Student Objectives:
The student will practice the Duck Under technique as an effective and technical way to expose their training partner’s back.
The student will recognize the value of bending the legs and maintaining posture throughout the level change.
The student will explore various ways to get an opponent to the ground once secured behind their partner while standing.
Teaching Cues:
Thumbs down grip
Grab the wrist
Open the door
Big Step
Hug the Back
Lesson: Duck Under
The assisting student will stand with their feet shoulder-width apart in a square stance (non-staggered). The practicing student will take one hand and get a Thumb-In grip in the collar behind the neck of the assisting student. The second hand will take a grip on the wrist of the assisting partner.
The practicing student will then “open the door” by lifting the wrist up and away from the assisting student’s waist. This lifting motion should continue until there is enough space for the practicing student to pass between the arm and the torso of the assisting student. Once there is enough space, the practicing student will take a deep lunge step with the outside leg through the space. Simultaneously, the practicing student will pull in, and down, with the thumb grip on the collar. When making the step through the door, make sure that the pulling pressure is timed correctly so that they are pulling the person slightly over their head, and not clotheslining themselves.
After clearing under the arm of the assisting student, the practicing student may let go of the wrist and look up and towards the back of the assisting student. This should create a clear visual pathway to the back as the practicing student pushes off of the posted foot and turns towards back control. The free hand should wrap around the waist of the assisting student and either cup the hip, or grab the belt/lapel in front of the body.
Possible Extensions:
The Duck Under has a lot of really great finishes and they should all be practiced eventually. While I normally provide chaining options for the Duck Under it really depends on which finish you use when you select a proper chaining technique. Feel free to explore from the finishing positions after you have practiced the various finishes.
Once getting to the back with a successful Duck Under, the practicing student can let go of the thumb in the collar and slide both hands down the front of the body. The hands should slide across the knees all the way until they lock on the ankles. This should leave the practicing student in a modified Turtle Position, directly behind the assisting student, with their hands on the ankles. To finish the takedown, the practicing student will gently pull with their hands while simultaneously pushing forward with their shoulders in the back of the kneepits. This will force the assisting student to their hands. It is still important to practice the transition to secure the dominant position, by either quickly moving into hugging the hip, setting a hook or breaking down the Turtle.
Again, after successfully executing a Duck Under the practicing student will lock their hands around the waist of the assisting student. The practicing student should hug tightly with the side of their face pressed against the shoulder blade of the assisting student.
Once secured in this position, the practicing student will shift their hands into a Gable Grip directly over the hip that their nose is pointing towards. The outside hand should assume a palm up grip, with the second hand clasping over top to make the Gable Grip.
To finish this takedown, the practicing student will apply even, parallel pressure with the forearm across the outside of the hip. The Gable Grip will allow for a fulcrum, but it should not move. As you’re pulling in with that grip make sure to emphasize pulling in with the elbow as well. This will lock the hip. Once the hip is locked, the practicing student will shuffle forward with their feet taking the assisting student over the foot that is planted. If done correctly, the assisting student should not be able to move their foot and will need to transition to the ground where the practicing student will already have a dominant grip.
It is also important to practice the Duck Under with a Wrestlers Tie Up. This includes the Sloth Grip behind the neck, and the elbow bent with the forearm firmly pressed against the chest. While this change in grip is not drastically different, it does pair with some different set ups, including Snap Downs to Front Headlocks and Guillotines. Knowledge of these things will be important as your student’s progress and should not be overlooked.
Possible Refinements:
Very commonly, after “Opening the Door”, the practicing student will make a cross step rather than a lunge step. This not only exposes them to being tripped flat on their back, it makes it almost impossible to make a quick transition to the back because it locks the hips. A proper lunge step is essential to succeeding in the Duck Under.
Do not let the student bend at the waist when performing their Duck Under. While in reality, having a slight bend can happen while dynamically performing this movement, when you compromise your posture during the entry it makes the sprawl a real problem. It also slows down the transition to regaining the standing position after clearing the arm. Make sure the level change is done by bending the legs and not by bending the neck or waist.
Reference materials:
Teaching Reflections:
How did I do teaching?
What could I do better next time?
Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?