Irimi Nage

Irimi Nage is done using Back Off Balance. These demonstrations are done from Shomen Uchi but it is essentially the same from any attack.

Example 1, Shomen Uchi Irimi Nage Omote

Movie of Shomen Uchi Irimi Nage Omote.

Fig. 1 Start		Fig. 2 Entry Step		Fig. 3 Gather		Fig. 4 1st Ushiro Step

1. Fig. 1 shows the start with Uke and Nage spaced so that their extended leading arms do not quite touch.
2. Fig. 2 shows Uke striking with Shomen Uchi. Nage has just finished the 1st step with the lead leg. Uke's striking arm is protecting Uke's face so Nage's entry strike brushes Uke's arm away. Nage's hands are near Uke's elbow to prevent Nage catching an elbow in the face.
3. In Fig. 3 Nage's back leg has gathered up to the front leg because Nage did not get a deep enough initial step for the Back Off Balance. Nage's right arm is controlling Uke's elbow in an arm up movement and Nage's left hand is reaching for Uke's neck.
4. In Fig. 4 Nage's right foot has moved forward for the 1st Ushiro step and Nage's right arm is striking up under Uke's chin lifting and twisting Uke's head. Be gentle with this in practice. It can really smart.

   Fig. 5 Tornado Twist		Fig. 6 2nd Ushiro Step		Fig. 7 Finish

5. Fig. 5 shows Nage in the Tornado Twist half way through the 2nd Ushiro Step. Nage's left hand has grasped the nerves in Uke's neck and pulled Uke's head in tight with Uke's right arm trapped so that Uke cannot turn toward Nage and attack Nage. Nage is quite vulnerable if careless about this point. Nage's right hand is holding Uke's head to protect Uke in the fall.
6. Fig. 6 shows the end of the 2nd Ushiro Step. Nage's hands are controlling Uke's head and right arm to protect Uke and Nage.
7. Fig. 7 shows a combat finish with Nage's hand on Uke's head as if driving Uke's head into the mat. This is important because in class we must be very careful to protect Uke. If we do not also pretend to practice the combat application we will not have it there when our lives depend on it.

Example 2, Shomen Uchi Irimi Nage Ura

Movie of Shomen Uchi Irimi Nage Ura.

Fig. 8 Start		Fig. 9 Strike		Fig. 10 1st Ushiro Step		Fig. 11 2nd Ushiro Step

1. Fig. 8 shows the start with Uke and Nage spaced so that their extended leading arms do not quite touch.
2. Fig. 9 shows Uke striking with Shomen Uchi. Nage's back leg is stepping forward and Nage's lead hand which came up to Nage's chest is contacting Uke's strike as Nage enters the Tornado Twist. Nage's left hand should be striking at Uke's face at this point.
3. In Fig. 10 Nage's back leg has finished the 1st Ushiro Step. Nage's right arm is controlling Uke's elbow in an arm up movement and Nage's left hand has grabbed Uke's neck.
4. In Fig. 11 Nage's right foot has finished the 2nd Ushiro step and Nage's arms are pulling Uke's head in tight against Nage's right shoulder. This is critical to prevent Uke from turning into Nage with an effective attack. Nage's left elbow is pushing Uke forward to get maximum movement from Uke.

   Fig. 12 Strike Up		Fig. 13 Step In		Fig. 14 Finish

5. Fig. 12 shows Nage's right arm striking up into Uke's face. In class this just lifts Uke's head because the strike is hard on Uke. Nage's left foot has stepped back to create the proper dynamics and make room for Nage's right foot to step behind Uke.
6. Fig. 13 shows Nage's right foot stepping behind Uke and Uke falling. Nage's hands are controlling Uke's head and right arm to protect Uke and Nage.
7. Fig. 14 shows a combat finish with Nage's hand on Uke's head as if driving Uke's head into the mat. This is important because in class we must be very careful to protect Uke. If we do not also pretend to practice the combat application we will not have it there when our lives depend on it.