Class #1140
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 30/04/2019
Trying to get back in the habit of posting the videos from daytime class. Our new venue has many advantages, but sadly it does not have WiFi. I therefore now need to wait until I get home to upload, and my WiFi is pants.
Then again, waiting for them to upload does force me to stay off the internet for a while (shock horror! ), so that's probably good for me .
30 April 2019
29 April 2019
29/04/2019 - Teaching | Mount | Trap & roll escape (upa)
Teaching #856
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 29/04/2019
Short Version:
Full Version: For the trap and roll escape (commonly called the 'upa', which presumably means something in Portuguese), a typical starting point would be when they try to establish their first grip on your collar (or your neck, if you aren't wearing a gi) for a choke. That provides you with a chance to trap their arm. The usual grip would be to grab their wrist with your opposite hand, then just above their elbow with your other hand. This is the preferred grip on Gracie Combatives. The reasoning is that this grip prevents your opponent from drawing back their arm for a punch.
There are various other possibilities, such as the option I first learned, which was gripping their wrist with your same side hand, then grabbing the crook of their elbow with your opposite hand. That has the advantage of helping you wedge your elbow and arm into their chest, which provides additional leverage when rolling them over. Having said that, you can still use your elbow with the Gracie Combatives grip, it's just slightly less effective as your arm starts further away from their torso.
Whatever grip you choose, you then need to trap their leg on that same side. Otherwise, they will be able to use their leg for base as you attempt to roll them. In order to prevent that, step your same side foot over their lower leg, hooking it in tightly to your bum. This means they are now like a chair with two of its legs missing. If you aren't too flexible and therefore can't easily bring your leg back, push it back with your other leg. For some extra control, slide your controlling foot horizontally across towards your bum, which should eat up some more space. If you aren't flexible, you could try pushing it in place with your other foot (a tip I learned from my student Jim the first time I taught this to him, as he's had part of his hamstring removed).
Even if they can't post with their leg, they might be able to use their knee, so you want to have their leg as tightly locked to your body as possible. Also, be careful that you don't end up hooking both their feet, or leave your other leg in range of their hook. It is possible for the person on top to defend this escape by securing a hook with their free leg, under your non-trapping leg. Therefore, try to keep the leg they might be able to control out of range.
A common problem is that you're having trouble trapping their foot, because it is too high up. If that happens, try using your elbow (or even your hand, if you need more reach, but that could leave your neck vulnerable) to shove their knee backwards, until their lower leg is in range. This is an advantage of the Gracie Combatives grip, as putting a hand behind their triceps puts your elbow in a good position for shoving back their knee.
Yet another option, if their arm is not in range, is to bridge enough to bump them forward, nudging them in the bum with your knee if you want more leverage. That should mean they are forced to post out their hands for balance, a difficult instinct to ignore. That puts their arm within reach. You can then wrap both of your arms around one of theirs, gable gripping your hands (palm to palm). Suck that arm into your chest, clamping it at the elbow.
To finish, you're going to bridge towards that trapped side. As with basic side control escapes, get your heels close to your bum first for maximum leverage. Bridge up and over your shoulder, turning to your knees: this puts you inside their guard. Make sure that you're bridging over your shoulder and not simply rolling over to your side. If you don't raise your hips properly, you may merely give up your back.
If you find you need more leverage, most commonly if they are posting with their free hand to stop your roll, you could attempt to dislodge that by pushing their arm off the ground. Alternatively, Rickson Gracie has a great detail, which he demonstrated in a video a while ago. Simply angle your head away from the shoulder you're rolling over: this increases your range of motion.
When you've successfully rolled them over, that puts you in the guard position. Remember to posture up immediately as you reach that position: if you are leaning forwards, they can control your posture, putting you at risk of a submission.
________________
Teaching Notes: Forgot to do the bridging drills, that's important. Getting that angled bridge, could also emphasise it during the side control escape drills, noting how it's got broader applicability? Also, nice details by Matt Thornton: angling trapping leg out, shoulder towards hip.
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 29/04/2019
Short Version:
- Bump to knock their weight forwards
- Secure their arm to your chest
- Push their trapped-arm side knee back with your elbow
- Step your same-side foot over that leg, slide it towards your other bum cheek
- Bridge up and into them to roll, then immediately posture up
Full Version: For the trap and roll escape (commonly called the 'upa', which presumably means something in Portuguese), a typical starting point would be when they try to establish their first grip on your collar (or your neck, if you aren't wearing a gi) for a choke. That provides you with a chance to trap their arm. The usual grip would be to grab their wrist with your opposite hand, then just above their elbow with your other hand. This is the preferred grip on Gracie Combatives. The reasoning is that this grip prevents your opponent from drawing back their arm for a punch.
There are various other possibilities, such as the option I first learned, which was gripping their wrist with your same side hand, then grabbing the crook of their elbow with your opposite hand. That has the advantage of helping you wedge your elbow and arm into their chest, which provides additional leverage when rolling them over. Having said that, you can still use your elbow with the Gracie Combatives grip, it's just slightly less effective as your arm starts further away from their torso.
Whatever grip you choose, you then need to trap their leg on that same side. Otherwise, they will be able to use their leg for base as you attempt to roll them. In order to prevent that, step your same side foot over their lower leg, hooking it in tightly to your bum. This means they are now like a chair with two of its legs missing. If you aren't too flexible and therefore can't easily bring your leg back, push it back with your other leg. For some extra control, slide your controlling foot horizontally across towards your bum, which should eat up some more space. If you aren't flexible, you could try pushing it in place with your other foot (a tip I learned from my student Jim the first time I taught this to him, as he's had part of his hamstring removed).
Even if they can't post with their leg, they might be able to use their knee, so you want to have their leg as tightly locked to your body as possible. Also, be careful that you don't end up hooking both their feet, or leave your other leg in range of their hook. It is possible for the person on top to defend this escape by securing a hook with their free leg, under your non-trapping leg. Therefore, try to keep the leg they might be able to control out of range.
A common problem is that you're having trouble trapping their foot, because it is too high up. If that happens, try using your elbow (or even your hand, if you need more reach, but that could leave your neck vulnerable) to shove their knee backwards, until their lower leg is in range. This is an advantage of the Gracie Combatives grip, as putting a hand behind their triceps puts your elbow in a good position for shoving back their knee.
Yet another option, if their arm is not in range, is to bridge enough to bump them forward, nudging them in the bum with your knee if you want more leverage. That should mean they are forced to post out their hands for balance, a difficult instinct to ignore. That puts their arm within reach. You can then wrap both of your arms around one of theirs, gable gripping your hands (palm to palm). Suck that arm into your chest, clamping it at the elbow.
To finish, you're going to bridge towards that trapped side. As with basic side control escapes, get your heels close to your bum first for maximum leverage. Bridge up and over your shoulder, turning to your knees: this puts you inside their guard. Make sure that you're bridging over your shoulder and not simply rolling over to your side. If you don't raise your hips properly, you may merely give up your back.
If you find you need more leverage, most commonly if they are posting with their free hand to stop your roll, you could attempt to dislodge that by pushing their arm off the ground. Alternatively, Rickson Gracie has a great detail, which he demonstrated in a video a while ago. Simply angle your head away from the shoulder you're rolling over: this increases your range of motion.
When you've successfully rolled them over, that puts you in the guard position. Remember to posture up immediately as you reach that position: if you are leaning forwards, they can control your posture, putting you at risk of a submission.
________________
Teaching Notes: Forgot to do the bridging drills, that's important. Getting that angled bridge, could also emphasise it during the side control escape drills, noting how it's got broader applicability? Also, nice details by Matt Thornton: angling trapping leg out, shoulder towards hip.
28 April 2019
1st GrappleThon Germany at Nexus Fighter Academy, Hamburg
As usual, I spent most of my time engaged in social media and chats. Cool to catch up with BJJ Globetrotters friends, plus Tom from Liverpool, who went to the Artemis BJJ Camp a couple of weekends ago. It was especially nice to hang out with my Winter Camp buddies John and Eva.
There were also lots of terrifying wrestlers at the event, most of them training in Hamburg. They were booked in for their own shift from 1pm to 4pm. No way in a million years I would want to spar with any of these monsters (I like my limbs where they are), but it was fun to watch. Also yet another reminder of just how much more intense wrestling is by comparison to BJJ. ;)
I continued to just watch and chat in the daytime and afternoon, then into the evening as well. Annoyingly my phone data doesn't seem to like going outside of the UK these days, it's own personal Brexit. It is a relatively old phone now, so perhaps I need to upgrade to get proper data. I need to call the phone company to get that sorted. John, who is a techy guy and had a look, confirmed that the setting were all in place. He engaged in a mighty Battle of the Beards at 6pm.
As it got into the night, I could put my plan into action. Surprisingly, my plan actually worked: try to nap at 9:30pm, sleep until around midnight/1am, ready to roll when it gets quiet at 2am. I spent 1.5hrs rolling with Ana, Eva and Lilo. Which was cool, although they were super tired, so not a very balanced roll. Something I'll remedy at the new camp I see them at. ;)
Lots of fun, trying to work on a tight mount, head up passing and my usual framing from guard. 😉
This is when I started to appear in the photos. Ana set a pattern of a photo every hour, much like at the Southampton GrappleThon that the Rainha crew did back in the UK a few months earlier. It's a nice idea, I might start instituting that at my own events. That meant I got to be part of the early morning crew photos. ;)
Ana ran an impressively well organised event, particularly given this was her first one. I hope she makes it a regular thing at Nexus Fighter Academy, it's an awesome excuse to head over to Germany. Helpfully spaced between my usual camp activities too: Winter Camp in January, some kind of GrappleThon at my place a few months later, then Ana's, then my camp, onwards to Summer Camp, another GrappleThon and/or Artemis BJJ Camp, Halloween meetup, then we're back into Winter Camp. Perfect solution to stopping those nasty Post Camp Blues. ;D
25 April 2019
25/04/2019 - Thursday daytime
Class #1139
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 25/04/2019
Last non-vidded one. This was the day before I headed to Hamburg for the first GrappleThon Germany at Ana's school, which was awesome. Hopefully that becomes a regular event, really nice to have a non-camp based excuse to head to Germany. I could even FlixBus it, though it would take quite a while (7hrs to Brussels, another 6 to Hamburg), but could work if the timings match up. :)
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 25/04/2019
Last non-vidded one. This was the day before I headed to Hamburg for the first GrappleThon Germany at Ana's school, which was awesome. Hopefully that becomes a regular event, really nice to have a non-camp based excuse to head to Germany. I could even FlixBus it, though it would take quite a while (7hrs to Brussels, another 6 to Hamburg), but could work if the timings match up. :)
24 April 2019
24/04/2019 - Teaching | Mount | Single Arm Cross Choke
Teaching #855
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 24/04/2019
I first learned this choke from BJJ Library, demonstrated by Saulo himself. He calls it the Saulo choke, but in the interests of being descriptive, I'm currently going with single arm cross choke. From high mount, you start by feeding your hand into the opposite collar, an initial step common to most chokes from mount. For this one, insert your thumb so your hand is palm down.
As with any cross choke, Roger's tips apply. Open up their collar and slide your hand in, then jam your elbow into your same side hip. Use that addition leverage to power your knuckles right to the floor, then bring your elbow. This will press your forearm into the side of their neck. You need to turn their head a bit as you do that, in order to expose the side of the neck properly.
At this point, you can also lower your head to the mat by your choking arm hand, to make sure you stay on the same side as your palm down grip. The more you bring your head away from your choking arm side, the easier it is for them to roll you over. To finish, bring your other hand underneath your own stomach, gripping low on their other collar. To finish, pull on that collar and twist your body away, rotating towards their legs.
________________
Teaching Notes: Head down, don't bend wrist.
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 24/04/2019
I first learned this choke from BJJ Library, demonstrated by Saulo himself. He calls it the Saulo choke, but in the interests of being descriptive, I'm currently going with single arm cross choke. From high mount, you start by feeding your hand into the opposite collar, an initial step common to most chokes from mount. For this one, insert your thumb so your hand is palm down.
As with any cross choke, Roger's tips apply. Open up their collar and slide your hand in, then jam your elbow into your same side hip. Use that addition leverage to power your knuckles right to the floor, then bring your elbow. This will press your forearm into the side of their neck. You need to turn their head a bit as you do that, in order to expose the side of the neck properly.
At this point, you can also lower your head to the mat by your choking arm hand, to make sure you stay on the same side as your palm down grip. The more you bring your head away from your choking arm side, the easier it is for them to roll you over. To finish, bring your other hand underneath your own stomach, gripping low on their other collar. To finish, pull on that collar and twist your body away, rotating towards their legs.
________________
Teaching Notes: Head down, don't bend wrist.
23 April 2019
23/04/2019 - Tuesday daytime
Class #1138
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 23/04/2019
Still no vids, that popped back up at the end of the month. I could try and get some WiFi going at the new venue, though the landlord isn't keen. Or, I could up my data package, I guess? Easiest is to just be patient though, and upload on my home WiFi. :)
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 23/04/2019
Still no vids, that popped back up at the end of the month. I could try and get some WiFi going at the new venue, though the landlord isn't keen. Or, I could up my data package, I guess? Easiest is to just be patient though, and upload on my home WiFi. :)
22 April 2019
22/04/2019 - Teaching | Mount | Cross choke (palm up palm down)
Teaching #854
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 22/04/2019
Starting from high mount, sitting on their organs not their hip bones (as Mike Bidwell puts it), I used the tip on getting your choke grip that Roger Gracie taught me. He advises that you pull open their collar low on their lapel (or at least lower than their elbows. You don't want to get stuck trying to yank out the collar from directly underneath their tightly crossed arms). You can then insert your hand, palm up.
To provide extra leverage for pushing that hand past their defences, Roger told me to brace your own elbow against your hip. You can then wriggle forwards, driving your arm in front of you with the combined power of your hips, legs and arm. Also form your hand into a wedge, as this will help cut past their blocking arms. Drive your knuckles all the way down to the mat. A tip from Saulo is to keep your head by that hand. If your head goes towards the other side of their head, it will be easier for them to roll you over.
My preferred variation from this grip is the one I learned from Michel Verhoeven. After you've inserted your first hand, start to raise your partner towards you slightly (that should make it harder for them to roll you). Your second arm is free, so be ready to use that to maintain your base until the moment is right. You can then bring your second arm around to the other side of their head, then 'shave' back across their face to position that arm by their neck. You want this as tight to their neck as possible, like you've dropped on iron bar there. Grab a handful of gi by their shoulder, then drop your elbow so your forearm is pressing diagonally into their neck. This second arm doesn't move after that point: the choke comes from twisting the first hand and drawing that first elbow back.
________________
Teaching Notes: Palm up palm up classic, does going up into neck slightly help? What's the ideal angle of second hand entry? Remember one hand maintenance drill.
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 22/04/2019
Starting from high mount, sitting on their organs not their hip bones (as Mike Bidwell puts it), I used the tip on getting your choke grip that Roger Gracie taught me. He advises that you pull open their collar low on their lapel (or at least lower than their elbows. You don't want to get stuck trying to yank out the collar from directly underneath their tightly crossed arms). You can then insert your hand, palm up.
To provide extra leverage for pushing that hand past their defences, Roger told me to brace your own elbow against your hip. You can then wriggle forwards, driving your arm in front of you with the combined power of your hips, legs and arm. Also form your hand into a wedge, as this will help cut past their blocking arms. Drive your knuckles all the way down to the mat. A tip from Saulo is to keep your head by that hand. If your head goes towards the other side of their head, it will be easier for them to roll you over.
My preferred variation from this grip is the one I learned from Michel Verhoeven. After you've inserted your first hand, start to raise your partner towards you slightly (that should make it harder for them to roll you). Your second arm is free, so be ready to use that to maintain your base until the moment is right. You can then bring your second arm around to the other side of their head, then 'shave' back across their face to position that arm by their neck. You want this as tight to their neck as possible, like you've dropped on iron bar there. Grab a handful of gi by their shoulder, then drop your elbow so your forearm is pressing diagonally into their neck. This second arm doesn't move after that point: the choke comes from twisting the first hand and drawing that first elbow back.
________________
Teaching Notes: Palm up palm up classic, does going up into neck slightly help? What's the ideal angle of second hand entry? Remember one hand maintenance drill.
19 April 2019
19/04/2019 - Friday daytime
Class #1137
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 16/04/2019
Friday daytimes, hooray! These are still fairly quiet at the moment, but I'm pleased they're on the timetable. Looking forward to building up the slot.
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 16/04/2019
Friday daytimes, hooray! These are still fairly quiet at the moment, but I'm pleased they're on the timetable. Looking forward to building up the slot.
18 April 2019
18/04/2019 - Thursday daytime
Class #1136
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 18/04/2019
Again, there wasn't a vid for this. The camp went well last weekend, looking forward to November. It's also been good to see the numbers for daytime stay steady. I need to institute more sparring for myself, that does often depend on certain preferred training partners showing up. Maybe more specific sparring? That works well in the evenings to get me more sparring. :)
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 18/04/2019
Again, there wasn't a vid for this. The camp went well last weekend, looking forward to November. It's also been good to see the numbers for daytime stay steady. I need to institute more sparring for myself, that does often depend on certain preferred training partners showing up. Maybe more specific sparring? That works well in the evenings to get me more sparring. :)
17 April 2019
17/04/2019 - Teaching | Mount | Armbar grip breaks
Teaching #853
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 17/04/2019
When going for the armbar, you will most likely find that they clasp their hands together in some way to prevent you completing the submission. There are numerous options for breaking that grip. The simplest and most universal is, I think, bringing your leg (that you have nearest their legs, not the one nearer their head as that would destabilise your control) into the crook of their elbow and pushing the grip loose, combining that push with a pull from your arms.
It isn't foolproof, but it seems to be the one that works most often for me. Drop back, squeezing your knees, then pull down on their wrist and raise your hips for the finish. For another option, you can try leaning back towards their head, while you're still holding their locked arms. Draw a semi-circle with your body from there, swinging towards their legs. Depending on how they're gripping, that may pull the arm free: this one is probably best for when they're just clasping their hands together.
For a more complex option, your can try weaving your arms through. Your arm nearest their head goes under their arm. You bring your other arm over to the side nearest their head, so that your elbow is against their elbow. Clasp your hands together, then twist out. It's hard to visualise from text, but hopefully the video below makes it clearer:
________________
Teaching Notes: I'll keep playing with which grip breaks to go with. I'd like to research some others, like the wrist locking ones, pulling the elbows in etc. There are lots to try, so practice some others in daytime next time.
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 17/04/2019
When going for the armbar, you will most likely find that they clasp their hands together in some way to prevent you completing the submission. There are numerous options for breaking that grip. The simplest and most universal is, I think, bringing your leg (that you have nearest their legs, not the one nearer their head as that would destabilise your control) into the crook of their elbow and pushing the grip loose, combining that push with a pull from your arms.
It isn't foolproof, but it seems to be the one that works most often for me. Drop back, squeezing your knees, then pull down on their wrist and raise your hips for the finish. For another option, you can try leaning back towards their head, while you're still holding their locked arms. Draw a semi-circle with your body from there, swinging towards their legs. Depending on how they're gripping, that may pull the arm free: this one is probably best for when they're just clasping their hands together.
For a more complex option, your can try weaving your arms through. Your arm nearest their head goes under their arm. You bring your other arm over to the side nearest their head, so that your elbow is against their elbow. Clasp your hands together, then twist out. It's hard to visualise from text, but hopefully the video below makes it clearer:
________________
Teaching Notes: I'll keep playing with which grip breaks to go with. I'd like to research some others, like the wrist locking ones, pulling the elbows in etc. There are lots to try, so practice some others in daytime next time.
16 April 2019
16/04/2019 - Tuesday daytime
Class #1135
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 16/04/2019
Changing room built today, thanks very much to Will for sorting that. The venue is slowly coming together, I hope to have everything in place that I wanted soon. Though naturally things can always be better. ;)
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 16/04/2019
Changing room built today, thanks very much to Will for sorting that. The venue is slowly coming together, I hope to have everything in place that I wanted soon. Though naturally things can always be better. ;)
15 April 2019
15/04/2019 - Teaching | Mount | Armbar
Teaching #852
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 15/04/2019
You've managed to move into high mount and get underneath their elbows. Reach your arm under their opposite forearm, past the crook of their elbow. Grab around their arm, so that you're gripping the tricep. You're then going to move into s-mount, in a motion that has some similarities to the technical mount switch. Pull the arm you've gripped across, creating space to slide your knee forwards. If you need additional base, post your free hand by their head as your knee comes up, swivelling your torso to face their other arm. Alternatively, you might manage to pull their shoulder up if you have a grip ready for the choke, whereupon you can slide your knee under and begin the switch to s mount.
Your other knee does not raise off the ground. Instead, you're sliding it along the ground, then twisting and curling it around your opponent's armpit, tightly coming under their far shoulder. If you do raise that knee, you're at risk of leaving enough space for them to escape. Keep the knee low. Leaning forwards once in position may help too, to maintain your balance.
Lock the arm to your chest, or secure it by grasping your own collar. Scooping up their other arm can be useful here as well, if you can, also giving you the option of switching sides if you need to. Some people will grip their curling-leg ankle from here, reaching under their opponent's head (which has the additional advantage of cross-facing them). This will depend on your leg length and flexibility: you'll want to be comfortable with the position first, which is an awkward configuration.
Keep your legs squeezing into them, then lean sideways towards their stomach. This is to lighten your knee-leg, so you can bring that over their head. Lean forwards, sliding down the arm you trapped at the start, staying close to their shoulder. From here you'll be looking to drop back for the armbar. However, that moment where you're bringing the leg over their head is also where you're at risk of giving them too much space (which is why Saulo recommends leaning forwards). Make sure you don't flop backwards: it should be a slide down the arm, staying upright. You only drop back when everything else is tight.
To prevent them turning into you, continue to lean into them, backstopping their elbow with your body. They need their elbow to turn, so don't let them have it. Grabbing their leg will make that even tougher for them, though note you'll normally need to switch arms for that. They will also try to bring their head into play, aiming to get to their knees so they can start stacking you. Use your leg to push their head away, so they don't have the posture to recover a strong position. Watch out for them trying to either push your leg off their head, or push the other leg down where they can trap it with their own legs.
Generally, you want to get both legs over them, bringing the heels in tight to their head and armpit. Crossing the feet tends to be a mistake, but that's because most beginners will relax their thighs when they cross their feet, making it easy for your partner to push your legs off. If you remember to tense your thighs, driving your knees out, crossing the feet can be a strong control. Be warned it takes some finesse though.
Finally, you will most likely find that they clasp their hands together in some way. There are numerous options for breaking the grip. The simplest and most universal is, I think, bringing your leg into the crook of their elbow and pushing the grip loose, combining that push with a pull from your arms. It isn't foolproof, but it seems to be the one that works most often for me. Drop back, squeezing your knees, then pull down on their wrist and raise your hips for the finish.
Also keep in mind that you do not have to drop back to finish the armbar. It is entirely possible to finish the armbar from an upright position. Arguably, it is preferable, as this takes away the risk of creating space for them to escape into as you drop back.
________________
Teaching Notes: Lean forwards into them to keep the arm squished. Grabbing the wrist before you drop back. Turning the hips.
Artemis BJJ (Easton Road), Can Sönmez, Bristol, UK - 15/04/2019
You've managed to move into high mount and get underneath their elbows. Reach your arm under their opposite forearm, past the crook of their elbow. Grab around their arm, so that you're gripping the tricep. You're then going to move into s-mount, in a motion that has some similarities to the technical mount switch. Pull the arm you've gripped across, creating space to slide your knee forwards. If you need additional base, post your free hand by their head as your knee comes up, swivelling your torso to face their other arm. Alternatively, you might manage to pull their shoulder up if you have a grip ready for the choke, whereupon you can slide your knee under and begin the switch to s mount.
Your other knee does not raise off the ground. Instead, you're sliding it along the ground, then twisting and curling it around your opponent's armpit, tightly coming under their far shoulder. If you do raise that knee, you're at risk of leaving enough space for them to escape. Keep the knee low. Leaning forwards once in position may help too, to maintain your balance.
Lock the arm to your chest, or secure it by grasping your own collar. Scooping up their other arm can be useful here as well, if you can, also giving you the option of switching sides if you need to. Some people will grip their curling-leg ankle from here, reaching under their opponent's head (which has the additional advantage of cross-facing them). This will depend on your leg length and flexibility: you'll want to be comfortable with the position first, which is an awkward configuration.
Keep your legs squeezing into them, then lean sideways towards their stomach. This is to lighten your knee-leg, so you can bring that over their head. Lean forwards, sliding down the arm you trapped at the start, staying close to their shoulder. From here you'll be looking to drop back for the armbar. However, that moment where you're bringing the leg over their head is also where you're at risk of giving them too much space (which is why Saulo recommends leaning forwards). Make sure you don't flop backwards: it should be a slide down the arm, staying upright. You only drop back when everything else is tight.
To prevent them turning into you, continue to lean into them, backstopping their elbow with your body. They need their elbow to turn, so don't let them have it. Grabbing their leg will make that even tougher for them, though note you'll normally need to switch arms for that. They will also try to bring their head into play, aiming to get to their knees so they can start stacking you. Use your leg to push their head away, so they don't have the posture to recover a strong position. Watch out for them trying to either push your leg off their head, or push the other leg down where they can trap it with their own legs.
Generally, you want to get both legs over them, bringing the heels in tight to their head and armpit. Crossing the feet tends to be a mistake, but that's because most beginners will relax their thighs when they cross their feet, making it easy for your partner to push your legs off. If you remember to tense your thighs, driving your knees out, crossing the feet can be a strong control. Be warned it takes some finesse though.
Finally, you will most likely find that they clasp their hands together in some way. There are numerous options for breaking the grip. The simplest and most universal is, I think, bringing your leg into the crook of their elbow and pushing the grip loose, combining that push with a pull from your arms. It isn't foolproof, but it seems to be the one that works most often for me. Drop back, squeezing your knees, then pull down on their wrist and raise your hips for the finish.
Also keep in mind that you do not have to drop back to finish the armbar. It is entirely possible to finish the armbar from an upright position. Arguably, it is preferable, as this takes away the risk of creating space for them to escape into as you drop back.
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Teaching Notes: Lean forwards into them to keep the arm squished. Grabbing the wrist before you drop back. Turning the hips.
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