Category Archives: Escapes

August 17, 2011

It’s Damn Good to Be Back

Monday, 8/15:

There’s something to be said for taking a two-week break from the mats, as much as I hated doing it. You come back with lots of energy and a renewed drive to push yourself all the way. Such was the case tonight, when I took my first serious BJJ class in two weeks, coming off an arm injury. I’m still not entirely sure what caused it, but somehow I managed to sprain a muscle in the forearm of my right arm. It’s not completely healed as of yet, but I just could not stay away from the mat any longer. There’s jiu-jitsu to be learned! And I dare say I made my first class back in the gym count.

Continue reading →

Leave a Comment

Filed under Escapes, Gi, Guard, Log, Sweeps

Tagged as , , ,

July 31, 2011

Love Saturday Morning Classes

Saturday, 7/30:

Title says it all. These classes leave me refreshed, ready to take on the day. I had an excellent partner whom I’ve seen in class but have not really rolled with before, and we both seriously tested one another’s limits. A testament to this is the fact that by the time class was 45 minutes in we both felt ready to bring up the previous night’s dinner. Always a good sign, right?

Continue reading →

Leave a Comment

Filed under Chokes, Drills, Escapes, Gi, Guard, Log, Side control

Tagged as

July 31, 2011

Hold the High Ground

Tuesday, 7/26:

King of the hill. I’ve always had respect for this training exercise, but I’ve never been able to “hold the hill” for more than a match or two. This time I did the best I’ve ever done at king of the hill. I was among the first 8 students on the mat, placed in the position to pass guard. After passing the guard I managed to land 2 triangles and a hip sweep, holding my spot on the hill. And boy was it tiring. Fortunately the exercise ended shortly after my 4th match — I doubt I could have gone much longer.

Our tech of the day was the basic pass from top half guard. Assume your right leg is trapped in half guard. Begin by underhooking your opponent’s left arm with your right, then getting your left arm under your opponent’s head, driving your left shoulder into his chin to force his head to his left. Next, place your forehead on the mat beside his head, on the same side that you have underhooked. Pop up onto the ball of the foot that is trapped. Use the foot of your other leg to hook in beside your trapped leg, pushing to create space. Use little popping movements to get your leg out, but try to keep your hips low so that you are not easily swept. Once your leg is free, slide right into top mount.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Escapes, Gi, Half-guard, Log

Tagged as ,

July 19, 2011

Resistance Is Futile

Tuesday, 6/12:
Another class upstairs. Maybe it’s a Tuesday thing?

For takedowns we drilled two variations of the single-leg. The first is a transition into the double-leg. Once in control of the leg with both of yours, take a step back to force your opponent to hop towards you. Bend your knees and reach down to wrap both arms around your opponent’s far knee. Drive forward, forcing your opponent back to the mat for the takedown. The second variation has a few more steps. Assume you’ve trapped your opponent’s right leg. Once the leg is secure, kick your left leg back, use your left hand to swing your partner’s leg out to your left, and bring your left leg around and inside. With your free (right) hand, grab the bottom of your right lapel to straighten it out, then bring the left hand up to grab your own collar. This secures the leg, making it very difficult for your opponent to step down. With your right hand, grab his lapel as you step behind his planted left foot, sweeping him for the takedown.

Guard training followed, during which I landed an armbar. Continue reading →

Leave a Comment

Filed under Escapes, Gi, Joint locks, Log, Takedowns

Tagged as

July 14, 2011

Learning to Fly (And Not in a Good Way)

Monday, 6/11:

For class today we practiced the full motion of the hip-throw. This is actually practice for both students: The one performing the technique, naturally, gets to practice the full motion. The one being thrown gets the chance to get acclimated with falling. I can safely say it’s going to take me a few dozen more lessons of this sort before I can say I’m getting “acclimated” to falling.

For the day’s technique we practiced standing up to open the guard via one of the techniques I’ve mentioned in previous posts (at least, I think I have). Then, step back while gripping the gi pants at your opponent’s ankles. Pulling the legs to one side, step out to the other. Keep your grips as you bring your near leg towards your opponent’s hip, placing your knee on top of it. The other leg stays posted out to keep the pressure on. Bring your arm around and under your partner’s head to control the upper body, then bring both your knees down to the ground to assume the side control.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Escapes, Gi, Guard, Log, Takedowns

July 4, 2011

Off the Face of the Planet

Wow. Where’d the week go? I was so busy this past week, I didn’t even realize I hadn’t been writing here until Thursday night. I made it to class on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Let’s see what I can still recall. I’m just going to throw my bits of memory out there, I have no idea what happened on what day.

Continue reading →

Leave a Comment

Filed under Drills, Escapes, Gi, Guard, Log, Musings, Sweeps

Tagged as ,

June 25, 2011

Basic Guard Break

Friday, 6/25:

Nothing new really here. And I’m fine with that. We trained osoto-gari and the hip throw, and I’m starting to see these techniques in a new light. Small adjustments here and there are making them tighter and more accurate every time I drill them. Following this we worked on guard and side-control training. From the guard I managed to land the armbar transition from the failed triangle.

The technique we worked on was breaking the guard and standing up. I just realized I’ve never documented this one, so here goes. Start off holding both lapels with one hand, and one of your opponent’s sleeve on the same side with the other. Stand up, with a wide base. Transfer the sleeve cuff to the hand that was holding the lapels. The free hand pushes down on the knee on the same side, until the guard opens. Immediately step back with the foot on the same side as the knee you pushed on, to make sure you don’t get swept. Keep your posture the whole time!

Leave a Comment

Filed under Escapes, Gi, Guard, Log

Tagged as

June 21, 2011

Motivation Renewed

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.
Continue reading →

Leave a Comment

Filed under Escapes, Gi, Log, Side control

June 16, 2011

One Step Closer

Had a feeling this was going to happen, though I’d sort of decided I didn’t want it to happen this week. Maybe that’s the secret: once you decide you don’t want something, you get it. Some variant of Murphy’s Law? I’ve decided: I don’t want to be a billionaire.

Continue reading →

Leave a Comment

Filed under Escapes, Gi, Log, Media, Mount, Musings, Pictures, Promotions

Tagged as

June 10, 2011

Wrapping Up the Week

A change of pace to finish up the week — nice. Class started with the usual warm-ups, yes. Following this we drilled single-leg takedowns. The first one was the transition into the double-leg: start with the single-leg, then step back to force your opponent off-balance. As she jumps towards you, step forward, bend at the knees (keeping her first leg held between them), and extend both hands to grab the far knee and drive forward for the takedown.

The second takedown was new to me. After getting the single leg trapped between yours, swing your inside leg out. Your inside arm comes around to underhook the leg from the outside, near the ankle. Lift the leg up high, as the outside arm underhooks your opponent’s near arm, clasps over the top of the shoulder, and pulls down. This circular motion should bring your opponent down. If not, use your outside leg as a stop behind the planted heel or your inside leg to sweep to help you get your opponent down.

Continue reading →

Leave a Comment

Filed under Back/Turtle, Escapes, Gi, Guard, Log, Sweeps, Takedowns

Tagged as