You know what they say: the simplest of solutions are often the best of solutions. Be it in life or on the mats. So, if you are having some life or grappling related problems, perhaps it’s time to try and break it down – and find a simple, rather than a complicated approach to it.
And you know what? This applies well to your (lack of) takedown skills as well. You don’t have to learn state-of-the-art takedown and throw setups to become a menace for your opponents… Just a simple Kouchi Gari variation will go a long way.
Brian Glick demonstrates and explains.
SIMPLE NO-GI KOUCHI GARI VARIATION
To start with this Kouchi Gari setup, you’ll first need to establish an underhook. To do so, firstly establish an inside position with your head (pressing against the training partner’s cheek/neck with your forehead) and frame with your hand on their tricep muscle. Then, swim your hand underneath their armpit and grab a hold of their shoulder from the inside.
From here, you’ll need to be able to step behind their far leg. But what if it’s too far? Well, then you’ll need to step back yourself and pull the training partner towards you a bit.
Now that you’ve done that, lower your head and step with your foot behind theirs. Make sure that it isn’t flat, but that your toes are up; so that when they try and step up, they’ll stumble a bit. And as they stumble, tap their leg to get the takedown and proceed with guard passing.
Brian Glick explains more in detail on the video below:
