Sasae-tsurikomi-ashi (propping drawing ankle throw) is the third technique in group one of the gokyo. Tori blocks uke's leading ankle with the sole of the foot and draws uke over that block. Uke trips on your foot like on an invisible step.
It also appears in the nage-no-kata, a sign that the Kodokan treats it as a model foot technique.
Read the name, understand the move
The name tells you everything. "Sasae" means the foot props, it does not sweep. "Tsurikomi" means the hands lift and draw uke in, like reeling in a fish. "Ashi" is the foot.
Sweep and you are doing something else, namely harai-tsurikomi-ashi. Block at the knee and you drift into hiza-guruma. Sasae lives at the ankle, with a still foot.
Why so many judoka train it
It needs neither strength nor a deep entry. You stay upright, facing uke, close to arm's length. If the block misses, the risk of being countered is low because you never turned your back.
The opponent's weight also works in your favor. A heavy player pushing forward falls harder than a light one. Against judoka who walk into you to impose their grip, it is a strong weapon.
How to do sasae-tsurikomi-ashi (right-handed)
Uke steps forward with the right foot.
- Your right foot steps back and turns slightly outward. It makes room and points your body to the left.
- The sole of your left foot lands on the front of uke's right ankle, at the bottom of the shin. Leg straight, toes turned in.
- The left hand (hikite) pulls the sleeve up, then toward your left hip, in an arc.
- The right hand (tsurite) lifts the lapel toward uke's chin, then follows the rotation.
- Your body turns left. Uke goes over the blocking foot and lands in front of you.
The lift-pull of the hands is the decisive part. The foot only shuts the door.
Common mistakes
A foot that pushes or kicks. Beginners often strike the ankle. Uke pulls the foot back, or gets hurt, but does not fall.
Next comes a bent leg. A bent knee offers no solid stop, so uke steps over it without tripping.
Then there are hands pulling down. Uke folds in half instead of traveling forward. Think "up, then around".
When to throw it
The window is the same as for de-ashi-barai: uke is stepping forward and the weight is arriving on the foot. Here you attack a little later, once the foot has landed and the body keeps moving. That is why the two pair so well. If the sweep is late, the block is on time.
Another good moment is when uke takes a big step to recover balance after an attack. That reflex step is rarely controlled.
Counters and follow-ups
An alert uke steps over the foot or goes around it by pulling the leg back. In the first case uke arrives with forward momentum, and a hip throw or tai-otoshi picks them up. In the second the weight shifts back, which opens an attack like o-uchi-gari.
Direct counters exist, but they rely on tori pulling badly. Uke frees the leg and topples a tori who is left standing on one foot.
In BJJ too
The same block shows up in stand-up BJJ, often without the Japanese name. It is one of the first takedowns worth learning in BJJ for anyone who wants to bring the fight to the ground without giving up the back. A collar-and-sleeve grip suits it perfectly.
How to learn it
Start on the move. Uke walks forward three steps, tori blocks on the third and turns without throwing. Then uke walks forward while pushing lightly, so tori feels how the opponent's weight helps the throw.
It is worth teaching early, before the hip throws. It forces both hands to pull in the same direction, and every later throw depends on that habit for its kuzushi.