Over Under

Student Objectives:

1. The student will explore controlling their partner’s hips by using the Over Under grip.
2. The student will explore the relationship between “high hips/low head” and “low head/high hips”.
3. The student will demonstrate an effective guard pass while using the Over Under Pass.

Teaching Cues:

• Joystick Grips
• Shuffle
• Under the booty and grab the belt
• Tornado Arms
• Baby Seal
• Staple
• Shelf

Lesson: Over Under Guard Pass

The assisting student will lay on the ground with their back flat, legs bent, and feet flat on the floor.  It is important for the assisting student to keep their hands out of the way of the practicing student.  The “Home Alone” position is a safe placement for the hands.  

The practicing student will take joystick grips on the inside of the assisting student’s knees.  The practicing student will then circle to one side (towards Side Control) and pin the near knee to the floor.  Once the near knee is secured to the floor, the practicing student will let go of the far knee and reach under the far buttox to secure a grip on the assisting student’s belt/pants.  While securing the belt grip, there will be a transfer of weight from the knee pinned to the floor to the hips of the assisting student (via the practicing student's shoulder).    

After transferring weight to the shoulder, the practicing student will use their grip on the bottom leg to lift and squeeze it between their legs.  Once that leg is secured the practicing student will let go of the knee and hug around the bottom leg (Tornado Arms). This will give a secure hold over the legs and control of the hips.  

The practicing student will then slowly drop their hips to the floor into the “baby seal” position. Once the assisting student’s leg is pinned to the floor via the baby seal, the practicing student will enter into a shin staple with their inside leg.  This will allow the practicing student to progress over the leg without fear of the guard being recomposed.    

The practicing student should have their nose pointed towards the hips of the assisting student to avoid having their hips locked by the assisting student pushing on the face.  Once the legs are clear, the student should plank on their shoulder and “shelf the legs” - by bringing their back leg up under the thigh of the assisting student.  The “shelf” lifts the  assisting student’s legs off the floor and makes shrimping/bridging difficult.  

Possible Extensions:

• This pairs well with the entry for the Slam and Go.  The assisting student starts with their feet on the hips, and the practicing student takes Joystick Grips prior to stepping back and slamming the feet on the floor.
• Have the practicing student start with a Koala Sweep and then transition directly into the Over Under grips upon completing the Koala Sweep.
• Have the Practicing student complete a Single Leg takedown and then immediately enter into the Over Under Pass.
• The Baby Seal to Shin Staple is only one way of finishing the Over Under Pass. Have the practicing student vary their finishes by having elevated hips, or hips all the way to the ground.  Make sure to explore the differences in balance with the hips high or the hips low.

Possible Refinements:

• Initially the practicing student grips with their hands, but they should use the whole arm by pinching their elbows to limit the amount of space their opponent has to move.
• Head orientation plays a large role in this movement.  Make sure the student looks back towards the hips, or feet, after entering into the Tornado Arms portion of the movement.
• Shelving the legs is one of the hardest aspects of the movement for beginners.  Make sure you teach them to lift with the bottom arm to make space for the shelf.

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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