The goal of this practice is to learn how to build a solid gote using the counter-tension technique.
But this practice isn’t just about following patterns or copying a shape without understanding it.
The key lies in managing tension to achieve a structure that’s both functional and safe.
Gote-type structures are defined by their connection between the sacroiliac and sternoclavicular joints, with stabilization across the shoulder-scapula complex.
This setup allows the transfer of force between them and provides support for the tied person through the rope structure.
That’s exactly what we’ll aim for with this form.
Key points
To make the most of this exercise, you’ll need to be comfortable with the following techniques:
Posture and balance
Start by maintaining—and keeping throughout—the neutral anatomical posture of both bodies. Then, establish a single kinetic chain between both people through the rope.
Without managing the body positions properly, it will be hard to generate the initial tension and virtually impossible to manage counter-tension effectively.
Tension in body and rope
Once both bodies share that kinetic circuit, you should manage it through the rope, creating vectors that redistribute forces in different directions.
Ideally, maintain the same level of tension in the body and in the rope, and balance it so that their total equals roughly zero if you’re staying still—or slightly positive or negative depending on whether you intend to raise or lower the body.
By doing so, you can use the ground’s reaction force to move the tied person up or down, while the X-like (spiral) structure of the body helps with twisting or rotation.
Non-verbal communication
Whenever you practice, open communication is essential—especially from the tied person to the rigger, sharing sensations and feedback as you go.
The rigger should also communicate, checking progress and explaining intentions and expected results.
This mutual feedback builds awareness of how the body responds to different applications of the same technique.
Over time, this develops into a more intuitive flow during play or sessions, reducing the need for constant, interruptive questions like “Is this okay?”.
Of course, the tied person should always let the rigger know immediately if something feels wrong or uncomfortable—naturally, informatively, and without judgment or blame on either side.
Step-by-step
Let’s walk through the structure step by step:
1. Posture (both participants)
To start, both people must maintain a balanced position, whether standing or seated.
You’ll be engaging your muscles actively, so posture is vital.
- For the rigger: move smoothly and fluidly, avoiding jerks or sudden pulls. Your movements should stay soft and steady, keeping both you and your partner balanced.
- For the tied person: keeping muscular engagement is key for maintaining posture and stability. Press slightly against the forearm bindings to bring your body forward toward the chest line, feeling the physical connection between both sides of your body.
2. Shoulder rotation (one, then the other)
As usual, start by rotating the shoulders backward—first one, then the other.
You’ve seen this before, so if you’ve practiced, it shouldn’t be an issue.
If this step feels difficult or awkward, consult your instructors. There’s no point progressing until this first movement is properly done.
Reminder: arms should only go as far back as the tied person can maintain muscular engagement (triceps) and scapular stability (shoulder blades flat).
It may look prettier when the arms cross dramatically or the hands point upward—it makes for great photos—but this is usually neither functional nor safe. Don’t worry if the person can’t fully cross their arms.
Tip: if the tied person can’t cross their arms actively, you can create two “cuffs,” one on each forearm.
The rope then continues through the midpoint between both arms, so you’ll need to add a small lock or anchor at that point.
Once both arms are behind, make sure the restriction is effective—meaning the tied person maintains muscular engagement.
To achieve that, constant contact and feedback between both persons is vital.
The rigger should modulate the tied person’s body tension—preferably through the rope rather than the hands—adjusting both intensity and direction.
3. Hon musubi
Close the hon musubi. Pay attention to the direction the rope exits the knot.
It’s common to tie the hon musubi “horizontally,” parallel to the ground.
That’s a mistake, because it doesn’t channel energy from the forearms toward the chest; instead, it pulls the tied person backward.
Aim to build the hon musubi “upward,” following the line of the spine, forming a triangle with the apex pointing up.
If the rope naturally comes out on the wrong side, keep practicing your hon musubi—you need to master its orientation.
4. Over the shoulder
Now bring the rope up and over the shoulder—choose whichever side you prefer; I usually go left.
Some say that, since blood flows from left to right (or when working with ki energy), it’s better to start in that direction.
Personally, I do it because I’m left-handed.
Use the crease of the armpit as your anatomical reference point.
Attention: don’t bring the rope too close to the shoulder or it’ll slip; too far in toward the arm and it’ll lose support. Aim for the muscle mass.
As you pass the rope to the front of the body, make sure it doesn’t push the shoulder forward, since that would ruin the posture.
Use one hand to support the shoulder while guiding the rope straight across—avoid twisting or “screwing” movements.
Don’t grab or tug the shoulder as if it were an object. Engage the fascia gently—a little firmer than a caress, but still soft.
The goal is to send subtle information to the nervous system, not to force anything.
During this process, it helps for the rigger to lean their body slightly into the tied person, applying a gentle upward and forward touch from behind.
Soft contact—just feeling and responding.
You’re not meant to be a backrest (the tied person must stay active), nor should you push hard enough to destabilize them.
5. Chest crossover
Cross the rope over the chest, passing over the sternum’s flat surface.
Note: some schools or instructors teach that the rope should pass directly over the breast tissue. Do not do this. We’re working with joints and body mechanics here. There’s time for sensual touch elsewhere.
As the rope travels across to the other shoulder, its motion naturally helps with alignment, but a small fascia stimulation can enhance the effect.
Make sure the rope exerts equal tension on both shoulders and sits at roughly the same height.
Important: don’t squeeze the body laterally. The rope should wrap around in a way that allows the arms to rotate back and the chest to open up.
While doing this, ensure the ribs aren’t “pointing forward,” the pelvis remains neutral, and muscular engagement isn’t lost.
6. Direction change
This is the move that names the exercise—the direction change.
The rope coming from the shoulder crosses the rope that comes from the forearms on the back.
It passes underneath and changes direction, creating tension.
Ideally, place that intersection right along the spine, centered on the body.
However, if you simply pull, you’ll compress the body.
So, guide the direction carefully, using one hand to keep the ropes close to the body as you tighten, maintaining the overall structure.
If tension lifts the forearms upward, the tied person might lose muscular engagement—making the tie unsafe and ineffective.
To prevent that, the supporting hand should gently press the rope downward. In other words, if the arms need to lift, lower the rope line.
It also helps if the rigger moves slightly sideways while doing this, keeping the motion smooth and organic.
For a first practice or a very simple version, you can finish the tie here.
7. Closing
Always check posture as you finish and lock the structure.
Bring the remaining rope from the first line to the forearm cuffs or single columns.
If you have extra rope, wrap a few more turns to reinforce it; if not, gather the structure at its center and bring it softly upward.
When possible, rest this rising rope over the first line and pull downward slightly to fine-tune the tension.
For the closure, keep it simple—a small loop or tuck is fine. If the rope is short, you can lock it between other tensioned lines.
Review the structure: check anatomy first, then the rope, then anatomy again.
During practice, repetition and focus can cause the tied person to lose muscular engagement.
If that happens, don’t just adjust and keep going—start over. That’s the best way to learn and progress.
Handling
Gote-style forms are always controlled from the central core, where the ropes cross and close.
Handling should use circular movements, working with the tied person’s balance—not brute force.