Ankle Hook Sweep

Student Objectives:

1. The student will value bending their legs while performing the breakfall technique.
2. The student will value a staggered stance vs a square stance.
3. The student will execute a sweep using the Ankle Hook technique.
4. The assisting student will use the Hip Slam maneuver to stand inside the Closed Guard.

Teaching Cues:

• Hip Slam and Stand
• Hook the Ankles
• Feet on the Belly
• Roll Up

Lesson: Ankle Hook Sweep

The practicing student starts in the Closed Guard position with their legs wrapped around their opponent’s waist. Their hands are in a neutral position, without grips.  The assisting student will start inside the Closed Guard with good posture. Their hands start on the chest/stomach of the practicing student.  

The assisting student stands using the Hip Slam movement.  The student elevates and thrusts their hips forward, which transfers weight from their booty on their heels.  This creates a straight plane between the knees, hips, and shoulders.  Once they transfer weight, the assisting student takes a confident step close to the belt with their dominant foot.  They use their hands and posted foot to push into the standing position.  

Once the assisting student achieves a strong standing position, the practicing student uses Sloth Grips to grip around the outside ankles.  Simultaneously, they release their guard and place both feet on the belly of the assisting student.  The practicing student pushes with their feet - forcing the assisting student to fall.  Remind the assisting student to breakfall by bending their legs and tucking their chin.  

Once the assisting student performs the breakfall, the practicing student chooses a side and places both feet on one side of the floor. Their feet should land next to the assisting student’s belt. The student will then turn their upper body towards the legs and slide over the thigh into a reverse Kesa Gatame position.  This maneuver is referred to as the “Roll Up”.

Possible Extensions:

• There is an alternative finish to this sweep. The student, upon opening their legs, pulls their hips under the assisting student and creates a seat with the back of their thighs.  There is a strong lifting motion associated with doing the move this way, and it can be used in conjunction with the primary sweep listed in the lesson plan.  
• Combine this movement with Shrimping to Recompose Guard to allow students to understand how this flows in the course of sparring.
• Combine this with the Knee Pinch Defense.

Possible Refinements:

• Make sure the student uses sloth grips for maximum control over the ankles.
• Have the practicing student choose the side to come up as the assisting student is falling, but before the completion of the assisting student’s breakfall.
• The practicing student can pull lightly with their hands, but the majority of the work is done with the pushing of the feet, or the lifting of the quads.  Make sure the practicing student isn’t trying to pull the assisting student’s legs out from under them.

Reference materials:

Teaching Reflections:

• How did I do teaching?
• What could I do better next time?
• Did the student gain proficiency in lesson material?

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