Fundamental #15: Duck-under with Birdwing Lock and Tani-Otoshi

Fundamental #15: Duck-under with Birdwing Lock and Tani-Otoshi (Valley Drop)

Warning: Do not attempt this without a qualified AOKK jujitsu instructor’s supervision.

Both fighter’s step into fighting stance.
Uke: Single Tiger’s Mouth Choke.
Tori: X-Block Uke’s chocking hand.
Tori: Grasp Uke’s wrist with both hands while twisting and push the elbow upwards as you are moving CCW.

Note: You can apply a wristlock.

Tori: Duck under Uke’s armpit and place him/her in a Birdwing Lock.
Tori: Push upwards on the birdwing lock and tie-off to Uke’s garment to maintain the lock and grab Ukes collar.
Tori: Wrap your arm around the opponent’s neck and execute a Rear Forearm Choke (LH) and push the Uke forwards with the lock while pulling backwards with the choke.
Tori: Execute Tani-otoshi. (Valley Drop)

Note: Uke will fall backwards.

Warning: Uke can only break his/her fall with one arm, so tori must control the speed of the fall. In self-preservation situation you would drive Uke’s face into the ground and then render him/her unconscious.

Warning: Uke must be skilled in the rear break-fall technique.

Purpose of Technique Fundamental #15:

This introduces the student to duck-under and the figure-four birdwing lock coupled with a throwing technique. It starts from something as simple as an adversary grabbing your throat or wrist, and then executing a wrist escape while moving to the more complex birdwing lock. Mostly, Fundamental fifteen exposes the student to the dropping Tani-otoshi throw. Since this move is purely locking and throwing it requires quick footwork.

Note: There is no “Opening Up Technique” in this fundamental exercise. This is the point where the instructor should reinforce the purpose of the Opening-up technique necessary to facilitate standing jujitsu while noting that not all responses require an opening strike.

Note: This may be the best example, in all the fundamentals, of using just jujitsu to facilitate a self-defense response.