Student Objectives:
1he student will apply the Total Gym Loop Choke against a compliant partner with good technique.
The student will recognize the value of controlling the legs of an opponent while applying a Loop Choke.
Teaching Cues:
Loop Grip
Head in the Hole
Ankle Lift
Drive
Front Flip
Total Gym
Lesson: Total Gym Loop Choke
The assisting student will start in the Turtle Position with their head facing the practicing student. The practicing student will start on their knees facing the assisting student. Once in position, the practicing student will lay their chest on the upper back and shoulders of the assisting student and reach the arm around the assisting student's neck to a Cross Side grip. Remember, as with the other loop chokes, this should be a loose grip as the desire is to have the fabric loop around the front of the neck.
Once the hand has a firm grip on the collar, the practicing student will off-center their body by shifting their weight until the choking arm’s bicep is placed across the back of the assisting student’s neck. As with the previous loop chokes, the desire will be to drop the shoulder and slightly elevate the elbow of the choking arm to trap the assisting student’s head.
Now that the head is controlled the practicing student will start rotating towards the assisting student’s side. The practicing student’s free hand will reach towards the assisting student’s ankle to obtain an Ankle Lift grip.
As the hand is reaching for the Ankle Lift, the practicing student should bury their head under the assisting student’s body and firmly seed the shoulder of the Ankle Lifting arm against the hip of the assisting student. This will often slide the bicep off of the back of the assisting student’s head, but that is ok as long as the grip is maintained on the collar.
Now that the practicing student has the Loop Choke Grip, and the Ankle Lifting grip, they will start to drive forward. A good training partner will allow their posture to be broken by falling on their side.
Once the assisting student has had their posture broken and laying on their side, the practicing student will transfer all of their weight to their shoulder that is pinned to the hip. Then, while maintaining a forward pressure, the student will execute a front flip. Remind students that they should attempt to land on their feet and not do a back flop after completing the flip.
To finish the choke, the practicing student will bridge while simultaneously pulling their elbows towards their hips. The bridge combined with the pulling of the elbows to the hips should slightly angle the assisting student’s chest away from the practicing student.
Special care should be given throughout the execution of this move because it is not uncommon for some students to tap during the entry, the flip, or the bridging aspect. In any of these instances, it is important that the practicing student release the choking hand immediately.
Possible Extensions:
Combine the Total Gym with the Reroll Rolling Loop Choke. To do this, while still maintaining the bridge, the practicing student will release the Ankle Lift grip and turn towards the head of the assisting student. This will leave the practicing student already in position for the Reroll when the assisting student tries to return to their knees. When done this way, the Reroll is extremely powerful because the transition to Turtle is initiated by the practicing student as an extension of the attack. When done this way, the attacking student will often be waiting for the assisting student to get to their knees. Be careful during the execution of the Reroll as most students will tap during the transition. The practicing student should be prepared to let go, or release the pressure.
Like the above extension, after completing the front flip the practicing student can let go of the Loop Choke grip and turn towards the legs to enter into a leg control grip. Make sure the practicing student does not allow their hips to sag during the rotation as the bridge should be maintained during the transition. After turning towards the legs a Hop Over can be used, a Leg Tackle or various other transitions.
Not all opponents will allow their posture to be broken and fall on their side. There are other moves that pair well with this entry that will be taught in the adult curriculum, but it will be important for students to have an option for when this occurs. Simply have the student remove their head from under the assisting student by moving backwards and momentarily dropping to their knees. Once the head is out from under the body the assisting student should let go of the Loop Choke and obtain a top Turtle Control.
Possible Refinements:
The assisting student may tap throughout any part of this technique, including the driving forward during the turtle. If their future opponents resist their posture breaking down, the pressure can be applied to the choke in this position by having the practicing student pull both elbows to their own hips while driving forward.
The Front Flip in this movement can be scary for some students. However, with all of the weight on the assisting student’s hip, the practicing student’s neck will be safe. Make sure the practicing student is focusing on landing on their feet once they land on the other side.
It is not uncommon for the Loop Choking hand to get caught in the lapel in a way that makes letting go difficult. It is important for the student to understand this and rotate back towards the head to unravel the choke. This is one of the reasons that this choke is included in the Orange Belt curriculum as it takes a lot of understanding of how chokes work, and a control over their own body.
Reference materials:
Teaching Reflections:
How did I do teaching?
What could I do better next time?
Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?