Throw-Space Exploration: Morote Seoi Nage

More Rotate for Morote?

Yesterday I did some throw-space exploration, centered around Morote Seoi Nage (MSN).

Throw-Space Exploration vs Practicing a Throw

• Practicing a Throw

  • The goal is to make the executed movement more like the selected throw

    • because the judo-defined throw is highly optimized

  • The basics movements and controls of the throw are first perfected(ish) is a zero-intensity environment, then are applied under increased intensities

• Throw-Space Exploration

  • The goal is to search the space of possible movements and find a family of related movements that result in throws

  • The space of possible movements is big, so a judo-defined throw is selected as a reference point

    • because judo-defined throws are highly refined

      • but necessarily not optimized for specific grappling interactions

There is a balancing act between using the throw as a reference point and over-fitting my movements to those prescribed by classic technique. I have a tendency to fail this balance and be suspicious of any advice on how to move my search space closer to proper MSN (make grips more like morote grips, etc).

Despite this failing, I was able to use a couple pieces of advice: grip lower on the collar and “elbow in the armpit”.

“Elbow in the armpit” was especially helpful, and changed the direction of my throw to be more in line with this recommended throw direction (and importantly, more in line with what feels strong and stable for me).

This, combined with a hip-toss-style moving my hips across the uke made for a non-drop MSN that I’m going to explore more.