Limp Arm

Student Objectives:

1. The student will apply the Limp arm technique from the Underhook position while an assisting student applies the Overhook, with good technique.
2. The student will investigate hip and arm movements to create space for a more successful Limp Arm.
3. The student will immediately advance their position after successfully completing the Limp Arm technique.

Teaching Cues:

• Underhook and Elevate
• Overhook
• Hips Close, Shoulders Away
• Limp Arm
• Lead with the Elbow
• Strum the Guitar
• Hug

Lesson: Limp Arm

Note: A student attempting to use the Limp Arm from Half Guard should have a firm understanding of the Underhook to the Back lesson plan.  Make sure to review that lesson plan before attempting to work through the Limp Arm Lesson Plan.  

The practicing student will start in the Half Guard Position with the Underhook.  To get in position the practicing student will lay on their side with their chest facing the assisting student.  The assisting student will place one leg in between the practicing students legs with the knee on the floor.  Next the assisting student will put one hand on either side of the practicing student body and lower their chest until it touches the practicing students body but keep the majority of the weight on their hands and knees.  The goal is to crowd the space but put very little pressure while the practicing student is learning the technique.    

The practicing student will then take an Underhook by extending their top arm through the armpit to the far side of the assisting students back before making a grip on the fabric, or cupping the latissimus muscle.  After a strong Underhook has been set, the practicing student will place their ear against the stomach of the assisting student and frame the far knee with the non-Underhooking arm by pushing on the far knee to spread out the base of the assisting student.  

Next the practicing student will initiate the Underhook to the Back technique by basing their shoulder on the floor, slightly elevating their hips, and then removing the frame on the knee to drag the arm under their body while simultaneously turning their chest to the floor.  This turning of the chest should be accompanied by an elevation of the chest and hips with the intent of taking the back.  

During the execution of the previous paragraph the assisting student will make an Overhook by inserting their near side forearm at the practicing student’s armpit and pressing the forearm against the practicing student’s chest and/or ribcage.  The forearm should be applying pressure directionally into the armpit while also scooping upward with the fist.  If done correctly this can create an effective barrier to an opponent trying to take the back.  

The Limp Arm will now be applied to bypass the Overhook (Whizzer).  

To execute the Limp Arm, the practicing student will strongly rotate their hips and buttocks towards the assisting student while simultaneously rotating their upper body away.  As the shoulders are rotating away the practicing student will relax their underhooking arm and allow it to go limp, then with an exaggerated movement, the practicing student will thrust their elbow forward and away from their body.  The pathway for the thrust will vary depending on the directional pressure of the assisting student, however the general direction should be horizontal to the floor with a slight upward rotation from the shoulder.  

Remind students that the arm should stay limp throughout the transition including the hand.  Often students will make a fist with their hand, and while it won't matter most of the time, occasionally the fist can get caught or pinched between the assisting student’s arm and ribcage.  

Once the arm has cleared the assisting student’s overhook, the elbow should continue the horizontal movement until it is fully extended away from the practicing student.  The force of the thrust should continue to carry the lower arm/forearm away from the crowded space between the two students.  As the elbow becomes fully extended the hand will make a large circular motion swinging back over the top of the assisting student until it hugs around the waist.  This should be immediately accompanied by the other arm getting a Crossface or another dominant grip.

Possible Extensions:

• The Limp Arm technique can be applied or modified to work in most instances where there is an Overhook. The Single Leg is only one example, but provides reinforcement of the application of the Limp Arm.
• When elevating with a Single Leg takedown it is common for opponent’s to apply the Overhook/Whizzer in conjunction with a strong forward hip pressure.  This can be used to force the practicing student to the floor by barring the arm, it can also adjust the grip by pulling up on the controlling arms of the Single Leg, or it can trap the arm for some hip throws.   The Limp Arm is a good option in this instance.  
• To practice this, have the practicing student enter for their Single Leg with their head on the inside.  Then after elevating and lifting the leg off of the floor the assisting student will place an overhook in between the bodies using the arm on the same side as the leg that is being lifted.  
• The practicing student will then allow the Overhooked arm to go limp.  Please take note that allowing the arm to go limp also involves releasing the leg that is being controlled.  For this reason, the Limp Arm must be executed quickly or the assisting student will have time to recover their position and adjust their legs into a defensive positioning.    
• As the arm releases the leg there will be an exaggerated turning away with the upper body while rotating the hips towards the assisting student’s hips. Simultaneously the practicing student will thrust the elbow horizontally away from the body.  
• Due to the strong forward hip pressure (modified sprawl) accompanying the Overhook it is very common for assisting students to fall into the turtle position or pancake in front of the practicing student when the space suddenly appears.  As in the above lesson plan the practicing student should immediately secure dominant grips.

Possible Refinements:

• The hips and shoulders are connected and should work together to accomplish the angle change for the Limp Arm.  It is a common problem that the practicing student will either push with the hips OR turn the body away rather than execute both of them at the same time.  They are both equally important and should move simultaneously.  
• To free the arm using the Limp Arm, it is common for inexperienced students to try and facilitate the movement by moving the hand rather than the elbow.  This will be extremely difficult as the forearm will become trapped if the movement is led with the hand.  Reinforce this point and emphasize the elbow movement.
• When executing the Limp Arm, have the practicing student look away while rotating the hips.  Commonly students will want to watch the movement happening and by looking at the training partner it will limit the range of motion of the shoulders turning away.  Make sure the students have maximum range of motion by looking in the direction of the shoulder rotation.

Reference materials:

Teaching Reflections:

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

‍