10 ways to do TOMOE NAGE for Judo and BJJ
0
Standard Tomoe Nage·Shintaro Higashi
Explore 10 different variations of the Tomoe Nage with Shintaro, breaking down each technique for better understanding a…
Standard Tomoe Nage
Genus巴投げ(Tomoe Nage)
TraditionalTranslation: circle throw
Overview
Standard Tomoe Nage is the textbook execution of the circle throw in which tori grips uke's sleeve and lapel, steps one foot between uke's legs, sits down while placing the ball of the other foot on uke's lower abdomen, and extends the leg forcefully while pulling uke forward and overhead. [1],[2] Uke travels in a complete circular arc, landing on their back, while tori follows through to establish a top position. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Tomoe nage is highly effective as a surprise attack, catching opponents who are leaning forward with a technique that uses their own forward momentum to launch them overhead. [1] In BJJ and submission grappling, tomoe nage is valued as both a throw and a guard pull that can transition directly into submissions. [2] The technique carries moderate risk as a failed attempt can leave the thrower on their back in a disadvantageous position. [3]
Lineage
Competition Record
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Sweeping, reaping, or blocking the opponent's foot or leg to remove their base of support
Joints Involved — Attacker's sweeping leg (ankle or shin contact), opponent's supporting ankle or knee (swept)
Force Vector — Two opposing forces — the upper body is directed one way while the sweeping leg removes the support in the opposite direction
Timing Principle — Maximum effectiveness when the opponent's weight is committed to the targeted foot — timing supersedes strength
Position & Entry
From judo grip — Break opponent's balance in the intended direction, place foot on their hip or thigh, fall backward while pulling them over
From clinch — During a grip exchange, sacrifice balance by falling deliberately while using body weight to project the opponent
Variants
Rear sacrifice — falling backward while pulling the opponent over
Side sacrifice — falling to the side to project the opponent laterally
Rolling sacrifice — combining a roll with the sacrifice throw for rotation
Counter sacrifice — using the opponent's forward pressure as the driving force
Videos
Tomoe-Nage Tips | Riki Judo Dojo
0
Standard Tomoe Nage·Riki Judo Dojo
Riki sensei explained tomoe-nage (巴投 - circle throw) during judo class on 4-24-2023. 0:00 definition 0:19 foot details…
Tomoe Nage Secrets!! – 3 Variations | #judo #nyc #shintarohigashi
0
Standard Tomoe Nage·Shintaro Higashi
Tomoe Nage is one of the most effective sacrifice throws in Judo and BJJ—but what happens when your opponent doesn’t go …
1 / 2
3 videosWhat Instructors Say
Standard tomoe nage is a rear sacrifice throw (ama sutemiwaza) in which the thrower abandons upright posture and propels the opponent backward and over their body using foot placement and controlled descent. According to Riki Judo Dojo, the technique's name derives from three crescent shapes created by foot positioning, and execution requires pointing the toes to direct the opponent's trajectory rather than lifting straight upward. Proper hand placement above the shoulders maintains balance during descent, and the throw demands controlled lowering—audible contact indicates poor technique. The foot placement is critical: positioning the sole against the opponent's abdomen rather than shallow contact generates maximum kuzushi and throwing power. Riki Judo Dojo emphasizes that proficiency demands extensive repetition (approximately 1,000 practice throws) and that uke (receiver) positioning and footwork are defensive prerequisites. Shintaro Higashi presents multiple directional variations: yoko tomoe nage (side versions toward sleeve and collar), shio tomoe nage (straight back), and cross-body variants, each with distinct entry angles and hip positioning. Higashi stresses toe alignment to the opponent's belt midline and foot placement on the hip or collar side depending on direction. Both instructors agree that foot placement height and angle fundamentally determine throw effectiveness. For Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu applications, Higashi notes that failed attempts leave the thrower in advantageous positions: guard position with established grips, ashigurami leg entanglement opportunities, or sweep entries. The technique bridges judo and BJJ contexts effectively.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Riki Judo Dojo — Tomoe-Nage Tips | Riki Judo Dojo: Provided foundational mechanics including toe positioning, hand placement for balance, controlled descent technique, foot placement against abdomen for maximum kuzushi, uke defensive positioning, and emphasis on repetition-based mastery. Shared historical context from training at Okano's school.
- Shintaro Higashi — 10 ways to do TOMOE NAGE for Judo and BJJ: Detailed multiple directional variations (yoko kumanage variants, shio kumanage, cross-body entries) with specific foot and hip positioning for each. Demonstrated combinations and mixing of variations for infinite technical possibilities.
- Shintaro Higashi — Tomoe Nage Secrets!! – 3 Variations | #judo #nyc #shintarohigashi: Analyzed three primary variations (side sleeve, straight back, cross-body) with emphasis on toe alignment to belt, hip positioning, and failure recovery options. Detailed BJJ-specific safety context: failed throws leave thrower in guard with grips, ashigurami entries, or high-percentage sweep positions.
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Ma-Sutemi-Waza; tori falls backward pulling uke over; spinal compression risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
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
✓Grip the lapel and sleeve, then pull uke sharply forward to break their balance
✓Step between uke's feet with your non-throwing foot, then sit down while placing the throwing foot on uke's hip crease
✓Fall directly backward while extending the throwing leg and pulling uke over you with both hands
✓Roll backward over your shoulder — don't land flat on your back
✓As uke goes over, maintain the grips and follow them to end in mount position
✓The timing is critical: sit-place-extend must be one fluid motion, not three separate actions
✓Drill the foot placement against a wall or heavy bag before training with partners
Common Mistakes
!Stepping too far away from uke before sitting — you can't reach their hip with your foot
!Placing the foot and then pausing before falling back — the sit and foot placement must be simultaneous
!Landing flat on your back — roll through your shoulder to maintain momentum
!Not pulling uke over you with the arms — the leg alone is insufficient
!Bending the throwing leg during the extension phase — it must straighten fully
!Letting uke post their hands to block — pull their arms to prevent posting
!Not following through to mount — staying on your back wastes the advantageous position
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
commitment, timing, body weight manipulation, falling skill
Favours
heavier build (body weight drives the throw), good ukemi
Key muscles
core rotators, hip flexors, abdominals
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the correct foot position when executing tomoe nage?
You should point your toes outward rather than lifting your opponent straight up, which allows them to come over you in the correct direction. Riki Judo Dojo emphasizes this positioning is critical to the throw's mechanics.
Why should I step when setting up tomoe nage?
Stepping is part of your defense mechanism because it allows you to move and adjust position. Without the step, you become locked in place and unable to move, which limits your options in competition.
What happens if my tomoe nage fails?
In jiu-jitsu, even if tomoe nage fails completely, you typically end up in a distance guard position on your back with grips maintained, so the technique still puts you in a functional position to continue fighting. Shintaro Higashi notes this makes it particularly valuable for BJJ practitioners.
Are there different variations of tomoe nage I should learn?
Yes—Shintaro Higashi teaches three main variations: two side tomoe nages and one straight back tomoe nage, which can be mixed together and combined to keep opponents guessing about your direction of attack.
How does the Standard Tomoe Nage work?
Standard Tomoe Nage is the textbook execution of the circle throw in which tori grips uke's sleeve and lapel, steps one foot between uke's legs, sits down while placing the ball of the other foot on uke's lower abdomen, and extends the leg forcefully while pulling uke forward and overhead. Uke travels in a complete circular arc, landing on their back, while tori follows through to establish a top position.
Where does the Standard Tomoe Nage come from?
The standard tomoe nage is taught as a core technique in the Kodokan gokyo no waza and has been demonstrated in judo shiai since the sport's earliest competitive era.
Is the Standard Tomoe Nage 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 Standard Tomoe Nage?
Danger rating 6/10. High — Ma-Sutemi-Waza; tori falls backward pulling uke over; spinal compression risk
How do I set up the Standard Tomoe Nage?
The standard setup chain: Grip Setup (Kumi-kata) → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Entry (Tsukuri) → Execution (Kake).
How do I defend against the Standard Tomoe Nage?
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 Standard Tomoe Nage?
Common variants: Rear sacrifice (falling backward while pulling the opponent over); Side sacrifice (falling to the side to project the opponent laterally); Rolling sacrifice (combining a roll with the sacrifice throw for rotation); Counter sacrifice (using the opponent's forward pressure as the driving force).
How effective is the Standard Tomoe Nage in competition?
Tomoe nage is regularly scored at IJF World Tour events, particularly by fighters known for unconventional attacking styles. The technique has seen increased usage in modern judo as fighters seek alternatives to restricted leg-grab techniques.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Tomoe Nage?
Top errors to watch for: Stepping too far away from uke before sitting — you can't reach their hip with your foot / Placing the foot and then pausing before falling back — the sit and foot placement must be simultaneous / Landing flat on your back — roll through your shoulder to maintain momentum / Not pulling uke over you with the arms — the leg alone is insufficient.
What are other names for the Standard Tomoe Nage?
The Standard Tomoe Nage is also known as Tomoe Nage, Classical Circle Throw, Standard Stomach Throw, Kihon Tomoe Nage.