Judo Legend Jeon Ki Young: Seoi-otoshi Variation (HD)
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Seoi Otoshi·Singapore Judo Club·Added by Admin
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Seoi Otoshi
Genus背負い落とし(Seoi Otoshi)
TraditionalTranslation: shoulder drop
Overview
Seoi Otoshi (back-carrying drop) is a variant of seoi-nage in which the thrower drops to both knees or a deep squat during the turn-in, using the dropping body weight to pull the opponent forward and over the lowered shoulder. [1] The 'otoshi' (drop) element creates a dramatic level change that loads the opponent heavily onto the thrower's back, and the falling action adds downward force that amplifies the arm pull. [1],[2] Seoi-otoshi is often used against taller opponents or when the thrower cannot achieve sufficient rotation for a standing seoi-nage, as the drop allows a lower, deeper entry beneath the opponent's centre of gravity. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Seoi otoshi was classified in the Kodokan system as a te-waza technique distinct from the standing seoi-nage variants, recognising the different mechanics introduced by the dropping action. [1] The dropping seoi has become increasingly popular in modern competition, where many judoka use the drop entry as their primary seoi-nage attack. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Seoi otoshi (shoulder drop) is effective because the thrower drops to both knees during the entry, lowering the centre of gravity dramatically and creating a fulcrum below the opponent's hip line that is very difficult to resist. [1] The dropping action makes it accessible to fighters who lack the flexibility for a standing seoi nage entry. [2]
Lineage
Seoi otoshi is classified in the Kodokan system as a distinct technique from seoi nage, differentiated by the dropping (otoshi) entry where the thrower's knees contact the mat. [1]
Competition Record
Seoi otoshi (often called 'drop seoi nage' in competition context) is one of the most frequently scored techniques at World Championships and Olympics in the lighter weight categories. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Pulling and lifting with the arms to load the opponent over the shoulder or upper back
Joints Involved — Attacker's shoulders (loading point), elbows (pulling action), hips (turning under the opponent)
Force Vector — Forward and downward rotation — the pulling arm creates circular momentum while the body turns underneath
Kuzushi (Off-balancing) — Forward — breaking the opponent's balance forward over their toes allows the turning entry
Position & Entry
From collar and sleeve grip — Pull the opponent forward and up, turn in while dropping below their centre of gravity, load them onto the back/shoulder and rotate forward to throw
From sleeve grip (ippon seoi) — Secure the sleeve, step across, load the arm over the shoulder while turning, pull and throw
From underhook — Turn in with the underhook side, load the opponent over the shoulder and drive forward
Variants
Morote seoi nage — two-handed shoulder throw with both hands gripping
Ippon seoi nage — one-arm shoulder throw loading the arm over the shoulder
Drop seoi nage — dropping to the knees for a lower entry point
Korean-style shoulder throw — modified entry with deeper level change
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Seoi-Nage family; high amplitude with rotation over tori's shoulder (Kano 1986)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IJF — Legal throwing technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— UWW — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— Unified MMA — Legal throwing technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Seoi otoshi (shoulder drop) is a drop version of seoi nage where you drop to one or both knees during the entry
✓Dropping to the knees lowers your centre of gravity dramatically, making it effective against taller opponents
✓The entry is the same as seoi nage but instead of staying standing, you drop to both knees as you turn
✓The drop creates a lower fulcrum and pulls the opponent over your shoulder with the added downward momentum
✓Seoi otoshi is faster to execute than standing seoi nage because the drop is explosive
✓Use seoi otoshi when the opponent's defensive posture is too upright for a standing shoulder throw
✓The drop version is increasingly popular in modern competition because it bypasses many standing defences
Common Mistakes
!Dropping to the knees without first pulling the opponent forward — the kuzushi must precede the drop
!Landing on the knees too hard, which causes knee injuries over time — use knee pads in training
!Not maintaining the upper body pull during the drop — the hands must drive the opponent over as you go down
!Dropping too far from the opponent — your back must still contact their chest when you land on your knees
!Dropping and then trying to throw as two separate actions — the drop and throw must be one motion
!Landing on the knees in a position that is too low, ending up under the opponent without throwing them
!Using seoi otoshi as a first resort when a standing version would work — the drop is harder on the body
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) — establish the controlling grips needed for the throw
2Off-Balance (Kuzushi) — break the opponent's balance in the throwing direction
3Entry (Tsukuri) — position the body for the throw by turning, stepping, or loading
4Execution (Kake) — complete the throwing action with full commitment and follow-through
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
1BookKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
Traditional Judo throwing technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
Traditional Judo throwing technique terminology (Kodokan Institute)
Community
Athletics
Requires
explosive turning speed, arm pulling power, deep level change
Favours
shorter stature for getting under the opponent, strong back
Key muscles
deltoids, trapezius, quadriceps, core
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Seoi Otoshi work?
Seoi Otoshi (back-carrying drop) is a variant of seoi-nage in which the thrower drops to both knees or a deep squat during the turn-in, using the dropping body weight to pull the opponent forward and over the lowered shoulder. The 'otoshi' (drop) element creates a dramatic level change that loads the opponent heavily onto the thrower's back, and the falling action adds downward force that amplifies the arm pull.
Where does the Seoi Otoshi come from?
Seoi otoshi was classified in the Kodokan system as a te-waza technique distinct from the standing seoi-nage variants, recognising the different mechanics introduced by the dropping action. The dropping seoi has become increasingly popular in modern competition, where many judoka use the drop entry as their primary seoi-nage attack.
Is the Seoi Otoshi legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal throwing technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; UWW: legal — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman; Unified MMA: legal — Legal throwing technique; ADCC: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Seoi Otoshi?
Danger rating 6/10. High — Seoi-Nage family; high amplitude with rotation over tori's shoulder (Kano 1986)
How do I set up the Seoi Otoshi?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Seoi Otoshi?
Standard counters include: Lower Centre of Gravity — bend knees and drop hips to make the throw harder to execute / Grip Break — deny the thrower their preferred gripping configuration / Stiff-Arm — maintain distance with straight arms to prevent the entry.
What are the variants of the Seoi Otoshi?
Common variants: Morote seoi nage (two-handed shoulder throw with both hands gripping); Ippon seoi nage (one-arm shoulder throw loading the arm over the shoulder); Drop seoi nage (dropping to the knees for a lower entry point); Korean-style shoulder throw (modified entry with deeper level change).
How effective is the Seoi Otoshi in competition?
Seoi otoshi (often called 'drop seoi nage' in competition context) is one of the most frequently scored techniques at World Championships and Olympics in the lighter weight categories.
What are common mistakes when doing the Seoi Otoshi?
Top errors to watch for: Dropping to the knees without first pulling the opponent forward — the kuzushi must precede the drop / Landing on the knees too hard, which causes knee injuries over time — use knee pads in training / Not maintaining the upper body pull during the drop — the hands must drive the opponent over as you go down / Dropping too far from the opponent — your back must still contact their chest when you land on your knees.
What are other names for the Seoi Otoshi?
The Seoi Otoshi is also known as Shoulder Drop, Back Carry Drop, Seoi Otoshi, Shoulder Wheel Drop.