Seoi Nage – Shoulder Throw

Seoi Nage is a shoulder throw, one of the traditional forty throws of Judo as developed by Jigoro Kano. It belongs to the first group, Dai Ikkyo, of the traditional throwing list, Gokyo (no waza), of Kodokan Judo. It is also part of the current 67 Throws of Kodokan Judo. It is classified as a hand technique, te-waza, and is the second throw performed in the Nage-no-kata. Famous for Toshihiko Koga’s great Performances using this technique

Seoi Nage – Shoulder Throw In Action

KUZUSHI

Advance your left foot and push Uke backwards with both hands, making him step back on his right foot. Quickly advance your right foot, pushing him again, so he steps back on his left foot. These pushes are designed to make Uke push back. As he does, and advances his left foot, give way and step back further on your right foot than he has pushed – and break his balance to his direct front (ma mae) or right front corner (migi mae sumi) using your right hand to lightly pull at Uke’s lapel.

TSUKURI

Turn halfway to your left so your right foot is placed on the inner side of his right foot – a little forward, and pointing in the same direction. While bending your right knee and lowering your body, turn completely to your left and place your left foot inside his left foot – a little forward and pointing in the same direction. Your left hand should maintain a strong pull of Uke’s right sleeve at about the elbow so that your right arm can be placed under his for the throw.

MOROTE SEOI NAGE (Kodokan #8) – Keep your right hand grip on his lapel and bend your right elbow as you turn, inserting the bent elbow into Uke’s armpit. Wrap your right wrist in Uke’s lapel and curl your wrist inward. If your wrist is bent backward, you will loose the strength of your grip and the effectiveness of the throw will be reduced.

IPPON SEOI NAGE (Kodokan #67) – Shift your left hand hold from outer to inner sleeve, release your right hand lapel grip and thrust your entire right arm under Uke’s armpit, locking his arm in the crook of your elbow. Ideally, as you bend your right arm at the elbow, it should pinch the underside of Uke’s right arm. Bring your right hand up to around your ear and don’t make any effort to regrab Uke with your right hand. The pull of your left hand must be strong throughout.

KAKE

Keep your back in close contact with Uke’s chest and stomach, your hips about mid-way down Uke’s thigh, and straighten your legs while bending your body forward, and pull both of your hands downward.

Uke will be thrown over your right shoulder and will land directly in front of you at approximately the same place your feet were planted when you began the technique. The unloading motion of your hands should be as if you were throwing something down to your feet. Make sure to retain your grip on Uke’s right sleeve to soften the landing and maintain control of Uke for a follow up hold-down or arm-bar.

Seoi Nage – Shoulder Throw Basic principles