Defense

Anyone who has done the Bas Rutten workout instantly jumps into a sprawl whenever they hear "Defense" yelled out, but I'm not talking about that right now. I'm talking about defense in BJJ. I've been learning armbars, kimura, etc. etc.., but until a blue belt started working with me after my 12th or so workout it didn't dawn on me that if I don't learn to defend I might as well not even roll

So I started a list of things to remember when getting attacked.

1. Wide base
2. Create distance or keep it close
3. Elbows in
4. stabilize your weight.
5. Be ready to secure your position
6. Don't lose control of a limb

Wide base-A natural tenancy when you are on your knees is to keep your knees together. At least it is for me. So keep a wide base and sit back on your heals.
---That being said "You can't pass guard on your knees" If you have opened the guard get into a combat base.

Create distance or keep it close-Know the difference. When you are on top you keep it close. When you are in guard or on your back, create distance. Offense close distance, defense create space.

Elbows in-Pretend you have T-Rex arms or crocodile arms. My biggest problem right now is I extend my arms way to much. Keep the hands, arms, elbows close to the body and play defense.

Stabilize your weight-One trick I have fallen for more than I care to say is I will fall to an opponent seeming to shift their weight to get me to shift only to roll me with my weight.

Be ready to secure your position-Be ready to abandon attack and defend. Many times I see people (and I'm guilty of it myself) hold onto an attack to long instead of dropping it and defending. Unless you have secured your position don't attack.

Don't lose control of a limb-I'm guilty of it as a white belt. I will hold a Gi to long or reach for a grip. Any time you have to reach, you should probably just tap. REACHING IS BAD!

Getting Started

I say getting started, but I have been training someone consistently for about 3 months. Most of what I have been training has been kickboxing etc..but recently started the grappling specifically in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I am really enjoying it so far, but I really like everything I see from Sambo. Specifically a lot of the stuff that Reilly Bodycomb is doing. Unfortunately there is no one within 100 miles who trains sambo.

So this has been a post about a week in writing. I trained last night. It was basic, but I still learned a lot. Worked on the basic armbar from guard and triangle choke from guard. I noticed slight variances in the way one instructor teaches compared to another. One makes an emphasis on using more control of the person moving slower with an obvious movements, while another geared more toward competition makes an attempt to keep moves subtle, but bursts into the move at the last second with less control over the person.

So in my limited experience I've found I don't train enough. With my job, education and family commitments it's not always possible to drive into class, BUT it is always possible to take time to do some training at home. so here are some of my favorite youtube videos of on your own training

33 Solo Drills

Animal Drills

Spartacus Workout