Lapel Punch

Student Objectives:

1. The student will explain the difference between pushing to make space and framing to maintain space.
2. The student will apply the Lapel Punch technique to escape a modified Kesa Gatame position.

Teaching Cues:

• Thumbs down
• Extend and Shrimp
• Belly Down
• Knee on Belly

Lesson: Lapel Punch

The practicing starts with their back on the ground and their hands in the Home Alone position. Their legs should be gently bent with their feet flat on the floor.  The assisting student takes top position in a modified Kesa Gatame (Kuzure) position.  The assisting student should not apply a lot of pressure, but should leave enough space for the practicing student to learn the movement.  As proficiency increases, encourage the resistance to increase.  

**Note** This move also assumes that you do not allow your opponent to settle into the position and control the near arm with an overhook.  If that is the case, another technique should be used to make space.  

The practicing student uses their far side arm and orients their hand in a “thumbs down” position to grip the near lapel.  Only the bottom of the pinky finger touches the neck with this grip, which makes a pocket of cloth.  That pocket of cloth creates tension across the neck as the arm is extended. The student simultaneously extends their arm and performs a shrimping motion to create space between the bodies.  Encourage the practicing student to make space primarily by shrimping, yet maintain the space with the straightened arm.    

The exact number of hip movements to escape always varies between one rep and the next, but advise the student to continue making hip escapes until they can belly down.  Once the student can belly down, they should elevate their body and move to the Knee on Belly position

Possible Extensions:

• The assisting student performs a Knee Cut technique before the practicing student performs the Lapel Punch technique.
• The practicing student initiates the Lapel Punch to make space, but moves to Closed Guard instead of belly down.  
• Upon completing the movement, the practicing student transitions from Knee on Belly to modified Kesa Gatame.  The assisting student then becomes the practicing student.  This is an easy way to make the technique a drill.

Possible Refinements:

• Monitor the hand placement on the collar to make sure only the pinky finger is touching the neck. If not correct, the hand could slip to the back of the neck and lose a significant pushing power when it extends.
• Ensure the hand contacts the collar in the “thumbs down” position.
• Encourage the practicing student to protect the space on the near armpit by starting with a good Home Alone hand.  
• Ensure the practicing student creates space with the hip escape and mainly uses the arm as a chock.  Remind the student to straighten the arm by shrimping and not by pushing with the arm.

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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