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Morote Gari
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About This Technique
Morote Gari
Morote Gari (Two-Handed Reap) is a takedown technique primarily executed from a standing position, although it can be adapted for different grappling scenarios. It involves taking the opponent off balance and reaping both legs, often resembling a double-leg takedown in wrestling. Here's how you can perform it:
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Initial Position
- Establish a comfortable standing stance, maintaining a low and balanced posture with knees slightly bent.
- Ensure you maintain a square alignment with your opponent, addressing their centerline directly.
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Engage Your Opponent
- Break or neutralize any grips your opponent may have on you.
- Use your hands to create frames, keeping your opponent at a manageable distance while gauging their balance.
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Entry
- Drop your level by bending your knees and lowering your torso closer to the ground.
- As you drop, step forward with your lead foot to close the distance between yourself and your opponent.
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Grip Establishment
- Use both hands to grip around your opponent's legs just above the knees. This grip helps in controlling the opponent's lower body effectively.
- Keep your elbows tight to your body to maximize control and minimize any opportunity for your opponent to counter.
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Drive and Reap
- With a strong forward momentum, drive off your back leg towards your opponent, targeting to unbalance them backward.
- Simultaneously, pull your opponent’s legs toward you while continuing your forward drive.
- Maintain a low center of gravity to capitalize on your momentum as you reap their legs from under them.
- Ensure your head is positioned slightly to one side of their body—ideally in the center mass to avoid catching strikes or counters.
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Finish and Control
- As your opponent falls, try to maintain a dominant posture, transitioning into a controlling position such as side control or full mount.
- Secure your position by maintaining pressure through your shoulder and hips, stabilizing any immediate attempts to regain balance from your opponent.
Tips:
- Timing and entry speed are crucial; the closer your entry is to your opponent's center of gravity, the higher the success rate.
- Maintain vigilance for potential counters, especially if the opponent attempts to sprawl or apply guillotine chokes.
- Practicing head-positioning ensures that you dictate the takedown's direction and maintain head safety.
Whether in a Gi or No-Gi scenario, the Morote Gari offers a potent method to transition from a neutral standing position to a dominant ground position.
How to Execute
# Morote Gari from Standing Position in BJJ
## Setup
- **Initial Position Details**: Begin in a standing position facing your opponent. Ensure you have a good stance with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and your weight evenly distributed. Your posture should be upright, with your head up and eyes focused on your opponent.
- **Grips and Controls Needed**: No specific grips are required initially for the Morote Gari, but it is important to keep your hands ready to engage your opponent's legs. Some practitioners may prefer to start with a collar tie or a wrist grip to create an opportunity to shoot in.
## Steps
1. **Close the Distance**: Begin by moving towards your opponent, using small steps to close the distance. Stay balanced and keep a low stance to prepare for the takedown.
2. **Level Change**: As you approach your opponent, perform a level change by bending your knees and lowering your hips. This helps you get into a position to attack their legs. Ensure your back remains straight and your head stays up.
3. **Penetration Step**: Step forward with your lead leg between your opponent's legs. Your rear foot should follow quickly, keeping your stance wide for balance. This step should be explosive to close the distance efficiently.
4. **Secure the Opponent's Legs**: Use both of your arms to wrap around the back of your opponent's knees. Your hands should clasp together behind their knees to secure their legs, pulling them towards you.
5. **Drive and Lift**: With your grip secured, drive forward using your legs and hips. Simultaneously, lift your opponent's legs by pulling upward with your arms. Your head should be positioned on the outside of their hip for control and balance.
6. **Finish the Takedown**: As you drive and lift, continue moving forward to unbalance your opponent. Follow through by pushing your opponent's upper body backward with your head and chest, causing them to fall onto their back.
7. **Secure Position**: Once your opponent is on the ground, immediately transition to a dominant position such as side control or mount. Maintain control to prevent them from recovering quickly.
## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember**:
- Keep your posture upright and back straight during the level change.
- Your head should be up throughout the technique to maintain balance and control.
- Ensure that your penetration step is deep enough to get close to your opponent's legs.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid**:
- Failing to perform a proper level change, which can lead to poor positioning and vulnerability to counters.
- Not securing a tight grip around your opponent’s legs, which can result in them defending the takedown.
- Allowing your head to drop, which compromises your balance and control during the technique.
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