Cross-Grip Sode-Tsurikomi-Goshi

Many judo techniques that are done from a traditional sleeve-lapel grip can also be done from a cross grip. Morote-seoi-nage, tai-otoshi and even uchimata can all be done from a cross grip. What a lot of people don’t realize is that sode-tsurikomi-goshi can be done this way as well.

The first champion to have used this extensively was the great Toshihiko Koga of Japan, who debuted this technique at the 1991 World Championships. Other notable champions who used this technique include Olympic Champion Makoto Takimoto of Japan and World Champion Elkhan Mammadov of Azerbaijan.

To start off with tori takes a cross grip with his left hand on uke’s elbow and right hand on uke’s right sleeve.

Here’s the grip from another angle. You can see Shintaro’s right hand holding uke’s right lapel and his left hand is on uke’s elbow. This allows him to push up uke’s arm to make space for him to turn in.

Tori enters into the throw by pivoting on his right leg.

He turns completely in as he would do in a traditional sode-tsurikomi-goshi.

And he takes a bow to load uke up on his back.

Note that the finishing could be a conventional one where uke is thrown towards tori’s left side. However, due to the cross-grip nature of the technique, tori has less control over uke’s upper torso and sometimes uke might fall off straight over the top or even towards tori’s right side. It doesn’t matter. As long as uke lands on his back, it’s an ippon.

Watch Shintaro demonstrate this whole sequence in the second half of this video below.