I’m behind on my posts. Trying to catch up. Here’s Monday, 6/20:
The articles and forum threads I’ve been reading about BJJ competition are true: it really does put things into perspective regarding your weaknesses. I went to Grapplers Quest on Saturday, and my experience there made me resolve to step up my game. There’s an upcoming post dedicated to the event (including pictures and videos), once I get a chance to write it. Stay tuned.
Had a fun class last night. Went the whole thing with my mouth guard in. We’re slowly becoming fast friends. I even trained in the sauna room (that’s what I call the outer small mat room ’cause it’s so hot). I told my partner I was envious of his cardio when I saw he wasn’t breathing nearly as hard after some drills. He told me he was jealous of my technique. Not sure what he was thinking — I felt like I could barely pull anything off with him.
After our usual drills we went for our takedowns. We drilled the double leg, though the entry was not from sleeve-and-collar grip. Instead we started a little further away, and parried both our partner’s hands downward and out as we shot in with a squat or knee to the ground. A good, practical variation.
Following some guard training the instructor taught a side control escape by going to the knees. This is one I’m a fan of, but haven’t had much luck with in gi BJJ. Beginning with the usual frame on neck and hip, bridge into your opponent. This is an important distinction I hadn’t made in the past, which one of the purple belts assisting the instructor pointed out to me today. Bridge onto the shoulder closer to your opponent, then swim your far arm inside and get a deep underhook. Bridge up again and reverse shrimp to pull yourself out from beneath your partner, going to your knees and wrapping your arms around the near leg. Drive forward, grabbing for the far leg as well to get the double-leg takedown and secure the top position.
Useful tip: If your near arm is trapped by your opponent’s leg when in side control, bridge onto the shoulder away from your partner and slip the elbow in.