Video 63: One-Handed Sode
Oh, you fancy huh? If you want fancy, we can give it to you. Get ready for the super-advanced, super-ipponest, super-favoritest, fancy-dancy sode tsuri komi goshi. Or you could just call it the one-handed sode, but that’s not as fancy. It even comes with an emotional story from Ronda’s past!
Here are the main things:
1. Apply when opponent’s lead hand comes up.
You gotta grab to make a grab. Snatch a lapel up, but that’s not for the throw. This is to force the opponent/uke to try and break your grip or counter, then you can grip what you really need.
2. Grip sleeve anywhere between tricep and wrist.
This is going to need to be super fluid and fast. No time to sit around contemplating life or pinpointing an exact place on the judo gi to grab. Just aim for the general area from the tricep to the wrist and get a handful of fabric. The easiest spot is probably the elbow.
3. Capitalize on opponent’s high grip attack and forward momentum.
Practice from every attack and angle but we’ll start out with a high grip attack because it sets everything up perfectly for you. Pay attention to their leaning in the direction to throw and leaving you a ton of space to spin into them.
4. As you lift, release lapel grip and use same hand to guide opponent’s leg.
Once you stand up, let go of your grip on their lapel and while you’re still securing their sleeve. Now, use your free hand to guide their legs over as you throw them.
5. Look down and to the left.
You know what to do next. Get that ippon by executing the throw. Always remember to look down and to the left, as well as tucking your head. You don’t want to hurt yourself trying to land a throw.
Still not fancy enough? Let’s combine everything you’ve learned so far to create a complete