Ikkyō Omote Counter with Ikkyō Omote

Uke applies Ikkyō Omote from a Men Uchi contact. To counter the technique effectively, it is essential that Tori’s wrist, elbow, and shoulder remain relaxed—particularly the shoulder. If any of these joints are stiff, the counter will fail. Since Ikkyō seeks to control the shoulder by immobilizing the elbow, maintaining a relaxed shoulder can allow Tori to neutralize the technique when it is imperfectly applied.
Tori relaxes his shoulder, slightly lowers it to alter the angle of his arm, and rises while executing an Enka pivot. As he pivots, he raises both his arm and Uke’s arm, seizing Uke’s now-exposed elbow to apply Ikkyō Omote himself.