How to Perform a Shiho Nage in Defense Against Ryote Kubi Dai in Aikido

Here is a guide on how to perform a Shiho Nage or “Four Direction Throw” in response to a Ryote Kubi Dai or “Both Wrist Clench”. The defender, known as “nage”, meets the attack from behind, is grabbed by the wrists, and twists, breaking the hold, twisting the attacker “uke’s” arm, and forces him to the ground.

Things You'll Need:
Practice Space

Attacker

Defender

Soft Mats to Cushion Falls

Ryote Kubi Dai-Shiho Nage
Step 1:
Allow your opponent to approach. He will do so quickly angled as if he were walking past you. As he walks by he will snag one of your wrists and spin around behind you, grabbing the other to complete the Ryote Kubi Dai. Make it difficult for him to try anything else by hunching forward and pulling your hands in together toward your pelvis. This will force him to widen his stance and press up against your back, which is exactly what you want him to do.

Step 2:
Press your palms apart and raise your hands sharply as if a police officer just ordered you to put your hands up at gunpoint. Arch your left hand over to the right, above your head, and cock your right arm out to the side. If you were to draw a vertical line straight down from your left hand, your right hand would touch it. Turn your body clockwise, underneath your hands, so your right shoulder is pointing at your opponent.

Step 3:
Twist your right hand around in your opponent’s grasp, locking onto your opponent’s wrist just as he is holding yours. Pull your left hand down to grab hold of that same wrist, further up the forearm, behind your right hand. Turn further so you are facing past your opponent’s left side and take a sharp step forward, driving forward with your hands, violently pulling your opponent’s arm with you, forcing his body to turn as well.

Step 4:
Duck your head and twist your opponent’s arm in an arc. It should be down near your left side. What you want to do is twist it while pulling it up over your head and down to your right side. You will probably have to shift in a quarter turn to the right as you do this.

Step 5:
Press the hand of the arm that you are twisting straight to the ground. As your opponent’s arm is twist upside down and partially behind his back, he will be unable to keep his balance and fall immediately to his back. Force your opponent to submit by keeping up the pressure while he’s on the ground. Do this by pressing the back of your opponent’s hand flat against the matt, push it inward toward his shoulder to cause stress on the joints of the arm.