一本背負投 Ippon Seoi Nage one-arm shoulder throw

Ippon Seoi Nage in detail

Reference video

Classification

Ippon Seoi Nage (一本背負投, "one-arm shoulder throw") is the one-arm form of Seoi Nage, the eighth throw of the first group (Dai Ikkyo) of the Kodokan Gokyo. It belongs to the hand techniques (te-waza): the arms and the turn of the body do most of the work, while the hips act as the fulcrum. It is one of the most frequently scored throws in competition, and it suits shorter judoka especially well, because they can get under the opponent's centre of gravity easily.

Principle

Uke's balance is broken to the front or the right front corner (mae / migi-mae-sumi). Tori turns in so that Tori's back is against Uke's front and Tori's hips are lower than Uke's. Uke's right arm is clamped against Tori's right shoulder, which becomes the pivot. Straightening the legs, bending forward and turning together lift Uke and roll him over the shoulder.

Grips (kumikata)

The animation shows two right-handed judoka in ai-yotsu: both stand in migi shizentai (right foot forward) and grip the same way – right hand on the partner's left lapel, left hand on the partner's right sleeve.

• Left hand (hikite): Uke's right sleeve, at or just below the elbow. This is the steering hand and keeps pulling until Uke lands.
• Right hand / arm (tsurite): starts on Uke's left lapel, or with no grip at all. On entry it lets go and the right arm slides under Uke's right armpit. Uke's upper arm is then held in the crook of the elbow, and the right hand may grip Uke's sleeve or jacket at the shoulder.

Step-by-step

1. Kuzushi: pull the sleeve forward and up in a wide arc so that Uke goes up onto the toes.
2. Entry, first step: place the right foot in front of Uke's right foot, toes turned in. This is the pivot foot.
3. Turn: swing the left foot back in a circle until both feet are parallel, about shoulder-width apart and between Uke's feet. Tori's back is now against Uke's chest.
4. Drop: bend the knees so the belt is clearly below Uke's belt. Keep the back straight, the head up and the weight on the balls of the feet.
5. Lock: drive the right arm deep into Uke's armpit and clamp Uke's upper arm tight against your shoulder.
6. Throw: straighten the legs explosively, bend forward and turn to the left. Keep pulling the sleeve down towards your left thigh.
7. Finish: stay on your feet and keep the sleeve so that Uke lands under control on the back.

Key points to get right

These points are also shown as callouts in the animation at the moment they matter.

• Break Uke's balance first. Pull up and forward before you enter, otherwise Uke stays heavy and can step around or block with the hips.
• Feet parallel, inside Uke's feet. A narrow, stable base lets you turn without wobbling.
• Hips below Uke's belt, fully across. Your centre of gravity must be under Uke's, so the legs do the lifting, not the back.
• Back tight on Uke's chest, arm clamped. No gap and a firm elbow lock, so Uke can't slide off.
• Keep pulling the sleeve. The pull must continue through the turn. When it stops, the throw stalls.
• Lead with the head. Look over your left shoulder in the throwing direction. The head starts the rotation.

Variations and related techniques

• Morote Seoi Nage: the two-handed form, where the right hand keeps the lapel grip.
• Eri Seoi Nage: the right hand grips Uke's lapel and the elbow goes under Uke's armpit.
• Seoi Otoshi: Tori drops lower and blocks Uke's leg instead of loading Uke onto the back.
• Drop seoi nage: entry on one or both knees. It is common in competition and should only be taught once the standing form is secure.

Combinations and counters

Set-ups: Ko-uchi-gari or O-uchi-gari make Uke step back or step wide, then Tori re-enters with seoi nage. A feint with Tai-otoshi works too. Counters (kaeshi-waza): Ura-nage, Ushiro-goshi, Utsuri-goshi and Tani-otoshi all exploit an entry that is too high or too slow. Uke can also defend by sinking the hips and pushing them forward.

Safety for teaching

Uke needs a reliable side or back breakfall (yoko / ushiro ukemi). With beginners, Tori should throw slowly, keep the sleeve throughout and hold Uke up slightly at the end to soften the landing. Practise the entry first as uchi-komi (repeated entries without throwing), then as nage-komi on a crash mat.