Student Objectives:

1. The student will pass the Half Guard by applying the Tripod Pass with good technique against a non resisting partner.

2. The student will build value for the Underhook by applying the Underhook to flatten their partner.

Teaching Cues:

• Re-pummel

• Head to floor

• Flatten

• Tripod

• Knee Cut

Lesson: Tripod Pass

The practicing student will start in the Half Guard Top position. Their leg will be placed on the floor between the legs of the assisting student and their arms will be placed on both sides of the assisting student.. The assisting student should start on their side, with their belly facing the assisting student and their arm in the underhook position. Make sure the assisting student has their body on the outside of the practicing student with their hips and back facing away.

The practicing student will initiate the pass by obtaining the Underhook. This will be done by taking the arm over the assisting student and bringing it in front of their head and face and leading into the armpit/ribs area elbow first. Once the elbow has cleared the ribcage, the pathway should be continued until the hand also clears the ribs, then the hand will be placed on the floor in a similar position to the starting position (except now the hand arm will be between the assisting students arm and their ribs).

Once the hand is on the floor, the practicing student will modify their body angle until they can look at the space between the floor and the assisting student’s head. This slightly lean should give a direct pathway for the practicing student to place their head, with an attempt to get to the observed space.

After placing their head on the floor, the practicing student will apply pressure with their head/neck out towards the underhook, while also applying forward pressure with the shoulder of the underhooking arm. The goal is to flatten out the assisting student while also scooping the head. This creates a tight bind of the upper body.

With the assisting student’s back flat, the practicing student will elevate their hips by maintaining a base on their shoulder and head while walking their feet forward. The elevation of the hips is to clear the knee of the leg controlled in the Half Guard. Once the knee has popped out from between the assisting student’s legs the practicing student will turn the knee away from the assisting student’s body. As the leg is cleared from between the assisting student’s legs the weight should be transferred onto the practicing student’s hip with the knee and hip making a pathway towards Kuzure Kesa Gatame.

Possible Extensions:

• It is very common for the leg to be squeezed tightly by opponent’s trying to prevent the Tripod Pass. The most common way to deal with this is to maintain the tripod and elevation of the hips, then give small bounces until the knee clears the inside of the assisting student’s legs. To increase the effectiveness of the bounce, have the practicing student walk their foot/toes of the controlled leg closer and closer to the tailbone of the assisting student. Make sure the practicing student protects their balance and base and does not over compromise the control they have by bringing their own hips to high because it will narrow their base.

  Once the knee has cleared the inside of the legs the knee can cut to the floor and plant comfortably by the hips. Then the outside foot of the non-controlled leg can push on the inside of the knees to help pry the leg free of the assisting students' legs.

• If the practicing student’s leg is still dominated as above, use the Tripod and Bounce then clear the knee. If the ankle is so tightly squeezed that it can’t be pried free, then the practicing student should return to the tripod position and turn their knee out and progress to ¾ mount. Make sure during this transition to flare the elbow slightly of the Underhooking arm to maintain a good base during the transition and not be immediately caught with the Upa. Once in the ¾ Mount position, if the ankle is still held tightly the Gift Wrap to Back transition is a great option.

• After clearing the legs with the basic version of this movement there can be a clean transition into mount by using the Spider into the Ear technique.

Possible Refinements:

• If the leg is caught tightly between the legs of the assisting student make sure they maintain the pressure with the head and the underhook while trying to clear the leg. It is important for the practicing student to maintain their positional controls while applying supporting techniques to release the leg.

• The head placement while in practice seems very easy, however when it comes to applying this move while sparring I often find that student’s will post their head on the wrong side. When this happens it doesn't bind the cervical of the assisting student and there will be a lot more resistance in general, but also a clear pathway to Closed Guard. Make sure the student posts their head on the correct side.

• The outside/posted hand that has not been talked about can often stay on the floor in the initial starting position to provide base/balance. However the outside hand should always be playing defense on the assisting student’s bottom knee to prevent a transition into the Closed Guard. If the knee starts to slide through it can be prevented simply by placing the hand on the knee and chalking to prevent it’s advancement.

Reference materials:

Teaching Reflections:

• How did I do teaching?

• What could I do better next time?

• Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?