Ashiwaza II

Author: Michael Swain
Pub: 1994 by Ippon Books
Pages: 111
Ranking:

This is one of the 'Judo Masterclass Techniques' series of books. If you don't already own these books, start saving up right now... Ippon Books charges a pretty penny for these, I got lucky on a Christmas sale and picked up all 14 of them for $225. They are all at least as good as anything you'll be able to find anywhere else, and mostly superior. They are all written by acknowledged experts of the techniques being discussed. You simply cannot go wrong on any of the "Masterclass Techniques" books. I have my favorites among the 14 listed books, but they simply reflect my tokuiwaza, and no other reason.

                                Table of Contents

Foreword .................................................................... 7
Ashiwaza: A Personal View.................................................... 9
History of Ashiwaza ........................................................ l3
A Technical Introduction ................................................... 17
Ouchi-Gari ................................................................. 23
     Introduction, 25 - Basic Techniques, 27 - Special Variations, 29 -                                           
     Combinations into Ouchi-Gari, 39 - Combinations from Ouchi-Gari, 41 -                                        
     Counters to Ouchi-Gari, 45

Kouchi-Gari ................................................................ 49
     Introduction, 51 --Basic Techniques, 55 - Special Variations, 55 - 
     Combinations into Kouchi-Gari, 59 - Combinations from
     Kouchi-Gari, 63 - Counters to  Kouchi-Gari, 67

Kosoto-Gari ................................................................ 69
     Introduction, 71 - Basic Techniques, 73 - Special Variations, 75 -                                           
     Combinations into Kosoto-Gari, 81 - Combinations from Kosoto-Gari,
     85 -  Counters to Kosoto-Gari, 87

Hiza-Guruma ................................................................ 89
     Introduction, 91 - Basic Techniques, 93 - Special Variations, 95 - Hiza-
     Guruma Combinations, 99 - Counter to Hiza-Guruma, 101

Competition Ashiwaza ...................................................... 105
Index ..................................................................... 111

FOREWARD

Michael Swain's victory in the -71kg category of the 1987 World Championships in Essen, Germany, was a popular one, as everyone who was there to see it will attest. He had done it the hard way-beating Toshihiko Koga, the Japanese favourite (later World and Olympic champion) and, in the final, Marc Alexandre of France (later Olympic champion). He was the first American male to win a world title.

What was equally significant was that Swain won with style. His judo has always been characterized by a very upright stance, fluid and precise movements, and bold attacking gestures. He had been to Japan as a teenager, survived the initiation, and emerged a fighter capable of taking on all styles-from classical to mauler-without compromising his own judo. This can be seen clearly in the demonstrations in Ashiwaza II.

While he was known for a number of techniques-notably tai-otoshi-it was no coincidence that he threw Koga with ouchi-gari. This technique, as he explains, was one that served him well when trying to survive as a youngster in the toughest dojo's in Japan.

In his contribution to the Masterclass Techniques series, Michael Swain presents his understanding of the technique as well as other related ashiwaza. This, he is eminently suited to do. He comments in his text that ashiwaza formed the basis of most of his attacks. Everyone who has done randori with him, as I have, will remember the slightly unnerving experience of this elusive shape moving in front of you, difficult to pin down, tapping at a legs here or a leg there, and then suddenly attacking with an ouchi-gari that was horrifyingly crisp and decisive!

This is judo to be studied. Very few practising judoka work without one of the four techniques covered in this volume. Drawing on Swain's experience at the very top level will no doubt pay considerable dividends.

Nicolas Soames
Masterclass Series Editor