Spawl And Spin

Student Objectives:

1. The student will explore the transfer of weight and balance from a standing position onto the assisting partner while using a sprawl technique.  
2. The student will recognize the importance of spinning to the back to avoid the assisting student’s arms.

Teaching Cues:

• Walk the Feet  
• Pull the head
• Knuckle Drag
• Spin

Lesson: Sprawl and Spin

The assisting student will perform the beginning of a double leg takedown.  This will include the “Home Row” and “Penetration Step” cues.  Encourage the student to maintain good posture while making the penetration step otherwise they smash their face into the floor when the practicing student transfers their weight into the Sprawl.  

Once the assisting student is in the Penetration Step they will stop moving and allow the practicing student to walk their feet back.  Weight should be transferred from the practicing student’s feet onto the shoulder and back of the assisting student.  The practicing student should create pulling motions across the back of the head/neck of the assisting student and/or the triceps of the assisting student.    

Advise students to go slowly while they are learning this technique.  This is both for the Double Leg and for the Sprawl.  Once the pathways are built and understood, it is ok to speed up the transition for both the takedown and the Sprawl.  

As the weight transfer starts to occur, the assisting student should move into the Turtle Position.  This will allow a strong base so that the practicing student can transition to the back by spinning.  The spin should be done high on the practicing student’s chest (by the collar bone, not the belly button).  This will allow the use of the arms in the Knuckle Drag position.  

The Knuckle Drag is simply placing the knuckles across the back of the neck of the assisting student in the “palm up position”.  Once the knuckles have made contact with the neck the practicing student will initiate a spin towards the back of the assisting student in the direction the fingers are pointing.  As the spin is executed, the knuckle drag will turn into a Crossface with the hand going to the far tricep.  The free hand will go over the body and cup the hip.  

Possible Extensions:

• Have the students practice the movement dynamically with the wrestling shot. Encourage the student to throw their feet back to create a more powerful hip pressure during the transfer.  Make sure to remind the assisting student to protect their face by not over committing to a wrestling shot that they know is going to be sprawled on.
• Add the Hook Replacement technique after the completion of the spin.
• Add the Wrestler Arm Pull technique after the completion of the spin.
• Add the Clock Choke after the completion of the Spin

Possible Refinements:

• Make sure the practicing student does not allow their knees to touch the floor at any point of this series.
• Make sure the student places the Knuckle Drag correctly and rotates the right direction.
• Make sure the student bases on their collar bone and not the center of the belly while making the spin.

Reference materials:

Teaching Reflections:

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

‍