Turn And Return Off Balance

This movement does not have a Japanese name so it is called Turn And Return. Most students consider it more powerful and easier than Irimi or Tenkan. It is called turn because it starts like Tenkan. It is return because Nage comes back towards Nage's original position.

Fig. 1 Step 1 Turn And Return		Fig. 2 Step 2 Turn And Return		Fig. 3 Step 3 of Turn And Return

1. Fig. 1 shows Nage's first step beside Uke like a regular Tenkan.

2. Fig. 2 shows the second step which is similar to Tenkan except it is a much shorter step. Nage's right foot is very close to Nage's left foot.

3. In Fig. 3 Nage's left foot moves forward to the line of attack where Nage was originally standing.

Example 1, Ikkyo

Movie of Example 1.

Fig. 4 Start of Ikkyo Turn And Return		Fig. 5 Entry Kuta Strike		Fig. 6 1st Step of Turn

1. Fig. 4 shows the start of the movement. Everything is the same as everything else.

2. Fig. 5 shows the Entry Strike. Uke's face is protected so Nage attacks the arm. The hands are the same as in Irimi and Tenkan and will continue to be the same.

3. Fig. 6 shows the first step of the Tornado Twist. Nage is already vigorously twisting.

   Fig. 7 2nd Step of Turn		Fig. 8 Return Step		Fig. 9 End of Twist With Pin.

4. Fig. 7 shows the second step of the twist. Nage's right foot is very close to the heel of Nage's left foot.

5. In Fig. 8 Nage makes the Return step back toward the line of attack. Nage's leg brushes Uke's right leg as Nage steps forward. Nage is nearly back to Nage's starting point. This is different from Irimi and Tenkan. Both of these keep going through and behind where Uke started.

6. In Fig. 9 Nage continues the powerful Tornado Twist and pins Uke's arm.

Example 2, Waki Gatame

Movie of Example 2.

Fig. 10 Start of Waki Gatame		Fig. 11 Entry Kuta Strike		Fig. 12 1st Step of Turn

1. Fig. 10 shows the start of Waki Gatame. This has the usual distance where the weapons do not touch and both partners are in Hammi.

2. Fig. 11 shows the Entry Strike. It is very important not to reach to the side to get this form. If Uke's face is not protected the strike must go towards Uke's face. The technique will look very different and the strike will probably end the job.

3. In Fig. 12 Nage has taken the first step of the turn. Nage's right hand has come over Uke's striking arm for the Waki Gatame. This is the same as always. Everything is very consistent.

   Fig. 13 2nd Step of Turn		Fig. 14 Return Step		Fig. 15 Spin and Pin

4. In Fig. 13 Nage's left foot has stepped back for the second step of the turn. Nage is well into the Waki Gatame as usual. Notice the strong Tornado Twist.

5. In Fig. 14 Nage takes the Return step back towards Nage's original position and in front of Uke.

6. In Fig. 15 Nage completes the Tornado Spin and pins Uke's arm. The high degree of consistency as we go from one form to another greatly reduces the learning curve.