Video 62: Wrist-to-Wrist Sode

We’re slowly hopping on stairs to eventually leap onto that goalpost that is the sode tsuri komi goshi. You just learned and (hopefully) conquered the double sleeve sode with your toenails intact. Now, Ronda is going to teach you a wrist-to-wrist method before getting fancy.

Here are the main things:

1. Get one-sided lapel grip at collar bone.

Grab the collar and a sleeve and make that table. Make it steady and flat. Sturdy enough to sit down and have dinner on. But first, you need to work up an appetite training for this sode.

2. Big toe to big toe (same-sided opponent).

Get up close and personal with those pointy, badass judo toes. When you’re all lined up and lunged back, you’ll be in perfect position and have the leverage to complete the next steps.

3. Go with resistance.

What comes up, must come down; what you pull down, will want to push up. Tugging your gi grips will force your opponent/uke to resist and try to break away, use that momentum to help your own movements. Maximum efficiency! Minimal effort!

4. While stepping across, wrists touch.

We’ve got them now. Step around with your back leg while your grips locked in and you should end up facing the opposite direction, your arms forming an ‘X’ in front of you, and whoever you have wrapped up about to go on a ride.

5. Feet are inside opponent’s feet.

Achievement unlocked: Obtain a low center of gravity. Inside your opponent’s feet and haunched down low like a striking cobra, you’ve got all the magical advantage of physics on your side to stand, look down and to the left.

Practice makes perfect so keep working until that sode is crispy, because we all know the best sode pop is fresh and crispy. Now, are you ready to get fancy? Let’s get fancy. Move on to the next video.