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- Glossary of Judo terms
- Glossary of Judo waza (techniques) terms
- Tsubame-gaeshi (Swallow counter)
Glossary of Judo waza (techniques) terms
Tsubame-gaeshi (Swallow counter)
Summary
This is a counter Ashi waza (Foot / leg techniques) to Ashi waza (Foot / leg techniques).
Features of this Waza
The Tsubame-gaeshi (Swallow counter) is used as a counter sweep to a leg sweep attack.
Waza details
The swift motion of this counter sweep does indeed resemble the swift direction changes of a swallow in flight.
This Waza is applied as a counter in the moment when the opponent moves forward to execute a De-ashi-barai (-harai) (Forward foot sweep) Waza.
At the moment when the Tori (Player executing technique) forward foot sweep has been fended off, Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) sweeps Tori (Player executing technique) leg with the very leg Tori (Player executing technique) intended to sweep. Destabilized by his own vigorous sweep attempt, Tori (Player executing technique) is almost certain to fall if his leg is swept.
This is considered a difficult Waza, but if executed successfully it will usually result in points being awarded (Yuko (Effective / Moderate advantage), etc.).
Waza usage tip
- The actual leg sweep motion is the same as that of the De-ashi-barai (-harai) (Forward foot sweep).
- This counter Waza is effective when Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) Ashi waza (Foot / leg techniques) was unfinished or less than satisfactory. The Tsubame-gaeshi (Swallow counter) requires that the Tori (Player executing technique) counter with the very foot which was under attack. For example, if Uke (Player receiving opponent's attack) attacked with a left Kouchi-gari (Small inner reap), and Tori (Player executing technique) counters with a right De-ashi-barai (-harai) (Forward foot sweep), this would not be considered a Tsubame-gaeshi (Swallow counter).