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    Seoi-otoshi

    背負落 · せおいおとし · shoulder drop · said seh-OY oh-TOH-shee

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    Demonstrations

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    Illustration: source not recorded. Rights and removal
    Seoi-otoshi illustration

    The IJF publishes an animation of Seoi-otoshi: watch it on judo.ijf.org.

    About this technique

    A shoulder throw finished by dropping the body: tori enters as for seoi-nage but sinks low, often to one or both knees, so uke is drawn over the shoulder line by the drop rather than lifted. Common in competition; drill the deep entry carefully.

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    A technique to pull down and throw the opponent by breaking his balance forward and falling on one of the knees or both while carrying him on the back.
    The Kodokan's definition

    Key points

    1. The drop replaces the lift: sink under their centre, do not collapse forward
    2. Their chest must be tight to your back before you drop
    3. Keep your own head up and back straight as you sink

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    Te-waza (hand techniques)

    At a glance

    , classification, Gokyo set, Kodokan number, contest rules, grades that require it
    What it is
    Nage-waza (throwing techniques), Te-waza (hand techniques).
    Kodokan number
    103 (SOO).
    Contest rules
    No rule singles it out.
    Required for

    Step by step

    These steps describe the standard right-handed form without relying on the video.

    1. Take a right-handed grip and pull them forward onto their toes as for the shoulder throw.
    2. Turn in fast, back to their chest, and instead of standing to lift, sink straight down, dropping onto one or both knees beneath their centre.
    3. Keep the sleeve and lapel pulling forward and down over your right shoulder through the drop, so their weight follows you.
    4. Their body is drawn over your shoulder line by the drop; bow forward as they pass.
    5. They land on their back in front of you while you remain low; keep the sleeve until they are down, then rise.

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    Receiving it

    The entry feels like seoi-nage, then the floor drops out: they sink beneath you and your weight is already committed. The rotation is quick and low. Tuck your chin early, follow the turn, and slap with your free left arm; there is less time in the air than a standing throw, so the breakfall must be a reflex.

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    VI judo notes

    You are dropping to your knees, so know where you are on the mat before you commit: the drop is fast and there is no checking the edge on the way down. The entry and its checkpoint are the shoulder throw's, chest to your back across its width. Keep the sleeve until they are down, and let it tell you when to rise.

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    In competition

    , how often it scores at IJF level, and two contests where it worked

    Senior IJF competition, 2020 to 2026, from 73,099 contests. Counts scores, not attempts.

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    In combinations, counters and transitions

    , 3 recorded, 9 awaiting review

    9 more pairs involving it are recorded and awaiting review before they get a page. A video that shows one of them is what gets it reviewed: suggest one.

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    Reference pages elsewhere

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