counter
Seoi-nage countered by Ura-nage
Against a shoulder throw that turns in a fraction slow, the defender clamps the attacker's trunk, drops their hips, and bridges backwards, throwing the attacker over their shoulder. A heavy fall to give and to take; drill it slowly and with crash mats before ever using it live.
No demonstration linked yet, and this is one of the places footage helps most. Know a good one? Suggest a video.
Step by step
The whole sequence in words. Described in the standard right-handed form.
- Feel them spin in for Seoi-nage a fraction slow, their back arriving against your chest with their hips still high.
- Drop your own hips below theirs at once and widen your stance so you are the lower of the two.
- Clamp both arms around their trunk, hands meeting low on the far side, and pull them tight against your chest.
- Brace your back straight and lift them off the mat with your legs.
- Arch backwards and turn your shoulders so they travel over one shoulder rather than over your head.
- Turn as you land so they arrive on their side and you land beside them rather than underneath. Drill this slowly, and with crash mats, before it is ever used in free practice.
Receiving it
You are the attacker, and a shoulder throw that turns in slow gives your whole trunk away. You feel arms close around your body and your feet leave the mat, and then you are travelling backwards over their shoulder with nothing to steer by. This is one of the heaviest falls in judo to receive: stay tight, chin hard on your chest, and let your partner turn you so you land on your side. Take it only from someone who can place you.
VI judo notes
The counter is decided at the belt line and it is felt before it is anything else: their back against your chest with their hips still high is the moment. Countering, keep your chest in contact through the arch so you know where they are as you both go down, and turn to land beside them. Given the height, agree the drill, use crash mats, and build it up over weeks rather than in one session.
Each technique's own page carries its own full narration and key points; follow the links above.