This week’s classes in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program saw us practicing techniques in combatives and self-defense focusing takedowns and escapes if attacked from behind. In addition, we explored the knee in the belly position and how to turn the fight with a variation on the hook sweep.
For the self-defense aspects on this week, we learned what to do if attacked and held over both arms or under both arms. This was the classic bearhug attack. Both attacks were easily defended with jiu jitsu by use of leverage and basic tricks. Further in the week we defended against the sucker punch. This attack led to the clinch and the basic hip throw. Two takedowns that were added this week were the hip throw and side trip takedown from the clinch reference point.
On the mat this week we practice how to control the opponent using the knee in the belly position. This position opens up many strategies such as submission attacks, transitional position control and the ability to where down the opponent with control, strikes or technical grips on the pants, sleeve and jacket. Simply using the knee in the belly to transition to the mount position is a key objective.
Lastly, on the mat this week, we practiced using the hook sweep from the guard position. Before learning this move, we reviewed how to use the armtriangle choke and also create an angle to take the back of the opponent. It was this ability to move your hips under your opponent that determined what technique you could use or where you would end up next in the positional battle. What we practice was to move the hips out to side the opposite way than taking the back position. By doing this, we were able to learn the hook sweep and turn the fight. In the end, this strategy led to the submission finish using the armtriangle choke. Remember that the submission from the mount is half neck crank and half choke hold. Therefore, it was practice to move to the side control to finialize the armtriangle. All choke this way!
Best,
Prof. Tony Pacenski
