Combat Sports
Ippon-Seoi-Nage
Ippon-Seoi-Nage is a judo one-arm shoulder throw that brings a partner forward over your upper back. It develops coordinated leg drive, pulling strength, and balance.
Higher injury risk. Read the safety notes before adding weight.
- Advanced
- Compound
- Higher injury risk
- Rest 1 min 30 sec
How to do it
- Face your partner with your left hand gripping their right sleeve near the elbow for a right-sided throw.
- Draw their sleeve forward and slightly upward to shift their weight toward their toes.
- Pivot inward until your back faces your partner, with your feet between theirs.
- Fit your bent right arm beneath their right armpit, with your upper arm snug against theirs.
- Bend your knees to position your hips below your partner’s hips.
- Extend your legs to bring your partner onto your upper back.
- Bend forward at your hips to carry your partner over your right shoulder.
- Guide their landing with your sleeve grip until they settle on the mat.
Form cues
- Keep your weight centered between your feet.
- Look toward the landing area.
- Breathe out through the throw.
Common mistakes
- Turning before breaking balanceEstablish the forward weight shift before entering so you are not trying to lift a firmly planted partner.
- Leaving a gapBring your upper back close to your partner’s chest rather than pulling them across empty space.
- Wrenching the trapped armMove your torso and the controlled arm together instead of twisting the arm independently.
Safety
An uncontrolled throw or poor breakfall can injure the receiving partner’s head, neck, or shoulder. A stalled entry or forced lift can also strain your back or knees.
- Learn the throw through qualified, in-person judo instruction before attempting full repetitions.
- Use an impact-rated throwing mat with a clear landing area.
- Practice with a cooperative partner who has demonstrated a reliable breakfall.
- Start with nonthrowing entries; add controlled throws without resistance only when your positioning is consistent.
If you have shoulder, neck, back, or knee pain or a recent injury, get advice from a physiotherapist or doctor before practicing throws.
Muscles worked
Primary muscles
Secondary muscles
Equipment
- Combat Training Mat
Sets and reps
- Sets
- 2–3
- Target
- 3–5 reps per side
- Rest
- 1 min 30 sec
Treat each repetition as a separate technical practice attempt, with a full reset rather than a continuous conditioning set.