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?
Maybe I’m imagining things, but it seems like lately the instructors have been really pushing us with rolling. Whereas before we’d roll a bit, learn a technique, then roll some more, then take a break to refine technique a little or try a different exercise/drill, I feel like now, aside from warm-ups, takedowns, and learning techniques, we spend the rest of the class rolling straight through. I’m not complaining — I think it’s great for cardio. And of course they grant us time for water breaks. But man does it leave me beat!
The technique we went over was a bottom side control escape. It began the normal way, with framing on the neck and hip, then using the hip escape to make space and bring in the knee to recover guard. However, the instructor addressed what to do if the opponent blocks the bottom knee from recovering guard. In this case, while still framing one hand on the hip, use the other hand to push the head away and swing the top leg around, placing it on your opponent’s near shoulder, against the head. In this position your opponent cannot pass in either direction, as you will simply turn with her. Once you feel the opportunity is right, bump and turn into your opponent, grab anything quickly, and pull her back into closed guard.
After class a blue belt I know asked me to come over to an open mat and help him introduce a friend of his to BJJ. We went over basic positions and submissions, and I learned some new tricks and techniques.
One was a way to break your opponent’s posture when you have guard. Assume your opponent’s right arm is posted on your chest for posture. With your right hand, assume a cross-collar grip. Then, with your left arm, get a grip on the lapel just below your right hand. Make sure to place your left elbow on top and inside, that is to your right, of the crook of his elbow. Using both hands as well as your legs, pull your opponent towards you. The pressure of your elbow on the crook of his will collapse the arm, and you will bring his posture right down.
A setup I learned for the triangle from guard: If again your partner’s right arm is posted on your chest for posture, grab the cuff with your right hand. Then, going under her right tricep with your left hand, grab her lapel on her right side. Next, bring your left foot up onto her right hip. Push with the foot as you pull with your hands, allowing you complete control of her right side. Now, using your right leg, begin testily pushing at her left arm on the bicep. When the time is right, snap your right leg up and your left leg off her hip, pulling her in to lock in the triangle choke.