Student Objectives:
The student will apply the Two on One Closed Guard Pass using good/effective technique.
The student will identify the value of standing to pass the Closed Guard.
Teaching Cues:
Grab the Sleeve
Hip Slam, step and up
Gorilla Squat
Banana
Dance
Knee Cut
Lesson: Two on One Closed Guard Pass Lesson Plan
The assisting student will lie on their back in the Closed Guard position with their legs wrapped around the waist of the practicing student. The assisting student does not need any grips, but should not hide their hands behind their head as this is a common defense to the Two on One Pass.
The practicing student will start on their knees, in the Seiza position with their hands in the standard grips (one hand tightly grasping the lapels, the second hand with a grip on the pants near on top of the hip). There should be a slight turn of their body as to keep both arms straight while maintaining the posture.
Once both students have good starting positions, the pass is initiated by taking the hand off of the hip and grasping the sleeve of the same side arm. Once the sleeve is controlled, the arm should be stuffed on top of the hand that is grasping the lapels. This allows the practicing student to stand confidently without the worry of having their leg or balance/base manipulated during the transition to standing. This also places the assisting students arm in a place that prevents a clearing of the hand grasping the lapels.
Once the arm is secured and placed over the hand controlling the lapels, the practicing student will perform a hip slam by lifting their buttocks off their heels and extending their hips forward. This should create a generally straight line between the knees on the floor, the hips and the shoulders. This will allow the practicing student to post the foot (on the same side as the arm that they have controlled) without compromising their posture or base. There can be, and should be, some pressure still applied to both arms, into their partner's chest.
Now the practicing student will stand with the second foot in a deep squat. The grip on the lapel can be used as a counter balance in the event that their future opponents try to off balance them by pulling/pushing with their legs.
Once in the standing squat, the practicing student will let go of the lapel and transition the grip to the sleeve that is already being controlled. This is where the name of the technique is derived, as both of the practicing student’s arms will be controlling a single arm of the assisting student. Once the grip is secured the practicing student will fully stand up and lean their shoulders back while simultaneously pushing their hips forward. The grips on the sleeve need to be extremely tight. There should be so much balance maintenance from those grips, that if the student were to accidentally lose the grips, they should fall.
Now that the practicing student is standing, with exaggerated posture and a tight grip on the sleeve, they will let go with the same side grip (leaving a cross grip). Then, there should be a lean away from their free hand to allow space for that free hand to be placed on the inside knee of the assisting student.
The practicing student should avoid trying to push the knee down and towards the floor, but rather bounce in a circular motion with the foot that corresponds to the free hand making a sharp pivot on the planted foot. This will create an immense amount of pressure on the ankles and should open the legs of the assisting partner.
Once the legs have opened, the practicing student should have the correct angle to perform a knee cut with the inside knee. Encourage the practicing student to maintain posture while performing the knee cut; the grip on the sleeve should be maintained throughout the pass.
After completing the Knee Cut, the practicing student will stuff the sleeved arm across the body of the assisting student. Not only does this help prevent future opponents from turning in and trying to recompose guard, occasionally it will expose the back of the assisting students and allow for a clean attempt to take the back.
Possible Extensions:
Combine the Two on One Pass with an effective back take. This can be completed by either using the Gift Wrap technique via stuffing the arm or by having the assisting student bridge to Turtle.
The assisting student can Pull Guard to set up the starting position. This can be accomplished by either using the foot on the hip and sitting, or by jumping on both feet (modified jumping guard). Once in the Closed Guard encourage the student to get their grips and initiate the stand as quickly as possible.
Possible Refinements:
Very commonly the practicing student will stand with the incorrect foot. This is due to the fact that the posture control hand is typically the dominant hand, which corresponds to their dominant foot. If they step with the incorrect foot they open themselves to having their leg manipulated with the free arm of the opponent.
The Hip Slam is an extremely important part of the standing process. While it is possible to stand without the hip slam, it opens the practicing student to defenses that can be easily avoided by standing correctly.
Do not let students push down on the inside of the knee without bouncing or “dancing”. While this can be effective in opening the legs, it compromises their balance/base while also preventing the angle change for the Knee Cut. If the assisting student opens their legs early, that is ok, but the goal should be to have angle and posture when the legs break open.
Reference materials:
Teaching Reflections:
How did I do teaching?
What could I do better next time?
Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?