Tomoe-nage

巴投 · ともえなげ · circle throw · said toh-MOH-eh NAH-geh

Also known as overhead sweep (BJJ)

About this techniqueJump to step by stepPlain text version

Demonstrations

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Tomoe-nage illustration

The IJF publishes an animation of Tomoe-nage: watch it on judo.ijf.org.

About this technique

The classic sacrifice throw: tori drops beneath uke, places a foot on the abdomen, and throws uke overhead in a full circle.

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A technique to throw the opponent over the head by breaking his balance forward and putting the right sole on his lower abdomen while laying down the body onto the back.
The Kodokan's definition

Key points

  1. Sit close under uke, foot planted below the belt
  2. Pull uke over you: the arms steer the circle
  3. Roll back on your spine, not flat onto your back

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Ma-sutemi-waza (rear sacrifice techniques) · Gokyo 3rd set

At a glance

, classification, Gokyo set, Kodokan number, contest rules, grades that require it
What it is
Nage-waza (throwing techniques), Ma-sutemi-waza (rear sacrifice techniques).
Gokyo
3rd set (Dai-sankyo).
Kodokan number
401 (TNG).
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. From a right-handed grip, push your partner so they push back into you: the throw uses their forward pressure.
  2. Step your left foot deep between their feet and sit down close to your own left heel, folding underneath them as they press forward.
  3. As you sit, place the sole of your right foot against their body at the belt line, low on the abdomen, knee bent between you.
  4. Roll onto your back, pulling both hands over your head in a smooth arc; your bent leg extends as they pass over you.
  5. They sail over your head in a full circle and land on their back beyond you. Keep pulling through the whole arc so the rotation is complete, then release cleanly.

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Receiving it

Your partner drops away beneath you and a foot arrives at your belt line: their sitting weight pulls you forward and the foot sends you overhead. You fly further than you expect. Stay round, keep your chin tucked, and go with the full circle; you land on your back well beyond them, and a good roll out of it is safer than fighting the arc.

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VI judo notes

The throw runs on their forward pressure, which reaches you through the grips before anything else moves, so the gripped-up start suits it well. Place your foot on the belt line by sliding it up their body rather than kicking to a height. Know where the mat edge is before you sit down, and keep pulling through the whole arc so they land rolling.

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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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Grips that lead to it

In combinations, counters and transitions

, 1 recorded, 18 awaiting review

18 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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How it is taught elsewhere

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has published guidance on this. Choose whose to show under Organisations' own guidance on My progress.

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