Dragin’s Seoi Nage starts from a right stance and a right lapel grip. You can feed the lapel from left to right if necessary.

He says you should keep distance between yourself and Uke, and does this by straightening the right arm.

With the lapel grip and distance from Uke, you step into what Dragin calls his ‘playground area’.

It’s the same for his Seoi as with his other techniques, making a triangle between his front leg and Uke’s legs.

Because of the position Dragin starts in, he takes a small step back with the right leg, then the left steps across the front, before bringing the right leg through to make the triangle.

Keeping the lapel arm straight enables you to maintain the distance from your opponent while you step into the ‘playground area’.

Before you can send the leg in for the Seoi, you need to break Uke’s balance. Dragin does this by releasing the pressure on the lapel, and follows it instantly by pulling it up and towards himself.

Your partner is now up on their toes and out of balance

From here Dragin says to step your left leg all the way through. Making sure to go past Uke’s, until your body makes contact with them.

As he steps he pivots on his right foot, turning it out to the right. This movement allows you to turn in towards your partner’s arm.

When turning in he says to send the left shoulder under and then up past Ukes.

Doing so allows you to get right in, underneath Uke, where you can make the initial impact with your hip.

While stepping in, Dragin says to continue to pull on the lapel, as its 50% pulling and 50% the body going in.

The position Dragin is looking for once he’s in, is a strong Jigotai position. Legs far apart, knees bent, and body lower than Uke’s.

You must continue pulling up though the elbow when in the Jigotai position.

This makes sure to keep Uke up on their toes, and in contact with your body, giving you control.