Student Objectives:

  1. The student will apply the technical stand up technique while performing the Koala sweep.

  2. The student will move from a bottom, guard position to a top position with the Koala Sweep.

  3. The student will apply and identify Kuzushi while using the Koala sweeping technique.

Teaching Cues:

  • Watch TV

  • Hug the Leg

  • Kuzushi

  • Pull

Lesson: Koala Sweep

The assisting student will start in the Scarecrow position, with their legs slightly more than shoulder width apart and their arms held out of the way. The practicing student will start in a modified Open Guard position called “Watching TV”. This is a fundamental position in the Technical Stand Up. One leg is bent and based on the foot. The other leg is bent with the outside of the leg (including the knee) on the floor. The corresponding hand to the leg on the floor will also plant on the floor and create a strong base and frame to lift the body. The remaining arm will have the elbow placed on the top of the posted knee. See the attached graphic.

The move will initiate by pushing off the basing hand and trapping one of the assisting partner’s legs with the knee pit of the leg that is on the floor. The arm that was resting on the knee of the posted foot will tightly hug around the same leg of the assisting partner. Make sure that the head and nose are facing the student’s other leg and they are pinching in with the neck to create a tight hold.

Once the leg is secured, the practicing student will push off of the hand that is still on the floor and the posted foot to create Kuzushi. The goal is not to knock the student down, but rather to make them rebase on their free leg. Once the practicing student disrupts the balance of their opponent, they will pull back with their knee pit on the ankle of the assisting student. This will create a strong sweeping motion, and the assisting student should be encouraged to breakfall.

There are many variations to this move, including if the student steps over the knee pit or turns their knee. These supporting techniques should be included in the extensions or in future lessons. However, encourage the assisting student to fall during the non-resisting portion of this technique as it takes practice to understand knee placement against the chest and how to properly use Kuzushi.

Possible Extensions:

  • Have the student end in the Over Under position and progress to the Over Under Pass.

  • Have the assisting student turn their knee to avoid the binding of the leg, then use the Navy technique to finish the sweep.

  • Have the assisting student lift their ankle when the practicing student is trying to pull back their ankle. Then the practicing student will move directly into combat base, followed by a Single Leg takedown.

Possible Refinements:

  • Make sure the practicing student’s head is facing the correct direction.

  • Encourage the assisting student not to fall over during the Kuzushi portion of the technique.

  • Make sure the knee pit is squeezing tightly to prevent an easy slip out of the ankle.

Reference materials:

Teaching Reflections:

  • How did I do teaching?

  • What could I do better next time?

  • Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?