Judo term
Tsubame-gaeshi
- Pronunciation
- tsoo-bah-meh gah-eh-shee
- Meaning
- Swallow counter
In Judo
Tsubame-gaeshi, swallow counter, is an counter to a foot sweep such as . Tori lightens the attacked foot, circles it clear of the sweep, and immediately uses that same foot to sweep Uke’s attacking foot as it passes.
How to recognize it
Look for one foot doing two jobs in one quick motion: it evades the incoming sweep, then comes straight back to sweep the attacker’s foot while it is still moving.
Don't mix it up
Counter versus attack
is the attack that sweeps a foot as it advances. Tsubame-gaeshi exists only as an answer to such a sweep, so Uke must attack first.