De Ashi Barai Meaning in Karate

De Ashi Barai is a specific karate move known as the advancing or forward foot sweep. The practitioner sweeps the foot of the opponent just as they are stepping forward to attack. This technique uses the momentum of the attacker against them to make the fall more certain. It requires the defender to remain calm and wait for the exact moment the foot moves. The sweep travels in a low horizontal arc close to the surface of the mat or floor. An athlete trips an attacking opponent during a high level karate competition match in the ring. Sliding the foot across the floor ensures that the contact with the ankle is low. Perfect timing allows a smaller person to take down a much larger and heavier opponent.