Judo technique

Tomoe-nage

Pronunciation: toh-moh-eh nah-geh
Meaning: Circle throw

Tell Tomoe-nage’s sole on the belly from Sumi-gaeshi’s instep inside the thigh.

Tori, in white, lies on the back with a foot against Uke and lifts Uke, in blue, overhead. — Technique image: Look for where the bodies touch and which way Uke goes in Tomoe-nage. The lesson describes the right side; the left side mirrors it.

Understand the technique

is a circular throw in , the rear sacrifice throws. brings balance forward, sits down close under Uke, and uses one sole on Uke’s lower abdomen to guide Uke in an arc over Tori’s head. The sole on the abdomen sets it apart from , which lifts with the instep inside the thigh.

How it works

Forward balance, then a close seat

In the right-sided example, Tori draws Uke forward until Uke has to lean or step in. Tori places the right sole on Uke’s lower abdomen and sits down close to the supporting left heel, so the body lands right under Uke instead of far away.

Guide the arc overhead

As Tori rolls back, the hands keep pulling and the right leg extends, lifting Uke in an arc over Tori’s head. The hands steer Uke into controlled , never onto the head or neck. The other side mirrors this example.

Common mistakes

Kicking from a distant seat

Sitting down far from Uke and then kicking turns the arc into a push that shoves Uke away or drops Uke short. Bring the balance forward first, sit right under Uke, and extend the leg smoothly while the hands keep pulling.

First learning focus

First watch for Uke’s balance moving forward before Tori sits; without it, there is nothing to lift. Then notice how close to Uke’s feet Tori’s seat lands.