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If you fight a lot of Jujitsu and are comfortable being on your back you have to learn certain mixed martial arts techniques on how to either get off your back or learn how to sweep someone else into a position that you want. Now if you are in the standing guard pass position and do not want to be swept by someone more comfortable on the his back than you are than Stephan Kesting teaches us the kick out methods for not being swept.

Foot Grab Counter: The Kick Out

Today I want to talk about a little move that has probably saved my butt at least a thousand times. I call it the Kick Out and if your game includes any standing guard passes I think it might deserve a place in your repertoire.

If you stand in your opponent's

Nothing good comes from having your foot controlled like this: you are now vulnerable to many different sweeps like the lumber jack sweep.

Therefore, when grabs your foot it is important to clear it as soon as possible. One possible solution is the Kick Out.

Let's say that, as in the first picture cited above, your opponent is holding your right heel with his left hand. The Kick Out works best if your opponent is pulling your foot with his hand, taking the slack out of the system. Often he will give you this pressure as part of his efforts to control and sweep you, but if he doesn't you can try moving your right foot slightly BACKWARD (i.e. towards your heel) to incite him to pull on your foot.

Once you have this tension and his arm is straight you kick your foot FORWARD (toe towards his armpit) until it is above the level of his arm. Now circle your foot OUTWARDS, bringing it back behind you to re- establish your balance.

In mid-move you are balancing one one leg while looping your captured foot outwards. It looks and feels precarious at first, but once your newly-freed foot touches down behind your body your balance and stability are restored.

Once you master this move you will even be able to apply even after your opponent has started his sweep and you are beginning to fall over. When you use the Kick Out here it is reactive rather than proactive, but the path the foot follows remains the same. The Kick Out is an elegant little move, and hopefully it can save you as many times as it has saved me.

Until next time....

Stephan Kesting
www.grapplearts.com