Sweep (martial arts technique)

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A sweep is a martial arts technique by which an opponent's leg(s) is knocked out from under him/her. Generally a technique similar to a kick is employed. The force of the sweep either runs perpendicular to the opponent's leg or rise as it strikes the leg, lifting the foot from the ground. A sweep can be used to take the opponent to the ground or it can simply disrupt the opponent's balance long enough to make an opening for a punch or kick. In Japanese it is known as ashi-barai.