Bullfighter Drill

Complexity Rating ★

Cardiovascular Rating ★★

Purpose

Combine linear hip movement with lateral steps to dynamically pass the legs.

Description

Training Partner Starting Position-  Flat on their back with their legs bent 90 degrees with the bottoms of the feet placed on the practicing student’s belt.  The hands should be in the Home Alone position.

Practicing Student- The practicing student will stand square directly in front of the assisting student, close enough that the assisting student can place their feet, with their legs bent, on the belt.  The practicing student will then take Joystick Grips near the ankles of the assisting student.

To execute the drill the practicing student will exaggerate a pushing/thrusting of the hips.  At the very end of the hip extension range, the hips will be quickly withdrawn as the practicing student guides both Joystick Grips to one side.  As the grips are guided to one side, the practicing student will step in the opposite direction.  If done correctly this should leave the student in a modified leg drag position.

The student will then stand with posture, reset their legs, and allow the assisting student to place their feet back on the belt.  This will be a clean reset to allow an immediate repetition of the drill to the other side.

Common Mistakes

  • Often the grips are not secured.  Encourage the student to take very firm grips by clasping the fabric completely with the palm of the hand.
  • Make sure the drill ends in the modified leg drag position and the assisting student does not have any part of their foot touching the chest of the practicing student.
  • Emphasize the importance of the initial thrust of the hips.  The linear drive, combined with the immediate retraction of the hips will create a lot of space.
  • Make sure the assisting student’s legs are bent when placed on the belt.  It is common for the legs to extend during the execution of the drill and then be left that way during the rest.
  • Due to some youth kimonos having elastic (rather than a drawstring) sometimes the assisting student may need to hold their pants as repeated reps may pull them down.

Testing Threshold

Time 30 seconds

Requirement 35 repetitions

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