Judo Level 5: Ashi Guruma — The leg forms an axis for the turn

足車, ashi-guruma, is a foot technique. Ashi means leg or foot and guruma wheel.

Kodokan describes leg contact near the partner’s knee as an axis for rotation from forward imbalance. The hands continue guiding the upper body; the leg does not work alone.

Ashi-guruma uses the leg as a rotational axis, at uke's knee area in Kodokan's definition, rather than reaping away support. Read the raised leg together with uke's torso travelling around that axis.

Harai Goshi combines hip and sweep; Ashi Guruma uses the leg axis. O Guruma differs in contact height. Shared guruma wording does not make them identical.

O-guruma contacts higher, from lower abdomen to upper thighs, while harai-goshi involves hip support and an upward sweep. Similar appearances do not make the three identical; follow where uke crosses the axis.

Have an instructor check contact and knee alignment before slow practice. Do not strike or twist the partner’s knee to create rotation. Check ukemi and control the landing.

The Level here refers to the IMAC Dojo curriculum. Use the article and clips to prepare questions and review them with your instructor. Practical training needs a suitable partner, space and controlled conditions.

Watch before rotation to distinguish a leg forming an axis from a sweeping leg. Ask about distance and guidance rather than increasing force at uke's knee to make the turn happen.