Class 135...

Today, an intermediate lesson about drilling and specific training with a visiting World Champion.

The opening four involved the standing attacker trying to pass the defending man on the bottom, while the last drill involved both men standing. The five drills we worked on were as follows:

Drill one: practicing the foot movement and knee pressure for the Toreador pass. A key point here was for the standing man to use the inside knee of his passed leg to ensure the man on the bottom cannot go to guard. Grips were on the gi trousers at the knee.

Drill two: this was a leg drag pass where the standing man drags the opponent’s leg on the side he is passing. A key point here was to trap the dragged leg between the attacker’s hip and the arm that is dragging it. Grips were on the gi trousers near the ankle.

Drill three: This involved pinning the passing side knee to the floor and pinning the defending man’s opposite hip with your hand, then pushing the knee to the opposite side and passing.

Drill four: This involved a foot movement drill if the attacker’s leg is trapped between the seated man’s legs on the floor. This involved kicking the trapped leg back then placing it at the side to be passed while maintaining control by grabbing the seated man’s collar ad pinning him.

Drill five: this was shooting for single or double leg takedowns. Key point here was to bury your head in the opponent’s hip so he cannot secure a guillotine.

We then did some specific positional drilling based on attacking from the mount and escaping from the mount, and doing the same from side control and full guard. We then went into full sparring.

This was a great class because it included lots of basic stuff I need to cement. But it was frustrating because I also realised how many gaping holes there are in even my basic knowledge.

I then realised I felt like this because I was comparing myself to everybody else in the class. Idiot! I can’t allow ego to get in the way of learning. I’ve been a bad white belt at a martial art before and I struggled for years to get a foothold on basic technique in that. This will take time. Just enjoy the journey…

Things to remember: Close the space and apply the pressure when attacking. Create space when escaping.