Student Objectives:
The student will develop the Reverse Sit position by practicing the Reverse Sit Basic Pass with a compliant partner.
The student will build value for the Reverse Sit position by practicing and feeling the position being applied while doing the Reverse Sit Basic Pass.
The student will apply the Reverse Sit Basic Pass with good technique on a compliant partner.
Teaching Cues:
Partner Underhooks
Chest towards legs
Pinch the Knees and Grab the Booty
Foot to Tailbone
Push the Knee
Spider into the Ear
Mount
Lesson: Reverse Sit Basic Pass
Entering Reverse Sit
The assisting student will start on the ground, laying on their side with their chest facing the practicing student. The practicing student will place one leg in between the assisting student’s legs and the other knee will be placed on the floor away from the assisting student. Once in the Half Guard position, the assisting student will take a loose underhook by threading their hand through the practicing student’s armpit and then place their open palm flat near the mid back.
Please take note, the loose underhook is only to facilitate learning. In reality, the Reverse Sit will be executed as the Underhook is inserted to counter the Underhook, however the initial focus should be on correct body positioning and then the timing can be added in later.
To enter into the Reverse Sit, the practicing student will initiate 3 movements simultaneously. This can be difficult for students new to the position and can be taught individually, however it should be noted that as proficiency increases, so should the ability to perform these movements simultaneously.
Push off the outside foot with the intent of turning the chest towards the assisting student’s legs. This will include turning the chest into the Underhook and rolling the assisting student’s back flat onto the floor.
Wave and extend both arms over the assisting student’s head and then body until they can grasp the far buttocks cheek. The extension of the arms is to extend the core and catch the underhook against the latissimus muscle and build leverage to trap it against the chest as the body turns. When the hands make contact with the far buttocks cheek they should anchor the position and attempt to pull the practicing student's chest into the assisting student’s hip, thus further controlling the underhooking arm.
As the assisting student’s back is rolled flat from turning in, the outside knee will curl in and tightly hug the space by the near buttocks cheek. Once in this position the practicing student will tightly squeeze both knees together.
The above steps are essential to the position and need to be drilled until they can be executed together, quickly, and with precision.
To solidify the position, the practicing student will use the hand closest to their leg that is trapped in Half Guard and grab their own foot. The foot will then be pulled close to the assisting student’s tailbone. This is extremely important in changing the angle and pressure of the assisting student’s Half Guard and will significantly impede their ability to maintain control of the leg.
If done correctly the assisting student’s arm will be trapped across the chest of the practicing student with the bodies aligned perpendicularly. The practicing student may feel like they are teetering their arms to their knees depending on the size difference between the two students. This is normal and it is ok.
The Pass
The practicing student will execute the pass by using the top arm and placing it on the inside of their assisting student’s knee (close to where the ACL is). The practicing student will then push off of their feet and push on the knee to push the knee to the floor. The goal is not to open the legs, but rather to rotate the assistings student’s whole body. When the body is rotated the knee will pop out naturally.
As the knee pops out, the practicing student should slide their knee over the thigh onto the floor and attempt to progress towards mount. At this point, the assisting student should take their hand and attempt to block the knee from progressing by placing the hand on the practicing student’s knee like a frame.
The practicing student will then use the same side arm and underhook the frame at the elbow and place their hand on the floor. Once the hand is on the floor the practicing student will slide their other arm on the floor around the assisting student’s head. As the bodies come more in line the ability to stretch the assisting student’s hand away from the knee will become available. The practicing student should continue to walk the hand across the floor, initially away from the assisting student’s body, and then up towards their ear. This as the hand is removed from the knee the slack in the position should be removed by continuing to slide the knee towards the assisting student’s armpit.
Eventually the position will end in either Mount or Three Quarter Mount. Encourage the practicing student to take their time and maintain top position. As the isolation of the assisting student’s arm becomes apparent, it is common for the assisting student to make a last ditch effort to bridge out. This will often release the ankle into mount, but if the practicing student is not prepared they could get rolled.
Possible Extensions:
With the Ankle caught in Three Quarter Mount, the Gift Wrap can be applied for an easy back take. Make sure to review that lesson plan to understand the arm positioning and how to build momentum to complete the roll over.
When applying the movement from the Three Quarter Mount the ankle should be left in between the legs and used as a hook when the Back Take is complete. Otherwise the rest of the technique is applied as stated in the Gift Wrap lesson plan.
The Cross Collar choke is still a good option from the Three Quarter Mount. Review that lesson plan to gain a better understanding of the grips and how to finish. It should be noted that the practicing student will need to value positional maintenance over finishing the Cross Collar. If the assisting student attempts to stuff the knee back into Half Guard the practicing student should forego the Cross Collar and pull up on the assisting student’s bottom sleeve while pinching their knees.
The Bear Crawl Pass is a variation of the Reverse Sit Basic Pass and can be taught in conjunction with this lesson. Please review that lesson to understand the transition and binding pressure of the Reverse Knee Shield.
Possible Refinements:
Make sure the practicing student is keeping their chin tucked to avoid being crossfaded while in the Reverse Sit position. Simply instruct the practicing student to bring their nose close to the controlling hands on the buttocks cheek. If this is difficult for the practicing student it may be because their hips are too close to the assisting student. There can be a slight disengagement of the hips as long as the practicing student can maintain the Reverse Sit Position with their legs pinching.
Some students will want to rest their buttocks on the floor once they have entered into the Reverse Sit. This is a problem and will lead to the assisting student being able to bridge over and reverse the position. Make sure the practicing student has their weight distributed across the stomach of the assisting student with an emphasis on trying to stay perpendicular.
When pushing on the assisting student’s knee to initiate the pass, it is common for students to try and pry the knees apart with the push. This will be extremely difficult and matches the strength of the practicing student’s arm against the legs of the assisting student. Make sure the practicing student is pushing off of their non-trapped leg to rotate the assisting student’s lower body. The knee will be freed as a byproduct of the rotation and will require significantly less effort.
Reference materials:
Teaching Reflections:
How did I do teaching?
What could I do better next time?
Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?