Seoi-nage (shoulder throw) is the most widely used hand technique in judo. Tori turns their back to uke, drops the hips underneath and brings uke over the shoulder. It closes group one of the gokyo and comes in two main forms: ippon seoi-nage and morote seoi-nage.
It is the go-to weapon for judoka shorter than their opponent. It needs an explosive entry and forgives very little.
A hand technique, not a hip throw
The Kodokan files seoi-nage under te-waza, the hand techniques of nage-waza. That label has practical consequences. Your hips go under uke's center, but they do not lift the way they do in o-goshi. The arms load uke, the legs drive up and the upper body bends forward.
There is also seoi-otoshi, recognized by the Kodokan, where tori drops to one knee and blocks with an outstretched leg. The line between that and the drop seoi-nage seen in competition is thin.
Ippon seoi-nage: one arm under the armpit
For a right-hander, the left hand (hikite) holds uke's right sleeve. The right hand lets go of the lapel, or never takes it, and the right arm dives under uke's right armpit. With the elbow bent, it clamps uke's arm against your shoulder like a pincer.
The upside: you can attack without a lapel grip, even when uke is controlling your right hand. The downside: you give up a grip, so you have less control over uke's fall.
Morote seoi-nage: two hands, elbow under the armpit
The right hand (tsurite) keeps uke's left lapel. As you turn in, the wrist rotates and the right elbow tucks under uke's right armpit. Both hands stay on the judogi.
It is the version most often taught to beginners, because you keep full control. It does demand a flexible wrist. If your elbow stays outside, the throw turns into a poor tai-otoshi.
How to do seoi-nage, step by step
The off-balance goes to uke's front, slightly to the right. The left hand pulls the sleeve forward and up, elbow high.
- Right foot in front of uke's right foot, on the inside, toes turned in.
- Fast pivot. The left foot lands alongside, in front of uke's left foot. Your feet are between theirs.
- Knees bent. Your hips drop below uke's belt.
- Your back presses against uke's stomach, with the arm (or elbow) under the armpit.
- Legs straighten, upper body bends forward and turns left. Uke goes over your right shoulder.
Pivot speed matters more than everything else. A slow seoi-nage is a countered seoi-nage.
Why your seoi-nage is not working
- Hips too high. If your belt is level with uke's, uke stays behind you and you cannot load them.
- No kuzushi. You turn, but uke's heels are still down. Uke blocks by pulling the hips back.
- The elbow flaring out in morote. Uke is no longer tight against your shoulder.
- Feet too wide or outside uke's feet. Your base is unstable and uke pulls you backward.
Counters and the risks
Seoi-nage makes you turn your back, and that is its risk. A solid uke drops the hips and arches. From there uke can lift tori with ura-nage or ushiro-goshi, or scoop them from behind with sukui-nage.
In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, that risk is even higher. A failed throw leaves you on your knees with your back to the opponent, which is exactly the back take every BJJ player is hunting. That is why you see less seoi-nage in BJJ than in judo.
Useful combinations
Ko-uchi-gari into seoi-nage is the reference combination. Ko-uchi-gari makes uke step the right foot forward and puts it exactly where you want to enter. O-uchi-gari into seoi-nage works on the same principle.
If uke blocks your seoi-nage by pulling the hips back, their weight goes backward. Follow with ko-uchi-gari, or switch to tai-otoshi if uke steps around to the side.
Drills
Uchi-komi is irreplaceable for seoi-nage: hundreds of entries to make the pivot automatic. Count them in sets of ten and try to go faster each set without losing your foot position.
Add entries with a resistance band tied to a post to train the hikite pull. Then move on to entries on the move, with uke stepping forward and then back.
One last opinion: choose your version and stick with it for a season. Judoka who keep switching between ippon and morote end up with two average throws instead of one good one.