Video 48: Harai Goshi Part 1
Move them hips! You’ve got the o goshi down pat, so now it’s time to move on to
Here are the main things:
1. Sweep foot by ankle.
This is the big difference between the o goshi and the harai goshi. Your feet aren’t staying on the ground, but your back foot is going to lift up and sweep by the uke’s ankle.
2. Lower sweep provides optimal leverage.
Don’t keep your foot or leg up by the knee. Remember that it’s easier to open a door by the knob than by the hinges. It just doesn’t make sense, right? Exactly. That’s why we keep that sweep nice and low right by the ankle for efficient execution.
3. Step across with lead leg.
Once you’re all locked up and your traditional grip is secured, step across with your lead leg and turn your body into the opponent.
4. Back step with second leg (ballerina step) and pull!
Throwback to those pointy, ballerina, judo badass toes. Use that ballerina step to cover the rest of the distance and pull in from your grips. The throw is close. We can almost taste it. Look at that watch!
5. Coil: Rotate hips farther than upper body.
If you’re tired of calling it a ballerina step, think of it like you’re a coiled cobra ready to strike. Your body aligns and you’ve gained leverage, this is prepping the muscles and skeletal structure to slam your opponent to the ground. That’s awesome.
6. Look in direction of throw.
Always look in the direction of your throw, not only does it make it easier for you but it guides your opponent to their destruction.
It’s easier to do on a smaller opponent, which is exactly what you’ll be seeing next.