Student Objectives:
The student performs a strangling maneuver by using the uniform lapels.
The student recognizes and discusses grip depth and wrist orientation.
Teaching Cues:
Cross Grip
Hand to tag
Mountain Ridge
Cross Grip
Hand to Tag
Mountain Ridge
Chest to Chest
Lesson: Cross Collar Choke (from Closed Guard)
The practicing student begins in Closed Guard - back flat on the floor with legs wrapped around the waist of the opponent. The assisting partner starts on their shins - tops of their feet flat on the floor (laces down). The assisting student partially breaks their own posture by placing their hands on the floor with gently bent arms. Emphasize the assisting partner is only doing this to help the practicing student apply the choke. Use this teaching opportunity to discuss good posture for preventing collar chokes, triangles, omoplatas, and armbars.
Once in the starting position, the practicing student makes a cross collar grip with their dominant hand in a thumbs up orientation. Encourage the student to take a “deep” grip by attempting to touch the sizing tag at the back of the collar with their pointer finger. Once the finger makes contact with the tag, the practicing student make a fist while clutching the lapel. Then, the practicing student should rotate their pinky finger as if they are trying to examine their pinky fingernail. If done correctly, the knuckles make a ridge under the fabric. Use the teaching cue “Look for the mountains”.
The second hand also takes a cross collar grip with the thumb oriented towards the ceiling. The practicing student makes the grip by going under the initial set up grip. If the space is tight between the set up grip and the chest, the practicing student can make space by pulling their forearm away from the chest. However, the student should avoid making too much space as it allows future opponents to dip their head under the grip (and defend the choke).
Forearm strength dictates the depth of the second grip. The student wants to grip as deep as possible, yet still be able to curl the knuckles for the “mountain ridge”. Sometimes this is an issue due to a lack of grip strength; therefore, emphasize proper wrist orientation over grip depth.
Finally, the practicing student pinches their elbows to their chest and flexes their wrists to force the lateral end of the radius bone into the artery. In addition to flexing the wrist and correct orientation of the forearm, the practicing student should attempt to pull their chest to the chest of the assisting student. Proper grip depth and wrist orientation prevents the need to flare the elbows. While juveniles can finish Cross Collar Chokes by flaring the elbows, it should not be encouraged - especially with a compliant partner.
Possible Extensions:
There is an alternative finish to this technique - the “Quick Grip”. The second hand goes over the forearm in a “palm down” orientation instead of going in the collar. The Quick grip is a great alternative as it requires less use of the crowded space around the forearms and neck. Remember when using this grip, a proper Mountain Ridge setup creates a bucket of fabric to use between the shoulder and neck on the other side. This is a small detail that has a lot of value.
The practicing student executes a Scissor Sweep with the initial Cross Collar grip and finishes the Cross Collar once in the Mount position.
Possible Refinements:
If the child has trouble with wrist orientation, encourage them to play with the elbow placement across the chest. While it mainly goes between the pectoral muscles, it is ok to slide the forearm across the chest in a non symmetrical fashion. This makes the rotation of the radius bone easier.
Encourage the practicing student to use their legs while finishing the choke. The student squeezes their legs lightly and pulls their knees toward their shoulders. Sometimes this pulls an assisting student on top of them, and sometimes it pulls them up. Both of these options work and can depend on the size of the students or their commitment to their base.
Reference materials:
Teaching Reflections:
How did I do teaching?
What could I do better next time?
Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?