Student Objectives:
The student will explore the strategic and mechanical value of the switch.
The student will perform the standing switch with good technique against a compliant partner performing a bear hug under the arms from behind.
Teaching Cues:
Cross Grip
Check your wallet
Walk forward
Straighten the leg and turn
Hug
Lesson: Standing Switch
The practicing student will start in the scarecrow position with their feet slightly wider than shoulder width. The assisting student will stand behind the practicing student and take a bear hug position, around the torso of the practicing student (under the practicing student's arms).
The practicing student will take a cross grip on the assisting student's wrist by inserting the thumb behind the wrist. The same side hand will “check the wallet” by reaching over the assisting student’s arm and touching where their own back pocket would be. With their hand in this same orientation, the practicing student will extend their arm and touch the assisting student’s inner thigh with the knuckles of the “wallet checking” hand.
Once the knuckles have made contact the practicing student will walk their feet away from the assisting student while keeping a strong grip on the wrist and the knuckles on the inner thigh. Once all of the slack has been taken out of the assisting student’s arms and they start to strain, the practicing student will push up with their hips at the same time as they extend the leg on the same side as the switch (the arm on the inside of the thigh). This hip pressure, combined with the straightening of the leg, should break open the hands and allow the practicing student to plant their knee while spinning to the back of the assisting student. As the practicing student pivots on their knee, their hand orientation should rotate from knuckles on the thigh to gripping on the inside of the thigh.
When finishing the switch there are many acceptable hand/body positions, but one should be chosen to give the practicing student something to strive for.
Possible Extensions:
Have the assisting student complete a Duck Under technique to get to the standing back control. Then, as the practicing student becomes more proficient at the switch, have the time between the Duck Under and Switch shortened. Once there is a high level of proficiency with both movements, the standing wrist control can be eliminated.
Have the practicing student start in the Turtle position with the assisting student obtaining a grip around the waist. Then the practicing student will force their way to their feet with the assisting student allowing them to stand up. As the practicing student comes to the standing position the switch can be executed.
The Standing Switch can easily be turned into a drill by having the practicing student end by hugging around the waist when they get to the back. This will lead to an increase in reps and understanding as the transition time between reps will be completely eliminated.
Possible Refinements:
Make sure the practicing student is starting with a cross grip. While this is not essential for the switch, it does allow the practicing student to decide when their hips drop and pivot because they can hold themselves up by maintaining the grip while walking their hips out.
Some students will try to start by grasping the inside of their partner's thigh with an open palm. This will feel uncomfortable on the shoulder and can create problems with extending the hips because of the bind on the shoulder. Make sure the knuckles are making contact with the inside of the thigh.
The biggest mistake that students make is dropping their buttocks to the floor when trying to break open the hands, rather than walking the feet and extending their hips away and up from their training partners. This will not break the grip and it will lead to inferior positions.
Reference materials:
Teaching Reflections:
How did I do teaching?
What could I do better next time?
Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?