Frontal Takedown Defense: Outside & Inside Sprawls (Green Belt)

Inside Sprawl

Outside Sprawl

Frontal Takedown Defense:  Outside & Inside Sprawls (Green Belt)

Outside Sprawl #1 By Shooting the Hips Back with Combatives

Outside (and inside) sprawls are used when you cannot react with a leg counterattack or by sidestepping either because your reaction is late or, perhaps, the attacker feinted some kind of other attack and then moved in to take you down. Sprawling backward keeping your weight on the balls of your feet, allows you to create superior leverage, preventing the attacker from reaching your legs.

• As you recognize the incoming takedown, if you have not already, transfer your weight to the balls of your feet.
• As the attacker closes the distance, begin to lower your right arm to provide the brakes to stop the attacker from reaching your legs.
• For this variation, your torso is directly in line with the attacker’s torso.
• As the attacker lunges and you intercept with your right arm, shoot your hips back dropping one arm to the ground to apply the “brakes” and lean your upper torso forward placing all of your body weight on the attacker’s head and upper torso.
• By dropping one arm you prevent the attacker from continuing underneath your torso to grab your legs.
• The attacker will fall facedown putting you in an advantageous position for counterattacks including eye rakes, neck manipulations, elbow strikes, chokes, or a knee to the back top of the head.
• Follow-up with additional retzev combatives as necessary.

Inside Sprawl #2 By Shooting the Hips Back with Combatives

Once again, if you cannot react with a leg counterattack or by sidestepping, you can apply the brakes and shoot your hips back dropping one arm to the ground to intercept the tackle while leaning your upper torso forward placing all or your body weight on the attacker’s head and upper torso. This variation allows you get up immediately and use a power heel kick to debilitate the attacker.

• As you recognize the incoming takedown, if you have not already, transfer your weight to the balls of your feet.
• As the attacker closes the distance, begin to lower your right arm to provide the brakes to stop the attacker from reaching your legs.
• For this variation, your torso is not directly in line with the attacker’s torso, but rather slightly off to one side.
• Once again, sprawling backward, while keeping your weight on the balls of your feet, allows you to create superior leverage, preventing the attacker from reaching your legs.
• By dropping your near-side arm, you prevent the attacker from continuing underneath your torso to grab your legs.
• The attacker will fall facedown putting you in an advantageous position to get up immediately and kick the attacker in the head with your heel.
• Follow-up with additional retzev combatives as necessary.