Living the BJJ life style

Class: Evening
Instructor: Gus

Gus has some crazy warm-up and this day was no exception. We did leapfrogs, over/unders and something he called 'Weakest link'. In 'Weakest Link' the group was split into teams and each team link arms. Then the two team link up in the middle and begin to pull trying to separate the other team from the chain.

BTW..Our team won 3-2.


Technique #1 Controlling both knees to pass the guard into side control

Setup: Closed guard

Important points:
1.) Open Guard using standard 'Gus' opening(Knee in butt crack w/ outward pressure on one leg.
2.) Secure the inside of both knees with hands.
3.) Hop up and push opponents knees toward his head. Lot of pressure!!
4.) Step back bring feet to the floor. Lot of pressure!! According to Gus you should be almost able to do a handstand.
5.) Bring controlled knees to either side while hopping around to the opposite side. Lot of pressure!!
6.) Bring crown of head into opponents chest while maintaing.....Lot of pressure!!
7.) Bring weight down and knees in tight to opponents back......Lot of pressure!!
8.) Release inside leg and place across opponents torso(forearm on the mat)
9.) Bring opponents outside leg up towards head and then down to the mat in a single flowing motion.
10.) Finish by securing side control.


Technique #2 Controlling both knees to pass the guard into knee in belly

Setup: Closed guard

Important points:
1.) Open Guard using standard 'Gus' opening(Knee in butt crack w/ outward pressure on one leg.
2.) Secure the inside of both knees with hands.
3.) Hop up and push opponent's knees toward his head. Lot of pressure!!
4.) Step across toward opponent's hip(foot should be on mat but in contact with hip) while making sure the leg that does not step through is outside of the opponent's leg(reduce chance of opponent pulling half-guard).
5.) Pivot around like corkscrew bringing the knee of the foot that stepped through into the belly of the opponent while swinging the other leg around(leg should be extended creating a base).


Technique #3 Knee on belly escape.

Setup: Opponent has knee on belly.
Note: This was a side techinque I got from Dustin based on my question.

Important points:
1.) DO NOT FLATTEN OUT!!
2.) As soon as knee on the belly happens hip out away from knee trying to get shoulder up. GETTING SHOULDER UP IS KEY!!
3.) If opponent's base leg is close enough it can be used for getting more power into the 'hip out'.
4a.) Bring hips/knee back inside in order to half-guard or full guard depending on the distance created.

or
4b.) Bring knees around(think turtle escape) and secure the knee that was in the belly for a single-leg takedown attempt.

============= Rolling Results ================

Roll #1
Opponent: Joe
Rank: White

Result: Submitted to mounted keylock

Error(s):
a.) Did not pull guard properly allowing side control to occur.
b.) Too slow bring knee up to prevent mount.
c.) Got distracted defending choke to attempt mount escape.

Positive(s):
a.) Able to recover and get half guard.
b.) Defended numerous choke attempts.
c.) Defended numerous key lock attempts.

Roll #2
Opponent: Joe
Rank: White

Result: Submitted to Cross Choke

Error(s):
a.) Did not pull guard properly allowing side control to occur.
b.) Too slow bring knee up to prevent mount.
c.) Got distracted defending choke to attempt mount escape.

Positive(s): None, the first roll was like 4 mins and I was pretty spent.



Roll #3
Opponent: New white belt
Rank: White

Summary: Instructional work


Roll #4
Opponent: 'Big' Al Reyes
Rank: Purpl

Summary: Instructional work with Al showing me the finer points of guard control.

Important points:
1.) Hip out
2.) Turn and get onto shoulders (get hips off the ground using feet as base).
3.) Pivot hips back inside while coming up into a more seated position.
4.) Maintain grips and pull opponent back into guard.

Note: Thanks again Mr. Miyagi.