Student Objectives:
The student will apply the Step Over Armbar from a modified Side Control Position (Kesa Gatame) with good technique against a compliant partner.
The Student will explore the concept of Triage and flowing into the North/South position when the Step Over Armbar fails.
Teaching Cues:
Shrimp
Shrimp again
Don’t kick your partner in the face
Look away
Slow Pressure
Lesson: Step Over Armbar
The assisting student will start by lying flat on their back with their legs flat on the floor and their hands in a home alone position. The practicing student will take the Kesa Gatame position with their belly facing the head of the assisting student and their ribs and armpit area laying on the stomach/ribs of the assisting student.
The practicing student will place their elbow and forearm flat on the floor beside the hip, on the far side of the body. Their outside leg will then be posted with a 90 degree bend and their foot flat on the floor. The practicing student will then take their free hand and clasp the arm of the assisting student in their armpit, while cupping the tricep/elbow in their hand.
There is a lot of variance in how this position is controlled between practicing students. The body positioning will depend on the desired transition, submission or pin that is desired. For this lesson moving the hips back towards the hips of the assisting student will help angle their body correctly, but also align the hips and legs to allow for a clean stepping over the head without kicking the assisting student in the face.
The technique will start by shrimping the hips back, and then shrimping them back a second time. Regardless of the starting position, the students should get in the habit of moving their hips backward as it accomplishes a lot of important things. First, it takes out the slack of the assisting students arm that is held in the armpit. Second it orientates the chest towards the floor to prevent opponents from bridging and reversing the position. Third, it makes for a cleaner and easier step over the head.
After sliding the hips back the practicing student will take the outside foot that is posted and step over the assisting students head. The heel should be placed between the neck and shoulder and pulled in tightly to create a chock for the head/neck to prevent any movement.
The arm control remains very important. Some students prefer to leave their hand cupping the elbow as they step over, but some students will prefer to place their hand on the outside of the knee. Regardless of which variation is chosen, it is important that the hips and pelvic region create a tight pressure on the back of the elbow.
Once the arm is secured tightly with the step over, the practicing student can apply pressure with the hips. As the pressure with the hips is applied forward, the heel of the foot by the neck should keep inward pressure on the neck while also turning the head away and looking at the floor near the hips of the assisting student. The turning of the head to look towards the floor helps align the hips for maximum pressure.
Possible Extensions:
The Step Over Armbar is a low percentage movement in the kids class. This is partially due to the fact that they have very flexible joints; but students also have trouble managing tightness. This movement is still valuable as it is extremely low risk when done correctly and masks the transition into North/South.
This can be a great time in a child's development to talk about the concept of triage and “flowing out of failures”. Have the student complete the Step Over Armbar, and then allow the assisting student to pull their arm out. As the arm is being pulled out the practicing student can place their knee on the floor on the far side of the head and reorientate their body into the North/South position.
The Step Over Armbar pairs well with the Baseball Slide Armbar. After stepping over the head, the practicing student can exaggerate the lift of the hips by posting higher on the hand on the far side of the body. This will leave space under the practicing student to allow the leg to enter at the armpit of the assisting student and slide across the chest. The shin should progress across the chest until the foot locks into the back of the shoulder. Once the foot makes contact with the shoulder the practicing student should lay down on the assisting student before applying pressure with the hips in the same fashion as above. Please note that the armbar will still be in the armpit of the practicing student and this is a much tighter armbar. Students should be instructed not to put their back on the floor to finish the armbar.
Possible Refinements:
Very commonly, when students move into the Kesa Gatame Position they allow their back to angle towards the floor. It is important to orientate the body so that the chest is angled towards the floor. The easiest way to accomplish this is to have the practicing student shrimp their hips back while keeping their upper body stationary.
The foot that steps over the head is important in applying pressure to the elbow. While the hips are the primary force, the leg and knee will help direct the pressure of the hips by making sure the arm is aligned correctly. This can be accomplished by pinching the knee in towards the chest of the assisting student. This small detail can have great results.
After stepping over the head it is very important to keep heavy pressure on the assisting student. We can see this easily by looking at the hips of the practicing student and seeing if they are on the floor. After stepping over the head the practicing students buttocks should not make contact with the floor. This will create a balance between the knee of the near side leg, the elbow/forearm of the arm on the far side of the body, and the ribs laying across the assisting student’s chest.
Reference materials:
Teaching Reflections:
How did I do teaching?
What could I do better next time?
Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?