CLEAN SWEEP...

by Yang Xuangxing

 

The lowly foot sweep...it rarely gets the attention it deserves. The foot sweep, as used in karate and gong-fu, is a bit of a different animal than that which is used in arts such as judo; in the grappling arts, the sweep is usually employed to throw the opponent to the ground and score a point. In karate and gong-fu, it is used primarily as a means of disrupting the opponent's balance long enough to employ an effective strike or kick.

Although the sole of the foot (the bottom of the instep) is usually employed, many Chinese styles utilize the top part of the foot where it joins the lower leg (forming an “L” shape) as a “foot hook.” The sweep, done with the sole, is applied just above the ankle and although it sounds easy enough to do, it really requires considerable training. I would have students practice with a partner who held a staff vertically, with one end planted firmly on the floor. They had to sweep it with enough power that the staff swung up horizontally. After 25 sweeps with each foot, they learned quickly exactly what part of the foot is to be used. Hitting with the inner edge of the foot is a religious experience...you'll swear you saw God!

I also told them that I knew of people who practiced their sweep against a 55 gallon drum. Then several weeks later during sparring, a young senior student who was something of a “hot dog” was paired to spar with my oldest pupil, who was about 62 or so. The youngster charged in with a driving punch and the older fellow caught him with a sweep that was so powerful, both of the younger guy's feet left the ground and he crashed to the floor. Undiscouraged and very red-faced, he got back up and squared off with the older man again. When he thought the moment was right, he moved in again...but his timing wasn't as sharp as he'd thought. A second sweep, even stronger than the first, sent his backside into the air. It was as though he'd been clipped by a minivan!

After class, I complimented my older student on his sweeping technique. “How did you develop such a strong sweep”, I asked. He chuckled and said he'd practiced with a 55 gallon drum and when he was able to move it with his sweep, he began adding water to it...it was 1/5 full and he could still move it! Small wonder he sent a 160 lb. opponent into the air! I doubled over with laughter and I was amazed at his dedication and hard training!

When I used to compete back in the 60's and 70's, foot sweeps were allowed, so long as they contacted the “boot” area of the ankle and lower leg. Many fighters specialized in this technique. One of the best was from England, a shotokan stylist. I felt sorry for his opponents...he was legs from the armpits down and he used those long legs to sweep his opponents and then deliver punches to them before they'd even hit the ground!

In actual combat, the sweep can readily be applied to the sides of the knee and may cause severe damage to the joint. In some forms, sweeps are “hidden” in the form of kicks. The well-known “crescent-kick” is often eschewed by many instructors who claim that it's just too slow and obvious to be truly effective in combat. And they're right! So, why is it even included in the form...? Certainly, our martial arts forefathers (who used the various movements of the form in actual self-defense) would have recognized that, wouldn't they? Yes, they would and did.

According to my gong-fu teacher many years ago as well as Master Seiyu Oyata (10^th dan, Okinawan karate), the “crescent kick” is actually intended as a sweep. The target areas are the lower legs, ankles, and knees. But the “kick” (sweep) is practiced much higher to foster the development of strong hips, which are essential for effective sweeping. Makes you stop and think, doesn't it?