Class #700
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Open Mat, Bristol, UK - 06/03/2016
I got in plenty of sparring today, still attempting to work on my open guard. My focus today was shin on shin, or shin-to-shin. Kev showed me a sweep from there in a private lesson a while ago, so I need to re-read my notes on that. The main source for drilling and sparring tonight was an old BJJ Scout video about Michelle Niciolini's shin on shin guard. BJJ Scout discusses her uses of a hybrid shin on shin/spider guard: what really got my attention was the description of it as ideal against knee cutters.
I use the knee cut a lot myself, but the person who does it best at Artemis BJJ is Sam, so he's a great person to practice this with. I managed to get the sweep a few times, however it tended to be very sloppy and used too much energy. If I was able to get the elevation from the shin lever, I was following it up by shifting into a charging single leg. While that did sometimes work, it took lots of force, making it a poor choice for longevity.
It could be that I need to get them elevated before the knee hits the ground. That's something Sam is good at, getting his knee onto the ground and sliding away, making it hard to get some kind of control over his far arm or leg. I was wrapping the gi lapel and belt under a few times, though I'm wondering if I was both wrapping it too late and too low: perhaps it should be nearer to his knee? I also didn't feel I was getting behind the knee properly, ending up in front where it is easy for them to squish you.
My attempts to get the half spider like Nicolini did not work too well. I've managed it with white belts, but that arm soon feels out of reach against somebody with a decent knee cut. I had some brief tries at the knee cut counter AJ Sousa shows too, without much luck: I was getting crushed down too quick to get into position. Focusing on sitting up could help too, as it has done in the past. Staying on my elbow like Dan was showing at RGA Bucks would be a good option: I managed to scrape off some skin doing that previously, but I think that was also down to a short sleeve rashguard. More practice required on my part. ;)
I need to persevere with shin on shin, while not forgetting about all the other open guard stuff I've been playing with over the last couple of years: Ryan Hall's Defensive Guard material, ankle pick sweeps and my old fall back, the tripod and sickle sweep combination. I still don't feel I've got much for when they're far away from me, so perhaps need to jam a foot into their hip to manage the distance in those situations. I find myself often waiting for them to come in close, which if they are good at the knee cut can be dangerous. By the time they're close, their knee cut is already well underway.
I'm hopeful that going to the Globetrotter camp in a few months is going to help with a lot of this, as there should be a few experienced people whose brains I can pick. Also, I've got a private booked in with Kev next month: I'm planning to focus on leg lock defence, as I know very little about that, but perhaps there will be some time for open guard too.
06 March 2016
04 March 2016
04/03/2016 - Teaching | Side Control | Running Escape
Teaching #473
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 04/03/2016
I started off by talking about the running escape as a survival posture. I first pointed out the importance of blocking their arm from reaching through past your hip. Ideally you want to block that by jamming your forearm to your thigh, so that you elbow is by your hip. This will need to be mobile, as they will be trying to wriggle past.
Putting your arm under your knee can work too, depending on your flexibility, but be careful of reaching too far under your leg. It may leave you vulnerable to them collapsing your leg on top of your arm, trapping both limbs (unless you're flexible enough to get your heel right to your hip, which should be a strong enough structure to prevent that).
If they do manage to get their arm in, dig it back out using your elbow and knee. You can also drive your shin into the crook of their elbow and recover your position, or potentially try and recover guard by spinning off that leverage point (Beneville calls this the 'shin in elbow trick' in his book). I should note that it is possible to escape while their arm is through (Marcelo teaches it that way, IIRC), but personally I find it much tougher when they have that arm through.
The second survival tip is being very careful of their attempts to take your back. Especially if they have an arm through and can reach your opposite hip, they will try to lift you up and slide their leg underneath. That will then help them to put in their hooks and take the back. If they do start to take your back, block their second hook with your elbow and knee (in the same way you were blocking their arm), hopefully setting you up to either get back to the running escape, or perhaps starting a pass off the back escape. Blocking the first hook with your hand is another possibility, but that could potentially leave your neck vulnerable.
Which leads into the third point: protect your neck. You are relatively safe in the running escape, but if they can reach a hand past your neck and grab a collar, that's dangerous. If you feel their hand beginning to sneak past your shoulder, immediately dive your head into your lower armpit. It is a strange position, but that motion should close off their route to your neck. This isn't somewhere you want to stay very long: just enough to prevent that choke set-up.
Moving on to the actual escape, saulo's version in Jiu Jitsu University (p69), which begins by making a little space and turning to the survival posture, links directly to his knee on belly escape. I normally just teach that knee on belly escape as a drill for my open guard maintenance lesson, as the swinging motion is a useful skill to learn. However, in his book, Saulo uses that motion to recover his guard from under side control, rather than the swivel he uses in Jiu Jitsu Revolution 2 (he does a much quicker version in his first set, Jiu Jitsu Revolution 1).
The risky part is as you're swinging through with your legs in the air: if your partner is prepared and you aren't able to perform that motion smoothly and efficiently, they may be able to set up a double-underhook pass. It is therefore important to clamp your legs down as Saulo does in the last picture, rather than leaving them dangling and vulnerable. If they do get that double underhook, make your legs heavy, wriggle back on your shoulders, then hook your insteps inside their thighs.
Saulo has a little tweak to this guard recovery option, which I noticed on his new instructional site, BJJ Library (review now up, here). It may be he did this previously, but it was highlighted on the running escape video. In the past, I have used a wide base, securing my weight on my shoulder and two feet. The way Saulo did it in the video was with a much narrower base, pushing off with his feet straight from the running escape position rather than stepping out to wide the legs. He also makes more of a push with his hips into them, staying close, rather than a swing. If you can manage to push them with your hips, that leaves less space for them to move right into the double-underhooks pass.
To further enhance your push, you can try the tips I got from Donal's private lesson a while back: using the elbow to make some space before you go for the hip swing. After you have shoved your elbow into their chest, continue to extend it to push them further. Initially, especially if you are very defensive like me, that feels as if you're leaving your arm vulnerable. However, because you are immediately following up the elbow shove and arm extension with a hip bump and leg swing, they shouldn't have a chance to capitalise on your arm being out there.
On that point, be careful to time your escape, staying sensitive to their weight distribution. If they are driving into you with lots of pressure, it will be hard. A good moment to attempt the escape is when they are looking to attack or transition to another position. Often, there will be a brief moment before they start when they take their weight off you. That is the time to spring the escape.
It is possible that the person you are training with won't often use near side grips from side control. Speaking personally, I tend to go for the orthodox grip under the head and the far arm. That doesn't mean you can't use the running escape, it simply means you have to put yourself into position, forcing them to use near grips. All you need to do is make enough space that you can turn away and curl into a ball.
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Teaching & Sparring Notes: To my surprise, it has been almost three years since I last taught this option, so high time I went through it again. I went through the leg swing in drilling, though it is tricky so a few people had trouble picking it up (I think they all got it after drilling and my corrections, but it's one of those more complex motions that takes a while). With a few pairs, I also showed the simpler option, where you turn all the way through. I don't generally teach that as a primary method, because I find it rarely works for me in practice. Then again, that might just be me, so I should show it more.
A few people were worried that they would get double underhook passed when trying this. I think the solution for that is to whack them off balance as you swing through, hitting them with your hips. Also, getting into the habit of digging your leg under an arm, rather than draping them over the top (though admittedly that dexterity is not easy to do if you've only just learned the swing). I don't use this escape as much as I used to, though it remains a great fallback when I'm getting squashed or simply tired. These days, I've tried top move towards the stiff arm instead, from Jeff Rockwell's sit-up escape system.
I got in some sparring at open mat, where I wanted to work more on my open guard. I was being careful of my neck, so stayed on top. I am relying far too much on driving through with a knee cut. That has its risks, as I found out today: I got caught in a nifty loop choke (apparently something Kron Gracie does) right after a knee cut pass. If they get that cross collar grip, you need to be careful that they can't finish off the loop. It is a high risk submissions, as if you don't pull it off your guard has been passed, but it does work. Something for me to note next time! ;)
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 04/03/2016
I started off by talking about the running escape as a survival posture. I first pointed out the importance of blocking their arm from reaching through past your hip. Ideally you want to block that by jamming your forearm to your thigh, so that you elbow is by your hip. This will need to be mobile, as they will be trying to wriggle past. Putting your arm under your knee can work too, depending on your flexibility, but be careful of reaching too far under your leg. It may leave you vulnerable to them collapsing your leg on top of your arm, trapping both limbs (unless you're flexible enough to get your heel right to your hip, which should be a strong enough structure to prevent that).
If they do manage to get their arm in, dig it back out using your elbow and knee. You can also drive your shin into the crook of their elbow and recover your position, or potentially try and recover guard by spinning off that leverage point (Beneville calls this the 'shin in elbow trick' in his book). I should note that it is possible to escape while their arm is through (Marcelo teaches it that way, IIRC), but personally I find it much tougher when they have that arm through.
The second survival tip is being very careful of their attempts to take your back. Especially if they have an arm through and can reach your opposite hip, they will try to lift you up and slide their leg underneath. That will then help them to put in their hooks and take the back. If they do start to take your back, block their second hook with your elbow and knee (in the same way you were blocking their arm), hopefully setting you up to either get back to the running escape, or perhaps starting a pass off the back escape. Blocking the first hook with your hand is another possibility, but that could potentially leave your neck vulnerable.
Which leads into the third point: protect your neck. You are relatively safe in the running escape, but if they can reach a hand past your neck and grab a collar, that's dangerous. If you feel their hand beginning to sneak past your shoulder, immediately dive your head into your lower armpit. It is a strange position, but that motion should close off their route to your neck. This isn't somewhere you want to stay very long: just enough to prevent that choke set-up.
Moving on to the actual escape, saulo's version in Jiu Jitsu University (p69), which begins by making a little space and turning to the survival posture, links directly to his knee on belly escape. I normally just teach that knee on belly escape as a drill for my open guard maintenance lesson, as the swinging motion is a useful skill to learn. However, in his book, Saulo uses that motion to recover his guard from under side control, rather than the swivel he uses in Jiu Jitsu Revolution 2 (he does a much quicker version in his first set, Jiu Jitsu Revolution 1).
Saulo has a little tweak to this guard recovery option, which I noticed on his new instructional site, BJJ Library (review now up, here). It may be he did this previously, but it was highlighted on the running escape video. In the past, I have used a wide base, securing my weight on my shoulder and two feet. The way Saulo did it in the video was with a much narrower base, pushing off with his feet straight from the running escape position rather than stepping out to wide the legs. He also makes more of a push with his hips into them, staying close, rather than a swing. If you can manage to push them with your hips, that leaves less space for them to move right into the double-underhooks pass.
To further enhance your push, you can try the tips I got from Donal's private lesson a while back: using the elbow to make some space before you go for the hip swing. After you have shoved your elbow into their chest, continue to extend it to push them further. Initially, especially if you are very defensive like me, that feels as if you're leaving your arm vulnerable. However, because you are immediately following up the elbow shove and arm extension with a hip bump and leg swing, they shouldn't have a chance to capitalise on your arm being out there.
On that point, be careful to time your escape, staying sensitive to their weight distribution. If they are driving into you with lots of pressure, it will be hard. A good moment to attempt the escape is when they are looking to attack or transition to another position. Often, there will be a brief moment before they start when they take their weight off you. That is the time to spring the escape.
It is possible that the person you are training with won't often use near side grips from side control. Speaking personally, I tend to go for the orthodox grip under the head and the far arm. That doesn't mean you can't use the running escape, it simply means you have to put yourself into position, forcing them to use near grips. All you need to do is make enough space that you can turn away and curl into a ball.
_____________________
Teaching & Sparring Notes: To my surprise, it has been almost three years since I last taught this option, so high time I went through it again. I went through the leg swing in drilling, though it is tricky so a few people had trouble picking it up (I think they all got it after drilling and my corrections, but it's one of those more complex motions that takes a while). With a few pairs, I also showed the simpler option, where you turn all the way through. I don't generally teach that as a primary method, because I find it rarely works for me in practice. Then again, that might just be me, so I should show it more.
A few people were worried that they would get double underhook passed when trying this. I think the solution for that is to whack them off balance as you swing through, hitting them with your hips. Also, getting into the habit of digging your leg under an arm, rather than draping them over the top (though admittedly that dexterity is not easy to do if you've only just learned the swing). I don't use this escape as much as I used to, though it remains a great fallback when I'm getting squashed or simply tired. These days, I've tried top move towards the stiff arm instead, from Jeff Rockwell's sit-up escape system.
I got in some sparring at open mat, where I wanted to work more on my open guard. I was being careful of my neck, so stayed on top. I am relying far too much on driving through with a knee cut. That has its risks, as I found out today: I got caught in a nifty loop choke (apparently something Kron Gracie does) right after a knee cut pass. If they get that cross collar grip, you need to be careful that they can't finish off the loop. It is a high risk submissions, as if you don't pull it off your guard has been passed, but it does work. Something for me to note next time! ;)
02 March 2016
02/03/2016 - Teaching | Side Control | Escape to Guard (Elbow Flare & Shoulder Lock)
Teaching #472
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 02/03/2016
Today I wanted to share some of the David 'Malandro' Onuma tips I learned at RGA Bucks. When it comes to escaping side control, they want to dominate your near arm. It puts you in a rubbish position if they manage to isolate it. To get your arm back, bring your heels close to your bum and bridge. That should give you the space to turn and replace your elbow block inside their hip. Rotate the hand of your other arm (never bring the arm past their head, that's asking to be americanaed) under their neck, grabbing their shoulder.
From here, don't drive your forearm up. Instead, bring your elbow out, twisting your forearm into their neck and jaw. If you get that right, this should make their head move back, giving you some space. Walk your feet towards their head, then bring your knees in to recover guard. You can either keep shrimping to get both legs out for closed guard, or you can simply go to open guard.
Sometimes, they will manage to isolate your far arm, securing a tight underhook which prevents you from getting that arm under their neck. If that happens, grab your far hip instead. Walk your feet away like before, then turn firmly onto your side, gripping their arm with your own. This will apply pressure on their shoulder. It is unlikely to be enough to make them tap, but it will prevent them moving that shoulder, making it hard for them to prevent you getting your guard back.
Make sure that you don't immediately bring your knees in to guard after making space: get that turn first, to apply the shoulder pressure. Then you can bring your knees in, continuing to apply the pressure on their shoulder. This puts you in a great attacking position. You've got the option of the overhook guard (you just need to reach through to their other collar), as well as pressing armbars and shoulder clamps.
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Teaching Notes: It's cool to be able to vary up this lesson, as I've taught the escape to guard so many times now. However, it's important to keep in mind this is only a variation, you can still switch back to the 'standard' version. I think it worked pretty well for people, but there was one pair who found it hard to turn for that shoulder lock in progressive resistance. On the side where they were isolating the neck-pressure arm, the person on top also had their hand up on the shoulder, which seemed to make it hard to the person on the bottom to turn.
I suggested just going back to the standard bridge and shrimp if that happens, which seemed to work. Something I'll have to have a play with in open mat before I teach this one again, having someone do it to me and see if I can work out a good solution. :)
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 02/03/2016
Today I wanted to share some of the David 'Malandro' Onuma tips I learned at RGA Bucks. When it comes to escaping side control, they want to dominate your near arm. It puts you in a rubbish position if they manage to isolate it. To get your arm back, bring your heels close to your bum and bridge. That should give you the space to turn and replace your elbow block inside their hip. Rotate the hand of your other arm (never bring the arm past their head, that's asking to be americanaed) under their neck, grabbing their shoulder.
From here, don't drive your forearm up. Instead, bring your elbow out, twisting your forearm into their neck and jaw. If you get that right, this should make their head move back, giving you some space. Walk your feet towards their head, then bring your knees in to recover guard. You can either keep shrimping to get both legs out for closed guard, or you can simply go to open guard.
Sometimes, they will manage to isolate your far arm, securing a tight underhook which prevents you from getting that arm under their neck. If that happens, grab your far hip instead. Walk your feet away like before, then turn firmly onto your side, gripping their arm with your own. This will apply pressure on their shoulder. It is unlikely to be enough to make them tap, but it will prevent them moving that shoulder, making it hard for them to prevent you getting your guard back.
Make sure that you don't immediately bring your knees in to guard after making space: get that turn first, to apply the shoulder pressure. Then you can bring your knees in, continuing to apply the pressure on their shoulder. This puts you in a great attacking position. You've got the option of the overhook guard (you just need to reach through to their other collar), as well as pressing armbars and shoulder clamps.
_____________________
Teaching Notes: It's cool to be able to vary up this lesson, as I've taught the escape to guard so many times now. However, it's important to keep in mind this is only a variation, you can still switch back to the 'standard' version. I think it worked pretty well for people, but there was one pair who found it hard to turn for that shoulder lock in progressive resistance. On the side where they were isolating the neck-pressure arm, the person on top also had their hand up on the shoulder, which seemed to make it hard to the person on the bottom to turn.
I suggested just going back to the standard bridge and shrimp if that happens, which seemed to work. Something I'll have to have a play with in open mat before I teach this one again, having someone do it to me and see if I can work out a good solution. :)
02/03/2016 - Teaching | Women's Class | Americana from Side Control
Teaching #471
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 02/03/2016
I see the americana as the classic submission from side control: I'm fond of that technique, as it is one over which you can exert lots of control. However, it does have a reputation of being a technique that is mainly used by stronger people bullying a smaller opponent, so if I'm going to continue viewing it as a core basic submission, I need to keep refining my understanding to make sure it is functional whatever your size.
There are various set ups, but I decided to show how to go for the americana from that strong, orthodox side control position I've mentioned before. To start, you need to isolate their far arm. Often the set up is that they've pushed their forearm up towards you (which is why from an escape perspective, you don't want to be shoving up with your arm and trying to benchpress them). A simple Roger Gracie method is to trap their wrist with your chin, then drive their arm to the mat with your weight. Lift your shoulder slightly to then insert your hand on top of their wrist.
There are different arguments regarding gripping their wrist using your thumb or not. Some feel that having the thumb there provides better control, and that is the instinctive way of holding something. However, most BJJ instructors I've seen describe gripping for the americana advocate a thumbless grip, so that all of your fingers are over the other side of their arm.
That's the direction they want to escape, so that's where you want your strength. It also means you can really push down, rather than squashing your own thumb. Then there's the point Kev at RGA Bucks makes, which is that he feels the thumb can act as a lever for their escape.
Support your hand with your head if you're having trouble pushing their arm to the mat (Cindy Omatsu is showing it from mount in the picture, but same idea). Also be sure to keep their arm away from their body, so they can't grab their belt or gi. The aim is to put the arm at right angles. Another handy tip is to get your elbow into their neck. That means they can't turn towards you to relieve pressure on their shoulder and begin an escape. Finally, you also want to make sure that their elbow is stuck, keeping the arm you have underneath their arm tight so they can't slip their elbow free.
Finish by 'painting' the floor with their knuckles, moving their hand towards their legs, lifting their elbow off the floor. You may need to adjust the angle of their arm, depending on how flexible they are. Make sure you don't give them space by their shoulder, or they can relieve the pressure and perhaps begin an escape.
Saulo has a few extra details in the version on his instructional website, BJJ Library. If they are pushing up into his neck, Saulo moves his body forwards to move their arm away from their side. He then locks one arm under their elbow (again, to stop that elbow slipping free of your attack), grabbing their wrist with the other (this is easier to get if you time it for when they next try to shove into your neck. You can then drive it to the mat. Slide your elbow arm through, grab the wrist, then suck in their arm to tighten the angle, before completing the submission.
Yet another set-up option crops up if they are pushing you towards their legs. Move a little with their pressure into your neck, leaning away as if that escape attempt is working for them, then turn back towards them, driving their arm to the mat with your bodyweight, head and hand. You can increase the power by switching your legs as you move back, then switching again as your return your weight towards them. Alternatively, you can simply turn your body slightly as they push, with the intention to get enough space to go for their wrist, then push it to the ground, where you can finish as before.
Finally, you can also wrap their gi lapel over their arm, especially if they are begin very defensive and keeping that arm in tight. This is the same technique I teach from half guard: as a set up for the americana, I find it works just as well from side control. Many of the attacks will work in both positions (naturally side control attacks that function by swiveling round to the other side, like a baseball bat choke, won't have sufficient rotation in half guard).
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Teaching Notes: I threw in all the variations this time, as there's scope for that in the women's class. This is a simple class to teach, so I can't think of anything to add here. Perhaps which one should be the primary option? Roger's chin-grip is probably the best, though the lean back one was popular too.
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 02/03/2016
I see the americana as the classic submission from side control: I'm fond of that technique, as it is one over which you can exert lots of control. However, it does have a reputation of being a technique that is mainly used by stronger people bullying a smaller opponent, so if I'm going to continue viewing it as a core basic submission, I need to keep refining my understanding to make sure it is functional whatever your size.
There are various set ups, but I decided to show how to go for the americana from that strong, orthodox side control position I've mentioned before. To start, you need to isolate their far arm. Often the set up is that they've pushed their forearm up towards you (which is why from an escape perspective, you don't want to be shoving up with your arm and trying to benchpress them). A simple Roger Gracie method is to trap their wrist with your chin, then drive their arm to the mat with your weight. Lift your shoulder slightly to then insert your hand on top of their wrist.
There are different arguments regarding gripping their wrist using your thumb or not. Some feel that having the thumb there provides better control, and that is the instinctive way of holding something. However, most BJJ instructors I've seen describe gripping for the americana advocate a thumbless grip, so that all of your fingers are over the other side of their arm.
That's the direction they want to escape, so that's where you want your strength. It also means you can really push down, rather than squashing your own thumb. Then there's the point Kev at RGA Bucks makes, which is that he feels the thumb can act as a lever for their escape.
Support your hand with your head if you're having trouble pushing their arm to the mat (Cindy Omatsu is showing it from mount in the picture, but same idea). Also be sure to keep their arm away from their body, so they can't grab their belt or gi. The aim is to put the arm at right angles. Another handy tip is to get your elbow into their neck. That means they can't turn towards you to relieve pressure on their shoulder and begin an escape. Finally, you also want to make sure that their elbow is stuck, keeping the arm you have underneath their arm tight so they can't slip their elbow free.Finish by 'painting' the floor with their knuckles, moving their hand towards their legs, lifting their elbow off the floor. You may need to adjust the angle of their arm, depending on how flexible they are. Make sure you don't give them space by their shoulder, or they can relieve the pressure and perhaps begin an escape.
Saulo has a few extra details in the version on his instructional website, BJJ Library. If they are pushing up into his neck, Saulo moves his body forwards to move their arm away from their side. He then locks one arm under their elbow (again, to stop that elbow slipping free of your attack), grabbing their wrist with the other (this is easier to get if you time it for when they next try to shove into your neck. You can then drive it to the mat. Slide your elbow arm through, grab the wrist, then suck in their arm to tighten the angle, before completing the submission. Yet another set-up option crops up if they are pushing you towards their legs. Move a little with their pressure into your neck, leaning away as if that escape attempt is working for them, then turn back towards them, driving their arm to the mat with your bodyweight, head and hand. You can increase the power by switching your legs as you move back, then switching again as your return your weight towards them. Alternatively, you can simply turn your body slightly as they push, with the intention to get enough space to go for their wrist, then push it to the ground, where you can finish as before.
Finally, you can also wrap their gi lapel over their arm, especially if they are begin very defensive and keeping that arm in tight. This is the same technique I teach from half guard: as a set up for the americana, I find it works just as well from side control. Many of the attacks will work in both positions (naturally side control attacks that function by swiveling round to the other side, like a baseball bat choke, won't have sufficient rotation in half guard).
_____________________
Teaching Notes: I threw in all the variations this time, as there's scope for that in the women's class. This is a simple class to teach, so I can't think of anything to add here. Perhaps which one should be the primary option? Roger's chin-grip is probably the best, though the lean back one was popular too.
01 March 2016
01/03/2016 - Salsa Souls at Riproar in Bristol | More Turns
Class #013
Salsa Souls (Salsa), Riproar Club, Jo Kryulko, Bristol, UK - 01/03/2016
Good lesson today, as I felt I had a reasonable grasp of the turns. Jo.uad a useful tip on leading the back step too. Although it starts like the mambo, you make it clear by the second step, as you're pushing back again. Also, with the turn out, bring your hand across their body to indicate what you're going to do. On to the turn, which had three variations (no idea what the turn is called though):
Turn 1, Wrist Push
1. Start with normal mambo forward.
2. Usual tap
3. Now it changes. Step forward to the side, into a T. Let go with right hand.
4. Swivel right hand around to their wrist, push across.
5. Keep turning as they turn
6. Keep turning.
7. Return to start, ready to mambo
Turn 2, Right Hand Swoop
1. Start with normal mambo forward.
2. Usual tap
3. Step forward to the side, into a T. Swoop right hand down and across, still holding theirs.
4. Raise right arm through and high, continue turn.
5. Keep turning, careful to adjust if they are taller/shorter
6. Keep turning, backs passing
7. Return to start, ready to mambo
Turn 3, Left Hand Out
1. Start with normal mambo forward.
2. Usual tap
3. Step forward to the side, into a T. Bring left hand out and across, still holding theirs.
4. Raise left arm through and high, wait for them to turn.
5. Turn, careful to adjust if they are taller/shorter
6. Keep turning, backs passing
7. Return to start, ready to mambo
Jo said the curriculum restarts after next week, which is good. I'm looking forward to going through the whole thing and getting thorough notes this time. :)
Salsa Souls (Salsa), Riproar Club, Jo Kryulko, Bristol, UK - 01/03/2016
Good lesson today, as I felt I had a reasonable grasp of the turns. Jo.uad a useful tip on leading the back step too. Although it starts like the mambo, you make it clear by the second step, as you're pushing back again. Also, with the turn out, bring your hand across their body to indicate what you're going to do. On to the turn, which had three variations (no idea what the turn is called though):
Turn 1, Wrist Push
1. Start with normal mambo forward.
2. Usual tap
3. Now it changes. Step forward to the side, into a T. Let go with right hand.
4. Swivel right hand around to their wrist, push across.
5. Keep turning as they turn
6. Keep turning.
7. Return to start, ready to mambo
Turn 2, Right Hand Swoop
1. Start with normal mambo forward.
2. Usual tap
3. Step forward to the side, into a T. Swoop right hand down and across, still holding theirs.
4. Raise right arm through and high, continue turn.
5. Keep turning, careful to adjust if they are taller/shorter
6. Keep turning, backs passing
7. Return to start, ready to mambo
Turn 3, Left Hand Out
1. Start with normal mambo forward.
2. Usual tap
3. Step forward to the side, into a T. Bring left hand out and across, still holding theirs.
4. Raise left arm through and high, wait for them to turn.
5. Turn, careful to adjust if they are taller/shorter
6. Keep turning, backs passing
7. Return to start, ready to mambo
Jo said the curriculum restarts after next week, which is good. I'm looking forward to going through the whole thing and getting thorough notes this time. :)
01/03/2016 - Open Mat | Kettlebells
Class #699
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Open Mat, Bristol, UK - 01/03/2016
I seem to have scraped off a large chunk of skin from my elbow, so decided to give sparring a rest today: hopefully grows back enough by tomorrow, or Friday. :)
That meant I wandered around helping people with technique, with tips on things like the leg drag, going over those lapel attacks from the last couple of weeks and randomly that mawashi grip I learned from Kev. In terms of my own training, the most useful part was kettlebells. Chris has been covering for David while he's away. He talks a lot less than David, focusing in on the lifting. Hence a tougher workout! Good to vary it up though. I learned the military press for the first time, as well as my first time swinging two bells simultaneously. I must remember to open my hand, in case the handles clash. Potentially very painful on the fingers!
I'm not locking my arms out properly and my left arm failed on 20kg (though it wasn't far off, I should be able to make it next time), but I felt my cleans have been getting better too. I went with 12kg on the double swing, with a 16kg double swing as well. That will probably do for now, though I'm tempted to give 20kg a try.
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Open Mat, Bristol, UK - 01/03/2016
I seem to have scraped off a large chunk of skin from my elbow, so decided to give sparring a rest today: hopefully grows back enough by tomorrow, or Friday. :)
That meant I wandered around helping people with technique, with tips on things like the leg drag, going over those lapel attacks from the last couple of weeks and randomly that mawashi grip I learned from Kev. In terms of my own training, the most useful part was kettlebells. Chris has been covering for David while he's away. He talks a lot less than David, focusing in on the lifting. Hence a tougher workout! Good to vary it up though. I learned the military press for the first time, as well as my first time swinging two bells simultaneously. I must remember to open my hand, in case the handles clash. Potentially very painful on the fingers!
I'm not locking my arms out properly and my left arm failed on 20kg (though it wasn't far off, I should be able to make it next time), but I felt my cleans have been getting better too. I went with 12kg on the double swing, with a 16kg double swing as well. That will probably do for now, though I'm tempted to give 20kg a try.
29 February 2016
29/02/2016 - Teaching | Half Guard | Lapel Trap Choke (Feed Under)
Teaching #470
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 29/02/2016
You have a standard half guard top position, with a cross-face. Pull out their lapel, bringing it under their far arm. Feed that under their head to your cross-facing hand, so you can pull the gi into their neck on the far side. Let them come up on their side: it doesn't matter if they get an underhook, as you can jam your cross-face arm into their head to stop them turning too far. Next is the hard part: dig your free arm down their chest to your cross-face hand, then transfer your grip. Drop the shoulder of that second hand, staying tight to them.
Get your newly free hand past their head, anchoring it to their upper back by grasping the gi lapel. Circle that arm into their neck. To finish, pull with your hand gripping the end of the gi lapel, leaning your weight into their neck to press your other arm and close off the choke. Once they know this choke, they may try and block you as you try to bring your arm for that second grip. If they do, drag their arm across your body, then squish down. Grab around their head and grip the gi, then sink your weight down as you pull on the initial grip, for a brabo variation with the gi.
_______________
Teaching & Sparring Notes: Like the americana with the gi, this is another one from Jason Scully over on The Grapplers Guide. It's a bit complicated to describe in words, but hopefully the pictures help. This is the first time I've taught it, after using it for a while in sparring, but everyone seemed to pick it up ok. Next time, I think the things to emphasise are staying tight, being careful of your base and making sure you let them get on their side. Although having said, I think it is possible to get when they're a bit flatter too, judging by progressive resistance today.
I got in some good sparring today, playing with various options from half guard. I'm trying to have more a plan underneath, as well as fighting harder to get further to the side, in order to attempt kimuras and the like. Sparring Rafal (who excellent is back in Bristol, really good to see him on the mats) at open mat was cool. I have moaned about my open guard for a while, so I want to do as much open guard specific sparring as I can. I am continuing to go for the leg in koala guard and shin-on-shin, without knowing a whole lot of sweeps. It helps anyway, as that at least is a clear goal to aim for, then I try and off-balance them, lifting the leg etc.
AJ Sousa has an interesting looking counter to the knee cut, which I tried yesterday too. I looked to drill it today, but I'm missing something and I wasn't getting them off-balance. I need to check the vid again. However, grabbing the trouser leg while having your legs either side did help mess up their knee cut. I also did Kev's 'nappy grip', which Rafal suggested I grip palm down rather than palm up. That's a good tip, because then if feels easier to do stuff like bringing my elbow into play, scooping up their leg.
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 29/02/2016
You have a standard half guard top position, with a cross-face. Pull out their lapel, bringing it under their far arm. Feed that under their head to your cross-facing hand, so you can pull the gi into their neck on the far side. Let them come up on their side: it doesn't matter if they get an underhook, as you can jam your cross-face arm into their head to stop them turning too far. Next is the hard part: dig your free arm down their chest to your cross-face hand, then transfer your grip. Drop the shoulder of that second hand, staying tight to them.
Get your newly free hand past their head, anchoring it to their upper back by grasping the gi lapel. Circle that arm into their neck. To finish, pull with your hand gripping the end of the gi lapel, leaning your weight into their neck to press your other arm and close off the choke. Once they know this choke, they may try and block you as you try to bring your arm for that second grip. If they do, drag their arm across your body, then squish down. Grab around their head and grip the gi, then sink your weight down as you pull on the initial grip, for a brabo variation with the gi.
_______________
Teaching & Sparring Notes: Like the americana with the gi, this is another one from Jason Scully over on The Grapplers Guide. It's a bit complicated to describe in words, but hopefully the pictures help. This is the first time I've taught it, after using it for a while in sparring, but everyone seemed to pick it up ok. Next time, I think the things to emphasise are staying tight, being careful of your base and making sure you let them get on their side. Although having said, I think it is possible to get when they're a bit flatter too, judging by progressive resistance today.
I got in some good sparring today, playing with various options from half guard. I'm trying to have more a plan underneath, as well as fighting harder to get further to the side, in order to attempt kimuras and the like. Sparring Rafal (who excellent is back in Bristol, really good to see him on the mats) at open mat was cool. I have moaned about my open guard for a while, so I want to do as much open guard specific sparring as I can. I am continuing to go for the leg in koala guard and shin-on-shin, without knowing a whole lot of sweeps. It helps anyway, as that at least is a clear goal to aim for, then I try and off-balance them, lifting the leg etc.
AJ Sousa has an interesting looking counter to the knee cut, which I tried yesterday too. I looked to drill it today, but I'm missing something and I wasn't getting them off-balance. I need to check the vid again. However, grabbing the trouser leg while having your legs either side did help mess up their knee cut. I also did Kev's 'nappy grip', which Rafal suggested I grip palm down rather than palm up. That's a good tip, because then if feels easier to do stuff like bringing my elbow into play, scooping up their leg.
27 February 2016
27/02/2016 - RGA Bucks | Side Control | Escape to Guard
Class #696
RGA Aylesbury, (BJJ), Dan Lewis, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK - 27/02/2016
This weekend marks my first 2016 trip to my instructor's academy, RGA Bucks. Kev was away judging BAMMA, but as usual Dan was covering. His class was fantastic. I've mentioned a few times that I need to work on open guard, based around the Ryan Hall 'Defensive Guard' DVD. That is pretty much exactly what Dan covered, based on a recent David Onuma seminar. Judging by this, I really need to get myself down to an Onuma seminar: detailed tweaks on the basics, my absolute favourite stuff to learn in BJJ! :D
Dan kicked off with one of those tweaks, related to maintaining open guard as they look to pass with a knee cut. Block with your near arm, bent at right angles to make a frame. To generate base, pop up on your other elbow. I thought that you would need to come up to your hand, but that actually doesn't help you in this situation. I do this all the time, which can work against less experienced people, but higher belts will eventually grab that basing arm and pull it.
Instead of coming up on your hand, stay on your elbow. Make sure that your shoulder is in front of your elbow. This alignment makes it much harder for them to accomplish their inevitable attempt at yanking your basing arm. Use that frame to get your near foot onto their hip, push to create distance, then re-establish guard.
At this point, there was another very handy tip, which I will be implementing immediately into my classes. Once you have the closed guard and want to break their posture, you don't have to bring your knees to your chest to do it. That's a powerful option, but it does take some energy. A considerably more efficient method is to drive your heels into their lower back instead. That achieves the same goal of knocking them forwards, while also saving your gas tank.
When it comes to escaping side control, they want to dominate your near arm. It puts you in a rubbish position if they manage to isolate it. To get your arm back, bring your heels close to your bum, then turn to replace your elbow block inside their hip. Rotate the hand of your other arm (never bring the arm past their head, that's asking to be americanaed), grabbing their shoulder.
From here, don't drive it up. Bring your elbow out, twisting your forearm into their neck and jaw. Walk your feet towards their head, then bring your knees in to recover guard. If they manage to get such a tight underhook that you can't free your neck-pressure arm, grab your far hip instead.You can then turn to apply a weak shoulder lock.
It won't be enough to make them tap, but it will make them think. Don't bring your knees in to guard yet, get that turn first. Then you can bring your knees in, continuing to apply the pressure on their shoulder. This puts you in a great attacking position. You've got the option of the overhook guard, as well as pressing armbars and shoulder clamps.
Great sparring today: the mat was a sea of purple, along with two white belts, a brown belt and a black belt. Needless to say, there were no easy rolls available! I started off with Stuart, probably my favourite guy to roll with in the whole club (apart from Kev himself, of course). Stuart is about my size and he never goes super hard. That makes for a fun spar, with plenty of movement. I was going for the kimura grip, along with trying tips from Ryan Hall. The additional tweaks from today's lesson are going to be a big help, I think.
I then had a short roll with Dan, where I was looking to attempt that knee cut counter AJ Sousa showed on BJJ Library, but didn't get into the right position. My old training partner Liam was up next. We started training at roughly the same time, but he's improved rather quicker than me, meaning while I'm still purple, he's a black belt. I imagine he wasn't going very hard, nevertheless I had a bit of a confidence boost in that I felt I held my own (he did catch me with a pressing armbar from the top of half guard, so I need to be careful of that arm in that position).
He also had some tips for holding the top position in half guard. At one point I was able to get on top and move through into a cross-face. I was trying to get the Ribeiro super-hold (cross face and underhook), so I could then bring my shin over his leg and start to pass the half guard. I think he reversed me at some point, but regardless, the tip he gave was to bring both arms under the head. That might initially feel vulnerable, but as he demonstrated, when you then drive your chest into their head, it's tight!
I finished up with two bigger purples, where I took the opportunity to work on my defence. In the first roll, I spent a lot of it with my knee driving into their and pulling on the sleeve, to stop them progressing from side control to any kind of attack. I guess it did work, but I should have probably attempted to move into some kind of escape instead of holding that so long. I was getting pretty tired by the final roll: next time, I definitely want to stick around for the yoga. I'll be back in April, when there won't be a niece's birthday to rush off to. So, yoga time! :D
The next day, I did my usual art trip. The exhibition picked for this visit was Delacroix at the National Gallery. I already knew there was a lot of it I wouldn't like (as I'm not fond of most Impressionists, especially Cézanne and Gauguin). Due to that antipathy it only took 45 mins, but assuming you don't have an allergy to Impressionism, I'd say leave about 1.5hrs to do it properly.
However, I do like Degas. It was cool to see some more Moreau too, as I enjoy the Symbolists. I also enjoyed Frederic Bazille, who I wasn't familiar with before. Plenty of bigwigs today, like Van Gogh (not a fan of his work either, except the early stuff). It was still worth it I thought (on my father's membership at least, I wouldn't have paid full price), although the exhibition felt a little flabby. In my opinion, it lacked a sufficiently coherent narrative. It bounces between landscape, religious painting, portraits and others. Then again, the intention is to show Delacroix's influence on modern art, so I guess it needs to be broad for that. Note you aren't allowed any photography, even without flash: the pics I'm using are from a book.
RGA Aylesbury, (BJJ), Dan Lewis, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK - 27/02/2016
This weekend marks my first 2016 trip to my instructor's academy, RGA Bucks. Kev was away judging BAMMA, but as usual Dan was covering. His class was fantastic. I've mentioned a few times that I need to work on open guard, based around the Ryan Hall 'Defensive Guard' DVD. That is pretty much exactly what Dan covered, based on a recent David Onuma seminar. Judging by this, I really need to get myself down to an Onuma seminar: detailed tweaks on the basics, my absolute favourite stuff to learn in BJJ! :D
Dan kicked off with one of those tweaks, related to maintaining open guard as they look to pass with a knee cut. Block with your near arm, bent at right angles to make a frame. To generate base, pop up on your other elbow. I thought that you would need to come up to your hand, but that actually doesn't help you in this situation. I do this all the time, which can work against less experienced people, but higher belts will eventually grab that basing arm and pull it.
Instead of coming up on your hand, stay on your elbow. Make sure that your shoulder is in front of your elbow. This alignment makes it much harder for them to accomplish their inevitable attempt at yanking your basing arm. Use that frame to get your near foot onto their hip, push to create distance, then re-establish guard.
At this point, there was another very handy tip, which I will be implementing immediately into my classes. Once you have the closed guard and want to break their posture, you don't have to bring your knees to your chest to do it. That's a powerful option, but it does take some energy. A considerably more efficient method is to drive your heels into their lower back instead. That achieves the same goal of knocking them forwards, while also saving your gas tank.
When it comes to escaping side control, they want to dominate your near arm. It puts you in a rubbish position if they manage to isolate it. To get your arm back, bring your heels close to your bum, then turn to replace your elbow block inside their hip. Rotate the hand of your other arm (never bring the arm past their head, that's asking to be americanaed), grabbing their shoulder.
From here, don't drive it up. Bring your elbow out, twisting your forearm into their neck and jaw. Walk your feet towards their head, then bring your knees in to recover guard. If they manage to get such a tight underhook that you can't free your neck-pressure arm, grab your far hip instead.You can then turn to apply a weak shoulder lock.
It won't be enough to make them tap, but it will make them think. Don't bring your knees in to guard yet, get that turn first. Then you can bring your knees in, continuing to apply the pressure on their shoulder. This puts you in a great attacking position. You've got the option of the overhook guard, as well as pressing armbars and shoulder clamps.
Great sparring today: the mat was a sea of purple, along with two white belts, a brown belt and a black belt. Needless to say, there were no easy rolls available! I started off with Stuart, probably my favourite guy to roll with in the whole club (apart from Kev himself, of course). Stuart is about my size and he never goes super hard. That makes for a fun spar, with plenty of movement. I was going for the kimura grip, along with trying tips from Ryan Hall. The additional tweaks from today's lesson are going to be a big help, I think.
I then had a short roll with Dan, where I was looking to attempt that knee cut counter AJ Sousa showed on BJJ Library, but didn't get into the right position. My old training partner Liam was up next. We started training at roughly the same time, but he's improved rather quicker than me, meaning while I'm still purple, he's a black belt. I imagine he wasn't going very hard, nevertheless I had a bit of a confidence boost in that I felt I held my own (he did catch me with a pressing armbar from the top of half guard, so I need to be careful of that arm in that position).
He also had some tips for holding the top position in half guard. At one point I was able to get on top and move through into a cross-face. I was trying to get the Ribeiro super-hold (cross face and underhook), so I could then bring my shin over his leg and start to pass the half guard. I think he reversed me at some point, but regardless, the tip he gave was to bring both arms under the head. That might initially feel vulnerable, but as he demonstrated, when you then drive your chest into their head, it's tight!
I finished up with two bigger purples, where I took the opportunity to work on my defence. In the first roll, I spent a lot of it with my knee driving into their and pulling on the sleeve, to stop them progressing from side control to any kind of attack. I guess it did work, but I should have probably attempted to move into some kind of escape instead of holding that so long. I was getting pretty tired by the final roll: next time, I definitely want to stick around for the yoga. I'll be back in April, when there won't be a niece's birthday to rush off to. So, yoga time! :D
The next day, I did my usual art trip. The exhibition picked for this visit was Delacroix at the National Gallery. I already knew there was a lot of it I wouldn't like (as I'm not fond of most Impressionists, especially Cézanne and Gauguin). Due to that antipathy it only took 45 mins, but assuming you don't have an allergy to Impressionism, I'd say leave about 1.5hrs to do it properly.
However, I do like Degas. It was cool to see some more Moreau too, as I enjoy the Symbolists. I also enjoyed Frederic Bazille, who I wasn't familiar with before. Plenty of bigwigs today, like Van Gogh (not a fan of his work either, except the early stuff). It was still worth it I thought (on my father's membership at least, I wouldn't have paid full price), although the exhibition felt a little flabby. In my opinion, it lacked a sufficiently coherent narrative. It bounces between landscape, religious painting, portraits and others. Then again, the intention is to show Delacroix's influence on modern art, so I guess it needs to be broad for that. Note you aren't allowed any photography, even without flash: the pics I'm using are from a book.
26 February 2016
26/02/2016 - Teaching | Half Guard | Lapel Trap Americana
Teaching #469
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 26/02/2016
From the top of half guard, there's a cool attack sequence I learned from Jason Scully's Grapplers Guide. Establish a strong cross face and solidify your base. When you're feeling secure, yank out their far lapel, getting as much material as you can. Pull that over their far arm, trapping their wrist to their shoulder. Feed the lapel to your cross-facing hand, gripping as near their wrist as you can. Use your head to press their arm to the floor.
From here, you can continue to twist on their lapel, going for the submission. If you need extra leverage, switch the lapel back to your other hand and continue rotating. If that's still not enough leverage, you can always transition into a standard americana. Your head control on their wrist should help you set up the typical grips on the wrist and finish the lock as normal. If you keep their wrist trapped with the lapel, you can do the normal americana, but with the added bonus that they can't unbend their arm due to the lapel. If they free their arm, you can switch to a choke, much like the ezequiel, but using the lapel to lock it in.
________________
Teaching Notes: I'm not sure I need to go through quite as many endings on this (you can apply with a twist of the gi, bring your arm over and twist, or use it to lock in the normal americana), but seemed good and straightforward. Use of the head is worth emphasising, as well as the usual stuff about not picking the whole arm up off the ground (as that relieves the tension on their shoulder).
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 26/02/2016
From the top of half guard, there's a cool attack sequence I learned from Jason Scully's Grapplers Guide. Establish a strong cross face and solidify your base. When you're feeling secure, yank out their far lapel, getting as much material as you can. Pull that over their far arm, trapping their wrist to their shoulder. Feed the lapel to your cross-facing hand, gripping as near their wrist as you can. Use your head to press their arm to the floor.
From here, you can continue to twist on their lapel, going for the submission. If you need extra leverage, switch the lapel back to your other hand and continue rotating. If that's still not enough leverage, you can always transition into a standard americana. Your head control on their wrist should help you set up the typical grips on the wrist and finish the lock as normal. If you keep their wrist trapped with the lapel, you can do the normal americana, but with the added bonus that they can't unbend their arm due to the lapel. If they free their arm, you can switch to a choke, much like the ezequiel, but using the lapel to lock it in.
________________
Teaching Notes: I'm not sure I need to go through quite as many endings on this (you can apply with a twist of the gi, bring your arm over and twist, or use it to lock in the normal americana), but seemed good and straightforward. Use of the head is worth emphasising, as well as the usual stuff about not picking the whole arm up off the ground (as that relieves the tension on their shoulder).
24 February 2016
24/02/2016 - Teaching | Half Guard | Toe Grab Sweep
Teaching #468
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 24/02/2016
I call it the toe grab sweep, like Indrek Reiland does in his classic 'Functional Half Guard' video. Eddie Bravo's name for it - 'old school' - is common too, but his version is slightly less effective in my opinion, though it is similar (I'll be teaching that one later). I prefer the way Jason Scully teaches it, over on the Grapplers Guide. I've also been taught it in the past, back when I was training at RGA High Wycombe with Kev.
So, the Scully version begins from the basic half guard position I taught earlier, where you're on your side using the kickstand leg positioning, with an underhook. Use your underhook to bump yourself down closer to their legs, curling your head into towards their far knee. With your non-underhooking arm, reach for their far toes. Grab them and then shove their heel into their thigh. Make sure you are grabbing their toes: if you grip their ankle or higher, they will find it easier to kick their leg back and scupper your sweep.
Bring your underhook arm down past their bum, then switch the toe grab grip from your non-underhook hand to your underhook hand. Bring your non-underhook elbow and then hand out for base, also turning to slide out your inside leg. Your outside leg tweaks their lower leg to further disrupt their base, then drive with your head and shoulder to move on top. Keep hold of the toes until you're past to side control. If they stay on their hands and knees, you can also just take their back instead.
Keep in mind that it is possible to get this sweep with various leg configurations. I find it easiest from the kickstand, as I think that provides the best base for getting on your side, but it's certainly not the only option.
_____________________
Teaching & Sparring Notes: Not much to add, although I think it is worth mentioning that you may find that as they try to get their leg out of the way, you can then sneak your leg back to full guard. I also don't think I emphasised the leg tweak Scully does enough, as that's helpful for getting the sweep. Finally, scooting the knee out could be highlighted more too.
I need to progress my half guard game. More options needed? Or simplify options? Mainly I want to recover guard, try for the back or toe grab if possible. I tend to get squashed a lot, though the Braulio facepalm is useful. Don't forget about deep half too.
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 24/02/2016
I call it the toe grab sweep, like Indrek Reiland does in his classic 'Functional Half Guard' video. Eddie Bravo's name for it - 'old school' - is common too, but his version is slightly less effective in my opinion, though it is similar (I'll be teaching that one later). I prefer the way Jason Scully teaches it, over on the Grapplers Guide. I've also been taught it in the past, back when I was training at RGA High Wycombe with Kev.
So, the Scully version begins from the basic half guard position I taught earlier, where you're on your side using the kickstand leg positioning, with an underhook. Use your underhook to bump yourself down closer to their legs, curling your head into towards their far knee. With your non-underhooking arm, reach for their far toes. Grab them and then shove their heel into their thigh. Make sure you are grabbing their toes: if you grip their ankle or higher, they will find it easier to kick their leg back and scupper your sweep.
Bring your underhook arm down past their bum, then switch the toe grab grip from your non-underhook hand to your underhook hand. Bring your non-underhook elbow and then hand out for base, also turning to slide out your inside leg. Your outside leg tweaks their lower leg to further disrupt their base, then drive with your head and shoulder to move on top. Keep hold of the toes until you're past to side control. If they stay on their hands and knees, you can also just take their back instead.
Keep in mind that it is possible to get this sweep with various leg configurations. I find it easiest from the kickstand, as I think that provides the best base for getting on your side, but it's certainly not the only option.
_____________________
Teaching & Sparring Notes: Not much to add, although I think it is worth mentioning that you may find that as they try to get their leg out of the way, you can then sneak your leg back to full guard. I also don't think I emphasised the leg tweak Scully does enough, as that's helpful for getting the sweep. Finally, scooting the knee out could be highlighted more too.
I need to progress my half guard game. More options needed? Or simplify options? Mainly I want to recover guard, try for the back or toe grab if possible. I tend to get squashed a lot, though the Braulio facepalm is useful. Don't forget about deep half too.
24/02/2016 - Teaching | Women's Class | Tripod Sweep
Teaching #467
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 24/02/2016
You can set up the tripod sweep in lots of ways. I went for the simple option of hooking their leg, using that to pull yourself in towards them and grab their other leg with your other hand. When you grab for the ankle, you can control it in two main ways. Simply grabbing their heel is the quickest, but that means there is a chance they can kick their foot forwards and dislodge your grip. If you grab the trouser cuff instead, that escape becomes much harder for them.
With the heel grab, a good tip from my instructor Kev Capel is to pull that ankle onto your hip, clamping it there. This should also help with off-balancing them. You can also simply sit on it. Either way, remember to keep your other hook behind their knee tense, as you don't want them to free that leg and step around, because that will enable them to regain their balance. You can also put it lower on the leg, or even right behind their foot, but be careful, as just like the heel grip, that can increase the risk that they'll step out and avoid your control.
Once you knock them down, because you have that grip on their sleeve, you can pull yourself up as they go back, moving through into side control. It also stops them basing with that hand, as you're sweeping in that direction (which is why you use a cross grip, rather than same side). Should you lose your sleeve grip, the sweep is still there, but it will be harder to sit up and move through to side control.
If you're having trouble knocking them down, angle the direction of your push a little, in the direction you want them to fall. It is important that you react decisively after you've knocked them down. Otherwise, they'll simply get up first, returning to your guard. That would mean you were back where you started.
As ever, there are a couple of options. My preference is to come up and slide your inside knee over their leg, leaning your body towards them: you may find it useful to keep hold of their foot (which means you are both basing on your hand and maintaining control of their leg) to stop them moving, but you can still pass without doing so. Your other foot will step over their other leg, like a typical knee slide pass. From there, you can grab their sleeve, underhook their far armpit, then slide through into modified scarf hold. If for some reason you get your knee stuck in their gi, which has happened to me in the past, change your grip to their elbow, drop your bodyweight and move into side control. Here's Kev demonstrating the full sweep:
You'll notice the finish is different in that video: instead of the tight knee slide, you can do a sort of technical stand-up which ends up with a looser pass. For the stand-up, after you've knocked them down, put your hooking foot on the floor, bringing your other leg behind you. So, the hand that was grabbing the heel now pushes into their leg, pinning it to the floor and becoming your basing hand. Your other leg becomes your second base point, then you stand up from there. You remaining hand may or may not be gripping their sleeve, but this works either way.
From there, stand up, still holding on to their trouser leg (you could also keep hold of the sleeve, which will enable you to pull on both limbs for the pass, but it makes it harder to stand up), pulling up. That will make it difficult for them to recover, as you move around to a dominant position like side control or knee on belly. Standing up when someone has your foot in the air is hard.
________________
Teaching Notes: Nothing much to add on this as I've taught it a lot. I tried doing a more considered drill to help standing up from the sweep, miming that diagonal thrust all the way through. I'm not sure if it helped or not, but I don't think anybody had too much of a problem getting up, so I think it was useful. An interesting question came up about what to do if they crouch while you're trying to sweep. I think my answer to that would be just finish the sweep, if you already have that foot into the hip and you're still hooking their knee. It's still possible to finish the sweep. However, if they manage to get their weight settled and establish a solid base, it's going to be harder: you'd need to keep driving with your hip foot as they attempt to crouch into a stable base, to keep them off balance. I think. Seemed to work when we practiced it, but I'd be intrigued to see what would happen with a more experienced partner, who might be able to stuff the sweep more easily as they moved to a kneeling position.
I added in the sickle sweep too, though that does get more tricky when it comes to moving into the pass off the sweep, due to your legs getting tangled if you attempt to drive. Hence why I prefer the 'stand up while grabbing their leg' option for the sickle. That requires a bit more drilling to get used to, but I can always cover that later. Maybe next time the tripod comes up in the cycle, I'll switch it round, so start with the sickle in depth, then have the tripod as an add on? That would make sense, tripod is more straightforward.
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 24/02/2016
You can set up the tripod sweep in lots of ways. I went for the simple option of hooking their leg, using that to pull yourself in towards them and grab their other leg with your other hand. When you grab for the ankle, you can control it in two main ways. Simply grabbing their heel is the quickest, but that means there is a chance they can kick their foot forwards and dislodge your grip. If you grab the trouser cuff instead, that escape becomes much harder for them.
With the heel grab, a good tip from my instructor Kev Capel is to pull that ankle onto your hip, clamping it there. This should also help with off-balancing them. You can also simply sit on it. Either way, remember to keep your other hook behind their knee tense, as you don't want them to free that leg and step around, because that will enable them to regain their balance. You can also put it lower on the leg, or even right behind their foot, but be careful, as just like the heel grip, that can increase the risk that they'll step out and avoid your control. Once you knock them down, because you have that grip on their sleeve, you can pull yourself up as they go back, moving through into side control. It also stops them basing with that hand, as you're sweeping in that direction (which is why you use a cross grip, rather than same side). Should you lose your sleeve grip, the sweep is still there, but it will be harder to sit up and move through to side control.
If you're having trouble knocking them down, angle the direction of your push a little, in the direction you want them to fall. It is important that you react decisively after you've knocked them down. Otherwise, they'll simply get up first, returning to your guard. That would mean you were back where you started.
As ever, there are a couple of options. My preference is to come up and slide your inside knee over their leg, leaning your body towards them: you may find it useful to keep hold of their foot (which means you are both basing on your hand and maintaining control of their leg) to stop them moving, but you can still pass without doing so. Your other foot will step over their other leg, like a typical knee slide pass. From there, you can grab their sleeve, underhook their far armpit, then slide through into modified scarf hold. If for some reason you get your knee stuck in their gi, which has happened to me in the past, change your grip to their elbow, drop your bodyweight and move into side control. Here's Kev demonstrating the full sweep:
You'll notice the finish is different in that video: instead of the tight knee slide, you can do a sort of technical stand-up which ends up with a looser pass. For the stand-up, after you've knocked them down, put your hooking foot on the floor, bringing your other leg behind you. So, the hand that was grabbing the heel now pushes into their leg, pinning it to the floor and becoming your basing hand. Your other leg becomes your second base point, then you stand up from there. You remaining hand may or may not be gripping their sleeve, but this works either way.
From there, stand up, still holding on to their trouser leg (you could also keep hold of the sleeve, which will enable you to pull on both limbs for the pass, but it makes it harder to stand up), pulling up. That will make it difficult for them to recover, as you move around to a dominant position like side control or knee on belly. Standing up when someone has your foot in the air is hard.
________________
Teaching Notes: Nothing much to add on this as I've taught it a lot. I tried doing a more considered drill to help standing up from the sweep, miming that diagonal thrust all the way through. I'm not sure if it helped or not, but I don't think anybody had too much of a problem getting up, so I think it was useful. An interesting question came up about what to do if they crouch while you're trying to sweep. I think my answer to that would be just finish the sweep, if you already have that foot into the hip and you're still hooking their knee. It's still possible to finish the sweep. However, if they manage to get their weight settled and establish a solid base, it's going to be harder: you'd need to keep driving with your hip foot as they attempt to crouch into a stable base, to keep them off balance. I think. Seemed to work when we practiced it, but I'd be intrigued to see what would happen with a more experienced partner, who might be able to stuff the sweep more easily as they moved to a kneeling position.
I added in the sickle sweep too, though that does get more tricky when it comes to moving into the pass off the sweep, due to your legs getting tangled if you attempt to drive. Hence why I prefer the 'stand up while grabbing their leg' option for the sickle. That requires a bit more drilling to get used to, but I can always cover that later. Maybe next time the tripod comes up in the cycle, I'll switch it round, so start with the sickle in depth, then have the tripod as an add on? That would make sense, tripod is more straightforward.
23 February 2016
23/02/2016 - Salsa Souls at Riproar in Bristol | Left Turn
Class #012
Salsa Souls (Salsa), Riproar Club, Jo Kryulko, Bristol, UK - 23/02/2016
Back to salsa, where again we were doing the left turn. Based on what my dance partner was saying last week, I'm trying to make sure I count out the steps in my head each time. It makes a HUGE difference. I no doubt look a bit weird focusing in the middle distance while counting, but I'm messing up the steps less often. On the left turn, I'm not totally certain how the end bit (where you step round to finish the spin) splits up by steps, but seemed to work when I was doing it.
Leader's Left Turn
1 Step left, slight turn to the right
2 Tap back
3 Step back on the left, slightly turned out
4 Pause? Or more stepping?
5 Step more
6 Keep stepping? Got a bit confused there
Leading the Follower's Left Turn
1 Step forward, normal mambo
2 Tap
3 Step back in line
4 Pause
5 Step back on right, pull on their arm with your right
6 Tap, Push their arm forward with your right, let go
7 They do their spin as you step back in line. Keep stepping?
And with two hands
1 Step forward, normal mambo
2 Tap
3 Step back in line
4 Pause
5 Step back on right, pull on their arm with your right
6 Tap, Push their arm forward with your right, raise your left arm high
7 They do their spin as you step back in line
1 Keep arm high while they spin
2 They keep turning
3 Do your step forward, as they complete
4-7 Step round
Straight back into mambo
Salsa Souls (Salsa), Riproar Club, Jo Kryulko, Bristol, UK - 23/02/2016
Back to salsa, where again we were doing the left turn. Based on what my dance partner was saying last week, I'm trying to make sure I count out the steps in my head each time. It makes a HUGE difference. I no doubt look a bit weird focusing in the middle distance while counting, but I'm messing up the steps less often. On the left turn, I'm not totally certain how the end bit (where you step round to finish the spin) splits up by steps, but seemed to work when I was doing it.
Leader's Left Turn
1 Step left, slight turn to the right
2 Tap back
3 Step back on the left, slightly turned out
4 Pause? Or more stepping?
5 Step more
6 Keep stepping? Got a bit confused there
Leading the Follower's Left Turn
1 Step forward, normal mambo
2 Tap
3 Step back in line
4 Pause
5 Step back on right, pull on their arm with your right
6 Tap, Push their arm forward with your right, let go
7 They do their spin as you step back in line. Keep stepping?
And with two hands
1 Step forward, normal mambo
2 Tap
3 Step back in line
4 Pause
5 Step back on right, pull on their arm with your right
6 Tap, Push their arm forward with your right, raise your left arm high
7 They do their spin as you step back in line
1 Keep arm high while they spin
2 They keep turning
3 Do your step forward, as they complete
4-7 Step round
Straight back into mambo
23/02/2016 - Open Mat | Knee Shield Pass
Class #697
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Open Mat, Bristol, UK - 23/02/2016
Open mat stalwart Mike was there again today, meaning I could get in lots of sparring. Very handy! As Mike wasn't there yesterday for the knee shield pass, we went through that. Good refresher for me too, as well as a chance to practice both ends. Today really highlighted the importance of stapling their lower leg with you shin, I think that helps a lot. Even if I didn't pass straight away with that, it set up me up nicely for the pass, or at least getting past the knee shield.
Underneath, if there is any space, it isn't too difficult to slide a leg somewhere annoying. I was looking to iron out the kinks underneath by being annoying, but without using too much force and energy. When the leg has that space, I could generally hook something, or wriggle back to a guard. Eventually, as the top person gets better at squishing, the bottom person tends to be tempted into recovering guard. As soon as the bottom person moves their leg to recover the guard, that's when the top person can knee cut. Timing needs to be right, but if you're looking out for that shift, the knee cut is right there.
You also need to stay tight with the arm by their back. If there is any space, they can reach under the armpit and start twisting into shoulder clamps. I was playing with that a bunch on the bottom, as well as shoulder clamping the other arm to see if that would make a difference. If Mike stayed tight and heavy, using the staple, there wasn't too much I could do. But any space, and there was a route back to guard (though there's an experience gap of course, which helps).
It was great to roll with Mike, as always, I need to do much more of this. Perhaps it's time I insisted on switching out rounds with people, to make sure I get in a few rounds each time, instead of generally just doing that when it is odd numbers. I am especially keen to practice my open guard, which I feel is still the weakest part of my game. Going for the ankle pick over and over is too obvious, and I haven't gotten to grips (literally) with the loop choke or collar drag. I'm trying to move away from heavy grip reliance anyway.
I went to the koala guard a few times and moved into single leg sweeps, but they were sloppy. Also, again I think the experience gap helped a lot, that probably wouldn't have worked on somebody who has been training longer. What I really want is an open guard where I can attach myself to them, I hate not having some kind of control. I guess de la Riva is an option, but I've got short legs and I'm not a fan of the knee torsion that de la Riva requires. Maybe reverse de la Riva, as that's more like long range half guard? Something to play with: I do like the unstoppable sweep from there, but that's just one technique and requires quite a few points of control.
I was pleased to land a sit up escape from side control too, in a very gradual way. Normally I've had to be explosive to get my arm in place, but today I started by walking my arm back, then levering myself onto my shoulder. I didn't think it would have enough stability (and perhaps it wouldn't against higher belts, but meh). I attacked for armbars a lot today as well, though I don't think I actually landed any. Far too loose, giving far too much space. Also, Mike's defence is getting much better, especially his ability to anticipate what I'm going for. Excellent stuff, makes for a more fun roll. :D
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Open Mat, Bristol, UK - 23/02/2016
Open mat stalwart Mike was there again today, meaning I could get in lots of sparring. Very handy! As Mike wasn't there yesterday for the knee shield pass, we went through that. Good refresher for me too, as well as a chance to practice both ends. Today really highlighted the importance of stapling their lower leg with you shin, I think that helps a lot. Even if I didn't pass straight away with that, it set up me up nicely for the pass, or at least getting past the knee shield.
Underneath, if there is any space, it isn't too difficult to slide a leg somewhere annoying. I was looking to iron out the kinks underneath by being annoying, but without using too much force and energy. When the leg has that space, I could generally hook something, or wriggle back to a guard. Eventually, as the top person gets better at squishing, the bottom person tends to be tempted into recovering guard. As soon as the bottom person moves their leg to recover the guard, that's when the top person can knee cut. Timing needs to be right, but if you're looking out for that shift, the knee cut is right there.
You also need to stay tight with the arm by their back. If there is any space, they can reach under the armpit and start twisting into shoulder clamps. I was playing with that a bunch on the bottom, as well as shoulder clamping the other arm to see if that would make a difference. If Mike stayed tight and heavy, using the staple, there wasn't too much I could do. But any space, and there was a route back to guard (though there's an experience gap of course, which helps).
It was great to roll with Mike, as always, I need to do much more of this. Perhaps it's time I insisted on switching out rounds with people, to make sure I get in a few rounds each time, instead of generally just doing that when it is odd numbers. I am especially keen to practice my open guard, which I feel is still the weakest part of my game. Going for the ankle pick over and over is too obvious, and I haven't gotten to grips (literally) with the loop choke or collar drag. I'm trying to move away from heavy grip reliance anyway.
I went to the koala guard a few times and moved into single leg sweeps, but they were sloppy. Also, again I think the experience gap helped a lot, that probably wouldn't have worked on somebody who has been training longer. What I really want is an open guard where I can attach myself to them, I hate not having some kind of control. I guess de la Riva is an option, but I've got short legs and I'm not a fan of the knee torsion that de la Riva requires. Maybe reverse de la Riva, as that's more like long range half guard? Something to play with: I do like the unstoppable sweep from there, but that's just one technique and requires quite a few points of control.
I was pleased to land a sit up escape from side control too, in a very gradual way. Normally I've had to be explosive to get my arm in place, but today I started by walking my arm back, then levering myself onto my shoulder. I didn't think it would have enough stability (and perhaps it wouldn't against higher belts, but meh). I attacked for armbars a lot today as well, though I don't think I actually landed any. Far too loose, giving far too much space. Also, Mike's defence is getting much better, especially his ability to anticipate what I'm going for. Excellent stuff, makes for a more fun roll. :D
22 February 2016
22/02/2016 - Teaching | Half Guard | Knee Shield Staple Pass
Teaching #466
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 22/02/2016
First off, if their knee shield is high on your chest, it will be more difficult to push down. You can try shoving it down with your hands, but that not only exposes you to potential attack, it gives them a chance to move away and you might lose your passing opportunity. Try to use your bodyweight if possible. You then need to make sure they can't move their hips: in today's pass, I wanted to show how you can accomplish that by pinning either their lower or upper leg. You also want to block their upper body, in order to pin them in place. Finally, you need to get used to sliding over and past their upper leg while still maintaining maximum downwards pressure.
My preference is what Jason Scully calls the staple pass. To control their upper body, Scully puts his head down onto the mat by their armpit. His far arm has the elbow close to the mat, which is similar to Saulo's version that I've taught before, although Scully notes you can reach for an underhook. Also like Saulo, he takes hold of the lower knee with his hand to stop them moving: this accomplishes a similar result to what Dónal does, driving his knee across into their hip.
The 'staple' part is a little different. Similar to how you can circle back with your leg to add a brace for the half guard pressure pass, to beat the knee shield you can rotate your lower leg back to brace against the lower part of their bottom leg, in order to hold it in place. Cut your other knee across, basing the bracing leg out and stepping it forward. From here, it is possible to continue through and pass like Saulo.
However, Scully's version involves a change of direction. Shift your grip to their top knee, clamping that to the mat. Use that, your other arm and your head for base, then hop your legs over to the other side, establishing side control. It is much the same motion as in Kev's xmas guard passing drills a few years ago.
_____________________
Teaching Notes: People were often forgetting to staple with their leg (as I've also forgotten in the past) as well as not holding the knee all the way through. That meant when they tried to pass, they were put right back in guard. I'll keep on emphasising stapling the leg and keeping hold of the knee, as well as really squashing your weight down.
The mini-knee cut Scully does feels like it may not always be necessary, but I'll keep playing with that. Another thing I need to remember to show is that if they try to switch back to standard half guard, you want to be ready with the knee cut.
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 22/02/2016
First off, if their knee shield is high on your chest, it will be more difficult to push down. You can try shoving it down with your hands, but that not only exposes you to potential attack, it gives them a chance to move away and you might lose your passing opportunity. Try to use your bodyweight if possible. You then need to make sure they can't move their hips: in today's pass, I wanted to show how you can accomplish that by pinning either their lower or upper leg. You also want to block their upper body, in order to pin them in place. Finally, you need to get used to sliding over and past their upper leg while still maintaining maximum downwards pressure.
My preference is what Jason Scully calls the staple pass. To control their upper body, Scully puts his head down onto the mat by their armpit. His far arm has the elbow close to the mat, which is similar to Saulo's version that I've taught before, although Scully notes you can reach for an underhook. Also like Saulo, he takes hold of the lower knee with his hand to stop them moving: this accomplishes a similar result to what Dónal does, driving his knee across into their hip.
The 'staple' part is a little different. Similar to how you can circle back with your leg to add a brace for the half guard pressure pass, to beat the knee shield you can rotate your lower leg back to brace against the lower part of their bottom leg, in order to hold it in place. Cut your other knee across, basing the bracing leg out and stepping it forward. From here, it is possible to continue through and pass like Saulo.
However, Scully's version involves a change of direction. Shift your grip to their top knee, clamping that to the mat. Use that, your other arm and your head for base, then hop your legs over to the other side, establishing side control. It is much the same motion as in Kev's xmas guard passing drills a few years ago.
_____________________
Teaching Notes: People were often forgetting to staple with their leg (as I've also forgotten in the past) as well as not holding the knee all the way through. That meant when they tried to pass, they were put right back in guard. I'll keep on emphasising stapling the leg and keeping hold of the knee, as well as really squashing your weight down.
The mini-knee cut Scully does feels like it may not always be necessary, but I'll keep playing with that. Another thing I need to remember to show is that if they try to switch back to standard half guard, you want to be ready with the knee cut.
21 February 2016
21/02/2016 - Open Mat | Knee Shield Pass
Class #696
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Open Mat, Bristol, UK - 16/02/2016
It was a small turnout due to the Bristol Open yesterday, but I did get in a bit of drilling, so that's good. I'm going to go with the staple pass again tomorrow, which is the main one I try against knee shield. I could probably do with some alternatives: the shin-cutter looked like it might be an interesting possibility. Both of those are from Jason Scully, over on the Grapplers Guide, which I've found particularly good on half guard and closed guard.
The only person who really uses the knee shield much at Artemis BJJ is Sam, though he is particularly good with it (and the knee cut from the top too). That means I only really get to practice it when sparring him, which has been fun. I've mostly been trying the staple pass, as well as hooking his knee shield foot with my arm to hold it in place, which sometimes works. Reviewing the staple pass videos and practicing it today, I realised I'd been missing the important staple part of the pass itself. That's where you hook back with your foot to pin their bottom leg.
This should make a big difference against people like Sam, who are good at keeping a small hook with their toes even if you have the rest of them pinned. Removing that foot with your staple could be the key. Hopefully Sam will be there tomorrow so I can test this against somebody good at knee shield, but meh if not, can always do it next time he's in. Sam put in a great performance at the Bristol Open yesterday (4 fights, winning a silver), so I imagine he may not be in for a couple of days. ;)
Ross and Paul both got a bronze, while Simon L managed to win gold in his division. Very cool! I'll get a post sorted for the Artemis BJJ website soon. :)
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Open Mat, Bristol, UK - 16/02/2016
It was a small turnout due to the Bristol Open yesterday, but I did get in a bit of drilling, so that's good. I'm going to go with the staple pass again tomorrow, which is the main one I try against knee shield. I could probably do with some alternatives: the shin-cutter looked like it might be an interesting possibility. Both of those are from Jason Scully, over on the Grapplers Guide, which I've found particularly good on half guard and closed guard.
The only person who really uses the knee shield much at Artemis BJJ is Sam, though he is particularly good with it (and the knee cut from the top too). That means I only really get to practice it when sparring him, which has been fun. I've mostly been trying the staple pass, as well as hooking his knee shield foot with my arm to hold it in place, which sometimes works. Reviewing the staple pass videos and practicing it today, I realised I'd been missing the important staple part of the pass itself. That's where you hook back with your foot to pin their bottom leg.
This should make a big difference against people like Sam, who are good at keeping a small hook with their toes even if you have the rest of them pinned. Removing that foot with your staple could be the key. Hopefully Sam will be there tomorrow so I can test this against somebody good at knee shield, but meh if not, can always do it next time he's in. Sam put in a great performance at the Bristol Open yesterday (4 fights, winning a silver), so I imagine he may not be in for a couple of days. ;)
Ross and Paul both got a bronze, while Simon L managed to win gold in his division. Very cool! I'll get a post sorted for the Artemis BJJ website soon. :)
19 February 2016
19/02/2016 - Teaching | Half Guard | Opposite Side Pass
Teaching #465
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 19/02/2016
I first learned this pass from Roger Gracie a few years ago, getting some further great details from Ed Beneville and Tim Cartmell's excellent book. Beneville and Cartmell refer to the position as 'inverted half guard', but I prefer Saulo's nomenclature from Jiu Jitsu University: he uses the term 'opposite side pass'.'Inverted' is mainly associated with being upside down in BJJ, so I'll stick with Saulo.
The orthodox method to pass the half guard is to get a similar 'super-hold' (as Xande calls it) as you would in side control, then use shoulder pressure to hold them in place as you bounce your leg free and slide through. That's what I taught earlier this month. With the opposite side pass, you're also trying to control their upper body. In Saulo's version of the pass, on p307 of his book, they already have an underhook. He therefore grips over the top of that underhooking arm, securing it by gripping the gi material by the small of their back.
Posting on his free hand, he then swings his free leg over, ending up sat next to them. He suggests grabbing their knee initially, then shifting to grabbing the far hip. If you prefer, you can grab the knee and maintain that grip, to prevent a counter they can try where they open their half guard then hook under your knee. They can then lift and drive through to the top position.
My personal preference is to start the pass by reaching under their head with the arm on the same side as your trapped leg. This may feel counter-intuitive, as normally that is the arm you would use to underhook, but that's because you're swinging over to the other side. This is effectively a cross-face on the opposite side, which you lock in fully once you're over to the other side, driving your shoulder into their cheek/jaw to prevent them turning their head towards you. It's also key that after swinging to the other side, you post firmly on your outside leg, angling the knee towards their body. This should stop them bridging into you and getting a reversal.
Finally, you need to extricate your trapped leg. The simplest approach is to push on their bottom leg with your free foot, extricating yourself from half guard and taking top side control. The problem with that is it reduces your base, so they might be able to capitalise and reverse you. Not to say it isn't possible, but it requires your cross-face to be really solid. A slightly safer option is to step the basing leg in front of their leg, using it as a wedge. That means it both blocks their movement but still provides you with base. Another possibility is pulling their leg towards you in order to help create the space to free yourself.
A slight variation on this pass comes from the Beneville book: if you can get this one, it's probably the tightest option. Before you swing over, open up their lapel on the free leg side. Pass the end of their gi to the hand you have under their head and feed it through. Push their head slightly towards the trapped leg side, then shove your head in the space you’ve created. You can use your head for base, along with your free hand if required.
After you've swung over, watch out for a counter they may try, which is to lift up your leg with their far foot, flipping you over. To re-counter that, immediately switch from holding the knee to hooking behind their knee with your arm. That should stop them lifting for the sweep. Alternatively, you can also do a big step over to the other side as they try to flip you to your back.
________________
Teaching Notes: Like I said in the last write-up, I still like this pass, but I'm going to put it on the backburner for a bit, in favour of the hip switch and low pressure pass. I think those are both easier to get right than this one, as while I use it often myself, getting the balance and cross-face right is trickier.
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 19/02/2016
I first learned this pass from Roger Gracie a few years ago, getting some further great details from Ed Beneville and Tim Cartmell's excellent book. Beneville and Cartmell refer to the position as 'inverted half guard', but I prefer Saulo's nomenclature from Jiu Jitsu University: he uses the term 'opposite side pass'.'Inverted' is mainly associated with being upside down in BJJ, so I'll stick with Saulo.
The orthodox method to pass the half guard is to get a similar 'super-hold' (as Xande calls it) as you would in side control, then use shoulder pressure to hold them in place as you bounce your leg free and slide through. That's what I taught earlier this month. With the opposite side pass, you're also trying to control their upper body. In Saulo's version of the pass, on p307 of his book, they already have an underhook. He therefore grips over the top of that underhooking arm, securing it by gripping the gi material by the small of their back. Posting on his free hand, he then swings his free leg over, ending up sat next to them. He suggests grabbing their knee initially, then shifting to grabbing the far hip. If you prefer, you can grab the knee and maintain that grip, to prevent a counter they can try where they open their half guard then hook under your knee. They can then lift and drive through to the top position.
My personal preference is to start the pass by reaching under their head with the arm on the same side as your trapped leg. This may feel counter-intuitive, as normally that is the arm you would use to underhook, but that's because you're swinging over to the other side. This is effectively a cross-face on the opposite side, which you lock in fully once you're over to the other side, driving your shoulder into their cheek/jaw to prevent them turning their head towards you. It's also key that after swinging to the other side, you post firmly on your outside leg, angling the knee towards their body. This should stop them bridging into you and getting a reversal.
Finally, you need to extricate your trapped leg. The simplest approach is to push on their bottom leg with your free foot, extricating yourself from half guard and taking top side control. The problem with that is it reduces your base, so they might be able to capitalise and reverse you. Not to say it isn't possible, but it requires your cross-face to be really solid. A slightly safer option is to step the basing leg in front of their leg, using it as a wedge. That means it both blocks their movement but still provides you with base. Another possibility is pulling their leg towards you in order to help create the space to free yourself.
A slight variation on this pass comes from the Beneville book: if you can get this one, it's probably the tightest option. Before you swing over, open up their lapel on the free leg side. Pass the end of their gi to the hand you have under their head and feed it through. Push their head slightly towards the trapped leg side, then shove your head in the space you’ve created. You can use your head for base, along with your free hand if required.
After you've swung over, watch out for a counter they may try, which is to lift up your leg with their far foot, flipping you over. To re-counter that, immediately switch from holding the knee to hooking behind their knee with your arm. That should stop them lifting for the sweep. Alternatively, you can also do a big step over to the other side as they try to flip you to your back.
________________
Teaching Notes: Like I said in the last write-up, I still like this pass, but I'm going to put it on the backburner for a bit, in favour of the hip switch and low pressure pass. I think those are both easier to get right than this one, as while I use it often myself, getting the balance and cross-face right is trickier.
17 February 2016
17/02/2016 - Teaching | Half Guard | Hip Switch Pass
Teaching #464
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 17/02/2016
Start by flattening out your opponent, driving your free knee into their hip, then walking your trapped leg across. Apply a heavy cross-face: this is absolutely central to the technique. Without a solid cross face, they will be able to turn towards you, perhaps even getting a reversal. If they manage to get an underhook, you'll still need to be wary of getting rolled over: hooking an arm by their leg should block it.
Once you've got that cross-face firmly locked in, raise your hips slightly. This is in order to switch your hips, bringing your free knee up by their hip (sliding underneath your trapped leg). Shift back slightly, in order to make some space in front of their bottom leg. Using either the knee or your shin, wedge that against their lower leg leg. With your free arm, grasp their trouser leg and yank it towards you, in order to open up enough space to free your leg. Ideally you also want to keep your head low and turned towards their legs, to make it harder for them to push into your throat.
________________
Teaching Notes: I think this all went ok, though again I'm writing this a while after the class. I have been trying to avoid looking at my phone after 9pm, as I think that messes up my sleep, but that also means there is too much of a delay when I write some of these classes up (especially Wednesday sessions, as I'm at my office job on Thursdays and Fridays). I think I'll start getting into the habit of quickly scribbling something on my phone before I cycle home, to jog my memory. :)
Anyway, I do remember that next time the thing to emphasise is getting that bottom knee in front of their knee, without raising it off the ground and disrupting your base. Keeping the cross face solid is important too. I think this is definitely an easier pass than the opposite side option I'm teaching tomorrow, so next time half guard month comes around, I'll focus the passing on the lower Saulo pressure pass and this one. The opposite side pass is still decent, but perhaps not as useful for beginners, because it can go very wrong if you mess it up. ;)
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 17/02/2016
Start by flattening out your opponent, driving your free knee into their hip, then walking your trapped leg across. Apply a heavy cross-face: this is absolutely central to the technique. Without a solid cross face, they will be able to turn towards you, perhaps even getting a reversal. If they manage to get an underhook, you'll still need to be wary of getting rolled over: hooking an arm by their leg should block it. Once you've got that cross-face firmly locked in, raise your hips slightly. This is in order to switch your hips, bringing your free knee up by their hip (sliding underneath your trapped leg). Shift back slightly, in order to make some space in front of their bottom leg. Using either the knee or your shin, wedge that against their lower leg leg. With your free arm, grasp their trouser leg and yank it towards you, in order to open up enough space to free your leg. Ideally you also want to keep your head low and turned towards their legs, to make it harder for them to push into your throat.
________________
Teaching Notes: I think this all went ok, though again I'm writing this a while after the class. I have been trying to avoid looking at my phone after 9pm, as I think that messes up my sleep, but that also means there is too much of a delay when I write some of these classes up (especially Wednesday sessions, as I'm at my office job on Thursdays and Fridays). I think I'll start getting into the habit of quickly scribbling something on my phone before I cycle home, to jog my memory. :)
Anyway, I do remember that next time the thing to emphasise is getting that bottom knee in front of their knee, without raising it off the ground and disrupting your base. Keeping the cross face solid is important too. I think this is definitely an easier pass than the opposite side option I'm teaching tomorrow, so next time half guard month comes around, I'll focus the passing on the lower Saulo pressure pass and this one. The opposite side pass is still decent, but perhaps not as useful for beginners, because it can go very wrong if you mess it up. ;)
17/02/2016 - Teaching | Women's Class | Double Ankle Grab Sweep
Teaching #463
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 17/02/2016
The situation for this is that they have stood up in your closed guard. As they stand up, if you've got a grip on their collar or head, maintain it in order to keep their posture bent forwards. At the moment you let go of that grip (if you have one) and they try to reach an upright position, grab behind their ankles (around the outside: if you grab around the inside, there's an injury risk).
Open your guard (when they stand, they are looking to open it and pass. It's better if when you open your guard, it's on your terms rather than theirs), bringing your knees together under their chest. You can also put your feet on their hips, depending on their height and how much leverage you need. Either way, drive those feet or knees into them. That should knock them over if they aren't prepared for the sweep. One advantage of the knees is you can keep squeezing your legs into their sides, which can help you use their momentum as they fall back (but be careful you don't get your feet under them too much, or you might hurt yourself as you hit the floor).
After they've hit the mat, before they can react, come up on your hand and same side knee. Bring your hips forward on that same side. It's much easier if you move in a diagonal direction, rather than trying to go straight forward. Slide your knee on that side to the mat, keeping your hips low, also grabbing behind their head (or collar). From there, you could go to mount, s-mount, side control etc. It is an awkward position, so takes a bit of getting used to. I used a hip thrust drill during the warm-up to help: you can do a technical stand-up from here too if you find that easier, keeping hold of their leg and passing around to the side.
_____________________
Teaching Notes: I still want to come up with some kind of drill that helps people practice getting up after this sweep. Probably best thing to do would be practice the sweep a bunch of times. In terms of teaching it, still a useful technique: one of the blue belts hit it at a comp recently (though they didn't manage to come up in time to get mount, another good reason for me to put it into the warm-up as a drill).
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 17/02/2016
The situation for this is that they have stood up in your closed guard. As they stand up, if you've got a grip on their collar or head, maintain it in order to keep their posture bent forwards. At the moment you let go of that grip (if you have one) and they try to reach an upright position, grab behind their ankles (around the outside: if you grab around the inside, there's an injury risk).Open your guard (when they stand, they are looking to open it and pass. It's better if when you open your guard, it's on your terms rather than theirs), bringing your knees together under their chest. You can also put your feet on their hips, depending on their height and how much leverage you need. Either way, drive those feet or knees into them. That should knock them over if they aren't prepared for the sweep. One advantage of the knees is you can keep squeezing your legs into their sides, which can help you use their momentum as they fall back (but be careful you don't get your feet under them too much, or you might hurt yourself as you hit the floor).
After they've hit the mat, before they can react, come up on your hand and same side knee. Bring your hips forward on that same side. It's much easier if you move in a diagonal direction, rather than trying to go straight forward. Slide your knee on that side to the mat, keeping your hips low, also grabbing behind their head (or collar). From there, you could go to mount, s-mount, side control etc. It is an awkward position, so takes a bit of getting used to. I used a hip thrust drill during the warm-up to help: you can do a technical stand-up from here too if you find that easier, keeping hold of their leg and passing around to the side.
_____________________
Teaching Notes: I still want to come up with some kind of drill that helps people practice getting up after this sweep. Probably best thing to do would be practice the sweep a bunch of times. In terms of teaching it, still a useful technique: one of the blue belts hit it at a comp recently (though they didn't manage to come up in time to get mount, another good reason for me to put it into the warm-up as a drill).
16 February 2016
16/02/2016 - Salsa Souls at Riproar in Bristol | Left Turn
Class #011
Salsa Souls (Salsa), Riproar Club, Jo Kryulko, Bristol, UK - 16/02/2016
At least I think it was left turn. The teacher has gotten into a habit of teaching one thing before the break which looks complex, then something else straightforward after the break: I'm not sure if one is the leader's version and the other the follower's? Anyway, the part I remember is that the lead does half a mambo (step forward, shift weight forward, then step back), before tugging gently with their right arm. They then raise their left arm as they step forward, while the follower turns.
Seemed simple enough, until I tried it during the 'free dance' bit at the end. That resulted in a blank stare while I held their arm in the air, so I clearly don't have the timing right for the leading stuff, as I'm not giving them enough warning before the turn. It would probably help if I thought more about the number as I step (the whole, '1, 2, 3, 4, 5' etc thing), rather than just thinking about it as forward and back. I'm also still not getting especially stuck in with the free dance stuff at the end: messing up steps doesn't help, but I'll have to start forcing myself or I'll never get any better. Just like with BJJ, I'm not forcing myself to jump in often enough. ;)
I did get in a bit of salsa on holiday, as the hotel activities team was really good (especially on Spanish lessons, pretty cool to get a good three hours worth during my stay). However, they did tend to throw in a bunch of other dances: the female teacher was especially keen on reggaeton. Good work out and I certainly slept well that night, but not overly relevant to salsa. But meh, all fun. First time I've danced with a bloke in salsa too, as there weren't many people during the hotel salsa classes. :)
Salsa Souls (Salsa), Riproar Club, Jo Kryulko, Bristol, UK - 16/02/2016
At least I think it was left turn. The teacher has gotten into a habit of teaching one thing before the break which looks complex, then something else straightforward after the break: I'm not sure if one is the leader's version and the other the follower's? Anyway, the part I remember is that the lead does half a mambo (step forward, shift weight forward, then step back), before tugging gently with their right arm. They then raise their left arm as they step forward, while the follower turns.
Seemed simple enough, until I tried it during the 'free dance' bit at the end. That resulted in a blank stare while I held their arm in the air, so I clearly don't have the timing right for the leading stuff, as I'm not giving them enough warning before the turn. It would probably help if I thought more about the number as I step (the whole, '1, 2, 3, 4, 5' etc thing), rather than just thinking about it as forward and back. I'm also still not getting especially stuck in with the free dance stuff at the end: messing up steps doesn't help, but I'll have to start forcing myself or I'll never get any better. Just like with BJJ, I'm not forcing myself to jump in often enough. ;)
I did get in a bit of salsa on holiday, as the hotel activities team was really good (especially on Spanish lessons, pretty cool to get a good three hours worth during my stay). However, they did tend to throw in a bunch of other dances: the female teacher was especially keen on reggaeton. Good work out and I certainly slept well that night, but not overly relevant to salsa. But meh, all fun. First time I've danced with a bloke in salsa too, as there weren't many people during the hotel salsa classes. :)
16/02/2016 - Open Mat | Step Over Triangle
Class #695
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Open Mat, Bristol, UK - 16/02/2016
I got in some more sparring today, which is always cool. That included a chance to try out the armbar grip break from the last open mat I went to, fun times. With Mike, an interesting question came up regarding the step over triangle. As I had just done it to him, he sensibly wanted to know if there was a good way to defend against it. I can't think of the last time anyone did this to me, so that's a question I need to explore!
I had Mike do it to me and then had a play with what I might do to defend. Possibly wriggling your free arm underneath to link them, forming a wedge against their leg you could use to open up space? Not sure if that would work. I'll explore this in sparring next time, starting from there and seeing if I can work a way out. It's always good to understand the defence for offensive positions you like, as then your offence gets better due to closing off those escape routes. ;)
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Open Mat, Bristol, UK - 16/02/2016
I got in some more sparring today, which is always cool. That included a chance to try out the armbar grip break from the last open mat I went to, fun times. With Mike, an interesting question came up regarding the step over triangle. As I had just done it to him, he sensibly wanted to know if there was a good way to defend against it. I can't think of the last time anyone did this to me, so that's a question I need to explore!
I had Mike do it to me and then had a play with what I might do to defend. Possibly wriggling your free arm underneath to link them, forming a wedge against their leg you could use to open up space? Not sure if that would work. I'll explore this in sparring next time, starting from there and seeing if I can work a way out. It's always good to understand the defence for offensive positions you like, as then your offence gets better due to closing off those escape routes. ;)
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