Ashi Guruma

Ashi-guruma is listed as an ashi-waza, but as many of these depends much on the use of the hands.

Simply put, the leg needs to be across the partner, between that of an O-guruma and a Tai-otoshi. This is then used as a bar over which you throw your opponent.

There are two entries to this throw, to describe them better we will look at the right handed technique against the same grip.

1. The most used, pivot on the ball of your right foot, swinging back with your left so that is just on the outside of your opponent (this movement I have head as tiser/tizer back - any ideas where this comes from would be greatfully recieved). Then lift you right foot so that the leg is straight and there is contact between the knee and ankle (as the video above). Then use your hikite to pull out and and down then finally towards you as your tsurite pushes up, out and then down. This creates the familiar steering-wheel hand movement.

2. To get into the correct position, step forward and across with your left foot. Then spin 180 on the ball of your left foot (anti-clockwise!) to then put your leg described above. This technique I prefer and is much more flambouyant - obviously it is easier to 'see-coming' though.

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