Double-Sleeve Sode-Tsurikomi-Goshi

The traditional sode-tsurikomi-goshi, as per the Gokyo, is done from a sleeve-lapel grip. However, in competition, the double-sleeve version is common. Whether it’s the sleeve-lapel version or the double-sleeve version, the main challenge is making the entry into the technique.

Many players get stuck there and end up aborting the technique. In this tutorial, Shintaro shows you a simple way to make the entry easier.

You start off with an end-of-sleeve grip with your palms facing inwards and your knuckles facing upwards. This is not the conventional way of gripping the sleeve for sode but it’s more effective. Notably, this is also the way Hifumi Abe grips when doing his double-sleeve sode.

If both tori and uke’s arms are extended, it’s very difficult for tori to turn in. Uke can block it easily. That inability to raise uke’s arm is the chief cause of failure for sode among players who want to learn it. They just can’t life the arm of a fully-resisting uke.

If tori pulls uke’s arm towards tori’s chest, so that uke’s arm is extended while tori’s arm is folded, this makes it easier to do the turn. This is a simple but effective way to overcome the problem of lifting uke’s arm when he is resisting.

You don’t actually lift uke’s arm like they do in the Gokyo. Rather, you just shoot uke’s arm directly across his chest. Pulling his outstretched arm across is much easier than trying to life it up high.

With that problem solved, tori can then turn into the throw, pulling uke onto him with both his arms.

Tori loads uke onto his back by pulling hard with his right hand especially, and shooting his hips across so he can load uke up on his back.

Finishing the throw is as simple as taking a bow. Check out Shintaro demonstrating this whole sequence in the video below: