Developing your judo #10

#10: Scoring Ippons

Most judoka are well prepared for the big throws like osoto-gari and tai-otoshi when they go into competition.  But very few actually believe that they will lose by a minor foot technique!

A foot throw like deashi-barai can be as effective as an uchimata.  An ippon is an ippon!  When executed properly, this technique requires very little strength -- it's all about timing.

It's truly one of those techniques that Dr. Kano had in mind when he envisioned a sport where a small person using the right skills can overcome a bigger, stronger

opponent.  After years of trial and error, I have found that deashi-barai works best when your opponent is caught off guard because his/her attention is focused elsewhere.  I have found the two best opportunities for applying this throw is when you are coming to grips at the start of a match, or when you are coming back to grips after being separated (by either your own actions or by the (referee).  As your opponent steps forward to grip your gi, all his attention is focused on the upper body and gripping.  The timing is crucial -- as he transfers his weight to his advancing leg, use your closest foot to sweep his heel in the direction of his toes. If you've got the timing right, he'll drop like a lead weight.

Note: It's best if you have a sleeve grip on the same side that you're sweeping to help pull him down as well as preventing him from putting his arm down to avoid a score.  It's an excellent little technique that can score big!

By: Rainer Fischer (Canadian Olympian)