Wednesday, August 30, 2017

August 2017 - Week #7 Technique Companion

Theme & Techniques: Seoi Nage, Back Mount Lapel Choke, Guillotine from Guard

Seoi Nage 
Video: In-depth analysis of Ippon Seoi nage by Matt D'Aquino of Beyond Grappling

A couple of pointers when executing this throw.  Don't put their armpit over your shoulder, it should go closer to the crook of your elbow.  Judo Bob says that this throw is more like a hand technique rather than a hip throw.  After working with Bob on this and other throws I'm only scratching the surface with understanding it.

The drop seoi nage is the throw that I've had the most success with.  The morote has also been coming together for me.

This is the Morote Seoi Nage that I've been working on lately: Moro-Te-Seoi-Nage-Omote-Eingang (Tokio Hirano-Lehrgang 1984 in Papendaal, Holland)

Back Mount Lapel Choke
Video: Basic Collar Choke Variation from the Back

This is the technique that I attempted at Masters Worlds and wasn't able to get the tap.  I believe that my grip was too shallow and even though it felt pretty tight, my opponent was able to gut it out.

The big thing I find students have a problem with on this technique is that they contort their wrist too much to their opponent's neck.  So these are the tips that I usually give.

  • Grab a higher collar grip than a bow and arrow.  You want to use wrist contact for the  choke.
  • As you start to apply the choke, put your knuckles down on their chest.  Pull their collary tight against their neck and push your pinky away, allowing your wrist to jut into their neck.
  • Slowly apply the choke in 10% increments instead of trying to use all of your strength at once.

Guillotine from Guard
Video: Master Pedro Sauer - Guillotine Technique

Not something that I hit very often from closed guard but i think it's an important movment that will play into next week's techniques (Hip Bump and Kimura).  The main pointer that I share with this technique is that it's okay to put your feet on the ground to help push yourself back to make the space needed.  You don't want your hips right against them and you need room to connect your hands.

Then when you fall, don't go straight back but to the side, so you can get a good angle on their neck and prevent their shoulder pressure escape.  Next, keep your choking arm shoulder off the mat.  Being lazy with it will often allow your opponents head to pop out of the choke.

Bonus: Marcelo Garcia on the Guillotine from Closed Guard

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

August 2017 - Week #6 Technique Companion

Theme & Techniques:  RNC Defense with O-soto gari, Back Mount: Escape, RNC

RNC Defense with O-soto gari
Video: Top 4 Jiu-Jitsu Techniques to Escape Rear Choke
Defending the head lock with osoto gari - START BJJ Academy
Self Defense RNC to Osoto Gari and Armbar

This is used when you get bent backward during a standing headlock or RNC.  Putting your hand on their wrist and keeping them from connecting their hands is paramount.  After circling their leg, take small steps to line your hips up. As you turn keep pressure down on their shoulder to keep their weight on that leg before you sweep it.

Back Mount: Escape
Video: Highest Percentage Rear Mount Escape for Gi and No-Gi

Such an important technique that I use often. Here are some tips:
  • Start with getting your head to the side you want to escape to.  Make your opponent uncomfortable.
  • Use your feet to push your hips above their hips and get your shoulders on the mat. 
  • Continue to defend from chokes and be prepared to take half guard.

Bonus: BJJ back escape to deep half (skateboard escape)

RNC
Video: Clark Gracie with Rear Naked Choke Details

One of the quintessential techniques of BJJ and by far the most finished submission in MMA, also called Mata Leao (Lion Killer).  Besides back mount I've been hitting this from crucifix lately as well.

I suggest watching the video below, because the squeeze is super important. Trust me, it's a flat Earth free video.

Some tips on this technique:

  • In the back mount position, protect your choking hand with the underhook hand. 
  • Your harness grip is more important than your hooks. Keep it tight using your elbow and chin.
  • Trapping an arm is preferable.
  • The main goal is to squeeze your forearm and bicep together hit the sides of the neck.
  • Use your back muscles to thrust your chest forward.  

Bonus: Eddie Bravo - How to develop a strong rear naked choke squeeze

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

August 2017 - Week #5 Technique Companion

Theme & Techniques: Double Leg, Mount: Cross Collar Choke, Upa

Double Leg
Video: Double Leg Takedown - BJJ Blue Belt Requirements Technique #1

I'm slowly feeling better about pulling off this technique and I have hit it in rolling more often lately.  Especially after working more stand-up in preparation for Worlds. Also, Nick is very good at double legging and we do it often in the MMA class.

A thing that I need to focus on is not trying to setup this takedown from too far away.  So many times I've attempted to shoot from 5 feet away and got stuffed repeatedly.  I still need to improve on it but I'm starting to get it. 

Cross Collar Choke
Video: Roger Gracie, Cross Collar Choke: Jiu-Jitsu Magazine, Issue #27.

Jerad inspired me to get better at this technique.  He started hitting it on me and has a pretty good game using this choke setup now.  I'd almost rather be in his back mount than his mount sometimes. With all of that said I find it to still be a difficult submission to setup,  but it often will help setup other attacks.

Important things that I've learned:
  • Don't attempt to choke until your head is on the floor.  This is how Greg does it.
  • If you think your grip is deep enough, you're probably wrong.
  • Choking someone can be a psychological battle as well as a physical one.  Don't start your choke at 100% and then figure out your grip is not right and relax and try again.  Your opponent will think they've weathered the storm.  I use percentages, I'll start at maybe 40% and begin to move up 10%.  So it always feels like it's getting worse.
Bonus: Cross Choke Mastery Seminar (Rener Gracie)

Upa Escape
Video: This Week In BJJ Episode 61 with Rickson Gracie Part 4 of 4

I only really learned how to do this technique well after Greg did it to me during positional sparring. He does this technique very explosively and times his bridge, his step over and trapping the arm at almost the same time.

I also like the point Rickson brings up in the video about moving your head like a back roll.

Beware of your arms though, it's easy to get caught with an armbar if you let them stray from your chest.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

August 2017 - Week #4 Technique Companion

Theme & Techniques: Standing Headlock Escape to Tani Otoshi, Kneeling Guard Break, Single Under Pass

Standing Headlock Escape to Tani Otoshi
Video: 3 Standing Headlock Escapes - BJJ Self Defense and BJJ Self Defense Lesson 5: Headlock Defense

Couldn't find a video that exactly fit but these 2 are pretty close.  I think the biggest difference is that we look to stop their far leg from stepping with our foot and get lower to the .

Kneeling Guard Break
Video: Beginner BJJ Fundamentals - Opening Closed Guard from Knees Concepts - Jason Scully


Single Under Pass
Video: opening the closed guard / single under hook stack pass

Surprisingly a difficult video to find. The one I linked to is probably the closest to how we do it that I could find.  Unfortunately the guy is teaching during a basketball game in the background. 

Some points to making this pass work.
  • Hips low: Try to plank instead of lifting your butt way in the air.
  • Push forward using your toes.  Don't turn until you have them fully stacked.  Then you can grab their pants for belt to lift their hips up a little more.  
  • After turning push forward again and avoid lifting your head.  Drive their legs to the floor.
  • Make them want to let you pass. 

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

July 2017 - Week #3 Technique Companion

Theme & Techniques: O-Goshi, Cross Collar Choke from Closed Guard, Armbar from Closed Gaurd

O-Goshi
Video: Judo basics: O goshi, judo takedowns

I don't think I've figured out how to setup this throw yet.  To get the underhook often feels so far away, and if I do get it they pull their hips way back.  I really need to improve my kazushi to get them up on the balls of their feet to get under their base.  It's a work in progress.

Cross Collar Choke from Closed Guard
Video: Roger Gracie, Cross Collar Choke

This is one of those techniques that I don't finish very often but occassionally it presents itself.  I would even say it took me a while to get good enough to complete it while drilling.  Like Roger mentions in his video above  the wrists play a big part in it.  Try not to contort your wrist around your opponent's neck.  They need to be sharp to complete the choke.

Bonus
Kurt Osiander move of the week - Choke from Guard

Armbar from Closed Gaurd
Video:  Closed Guard Submission Basic Armbar

Posture control is the key to being successful with this technique.  A common mistake with this and triangle is that you want to remain flat on your back as you turn.  Don't try to shrimp into the armbar, your legs need to keep them from withdrawing their arm.

Another important factor is learning to use a bite with the leg over their head.  If you ar a beginner avoid crossing your feet during the armbar as it could create some unnecissary space.  Also I'm and advocate of kicking up into the armpit to get their weight going forward making it easier to get round their head.

Bonus
The easiest way to teach the armbar from Guard