Continued to work the fake guard jump single leg takedown.
1) trapped the leg between my thighs and hopped backwards until partner's leg is close to mine at which point I drop on my knees and both my hands grab for the ankle of the partner's free leg until he collapes over and I end up on top. Remember when I have the single to hold my collar. I can even use one hand to grab partner's free ankle while I hold onto my collar with my hand holding the leg.
2) fake guard pull to single. Pick the leg straight up and bring it to my outside (left side) and sweep with an osoto gari variation. Remember to sweep with my right leg pushing him forward with my right hand on his collar. My left arm holding his leg should be holding my collar as I do this.
Counter to the Single Leg
- If the opponent has control of my right leg I keep it in between his legs. I immediately reach over his back with my right hand and grab his belt palm down. I then push his head to my right side so it's ont centered on my body. My left hand reaches under him and holds the arm (his outside arm; left?) trapping it. I scoot my standing leg foward so I can get under him and I drop myself to the ground pulling and kicking him backwards with my leg in between his thighs until I am on top.
Rolling:
Dylan: played leg locks. passed guard. ended on top. side control. mount. hard to secure submission from mount. he has good defense.
Jordan: played leg locks and it made it a little more difficult for Jordan. I think I got a triple sweep. Survived a little longer this time around.
Liron: a lot of x-guard. swpet to roll on top and had to pass with knee through leg over shoulder. Maintained good side control. When I mount I controled his left arm with an over under which really helped keep him in position. He bumped many times and I was able to maintain position.
Ian: really have to fight to retain gaurd with Ian. He drives 110% and waits for me to tire out. I might need to turn up the aggression when retaining guard.
Danny: rolling with Danny is a lot of fun because we roll around in all sorts of position. playing a lot of x-guard and always looking to try to take his back. he is really good at pass my guard but I've been getting better preventing it.
Tyler: at the end of class rolled 5 minutes. I used no strength just relied on pure technique. I tried not to use my arms. It was a good experience. lots of butterfly, backtakes, smooth scarfhold to side control. It helped me work on my fluidity.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
DJ IN THE HOUSE
On Saturday DJ from Atlanta, one of Felipe's students from 15 years back, came in and taught the gi class.
First we learned some take downs.
1) Regular sleeve collar grip on my partner. I fake a guard pull by raising my right leg up. I have to make it seem real so I have to lean back a little and then surprise my partner by rushing in for the single leg. Remember my right leg drops back down onto my knee and then follow up by stepping in with my left leg on the ground. My head should be against my partner's sternum (ffacing foward down head down) and I lift my partner's right leg with both my arms while trapping his leg in between my legs.
- partner tries to regain some control by placing the leg on the outside of my body (my left). My left leg goes right in between his legs to the back (as deep as possible) and I reach my left hand around his waist (from the right) getting the underhook. Makes it easier if I am bent over so when I pick his left ankle with my right hand it will be easier. Once I pick his ankle I drop my right shoulder over my partner so he can not escape. Place my weight towards partner's upper right shoulder area.
2) Grab both sleeves and with my right hand I steer partner's left arm over to the opposite side of his body (steering to my left). As I do this I step my right leg right behind his right foot and I pick his ankle with my left (free) hand. I do this all at once using my momentum to sweep him over. I think I can use my shoulder's to drive him backwards. I can also do this with just one sleeve which is also very effective.
Ground Work:
1) From standing position I grab partner's right wrist with my left hand and pass it over so I have a pistol grip with my right hand and my left hand grabs right under partner's tricep area near the pit. Once that arm is secured I place my left foot on his right hip and I fall to my back pulling guard. Make sure I am on my side and extending my left leg out to keep opponent away. Now I release the tricep with my left hand and grab behind partner's right foot. Pretty much like I would set up the x-guard triple sweep style I bring my right hook inside partner's left leg to pull myself in so I can shift and get my left knee behin partner's right leg. Now his right leg should be off the ground with my left hand holding behind his right foot keeping his leg off the ground. This makes it hard for the big guys to balance on one leg and almost impossible to pass my guard while I set up my sweep or backtake.
a) now I can bring that trapped leg all the way around to the other side of my body (underhooking the leg bringing it around makes it easier for me) clearing both arms so I can trap that leg under my elbows. i am in X-GUARD now. I should have the pistol grip still. His leg should be over both my arms so my pistol grip should be under his right leg now (behind him). Now my left hand will grab his right thigh area. I loosen my right hook for now and I sweep my partner backwards with my left hook and as he is going back I straight out my right hook (keeping contact at all times) until he falls back on his side facing opposite of me. While still maintaining contact with my right hook I come up and secure a good seat belt grip.
-For seat belt grip Marcelo likes to hide the choking hand by my grabbing the fat part of the hand and not wrist in order to make it impossible for partner to pry my grip open by placing both hands on my hand when I grab my own wrist.
-secure the seat belt. get the hook in that's on the side of choking hand then fall to that side and work to get the other hook in
b) Same scenario as (a) but now that I've brought partner's leg all the way around he is placing his weight forward so I can not sweep him back. Now I simply bring my right hook around to his other leg (back of his right leg) and I come around to the back and pretty much grab his belt and let him ride into my lap and take his back. Just like the other x-guard move Felipe showed where I take an opponent's back
Rolling:
- Pulled the x-guard back take on Danny and almost submitted him with a bow and arrow.
- Pulled the x-guard and almost took Ian's back but he kept turning back into me . I need to figure out a way to kill his drive when passing because he just tires me out.
- I did well with Pete. Able to pass and maintain top control.
- Did well with Liron with the stacking passes from both sides where I bring his leg on top my my shoulder.
First we learned some take downs.
1) Regular sleeve collar grip on my partner. I fake a guard pull by raising my right leg up. I have to make it seem real so I have to lean back a little and then surprise my partner by rushing in for the single leg. Remember my right leg drops back down onto my knee and then follow up by stepping in with my left leg on the ground. My head should be against my partner's sternum (ffacing foward down head down) and I lift my partner's right leg with both my arms while trapping his leg in between my legs.
- partner tries to regain some control by placing the leg on the outside of my body (my left). My left leg goes right in between his legs to the back (as deep as possible) and I reach my left hand around his waist (from the right) getting the underhook. Makes it easier if I am bent over so when I pick his left ankle with my right hand it will be easier. Once I pick his ankle I drop my right shoulder over my partner so he can not escape. Place my weight towards partner's upper right shoulder area.
2) Grab both sleeves and with my right hand I steer partner's left arm over to the opposite side of his body (steering to my left). As I do this I step my right leg right behind his right foot and I pick his ankle with my left (free) hand. I do this all at once using my momentum to sweep him over. I think I can use my shoulder's to drive him backwards. I can also do this with just one sleeve which is also very effective.
Ground Work:
1) From standing position I grab partner's right wrist with my left hand and pass it over so I have a pistol grip with my right hand and my left hand grabs right under partner's tricep area near the pit. Once that arm is secured I place my left foot on his right hip and I fall to my back pulling guard. Make sure I am on my side and extending my left leg out to keep opponent away. Now I release the tricep with my left hand and grab behind partner's right foot. Pretty much like I would set up the x-guard triple sweep style I bring my right hook inside partner's left leg to pull myself in so I can shift and get my left knee behin partner's right leg. Now his right leg should be off the ground with my left hand holding behind his right foot keeping his leg off the ground. This makes it hard for the big guys to balance on one leg and almost impossible to pass my guard while I set up my sweep or backtake.
a) now I can bring that trapped leg all the way around to the other side of my body (underhooking the leg bringing it around makes it easier for me) clearing both arms so I can trap that leg under my elbows. i am in X-GUARD now. I should have the pistol grip still. His leg should be over both my arms so my pistol grip should be under his right leg now (behind him). Now my left hand will grab his right thigh area. I loosen my right hook for now and I sweep my partner backwards with my left hook and as he is going back I straight out my right hook (keeping contact at all times) until he falls back on his side facing opposite of me. While still maintaining contact with my right hook I come up and secure a good seat belt grip.
-For seat belt grip Marcelo likes to hide the choking hand by my grabbing the fat part of the hand and not wrist in order to make it impossible for partner to pry my grip open by placing both hands on my hand when I grab my own wrist.
-secure the seat belt. get the hook in that's on the side of choking hand then fall to that side and work to get the other hook in
b) Same scenario as (a) but now that I've brought partner's leg all the way around he is placing his weight forward so I can not sweep him back. Now I simply bring my right hook around to his other leg (back of his right leg) and I come around to the back and pretty much grab his belt and let him ride into my lap and take his back. Just like the other x-guard move Felipe showed where I take an opponent's back
Rolling:
- Pulled the x-guard back take on Danny and almost submitted him with a bow and arrow.
- Pulled the x-guard and almost took Ian's back but he kept turning back into me . I need to figure out a way to kill his drive when passing because he just tires me out.
- I did well with Pete. Able to pass and maintain top control.
- Did well with Liron with the stacking passes from both sides where I bring his leg on top my my shoulder.
Friday, June 10, 2011
X-Guard Day 3
I decided to take a break and go train again yesterday because I really liked the focus on x-guard for the week and did not want to miss out on any cool techniques Felipe shows.
We continued working on getting into x-guard from spider by the triple sweep motion and also from the belt with a slight variation. If I am playing open guard my opponent stuffs my feet between his legs and places his weight on me to keep me from using my guard, I am pretty much in butterfly guard so what I do is have one arm pushing him while I kick out with my hooks and immediately rush in from the belt grab in butterfly position. Now I have my right hook in, shoot my left leg through while pulling my partner on top of me and lifting him to establish the x-guard.
We learned a couple sweeps from x-guard:
1) If the opponent has his weight back I place both "feet" on his inside left thigh and I stretch/ kick it out and curl my legs back in and stand.
2) In x-guard I grip partner's right leg on my shoulder and bring it to the other side of me. Or better I think ducking under and shifting my body to the other side is good too. Move myself not my partner. So after bring my partner's leg over my face I can:
a) grip opponent's right sleeve with my right hand (MG grip) and myleft hand releases his right leg to grab his belt from behind. Now I sweep him backwards.
b) Grab his belt with my left hand and swim through with my right hand like we've been working on to get to his back and have my shin behind partner's knees. Now I let let him ride until he falls into my lap and I have his back. Or I swim to the back and grab both his ankles and force him forward with my knees.
Rolling:
Robert: I played it smart and kept low and he caught me in a triangle. Pretty much defended it until the last minute by stacking him and making sure I has space to breath.
Doc: played low and fought for the belt grip to play x-guard. Unable to lift Doc into x guard so went on top and focused on passing guard. Did well and I did manage to drive and pass his guard and end up in side control until the buzzer.
Taylor: This was a great roll. Taylor played his inverted guard and I was able to catch his back several times. Sometimes between his legs. Sometimes while he was rolling around. Sometimes I just made it up. Pretty much anything I can do to pull him up to expose his back so I can rush in and attack. I can't really recall how I did it but my body was able to improvise and come up with a plan. I think really it was being able to apply weight on his legs and get a grip on his belt or the tail of his gi. Sometimes we'd both end up in odd positions facing away from eachother but I'd control his body and somehow reach for his belt and pull him into a position where he would be forced to turn facing away from me allowing me that one second to attack. Taylor is very squirmy like me and when I take his back he can sometimes roll out into a position and I have been able to maintain his back or allow him to turn so I can mount him. Being able to roll around and adapt to his invertedness also helped. Become like water is making more sense. Rolling around to imitate my opponent is making it easier to catch their backs. Wow this is amazing I really like how fluid the rolls are becoming. I am starting to take a break from all the spider guard and I am beginning to pass, take their backs, and imitate their rolling. BJJ is even more exciting now. Combine this with my speed and it becomes quite an advantage. It seems as if there are few people who are focused on taking the back in class. They have more of a smash you, pass your guard, mount you, and choke you mentality.
We continued working on getting into x-guard from spider by the triple sweep motion and also from the belt with a slight variation. If I am playing open guard my opponent stuffs my feet between his legs and places his weight on me to keep me from using my guard, I am pretty much in butterfly guard so what I do is have one arm pushing him while I kick out with my hooks and immediately rush in from the belt grab in butterfly position. Now I have my right hook in, shoot my left leg through while pulling my partner on top of me and lifting him to establish the x-guard.
We learned a couple sweeps from x-guard:
1) If the opponent has his weight back I place both "feet" on his inside left thigh and I stretch/ kick it out and curl my legs back in and stand.
2) In x-guard I grip partner's right leg on my shoulder and bring it to the other side of me. Or better I think ducking under and shifting my body to the other side is good too. Move myself not my partner. So after bring my partner's leg over my face I can:
a) grip opponent's right sleeve with my right hand (MG grip) and myleft hand releases his right leg to grab his belt from behind. Now I sweep him backwards.
b) Grab his belt with my left hand and swim through with my right hand like we've been working on to get to his back and have my shin behind partner's knees. Now I let let him ride until he falls into my lap and I have his back. Or I swim to the back and grab both his ankles and force him forward with my knees.
Rolling:
Robert: I played it smart and kept low and he caught me in a triangle. Pretty much defended it until the last minute by stacking him and making sure I has space to breath.
Doc: played low and fought for the belt grip to play x-guard. Unable to lift Doc into x guard so went on top and focused on passing guard. Did well and I did manage to drive and pass his guard and end up in side control until the buzzer.
Taylor: This was a great roll. Taylor played his inverted guard and I was able to catch his back several times. Sometimes between his legs. Sometimes while he was rolling around. Sometimes I just made it up. Pretty much anything I can do to pull him up to expose his back so I can rush in and attack. I can't really recall how I did it but my body was able to improvise and come up with a plan. I think really it was being able to apply weight on his legs and get a grip on his belt or the tail of his gi. Sometimes we'd both end up in odd positions facing away from eachother but I'd control his body and somehow reach for his belt and pull him into a position where he would be forced to turn facing away from me allowing me that one second to attack. Taylor is very squirmy like me and when I take his back he can sometimes roll out into a position and I have been able to maintain his back or allow him to turn so I can mount him. Being able to roll around and adapt to his invertedness also helped. Become like water is making more sense. Rolling around to imitate my opponent is making it easier to catch their backs. Wow this is amazing I really like how fluid the rolls are becoming. I am starting to take a break from all the spider guard and I am beginning to pass, take their backs, and imitate their rolling. BJJ is even more exciting now. Combine this with my speed and it becomes quite an advantage. It seems as if there are few people who are focused on taking the back in class. They have more of a smash you, pass your guard, mount you, and choke you mentality.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
X-Guard Day 2
Yesterday we learned how to establish the x-guard stand up. I pretty much go for the triple sweep witht he cross grip. My left foot on my partner's hips while my right foot is on his left shoulder. My right hand grabbing his right sleeve and my left gripping behind his right elbow. Lean to the left and I release my left hand grip to grab his right ankle. Get mt left knee behing his right leg and I back hand his right leg and pull myself under him and establish the x-guard.
-ankle sweep
-control opp right arm while standing and roll him backwards (MG style)
After this drill we did king of the mat in closed guard.
First I went with Robert. He was in my closed guard. He stood up and I somehow managed to slip into x-guard and get the ankle sweep but no all the way. I ended up standing up with a single but we both went down pretty soon after. I ended on my back more so he got point.
Next I went with Lateef and I made sure to establish a strong base with my dominant hand keeping him from posturing and my left hand smashing his hips low. As I smashed his hips down I sprawled my legs back. This prohibited Lateef from raising his hips when I tried to pass with the knee behind the butt. It also kept him from becoming a danger to me since his hips were unable to moves. I tried this several times while Lateef tried to sweep. Finally I saw an opening and I slid my knee through with his right leg on my left shoulder and Iwas able to control his head with my right cross face arm. Right when I slip my left leg through he was able to sweep me. If I reacted faster I think I could have escaped.
I also ended in Docs closed guard. It was the same tactic. Strong base, posture up, keep doc down along with his hips. He attempted several collar chokes but I defended them by pushing down on Doc so he did not have the tension needed to complete the choke. He would sit up and bear hug me but I would concentrate on keep his hips in place and posturing back up pushing him down and really payign close attention to any submission attempts. Finally I tired Doc out and he made a move leaving space so I slipped through with right knee with his right leg on my left shoulder and I was able to secure a gable hold on Doc's head and get the underhook. Once that happened I locked it in tight and I pushed to free my left leg in Doc's guard and passed to side mount.
Rolling
Doc: Played the x-guard. Got the roll back sweep and almost side control again I believe. I may have tried passing and ended up with my kob but it was shortlived. I remember being on top and trying to apply my weight. It was going good for a little while but he soon swept me. I ended up in his closed guard. Defended the collar choke two times and the third time I tapped. Went again but time ran out. I am getting better with my rolls with Doc. Playing the x-guard by grabbing the belt worked out better than I expected. Keeping my base low and trying to maintain a hook inside Doc's leg. One problem is when he sits up in butterfly guard and leaves no wholes. His advice is to walk around and knock him off balance and from there the opponent should present an opening.
***Stripe Promotions at the beginning of the class.
-ankle sweep
-control opp right arm while standing and roll him backwards (MG style)
After this drill we did king of the mat in closed guard.
First I went with Robert. He was in my closed guard. He stood up and I somehow managed to slip into x-guard and get the ankle sweep but no all the way. I ended up standing up with a single but we both went down pretty soon after. I ended on my back more so he got point.
Next I went with Lateef and I made sure to establish a strong base with my dominant hand keeping him from posturing and my left hand smashing his hips low. As I smashed his hips down I sprawled my legs back. This prohibited Lateef from raising his hips when I tried to pass with the knee behind the butt. It also kept him from becoming a danger to me since his hips were unable to moves. I tried this several times while Lateef tried to sweep. Finally I saw an opening and I slid my knee through with his right leg on my left shoulder and Iwas able to control his head with my right cross face arm. Right when I slip my left leg through he was able to sweep me. If I reacted faster I think I could have escaped.
I also ended in Docs closed guard. It was the same tactic. Strong base, posture up, keep doc down along with his hips. He attempted several collar chokes but I defended them by pushing down on Doc so he did not have the tension needed to complete the choke. He would sit up and bear hug me but I would concentrate on keep his hips in place and posturing back up pushing him down and really payign close attention to any submission attempts. Finally I tired Doc out and he made a move leaving space so I slipped through with right knee with his right leg on my left shoulder and I was able to secure a gable hold on Doc's head and get the underhook. Once that happened I locked it in tight and I pushed to free my left leg in Doc's guard and passed to side mount.
Rolling
Doc: Played the x-guard. Got the roll back sweep and almost side control again I believe. I may have tried passing and ended up with my kob but it was shortlived. I remember being on top and trying to apply my weight. It was going good for a little while but he soon swept me. I ended up in his closed guard. Defended the collar choke two times and the third time I tapped. Went again but time ran out. I am getting better with my rolls with Doc. Playing the x-guard by grabbing the belt worked out better than I expected. Keeping my base low and trying to maintain a hook inside Doc's leg. One problem is when he sits up in butterfly guard and leaves no wholes. His advice is to walk around and knock him off balance and from there the opponent should present an opening.
***Stripe Promotions at the beginning of the class.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
X-Guard and Reverse De la Riva
Two ways to get into the x-guard
1) grab the belt with right hand and hold partner's right pant leg with my left. My right foot has butterfly hook on partner's left inner thigh. Pull opponent on top of my with the belt, use my hook to lift partner up, shift my hips so I am directly under my partner and establish the x-guard.
2) right foot hooking partner's right inner thigh while on my back. My Left foot crosses over my right leg and rests on top of partner's left thigh. The back of my left hand reaches inside opponent's right leg and as I use that to pull myself and shift my hips under my opponent, I go from using my back hand to rotating it and eventually grabbing the leg. Make sure partner's leg is on top of my shoulder. I pretty much use my left hand and force it into that position.
3) I could also go for the butterfly sweep with my right hand grabbing my partner's belt. Say I attempt and my partner bases his right leg, I now hook it the same way like in option 2 and I scoot myself under to establish the x -guard.
3 sweeps.
1) grab ankle and extend. sometimes if I can't reach the ankle use my right hook and elevate it so partner's leg slides down my shin and comes into a closer distance for me to grab.
2) I have the x-guard but opponentis leaning back with both hands on the ground. Get on my elbows. My dominant right hook on his left thigh (right under his stomach) extends all the way out and then I place my right hand on the mat and I technical stand with my right hooking leg ( step back).
3) I like to control a sleeve and roll opponent backwards landing on top (MG)
Ian - REVERSE DE LA RIVA
- someone tries the knee through with their right knee on my left leg. I get the reverse de la riva (this hook makes it impossible for my partner to pass).
1) If partner's right hand is gripping my left collar I break with both hands and force that arm across his body with both hands holding it with my right hand. My left hand releases and reachs around my partner to grab his belt. Now I pull him (pull/ spin him) and release my reverse de la riva hook so he falls and I have his back.
2) If partner drives the knee through and has a sleeve collar grip on me, I mimic his grip and I use my riva hook to sweep him backwards towards his trapped side. Using his energy against him.
Rolling:
David: He really likes to pass. When I go inverted he is able to control both my ankles and pin it back. I can't pull x-guard on him because he is good with keeping it heavy, like he sprawls neutralizing the leverage of my right hook to lift him up. I tend to keep butterfly / open guard with him but he likes to pin my hips down by laying on my stomach and hopping over. It's safer to keep one butterfly hook in while wrapping my other leg around him in case he tries to hop. My triangle tactics don't work particularly well because he knows I only go for the right side so his elbows and knees are sealed. I had him in my closed guard but he is able to defend the armbar attempts. His experience really shows.
Felipe: first time rolling with my instructor. I didn't know how to engage him. It's like he taught me everything so he's able to take me apart as well since he is the creator. He gets on his knees and his arms are tucked in. It reminds me of a stone ball and I can't penetrate it's defenses. I have never felt this way about an opponent before, there's usually some little hole I can capitalize on whether it be successfully or just a glimpse of hope. I was so lost I didn't have the slightest clue how to attack him. I could only establish my grips pull guard while I wait for the inevitable smashing. I was on the defense the whole time and my sensitivity of my spider trap could not keep up him. X-guard was impossible to establish on Felipe because it was neutralized with him keeping his weight heavy and not allowing me to get under him. I tried the inverted triangle but that had little effect. He has a very brutal top game and now I understand what it feels like to be "crushed." Once he passes and mounts or kob it's over. Slightly down because I felt like I didn't impress him but he is my teacher and a black belt so of course he is on a different level. Not just one belt level but 15 years ahead. Good experience for me very humbling. Sometimes I get too confident (in my bjj, which is okay) and rolling with Felipe has shown I have much to learn, that my journey has just begun. I have only started walking and I already thought I could run. Thank you Felipe.
I did surprise him with my flying kob pass when I hop over immediately after getting a grip on his left collar.
On the other hand I am starting to get the bow and arrow alot. (Brandon, Dennis). It may not be the way it was shown but it still works. A lot of class for me now is familiarizing myself with the principals/ mechanics of a technique and to be able to apply it in my own way. I've become a little better now that I stopped trying to perform every move perfectly the way it was taught. Instead I take chances and try to improvise with the principal in mind. This has resulted in a lot of self discovery. Just play around with it and stop trying to be a perfectionist. This hindered me in the past because I would not be comfortable executing a move until I perfected it. Sometimes I'll never reach perfection or it might take a while so start playing around with the idea and eventually it will polish itself over time. Taking risk and making mistakes is the fast track to success because I will have learned it much quicker than waiting around not applying the principals. I messed around with the open guard and got passed so many times but now it has paid off in dividends. My guard retention in the open guard has become a lot better. If I had began by learning the closed guard I may have become accustomed to it and it would have become habitually hindersome. I would be afraid of letting my opponent out of my closed guard but now that I can play from an open position the options are limitless. They say bjj can help you understand your true self and I believe it. Even in life I do not dive into a topic I am not 100% sure of. Mixing facts plus some bullshit can be a good way to get ahead sometimes ;)
1) grab the belt with right hand and hold partner's right pant leg with my left. My right foot has butterfly hook on partner's left inner thigh. Pull opponent on top of my with the belt, use my hook to lift partner up, shift my hips so I am directly under my partner and establish the x-guard.
2) right foot hooking partner's right inner thigh while on my back. My Left foot crosses over my right leg and rests on top of partner's left thigh. The back of my left hand reaches inside opponent's right leg and as I use that to pull myself and shift my hips under my opponent, I go from using my back hand to rotating it and eventually grabbing the leg. Make sure partner's leg is on top of my shoulder. I pretty much use my left hand and force it into that position.
3) I could also go for the butterfly sweep with my right hand grabbing my partner's belt. Say I attempt and my partner bases his right leg, I now hook it the same way like in option 2 and I scoot myself under to establish the x -guard.
3 sweeps.
1) grab ankle and extend. sometimes if I can't reach the ankle use my right hook and elevate it so partner's leg slides down my shin and comes into a closer distance for me to grab.
2) I have the x-guard but opponentis leaning back with both hands on the ground. Get on my elbows. My dominant right hook on his left thigh (right under his stomach) extends all the way out and then I place my right hand on the mat and I technical stand with my right hooking leg ( step back).
3) I like to control a sleeve and roll opponent backwards landing on top (MG)
Ian - REVERSE DE LA RIVA
- someone tries the knee through with their right knee on my left leg. I get the reverse de la riva (this hook makes it impossible for my partner to pass).
1) If partner's right hand is gripping my left collar I break with both hands and force that arm across his body with both hands holding it with my right hand. My left hand releases and reachs around my partner to grab his belt. Now I pull him (pull/ spin him) and release my reverse de la riva hook so he falls and I have his back.
2) If partner drives the knee through and has a sleeve collar grip on me, I mimic his grip and I use my riva hook to sweep him backwards towards his trapped side. Using his energy against him.
Rolling:
David: He really likes to pass. When I go inverted he is able to control both my ankles and pin it back. I can't pull x-guard on him because he is good with keeping it heavy, like he sprawls neutralizing the leverage of my right hook to lift him up. I tend to keep butterfly / open guard with him but he likes to pin my hips down by laying on my stomach and hopping over. It's safer to keep one butterfly hook in while wrapping my other leg around him in case he tries to hop. My triangle tactics don't work particularly well because he knows I only go for the right side so his elbows and knees are sealed. I had him in my closed guard but he is able to defend the armbar attempts. His experience really shows.
Felipe: first time rolling with my instructor. I didn't know how to engage him. It's like he taught me everything so he's able to take me apart as well since he is the creator. He gets on his knees and his arms are tucked in. It reminds me of a stone ball and I can't penetrate it's defenses. I have never felt this way about an opponent before, there's usually some little hole I can capitalize on whether it be successfully or just a glimpse of hope. I was so lost I didn't have the slightest clue how to attack him. I could only establish my grips pull guard while I wait for the inevitable smashing. I was on the defense the whole time and my sensitivity of my spider trap could not keep up him. X-guard was impossible to establish on Felipe because it was neutralized with him keeping his weight heavy and not allowing me to get under him. I tried the inverted triangle but that had little effect. He has a very brutal top game and now I understand what it feels like to be "crushed." Once he passes and mounts or kob it's over. Slightly down because I felt like I didn't impress him but he is my teacher and a black belt so of course he is on a different level. Not just one belt level but 15 years ahead. Good experience for me very humbling. Sometimes I get too confident (in my bjj, which is okay) and rolling with Felipe has shown I have much to learn, that my journey has just begun. I have only started walking and I already thought I could run. Thank you Felipe.
I did surprise him with my flying kob pass when I hop over immediately after getting a grip on his left collar.
On the other hand I am starting to get the bow and arrow alot. (Brandon, Dennis). It may not be the way it was shown but it still works. A lot of class for me now is familiarizing myself with the principals/ mechanics of a technique and to be able to apply it in my own way. I've become a little better now that I stopped trying to perform every move perfectly the way it was taught. Instead I take chances and try to improvise with the principal in mind. This has resulted in a lot of self discovery. Just play around with it and stop trying to be a perfectionist. This hindered me in the past because I would not be comfortable executing a move until I perfected it. Sometimes I'll never reach perfection or it might take a while so start playing around with the idea and eventually it will polish itself over time. Taking risk and making mistakes is the fast track to success because I will have learned it much quicker than waiting around not applying the principals. I messed around with the open guard and got passed so many times but now it has paid off in dividends. My guard retention in the open guard has become a lot better. If I had began by learning the closed guard I may have become accustomed to it and it would have become habitually hindersome. I would be afraid of letting my opponent out of my closed guard but now that I can play from an open position the options are limitless. They say bjj can help you understand your true self and I believe it. Even in life I do not dive into a topic I am not 100% sure of. Mixing facts plus some bullshit can be a good way to get ahead sometimes ;)
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Side Control Escapes
Today we continued the drill where we got on our knees in order to take the opponent down.
1) double leg
2) single leg
3) head between the knees, hindu pushup, choose one side to hold and take them down that way.
4) Another way to defend the torreando pass is to block your opponent like usual. My hand closer to his body reached and holds onto his cross facing arm's elbow and push it inward. I should be in a shrimped out position (facing away from opponent). I now release the arm stiffing his shoulder to grab his belt . Allow the opponent to drop on me. Get parallel to the opponent and as he drops roll him over to the other side so that I am on top. Use the belt to pull him over. Remember you can't be perpendicular to your opponent when attempting this, you must be in like a 69 position to perform the rollover. lol This is a really good way to reverse the positions. I anticipate the torreando pass and then I immediately use the opponent's driving force and appl y the technique. Works pretty well. Watch head placement so I don't smash my own head.
- one thing worth noting on the takedowns from your knees is not only should your head be on the same side that it's already on when your opponent attempts to pass, your body needs to pretty much be directly in front of your opponent's body for it to work. I was slanted when I got on my knees and it disabled my ability to perform the takedowns correctly.
Rolling
-Doc: took Doc's back. Went for bow and arrow which he blocked and I didn't see the armbar when he was defending. I need to stop linear thinking and not think "I will perform this move and if this doesn't work try something else." Think along the lines of "This probably will not work, so I should anticipate his reaction and react accordingly."
-Dennis: struggled a little with side mount escape. susceptible to bow and arrow chokes from the back.
-Kayla
-Randi
Danny omoplata to armbar. If omoplata does not work, Switch my triangle on the shoulder and have my outside foot behing the neck of the opponent. Allow myself to roll to belly down and then intoan armbar on my back. Ian had another way of doing this by cutting straight to the chase. Something like placing my outside foot behind the opponent's neck from the beginning and using it to driving him down then belly down roll over to armbar? Ask him later
***I am really liking the inverted triangle. It has really opened up my game.
1) double leg
2) single leg
3) head between the knees, hindu pushup, choose one side to hold and take them down that way.
4) Another way to defend the torreando pass is to block your opponent like usual. My hand closer to his body reached and holds onto his cross facing arm's elbow and push it inward. I should be in a shrimped out position (facing away from opponent). I now release the arm stiffing his shoulder to grab his belt . Allow the opponent to drop on me. Get parallel to the opponent and as he drops roll him over to the other side so that I am on top. Use the belt to pull him over. Remember you can't be perpendicular to your opponent when attempting this, you must be in like a 69 position to perform the rollover. lol This is a really good way to reverse the positions. I anticipate the torreando pass and then I immediately use the opponent's driving force and appl y the technique. Works pretty well. Watch head placement so I don't smash my own head.
- one thing worth noting on the takedowns from your knees is not only should your head be on the same side that it's already on when your opponent attempts to pass, your body needs to pretty much be directly in front of your opponent's body for it to work. I was slanted when I got on my knees and it disabled my ability to perform the takedowns correctly.
Rolling
-Doc: took Doc's back. Went for bow and arrow which he blocked and I didn't see the armbar when he was defending. I need to stop linear thinking and not think "I will perform this move and if this doesn't work try something else." Think along the lines of "This probably will not work, so I should anticipate his reaction and react accordingly."
-Dennis: struggled a little with side mount escape. susceptible to bow and arrow chokes from the back.
-Kayla
-Randi
Danny omoplata to armbar. If omoplata does not work, Switch my triangle on the shoulder and have my outside foot behing the neck of the opponent. Allow myself to roll to belly down and then intoan armbar on my back. Ian had another way of doing this by cutting straight to the chase. Something like placing my outside foot behind the opponent's neck from the beginning and using it to driving him down then belly down roll over to armbar? Ask him later
***I am really liking the inverted triangle. It has really opened up my game.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
I'm Going Inverted!
I am very happy I decided to skip studying for a day and head to class to train yesterday because Felipe had Danny show us inverted guard. I've messed around with the inverted guard but only to escape when I am about to be passed and not for a submission based purpose.
Scissor Sweep blocked to Inverted Triangle
-If the opponent blocks my scissor sweep I grip both of his sleeves, regular grip or cross grip it doesn't matter. Say I am positioned to sweep him to the right and I get blocked and I have my grips on both sleeves. Bring my right leg across to the same side of the opponent's trapped arm blocking me (similar to the lasso sweep where I bring my left to the trapped lasso arm) and then I kick off on my right foot while rolling on my left shoulder which brings be inverted and I spin all the way around (360 degrees) and catch the opponent in a triangle. By this time I should have released the grip of the opponent's arm that I am not trying to trap in my triangle.
Lasso to Inverted Submissions
(this setup is easier to set up because I do not have to wait for the situation of a scissor sweep block to happen)
-TRIANGLE: I have closed guard and while controlling both the opponent's sleeves I shrimp out to one side to get the 1/4 butterfly guard with the foot on the hips with my knees spread to cause tension on opponent's arms. Now I lasso one arm (let's say I lasso the right arm). I bring my right leg across to the same side of the arm being lassoed. Now kick off with my right foot and get on my left shoulder and go inverted rotating 360 degrees. When I come around be sure to pull opponent's arm (grasping the back of opponent's tricep with my right hand) and catch him in my triangle.
-OMOPLATA: I can also go inverted and instead of rotating all the way around I can rotate half way catching the opponent in an omoplata using the force as I come around from my rotation to force my opponent's to bend his body.
Rolling:
-King of the Mat I was on the bottom (closed guard) with a new three stripe blue belt from a Renzo Gracie school. I was able to secure the triangle and lock it in for the finish. I think the element of surprise is a key factor to my success with this submission. Most people are surprised that I play the guard so offensively and how much range I can cover when I shoot for a submission.
-There was another white belt who had trained a while ago at the school and I was able to catch him in a lasso inverted triangle that we learned that day. I really like that move :)
-While rolling with Robert I feel like I did a good job today. He caught me in some foot lock so I need to watch out for those because it's fair game now at the blue belt level. Rob acutally took my back but I did a good job defending it because I had his leg in a triangle and I had control of his left arm with both hands. You can't choke with one arm is what I've come to realize. I felt pretty safe. Eventually I scrambled and I believe I was able to turn into his closed guard. He immediately goes for some sort of half guard and I was able to get the knee down while pulling his outer arm up and using his collar with my other hand to rotate him into a downward position. I somehow managed to take his back by going between his leg (I actually forced his leg over me) grabbing the belt and then the back of his collar to secure the backtake. It was half assed but I was able to get some sort of back take. I eventually came around and ended on top when we both scrambled while he was trying to get out of the position. I gable gripped his head and left arm and tried to go for an arm triangle but he did a good job of trapping my legs. Time ran out and that was that.
-Tylers passing seems to be getting better
-Jeff and I are a good matchup. I still got the advantage for getting on top and looking for the crossface and passing (once?). Found out Jeff was out for a yeat due to a knee injury and then he took up mma but injured himself there as well, in which he reasoned old age had something to do with it. Cool guy. Wears nail polish (sky blue) everytime I've seen him. I don't know what it is but I don't care to ask because he is a nice guy.
Advice:
-Doc says I have not found a position where I can just relax and hang out, that's another reason why I lose in the end. I need to figure out this safe position. Help me relax and not waste energy. I also need to learn to relax. It is possible to get over your nerves and roll like I do in the academy. When I roll loosely I am able to conserve energy, time the sweeps, focus on back takes, and play a more fluid game from top and bottom.
Technique Class:
Side Mount (4 Variations)
1) Side mount to mount
2) 100 kilos
3) Switch the hips then back to side mount.
4) Reverse hip swtich (facing legs, lift arm hold belt) to mount (remember if opponent is bumping to grab hold of the outside pant leg and pull up so they can't use that leg to bump).
Scissor Sweep blocked to Inverted Triangle
-If the opponent blocks my scissor sweep I grip both of his sleeves, regular grip or cross grip it doesn't matter. Say I am positioned to sweep him to the right and I get blocked and I have my grips on both sleeves. Bring my right leg across to the same side of the opponent's trapped arm blocking me (similar to the lasso sweep where I bring my left to the trapped lasso arm) and then I kick off on my right foot while rolling on my left shoulder which brings be inverted and I spin all the way around (360 degrees) and catch the opponent in a triangle. By this time I should have released the grip of the opponent's arm that I am not trying to trap in my triangle.
Lasso to Inverted Submissions
(this setup is easier to set up because I do not have to wait for the situation of a scissor sweep block to happen)
-TRIANGLE: I have closed guard and while controlling both the opponent's sleeves I shrimp out to one side to get the 1/4 butterfly guard with the foot on the hips with my knees spread to cause tension on opponent's arms. Now I lasso one arm (let's say I lasso the right arm). I bring my right leg across to the same side of the arm being lassoed. Now kick off with my right foot and get on my left shoulder and go inverted rotating 360 degrees. When I come around be sure to pull opponent's arm (grasping the back of opponent's tricep with my right hand) and catch him in my triangle.
-OMOPLATA: I can also go inverted and instead of rotating all the way around I can rotate half way catching the opponent in an omoplata using the force as I come around from my rotation to force my opponent's to bend his body.
Rolling:
-King of the Mat I was on the bottom (closed guard) with a new three stripe blue belt from a Renzo Gracie school. I was able to secure the triangle and lock it in for the finish. I think the element of surprise is a key factor to my success with this submission. Most people are surprised that I play the guard so offensively and how much range I can cover when I shoot for a submission.
-There was another white belt who had trained a while ago at the school and I was able to catch him in a lasso inverted triangle that we learned that day. I really like that move :)
-While rolling with Robert I feel like I did a good job today. He caught me in some foot lock so I need to watch out for those because it's fair game now at the blue belt level. Rob acutally took my back but I did a good job defending it because I had his leg in a triangle and I had control of his left arm with both hands. You can't choke with one arm is what I've come to realize. I felt pretty safe. Eventually I scrambled and I believe I was able to turn into his closed guard. He immediately goes for some sort of half guard and I was able to get the knee down while pulling his outer arm up and using his collar with my other hand to rotate him into a downward position. I somehow managed to take his back by going between his leg (I actually forced his leg over me) grabbing the belt and then the back of his collar to secure the backtake. It was half assed but I was able to get some sort of back take. I eventually came around and ended on top when we both scrambled while he was trying to get out of the position. I gable gripped his head and left arm and tried to go for an arm triangle but he did a good job of trapping my legs. Time ran out and that was that.
-Tylers passing seems to be getting better
-Jeff and I are a good matchup. I still got the advantage for getting on top and looking for the crossface and passing (once?). Found out Jeff was out for a yeat due to a knee injury and then he took up mma but injured himself there as well, in which he reasoned old age had something to do with it. Cool guy. Wears nail polish (sky blue) everytime I've seen him. I don't know what it is but I don't care to ask because he is a nice guy.
Advice:
-Doc says I have not found a position where I can just relax and hang out, that's another reason why I lose in the end. I need to figure out this safe position. Help me relax and not waste energy. I also need to learn to relax. It is possible to get over your nerves and roll like I do in the academy. When I roll loosely I am able to conserve energy, time the sweeps, focus on back takes, and play a more fluid game from top and bottom.
Technique Class:
Side Mount (4 Variations)
1) Side mount to mount
2) 100 kilos
3) Switch the hips then back to side mount.
4) Reverse hip swtich (facing legs, lift arm hold belt) to mount (remember if opponent is bumping to grab hold of the outside pant leg and pull up so they can't use that leg to bump).
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