Karate Ashi Sabaki Drills & Dojo Games

Sharpen your footwork, balance, and agility for dynamic karate movements.

What is Ashi Sabaki?

Ashi Sabaki, or "footwork," is the fundamental art of moving the body efficiently and effectively in karate. It's crucial for maintaining balance, generating power, evading attacks, and setting up your own techniques. Mastering Ashi Sabaki allows you to control distance and timing, making your karate more dynamic and adaptable.

Essential Drills

1. Ayumi Ashi (Normal Step)

This is a natural walking step, but executed with control and precision, maintaining a low center of gravity and readiness.

  • From a ready stance (e.g., Zenkutsu Dachi), step forward with the front foot, then bring the back foot up to the new position.
  • Maintain your stance height and balance throughout the movement.
  • Practice stepping forward and backward.
  • Focus on smooth, continuous motion without bobbing up and down.

2. Okuri Ashi (Shuffle Step / Following Step)

A quick, short-distance movement where one foot pushes off and the other follows, maintaining the same stance.

  • From a ready stance, move the lead foot a short distance, and immediately slide the rear foot to maintain the original distance between them.
  • To move backward, move the rear foot first, then slide the lead foot.
  • Keep your feet close to the ground, almost "gliding."
  • Excellent for closing or creating small distances quickly.

3. Tsugi Ashi (Chasing Step / Drawing Step)

Similar to Okuri Ashi, but the rear foot moves first to "draw" the lead foot forward, allowing for a longer, more powerful step.

  • To move forward, bring the rear foot up towards the lead foot, then immediately step forward with the lead foot.
  • To move backward, bring the lead foot back towards the rear foot, then immediately step backward with the rear foot.
  • This allows for a sudden burst of speed or a powerful attack/defense.

4. Mawari Ashi (Turning Step / Circular Movement)

A pivotal movement used to change direction, evade attacks, or set up circular techniques.

  • Pivot on the ball of one foot while the other foot swings around to a new direction.
  • Maintain balance and keep your hips aligned with your new direction.
  • Practice 90-degree and 180-degree turns.
  • Often used to evade a frontal attack and counter from the side.

5. Tenkan (Turning / Pivoting)

A full 180-degree turn, typically used to face the opposite direction while maintaining your guard.

  • From a forward stance, pivot on the front foot while swinging the back foot around to face the opposite direction.
  • Your body should rotate as a single unit, maintaining balance and stance integrity.
  • Essential for defending against attacks from the rear or changing your line of attack.

6. Suri Ashi (Sliding Step)

A subtle, continuous sliding motion where the feet maintain their relative positions, ideal for small adjustments.

  • Move both feet simultaneously in the desired direction, keeping them very close to the floor.
  • The distance between your feet remains constant.
  • Used for quick, almost imperceptible shifts in position or angle.

7. Yori Ashi (Shifting Step)

A method of moving where one foot initiates the movement, and the other follows to re-establish the stance, similar to Okuri Ashi but often covering more ground.

  • If moving forward, the front foot moves first, then the back foot slides up to meet it.
  • If moving backward, the back foot moves first, then the front foot slides back.
  • Focus on maintaining balance and power generation.

8. Tobikomi (Leaping Step / Springing In)

A powerful, explosive forward movement designed to close distance rapidly for an attack.

  • From a ready stance, push off with both feet, propelling yourself forward into a new stance.
  • Land softly and immediately be ready to execute a technique.
  • Practice maintaining balance upon landing.

9. Fumi Komi (Stamping Step)

A forceful, downward stepping motion often used to break an opponent's balance or deliver a powerful stomp.

  • Lift one foot and bring it down with force, either in place or as part of a step.
  • Ensure your balance is maintained and the power is directed downwards.
  • Can be used defensively to break a grip or offensively to disrupt balance.

10. Kagami Ashi (Mirroring Step)

Practicing moving in sync with a partner, mirroring their movements to develop responsiveness and timing.

  • With a partner, face each other in a ready stance.
  • One person initiates a movement (e.g., Ayumi Ashi forward), and the other mirrors it precisely.
  • Focus on maintaining distance and reacting instantly to your partner's movement.
  • This drill is best done with a real partner, but you can visualize it for solo practice.

Ashi Sabaki Dojo Games

These games are designed to be played physically in a dojo or open space, enhancing your footwork, distance management, and reaction time in a dynamic and engaging way.

Game 1: Footwork Tag (Ashi Tag)

A dynamic game to practice evasion and quick footwork.

  • Players: 2 or more.
  • Setup: Define a clear playing area (e.g., a square marked with tape or cones).
  • Objective: One player is "it" and tries to tag the other player(s) on their feet. The tagged player becomes "it."
  • Rules:
    • Only feet can be tagged.
    • Players must stay within the defined area.
    • Emphasize using various Ashi Sabaki movements (Okuri Ashi, Tsugi Ashi, Mawari Ashi) to evade or pursue.
    • No running; movements should be controlled and karate-like.
  • Benefits: Improves agility, reaction time, distance control, and the practical application of evasive footwork.

Game 2: Mirror Movement with Obstacles

Develops responsiveness and adaptability in varying environments.

  • Players: 2.
  • Setup: Arrange a simple "obstacle course" using cones, lines, or other dojo equipment.
  • Objective: One player (the leader) navigates the course using various Ashi Sabaki movements. The other player (the mirror) follows and precisely mirrors the leader's movements and footwork.
  • Rules:
    • The mirror must maintain a consistent distance from the leader.
    • The leader can change speed, direction, and type of Ashi Sabaki at any time.
    • Focus on smooth transitions and maintaining balance.
  • Benefits: Enhances mirroring skills (Kagami Ashi), adaptability to changing environments, balance, and precise foot placement.

Game 3: Distance Control Drill (Ma-ai Game)

A crucial drill for understanding and manipulating fighting distance (Ma-ai).

  • Players: 2.
  • Setup: Players face each other in a ready stance, at a comfortable fighting distance.
  • Objective: Players move forward, backward, and laterally using Ashi Sabaki, constantly trying to maintain or break specific distances from their partner, without making contact.
  • Rules:
    • One partner initiates movement, the other reacts to maintain or change the desired distance.
    • Vary the pace: sometimes slow and deliberate, sometimes quick and explosive.
    • Introduce verbal cues: "Close!" (Tsugi Ashi, Tobikomi), "Open!" (Okuri Ashi, Ayumi Ashi backward), "Side!" (Mawari Ashi, Suri Ashi).
    • Focus on feeling the "correct" distance for various techniques.
  • Benefits: Develops a strong sense of Ma-ai (combative distance), improves reaction time, and refines the application of different Ashi Sabaki for offensive and defensive purposes.

Practice Tips