Keep it close. Leave no space for your opponent to move. My partner today was serious about this, and I’m inspired to concentrate on this in my upcoming training sessions. Stop worrying about those submissions. Start focusing on that control. Make it so your opponent is constantly uncomfortable. Keep the pressure on.
Category Archives: Gi
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.
Review
Today’s class was basically a recap for me. We started off with our warm-ups, including some extra push-ups (joy). Class went on to include osoto-gari and hip-throw training. Guard specific training was tough with my incredibly tall partner. Breaking the guard of someone who can hold a 6′ guy in standing guard with most of his body still on the mat is no joke. I got swept once or twice. Once, I got both my arms outside of the guard and went to stack and pass, but as soon as I came around my weight was too far forward and I got swept.
The technique for the day was the standard side mount escape I mentioned in this article. Still having a little trouble with it, but getting better, I think. This was followed again by side-control training. I nailed another breadcutter choke, but I got caught in a key lock. Managed a sweep from bottom side-mount, but also trapped myself in a bottom half-guard again that I could not get out of. Still very much concerned about my stamina.
Weight after class: 188.0 lbs.
Filed under Escapes, Gi, Log, Side control
Not Just For the Sport
Last night’s instructor reminded us that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not just a sport: it is a martial art with applicable self-defense techniques. Instead of takedowns, we started off with a defense against the headlock.
Filed under Back/Turtle, Chokes, Escapes, Gi, Joint locks, Log, Self-defense, Side control, Takedowns
The Details Matter
This time I didn’t get to put up two posts on time, so here’s Tuesday, May 31st‘s post:
Today’s instructor went over the finer details of the scissor sweep with us. After warm-ups and takedown drills he had everyone that knew the sweep demonstrate it. He then went over our mistakes, tweaking a grip, pointing out the flaw in a foot position. Continue reading