Any time a training partner points out to me that I had an opportunity to sink in a collar choke, I immediately explain that I avoid them like the plague. It’s true – I often won’t go near collar chokes, as I find I have a very difficult time finishing them. That being said, this next technique is one of my favorite lapel chokes. That’s not to say I’m good at it, ’cause I’m not. I simply like setting this one up, even if I can’t finish it. It’s one of those moves where you seem to be giving up control and putting yourself in a bad spot, but if done correctly you will be safe the whole time.
Category Archives: Gi
Grapplers Quest – March 24th & 25th, 2012
As a four-stripe white belt for a couple of months now, the threat of a blue belt has been floating ominously over my head. I know you’re thinking, “Is this guy nuts? Blue belt isn’t something to fear, it’s an accomplishment!” While I don’t disagree, as it’s something I’ve been wanting for the past 6 years or so, at the same time receiving my blue belt would put the kibosh on gi competition for me for a while. Let’s face it – I’m no BJJ prodigy, and I only get about 4.5 hours a week to practice, on average. There’s no way as a newly-anointed blue belt I would be able to compete in a gi division with people who may have had their blue belts for 1-3 years already (and likely on the verge of receiving their purple belts). I don’t fancy the idea of sandbagging either. So I knew I had to compete at least one last time as a white belt, and I would have to do it soon.
Filed under Competition, Gi, Media, No-Gi, Videos
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?
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.
Filed under Escapes, Gi, Half-guard, Log
Starting the Week Off Right
Monday, 7/25:
We went over some basics in class today. Following our usual warm-ups, came osoto-gari and double-leg takedown drills. Then after some guard training we worked on submissions from guard: the simple collar choke and the armbar.
Submissions landed during training: 2 leg triangles, one collar choke from guard.
Filed under Chokes, Gi, Guard, Joint locks, Log
11-on-1
Thursday, 7/21:
Thursday’s class was unique insofar as my previous experiences at RGA go. Following warm-ups and takedowns our brown belt instructor had all 11 white belts in the class line up along the wall. He then explained to us the activity we’d be partaking in for most of the class. One by one, each white belt was to get in his guard and attempt to pass, as he tried to sweep or submit. We spent the next 20-30 minutes doing this, each white belt going once.