Class 001 - August 13

I've got mixed feeling about the last night's class. I'm a bit disappointed actually... about my performance. Before the class I was really excited to be training again. But the minute we started the drills etc I noticed that I felt clumsy (at least, clumsier than usual) and a bit self conscious. It took me a while get over that (except the clumsy part) And while rolling I kept tensing up. That part wasn't fun...

But training again was awesome. I didn't care I had to tap a lot... or I couldn't tap anybody. It made me even more determined to work more.

Anyway, enough about me. Here's how the last night's class went on.

We started with some grip fighting. In this drill, both sides tries to get a good grip and unbalance the opponent, and then they reset and start again.

The next couple of technique were mostly about what you can do when your opponent grabs you from behind (with underhook).

First one was quite basic. Let's assume that opponent's clasping with right hand on top. You keep your left elbow close to your body and get hold of right wrist. Then your right hand goes under his right arm and hold your own wrist. Similar to kimura hold. At this point it's hard to break the opponent's hold with just using your hands. You can make it easier by leaning forward and pushing him with your hip. After breaking the hold you just pivot on your right foot and apply the submission.

The next two techniques were about how to defend yourself if your opponents tries to move you around and unbalance you or pick you up and do a suplex like move. When all he's doing is to unbalance you and move you around, you can respond by leaning forward and going on all four. This will make it harder for him to move your around or lift you.

Similarly, if he lifts you... you can respond by hooking his leg (the one closer to you) - this will make it harder for him to suplex you - leaning a bit back while lifting your free leg, swinging your leg down, and going on all four by using this momentum.

Eddie Edmunds vs Saulo Ribeiro [1]

After that we learned a leg lock to use when you're on all four. Let's assume that you're on all four and your opponent still holding you similarly. You move your hip in line with his front left and grab behind his ankle. And you pull while pushing back with yourhips. Then you sit down to the side . This way you'll end up on your side and set up for kneebar.

The last technique of the night was a throw when your opponent's bear-hugging you. You start with lifting your arms up and squatting down. Next, you step behind him with your left leg. You hold of his legs near his knees. You place your left foot behind his left and keep it straight while sitting down (bending your right leg) and pulling his legs. Then you end with side control - with your back to him, left elbow on his left side, and keeping pressure on his chest with your body etc -

Then ofcourse came the rolling part.

Things to improve or work on;
- Being more relaxed during rolling
- Shrimp, shrimp, shrimp
- Side Control escapes

[1] The picture is from ( http://www.pedrosauer.com/pedrosauer/newspage.asp )

An A-HA! Moment Regarding Passing the Guard.

I've had this A-HA moment a couple of days ago.

I was thinking about the guard passes I know during an extremely boring day at work. And I realized that I thought of passes as singles moves starting from opening the guard and to finally passing the guard.

But, in reality, those are (-wait for it-) two seperate (I can already hear you saying "Duh !") processes.

And when trying those passes in rolling sessions I had this "Alright, I'll do the [pass-name-here] pass. I'm gonna open the guard like this, and pass like that" attitude. This I realized was taking the flexibility out of the move for me... mostly because of my thought process. Being a white belt, that led me to getting stuck in the move, and not being able to react to my partner very well.

Also, thinking of them seperately helped me simplify the passes. I don't have to remember the gazillion steps of a certain guard pass. Now I think more along the line of "Alright, first I need to open the guard. Ok, I ended up combat base, not bad. I think I can pass by sliding my knee across."

I know it might seem like a small difference but it seems like helping.

What am I trying to do?

Ok, I thought I should clarify a point here. The main reason for me to write this blog is keeping a record of my BJJ trainings.

So, there'll be posts describing submissions or positions etc... but that doesn't mean I'm trying to teach those techniques. I'm still a white belt and I'm aware of my limitations. It's just that writing down techniques and taking notes help me put what I learn into perspective.

It's great if you find something useful among my posts. And if you find any mistakes or have suggestions, feel free to comment. That's the other reason why this blog exists.

Getting ready for the classes...

It's been a while since my last class due to work, school etc. But since (hopefully) I'm starting again soon, I've been doing some exercises that might be helpful for BJJ.

Like push ups, squats, side to side bridges, bump and shrimp, hips ups (as if you're doing triange chokes), animal walks, sit outs (I think that's what they're called) and turkish get ups.

They were quite helpful (and kicked my ass too). I suggest doing a circuit program like that for yourself.

( Oh, by the way I've got the idea Grappler's Guide (a really good grappling resource, with lots of helpful members - even some famous ones- ) Link . You, also might want to check that out. )

Old Post 3 : Hip Throw and Finish

This class was about Hip Throw and finishing it with a submission...

- Hip Throw > (Baseball Bat) Choke

After the throw (assuming you do the move over your right side of your hips) we end up controlling the right arm of the opponent. Your right knee is putting pressure on his body. And we get hold of his collars... right hand with a deep palm-up grip and the left hand with palm-down grip (thumb inside the collar).

To finish the move , you put pressure on his neck with your right forearm and get your elbows together. Following this you spin, get to the North-South position and keep putting pressure on him.

The grip is similar to holding a baseball bat... hence the name baseball choke.

Youtube

- Hip Throw > Armbar

Similar to the first one you end up controlling his right arm. You can either fake a choke to make him give you his arm for armbar... or you can just go to armbar if it's already available. An important part is unlike the usual armbar, your right leg won't be over his body. It will be under his armpit.

Youtube

- Hip Throw > Spinning Armbar

You can use this arm when your opponent tries to push your right knee away with his left hand. You follow this with reaching under his left arm cupping his triceps (monkey grip... I mean no thumbs grip) Then you spin and put left foot under his left armpit (if it's necessary you can support yourself with your left hand while doing this ) and finish the armbar.

If this is the first time you're doing this move, it's likely that you'll end up losing balance and sitting on your ass with elegance of an elephant. Don't worry, it (slightly) gets better with practice.

Youtube

If you pay attention you'll see that the armbar is finished a little differently in this video. You can see if your left hand is free, you can make thing easier by grabing his left leg and pull it to yourself while sitting down. This will make it easier to get perpendicular to your opponent without trying to spin all around him.

But you'll need to get a good grip on his left arm (the one you're armbarring) if you attempt this.. since you'll be holding it with only one hand. Grabbing your own lapel might give you a better grip on his arm.

Rakibin etrafında dönmek ve tam olarak dönüşü tamamlamak ve ardından armbar'ı tamamlamak yerine, sol ayak rakibin koltuk altına geldiği noktada sol el ile rakibin sol ayağı tutularak armbar tamamlanırken rakibin vücudunun dik duruma getirilmesini sağlıyor.

Old Post 2 : Guard Passes etc...

The class started with using "opening closed guard by standing up" as sort of a warming move.

- Opening Closed Guard by Standing Up :
Good posture is important in guard. This will prevent you getting armbarred, triangle choke etc up to a point. In general, controling lapel with one hand and controling the hip with the other is a good idea.

Let's say that you're controlling the lapel with your right hand.. then you should step first with your right leg. This will help if you opponent tries to pull you to himself at the first stage. Your right (preferably the stronger) arm helps you keep your balance. Step farther than his hips.

Video

- Good posture... look forward, don't lean forward etc.
- Start with the side of the lapel you're controlling
- Don't step close
- And again don't lean forward... don't let your head move over your right hand.

Note : An alternative ; You can also try to take both steps at the same time. Put some of your weight on your hands and jump up to get your feet close to his hips (preferably farther)

- Sweep : Defense Against "Opening Closed Guard"

You can use this technique to defend against people trying to open your guard by standing up. While his at the stage where he's both on his feet.
- Open guard, get your knees together
- Grab his heels
- Push his hips with your knees and legs
- Use the momentum and mount the opponent while he's falling back.

- Defense Against Guard Pass Attempts ;

You can use this basic defense when your opponent is in your closed guard and putting pressure on your hips. (An opponent with good posture would have his elbows close to the body or over your legs... ) At this moment, if he's not careful you can pull by elbows to break his posture ... or at least to unbalance him.

If your opponent's already standing up (on both his feet)... you can defend by pushing his ankles away with your hand and pulling with your knees.

- Another Basic Defense Against Guard Pass ;

Most of the time while attempting a guard pass, your opponent will try to put one of his knees inside (closer to the center and middle of the hips). At this moment you can negate his movement by ;
- bridging and lifting your hips,
- Holding the inside of his knee (assuming its his right knee) with your left hand (under your hips)
- Using this support to move your hips to the right to get back to the beginning.

Or you can try this sweep ;
- Bridge and lift the hips off the ground,
- Control his right sleeve with your left hand (this will be the sweep side) so he wont be able to use it for balance
- Get your right hand under your hip an hold the outside of his right knee, and move your hips to the left... so sweeping will be easier.
- Open guard, and place your right leg under his arm. (to push him to the left)
- Control the right sleeve.. and if necessary use his left knee for extra leverage
- And finish the sweep

- Simple Defense Against Kimura from C.G.

Closed Guard' dan Kimura ve Basit Bir Defans

When your opponent got you in kimura and lying back to finish, you can try to defend by steping front with your right leg (the side you're getting the kimura) , holding under your knee and then finally sitting down.

Old Post 1 : Some Throws ....

This class was mostly about hip throw, a couple of alternatives for that and some rolling. I'll try to give a clear explanation for those throws.

* Hip Throw :

Basic hip throw. I think it's called "O Goshi" (animation) in judo. But the way we've got thought had a few slight differences. (Check the vid)

Video

A few basic points to be careful about ;
- Right hand control his hip and stay close the opponent as much as possible
- Before moving right foot, try to unbalance the opponent by pulling him forward
- Right foot goes close to the opponent's right one and get your hips inside.
- Keep in mind that, when you lean forward your legs will carry the weight. Your legs must not be bend too much.

Next two throws are similar upto the point where you control his hips with your right hand. (Left hand controlin his right arm, hip as close to the opponent as possible, feet are close the his near foot- almost like a "T", protect your face etc.. )

* Throw 02

You can attempt this throw after you try the usual hip throw but the opponent resists your pull forward to unbalance him. Naturally he leans back. To finish the throw, you put your right foot behind his right foot, and bend your left knee as if you're sitting down while pulling him by his hip with your right hand. Then you can mount or do something else.

* Throw 03

At this throw your opponent defends by getting his right foot away and chanhing his base. (At this point most of his weight is on his left leg. ) You finish the throw doing the following ;
- Put pressure on the opponent's chest using you head... as if you're trying to look over your shoulders
- Assist the movement with the right hand controlling the hip
- Hook his left foot with your left (put the heel behind his), pivot on your right foot while lifting your left foot in an arc

Greetings

Initially, I started my BJJ blog in Turkish... but after some consideration I've decided posting in English might be better for now. I found out that trying to translate the terms to Turkish is hard and after all your effort, you end up with a weird mix of half Turkish and half English. It feels like a badly translated text.

Also, even though this will mostly be a "training log" sort of blog, I'm hoping to get some input from the readers in future... and at the moment (as far as i know) "BJJ scene" is quite small, and most of them have a good understanding of english anyway.

So, here we go...

(ps : Over the week I'll be moving my old posts here and translating them to turkish. And then I'll start making new posts.)