Bear Crawl

Student Objectives:

1. The student will apply the Bear Crawl Pass from the Reverse Sit Position with good technique on a compliant partner.
2. The student will apply the Kimura grip for extra control while applying the Bear Crawl Pass from Reverse Sit with good technique on a compliant partner.

Teaching Cues:

• Partner Underhooks
• Chest towards legs
• Pinch the Knees and Grab the Booty
• Foot to Tailbone
• Grip the Knee
• Bear Crawl
• Lean and Pull
• Clear the Ankle

Lesson: Reverse Sit to Bear Crawl Pass

Entering Reverse Sit

The assisting student will start on the ground, laying on their side with their chest facing the practicing student.  The practicing student will place one leg in between the assisting student’s legs and the other knee will be placed on the floor away from the assisting student.  Once in the Half Guard position the assisting student will take a loose underhook by threading their hand through the practicing student’s armpit and then place their open palm flat near the mid back.    

Please take note, the loose underhook is only to facilitate learning.  In reality the Reverse Sit will be executed as the Underhook is inserted to counter the Underhook. However the initial focus should be on correct body positioning and then the timing can be added in later.  

To enter into the Reverse Sit the practicing student will initiate 3 movements simultaneously. This can be difficult for students new to the position and can be taught individually, however it should be noted that as proficiency increases so should the ability to perform these movements simultaneously.  

1. Push off the outside foot with the intent of turning the chest towards the assisting student’s legs.  This will include turning the chest into the Underhook and rolling the assisting student’s back flat onto the floor.
2. Wave and extend both arms over the assisting student’s head and turn the body until they can grasp the far buttocks cheek.  The extension of the arms is to extend the core and catch the underhook against the latissimus muscle and build leverage to trap it against the chest as the body turns.  When the hands make contact with the far buttocks cheek they should anchor the position and attempt to pull the practicing students chest into the assisting student’s hip, thus further controlling the underhooking arm.
3. As the assisting student’s back is rolled flat from turning in, the outside knee will curl in and tightly hug the space by the near buttocks cheek.  Once in this position the practicing student will tightly squeeze both knees together.  

The above steps are essential to the position and need to be drilled until they can be executed together, quickly, and with precision.    

To solidify the position, the practicing student will use the hand closest to their leg that is trapped in Half Guard and grab their own foot.  The foot will then be pulled close to the assisting student’s tailbone.  This is extremely important in changing the angle and pressure of the assisting student’s Half Guard and will significantly impede their ability to maintain control of the leg.  

If done correctly the assisting student’s arm will be trapped across the chest of the practicing student with the bodies aligned perpendicularly.  The practicing student may feel like they are teetering between their arms and their knees depending on the size difference between the two students.  This is normal, and it is ok.    

The Pass Without Kimura

To execute the Bear Crawl the practicing student will make a grip on the assisting student’s far knee with the hand corresponding to the trapped leg.  The grip should be made on the outside of the knee on the fold of fabric.    

Next, the practicing student will elevate their body using the forearm on the floor and the foot trapped in Half Guard.  This elevation of the body will be very similar to that of the Technical Stand up.  The purpose of the elevation is to make enough space to slide the non controlled knee across the belt line and create a Knee Shield to enforce space.  Some students will need to elevate higher than others depending on the length of their legs and how tightly the knee is being squeezed in Half Guard.  It is ok to elevate off of the hand rather than the forearm, however the practicing student should keep the space as tight as possible.  

Once the knee has slid across the belt, the practicing student should return their weight onto the assisting student. Now that the Knee Shield is in place it is ok to allow the buttocks to make contact with the floor, however the majority of the weight should still be applied to the assisting student.  

To finish the pass, the practicing student will grab the assisting student’s belt with the free hand that was previously used to elevate and lean back towards the assisting student’s head. While leaning back the grip on the belt and knee should pull while the practicing student applies heavy forward pressure with the tip of the knee that is in the Knee Shield. This knee pressure, combined with the pulling of the arms and slight lean backwards should create a strong pressure that pulls the knees apart far enough for the practicing student to remove their ankle and post it away from the body.  

After clearing the leg, the practicing student should immediately transition to a more conventional Side Control position.  

The Pass With the Kimura

Upon entering into the Reverse Sit position the practicing student will find that the assisting student’s arm is trapped against their chest.  This can make the arm accessible for the Kimura Grip.  While it is possible to submit your partner with this grip from Half Guard, I have personally found that children struggle with the finer details to make the submission work.  For that reason, I focus on using the grip as an increased control from the Bear Crawl and then use the submission as an extension after the leg has been cleared from between the legs.    

To secure the Kimura Grip, the practicing student will clasp the assisting student’s trapped arm with a Power C Grip and pin it straight to the assisting student’s hip.  Once the wrist is pinned, the practicing student will adjust their hip placement by sliding their hips back towards the assisting student’s shoulder (some students may find it more comfortable to actually sit on the shoulder).    

After moving the hips back the practicing student will find there is increased range of motion for their other arm to slide along the floor, under the assisting student’s elbow and make a grip on their own wrist.  Once the Kimura Grip is locked, the practicing student will make a lifting motion using their arms and upper body to lift the arm off of the hip and place it on the floor next to the hip.    

Now that the arm is isolated away from the body, the practicing student will switch the hand placement of the Kimura Grip so that the practicing student's hand that was grabbing their own wrist will control the assisting student’s wrist instead.  There will need to be some practice on the hand off process.  The resulting grip on the assisting student’s wrist should not include the thumb, and positive wrist posture should be emphasized.  

After the grip switch the practicing student will find that they have a free hand.  This hand should control the outside of the assisting students knee as stated in the lesson above and continue on to insert the Knee Shield.  

While inserting the Knee Shield the practicing student should keep their forearm of the wrist control on the floor.  While this control is applied the practicing student will have much greater range of motion without having to worry about the assisting student escaping.  A more exaggerated lifting of the hips will be ok to get the knee across.  

Once the knee is across, the practicing student will return to the seated position and initiate the lean back.  While leaning back, they should straighten both arms by leaning back and then apply a pulling pressure, using their back, on the assisting student’s wrist and knee.  The amount of pressure generated in this movement may be enough to make the assisting student want to tap.  Make sure to instruct them to open their legs and accept the pass if the pressure is too great.  

After completing the pass the practicing student should obtain a more conventional Side Control or they may return to the Kimura Grip by turning their chest back towards Side Control and taking control of the assisting student’s wrist with their free hand, and then regripping their own wrist with their other hand.

Possible Extensions:

• If the technique is applied without the Kimura Grip, and the practicing student has trouble removing the ankle from the Half Guard position then there is an easy transition to Three Quarter Mount by simply driving the knee of the controlled leg over the body and rotating the chest towards the mount.  
• If the technique is applied with the Kimura grip, the ending position is a perfect set up for the Side Control Kimura.  If using the Kimura as an extension be sure to review that lesson plan.

Possible Refinements:

• Make sure when leaning back that the practicing student doesn’t over play their position and get rolled over.  Encourage the students to communicate with each other during the practice of this movement if they think that they can bridge up, kip up, or otherwise escape the position once the grips have been secured.
• The adjustment of the hips back towards the assisting student’s shoulder after inserting the Knee Shield will be a problem for many students.  This will require some practice and feel to create the space while still maintaining domination of the assisting student.  Make sure to encourage communication between the students.
• When using the version that includes the Kimura, it will be important to get the hand to the floor before trying to enter into the Bear Crawl.  Often student’s will only use their arms when trying to move it to the floor and desperate training partners will grab their own pants to try and prevent the movement.  To create the maximum pressure the complete upper body should be used.    
• Keep in mind the hip placement matters when using the upper body. The practicing student will need to be able to crunch their body towards the grip before pulling up with their back.  If the practicing student communicates that they can’t crunch towards the grip then their hips are too close to the assisting student and should be moved back.    
• Lastly, when pulling up with the core, the pathway for the upper body should be directionally towards the assisting student’s head.  Often, this will include rolling up on their face.  For this reason the assisting student should be made aware of this and the head and face should be turned in such a way that their nose doesn’t get crushed.  If the assisting student is properly prepared for the transition it will not be that traumatic.

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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