Submission Master Grappling Dummy - Clock Choke

So you want to practice the traditional clock choke from turtle or the tornado clock choke but you don't have a partner to practice on. Here's is where using the Submission Master Grappling Dummy gets creative.

This particular jiu jitsu grappling dummy is great for working with it on its back or postured up to work on grappling techniques from your guard. However, when it comes to techniques from the turtle position it doesn't want to stay in turtle by itself because the arms aren't stiff enough to hold it's weight up. The solution? - simply put something under the grappling dummy's stomach while it's on all fours. You could use a step stool, make a box out of plywood, use an upside down small trash can, etc. I use a small ottoman from Wal-Mart that fits perfectly and will support the abuse.

Tornado Clock Choke

After recently rolling with someone who's gi was super tight I truly see the value in the tornado clock choke. I haven't had a chance to try this out yet but am looking forward to it. We were taught to hook the inside of the thigh/leg but I can see where sometimes that may not work. So, if hooking the thigh doesn't work and grabbing the gi pants doesn't work then I say go F5 tornado on them!!

Clock Choke

During my year of Jiu Jitsu training I've heard of the clock choke but haven't learned it in class or looked it up. Last week my instructor showed it to us and I think I will end up using this a lot. It seems very effective as long as you can keep your opponent from defending.

This video does a good job of showing and explaining the basics of the clock choke.The version we learned in class was starting with one leg behind and one leg beside your opponent (opponent in turtle) and you didn't have a hold of the collar yet. I like how this video shows the transition into the clock choke starting from your back with your opponent in your guard.

Grappling Dummy - Breaking In the Legs

Before Saturday's Jiu Jitsu class I worked technique on the Submission Master Grappling Dummy for about 20 minutes. I had trouble getting it to stay upright because I hadn't used it in a while and the legs went back to their original position. The legs are stiff when you first get the grappling dummy and it takes some time working with it to break the legs in right. I didn't want to overdue it and rip the stitches in the crotch area so I've been taking easy on the legs; as a result, the legs tend to go back to default position if you go a while without using the dummy.

There are two solutions to keeping the grappling dummy's legs trained to stay in a good position when you're not using it. The first is to store the dummy with a push-up bar wedged between the thighs. This will work the stitches and material in the crotch area. Second is to store the dummy postured up with the feet pulled out with it's butt sitting on the floor between it's feet. This will work the stitches and material at the knees and legs.

1. Push-up bar wedged between the thighs.

2. Grappling Dummy postured up with it's feet pulled out and it's butt on the floor.

Al Bundy is a Black Belt!!!

Al Bundy a Black Belt? That's awesome!!

Grappling Dummy - Spider Guard Sweep

In today's Jiu-Jitsu session I had the opportunity to roll with new people at a different school. It was the perfect opportunity to try a new sweep from spider guard I saw earlier today.

I had to slowly fish my legs into position to execute the sweep but it worked twice on an opponent who was about 60lbs heavier than me (and a white belt). When I tried it against a purple belt it didn't work so well because I didn't get my legs set up quick enough before he started to defend. This move will be easy to practice on the martial arts dummy, so with a little practice I think I'll be able to use it against the higher belts. The Submission Master Grappling Dummy only weighs about 80lbs. Although 80lbs isn't much - it is dead weight, so practicing this particular spider guard sweep with the Jiu-Jitsu dummy will be good training.

Jiu Jitsu Grappling Dummy

There is a NAGA (North American Grappling Association) tournament coming up that I really want to attend. I don't feel as if I'm ready as my conditioning and mental strength isn't where I want it to be. So tonight, with only 1hr to train, I had to decide what would be the most effective use of my time.

I decided to work with the Submission Master Grappling Dummy. Out came the Jiu-Jitsu notes from class and we went to work. Most of my concentration was on what to do once I achieved side control since my mind tends to go blank when I get to this point during live rolling. Once I did one move I tried to transition into what I thought would be the next logical move from that position. Rolling with the jiu jitsu grappling dummy didn't really work my conditioning but I figured that working technique and knowing what to do in different situations was more important. Hopefully I'll get some good roll time in this week to help improve my conditioning.

iGrapple - Butterfly Guard

Yesterday's class was a good eye opener to some serious work needed when it comes to no gi.

I've been down this road before but haven't addressed the issue because most of my Jiu-Jitsu training is with the gi. In gi Jiu-Jitsu it is so easy to control your opponent just by simply grabbing the gi and working your way into your next move, whereas in no gi there is nothing to grab onto.

The few gi butterfly sweeps that I know didn't work well yesterday because of a combination of my training partners being more experienced (they know how to defend) and poor execution on my part. In addition to trying the sweeps I also tried some submissions from the butterfly guard but they didn't work either.

This morning I looked at iGrapple to see what additional options it shows from butterfly guard. It turns out iGrapple has a lot of different options and has the moves broken down from the position of your arms on your opponent (Double Underhook, Under & Overhook, Double Overhook, Arms Across Body). Rather than trying to look at all of these I decided to think about what position my arms are usually in (naturally) and came to the conclusion that I usually go for the "Under & Overhook" of my opponent's arms. From here there are three moves that I've decide to concentrate on, (elbow lock, omoplata - when executing the elbow lock you are already in position to go into the omoplata, & taking his back). With a little practice on the grappling dummy these techniques should be simple to apply the next time I roll no gi - I'll let you know how it goes.

Breathing - Conserving Energy

Proper breathing and conserving energy is something that many beginners probably don't think about.

During my last tournament the announcer calls my name for my first match - so I put on my headgear, don my mouthpiece, and stand there waiting for the match to start when I hear Sensei say, "Darren, slow down your breathing, relax". I was breathing hard and was all tensed up before the match had even started.

I definitely need to work on this as I'm sure most beginners do. This video captures the concept of creating space so you can breathe while also concentrating on physically conserving your energy.

Kettlebells for Grapplers

Hope everyone had a good holiday weekend. I was out for 4 days and it felt like I hadn't trained for 2 weeks. Speaking of training, I saw this article today about training with kettlebells. I haven't trained with kettlebells before but after reading this article I am now considering it. The author, Brian Jones, is now a Black Belt in Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Click here to read the Kettlebells for Grapplers Article

Grip - Gi Pull-Ups

Whether you just started Jiu-Jitsu or you've been doing it a while your hands and forearms usually reach muscle failure relatively quick from holding on to your opponent's gi. Gi pull-ups are a great way to improve your overall grip strength.

There are two grip variations to the gi pull-up - thumb inside the collar and fingers inside the collar. Grab the gi with the preferred grip and do as many pull-ups as you can. Try to alternate grips and move you elbows in and out to utilize different forearm muscles.

If you aren't able to do the pull-ups then use a chair. Put the chair on the floor under the gi, put your feet on the chair and use your legs to assist you in the pull-up.

First grip - thumb inside the collar.

Second grip - fingers inside the collar.

Jiu Jitsu Tournament Performance

During the Bluegrass Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open last weekend I noticed a few people get really upset when they lost their match. I can see being disappointed in your performance but getting down right upset - really? - grow up folks!! When you go into these tournaments you have to go in with the right attitude. Go to the tournament and treat it as a learning experience. If you win every match that's great but how much did you really learn? When you loose a match you end up thinking about what you need to work on so you don't make the same mistake the next time. This is an excellent tool for improving your Jiu-Jitsu.

When you tap out to your training partner you don't take it as seriously as when you tap out in a tournament. I lost one of my matches by being arm barred within a triangle hold - yes, I was disappointed that I lost but that loss made me more determined to practice triangle defense.

Check out this video, this guy competed often throughout his entire Jiu Jitsu career but didn't win a medal until his second competition match as black belt!

Jiu-Jitsu Drills

Here is a good set of Jiu-Jitsu drills you can do at home. Enjoy!

Grappling Dummy & Side Control / Scarf Hold

Before class I had an hour to work drills with the Submission Master Grappling Dummy. I was kind of lazy and didn't go at it full bore but I did work some new technique. The legs are starting to loosen up a little as the grappling dummy is slowly getting broken in.

In today's Jiu Jitsu class we worked more on the side control/inverted scarf hold position that I talked about yesterday. A lot of emphasis was put on not having your chest down on top of your opponent but rather your hip and side the side of your torso. It feels more like scarf hold this way (your legs are still in opposite positions as they would be in scarf hold - a.k.a. kesa gatame) and you have a lot of control.

We also worked a submission from the side control/inverted scarf hold position (really wish I new the name for this position/technique). The submission was a collar/forearm choke from the side control/inverted scarf hold position: take your hand that is closest to his head and reach over the top side of his neck and then down deep into his collar on the far side of his neck with an overhand grip, with your other hand reach under your chest and grab his elbow (this should be easy as he will probably be trying to defend by pushing up on you), now pull your forearm down across his throat while pulling his elbow towards his chest, as you perform the choke be sure to move/switch your hips up towards his shoulder (this puts a lot of your body weight into the choke).

Side Control - Alternative to Scarf Hold

Today's Jiu-Jitsu class focused on the feeling of control between scarf hold (kesa gatame) vs. a another controlling position (I don't know what this is called) - like scarf hold but your chest is putting pressure on his chest/abdomen area and the position of your legs is switched (kind of like half in side control and half in scarf hold). This gives you way more control of your opponent. In scarf hold your opponent can turn into you or have a decent chance at another type of escape. This other move makes it much more difficult. I weigh approx. 170lbs and practiced is on a 230lb guy - he could NOT escape!

This control move is great and I plan on using it a lot!! I've seen it used before but never really drilled it or played around with it. If anyone knows what this is called, please let me know. My JuJitsu instructor doesn't know if there is a name for it.

This video shows what I'm trying to explain, the part where his legs are spread and his weight is over his opponent's chest/abdomen area (not the part where he goes into regular side control).

Wrestling - Turtle Position

Today at Jiu-Jitsu class we focused on a couple of wrestling moves. This was new to me and should prove to be useful as these particular wrestling moves work when someone is in a turtle position and taking the back really isn't feasible.

The wrestling move I liked the best is when your opponent is in the turtle position and you are on the side of him: reach over or under his near side arm and grab his far side wrist, reach over with your other hand and grab his far side ankle, now put your head into the side of his ribs and drive your head forward while pulling back on his wrist and ankle - this will flip him over as you end up in side control.

Yup.....I plan on using this one!!

Grappling Dummy - Quick Workout

Today....home at 6:30, need to work on strength, cardio, & technique with the grappling dummy all within 45 minutes.

Threw in P90X ab ripper X, did some burpies (pushup then jump squat back up), did a few pull ups and then I got out the Submission Master Grappling Dummy. My gi didn't fit him very well so I threw on a pair of fishing pants & a fox racing jersey - works fairly well.

The jujitsu dummy and I had a good little 10 minute roll session. I decided to roll instead of doing repetitive techniques over and over because I need work on transitioning one submission position to another position that is difficult to get into. So I tried to work on going from a bottom position to a top position, from one side to another, ... and so on. I didn't reposition the jiu-jitsu dummy, I just went into what ever move I could from the position we were in. Surprisingly enough the dummy moved around quite a bit and as long as you keep changing positions you can get a pretty good workout. I was even able to simulate an armbar from a sideways back position (hooks not in - not a true back mount) with the grappling dummy rolling over his head (I used my legs to make the dummy roll over his head) simulating an attempted escape while rolling with it and hanging onto the arm for the submission.

Not the most intense workout today but at least I was able to get some training in. Looking forward to tomorrow's no gi jiu-jitsu class!!

iGrapple - Triangle Choke Escape

In yesterday's post I discussed how I got caught up in the triangle hold at the tournament and couldn't escape. To be honest, I wasn't expecting to find much on iGrapple about this - but it proved my wrong! There are five techniques specific to the exact setup I was in (arm across my neck while in his guard) and one of them is the exact same technique I was trying to do (gable grip, post and turn, step towards his head). It turns out I had the right concept but I was turning in the wrong direction. It literally took me a matter of 2 minutes to learn what I did wrong from iGrapple. If I had only known this yesterday the outcome could have been much different for that particular match! Now I know and hopefully I won't make that same mistake again.

Bronze Medal

I took home the bronze at the Bluegrass Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open today. It was a fun day and I learned a lot about what I need to work on. Another great learning experience!!!

The number one thing I tried to improve on from my last tournament was my nerves. At my last competition I was worn out before I ever started because my nerves and adrenaline had me exhausted. This time I had a better handle on it but it was still a HUGE factor. We arrived  for weigh-ins at 8:30am & I didn't compete until 4ish. The whole time my heart was beating faster than normal, hands were shaky, felt weird & tingly, etc.. Then when I finally competed I felt worn out. It wasn't as bad as my last tournament but it was a still significant factor in my performance.

I think the reason why I had my nerves a little better under control this time was because of two things - confidence & experience. The more I train and compete the better it will get. My goal is to get to the point where when I go to compete it will feel like another day of rolling at Jiu-Jitsu class.

One of the matches I lost was from not being able to escape the triangle. I stacked him and tried to move around his head but when I started to move around his head I lost the gable grip - this resulted in him tapping me out with an armbar from within the triangle hold . Tomorrow I will look at iGrapple to see if there are any escape options other than the one that I tried.

Another problem I had was overall strength when put in awkward positions and trying to escape. Yes I know........good Jiu-Jitsu is about technique and leverage - not strength! But when your opponent has you in an awkward position that you haven't trained for yet, you don't have much choice but to rely on strength. I think a good start to improving on this is to work on my overall conditioning and to try and find some way to get more roll time with my training partner purposely putting me in bad positions. I will also check iGrapple for any possible techniques that may have helped that I haven't learned yet.

Keep Training!

Tournament Tomorrow

Well, tomorrow is the tournament - I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance review my Jiu-Jitsu notes or look at any moves on iGrapple today. I will rely on visualization when I go to bed and on the way to the tournament. Supposedly when you visualize techniques your brain doesn't know the difference between physically performing the moves and performing the moves in your head - either way you're still training. I will do more research and try to post a good link on this at later date.

Wish me luck!