Duck Under
Transition · Standing
Slip under the lifted arm, come up behind them and lock the waist.
How to do it
- Wait for them to lift an arm to reach for a grip or to push.
- Push their elbow up high with your hand to open room for your head.
- Pull their head or collar down and across with the other hand, drop your hips with a straight back and step your head under the arm, moving your feet, not bowing.
- Step diagonally through to the side of that arm, your lead foot past their foot, head tight to their torso and coming up behind their shoulder.
- Pivot on the outside leg to cut the angle and arrive with your chest on their back.
- Lock the waist from behind, chest glued to their back, and take them down before they turn to face you.
Key details
- The duck is a step, not a bow: move your feet. A bow leaves you in front with your head down.
- Push the elbow high so there is room for your head.
- Pull their head or collar down and across while you step diagonally to the side of the lifted arm: their shoulders turn away and open the back.
- Drop the hips with the back straight and keep your head tight to their torso, so it cannot be trapped on the way through.
- Pivot on the outside leg to cut the angle and finish with your chest on their back and the waist locked.
- Create the reaction: from collar tie and elbow grip, forehead to forehead, push into him; the moment he pushes back into you, drive his elbow up and duck.
- As soon as his arm passes over your head, look up at the ceiling and come up fast: a head kept low under his armpit is wrapped in a guillotine.
Common mistakes
- Ducking with the head only. — You end in front of them with your head down. — Step your lead foot past their foot as you duck.
- Ducking an arm that is not lifted. — There is no gap and you run into the arm. — Push the elbow up first to open the gap.
- Stopping beside them. — They turn and face you again. — Keep stepping until your chest is on their back.
If they defend
- They turn with you. → Duck under the other arm the other way.
How to drill it
Hand fight, duck under, waist lock: 10 each side; then 1 minute of hand fighting where only the duck under scores.
What comes next
Where it comes from