Footsweeps are one of the most effective techniqes in judo. Even the very strongest opponents have to move at somepoint, which makes them immediately vulnerable to a sweep, no matter how strong their gripping defence.

This volume on ashiwaza deals with four of the most dramatic judo footsweeps; de-ashi-ibarai, okuri-ashi-barai, harai-tsuri-komi-ashi and sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi. Most top competitiors have at least one of these in their repertoire, and they are seen regularly in competition.

Nobuyuki Sato used them in his highly successful competitive career, which included winning two world titles and the coveted All-Japan Championships title-even though he was only a lightweight. As a manager of the men's team in the 1970's and 1980's he put his knowledge to good effect.

Ashiwaza represents, therefore, an accumulation of unrivalled competition and coaching experience at the very highest level. It is an absorbing study, especially in the way he considers each technique in terms of the grip that makes a throw possible. This, on its own, makes the book the most original and useful analysis of judo ever written.

Sato looks at the history of footsweeps before considering the four thorws individually. He explains the basic styles, combinations and counters through copious illuistrations, designed to give the feeling of the smooth, sweepng actions.

As in all Masterclass series, Sato also considers the self-defence applications, and concludes with an inspiring collection of contest photographs fro major international events. Ashiwaza is essential reading for all practising judoka.

FORWARD

Of all the categories of judo throws, footsweeps are perhaps the most misunderstood. Whereas it is generally very clear when a throw is harai-goshi or when it is oguruma, footsweeps have a habit of blurring into one another, making it difficult, sometimes even for the two fighters involved, to state precisely what happened. 'Then I swept him,' is the frequent description. This is often not helped by photographic evidence from competitions. One man being levelled with okuri-ash-barai can look remarkably similar to another on the end of a Harai-tsuri-komi-ashi, though not to the truly expert eye. This book sets out to clarify the divisions between the three major footsweeps -- de-ashi-barai, okuri-ashi-barai and harai-tsuri-komi-ashi. Traditionally, they are separated by three movement patterns: de-ashi-barai for opponents moving forward, okuri-ashi-barai for opponents moving sideward and harai-tsuri-komi-ashi for opponents moving backward. This book shows that it is a much more complex affair.

The book has been written by Nobuyuki Sato, manager of the Japanese national team in a period of some of its greatest successes. Of course, he was a notable competitor himself. During his long contest career encompassing two world titles and the All-Japan Championship title, he used these three techniques extensively. He adds a fourth-sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi -- an ashiwaza which, with its blocking instead of sweeping throwing action is an important complement to any armoury of footsweeps. This was also a particular favourite of his.

Those who have attended his classes during his stay in England in 1988 inevitably found themselves on the receiving end of his footsweeps or wheeled over by his sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi. He demonstrated that despite his position as the professor of judo at Tokai University where he has trained a long list of world champions, including Yasuhiro Yamashita, Katsuhiko Kashiwazaki, Hidetoshi Nakanishi and Hitoshi Sugai, he has remained an extremely capable exponent of judo himself.

He is also an advertisement for the efficacy of footsweeps for the older judoka. When it becomes more difficult to maintain speed and power on the big turning throws, shrewd but subtle use of footsweeps can help to maintain a high-standard judo practice into advanced years.

Mr Sato hopes that this book will revive an interest in ashiwaza and be of use to players and coaches alike.

Nicolas Soames
Masterclass Series Editor

Contents

Foreword
Ashiwaza: A Personal View
A History of Ashiwaza
The Basics
De-Ashi-Barai
Sasae-Tsuri-Komi-Ashi
Harai-Tsuri-Komi-Ashi
Okuri-Ashi-Barai
Training for Ashiwaza
Self-Defence
Competition Ashiwaza
Index