Technique
Side Control
Scarf Hold
Reverse Scarf Hold
North South
Concept
Pinning
Transitioning
Today we split the class into two. One group focused on the arm bar, triangle, omaplata combination whilst the other group were introduced to 'side control techniques'. The individual holds were introduced and we then introduced the transitions between the different holds.
Side Control (Mune Gatame)
Scarf Hold (Kuzure Kesa Gatame)
Reverse Scarf Hold (Ushiro Kesa Gatame)
North South Hold (Kami Shiho Gatame)
The only hold we have analysed in detail thus far is side control. If you recall, the emphasis is to create and maintain '100 kilos' of pressure on your opponent. In today's class we looked at each hold in transition, the plan is to analyse each hold in further detail, examining the intricacies, escapes and submissions for each hold.
Saturday, 27 March 2010
22nd March 2010
Thanks to those who made the class today, if you read the previous post you'll see a review of the arm bar, triangle arm bar defence flow drill.
Sunday, 21 March 2010
18th March 2010
Technique
Arm Bar Defence
Omaplata
Concept
Transitioning
Today we had a small group so we went a bit 'off topic' and had a looked at some flow drills designed to train the abilty to transition from one technique to another.
So far the group has trained two submissions, the arm bar and to a lesser extent the triangle, both from closed guard. Escapes are incredibly important in Jiu Jitsu and the plan is to spend a lot of time ensuring we have the ability to escape from each offensive position we train.
BJ Penn illlustrates the defence below (apologies for the no-gi clips, but these are the best I've seen):
BJ Penn uses the non arm barred arm to grab his partner's leg, behind the knee. We drilled this escape but also drilled it without grabbing the leg. This allows the opportunity to reach around the leg and secure a pass or a collar choke.
We then drilled a counter to this defence and introduced a new submission, the omoplata. and worked this into a 'flow drill'.
We used this new submission create a flow drill, this drill can be trained in a number of ways, for example we drilled the arm bar to omaplata to triangle. BJ Penn in the clip below trains the arm bar to triangle and then omaplata.
Transitioning is incredibly important to your Jiu Jitsu, in essence its the ability to move from one submission, position or defence to another.
We worked this flow drill numerous times and ended the session with two five minute rounds of sparring. This is considerably less sparring then we normaly do, but sometimes its worth sacrificing rolling time to drill specific techniques.
Arm Bar Defence
Omaplata
Concept
Transitioning
Today we had a small group so we went a bit 'off topic' and had a looked at some flow drills designed to train the abilty to transition from one technique to another.
So far the group has trained two submissions, the arm bar and to a lesser extent the triangle, both from closed guard. Escapes are incredibly important in Jiu Jitsu and the plan is to spend a lot of time ensuring we have the ability to escape from each offensive position we train.
BJ Penn illlustrates the defence below (apologies for the no-gi clips, but these are the best I've seen):
BJ Penn uses the non arm barred arm to grab his partner's leg, behind the knee. We drilled this escape but also drilled it without grabbing the leg. This allows the opportunity to reach around the leg and secure a pass or a collar choke.
We then drilled a counter to this defence and introduced a new submission, the omoplata. and worked this into a 'flow drill'.
We used this new submission create a flow drill, this drill can be trained in a number of ways, for example we drilled the arm bar to omaplata to triangle. BJ Penn in the clip below trains the arm bar to triangle and then omaplata.
Transitioning is incredibly important to your Jiu Jitsu, in essence its the ability to move from one submission, position or defence to another.
We worked this flow drill numerous times and ended the session with two five minute rounds of sparring. This is considerably less sparring then we normaly do, but sometimes its worth sacrificing rolling time to drill specific techniques.
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Workshop Review 2
March 15th 2010
Technique
Triangle
Today we did a further review of the workshop held by Henrique Santana with a focus on the Triangle submission. We warmed up with some flow-rolling and again drilled the arm bar and scissor sweep. As we had more time than in the workshop we were able to break down the technique into its component parts. There are many way to teach the triangle, with the closed guard opportunity either arising from an attempted guard break or something you initiate yourself. We trained it from both perspectives but used a series of 'steps' to execute the technique:
1. Catch
After you have isolated an arm the hips explode to allow the legs to catch above and behind your opponent's neck.
2. Close
The isolated arm is brought across your opponent's body and the legs are closed to secure the position.
3. Angle
The optimum position for the submission is perpendicular to your opponent, not head on. By grabbing your shin which is across the back of the head of your opponent with you hand you can maintain the position. The other leg can then be used to help push you round to create the angle. You can also use your other arm to underhook your opponent's leg to help gain this angle.
4. Submission
Two options here.
A. Once you have the angle you replace the leg, maintain the underhook and pull your own shin. The hips are then brought up to create pressure on the outside and back of the neck which cuts of the blood supply to the brain.
B. You can also opt to pull the head down whilst raising your hips to create the same pressure.
5. Variables
There is often much debate about the correct application of the Triangle. Some advocate pulling the head, and others stressing the angle is the 'correct' way to apply the submission. Ryan Hall favours the above approach and he popularised the above 'steps'. Through experience we have even seen that the angle can result in a submission without the need to pull anything.
Our view is that if you can secure the angle then this allows for an easier submission, but if the opportunity to submit by pulling the head arises, even without the angle, then take it.
We finished the six three minute rounds of positional sparring, from the closed guard. The idea here was for the person in the closed guard to execute the scissor sweep, arm bar or triangle. Whilst the person on top attempted to open the closed guard and pass.
Technique
Triangle
Today we did a further review of the workshop held by Henrique Santana with a focus on the Triangle submission. We warmed up with some flow-rolling and again drilled the arm bar and scissor sweep. As we had more time than in the workshop we were able to break down the technique into its component parts. There are many way to teach the triangle, with the closed guard opportunity either arising from an attempted guard break or something you initiate yourself. We trained it from both perspectives but used a series of 'steps' to execute the technique:
1. Catch
After you have isolated an arm the hips explode to allow the legs to catch above and behind your opponent's neck.
2. Close
The isolated arm is brought across your opponent's body and the legs are closed to secure the position.
3. Angle
The optimum position for the submission is perpendicular to your opponent, not head on. By grabbing your shin which is across the back of the head of your opponent with you hand you can maintain the position. The other leg can then be used to help push you round to create the angle. You can also use your other arm to underhook your opponent's leg to help gain this angle.
4. Submission
Two options here.
A. Once you have the angle you replace the leg, maintain the underhook and pull your own shin. The hips are then brought up to create pressure on the outside and back of the neck which cuts of the blood supply to the brain.
B. You can also opt to pull the head down whilst raising your hips to create the same pressure.
5. Variables
There is often much debate about the correct application of the Triangle. Some advocate pulling the head, and others stressing the angle is the 'correct' way to apply the submission. Ryan Hall favours the above approach and he popularised the above 'steps'. Through experience we have even seen that the angle can result in a submission without the need to pull anything.
Our view is that if you can secure the angle then this allows for an easier submission, but if the opportunity to submit by pulling the head arises, even without the angle, then take it.
We finished the six three minute rounds of positional sparring, from the closed guard. The idea here was for the person in the closed guard to execute the scissor sweep, arm bar or triangle. Whilst the person on top attempted to open the closed guard and pass.
Friday, 12 March 2010
Workshop Review 1
March 11th 2010
Tonight we did a simple review of some of the techniques which were introduced to the group during Henrique's workshop earlier in the week. By re-visting the collar and sleeve grip we recapped the arm bar and scissor sweep and emphasised the possibility of switching from one technique to another with little adjustment to the hands.
The review was followed by some flow-rolling and then three five minute rounds of sparring.
Thursdays class was fairly small so we'll be reviewing these techniques again next week when more people are in attendance.
Tonight we did a simple review of some of the techniques which were introduced to the group during Henrique's workshop earlier in the week. By re-visting the collar and sleeve grip we recapped the arm bar and scissor sweep and emphasised the possibility of switching from one technique to another with little adjustment to the hands.
The review was followed by some flow-rolling and then three five minute rounds of sparring.
Thursdays class was fairly small so we'll be reviewing these techniques again next week when more people are in attendance.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Workshop with Henrique "Lagartixa" Santana
March 8th 2010
I first met Henrique Santana in December 2006 at a gym in central London. I had been practising Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for about 6 months prior, so although I had some knowledge I was still very 'green', very much a white belt. At that time Henrique, or "Lagar" as I would call him, was a purple belt and he had just set out on the path to become a Jiu Jitsu instructor. I'm proud to say that I was his first student so it means a lot to me to introduce him, a few years later, to my own training group at North10 BJJ.
Henrique introdcued himself to the group and I could sense that things were slighty more tense than usual. I guess its not surprising as this is the first Black Belt that the guys had met. Henrique's plan was to give the group a broad picture of Jiu Jitsu which encompassed a takedown, two closed guard submissions, a sweep and a guard pass. Quite a lot to get through in one lesson but incredibly useful.
Ground Defence
The first technique was self-defence orientated and it began with your opponent pushing you to the ground. Henrique illustrated a break-fall to slow the impact of your body meeting the floor. Once on the floor you were approached by your assailant but you defended a ground attack by placing one hand in front of you and one leg to kick and keep you assailant at bay, once a safe distance had been created you would use the Jiu Jitsu 'stand up technique' to return to a standing position. This 'stand up technique' consists of planting for example your right hand on the floor whilst your left hand defends. Your kicking leg would be your right leg which would then swing through underneath your body to allow you to stand up.
The self-defence aspect of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is often neglected, but it's important to realise that first and foremost it's martial art, a system of self-defence, the sport aspect has been a much more recent addition.
Takedown
Henrique continued this self-defence aspect by introducing a hip throw takedown from a collar grab.
Arm Bar
We then worked the arm bar from closed guard, the group is of course familiar with this, but Henrique illustrated the technique with a small adjustment in the placement of the hands. He took a sleeve and lapel grip and executed the submission from there. We also did this closed guard submission when your opponent stands up in your guard.
Scissor Sweep
This sleeve and lapel grip is important as it highlighted the fact the same submission can be executed from a variety of positions. It also highlighted the fact that it can be utilised to execute a sweep, in this case the scissor sweep. The lapel and sleeve are gripped whilst you escape your hips, the knee and shin of one leg are placed across your opponents stomach with the knee facing the sleeve grip, the other leg is brought to the floor sitting outside your opponents knee. Your opponent is brought towards you to break his base, the leg across the stomach thrusts forward and the leg on the floor thrusts backwards in a scissor motion. You follow your opponent and take the mount position.
Triangle
Finally this sleeve and lapel grip was also used to execute the triangle choke from closed guard. The opportunity to apply the submission was created by your opponent posturing and attempting to open the guard by reaching back and apply pressure to a leg. We have touched on the triangle but it is something we will certainly be practising over the next few weeks.
Standing Sweep
Henrique then changed the focus and illustrated a sweep when your opponent stands up in your guard. The idea is to control your opponent's legs by taking an over and under-hook around his/her ankle. The guard is then opened slightly and the hips thrust forward to break you opponent's balance resulting in the sweep. Using your opponent's momentum also created the opportunity to sweep directly to mount.
Guard Pass and Choke
The technical aspect of the workshop was completed by Henrique illustrating a guard pass/choke combination. This was applied either from a closed guard break or from your opponent attempting a submission, typically an arm bar or triangle. One hand would control your opponent's posture by grabbing his/her lapels directly under the chin. The other hand would take an under-hook of your opponents leg, bringing it to your shoulder. At the the same time it's important to ensure the other snakes down with the elbow below just outside your opponents groin to prevent the arm bar or triangle. The posture breaking hand would take a grip of one lapel, with the fingers inside, whilst the other hand would take a grip around the leg and across the throat with the thumb inside. Sprawling and applying pressure forward would result in a guard pass, whilst applying pressure to the throat would result in a choke.
After a brief break Henrique and I took the mat and did fifteen minutes of 'King of the Hill'.
The workshop ended with two five minute rounds of sparring.
Henrique gave excellent feedback on the energy, attitude and ability of everyone in the group, particularly as some have only been training for little over a month, impressive stuff, well done all.
I first met Henrique Santana in December 2006 at a gym in central London. I had been practising Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for about 6 months prior, so although I had some knowledge I was still very 'green', very much a white belt. At that time Henrique, or "Lagar" as I would call him, was a purple belt and he had just set out on the path to become a Jiu Jitsu instructor. I'm proud to say that I was his first student so it means a lot to me to introduce him, a few years later, to my own training group at North10 BJJ.
Henrique introdcued himself to the group and I could sense that things were slighty more tense than usual. I guess its not surprising as this is the first Black Belt that the guys had met. Henrique's plan was to give the group a broad picture of Jiu Jitsu which encompassed a takedown, two closed guard submissions, a sweep and a guard pass. Quite a lot to get through in one lesson but incredibly useful.
Ground Defence
The first technique was self-defence orientated and it began with your opponent pushing you to the ground. Henrique illustrated a break-fall to slow the impact of your body meeting the floor. Once on the floor you were approached by your assailant but you defended a ground attack by placing one hand in front of you and one leg to kick and keep you assailant at bay, once a safe distance had been created you would use the Jiu Jitsu 'stand up technique' to return to a standing position. This 'stand up technique' consists of planting for example your right hand on the floor whilst your left hand defends. Your kicking leg would be your right leg which would then swing through underneath your body to allow you to stand up.
The self-defence aspect of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is often neglected, but it's important to realise that first and foremost it's martial art, a system of self-defence, the sport aspect has been a much more recent addition.
Takedown
Henrique continued this self-defence aspect by introducing a hip throw takedown from a collar grab.
Arm Bar
We then worked the arm bar from closed guard, the group is of course familiar with this, but Henrique illustrated the technique with a small adjustment in the placement of the hands. He took a sleeve and lapel grip and executed the submission from there. We also did this closed guard submission when your opponent stands up in your guard.
Scissor Sweep
This sleeve and lapel grip is important as it highlighted the fact the same submission can be executed from a variety of positions. It also highlighted the fact that it can be utilised to execute a sweep, in this case the scissor sweep. The lapel and sleeve are gripped whilst you escape your hips, the knee and shin of one leg are placed across your opponents stomach with the knee facing the sleeve grip, the other leg is brought to the floor sitting outside your opponents knee. Your opponent is brought towards you to break his base, the leg across the stomach thrusts forward and the leg on the floor thrusts backwards in a scissor motion. You follow your opponent and take the mount position.
Triangle
Finally this sleeve and lapel grip was also used to execute the triangle choke from closed guard. The opportunity to apply the submission was created by your opponent posturing and attempting to open the guard by reaching back and apply pressure to a leg. We have touched on the triangle but it is something we will certainly be practising over the next few weeks.
Standing Sweep
Henrique then changed the focus and illustrated a sweep when your opponent stands up in your guard. The idea is to control your opponent's legs by taking an over and under-hook around his/her ankle. The guard is then opened slightly and the hips thrust forward to break you opponent's balance resulting in the sweep. Using your opponent's momentum also created the opportunity to sweep directly to mount.
Guard Pass and Choke
The technical aspect of the workshop was completed by Henrique illustrating a guard pass/choke combination. This was applied either from a closed guard break or from your opponent attempting a submission, typically an arm bar or triangle. One hand would control your opponent's posture by grabbing his/her lapels directly under the chin. The other hand would take an under-hook of your opponents leg, bringing it to your shoulder. At the the same time it's important to ensure the other snakes down with the elbow below just outside your opponents groin to prevent the arm bar or triangle. The posture breaking hand would take a grip of one lapel, with the fingers inside, whilst the other hand would take a grip around the leg and across the throat with the thumb inside. Sprawling and applying pressure forward would result in a guard pass, whilst applying pressure to the throat would result in a choke.
After a brief break Henrique and I took the mat and did fifteen minutes of 'King of the Hill'.
The workshop ended with two five minute rounds of sparring.
Henrique gave excellent feedback on the energy, attitude and ability of everyone in the group, particularly as some have only been training for little over a month, impressive stuff, well done all.
Friday, 5 March 2010
March 4th 2010
Technique
Knee on belly
Side control
Concepts
Pinning
Position vs. submission
Bodyweight distribution
'Dynamism'
Today we focused on the 'top game' aspect of Jiu Jitsu and introduced the positions of 'knee on belly' and 'side control'.
Both of these positions can be described as 'pins'. Now Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a very active grappling system with the emphasis placed upon submission and effectively finishing your opponent. However, before a successful submission can be applied it is necessary to manoeuvre yourself into the optimum dominant position whilst placing your opponent in the optimum disadvantageous position. For example, we have drilled the closed guard extensively, by breaking your opponent's posture and having a high active guard you have placed your opponent at a disadvantage whilst giving yourself the advantage, it is from the dominant position that the arm bar can be applied. So before we start delving into top position submissions we have to ensure that we have established the correct position.
The knee on belly position can be executed from two scenarios, from a transition from a guard pass or from side control. From the guard pass we emphasised the correct body alignment and placing of the knee, but an often overlooked aspect is the driving of the hip forward, it is this more anything which creates forward pressure and thus allows you to control your opponent and successfully pin.
From side control the idea is also to pin, and yes the hips are still integral to this. However, you may find that you have more grip control in this position so creating downward pressure with your knee and hips whilst creating upward pressure by pulling the collar and belt/top of trousers is vital.
We then looked in great detail at side control, most of the group is familiar with the correct position, but the most important aspect we stressed is weight distribution. You will often hear the term '100 kilos' and it means that no mater what your actual weight is, your opponent should feel as if they 100 kg sitting on them. 'Active toes', 'hips down', 'dick in the floor'... all very strange sounding instructions but absolutely necessary if the position is to be executed properly.
The second point we stressed was that although this is a pin, it must be a dynamic pin, Jiu Jitsu is never still, so you must never be static. You must anticipate and react when to your opponent attempts to escape, Octavio Couto Jr, gives an excellent explanation:
We then moved onto some positional sparring from side control. The focus was not on escaping as such, but more on maintaining pressure and the side control position whilst your opponent is active.
We ended the class with a few rounds of sparring, well done guys.
Knee on belly
Side control
Concepts
Pinning
Position vs. submission
Bodyweight distribution
'Dynamism'
Today we focused on the 'top game' aspect of Jiu Jitsu and introduced the positions of 'knee on belly' and 'side control'.
Both of these positions can be described as 'pins'. Now Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a very active grappling system with the emphasis placed upon submission and effectively finishing your opponent. However, before a successful submission can be applied it is necessary to manoeuvre yourself into the optimum dominant position whilst placing your opponent in the optimum disadvantageous position. For example, we have drilled the closed guard extensively, by breaking your opponent's posture and having a high active guard you have placed your opponent at a disadvantage whilst giving yourself the advantage, it is from the dominant position that the arm bar can be applied. So before we start delving into top position submissions we have to ensure that we have established the correct position.
The knee on belly position can be executed from two scenarios, from a transition from a guard pass or from side control. From the guard pass we emphasised the correct body alignment and placing of the knee, but an often overlooked aspect is the driving of the hip forward, it is this more anything which creates forward pressure and thus allows you to control your opponent and successfully pin.
From side control the idea is also to pin, and yes the hips are still integral to this. However, you may find that you have more grip control in this position so creating downward pressure with your knee and hips whilst creating upward pressure by pulling the collar and belt/top of trousers is vital.
We then looked in great detail at side control, most of the group is familiar with the correct position, but the most important aspect we stressed is weight distribution. You will often hear the term '100 kilos' and it means that no mater what your actual weight is, your opponent should feel as if they 100 kg sitting on them. 'Active toes', 'hips down', 'dick in the floor'... all very strange sounding instructions but absolutely necessary if the position is to be executed properly.
The second point we stressed was that although this is a pin, it must be a dynamic pin, Jiu Jitsu is never still, so you must never be static. You must anticipate and react when to your opponent attempts to escape, Octavio Couto Jr, gives an excellent explanation:
We then moved onto some positional sparring from side control. The focus was not on escaping as such, but more on maintaining pressure and the side control position whilst your opponent is active.
We ended the class with a few rounds of sparring, well done guys.
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
March 1st 2010
Happy anniversary!
Congratulations, if you're reading this post it's likely that you've been training with the group for about a month now. There is an incredibly high drop out rate in Jiu Jitsu which isn't surprising as it's a tough martial art, so well done, you've lasted longer that a lot of people. Hopefully this first four weeks has given you an insight into Jiu Jitsu, I must say that the commitment and hard work has been impressive thus far, keep up the good work.
Last nights session saw more consolidation, more drilling the closed guard, arm bar, closed guard break and standing and knee through guard passes. I know it can be repetitive, but it really is the best way to learn. Have no fear though, we'll be learning some great new positions, concepts and techniques over the coming weeks, there'll be plenty of new stuff for you to get confused about.
Another great way to learn is visually, so I volunteered myself to spar with everyone for three minutes one after the other. There were five guys in total so not too many, hopefully you were able to see me applying the techniques, concepts and principles during the various rounds.
We ended the session with a couple of rounds of sparring, so nothing too stressful last night, I'm saving that for Thursday, hope to see you then!
Congratulations, if you're reading this post it's likely that you've been training with the group for about a month now. There is an incredibly high drop out rate in Jiu Jitsu which isn't surprising as it's a tough martial art, so well done, you've lasted longer that a lot of people. Hopefully this first four weeks has given you an insight into Jiu Jitsu, I must say that the commitment and hard work has been impressive thus far, keep up the good work.
Last nights session saw more consolidation, more drilling the closed guard, arm bar, closed guard break and standing and knee through guard passes. I know it can be repetitive, but it really is the best way to learn. Have no fear though, we'll be learning some great new positions, concepts and techniques over the coming weeks, there'll be plenty of new stuff for you to get confused about.
Another great way to learn is visually, so I volunteered myself to spar with everyone for three minutes one after the other. There were five guys in total so not too many, hopefully you were able to see me applying the techniques, concepts and principles during the various rounds.
We ended the session with a couple of rounds of sparring, so nothing too stressful last night, I'm saving that for Thursday, hope to see you then!
Saturday, 27 February 2010
One step forward, two steps back
February 25th 2010
We had a relatively small class today with a couple of new attendees. This presented an ideal opportunity to a recap some techniques we have been practising whilst introducing some basic concepts to the new guys. The group has made great strides in little over a month but we haven't drilled the arm-bar in a few weeks so we set about practising the submission with the two new guys training together and the regular attendees pairing off together.
Unfortunately, quite a few people seemed to have issues with the basic arm-bar, the main problem being escaping the hips in the right direction. Though we have covered this numerous times, we had to stop the class and cover it in detail again.
The good news is that this is completely normal, sometimes it will feel that you have really progressed, whilst at other times it will feel like you have regressed. Most of the group are at the start of their training, with so many new things being thrown at you it's highly likely that you will pick some things up straight away and other things will take longer. To get over something like this we simply need to drill it more.
However, the bad news is that this won't be the last time you experience something like this, in fact as long you train it will happen. Why does this happen? There can be numerous reasons but the most common stem from:
A. A lack of repetition
Sometimes you simply need to practise something before you master it, see the post from 15th February for a reminder.
B. A lack of absorption
Have you ever tried to do something, only to leave it alone, come back to it and suddenly everything clicks? Allowing your conscious and unconscious mind to absorb what has been practised can often be the final step in the learning process. I remember being out of action for four months with an injured ankle, when I came back it felt that my Jiu Jitsu had really improved. There is therefore a huge difference in learning something and being able to repeat it in a class and absorbing to the extent where you can you execute it independently and under pressure.
C. The wrong approach
It may be that the technique is not working because your approach is wrong. So if its not working one way, try a different way, it may be that a small correction is necessary or perhaps a large adjustment, just don't bang your head against a brick wall - you'll get a headache. Instead adjust the technique or better yet, ask the instructor or a higher belt for some guidance.
No matter how many steps you've taken in any direction, just accept that it's an essential step in the journey.
We had a relatively small class today with a couple of new attendees. This presented an ideal opportunity to a recap some techniques we have been practising whilst introducing some basic concepts to the new guys. The group has made great strides in little over a month but we haven't drilled the arm-bar in a few weeks so we set about practising the submission with the two new guys training together and the regular attendees pairing off together.
Unfortunately, quite a few people seemed to have issues with the basic arm-bar, the main problem being escaping the hips in the right direction. Though we have covered this numerous times, we had to stop the class and cover it in detail again.
The good news is that this is completely normal, sometimes it will feel that you have really progressed, whilst at other times it will feel like you have regressed. Most of the group are at the start of their training, with so many new things being thrown at you it's highly likely that you will pick some things up straight away and other things will take longer. To get over something like this we simply need to drill it more.
However, the bad news is that this won't be the last time you experience something like this, in fact as long you train it will happen. Why does this happen? There can be numerous reasons but the most common stem from:
A. A lack of repetition
Sometimes you simply need to practise something before you master it, see the post from 15th February for a reminder.
B. A lack of absorption
Have you ever tried to do something, only to leave it alone, come back to it and suddenly everything clicks? Allowing your conscious and unconscious mind to absorb what has been practised can often be the final step in the learning process. I remember being out of action for four months with an injured ankle, when I came back it felt that my Jiu Jitsu had really improved. There is therefore a huge difference in learning something and being able to repeat it in a class and absorbing to the extent where you can you execute it independently and under pressure.
C. The wrong approach
It may be that the technique is not working because your approach is wrong. So if its not working one way, try a different way, it may be that a small correction is necessary or perhaps a large adjustment, just don't bang your head against a brick wall - you'll get a headache. Instead adjust the technique or better yet, ask the instructor or a higher belt for some guidance.
No matter how many steps you've taken in any direction, just accept that it's an essential step in the journey.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
February 22nd 2010
Technique
Passing the guard, 'knee through pass'
So, another Monday and the gym was still freezing cold, it actually felt colder inside the gym than outside, when you can see your breath frozen on the cold air you know it's a bad sign. Anyway, due to the sub-zero temperature the warm-up was slightly more vigorous than normal. Incorporated into the warm up were some standing guard pass drills and standing guard break drills. Nothing new to add here other than drilling these techniques over and over again will really ingrain them in your muscle memory allowing you to pull them off when sparring without having to think about it. This can be tiring, but it really is a fundamental way to learn.
The technique focus today was the same as last week, passing the guard, but today we gave a different option. Rather than going 'around' the legs as you would do with a standing guard pass the idea is to stay as tight as possible and pass 'through' the legs. After the guard is broken and you have established your posture, you exert pressure on your opponents leg by pinning it to the floor with the shin of your leg. This allows you to establish neck control by grapping the collar with the same hand as your through knee whilst the other hand establishes an underhook on the far shoulder. You can cross the ankles to prevent your opponent establishing half guard, but this should only be a transitional position. The pass is then executed by swinging the rear leg, i.e. not the knee through leg, behind you whilst your hip hits the floor. The pass is completed once you have taken side control.
There are a myriad of ways to pass the guard, the 'knee through' technique is just one and we shall be looking at some variations of this during the next few lessons.
We finished the session with five five minute rounds of sparring, despite the cold weather there was a good energy tonight, well done all.
Passing the guard, 'knee through pass'
So, another Monday and the gym was still freezing cold, it actually felt colder inside the gym than outside, when you can see your breath frozen on the cold air you know it's a bad sign. Anyway, due to the sub-zero temperature the warm-up was slightly more vigorous than normal. Incorporated into the warm up were some standing guard pass drills and standing guard break drills. Nothing new to add here other than drilling these techniques over and over again will really ingrain them in your muscle memory allowing you to pull them off when sparring without having to think about it. This can be tiring, but it really is a fundamental way to learn.
The technique focus today was the same as last week, passing the guard, but today we gave a different option. Rather than going 'around' the legs as you would do with a standing guard pass the idea is to stay as tight as possible and pass 'through' the legs. After the guard is broken and you have established your posture, you exert pressure on your opponents leg by pinning it to the floor with the shin of your leg. This allows you to establish neck control by grapping the collar with the same hand as your through knee whilst the other hand establishes an underhook on the far shoulder. You can cross the ankles to prevent your opponent establishing half guard, but this should only be a transitional position. The pass is then executed by swinging the rear leg, i.e. not the knee through leg, behind you whilst your hip hits the floor. The pass is completed once you have taken side control.
There are a myriad of ways to pass the guard, the 'knee through' technique is just one and we shall be looking at some variations of this during the next few lessons.
We finished the session with five five minute rounds of sparring, despite the cold weather there was a good energy tonight, well done all.
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