Student Objectives:
The student will apply the Bullfighter technique when the assisting student places the feet on, or above the belt.
The student will identify different grips associated with the Bullfighter technique.
The student will recognize the Leg Drag position.
Teaching Cues:
C Grip
Power them up
Throw them away
Belly Flop (This is a great verbal cue, but emphasize that you’re not actually performing a belly flop. If Children have trouble being in control, change this cue to “don’t belly flop”)
Lesson: Bullfighter
The practicing student will stand with their feet slightly more than shoulder width apart with their legs gently bent. The assisting student will lay flat on their back and then place their feet on the belt/belly of the practicing student. Make sure that the assisting student has a gentle bend in their legs (slightly more than 90°).
The practicing student will then take C Grips on the ankles. They will then push the ankles to one side, just past the hips. Then, rapidly, and with strong force bring the ankles back across the belt and throw them in the opposite direction. When throwing the ankles, control should be given to both ankles, but extra attention should be paid to the ankle nearest the practicing student. If that ankle is slightly elevated during the throw it will help prevent the inevitable Leg Pummel.
Upon releasing the ankles, the practicing student should quickly make a transition to Side Control. Make sure to emphasize control during this transition so that they don’t get kicked in the head, belly flop on their partner, or take a knee to the face. In a live competition it will be especially important to have repped this, as the space will be created and regained very quickly.
When making the transition to Side Control I prefer to chock the hip as soon as possible. If there needs to be a buffer space, allow that to be around the head by foregoing the crossface. When you do it this way, often you will end in a quasi North/South position.
Possible Extensions:
There is a version of the Bullfighter that is performed in the drilling portion of the class. This involves Joystick Grips (also known as pistol grips in many schools) and a very distinct and valuable hip motion. It also ends in the Leg Drag position. I highly recommend looking at this version of the pass and applying it as an extension in this class.
Combine the Bullfighter Pass with any of the Side Control Escapes. This includes the Bridge Out to Shoulder Roll, the Shrimp Recompose Guard, and Hand Spear to Belly Down. All of these are really great options.
Have the practicing student perform the Bullfighter pass, rather than moving into Side Control, they should wait for the assisting student to Shrimp to Recompose Guard and perform a Skipping Pass. This will require some timing but is a real application of both movements.
Possible Refinements:
When making a strong throw of the ankles make sure that the practicing student is throwing “up and away”. This will give the most time for the practicing student to progress to Side Control before the assisting student can get a foot on the floor to Leg Pummel.
When the practicing student transitions to Side Control make sure the movement is made from a squatted position. Extra care should be given during the transfer of weight to make sure the practicing student does not allow their centerline to pass over the assisting student’s centerline. If the practicing student allows this to happen, it often results in a reversal by being bridged over.
Reference materials:
Teaching Reflections:
How did I do teaching?
What could I do better next time?
Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?