Basic Leg Weave

Student Objectives:

1. The student will apply the Basic Leg Weave Sweep, with good technique, on a compliant partner.
2. The student will develop proper timing for application of the Basic Leg Weave Sweep and apply the technique while the assisting student is moving towards Side Control.

Teaching Cues:

• Double Sleeve Grips
• Scissor Sweep Entry
• Open the Knees
• Shrimp and Weave
• They Pass
• Grab the Leg, Open the Knee

Lesson: Basic Leg Weave Spider Guard Sweep

The Leg Weave Entry- The assisting student will start in the Triangle Sit with their knees on the ground and their buttocks on top of their heels. The practicing student will start in the Closed Guard position with their legs wrapped around the waist of the assisting student. Next, the practicing student will then take two same side sleeve grips.

Once in the starting position the practicing student will maintain their sleeve grips and enter into a scissor sweep with their legs.  This can be accomplished with a partial Shrimp to make space and then sliding the knee across the beltline.  Once the knee is across the assisting student’s centerline, the knee can be opened and framed against the assisting student’s same side shoulder.  The practicing student should then place both feet on the assisting students hips and gently squeeze with the outside knee.  The resulting position should be, one knee in between the assisting student’s shoulders and one on the outside with both feet resting on the hips.  Once the legs are aligned correctly the practicing student should gently stretch the assisting student by pulling with the arms and pushing with the feet.  The goal is to take all of the slack out of the assisting student’s sleeves and create a counter pressure.  

Next the practicing student will make a dramatic lateral Shrimp in the direction of the knee that is on the outside.  The hip movement should place the practicing student completely on their side with their chest angled towards the assisting student.  What is now the furthest foot should have a strong foot placement that makes stretching/pushing very easy.  This bottom leg will stretch as the arms pull to create a very powerful Kuzushi.  

After stretching the assisting student by pulling and pushing, the practicing student will weave their top leg over the assisting student’s head and then back into the space by the armpit.  The foot should pass through the armpit with the toes actively flexed.  The practicing student will then draw the knee of the woven leg back towards their chest until the top of their foot locks against the back of the assisting student’s shoulder.  When the foot makes contact, the assisting student should gently open the knee of the woven leg away from the assisting students body.  This should effectively trap the assisting student’s arm.  

Now that the practicing student is in the Spider Guard Leg Weave Position the assisting student will stand and shuffle around the practicing student’s Guard towards Side Control.  This may be difficult as the practicing student still has a foot on the hip, however the practicing student should allow the progress towards Side Control as it is the entry for the Basic Sweep.  

Once the assistings student has cleared the legs and is perpendicular to the practicing student they should attempt to touch their chest to the practicing student’s chest.  During this transition the practicing student should let go of the sleeve of the non-woven leg and underhook the assisting student’s thigh.  Simultaneously the practicing student will open their knee of the woven leg by exaggerating the movement of their knee, first away, and then towards the floor.    

The opening of the knee combined with the underhook of the assisting student’s thigh should create a strong sweeping motion where the assisting student’s body is carried over the practicing student.  Because the shoulder is bound by the woven leg, the pressure down towards the floor should slightly angle the assisting student’s back towards the floor and force the assisting student to roll.  

Possible Extensions:

• Aspects of the Spider Guard Base Check can be applied to the Basic Sweep by entering into the Leg Weave and then taking the foot off of the hip and pushing on the far knee.  This will work very similarly to the Base Check, except the practicing student may find it easier to hop over the practicing student’s bottom leg as it attempts to apply Kuzushi.    
• The Base Check is a great way to facilitate movement of the assisting student. This will create a lot of momentum which can be beneficial to application of the Basic Sweep.
• Application of the Amazon Sweep can be an easy option when the assisting student defends the Basic Sweep by scooping the ankle of the non-woven leg and tries to force the practicing student to Turtle by throwing the leg over the woven leg.  Make sure to review that lesson plan to understand the application of the Amazon Sweep.
• The Hook the Knee Sweep can be applied when the assisting student posts their outside leg and refuses to pass to Side Control.  It will be important students understand the consequences of passing the free leg while still in the Leg Weave.  Make sure to review that lesson plan to understand how that move applies.

Possible Refinements:

• During the execution of the sweep the assisting student should tuck their head to accept the sweep.  Depending on the pathway of the sweep, occasionally the assisting student may find that their face is in the pathway of the sweep.  Tucking the head will be important in avoiding injuries.
• The depth of the woven leg can vary greatly depending on the style of play from the practicing student.  The above lesson is written in a way that has the ankle tight to the armpit. However, it is ok to bury the knee all the way into the armpit and play with the hips more flat on the floor.  This is typical when the person playing Leg Weave is larger than their opponent and allows a strong connection of the practicing student’s body to the assisting student’s torso.  It is important to note, one defense to the Leg Weave is collapsing the knees together into a modified Folding Pass.  Because of this, it will be extremely important to keep the Woven Leg Open and if the practicing student feels they are unable to do that, then they will have to play with the ankle more shallow in the armpit.
• When making grips on the sleeves it is important that the practicing student use a Cat Grip (same as Cuff Grip).  Once the leg has been woven through and the knee opened, the slack of the sleeve may be taken out by pulling with the woven leg and by pulling on the controlled sleeve.  Once the slack is taken out, the palm of the cat grip can be rotated towards the ceiling in combination with the opening of the knee.  This will greatly relieve the pressure on the fingers in the Cat Grip.
• The opening of the knee should be timed for when the assisting student is driving in to dominate Side Control.  The combination of the forces will create a powerful sweep.  Make sure students practice the move with timing.
• It is important that the practicing student not allow the assisting student to get a Crossface as this can prevent the assisting student from getting swept.  If this is a problem, then instruct the practicing student to maintain both sleeve grips and forego under hooking the leg.

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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