Student Objectives:
The student will learn how to perform the Valley Drop Technique when placed in a Side Headlock position.
The student will explore the mechanics of tripping the far leg and the importance of using momentum with the Valley Drop.
Teaching Cues:
Hug the body
Extend the leg
Sit and Pull (pull is a quick verbal cue for rotating the shoulder to the floor)
Lesson: Valley Drop
Both students will start facing each other. The assisting student will take a same side wrist grip and then transition into a side headlock by grabbing around the head and shoulder of the practicing student. The practicing student’s head should be firmly squeezed against the ribs and the hands should hold securely (reference graphic).
The practicing student will lock their hands around the assisting student's torso and assume a squatting position. The practicing student will then use their leg that is closest to their partner and extend the leg to make contact with the far ankle of the assisting student. Encourage the student to hold extremely tightly around the waist of assisting students to connect the bodies so that there is no disengagement.
The leg extends and chocks the far ankle, then the practicing student will create a trip by both sitting and rotating the shoulder nearest the assisting student to the floor. Reinforce that the student should not release their grips and their bodies need to be connected.
Once the students hit the floor, encourage the practicing student to race to the top position. If the hands need to be opened after the completion of the Valley Drop that is normal.
Possible Extensions:
Once the students understand the movement, have them use the momentum of the Valley Drop to end on top. A fluid Valley Drop against a non resisting opponent should be easy to end in the mount position.
Have the practicing student move in for an O Soto Gari. Upon making shoulder to shoulder contact the assisting student will rotate and grasp the head. This is a very common transition off of the O Soto Gari. This will leave the student in a very good position to practice the Valley Drop.
Have the assisting student start in Turtle and the practicing student start with their hands locked around the waist. Have the assistant student force themselves to a standing position, then the practicing student can use the Valley Drop as a mat return.
Possible Refinements:
Look at the hand placement around the waist. The hands will create a great rotational force if they are clasped around the front of the far hip as opposed to near the belly button.
Encourage the student to make the rotation towards the floor about more than just the near shoulder. Once they become comfortable with that motion have them push with their head and pull with their hands as well.
When the leg is straightened and the trip is created, have the student’s buttox/outside thigh of the extended leg be the first point of contact on the ground.
Reference materials:
Teaching Reflections:
How did I do teaching?
What could I do better next time?
Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?