Sode-tsurikomi-goshi (sleeve lifting and pulling hip throw) is a hip technique in which tori holds both of uke's sleeves, raises one of uke's arms above his head and turns his hip in underneath to throw him forward. It is not in the gokyo. It belongs to the shinmeisho no waza, the additional throws recognized by the Kodokan.
Why competitors love sode-tsurikomi-goshi
Sode has a rare quality. It works when your kumikata goes wrong. An opponent who denies you the lapel, keeps you at arm's length or blocks your collar grip will often leave you his sleeves. Hold both sleeves and the sode setup is already there.
It also takes away your opponent's main weapon. By lifting his lead arm, you neutralize the hand he uses to control distance. He can no longer push you away.
Grip and setup for a right-hander
The classic version starts from a double sleeve grip. Your right hand holds uke's left sleeve at the elbow or just below. Your left hand holds his right sleeve, like a normal hikite.
Your right arm drives uke's left sleeve upward, his elbow pointing at the ceiling, then forward over his head. His shoulder opens, his chest straightens and he rises forward onto his toes. That is the kuzushi.
Entry and throw
As the arm goes up, turn in. Right foot in front of his right foot, left foot brought between his feet, back against his chest. Knees bent, your belt passes below his.
Your right hip sticks out slightly past his right hip. The hikite pulls the right sleeve forward and down while the raised arm keeps pushing forward. Straighten your legs and turn your head to the left, and uke goes over your hip.
The drop sode variation
Drop sode is the version you see most in competition. Instead of staying on your feet, you drop onto both knees between uke's feet. The entry is faster and gets under opponents who sit their hips back. The price: if it fails, you are on your knees with your back to your opponent.
Common mistakes
- Lifting the arm without driving it forward. Uke straightens up but stays balanced.
- Gripping the sleeve too close to the wrist. You lose control of the elbow.
- Turning in without bending your knees. Your hip lands at the level of his thighs, too low to load him and too high to get under.
- Twisting uke's shoulder backward. It is dangerous and it does not work.
Combinations and counters
Sode pairs well with the other pulling throws. Is your tsurikomi-goshi blocked because uke closes his lapel? Move your hand to the sleeve and lift. Against an opponent who backs away from the hip, the same raised arm opens harai-tsurikomi-ashi or ko-uchi-gari.
It is often compared with the kneeling seoi-nage, since both go under the opponent. The difference is the arm. In seoi-nage you trap it under your armpit. In sode you raise it above his head.
To defend, uke can drop his elbow as soon as you start lifting, or pull his hips back. The most common counter comes from behind: ura-nage, or a groundwork attack if tori ended up on his knees.
Sode in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
BJJ players with a judo background use it a lot in the gi, because sleeve grips are everywhere in that sport. The kneeling version stays risky there. Miss it and end up with your back to your opponent, and you have just offered a back take.
Drills for sode-tsurikomi-goshi
- Arm work alone: tori lifts uke's sleeve while stepping forward, ten times, without turning.
- Full standing uchi-komi, no throw.
- Kneeling uchi-komi on a thick mat.
- Nage-komi on a static uke, then with uke moving backward.
Pick one version to start, standing or kneeling. Learning both at once makes them interfere with each other. And the kneeling version, which is easier, tends to take over completely.