January 27th, 2009 by jgatienza

It’s been 1 year and 2 days since I started taking jiu jitsu, I feel a sense of pride that I stuck with it this long. The last few weeks I have really noticed that the techniques that we are doing now are a lot easier for me.

Today the weather was kind of crappy so by 11:30 there were only 3 of us but we continued to workout anyways and during that time more guys started trickling in.

Since there wasn’t a big class, JW at first had us work on whatever we wanted, I opted to work from position 2 to the americana. James picked it up from there and showed us an easy escape from position 2. The escape is pretty easy, it’s really all about timing. 1) when your opponent is in position 1 and begins to move to position 2 this is when you make your move. 2) move your left foot to the side like you are going to shrimp out, when he begins to move to position 2 push him away and sit up. 3) shoot your right leg through your left and finish in position 1.

If the americana fails we can go to a collar choke. 1) your opponent defends the americana and straightens his arm out, go back to position 2 and slide your left hand with your thumb inside his collar and make your knuckles touch the mat. 2) your opponent will defend so he will push your left elbow away, create space and switch your hips like you are going back to position 1, this motion will move his right arm a little. 3) this will create space for you to work your right arm under your belly and grab his gi material on his right arm, drive your left elbow to the mat and walk around him in a clockwise motion. Always be on your toes.

americana, collar choke, escape, position 2

December 26th, 2008 by jgatienza

When in position 2 you need to attack! This isn’t the place to rest, if you rest here it will be more difficult because now your opponent has time to defend. If you have to rest, do it during position 1.

From position 1 you can advance your position and go to mount, 1) you are using gable grips when in position 1 use your right arm to push his left arm up and stretch him out. 2) switch your hips and throw your leg over for the mount or 3) you can slide your knee across his belly until you get your knee to the other side of the mat. 4) get your hooks in

Note: remember to use your shoulder and drive into your opponents face

mount, position 2

December 11th, 2008 by jgatienza

Position 2 will be my new home now. I am comfortable with position 1, but I am going to have to start advancing my position.

Position 1: 1) left hand under the head. 2) right hand by your opponents side. 3) hip on hip. 4) head should be laying on your opponents chest. 5) on your toes and push into your opponnent.

From position 1 you will transition to position 2: 1) switch your hips, your right leg should be under his right shoulder, do not use your hand to get your leg under his shoulder. 2) left hand goes back to defend. 3) hip should still be on his hip. 4) right hand should still be on his side. 5) you are still applying pressure using your left leg and driving your weight into him.

Submissions from position 2:

Americana: when your opponent defends or tries to push you away 1) with your left hand, grip his left hand and flex it downward and apply the kimura grip right away. 2) switch your hips and push his arm up with your hip. 3) pull the arm to the side of his body. 4) turn into him for the submission, he may have already submitted…

If he resists and fights it off… go for the:

Armlock: 1) if he straightens his arm out, get your right arm above his elbow and with your left arm apply pressure downward. (you can use either hand for this) 2) put your head to the mat

If he resists and fights it off… go for the:

Kimura: 1) switch arms arm and hand grips 2) throw your left leg onto the other side of his head 3) torque his shoulder

Other submissions from position 2 to be aware of:

Armlock: 1) put your left hand on your butt or leg (loose). 2) slide your left leg back under your right leg. 3) your right leg steps over his head to his neck, put your left knee under his shoulder, hip down, squeeze your legs together  and extend your back

Collar choke: 1) if your opponent is defending and you can’t budge his arms, slide your hand down his collar (thumb inside the gi) till your knuckles touch the mat. 2) Right hand grabs his lapel (which is loose) pull the slack, once the slack is gone drive your elbows to the ground

Collar choke: 1) slide your hand down his collar till your knuckles touch the mat. 2) switch your hips 3) with your right hand go under yourself and grab the gi material on his traps. Your body should be straight (shoulders, hips, foot should be a straight line) and drive your left elbow to the mat.

*Note: position 1: hip to hip, rotate on the hip when moving to position 2, head should be on his chest, on your toes driving into your opponent.

Position 2: left hand never touches his right arm, it automatically goes to your chest ready to attack. Do not lean to far back.

americana, armlock, collar choke, kimura, position 1, position 2

August 5th, 2008 by jgatienza

Side control reversal: this position starts from when your opponent has you in side control, if your opponent has you in side control from the right side, take your right arm and wrap it around his left arm, with your left arm defend and keep it close to your body. Bring your feet to your butt and bridge to your right and shoot your right arm high and roll your opponent over and get into side control.

Another variation: once again you are in your opponents side control, feet to the butt and bridge towards him, drop your right knee to the ground and shift him into the middle of your legs and roll him over, while you are rolling him keep your right leg back to prevent yourself from going into his half guard.

Another variation: your opponent has position 2 on you. Simply bridge up and bring your right leg to the mat and work it under his hip and roll him over.

Rolling review: I’ve been working on not falling into my opponent’s guard so easily, so far so good, when my opponent tries to bring his knees in for a sweep, I just lay on it and work around it. While I was in side control I did fend off getting put back in a half guard by going to position 2. While in side control, I was able to mount, I was looking for a collar choke and then thought about going for an armbar but I was not in the position to do it. If I was going for an armbar I need to remember to work on controlling his arms.

We rolled into round 2 and that’s where I ran out of gas and tapped on a rear naked choke.

One of the things I learned today was loosening up when I’m on top, this prevents me from rolling with them and putting me in a bad position.

I also need to remember to keep my arms in when I turtle, guys are flattening me out because I am posting on my arms when I turtle, I need to get my elbows in tight to my knees.

position 2, reversal, side control