29/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Open Mat

Class #867
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Open Mat, Leuven, Belgium, 29/07/2017

I writing this up a month later, having been to the Heidelberg Camp as well in the last week of August. Main thing I can remember from the Leuven open mat was how well that tip on the pressing armbar from Joey Carta seemed to work. You grab their elbow with your opposite arm and roll it towards you. This immediately tightens their arm right up, meaning the tap is much easier to get. I've been hitting that from guard, from on top, mount, knee on belly, everywhere. As long as they reach their arm up and you can trap it against your head, the pressing armbar is a possibility. Of course, I was mainly rolling with white belts and a couple of blues, plus one purple where it was a pretty slow roll. But still, fun to try. :D

A post shared by Can (Jun) (@slideyfoot) on Jul 29, 2017 at 9:12am PDT

The open mat was after (and kinda during) my private lesson with Aaron Milam, which I also haven't written up yet but it was PACKED with detail. So far, I've barely worked my way through the first technique, which I drilled a load in Heidelberg. Many, many posts in the works, it will take me a while to catch back up. :)

28/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Open Mat

Class #864
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Open Mat, Leuven, Belgium, 28/07/2017

More sparring today. I think I've rolled with all the other people on my list now, so first a cool white belt who tangled me up in worm guard. I couldn't do a lot, so I mostly just waited as I didn't immediately feel under threat, slipping out of a few choke attacks etc. I should have thought more about the Christian thing about head up, butt down. I was lucky in that an arm presented itself when I was able to move forward to sit on him, to go for a kimura. In the next roll with a white belt, I was trying for the shoulder clamp lots to build up some thoughts for the private lesson tomorrow. I'd also be interested in some entries, but depends if you would actually enter into that from open guard.

Final roll was with a blue belt, where as before I looked for the kimura repeatedly, as well as posting on the head. Nice to get a crucifix entry as well, using the trick from Aesopian of walking your leg in front once you already have one leg by their arm. They'll often reach for your second leg, meaning you can hook it with the other leg to lock in the position.

28/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Turtle (Priit Mihkelson)

Class #863
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Priit Mihkelson, Leuven, Belgium, 28/07/2017

By the third lesson with Priit, I already knew that I wasn't going to take much in, or get a lot out of writing notes. The only way is to study the videos carefully and drill them lots in class. I'm writing this up almost a month after the class and I still don't think I've understood it properly, even now that I've been through all the vids and edited them to the essentials.

I'll therefore be relying on drilling it with my senior students, once we get to back month again. As far as I could gather, the basics are something like forehead on the ground, elbows jammed by hips, bum on heels, stay on your toes. Everything seems to build from there. Hopefully it will make sense at some point. :)

27/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Defend Everything (Christian Graugart)

Class #862
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Christian Graugart, Leuven, Belgium, 27/07/2017

This was another classic Graugart conceputal lesson. He may well have taught it at one of the previous camps I've attended, but either way, loads of good stuff, made simple. Graugart called this 'defending everything', boiling that down to a few memorable phrases.

The first was 'head over butt', by which he means always keeping your head higher than your bum. Sounds simple, but a lot of people start sticking their bum in the air when passing. Indeed, some passes rely on it (like the half guard pressure pass). There aren't many 100% rules, but based on the examples he went through, it's a fairly good rule to keep in mind, particularly when passing.

If you get into a scramble, throw everything else out of the window and just get your hips higher than theirs. Graugart said this is what he goes for with younger, athletic opponents. Getting the hips higher might mean you can get ahead of their attributes, though timing and technique.

When you've almost been swept and are about to get passed, mounted or whatever. It's too late to get your hips higher than theirs. They need both your feet on the same side of your hip. So, you want to get at least one knee or foot behind your hip. If you have a free foot, get it behind you.

27/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Gi Chokes, Americana & Kimura (Alan Shebaro)

Class #861
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Alan Shebaro, Leuven, Belgium, 27/07/2017

The title of this class was the most intriguing of the whole camp, looked over details. It lived up to my expectations too, taught in a simple, clear manner without lots of unnecessary talking around the important demonstrating part. Even better, Shebaro managed to connect almost everything to an easily memorable concept: "roll one, roll two."

A post shared by Can (Jun) (@slideyfoot) on Jul 27, 2017 at 10:15am PDT

The rolling began with americana details. Rather than worrying too much about arm position etc, you just focus on rolling up one wrist, then the other. If you require a better angle, pull their elbow in closer to their body. He then showed it with a toe hold, which again was simple (or at least, it would be for people who know how to do toeholds. I barely understand them). Another detail, which will make more sense to people who (unlike me) understand and enjoy footlocks, was to go 'over the rainbow' with their lower leg when you complete the toe hold motion.

Next, Shebaro shared a detail I've seen before, but he applied it more broadly and had some additional tips. If people block gi chokes with their chin, it can be annoying to get to their neck. However, if you fold their collar over, that wedge cuts straight under. Shebaro suggests putting in your thumb to fold it.

For example, on the sliding collar choke from the back, open up the collar with your armpit hand, folding it over and passing to the other. Do that little roll, enhance the choke. That also works with the bow and arrow choke, which is where I've seen that collar-fold happen before.

Finally, if you are going for a rear naked choke, they will frequently grab your arm and pull firmly down. An option to counter that which I haven't seen before is 'butterfly hands'. Make a butterfly with your hands and extend your arms across. You can then move into the choke. I'm not sure I quite got the motion right as it felt like I was using strength, but checking the video will solve that.

A post shared by Can (Jun) (@slideyfoot) on Jul 31, 2017 at 9:05pm PDT

27/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Leglocks (Aaron Milam)

Class #860
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Aaron Milam, Leuven, Belgium, 27/07/2017

Last year we had a visitor from the US, Paul den Hartog, who trained with us for over a month, IIRc. When he saw I was going to the Leuven Camp again this year, he recommended I seek out Aaron Milam, who presumably he knows from Portland. I therefore made a point of heading to his lesson leglocks, even though I didn't have any real intention of actually drilling them.

Leglocks terrify me and I doubt I will ever use them with any kind of regularlity, but it is useful being aware of the set ups to help escapes. The main reason was to see what Milam's teaching style was like: he was detailed and technical, an excellent advert for the class he's doing that I am interested in, all about grips.

To summarise, the lesson was titled 'theory of circular leglocks'. Aaron started with a straight anklelock, then showed how you could rotate, going into a toe hold, then further and change it into a kneebar. If you spin even more, there's an inverted heel hook there.

I'm sure it was good info, so I'll have to check it out properly if I ever want to do more with leglocks than defend them. I took note of the defensives parts (i.e., when Aaron said "make sure they can't do this"), so things like splitting the legs and clearing their pushing foot. Also, getting your own foot to the floor, so you can stand. Getting your hip up, getting their foot off.

27/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Half Mount (Priit Mihkelson)

Class #859
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Priit Mikhelson, Leuven, Belgium, 27/07/2017

Like yesterday, precious gems surrounded by long lectures. I had trouble drilling anything, like yesterday, because I struggled to remember the gem due to all the lecture dampening my recall. Mikhelson is a great example of why it is so useful to get video of instruction: I would have found it impossible to remember anything from the lesson without them.

This lesson progressed from the high half position Priit spoke about previously, into half mount. The Greco-Roman shoulders returned, along with discussion on posture in closed guard and scarf hold too. Priit also talked about reverse half guard.

As before, you have an arm posted behind their head, but you've managed to get your trapped leg knee to the ground. Turn so your weight is loaded up on the knee of the trapped leg. Your other foot is based out on the other side, keeping your body low.

You're also still using those Greco-Roman shoulders, turning towards the mat so your shoulders are parallel with the mat. Avoid any tilting. From here, it is possible to turns towards their legs while leaning over towards their back. Your free leg swings to their front, as you dive and grab their bottom leg. You roll through from there to get the back, transition through the truck.

Priit also has an interesting grip where he grabs their arm and posts on it, saying that there is not the risk of kimuras that you would expect. If you can step to reverse half guard, Priit emphasised that you must have the knee past their legs. In terms of mount it was unusual too, as Priit likes to twist, he never sits square. In his opinion, the legs are dead in that position, you need to do a twist.

It's a teaching style I find tricky to unpick. There were loads of details in there which I'm sure would be useful, but I'm not sure how to access and arrange them in my head. I'll keep reviewing the videos and it will hopefully become clear. ;)

26/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Scissor Sweep (Chris Haueter)

Class #858
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Chris Haueter, Leuven, Belgium, 26/07/2017

Unlike last year, there wasn't as much of a clear distinction in structure between the two classes. This one felt like again a fair chunk of lecture, followed by technique (though again, it was within time). Haueter talked about proper shrimping, before getting into some details on the scissor sweep.

When you uncross, keep your legs tight so they can't feel the difference. Close guard, not necessarily closed guard, as somebody at the camp dubbed it (possibly Priit?). Establish your grip, stiff arming with your shin leg side arm. Load their weight onto their knee, chop and come up.

An interesting detail was when they adjust and block. To knock them off that adjustment, sit right up into them, then quickly drop back and do it again. That disrupts their newly aligned base, meaning you can complete the sweep.

26/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | High Half Guard (Priit Mihkelson)

Class #857
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Priit Mihkelson, Leuven, Belgium, 26/07/2017

I had been intrigued when I saw Mikhelsen on the list, as he's from SBG Estonia. I love the Functional Half Guard video that two Estonians (presumably who trained with him?) put out for free years ago, meaning I was keen to train with a black belt SBG Estonia product. The fact his nickname is the JitsVulcan added further to that appeal, as I'm a big Star Trek fan.

His teaching style is closer to Chris Haueter than I expected, in that he talks (a lot) before he gets to the technical demonstration. Then he goes on a few lecture tangents during the demonstration, with even more after the demo. It feels like you're digging through a giant mound of lecturing to get to the treasure buried within. Which is well worth it, as it is precious gold.

It took me a while to get through all the video footage and try to edit out the bits I found helpful. As soon as I got back to the UK, I was trying the position Priit calls high half guard. I will need much more practice, but from what I currently understand, you need to be on your toes, turned in towards them. Your leg that is nearest their head turns in, the knee pressing into their hip.

Your other knee needs to clear their legs, so you can press that into their far hip. The arm you have nearest their head is on the ground, so that your arm is tight to the back of their neck/skull. You're also driving your hip into their shoulder, as if your hip bone is attempting to press into your own basing arm. You other arm remains free, ready to push their legs down to keep your knee in play.

It's also important to keep your shoulders in line, parallel to the ground. In other words, don't tilt, as that makes it easier for them to bridge you off. This also applies in side control and scarf hold. Priit called this 'Greco-Roman shoulders'. You're also pulling back the heel of your trapped leg, keeping the heel up. This is ready to flick out and complete a pass.

You can potentially twist here to go into half mount, which is what Priit covered in his lesson the following day. Follow the hip in high half. If they underhook, you can pass, backstep and the like, go to mount. The d'arce is also a possibility if they underhook. Your knees maintain their position, leaving your arms free to attack.

There is a lot to unpack here, so it's gong to take me a while to work everything out. Lots of video to review, hopefully made easier now I've edited it into chunks. :)

26/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Passing Half Guard, Chokes & Back Takes (Fran Vanderstukken)

Class #856
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Fran Vanderstukken, Leuven, Belgium, 26/07/2017

Another excellent class, taught by a female brown belt. Fran focused on top half guard, with some connections to side control and a back take. You are stuck in a standard half guard. Sit on your heels initially, hands into their hips, strong posture. Grab a strong cross-face, keeping that pressure up all the way through. Pull out their far gi lapel, feeding it under their far armpit, passing that to your hand.

Lock that in, having turned your hips towards them. Bring your foot close to their bum, to avoid getting caught in the lockdown. Maintaining your cross face pressure, rise up enough to drive your bottom knee (not shin, just the knee) into their hip, then settle your weight back down. Pull their knee over, getting that supine twist (their knees go one way, their head goes the other). Grip the gi material by the knee, pull towards you, then push your leg free.

Keeping that lapel grip under their head as you move to side control, trap their arm by your hip. Move around their head, making sure the lapel grip has enough slack that you can move around. Once you get to the other side, grip your other hand under their head, then squeeze and drop your hips for the choke.

Next up, Fran upped the complexity. For whatever reason, the pass isn't happening. Reach your other hand on the inside, above their shoulder, switching the gi lapel grip. Bring your knee that is nearest the head into their side, in order to clear the way to pull them up in front of you. Also, swim your other arm underneath their armpit, establishing a gi grip with that too (that transition can be tough, I need to drill that lots to get it smooth). Yanking them up and across should be straightforward at this point, transitioning to the back.

Fran noted that she found it helpful to view top half guard as partway to the back, as you already have a hook inserted. All you need to do is pull their arm across, then with a gift wrap you can pull them straight into the back position. It's comparable to how technical mount is an easy transition to the back, just that your hook is lower.

The lesson finished up with two option from the opposite side pass. When you flipped over to the other side, you have the option of passing that side. You can also perform a rolling back take. Sit up from your position, bringing the knee of your trapped knee to the ground. Make sure you hook your foot over the back of their leg, this is very important. From here, you want to do a shoulder roll towards their legs.

As you roll, use your hook to bring their legs past you, progressing to the back. If you like, you could stop in the truck here instead. Be careful of your hook, as if you're lazy with it, they can reverse the momentum and take your back instead. Your hook needs to get down behind their knee ideally. The higher it is, the more likely they can adjust to dominate your leg instead.

26/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Gi Chokes & Coathanger Guard (Alexander Neufang)

Class #855
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Alexander Neufang, Leuven, Belgium, 26/07/2017

The title for this session was 'murdering people with the gi', which proved to be an apt description. It was packed with nasty gi chokes, wrapping them around the neck and punching the arm through. I had trouble getting any of them, I think due to my pressure perhaps being a little off, or not thrusting enough. Probably not the kind of techniques I'm likely to use, but certainly effective. These are all chokes that Neufang has been using successfully in competition.

A post shared by Can (Jun) (@slideyfoot) on Jul 27, 2017 at 12:20am PDT

Fortunately for me, the final technique was better suited to my style. I have seen something similar before, but not had it taught to me previously. I couldn't see how he set it up, but the idea is you have closed guard, then you get your foot across and hook it under their far arm. This ends up in what I've seen called the 'coathanger'. From here, you can get a sweep by pulling on that arm with your foot.

There is also an unusual choke, if you get a deep grip with your arm on the coathanger leg side, gripping the opposite collar (the one that will be on the coathangered arm side). Bring your free leg over their head and push. You can switch into a triangle too, bringing your leg over and switching. Then finally there's the option of pulling their arm across and taking their back.

26/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Triangle Details (Joey Carta)

Class #854
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Joey Carter, Leuven, Belgium, 26/07/2017

This was my favourite class of the camp so far. I hadn't learned from Joey before, but he taught in exactly the way I like, highlighting small details on basic techniques. Today's lesson was called 'triangle safety', in reference to a video that showed someone almost getting badly injured due to throwing on a triangle without being able to prevent their opponent standing up.

Joey began with the simple details of the triangle, with a slightly different approach to postural control. The set-up was from spider guard. Pull on the sleeve as you push firmly with your leg, other foot on the hip. That leg kicks up into the neck, swivelling straight into the usual perpendicular position. You're still pulling on the other sleeve too. Once you've kicked your leg through and got it by their neck, you can release one of your grips to grab the shin, which will further help getting your leg in the right spot.

Having said that, when initially demonstrating, Joey sometimes maintained both grips on the sleeves when demonstrating, I'm not sure if that's how he would do it in sparring. Depends on the reaction he gets, presumably. I would guess it isn't something you'd tend to hold onto, as usually you would release the grips on the sleeves in order to grab the shin. I would then grab the head with my other arm, Joey grabbed the sleeve of the trapped arm (at least in the second bit of technical demonstration).

A simple thing you can try to stop them rising up and taking you into the air is walk your shoulders backwards. You can even complete the submission by putting your head on the mat and lifting your hips, like you're doing a wrestler's bridge. I was a bit nervous of my neck doing that, but certainly viable if your neck and posture are strong.

A post shared by Artemis BJJ (@artemisbjj) on Aug 1, 2017 at 10:26pm PDT

Another option to keep solid control is grabbing their shin with both of your hands (on the trapped arm side). My preference is to grab their head with one of those hands, there is also the option of grabbing their arm. Joey grabs around the tricep, pulling it across, like you're setting up an armbar. That can then move into a cool detail Joey added in terms of postural control.

The detail here is putting the foot on the hip and using that to keep them off balance. Once you have your leg over their neck and you've grabbed their shin, as long as you've also gripped their elbow and pull that across too, you can then just keep pushing into their hip every time they try to regain their posture. Should they start to stand, swivel to get your arm to the back of their calf (on the non-trapped arm side), low on the leg. Use that to knock them over. Then you've got the armbar, or possibly finish the triangle by swivelling towards their trapped arm.

If you have your triangle locked on but can't finish for whatever reason, the pressing armbar is right there as well. Hook under their free arm, just above the elbow, pulling that across. Make sure it is the elbow, as higher than that and they have an easier time defence. Pinch your shoulder and your head to capture that arm, like you're trying to hold a phone there. Grab their elbow with your opposite hand and keep rolling it across, as far as it will go. At that point, press down into the elbow for the submission.

There was a nastier option at the end, where you crush your hand into the neck with a v-grip and lock it up, but that looked a bit brutal for my tastes. Also, it is possible in a competition that a ref would disqualify you for that, depending how much you care about adapting your BJJ to fit with particular comp rules (some rules are more sensible than others, especially when it comes to tournament sellers like the IBJJF).

25/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Butterfly Sweeps (Chris Haueter)

Class #853
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Chris Haueter, Leuven, Belgium, 25/07/2017

In 2016, this session wasn't so much a class as an extended lecture. I was anticipating it would be similar in 2017, ready to leave before the end like last year (especially as I had the excitement of D&D waiting at 7pm). I expected it to run over, but Haueter managed to keep on time this year.

After the lecture part finished, he spoke a bit about butterfly sweeps, using the classic belt grip set up. He then showed a less common variation, using the gi tail. From butterfly guard, pull out the gi on one side and feed it around the back to their other hand. Firmly grasp their trciep with your non gi gripping hand, high. You go for the sweep, but they base out to prevent going over.

Cross your feet over that basing leg, on the gi gripping side. Haueter called this 'micro-guard'. Pummel your head inside their arm on the non-=gi gripping side. You can then pop out under his armpit, switching the gi grip to your other handm, then drag them to take the back. Alternatively, you might complete the sweep as they attempt to pass.

25/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Knee Shield Half Guard (Kenny Polmans)

Class #852
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Kenny Polmans, Leuven, Belgium, 25/07/2017

Kenny's class was a highlight from last year, his teaching approach proving a good match for my learning style. This initial class was about the knee shield from the bottom of half guard. Kenny noted that he puts his knee right by their hip bone, no further across. If it's further across, that becomes easier for them to crush your legs and pass. Cross your ankles, pull your heels back. Frame with your hands, then you're ready to go.

Bring your knee high, with your elbow inside. Kick, then reach your arm around their hip. Don't reach too high, or you might leave enough space for them to lock in a d'arce choke. Step your leg over theirs to hook it, come up on your hand, then use that base to bring your knee out. Next, shucking their arm off your head. Lock in a seatbelt, then move back and drag them to secure your back position.

If they manage to overhook your arm and prevent you shucking it off, reach for their knee with your other hand. Do a superman punch with the trapped arm, aiming to flatten them. Grab their top knee, then hook that leg with your shin. Step your leg forwards, then move around to side control.

For the last one, their base is too wide for you to grab their knee. Instead, you're going to shoot your arm between their legs, rolling underneath. Make sure you keep the leg hooked, as that will help with leverage. Also, without that leg hook, you're at risk of just giving them side control. Again, Kenny used that big step forward with a shin behind their leg, which makes it much tougher for them to recover their position.

25/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Self Defence (Michel Verhoeven)

Class #851
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Michel Verhoeven, Leuven, Belgium, 25/07/2017

This class was titled 'self defence', which would normally put me off. However, Michel Verhoeven taught one of the most useful seminars I've been to back in 2013, particularly his details on cross-collar chokes. I was therefore hoping that despite the title, there would be more of those helpful tips waiting for me today.

As it turned out, it was indeed heavy on the self defence side of things, fitting the title. Michel began by talking about your posture and frame if somebody is charging towards you looking for an attack. Keep your hands up naturally (not in a fighting stance, but like you're talking with gestures, that kind of thing), feet shoulder width apart, engaging your hips. Before they enter your space, extend your arms into their chest. Don't push your hips too far forwards or you're easy to trip, or rely too much on pushing with your arms or you'll fall over forwards should they move.

He progressed to talking about blocking punches by raising your elbows, then picking the moment to come in close and clinch. Block knees and kicks with your legs, taking them down if there's an opportunity. If somebody manages to grab your neck in a collar tie, keep that strong posture with hips engaged, then you can shuck their arm off by turning your shoulder in.

Once you've knocked their arm off, grab it with your arms underneath, like you were carrying a stack of wood, their arm in the crooks of your elbows. Drive your shoulder into theirs, keep their arm close, stepping your outside leg back. That should enable you to drive them to the floor, ending up in the same kind of pose as in the classic Greek statue of wrestlers.

If they grab you in a bearhug, drop your hips down to make yourself heavy, stepping your leg back on the side their head is pressing into your shoulder. Make a frame against their face with your arms, using that to break their grip.

The main part of the lesson that could be applicable to 'normal' BJJ training was the points Michel made about knee on belly. Trap their wrist under your armpit, reaching hand underneath. Your other hand grips their shoulder, then your waiting first hand grips that wrist. From that position, you can twist your hands to press into their elbow. If you need more leverage, thrust your hips in too.

Last part was a brief discussion of posture inside guard. Michel emphasised the point about controlling hips, cupping them with your hands.

24/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | Framing (Wim Deputter)

Class #850
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Wim Deputter, Leuven, Belgium, 24/07/2017

This was another lesson built around a single idea, like Graugart's opening lesson. Rather than talking about bellybuttons, Wim's concept was framing, primarily as an escape from under side control or scarf hold. Both your arms are at right angles, elbows in tight to your sides. The 'top' arm is over their clavicle, while the 'botom' arm is either against their bicep or their hip, depending on their arm position. Turn your nose down towards the ground, bringing your head back. Engage your hips, like you're doing a small bridge.

If they've got your under side control or scarf hold, walk your legs slightly back, then bring one leg under the other to turn and come on top. Your frame needs to stay solid throughout, to prevent them putting you flat on your back. Alternatively, you can try moving them up, extending the top arm, until you make a little space to bring your knee through.

Wim spent a long time on this concept: he was still going by the time I needed to head off back to the flat. His teaching style is to talk his uke through the move, correcting as he goes. I can see the benefits of that, highlighting common errors, appealing to different learning styles. Personally, I prefer the standard option where the instructor does the technique and talks you through the details, particularly as that's quicker, but diversity is good.

That may partially be why I had some trouble drilling this, as I wasn't always sure exactly what we were supposed to drilling. Once he'd explained the basic idea, that made sense, it was the additional tweaks that didn't sink into my head. The central concept was useful though, I plan to drill that some more. It fits with some of the side control stuff using a stiff arm, from Jeff Rockwell.

I did sort of go to David Morcegao's class before that (in that I filmed bits of it, he was showing the back take from closed guard where you drag the arm across), but didn't manage to nab a training partner in time. Next time I should just hold my hand up and get somebody, rather than being all anti-social and only ever sticking with people I already know. Good to get out of my shell. ;)

24/07/2017 - BJJ Globetrotter Camp | Leuven 2017 | BJJ Fundamentals (Christian Graugart)

Class #849
BJJ Globetrotter Camp (Sportoase Leuven), Christian Graugart, Leuven, Belgium, 24/07/2017

This is a session Christian often teaches, providing a general introduction to both the camp and a helpful concept for jiu jitsu in general. That concept is the importance of controlling the space between your chest and knees. On top, you're trying to insert something into that space in order to get the pass or maintain control, while on the bottom, you're trying to either prevent them getting into that space (as when defending your guard), or reclaim that space (like when you are attempting to escape side control etc).

Christian had a new name for it this time, 'bellybutton touching competition', to emphasise the area you're both trying to control. Other than that, it was a repeat of last time, where after introducing the idea, Christian then had us do a bunch of light resistance drills to emphasise the idea. There was one part I didn't remember from 2016, which is having us commentate the roll, to get you thinking about what you're doing. I like the thought behind that, getting into that technical mindset when rolling. The difference is that normally you'd have that commentary running inside your head, rather than speaking it out loud. ;)