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11.27.2011

Reactive Agility

Some combo drills for refining footwork, defense reactions, and counters:

Partner A: Jab
Partner B: Slip - lead leg counter kick
Partner A: Cross
Partner B: High cover

Partner A: Jab
Partner B: Slip - lead leg counter kick
Partner A: Lead hook
Partner B: Side cover

Partner A: Jab
Partner B: Bob - body jab
Partner A: Overhand
Partner B: Weave

Partner A: Jab
Partner B: Bob - body jab
Partner A: Lead hook
Partner B: Side cover

Partner A: Jab
Partner B: Intercepting tiip
Partner A: Rear hand scoop - lead leg kick
Partner B: Leg evasion - rear leg kick

Partner A: Jab
Partner B: Evade
Partner A: Jab
Partner B: Parry
Partner A: Jab
Partner B: Through step - upper cut

Some drills for improved kicking footwork, both sides with thai pads and shin pads. Use the thighs or pads to simulate targets on the legs, body, or head using round or straight kicks.

Two kicks back and forth
Two kicks, evade counter kick, return counter(counter) kick
Partner A attempts to leg kick partner B, who evades and then holds a kick for partner A. Then partner B attempts the leg kick and the drill switches.

11.12.2011

Jiu-jitsu is not science, not chess, but like sex in the dark

Today I attended a Brazilian jiu-jitsu seminar by Wellington "Megaton" Dias. I'm used to the ridiculous ability of my coach, Jack McVicker, but Megaton has yet another level of amazing technique and talent.

General comments:
Don't be too smart
Megaton pointed out that the more he sees students analyze technique and overthink it, rather than just trying it, the more problems they have. He's not advocating not using your brain, just don't let your learning be bogged down with analysis and micro-details. Details come with time and practice.
All positions work and are easy, if done at the right time
You can only do a position if your partner feeds the right energy and is in the right spot. If it is not working you either need to adjust yourself or do something to adjust them.
Picking sides
Position needs to work on both sides, but you will find a side that works better. Use it but don't rely on it.
Foot-in-the-hip guard
Place one foot in the hip, provide enough tension to be able to bend them at the waist when you grab their sleeve but enough bend in your leg that it is not locked out. Use the opposite hand to control the sleeve at the wrist and the same hand to control the sleeve at the triceps. The free leg can engage your partner's free arm at the elbow or simply move in the air.
Hook sweep
Free foot hooks behind the same side knee, and the hand controlling the triceps grabs the same side ankle. Pull the foot as you push at the hip, while pulling with your hook. Sweep them and come up in control but inside the guard.
Oma plata
If your partner grips your lapel, lift at the elbow and transition to oma plata. If your partner's hand is free, lift elbow and push the wrist down, prior to kicking the leg up for the oma plata. As your partner is standing you will have to go higher than your "normal" oma plata, thus you will have to lift your posterior and legs higher to catch the arm.
Triangle choke
Pull their arm cross body as the free leg hooks over the neck. Release the foot from the hip and use this leg to cinch off the triangle.
Star sweep
Release the triceps grip and inside under hook the same side leg. Now use the free leg to pendulum 180° and elevate the hips to catch your partner's gripped side bicep at your groin and roll over the near shoulder. This should pull them backward with their gripped sleeve between your legs. Switch grips, and base with the now free hand. Spin 180° over your partner's face to the mounted position.
Feet in the hips
In this scenario, your partner stands to pass. They place their feet at your hips, i.e. they stand close to you. You are controlling their sleeves laterally at the elbows.
Sweep to mount
Rapidly open your guard and place both feet in their hips. Flare their elbows as you lift them, at the hips, in the air. Pull them forward and over one shoulder, flipping them on their back. After they land, roll backward and mount.
Lift to armbar
Again lift your partner at the hips, but now drop one leg wide. The removal of the support will cause them to drop and rotate, off the lifting foot. Control the arm and bring the "dropped" leg back and over their head into the arm bar.
Inside leg underhook sequence
Start by controlling both sleeves from the closed guard. Your opponent stands.
Bump to mount
Pass one sleeve to the cross grip. The free arm inside under hooks the same side leg. You can walk on your shoulders to get close enough to the leg. Pass the gripped sleeve to the under hook, freeing this hand. Place the free hand, palm on the floor behind your shoulder. Push up and back against the inside thigh of the trapped leg. After they fall, open your legs and mount. You will release the grip on the leg in order to obtain your mount.
Straight arm bar
Try to bump to mount as above. They resist by grabbing the lapel with the ungripped hand. Switch to arm bar by kicking the leg opposite the underhook side over the head.
Lateral sweep
Try to bump as above. Again they defend but the arm bar is not available, e.g, they step rather than locking out their arm. Place the knee inside the arm opposite the underhook side. Drive the knee laterally as you kick in the same direction against their latissimus dorsi.
Oma plata
You have been unsuccessful in armbarring or laterally sweeping. Use your opposite leg to pendulum 180°. Lift your hips to oma plata the under hook arm side.
Star sweep
You attempt oma plata but your partner defends by grabbing your belt/skirt and pulling up. This should provide you with momentum to roll backward next to their leg and star sweep as above.
Taking the back
If your opponent is your size or larger you can take the back. Again you have attempted to bump to mount. Open the close guard, and rotate sideways, with your head nearest the underhook side. Your legs should be pulled to your chest to decrease the chance of kneebar. Pull your free hand through their legs, place this arm next to the underhook and push the leg, pulling your head through. Your shins need to be in the back of their knees. Grab their belt and kick forward, placing them on their posterior, in front of you. Seatbelt grip and then place your hooks.
Koala guard sweeps
Outside leg underhook, cross sleeve grip sweep
Your partner can be standing or kneeling. Control the near heel with the same side hand, place your foot next to their leg or as a De La Riva hook. Control the sleeve at the wrist on the opposite side. Push the thigh backwards on this side and sit up. Pass the gripped sleeve to your opposite hand, under their leg (but not under yours). Grip their same side lapel with your newly freed hand (if they are standing) or the back of the kimono (if they are kneeling). Pull toward you with this hand and lift on the underhook side to sweep them.
Outside leg underhook, cross lapel sweep
Your opponent stands up and frees the sleeve grip. Free their kimono on this side and pass this lapel under their near leg to the crosshand. Pull it to their knee and pass it to the same hand, so that the kimono wraps behind the knee. Base your free hand and the leg opposite the trapped leg to the floor. Using the same side leg hook the trapped leg. Pull the hook and gi backward to sweep them to their back.
Take the back
Negative half-guard variation #1
Your partner is attempting to pass the koala guard and has landed in the negative half-guard. That is, they are in half-guard with their back to you, you have both arms behind their back. Free the kimono on the superior side and grip this lapel with the hand nearest their head. Your elbow should be perpendicular to their spine. Grab the top pant leg with your other hand. Bring your leg nearest their head over their bottom leg and unhook your other leg. Now pull them laterally across your body, toward their head. Pull the unhooked leg out and rehook in the rear mount.
Negative half-guard variation #2
In this variation you again control the lapel and leg hook as above but this time post to your elbow on the other side. Shift up and away, giving enough room to pull the unhooked leg through to take the back.
Banana split variation
In variation #1, you cannot reach the pant leg. They attempt to slide across your body to their back. Hug the free leg and help your partner do the splits.
Deep half guard transition
Your partner has you in deep half guard. Step over their head and free up the trapped knee. Your partner will triangle their leg to avoid the knee bar. Grab their foot with the hand furthest from them, grab so that the palm of your hand is on top of their foot with your fingers nearest their pinky toe. Try to lock the forearm down to prevent them from releasing the triangle. Now sit-up and roll forward as if you were trying to "kiss their ass". You should use your foot to lift their leg over, ending up behind them. This leg is the first hook of the rear mount. Rotate your body so that you can place the free leg as a hook, obtain seatbelt grip first and then the hook.