How to Do a Hook Sweep For Use in Karate Kumite

By Jason R Stanley

The first time I got swept as a result of a hook sweep, I wondered "What the heck was that?"

It seemed that the rug had been pulled from under me and I had no option but to break my fall. Of course my opponent immediately took advantage and nailed me with a punch to the chest as I hit the deck. As I lay there I remember thinking "I've got to learn how to do that, fast!"

So what is a hook sweep exactly?

A hook sweep isn't a regular leg sweep where you make contact with the sole of your foot just behind your opponent's ankle. Nor is it a high sweep where you take your opponent's legs out around the knees. Instead, think of your leg as a fishing hook, where you tilt your foot up at the ankle and bend your toes back towards your shin to form the hook.

The idea is to hook your opponent's front leg at the ankle and pull up and away from them by lifting your knee high to your chest. It's a great karate kumite technique.

Picture your opponent with their LEFT leg forward and you with your RIGHT leg forward. Now slide forward to the outside of their front foot, pivot your body and slip your front foot behind their ankle so your instep/shin is making contact with the back of their calf/ankle. Now that the hook is in place, just lift your knee to your chest as you pull their leg away from them.

Ideally for this sweep to work best, your opponent should have most of their weight on their FRONT foot. It also works best against defensive fighters as setting up the technique usually involves YOU being the INITIATOR. It is possible however to use it against attackers immediately after your counter punch, which should take them by surprise!

The perfect time to do it as a SINGLE TECHNIQUE is when facing a weak opponent who simply doesn't move. Just move across the gap and scoop your opponent's front leg as described above and as they fall down be sure to finish with a well placed technique.

Against advanced fighters you'll have to use your hook sweep as part of an attacking combination where you distract with something else and then finish with the hook sweep.

Stuck for ideas? It's easy to come up with combinations...

Just SUBSTITUTE the hook sweep in place of a kick in your favorite combos. Before you know it you'll have 3 or 4 good ones to use in your next karate kumitesession!

Because the hook sweep isn't a traditional sweep it's the reason it works so well. It's a great technique and once you learn how to do it, you'll score more points than you ever imagined. Ever since I got swept that first time I knew I had to master this technique for myself, and now it's one of my favorites and I'm sure will be one of yours too.

Jason Stanley is an international competitor and instructor holding the rank of yondan (4th dan). He has competed in karate kumite for more than 20 years. Sensei Stanley is also the author of Fighting Secrets Revealed and the KarateTips Newsletter that shares loads of useful training tips, ideas and concepts. ----------------------------------------------------------------- For more Karate Moves, see www.bestmartialartsource.com.