What are we working on?

[StillReal]

Just an update on what I've been focusing on.

Top | Bottom

Full guard: Strong posture, staying patient, and my schools go-to pass | Getting the overhook then transitioning to an omoplata
Half guard: Passing the knee shield and strengthening my base. | The old school sweep from lockdown
Side control: Honestly, just maintaining position mostly. | Staying completely calm, waiting for my opportunity to jailbreak
Mount: Maintaining position/arm triangle/leg lock entry. | Hip escapes, boompa, and leg lock entry
Back: Maintaining position, taking my time and getting the choke. | Fighting the hooks, getting my back to the mat and hand fighting
Turtle: Getting my hooks in or rolling to the truck. | Trying to recover guard/kimura
Also have been working heel hooks, knee bars and toe holds with a lot of fun/success.

Any feedback would be great if there is anything it sounds like I'm doing wrong. I've just been trying to have something to work on from every position. Been training for about 8 weeks now, 10+ hours on the mat each week but I'm getting in much better shape and plan to up the hours starting next week now that my body isn't just falling completely apart and actually is recovering effectively.

I do have one question that maybe @Rhino you could answer. I don't mean any disrespect by this to anyone and I'm hesitant to bring it up to one of my instructors because I don't want them to think I don't respect their (higher belts) opinions. I've been using the rubberguard to set up my omoplata (with a lot of success) and I just genuinely have fun playing it. A few higher belts have told me I should cut it out of my game because it isn't effective at a high level, but I feel as if I could have a good amount of success with it in both a street defense situation or an MMA fight, but mainly above everything it is just something that is fun for me to train. One told me that they didn't think it was beautiful Jiu-Jitsu, but art is subjective and I genuinely enjoy the position whether I get an omoplata/triangle or get passed into half guard, I prefer playing half guard anyway. Is it disrespectful of me to continue training/toying around with it? I won't use it against those who told me that I shouldn't use it, but it feels so effective for my body type/insane flexibility. Sorry for the long ass question but I love my gym/instructors and I don't want to be a bad student, but I also want to be able to declare it not worth my while for myself before I completely abandon it (but I'm really worried that makes me an asshole.) Thank you in advance if you respond.

 

[maurice]

When I read what you're working on, I assumed that you're at a 10th Planet school. I guess that's not the case. Perhaps they want you to focus on the moves they teach in class.

I'm working on TDD, especially against single legs.

 

[SC MMA MD]

@ChasenWest I discourage newer guys from playing with rubber guard until they have a good handle on the basic "traditional" positions (just like I would rather they not mess with x-guard etc early on). The more experienced guys might be trying to steer you towards developing a solid base instead of becoming a one trick pony temporary phenom. I have seen quite a few new guys train like mad and focus on getting really good at one thing (usually a leg lock for some reason, occasionally a newer guard). They start having great success with that one thing, and after a short time everybody starts defending that one thing and their game gets shut down, and often times they disappear. I am not saying that is where you are headed, but it might be what the more senior guys are concerned about.

 

[member 603]

Just an update on what I've been focusing on.

Top | Bottom

Full guard: Strong posture, staying patient, and my schools go-to pass | Getting the overhook then transitioning to an omoplata
Half guard: Passing the knee shield and strengthening my base. | The old school sweep from lockdown
Side control: Honestly, just maintaining position mostly. | Staying completely calm, waiting for my opportunity to jailbreak
Mount: Maintaining position/arm triangle/leg lock entry. | Hip escapes, boompa, and leg lock entry
Back: Maintaining position, taking my time and getting the choke. | Fighting the hooks, getting my back to the mat and hand fighting
Turtle: Getting my hooks in or rolling to the truck. | Trying to recover guard/kimura
Also have been working heel hooks, knee bars and toe holds with a lot of fun/success.

Any feedback would be great if there is anything it sounds like I'm doing wrong. I've just been trying to have something to work on from every position. Been training for about 8 weeks now, 10+ hours on the mat each week but I'm getting in much better shape and plan to up the hours starting next week now that my body isn't just falling completely apart and actually is recovering effectively.

I do have one question that maybe @Rhino you could answer. I don't mean any disrespect by this to anyone and I'm hesitant to bring it up to one of my instructors because I don't want them to think I don't respect their (higher belts) opinions. I've been using the rubberguard to set up my omoplata (with a lot of success) and I just genuinely have fun playing it. A few higher belts have told me I should cut it out of my game because it isn't effective at a high level, but I feel as if I could have a good amount of success with it in both a street defense situation or an MMA fight, but mainly above everything it is just something that is fun for me to train. One told me that they didn't think it was beautiful Jiu-Jitsu, but art is subjective and I genuinely enjoy the position whether I get an omoplata/triangle or get passed into half guard, I prefer playing half guard anyway. Is it disrespectful of me to continue training/toying around with it? I won't use it against those who told me that I shouldn't use it, but it feels so effective for my body type/insane flexibility. Sorry for the long ass question but I love my gym/instructors and I don't want to be a bad student, but I also want to be able to declare it not worth my while for myself before I completely abandon it (but I'm really worried that makes me an asshole.) Thank you in advance if you respond.

@SC MMA MD and @maurice have both hit it on the head here...... It's important to focus on getting good at basics first and foremost. Now if I remember correctly, you mentioned that you've only been training for about 6 months or less now, yet I see you post about going for rubber guard and how you're becoming exceptional at positions...... Remember, this art (the competitive aspect of it) is a marathon, not a sprint. Heavy repetition of fundamental basics are key for a stronger overall game. A year or less of training and you're still riding with training wheels. Even with as great as your coach is (Rob is a friend of mine, and just amazing.... One of my competition team kids goes out to train with him on Tuesdays now), I know that he stresses working on fundamentals.... Focus on that, and what he's teaching, he's coached many great MMA fighters, and competitive grapplers to great success.

Yes the more you train, you will find things that work well for you and your body type (I'm 6' 3.5" tall and 215 pounds, and almost 40.... You won't catch me trying jumping or flying anything.... Because I'm not a 5' 4" 125 pound 20 year old)... But again, with less than a year of training, you're still learning how to walk here. Your game will change... And it'll change again..... And again.... And the more you train and longer you stick with it, you'll cut all the trend du jour of what's hot in BJJ and work on the basics. (Roger Gracie 2008, beat everyone by submission using basic 101 moves and setups..... All the rubber guard guys, 50/50 guys, de la Riva guys.... All).

That's my two cents worth

 

[StillReal]

When I read what you're working on, I assumed that you're at a 10th Planet school. I guess that's not the case. Perhaps they want you to focus on the moves they teach in class.

The only thing that I've picked up from 10th planet is the rubberguard and its because I would watch videos on it obsessively years ago for some reason when I first became a fan of MMA, I don't know why I got so into it back then but it just stays in my head. I actually picked up the truck from a training partner, but I don't really like it, I prefer just taking the back. Not super into flashy stuff. The rest I've been taught from my instructors.

They start having great success with that one thing, and after a short time everybody starts defending that one thing and their game gets shut down, and often times they disappear. I am not saying that is where you are headed, but it might be what the more senior guys are concerned about.

Now if I remember correctly, you mentioned that you've only been training for about 6 months or less now, yet I see you post about going for rubber guard and how you're becoming exceptional at positions.....

I just want to make sure that I correct myself and make it clear, in no way do I think I'm exceptional or incredibly skilled. One day I will be, but I know for now I'm still a white belt who has 1000 times more stuff to learn than I already know. When I say I'm good at a technique, I just mean its something I've find a mild amount of success with and have been able to pull off a few times.

Thank you for all three of your replies, I greatly appreciate it. Sorry if my posts ever seem boastful, I'm just super passionate about this and get excited as I talk about it. I will now go back into hiding for another month or two training my ass off. Good luck to everyone on and off the mats!

 

[Leigh]

Guard passing. Being a MMA guy, passing guard can be a weaker area, because it's usually fine to settle there and punch your way through. I know lots of passes but I'm trying to work on having a system. I've got something working, I just need to practise it a lot.

 

[Carbazel]

Trying to add more options to my guard passing. Trying to get away from having "go-to" passes so I'm not predictable.

 

[Darqnezz]

Everything leg locky . Especially defense.

 

[member 603]

Guard passing is always a grind... I've been drilling it a lot as of late. In Gi, I'm working all things lapel/material choke.... No Gi, drilling leg lock defense, I'm planning on doing the ADCC trials in November, so I want to get savvy with it against the young guys LOL.

Good stuff fellas, keep it coming

 

[TheFifthScallop]

Got back to training in the gi for the first time in a couple months, and man I missed it. We worked on a sweet over under pass.

 

[StillReal]

Watched this and a few other videos Sunday night on guard passing and it has been my focus all week. It has helped me dramatically.

 

[Phuckles]

Triangles. They have evaded me forever. I have been concentrating on them and hitting them consistently now. Still have a ton of work to do but I have come a long way in the last month or two with them.

 

[member 603]

End of the year.... What have been working on? Where do we all feel we've improved? Has anyone been promoted this year (since we last spoke)? What the early 2017 goals?

 

[Darqnezz]

I learned from my competition that I'm being too nice in the gym. I'm working on being more aggressive and finishes.

 

[SC MMA MD]

Currently working on improving my guard passing, and in particular getting by more comfortable with passing low, neutral and high/standing.

Goals for 2017- Compete at least 6 times, gold at an IBJJF event, compete at Masters Worlds