From the square position, Dragin needs to break Uke’s balance.

The aim is to get them coming forward up onto their toes.

In this instance it isn’t done by just pulling on the lapel. Instead it’s more a flick of the wrist, like a fly fishing movement.

As Dragin flicks the lapel up, he simultaenously starts to drive his hips through.

Rotating around and dropping down onto his knees.

Dragin really throws his body underneath his partner, making sure both legs end up between theirs.

As he goes down to the floor, Dragin needs to pull Uke’s lapel in towards his body.

To keep the lapel tight to his body, Dragin brings his elbow in towards him. Not only does this keep the body contact with Uke but also helps to trap their arm.

To further control of the arm, Dragin brings his left arm up and around, wrapping up Uke’s.

To get the best control, he needs to make sure to be making contact above the elbow.

On occasion, Dragin will end up grabbing the sleeve rather than wrapping the arm. When he does this, he just has to ensure he pulls the sleeve down into his body.

Notice the position where Dragin traps the arm. Unlike most Seoi nage’s where tori will look to have contact with the side of their shoulder on the Uke’s arm, Dragin looks to have the contact on the side of his neck, pulling his partner down onto his trap muscle.

This position really helps wrap Uke’s arm around Dragin. All he has to do to finish the throw is rotate through his shoulders, while continuing to keep their arm tight to his chest and lowering his body down to the mat.

It’s really important that he continues to roll all the way through until he’s on his back, facing up with his head on Uke’s chest. This makes sure Dragin stays in control and scores Ippon.

Done at speed and you can really see how effective this Drop Seoi Nage variation is.

If Dragin can get his body right underneath when he drops down, and keep their arm wrapped up tight, then it’s extremely difficult for his partner to be able to escape. Their only option is to roll through onto their back for a score.

You can see Dragin gets the distance he needs while building the tension.

He releases it, moving around into the square position, and then breaks Uke’s balance

Dropping under, pulling his opponent down, wrapping the arm and then rolling through.