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The Scary Guys

It interests me that there are certain guys who intimidate me much more than others, despite the fact that they may not be much better, bigger or more aggressive than other guys I roll with. 

It’s kind of hard to put my finger on it, which is why I feel like writing this post. I’m not talking about those super athletic advanced white/new blue belts who are after a new scalp for their collection and have nothing to lose – those guys keep me sharp. And I’m not talking about the heavy beasts who crush you and make you have those thoughts mid-roll (“why do I do this again?”). It’s not the super slick brown/black belt guys who make you wonder if even in 10 lifetimes you could get that good (I LOVE rolling with those guys)…So what is it?

Some guys just have a certain air of menace. Like if they accidentally killed you in training, they’d get over it in 40 minutes. I’m not saying they hurt you (those guys are called “dicks” and can fuck right off), it’s just kind of like you’re rolling with a reptile. If I’m honest, the guys I’m thinking of are quite a lot better than me, and DO favor leg locks (though that’s a very small part of it). They tend to possess something slightly unnerving. My old MMA coach (who I class as a friend), had it – sometimes you just weren’t sure if he was crazy. Another guy I train with has this really disconcerting super-flexibility combined with incredible wiry strength (he’s not a big guy). Another guy I’m thinking of goes for armbars from guard like his life and the lives of all his family members depend upon him getting that armbar. He’s good at them.  

Maybe that’s it…the sensation that you’re fighting someone who’s in some way on the fringes. Something unknown about them, something you don’t quite understand. It’s the feeling that you really can’t predict the way the roll is going to unfold (more so than usual), or that your opponent has a radically different mindset to you. The sensation that you are powerless to stop the unknown from unfolding, or bridge the gap between you. 

Now that I’ve written it down, it makes a lot of sense really. Of course it’s more stressful dealing with the unfamiliar. I guess the solution is to actively embrace, and seize opportunities to roll with guys of all different mentalities, games, and physical ability.

Thanks blog. You are cathartic.

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Parting Words from my Jiu-Jitsu Instructor

So last week my BJJ coach, Nic Gregoriades, left London to travel the world indefinitely. Nic has had a very positive influence on my training, been a great teacher, and is definitely the best grappler I’ve ever sparred.

He’s a bit of a hippie, but his students enjoy it. His final words to the class were about happiness, specifically the three things which have given him the most happiness in his life:

  1. Meditation
  2. Yoga
  3. Keeping a record of things for which he is grateful

That might not sound like everyone’s bag, but I must say that since Nic started to introduce yoga movements into our warm ups about six months ago, I’ve really been enjoying them. He actually wrote an excellent post on how yoga benefits your jiu-jitsu here.

Starting tomorrow I will be trying meditation for 30 days to see what I make of it.

It can be sad to see mentors come and go, but Nic is going off to improve himself, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from a great coach. I am grateful for what he has taught me, and excited at the prospect of getting a totally new take on BJJ with the new coaches I will now seek out.

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Anaconda Choke Tips

This video is a brilliant break down of the finer points of the anaconda choke. Two bits really jumped out at me:

  1. Wrapping the opponent’s leg with yours to compress the opponent for the  finish (I find guys often need extra squeeze with this choke).
  2. The second variation (which is almost like a toss!) as a way to deal with the opponent posting their leg – very cool!

Check it out…

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BJJ Half-Guard: The Lockdown

I was revisiting Eddie Bravo’s “Rubber Guard” book the other day and really liked the section on the half guard. Bravo writes:

“In my opinion, the half guard is the most important position in jiu-jitsu because that is where the majority of battles are waged.”

This is certainly true for the type of game Bravo preaches, though I’m sure other players might have a different emphasis. Regardless, it got me thinking about what a “Hail Mary” half guard game I have. I basically just aggressively shrimp and bridge until I get my guard back (against a weak opponent maybe I’ll get an ugly power sweep, or take the back). This is a pretty lame state of affairs, so I read the half-guard sequences with interest.

Bravo posits that “regular” half-guard (i.e. triangling your legs into a figure four) limits your options, and is more easily passed than his alternative…The Lockdown. I have to admit, I often find it tough to get the lockdown on people, but when I do, I notice that a lot of them find it pretty uncomfortable. For those who don’t know, this is the lockdown:

The Lockdown

Once you’ve got the lockdown, the next task is to get double-underhooks and then whip up onto your side. At that point, a number of possibilities open up. Now that’s easier said than done! Good guys are not going to let you get the underhooks, and they’re definitely not going to let you whip up to your side…but hey, like most useful things, it takes practice.

Once you’re in position, a cool array of sweeps and options open up: old school, electric chair, and stoner control, to name a few.

I’ve mapped some of the basic and entry phase options in the following tree diagram – follow from left to right (click on the image to improve the quality):

Lockdown Tree Diagram

 

 

I think it’s time to revisit the lockdown at training. At the very least it should stop my half guard getting smashed all the time.

Here’s a video of the old school sweep for inspiration:

Old School Sweep

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Taking the Back from an Arm Drag: Useful Tips and Flow Diagram

I had another great class last week which has prompted another tree diagram. This one starts from butterfly guard (where you’re sat up, but with no over or underhooks). It then charts a few possibilities when you go for the arm drag and hunt for the back.

Before I get to the diagram, I learned two really awesome details to the arm drag – take the back sequence:

1. Don’t go for the second hook (early on) Once you’ve got your opponent in turtle, and you’ve got one hook in and the seat belt (arms wrapped around them, one under the armpit, one over) then the temptation is often to attempt to get the other hook.

My coach pointed out how getting the second hook can often lead to you getting shaken off over the top. This is because of the way you end up after the arm drag and with the seatbelt: you tend to be high on your opponent’s hips, and shimmying down when they are defending is awkward at that point.

Instead, roll your opponent over (by rolling over your own shoulder). The key detail to getting your opponent to roll is the seesaw principle which I will explain in another post soon (it’s so damn useful). Once they’re over, then cool detail number two comes in.

2) Don’t just try and put the second hook in – set it up. With your current lone hook, cross your ankles (so you’ve locked your ankles round their thigh) then you arch your back and stretch your opponent out and then you can go for the second hook. You’ll find it so much easier this way.

So here’s the tree diagram I put together for this sequence (click to make it clearer):

Arm Drag

 

 

I’ve also found a video for the calf slicer finish in the diagram (the video doesn’t start from the arm drag, but apart from that the positions are the same):