De Ashi Barai (Advancing Foot Sweep) is our technique of the week! This is the classic judo foot sweep. The most important aspect of this throw is timing, timing, timing. As always, stay relaxed in the shoulders and try to feel the technique.
Tips for Uke (the person receiving the throw): to be an effective training partner, stay relaxed and cooperate fully BUT don’t throw yourself. Don’t resist Tori (the person doing the throw), but neither should try to help him or her. Just follow Tori’s direction, walk forwards and back or however you’re doing the throw, and let them try to throw you. Let their throw succeed or fail on its own merits. If you try to help Tori too much, they won’t get a proper feel for the throw.
For the second week, our regular adult class and the kids intermediates will learn Okuri Ashi Barai (Sliding Foot Sweep), a closely related throw.
The Kodokan has helpfully produced a video showing the difference between these two throws, take a look:
