This is one of my favorite instructional videos on the internet. Although Hamada Sensei’s English is not great, his technique is beautiful and his friendly, happy yet serious attitude shines through in this video.
Watch this video carefully to note the many details that go into a good Morote Seoinage (Two Hands Shoulder Throw). The placement of the hands and feet in relation to the uke (person being thrown) are especially important.
A word of caution on YouTube videos: although this particular instructional video is quite good, there are many out there that are not so good, and it can be hard to tell which is which when you are in the beginning and intermediate stages of learning judo. Also, even with a good video, a beginner can misinterpret or completely miss important aspects of the throw when learning by video only.
Two good rules to keep in mind when watching judo videos:
1. Never ever try a technique in class that you have only ever seen done on video. You could do it completely wrong and badly injure yourself or your partner.
2. Watch as many videos as you want, but if you want to practice one of the techniques, check in with your sensei first. Just show him or her the video and say “I like this video a lot, and I want to try this technique. What do you think?” This simple step will prevent a lot of wasted time and injuries. Your sensei can tell you if that technique is appropriate for your skill level and can actually teach it to you in person.
If you’d like to try judo in person in the Waco area, click here to get started. We’d love to have you come train with us! You can also call us anytime at 254-218-3754.