sweeps

[aznkarateboi]

I've noticed that when people sweep, they never bend their leg they always keep it straight. Wouldn't bending the leg and then snapping it out add power to the sweep?

[Sasori_Te]

It depends on whether you are talking about a sweep or a reaping throw such as O-soto Gari. Many folks get these throws and sweeps mixed up.

 

It also depends on the level of the practitioner

[aznkarateboi]

i'm talking about a sweep

[karatekid1975]

With the major outer reap (sweep), I keep my leg straight, but on other sweeps I snap my leg out, like you said.

[Wado Guy]

For me, it depends on what the distance is to the person's leg I'm about to sweep. Usually, if I'm in closer, I tend to bend the leg a little more. At a farther distance, I'll distract with my hands then go for a sweep with a straighter leg...then...hehehe...they better have headgear on

 

*rei*

[martialartsresearcher]

you can sweep them anyway you want to. however, just make sure the opponent is weaken'd by you, otherwise do the sweep anyway you like. ya know what i mean? bye.

[cross]

Whatever gets them on the ground fastest..

 

I tend to keep my leg slightly bent.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

Well, there are a few dozen was to sweep I suppose, whether using a straight leg or a bent leg to accomplish it.

 

So, I guess the answer to your question is...it depends on what kind of sweep you're doing, what level of knowledge you have, and I suppose the system that you practice.

 

My best answer would be that bent leg sweeps are for closer in techniques, whereas straight leg sweeps are for opponents that are farther away.

 

Or, said another way...if it works, do it!

[aznkarateboi]

but... why would you keep your leg straight? you'd get more power from the snap if you bent it first, right?

[Shorinryu Sensei]

but... why would you keep your leg straight? you'd get more power from the snap if you bent it first, right?

 

We're talking sweeps, not kicks. Sweeps don't "snap"..they flow through the target, like the ankle or knee. If your snapping your foot at a ankle instead of "sweeping" through it, then you're kicking the ankle, which technically, isn't a sweep.

 

EDIT: Think of it this way. A kick wants maximum power to drive through an opponent..right?

 

Well, a sweep doesn't need max power. Rather, it works against weak parts of your opponents body, such as joints and where his foot makes contact with the ground. A sweep isn'ta penetrating technique, but rather a technique designed to move the designated target to somewhere else.

 

Does that make sense?