View source for Harai-goshi

'''Harai-goshi''' (“sweeping hip throw”) is a more brutal version of [[Hip_throw|ō-goshi]], where you  simultaneously [[Reap|reap]] the opponent for additional speed and power. Unlike most jūdō throws, which were appropriated from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenjin_Shin%27y%C5%8D-ry%C5%AB classical] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kit%C5%8D-ry%C5%AB jūjutsu] styles, harai-goshi is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kan%C5%8D_Jigor%C5%8D Dr. Kanō's] original creation. Harai-goshi precludes a popular ō-goshi counter, where the opponent leaps over the thrower's leg to escape. The reaping leg blocks the opponent from performing this move. 

Within [[Goshin-Jutsu]], harai-goshi is reserved for [[Advanced|advanced students]], since it builds off of earlier material, and the students involved must have flawless [[Breakfalls|breakfalls]] to mitigate the injury risk.

Throwing is technically complex, and will take some practice -- but not effort -- as long as you remember to do everything by the numbers:
#'''Kuzushi''' (Destroying balance): Harai-goshi is a “towards throw;” which requires that the opponent charges at you, pushes you, or is stunned and doubled-over following a strike to the abdomen or groin. Do not use harai-goshi if the opponent pulls you or leans back, because fighting against the opponent’s momentum and balance is counter-productive.<br \><br \>Grab the opponent with a standard jūdō grip -- grab their left lapel with your right hand, and use your left hand to grab their right sleeve, just under the elbow. Push your right hand up, in an [[Uppercut|uppercut]]-like motion next to the opponent’s head, like a bully slamming someone into a locker. This forces the opponent onto their tip-toes, compromising their balance and simplifying your life.  Then, [[7-3]] to the inside. (Harai-goshi only works from the inside.) Pull the opponent’s right arm towards you. The opponent will shift their weight off of their right foot, as they try to take a right step forward to help retain their balance.<br \><br \>
#'''Tsukuri''' (Positioning): Turn, so that you and your opponent face the same direction. You must have a solid, secure connection before you can transfer kinetic energy and momentum into your opponent. Your opponent must be snug against you, so that no light can pass through the space between you and the opponent, causing middle school dance chaperones to yell at you. For optimum efficiency and leverage, there are two little posture quirks that you must satisfy:
#*Your [[Center|center-of-mass]] must sink below the level of your opponent’s center-of-mass. Shorter people will have a natural advantage over taller people with this technique. Taller or equally-sized people can still perform this technique, if they squat lower than their opponent’s belt knot. There is a natural tendency to lean forward when squatting, but this bad habit that compromises your balance. While leaning looks like getting low, you cannot lie to physics. Exceptionally tall people will struggle with harai-goshi, and all other hip throws. Hip throws were not designed with tall individuals in mind, so they should substitute [[Tai-otoshi|tai-otoshi]] in place of harai-goshi.
#*Your feet must be inside of your opponent’s feet. That is, harai-goshi works best when your stance is narrower than your opponent’s.<br \><br \>
#'''Nage''' (Throw): Simultaneously perform these motions: 
#*Straighten your legs to lift the opponent slightly. 
#*Pull the opponent’s wrist forward. 
#*Scoop the opponent’s right leg up with an [[Exercise_kicks#Front_exercise_kick|exercise kick]]-motion to the rear and right-side. This reaps the opponent as they fall, and the additional torque rotates them faster and harder than gravity alone would have.
#**Be sure that your reaping leg contacts the outside of the opponent's thigh. Inner thigh reaps (uchimata) are different, but valid, takedown. 
When combined, these motions cause the opponent to roll over your hip, and forcefully land directly in front you in a [[Side breakfall|side breakfall]]. Maintain your grip on the opponent’s arm to setup a [[Shovel pin|shovel pin]] or [[Stomp kick|stomp kick]].  

[video of Harai-goshi fast and slow, from different angles.]

In training, '''do not latch onto your partner’s left arm'''. If your training partner is unable to slap the mat, they will dislocate their left shoulder. Likewise, '''you must pull your training partner straight forward''', and not forward and to your left side, as in ō-goshi; this pulls them into your knee, dislocating their right shoulder.


----
{{Navigation}}