nage-no-kata, where the throw is done during lateral movement.
In randori, you create that movement. Circle around uke so they shuffle sideways, or step back on a diagonal so they follow with side steps.
Timing: when the feet come together
The right moment is when the trailing foot closes toward the other one. At that instant it is still light. Tori sweeps it with the sole of the foot and sends it into the standing foot, which goes with it.
Compare it with de-ashi-barai, where you sweep a foot stepping forward. The principle is the same (a light foot swept in the direction it is already moving) but the direction changes. In okuri-ashi-barai you join a sideways movement and speed it up.
The hands lift
Beginners tend to skip this part. The sweep alone makes uke stumble. The hands are what make uke fly.
As you sweep, both hands lift uke upward and then push in the direction of travel. The lapel hand (tsurite) rises toward uke's chin. The sleeve hand (hikite) follows along. Uke loses contact with the mat as the feet go.
Good kuzushi here means a hand that follows uke and pushes a little faster than uke wanted to go.
The technique step by step
- Uke moves sideways and tori follows with side steps, facing uke.
- As uke's trailing foot closes toward the other, tori lifts with the hands.
- Tori's sole, toes turned in, sweeps that foot just above the ankle.
- Both of uke's feet go together in the direction of travel.
- Tori stays upright, the body follows, and keeps the sleeve to control the fall.
The sweeping leg is straight. The motion starts from the hip, like a pendulum.
Mistakes to avoid
Sweeping too early. Uke's feet are still apart, you only catch one, and uke simply lifts it.
Another fault is sweeping with the toes or the edge of the foot. The sole has to wrap the ankle. Otherwise you are kicking.
Leaning back as you sweep is the third. Your body should stay upright, even follow uke slightly. If you lean away, your hands pull uke toward you instead of pushing uke along.
Combinations and related sweeps
Okuri-ashi-barai combines with the other sweeps. A de-ashi-barai attempt often makes uke side-step, and that step opens okuri-ashi-barai. The other way around, if uke stops to avoid the sweep, the weight lands on one foot and sasae-tsurikomi-ashi blocks it.
Harai-tsurikomi-ashi, from the third group, is another relative: you sweep the leg of an uke pulled forward. Among the ashi-waza in the full list of nage-waza, these sweeps form their own family, built on pure timing.
Counters
An uke who feels the sweep coming can lift the foot or stop dead. Uke can also send a sweep back at tori's standing foot, since tori is on one leg. That sweep-for-sweep counter is rare, but it punishes okuri-ashi-barai thrown too wide.
How to learn it
The classic method comes from the nage-no-kata. Side-step together and tori sweeps on the third step. Start without throwing, just bringing uke's feet together. Then throw on a thick mat.
A fun drill for kids: crab-walk in pairs and score a point for each sweep on the right beat. Adults can use the same idea in randori with a single rule.
Our view: okuri-ashi-barai shows who can read footwork. It gets shelved because it looks like an expert's throw. The opposite is true. The earlier you learn it, the earlier you start watching your opponent's feet, and that attention pays off across all your standing judo.