Technical Stand-Up

What it is

The technical stand up is the safe way to get from the mat to your feet. You sit up on one hand, post the opposite foot, lift your hips and swing the free leg back behind you, so a hand or foot is always between you and the opponent. It is used every time you need to stand against someone who is standing or coming at you.

When to use it

• They stand up over your open guard and you want to get back to your feet before they pass.
• After a sweep or a scramble where you came up to the seated position and they are still standing.
• Any moment you are on your back with distance and need to stand without turning your back.

How to do it

1. Sit up on one side and post the hand behind you, fingers pointing away from you.
2. Plant the foot on the opposite side, flat on the mat with the knee bent, and keep the other hand up as a frame in front of you.
3. Lift your hips off the mat by pushing through the posted hand and the planted foot.
4. Swing the free leg back under you, through the space you just made, and put the foot down behind you.
5. Stand up into your stance, hands up, facing them, and only then let the posting hand come off the mat.

Key details

• Opposite hand and foot: post the right hand, plant the left foot, swing the right leg back.
• The free hand frames the whole time, so they cannot grab your head or step in as you rise.
• Keep your eyes on them. Never turn your back or look at the mat while you stand.
• The leg swings back, not forward, so you rise in a stance rather than standing square.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: standing straight up with both hands pushing off the mat. You are bent over with no frame and they shoot or push you back down.
• Mistake: posting the same side hand and foot. There is no space for the leg to swing and you fall sideways.
• Mistake: turning away as you rise. They take your back or trip you from behind.

What they will try

• They push your posted shoulder down or grab the collar and drive you back to the mat before the hips lift.
• They trip or grab the planted foot as it comes down and finish a sweep or takedown.