Lets talk technique

I've read quite a few of the threads on this board now, and I think it is fair to say that we are in need of a little reminder as to why we are all here. Far be it from me to tell you your own minds, but isn't the desire to learn something about your training in there somewhere? As opposed to just posting abuse (which is fun, but not all the time....).

I certainly could do with a few pointers, so show me your skills and help me out....

In my club we often begin groundwork fighting by facing each other, on our knees, then off we go. What kind of techniques can I use to my advantage from this position, as I find that I often just lock on to someone and use nothing but weight and strength to get them over. Jiu Jitsu should be about skill though....so show me some moves!

[SweepEm]

There are many philosophies as how to attack and defend standing up and also on the knees.

if you are a beginner in BJJ and are starting on the knees, when sparring try first to capitolize on your strengths. What are your strengths?
Are you better when pulling your opponent in your guard or do you like to start from the top or in someone's guard. Do you know any sweeps from the knees?

When I go with someone new, they just have the tunnel vision. Most white belts have this since their repitoire is very limited in their knowledge of moves. I would recommend that the simple explanation of if you want to get your opponent on their back, you pull them towards you since the normal reation should be that they resist and pull backwards and then when you feel some resistance, you use their strength and leverage to get them on their back. When they are falling back, put up a knee so that they can't close their guard around you and you can attack from there, to pass their guard, for side mount or another attack.
I hope this helps, I am heading to class in a few minutes and will check back to see if you like this and maybe add some more.

But BJJ is always a chess move, the more advanced players will look several moves ahead. whereas the novices look at one move at a time. To do set ups, you need feints, like in boxing or other sports for set ups. Pull on your opponent, initially, if you want them to go back, push if you want them forward.

[MrPoopy]

Here's something that works pretty good on beginners and might work on more advanced people:

We start on our knees,
I grab their wrist or sleeve, and the opposite shoulder,
Push them back,
Push them to the same side as the wrist that I'm holding, then just pull them back. It's done in a sort of triangle motion. If you keep hold of the wrist, you can pull them onto their back, right at your knees. It's not a real technique, just something I do.

[Mr. Miyagi]

You can do a variation of the simple sweep.
Grab his wrist, grab his lapel, one foot hooked around his hip/back, the other foot pushing on his opposite knee, and sweep! If it fails, you have to pull guard.

Those are all cool. I'm gonna put some real work into all of them. There are one or two things that work for me at the moment but the problem is that my training partners get wise to them, hence I end up using my size and strength instead.

My favourite is this. I take a normal lapel and elbow hold, adopt a deep, wide base and just wait for the inevitable push/pull battle. As my opponents weight momentarily hovers over one of his knees I pull him diagonally forwards towards the same side and, at the same time, push his opposite side diagonally backwards, but still towards that same side (does that make sense?). It's a little like a circular motion. If you catch it just right he falls over like a baby, and you can take the cross body really easily.

Any more?

[jhinds]

The push/pull technique to one of the rear corners that Mr P talked about works great on white belts. Being really big, I use it alot to gain side mount on equally skilled opponents. But if you do that to a blue belt or higher it will land you in a straight armbar most of the time. Think how extended the arm you are pushing with is.

[drixx2]

being from a wrestling background (10 years) i usually go for the single, double, chop & lift, ankle pick, and sometimes the fireman's carry

we train no gi, so it's hard to do a lot of sweeps when you are grabbing a t-shirt

[aseepish]

I'm not sure if this is would work against a blue belt, but ...

Go for the neck - a Muay Thai style clinch. Twist the head and and take the guy down while "moving up the circle." If you're familiar, this is the same as a dumog head throw. You end up in cross-side. Don't really crank the neck, use slow and even pressure to avoid injury.

-T

[windycity]

You can also try to isolate one side of their body by grabbing both the sleeve and pant leg on the same side and give it a pull, some people will pull back and then you can push forward towards the isolated side and possibly get side control.
I'm thinking about purchasing a Roy Harris tape That focuses on takedowns from the knees, the first of it's kind from what I hear.

I'm afraid I haven't heard of Roy Harris. No offence. If there are some good moves on the tape I'd appreciate a brief description of the best one. Thanks!

[Szczepankiewicz]

Check out www.royharris.com. There are techniques and articles posted and a forum. You can ask roy questions and either him, or some of his students can answer them.


Traffic is kind of slow, not too many arguments over silly stuff on that forum.

Spanky

Thanks. I've book marked the site and will have a good look tomorrow.

[Szczepankiewicz]

You bet. The guy I talk to is swifthhbfighter (when I do post). I think he just turned pro MMA. He's a real good guy to talk to when he has time to post.

Not anything like me....

Have you got any techniques for dealing with a training partner in the circumstances described at the beginning of the thread? All idea are very welcome.

[PentjackSilat]

Originally posted by Bri Thai
I've read quite a few of the threads on this board now, and I think it is fair to say that we are in need of a little reminder as to why we are all here. Far be it from me to tell you your own minds, but isn't the desire to learn something about your training in there somewhere? As opposed to just posting abuse (which is fun, but not all the time....).

Why I do think the high and mighty has fallen. It was just too easy to piss you off!