Video 11: Ashi Waza
Ronda Rousey hates these. At least she used to, until she found out MMA fighters didn’t know what ashi waza was. This judo exercise proved its worth to “Rowdy” Ronda and now it will prove itself again. Ashi waza are foot techniques that help make one of the most important elements of judo throws second nature.
Here are the main things:
1. Turn your foot.
Go ahead and start playing footsie with a ghost. Keep your stance shoulder-length apart and sway side-to-side while turning the bottom of your foot up.
2. Sweep the mat with the side (blade) of your foot.
Don’t put any weight on the sweeping foot. Stay light and just graze the surface of the mat with the side of your foot. Alternate between your left and your right. Remember those pretty, pointy,
3. Pull down with the same hand as sweeping foot.
Get those arms involved as you sweep the mat and do that funky new Ronda Rousey dance. The
4. Step back and make room for sweep.
Once you’re in the groove, start stepping backward and create a lane. Go ahead and call it the land of pain, because this is where the opponent would be during a real sweep.
5. Don’t cross your legs!
Keep your legs apart from each other. The last thing you want to do while trying to take down an opponent with a cool judo move is cross your legs and end up falling over them.
6. Knees stay straight.
Ashi waza is different from osoto gari and ouchi gari because you don’t bend your legs. Keep them straight and your toes pointed! Pretty toes!
Don’t just end this here. Practice it everywhere from waiting in line at the grocery store or trying to figure out what to grab out of the refrigerator. When you’re ready, it’s time for the left and right o-goshi.