Student Objectives:

  1. The student will practice level changes while performing the Single Leg Technique.

  2. The student will differentiate between lifting with their back and lifting with their legs when returning to the standing position.

  3. The student will learn a finishing maneuver to complete the single leg takedown.

Teaching Cues:

  • Step

  • Chop

  • Clap

  • Lift

  • Dance

Lesson: Single Leg Takedown

The assisting student will start in the scarecrow position with their legs slightly more than shoulder width apart and their knees gently bent. Their arms should be lifted and out of the way to allow the practicing student a clear pathway to their legs.

The practicing student will take a large lunge step to the outside of the assisting student’s leg. Once the foot has broken the plane of the calf, there will be a sharp directional change and a dropping of the knee behind the ankle of the assisting student. Simultaneously, the practicing student will take the outside arm (the arm should be the same side as the leg that stepped) and chop behind the knee pit. Then they will bring their other hand to the chopping hand and clap their hands together.

Once the hands are clasped, the practicing student should drive to the standing position by pushing up with their legs. By driving with the shoulder into the hip, the practicing student should slightly off balance the practicing student. This makes the leg held leg lighter and easier to lift when returning to the feet.

The practicing student should tightly squeeze the assisting student’s leg between their own once on their feet. After dominating the leg, the practicing student should scurry their feet in a large turning motion away from the assisting partner’s body. This often includes a bend at the waist of the practicing student, but it should be a byproduct of the scurry/turn and NOT the driving movement to take the assisting student to the ground. Combining these things creates a downward pressure that brings the assisting student to the floor. Make sure you encourage the assisting student to give a good breakfall during this transition.

Possible Extensions:

  • Vary the finish from the Turn and Scurry (dance) to Leg Guitar.

  • Include a more realistic grip fighting sequence with either a grip on the Collar or a grip on the wrist.

  • Combine the takedown with the Over Under Pass.

Possible Refinements:

  • Make sure the child is bending their legs on the entry.

  • Make sure the child has their head on the inside, with their ear on the belly button. If they have problems with this add the cue “listen to the baby” or another strong encoding term.

  • Make sure they stand up with their legs and not by lifting with their back. The act of driving back to their feet should off balance their opponent as well as elevate their body.

Reference materials:

Teaching Reflections:

  • How did I do teaching?

  • What could I do better next time?

  • Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?