Introduction to the Safe Rolling Alternative

Nick Ortiz introduces a safer alternative to the traditional Kani Basami, addressing a common problem where practitioners injure their partners by jumping into the legs without proper weight distribution. The focus of this lesson is on rolling safely into the legs from a single-leg defensive position, emphasizing injury prevention through proper technique.

Understanding the Traditional Kani Basami

The proper execution of the Kani Basami (flying scissor takedown) begins with the defender placing their rear hand on the mat first to unweight their back leg. Many practitioners make the critical error of jumping directly into the scissor without this hand placement, causing their full body weight to crash into the opponent's knee, resulting in potential injury.

The Dangerous Mistake to Avoid

A common error occurs when practitioners jump into the scissor without establishing proper hand placement on the mat. This reckless execution concentrates dangerous impact force directly onto the side of the opponent's knee, making it a high-risk technique that frequently results in injury.

Establishing Proper Control from Single-Leg Defense

The safer alternative begins with the defender maintaining a wizard grip on the far wrist to prevent the opponent from locking around the waist or circling to the back. This dual-point control—wizard grip and far-wrist grip—creates a strong defensive foundation before initiating any rolling motion.

Foot Alignment and Torso Control

The defender hops to align their feet in a straight line with their opponent's feet. They then establish control on both ends of the opponent's torso by placing one hand on the near-side wrist and the other hand on the far-side lat, creating comprehensive upper-body control.

The Rolling Motion and Head Positioning

Maintaining proper head position is critical to avoiding a dangerous spike. The defender must look upward toward the ceiling throughout the entire rolling motion rather than looking down at the mat, ensuring their head remains safely positioned during the transition.

Completing the Roll and Leg Collection

After rolling over the shoulder while maintaining gaze toward the ceiling, the defender easily transitions to collecting the opponent's second leg. This smooth progression leads naturally into a dominant cross-leg Ashigarami position without the need for any jumping or sudden impact.

Finishing Position: Cross-Leg Ashigarami

From the successful roll, the defender secures the cross-leg Ashigarami by placing one hand on the ankle and the other hand over the knee, while connecting their own feet together to lock in the submission. This position provides complete control with minimal risk to either practitioner.

Nick Ortiz teaching an alternative to the Kani Basami(rolling into the legs from single leg defense)

Nick Ortiz Jiu Jitsu

Standard Kani Basami

2 min read·8 key moments·PT4M42S video

Key Takeaways

•Introduction to the Safe Rolling Alternative
•Understanding the Traditional Kani Basami
•The Dangerous Mistake to Avoid
•Establishing Proper Control from Single-Leg Defense

Nick Ortiz demonstrating rolling into the legs from single leg defense. A practical and safe way in the training room when looking to avoid injury from moves such as Kani Basami. I don't believe that Kani Basami should be taken away as a tool, but rather studied and drilled (ina controlled setting) to be perfected. In order to optimize its effectiveness. #Bteam #BTeam #ufc #mma #judo #NickOrtiz #nickortiz #bjj #jiujitsu #wrestling #grappling #jjb #singleleg #kanibasami #nogi #NoGI

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about standard kani basami?

This video covers introduction to the safe rolling alternative, understanding the traditional kani basami, the dangerous mistake to avoid. It provides detailed instruction from Nick Ortiz Jiu Jitsu.

How long does it take to learn standard kani basami?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 8-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.