Tsurikomi-goshi (lift-pull hip throw) is a hip technique from the second group of the gokyo. Tori holds uke's lapel, lifts uke onto the toes, then drops the hips very low under uke's center of gravity and throws over them. It is the lowest of all the hip throws.
It also appears in the nage-no-kata as one of the three hip techniques, alongside uki-goshi and harai-goshi.
The name describes the hand
"Tsuri" comes from fishing: you lift. "Komi" adds the idea of pulling in toward you. So the name describes what tsurite does. The lapel hand pulls uke up and forward. That is the difference with o-goshi and koshi-guruma, where the arm leaves the lapel to wrap the waist or the neck.
Keeping the lapel grip has a practical upside. You attack without changing your grip, so the throw is harder to see coming.
Grip and kuzushi
For a right-hander, the left hand (hikite) holds uke's right sleeve at the elbow. The right hand (tsurite) holds the left lapel fairly high, near the collarbone.
Your kumikata matters more here than in most throws. A lapel hand that sits too low cannot lift. One that sits too high jams your own entry.
The kuzushi goes forward and up. Your right hand drives the lapel upward with the wrist bent, as if lifting uke's chin. Your left hand pulls the sleeve forward. Uke rises onto the toes.
Getting under the center
- Right foot in front of uke's right foot, on the inside.
- Pivot, bringing your left foot in front of uke's left foot.
- Knees deeply bent. Your hips drop clearly below uke's belt, lower than for o-goshi.
- Your right elbow stays bent, under uke's armpit or against the chest, and keeps lifting.
- Straighten your legs and turn your upper body to the left. Uke goes over your hips.
It should feel like a car jack. The hands lift, the hips slide under and the legs drive up.
Where it goes wrong
Hips not low enough. This is the main error. If your hips arrive level with uke's, uke cannot go over and simply blocks you.
Next comes a right hand that pulls down. Uke folds in half, the hips move back and there is nothing left to load.
Last, a rounded back. With knees this bent, it is tempting to lean over. Keep your back straight or your lower back takes the whole load.
Sode-tsurikomi-goshi, the close relative
In sode-tsurikomi-goshi, the right hand grips uke's left sleeve instead of the lapel and lifts it above your shoulder. The entry is often made to the side opposite your grip. It is a very effective weapon in an opposite-stance grip fight, when the lapel is hard to get. Both throws share the low-hip principle.
Counters
An uke who feels the hip dropping can arch and block with the stomach. A strong uke can lift tori and counter with ushiro-goshi. Uke can also step around the hip, which often pushes tori toward a leg technique such as harai-goshi.
The protection is a fast, low entry. A slow tsurikomi-goshi is a gift to uke.
When to use it
Against a taller opponent who stands upright, tsurikomi-goshi is one of the best hip-throw options. Uke's hips are high and yours slide under without trouble.
A short opponent who bends forward is a different story. Uke is already low and you cannot get underneath. Koshi-guruma is the better choice there.
Drills
The first drill does not even need an entry. Facing uke, pull and lift with the lapel hand until uke rises onto the toes. Ten times. Then add the entry without throwing, checking the height of your hips against uke's belt.
Pick a partner taller than you if you can. With someone your own size you never need to go as low, and you get used to a hip that sits too high.