JKD & BJJ Snow Day

Class was pretty small today following the March Midwest blizzard (the greatest predictor of extreme snow in Illinois is whenever the U of I goes on Spring Break). We reviewed stick work and focus mitt drills before switching to the ground. Here we started with rolls and side falls before reviewing the hip toss:

1. Partner has one (same side) lapel control.
   
2. Obtain cross hand sleeve control, then loop your free hand over and then under to secure a grip on the kimono.
   
3. Control the opposite elbow just proximal to the elbow, control against side with forearm pressure.
   
4. Step in front and hip toss

We then reviewed the kimura (inferior elbow lock), figure four straight armbar, americana (superior shoulder lock), same side, and 180^o armbars. I showed another variation off the 180^o arm bar switching it to a inferior shoulder lock. Once we have the person on their side, kneel on their head, "pummel" switching the arm beneath your opponent's forearm, and re-lock the figure four. Pull or lift to release their grip on the kimono and then drive posteriorly and superiorly to lock shoulder.
There is an expression in BJJ: "position before submission", which I agree with heartily, however it is inexact In order to submit someone position changes dynamically:

Retain and submit

In this set-up we do not give up position or create very minor alterations in position to achieve the submission. The control aspect of the position is independent of the submission. These are beneficial because they keep you in strong position but have less leverage than other submissions. Examples from cross side would be americana, figure four straight arm bar, and even kimura.

Recoverable load and submit

These set-ups use a base position to set-up the position but then transitions to another half position to perform the submission. This has the advantage of more leverage and power in the submission, but since their is a dynamic change in position there is a higher chance of your opponent escaping. But as long as we retain the option to return to a full position (typically the one we transitioned from) this is a reasonable risk. The arm bar from the guard is a good example, we "lose" the guard position with the goal of greater pressure on the arm lock but we can almost always "bail out" back to the guard if the armbar fails.

Nonrecoverable load and submit

Similar to the recoverable loads these submission attempts give up position but make it more difficult if not highly unlikely to be able to "bail out" to the original position. This is not to say that they shouldn't be done, just let it be recognized that it will take several steps to get back to an advantageous position should the submission fail. An example would be the 180^o armbar, once in the armbar position should the armbar fail, it will take several movements each with a specific risk of losing the upper hand to reestablish a strong position. That is, we will have to battle and balance our way carefully back to mount or sidemount, not simply smoothy transition.