Morote Seoi-nage – See how to do this judo throw

Morote Seoi-nage

Morote Seoi-nage is a forward throw, that can be done either on your feet or dropping to your knees. Learn more shoulder judo throws by seeing the judo throws in this list.

How to throw with Morote Seoi-nage

1. Pull uke forwards making sure you break their balance as you do.
2. Turn in, tucking your elbow under uke’s bicep.
3. Lift uke, making sure you use your legs to drive upwards. Finish the throw rotating uke onto their back by pulling on the sleeve, and lowering your upper body.

Toshihiko Koga

Watch the legendary Koga teach a classic version of this throw in this video and here, the famous one-handed Koga Seoinage that set the judo world alight. No-one does it better.

Best Judo Throws

Morote-Seoi-Nage is one of our top ten judo throws, that we consider all judoka should learn. It is a British Judo Association requirement for 8th Mon (orange belt).

You learn how to do a full 180 degree entry, correctly lift your partner on your back, and rotate to finish the throw. As you progress you can learn how to attack both from a standing position and from a drop knee position with this versatile attack.

Combinations

3 classic combinations:

1. Kouchi-Gari into Morote Seoi-Nage. First set up attacking with kouchi-gari. Attack strongly enough to make uke take a step backwards, then wait until uke steps forwards again to recover their position. As they step forwards use this forward motion to throw.
2. Ouchi-Gari into Morote Seoi-Nage. Ouchi-Gari is a great technique to set up because it opens up the space you need to attack with your second technique.
3. Morote Seoi-Nage into Ippon Seoi-Nage. This combination uses a change of direction. Allow uke to avoid your first attack by slipping off the movement to the side. As they recover their balance, switch back to the Ippon Seoi-Nage

Counters

When you counter any throw, don’t forget you can do so also counter with ne-waza. Of course ne-waza counters will work only with throws where the attacker ends up on the tatami. Because of this a drop knee Morote Seoi-Nage is wide open for groundwork counters.

3 possible Ne-waza counters:

See these turnovers in our nifty newaza resource pack.

1. Drop Morote Seoi-Nage countered by a pull-through. First make sure you avoid the attack by stepping off it. As you step off it pull uke sharply to make sure they are on all fours. Now do your pull-through turnover.
2. Drop Morote Seoi-Nage countered by a roll into Mune-Gatame. Again, move off the attack and turn uke over, this time pulling through at their shoulder and finishing in a hold down like Mune-Gatame.
3. Drop Morote Seoi-Nage countered by a Lapel Roll. Once you have blocked the attack. Grab both collars, and roll uke over. It’s important with this one to block the throw before you jump on uke’s back or they will complete the attack and score!

Morote Seoi-Nage Tutorial

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