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: Log
Side-Control Saturday: Sneaky Set-Ups
After the guard, top side-control is easily my favorite position. There are lots of options for attacks and setups. The array of possibilities is literally laid out in front of me, as my opponent is prone on the mat. From a transitional perspective, I can still move to other versions of side control (kuzure kesa-gatame, knee-on-belly, etc.), spin to the other side, or climb to mount.
It’s no surprise, then, that classes teaching offensive side control are among my favorites. Saturday’s no-gi class was such a session.
Filed under Chokes, Joint locks, Log, No-Gi, Side control
Ride Into Obsession
“Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.” That’s one of my favorite sayings. Most things can be good in moderation. Excessive overuse, however, will turn even something good for you into something bad. For the most part I try to take wisdom from this adage when it comes to things I like doing.
That being said, I’m clearly addicted to BJJ in a bad way, and it can’t be stopped. On or off the mat, I’m constantly thinking about it. Looking up ways to tweak my techniques, replaying the previous night’s class(es) and sparring sessions in my mind, thinking of what I want to work on and what I can or should try next class. I even obsess over things that aren’t directly about rolling, like when I’m going to workout to improve my pathetic excuse for cardio, or if I am finally going to start taking private lessons, or when I should compete, or how I’m going to manage to make it to at least 3 classes a week when I’m so busy with three jobs. See? Obsessing.
But enough about that. On to interesting stuff (i.e., techniques):
Filed under Half-guard, Log, Musings, Sweeps, X-guard
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.