Tomoe Nage
Tomoe nage — sacrifice throw where the attacker falls backward and uses a foot planted on the opponent's hip or stomach to launch them overhead.
Adapted from the original page. Grappling.Games did not write this. Sources.
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Tomoe nage — the stomach throw, sometimes called the circle throw — is a sacrifice throw in which the attacker falls backward, plants a foot on the opponent’s hip or lower abdomen, and uses leg extension combined with upper-body pull to launch the opponent overhead in a circular arc. It is one of the most spectacular judo throws and a recurring high-percentage entry in MMA from the front body lock or double collar tie.
The throw belongs to the sacrifice (sutemi-waza) family alongside sumi gaeshi and the lateral drop, but is distinguished by the foot-on-hip lever — the contact point is the sole of the foot rather than a shin or hip insertion. The foot creates a long lever arm that converts a small leg extension into a large rotation of the opponent’s body.
Tomoe nage carries elevated landing risk for the opponent. The throw projects the opponent in a near-vertical arc; if they fail to ukemi correctly — most commonly by tucking the chin late or trying to post the hand — the landing can load the head and cervical spine before the rest of the body. Cervical compression injuries are the documented risk profile for this throw and a primary reason it appears restricted or banned in some grappling rulesets.
Drill only with partners who have practised the breakfall for this throw direction (a forward roll over the attacker, landing on the back). Train at sub-competition speed with an experienced instructor present until both players can complete the cycle safely. Do not drill tomoe nage live without the breakfall established. See the cervical spine throws health page for the broader injury context across the throw family.
INV-13Invariant "Destabilisation precedes control. An opponent who retains structural balance can generate defensive force regardless of the position they are in."
Why it works hereThe throw requires the opponent to be loaded forward over the attacker before the foot plants. Without the forward kuzushi, the foot meets a balanced opponent and the leg extension is just a kick — they push the foot off and step away. The pull-and-then-plant sequence is the destabilisation arriving before the lever applies; the opponent's recovery options exist only when they retain enough balance to step out of the load.
See full invariant page → INV-04Invariant "The angle of applied force relative to a joint — not the size or strength of the applicant — determines leverage. Changing the angle changes the leverage equation."