Ashiguruma, haraigoshi, and taiotoshi

Another set of techniques that are superficially similar and which cause beginners much difficulty is taiotoshi, haraigoshi, and ashiguruma.  All three of these techniques launch uke from behind tori to land in front of tori but that is really about where the similarity ends.

• The three throws use wholly different actions.  Taiotoshi is a hand throw (tewaza).  Ashiguruma is a leg throw (ashiwaza).  Haraigoshi is a hip technique (koshiwaza).  
• Much confusion comes from people thinking that the leg is necessary to trip uke in taiotoshi (it is not).  Of these three throws, ashiguruma is the trip - taiotoshi is not a trip.
• Taiotoshi and ashiguruma are often confused because people do not understand the fundamental difference between otoshi and guruma actions.  Otoshi happens as uke's weight is coming forward and down into the ground.  Guruma happens when you turn uke on his long axis as he is coming forward and up out of the ground.
• Ashiguruma and haraigoshi are often confused by people who lose track of the fact that haraigoshi is a hipthrow and ashiguruma is not.  The placement and action of the hip as a fulcrum is vital in haraigoshi, while it is vital that you keep the hip out of the way and out of the action in ashiiguruma.
• Additionally, ashiguruma is a foot-stop action, while haraigoshi is a sweeping action.  Without the hip as a fulcrum it is hard if not impossible to sweep with the leg for haraigoshi but you can use it as a footprop for ashiguruma

Following are pretty good representative examples of these three throws. 

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Patrick Parker
www.mokurendojo.com