Mastering Harai Goshi: A Comprehensive BJJ Takedown Guide

**Grip Establishment**: Secure strong lapel and sleeve grips, typically a cross-lapel grip with your right hand and a sleeve grip with your left (for a right-sided throw).
**Off-Balancing (Kuzushi)**: Use your grips to pull your opponent forward and to their right, creating an unstable posture. Step your right foot outside their right foot.
**Entering the Hip**: Pivot on your right foot, stepping your left foot deep between your opponent's legs, turning your hips to face the same direction as them. Your right hip should be deep against their right hip.
**Sweeping Action**: Extend your right leg powerfully across the back of their right thigh, sweeping their leg out while maintaining strong upward and rotational pull with your grips.
**Follow-Through**: Continue the sweep, driving your hips through, and bringing your opponent down to the mat, aiming to land in a dominant position like Side Control or mount.

**Kuzushi is ParaMount**: The success of Harai Goshi hinges on effectively off-balancing your opponent before attempting the sweep; without it, you'll rely on brute force.
**Deep Hip Contact**: Ensure deep hip contact with your opponent; your hips should be lower than theirs and fully engaged to create a strong pivot point for the throw.
**Synchronized Movement**: The sweep of your leg must be perfectly synchronized with your upper body pull and hip rotation to maximize power and efficiency, making the throw feel effortless.
**Maintain Balance**: Avoid leaning too far forward or losing your base during the entry, as this makes you vulnerable to counters and reduces the power of your sweep.

**Ken Ken Harai Goshi**: A hopping variation where you follow your opponent as they try to step away, maintaining the sweep and off-balance until they fall.
**Harai Makikomi**: A sacrifice throw variation where you drive your opponent over your back, often falling with them to secure the takedown, especially if they are resisting the initial sweep.
**Ouchi Gari into Harai Goshi**: Faking an Ouchi Gari to draw a reaction and shift your opponent's weight, then immediately switching to the Harai Goshi as they recover.

Harai Goshi works best when your opponent is pushing into you, creating forward momentum, or when you have strong standing grips and can effectively off-balance them. It's particularly effective from a neutral standing position, especially if they adopt a square or slightly bladed stance.

**Stepping Back/Breaking Posture**: If you feel the off-balance and hip entry, quickly step your leg back and break their posture to prevent the throw from developing.
**Uchi Mata Counter**: As they commit to the hip throw and turn in, you can counter with an Uchi Mata by driving your leg through theirs, reversing the momentum.
**Sumo Sweep/Drop Seoi Nage Counter**: As they turn in deep for the Harai Goshi, you can drop under for a sacrifice throw or a drop seoi nage if you catch their arm and maintain a strong grip.