Foot sweep
Encyclopedia
The foot sweep is a move in many different styles of martial arts
. It is used to trip an opponent. Foot sweeps are commonly used in Tang Soo Do
, karate
, and jujutsu
. In addition, many closer sweeps like the Trap Sweep and Two-Leg Sweep can resemble Judo
throws.
There are several styles of foot sweep:
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
. It is used to trip an opponent. Foot sweeps are commonly used in Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art promoted by Hwang Kee that has roots in various martial arts, including taekkyeon and Subak.-Etymology:...
, karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
, and jujutsu
Jujutsu
Jujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....
. In addition, many closer sweeps like the Trap Sweep and Two-Leg Sweep can resemble Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
throws.
There are several styles of foot sweep:
- Drop sweep: Commonly thought of when someone hears “foot sweep,” the drop sweep involves spinning and sweeping one or two legs from a crouched position. This move is also known as the front sweep in martial arts circles.
- Single-leg sweep: When the opponent has one foot off the ground (usually in mid-kick) and the defender moves past this kick and sweeps out the standing leg.
- Trap sweep: A variant of the single-leg sweep, this involves catching the opponent’s kick with one hand and sweeping the back leg. The advantage is closer proximity and less chance of failure, but it leaves the defender open to hand attacks to the head.
- Two-leg sweep: When the opponent has both feet on the ground and the defender strikes behind both legs, usually accompanied by a blow across the chest to further off-balance the opponent.
- Forward sweep: A sweep aimed at the front of the opponent’s legs, as opposed to the more conventional behind-the-legs strike. This is considered more dangerous due to the possibility of injuring the opponent’s knees or shins if the sweep is too powerful or misapplied.
- Scissor sweep: The scissor sweep involves positioning one leg across the opponent’s lower chest/stomach and striking behind the knee or calves with the other leg, closing the legs in a “scissor” motion. This can be done as an offensive technique, leaping into the air toward the opponent, but is more commonly used as an escape when the opponent has trapped the defender’s kick across his chest.
- Reverse scissor sweep: A variant of the scissor sweep, it is an offensive technique used in opposite position from a traditional scissor; that is, the higher leg strikes at the opponent’s back and the lower leg scissors against the front of the opponent’s knees. Like the forward sweep, this can be very dangerous due to potential injury to the opponent’s knees, spine, and kidneys.
External links
- Fundamentals of High Performance Wushu: Taolu Jumps and Spins by Raymond Wu, ISBN 978-1-4303-1820-0. Good book to learn how to do a front (drop) sweep. Can also download a free companion training guide.
- Flash demonstration of the front sweep aka drop sweep