Ashi waza is a huge part of Kirill Denisov’s judo game.

As well as regularly scoring with Ashi waza, he incorporates it into his Kumi kata, his movement and he uses it as a platform to set up his biggest throws.

For Ashi waza to be such a big feature within his judo requires repetition and variety in his training.

Denisov has a number of different solo drills and Ashi waza Uchikomi that he practices with an uke… He also likes to do a form of Kumi kata Randori that includes Ashi waza.

Here is the first of his De ashi barai solo drills. As with all of them he fully engages the whole of his body.

Denisov places equal importance on both feet… The idea is to brush the tatami with the side of the foot.

Here is his double step De ashi barai. Once again, full body engagement, and a beautiful rocking sensation from left foot to right foot.

The idea is to skip down the mat as effortlessly as possible. And, again, just brushing the tatami with the outside of the foot.

This drill is for Tsubame gaeshi… So this is used for when countering an opponent’s De ashi barai.

As the opponent launches the footsweep, tori lifts the leg and then sweeps the De ashi foot in the direction of the attack.

Tsubame gaeshi is widely regarded as the most difficult of all Ashi waza.

Kosoto gari is one of Denisov’s favourite techniques.

In his drill for Kosoto he gets full rotation, as he works smoothly between right footsweep and left footsweep.

Again, notice the upper body movement that works in conjunction with the legs.

And, finally, here’s his drill for Okuri ashi barai.

It’s a double step skip, with full commitment on the attacking foot, which is designed to sweep away both of the opponent’s legs.