Indonesia 1:0 Philippines

On the second leg, well, Indonesia scored again thanks to Uruguayan striker Gonzalez.

But this AFF Cup will not be remembered because of whoever wins the Cup, but rather, because the Philippines finally woke up in football. Proof?  The Azkals got one of the top ten stories from Sports Illustrated.

Merry Christmas to all, and Have a Happy New Year!!!

Philippines 0:1 Indonesia

On my way home, I've noticed that people did not appear hurried, quiet, unexcited, oblivious that the Azkals will compete against Indonesia in half an hour. We still have a long way to go for football to become popular in the country. After a long ride by train, I stole a look at a bar that showed the Indo vs. Phil game. The food was quite expensive. And I was mulling whether to grab a bite to eat but I was alone and the people looked too classy to befriend. I approached a waitress and asked her if the people inside were having a private function. She said "yes". Dang.  I had to watch outside.

Azkals despite showing good defense, were often outpaced and the ball often intercepted by the Indo players (Timnas). We're too slow. Deep inside, I thought that we would be outscored soon enough. The game reminded me of a Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspurs match that aired in Star Sports a few weeks ago. The Spurs had relied on headers and fast legs to dominate the match 2:1. I was crushed at my beloved team's loss. But it was a match I have none to blame for. The Spurs were getting better even in the Champion's League. Yet they couldn't get past Manchester United, but I digress. Indo sort of played like the Spurs minus the headers. Azkals should need a lot of training in passing, and they relied on long shots and prayers that the ball wouldn't land at the opposing player. The lucky goal was scored by an Uruguayan named Christian Gonzales. Etheridge probably did not trust his defender to block the kick or he knew the ball's possible trajectory on his left wing is dangerous so he did the right thing except he missed.

Sad, but Etheridge was careful ever since. But we had lots of opportunities. I was shocked one time that Younghusband was tripped within the penalty box yet the referee did not call for a penalty kick. And Indos kept on faking injuries to the point of being carried by stretcher to waste time. Dirty tricks indeed considering they have more professional players than ours (pro and semi-pro from the Air Force). And sports analysts said that the Azkals played too clean.

After the game, I expected a huge disappearance in fansites. But I was mistaken!  Fans remained optimistic as ever. They expressed support for the team and were expecting a victory on the second leg!  I hope so!

 

Football Madness is Here!

Wow, Last Saturday I was stunned to learn that Philippines has defeated defending champions Vietnam 2-0 at the 2010 Suzuki AFF Cup. Even our NT Coach Simon McMenemy was shocked at the outcome. We got an unexpected tie with Singapore last Wednesday so nobody was expecting a lot. The outcome was so amazing I made a song out of it. We drew against Myanmar and we'll be facing Indonesia on the 16th which falls on...Friday next week! Historically, we've never defeated Indonesia in any match before. Just a tie sometime in...1977?  Worse, AFF decided that our opponent shall host two semi-final matches against us in a crowd of 80,000+! Reinstated president of the PFF President Mari Martinez allegedly insisted that our stadium does not pass FIFA standards and even blocked inspection from the Association itself. 

Broadsheets were now focused on Azkals, songs were sung, a party at Hotel H20 were held in their honor. But the odds are against the Azkals, can they prevail?  Suppose they get past Indonesia, they will be battling whoever wins in the Malaysia-Vietnam match (most likely Vietnam will win) in the finals. If they have to face Vietnam once again, they have to do much much more to win! 

Philippine football is in a precarious position. Our team needs a huge huge ounce of mental and physical toughness to win. Fate is in their hands...and feet.

I have a crazy prediction. If the Philippines win the Cup, it would usher in a new brand of unity and nationalism that we've never experienced before. Team Sports is far more overwhelming in victory than a counterpart in individual Sports like Boxing. We celebrate in honor of Pacquiao whenever he wins in a match, but we celebrate in honor of Azkals in victory, not only Greatwich, not only Younghusband, not only Etheridge! Pinoys would realize that we can truly achieve something as a team despite all odds. That we can finally have a place in the international stage. As we all know, there are more countries in FIFA than in the United Nations. We laud Filipino individual achievements, good. But there is a magic in football that brings people together. Unlike England and most countries in Europe, our national team is far more prominent than our clubs and I encourage that idea because in this setup Pinoys would be able to celebrate together rather than subdivide themselves again and again until there is none to divide with.  

The moneymaking potential here cannot be ignored. Football is so vast, so immense that it requires huge manpower and capital. When Pinoys clamor for better facilities, better rankings, better performance, private and public sectors could take advantage by hiring more workers and specialists, more promotions for commercial advantage, and therefore more potential in steady cashflows and profit. 

A victory in the Suzuki Cup would come in two-edged sword -- it could inspire us to strive for the better; or, lead us once again in apathy. For the latter, I don't think so. We have far more worlds to conquer. There is the Asian Federation Challenge Cup where we would face Middle Eastern Countries and perhaps even South Korea and Japan! Oh, Coach McMenemy has also been eyeing on the 2014 World Cup.  THAT is the bigger prize.  We must qualify!  We must! 

Let's keep the dream alive!

Ezekial choke w/ gi from mount

1. Grab a collar.
2. Slip free hand under op's head.
3. With that free hand, grab a fabric somewhere above the elbow from the collar-holding hand.
4. Squeeze downward.
5. Drag the head to the side by moving the elbow from the collar-holding hand to a 12-o' clock position.

What is so Hard at Being Single?

Being happy with yourself is not easy when you're almost thirty yet still don't have a relationship since birth.  You feel a pang when you see your classmates and friends marrying off the girl of their dreams.  You feel jealous when the crush you chatted for weeks suddenly refused to talk to you only to find out that she already had a boyfriend.

Life is not fair, but the worst thing you could ever do is to be unfair to yourself. To bitterly curse your loneliness is normal. But in doing so, you forget that you are NOT lonely at all! Otherwise, how do you train in Jiu-jitsu all by yourself?  Certainly you have your team mates rolling with you, friends to go out with, and you still have your family with you. You are only missing one person in your life, not a team, not a brotherhood, not your family.  You are not lonely. 

I'm not saying that you should not find a woman. But never ever think that you will be truly happy only when you get a girlfriend and a wife. Having a relationship will always have tumultuous moments which even extend up to marriage. Mr. W a brown-belt I've befriended in Facebook, said that in marriage a man would get less and less sex over time. And funny, men would STILL go out with their buddies for a good time after they get married.  You can be happy just the way you are. 

I think when a person is truly happy with himself, he'd be able to make sound and intelligent decisions in choosing a woman. And vice-versa.  You'd have no qualms dumping a gold digger no matter how pretty she is, nor will you concede to her emotional blackmail.  You master your emotions, not being a slave to it.           In my theology class, our lecturer delivered the best advice on marriage: "You marry not because you can't live without her; You CAN live without her, yet you CHOSE to be with her.  That is True Love."
 

Strange Choke

1. At sidemount, grab the end of your gi (nearest to the op) and and feed it under your op's head. Make sure he is flat and his arm is immobilized ( that is, it's not tucked enough for him to turn to his side)
2. At a flick of your elbows, your forearm should push his neck down. Make sure you're not hitting the chin.
3. With your free arm, reach under to grab the bicep of his immobilized arm. 
4. Sprawl.

Second variation:

Gosh I forgot! Will check it out again by Wednesday.

Strange Spider Guard sweep

1.  If a conventional sweep does not work, your op would lift his left leg for balance.
2.  Use your sweeping leg to lift that leg.
3.  At the same time, feed his left arm underneath him.
4.  Turn perpendicular to his body.
5.  Lift his leg.
6.  Roll to achieve the sweep. 

What Father Taught Us About Money

1.  NOBODY has ever become wealthy from gambling.  No lottery ticket has made anyone a captain of the industry
2.  If it sounds too good to be true, it IS too good to be true.
3.  NEVER use your home as collateral when borrowing from a bank.  It can charge up to 15% interest and then jack it up to 35% in penalties if you cannot pay on time.
4.  Don't buy a P5 million car if you only have P10 million. Invest them on instruments that yield high performance gains.  He prefers land, property and bonds.
5.  NEVER sell a house inherited to you and your siblings.  The money you get from the sale may be less than what you expect.

No BJJ for Two Weeks

Coughs and colds are one of the biggest stumbling blocks of BJJ.  I caught the bacteria on the second week of November.  My gosh, I could not practice even if I want to.  My team mates might get sick.  Oh well........

If You Suck in Basketball, You're Gay

I know Basketball is king in the Philippines.  But why do we use that sport as the barometer for one's masculinity?  For Pinoys, it is a game designed to favor the tallest, the fastest, and the highest leaper.  It is physically Darwinian.  There is absolutely no advantage for being short.  Hobbits have to compensate by skill, just like sex.  NBA is huge on Philippine TV because the players do appear larger, stronger, meaner than football players or any other athletes.  Even UFC fighters appear smaller than them.  And basketball players become twice as menacing when they leap and dunk the ball right into the basket.  The court seems small to fit them all.  That is why most Filipinos would naturally prefer basketball.  They don't see only skill, they also see size and power.  When they imitate the moves of their basketball heroes, they feel part of something that is larger than life.

Pinoys in general are not as tall as NBA players.  No wonder Growee vitamin supplements and milk products are sold like hotcakes.  The desire of growing tall is not so far behind from acquiring brain power.  Unfortunately, we are lagging behind in Basketball.  Take a look at the official FIBA rankings.  For years, basketball fans have hoped that the next generation of Filipino players would be taller, stronger, and high leapers by hiring players of mixed parentage, by training them in prestigious camps in the States and Europe, and by encouraging more corporate sponsors...but China, the States, Serbia, Iran, and other rival countries will never run out of players who  will also grow taller, shoot better, and leap higher in succeeding generations.  And they don't need to intermarry.  Sigh.  Philippine basketball still has a long way to go.  I don't intend to demean the sport, but when idiots call you a fag because of your poor ball skillz, they are not looking at the bigger picture.  We're 53rd out of 75 countries.  Pass me a mirror, dab my cheeks with a little foundation.  And I'll dab yours.  

A basketball fantard might say with a sneer, "If you can't play basketball, then play football...or jiu-jitsu...or whatever!" to suggest that the other sport is gayer than the other.  Offer him a challenge then, can he run to and from in a field as large as three basketball courts for ninety minutes?  Can he endure a slide kick that could dislocate his ankle?  If your sport is Brazilian Jiu-jitsu...well...don't tell him that his fancy lay-ups are vulnerable for a double leg takedown.  I agree that Basketball is for the tallest height and the highest leapers but is it a game for those with the greatest strength?  The deadliest kicks?  The best dancers?  The human body is an amazing machine that can do a huge variety of skills that are not limited to, and not needed in basketball.  And many of those said skills are what we need in our daily survival - carrying a load, carpentry, writing, reading, typing on a keyboard, and so on and so forth.  So why should basketball skill be held at a premium?  Heck, it  is not even good for fighting.  Sorry, basketball fans. 

Oh, those who say dancing is gay are those who have never touched a woman before.  Masculinity is defined not by the sport you play but by the character you have. 

Now don't get me wrong.  I'm not saying that we abandon basketball.  Here's a good article from SLAM Online about Philippine basketball.  But we should break the monopoly and look into other sports where we can best use our talents.  










   

Football and BJJ

With only a few hours to spare, I expected to finish writing this article before the Everton and Arsenal match.  But my PC caught a virus and I had to disinfect which took 4 hours+.  I also had to watch the match which I missed the first half.  Arsenal performed quite well with their insane passes but seemed to have become lenient at the last 20 minutes.  Everton took advantage with terrifying counter-attacks which paid off when Cahill scored a goal.  But Arsenal won anyway with 2 earlier goals, and 1 for Everton. 


**********

You can master both football or Jiu-jitsu whether you're 5'4" or 6'10", plus or minus 150 pounds*.  I coach football to small children in a poor community.  They barely reach 4 feet, yet their headers could launch the ball as high as a basketball ring.  Not to bash the other sport but if you're as tall as them, you need extra effort with your hands to launch a ball right into the basket.  An airball is useless in basketball.  But a header from a midget or a giant would translate to a pass, an assist, or even a beautiful goal!  And we haven't talked about feet yet. 

In football, the ball is more often dribbled and passed on the ground.  Players of all shapes and sizes have an opportunity for possession.  And because they cannot grab the ball with their hands (except for the goalkeeper), players have to make do with the rest of their body to keep the ball with them.  Try grabbing the ball with your feet, your head, or your back.  No matter how short or tall you are, that should take lots of skill.  But what about basketball?  It starts with a jumpshot so the ball is thrown high in the air where the tallest and the highest leaper would have an upper hand in possession.  Tall people rules.  Sorry.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu insists that technique will always prevail over size and brute strength.  Well that's true but -- I can't preach it like a gospel truth.  Techniques aren't easy to master.  It's not like cramming where you just memorize the facts the night before and circle the best answer on the test.  You have to practice again and again before you can properly execute them against a resisting opponent.  Some moves favor long-legged people (or taller) such as triangle chokes, techniques like the Rubber Guard favor extremely flexible people, while some takedowns and guard passes make champions out of short and stocky people.

Yes size does matter in football or BJJ.  So whether you're tall or short, fit, overweight, big-headed, flexible as Plastic Man or light as a feather...use that to your advantage.

Other Things Football and BJJ Have in Common:

1.  Brand Names on their Uniforms -- In the Premiere League, stamping brand names on their jerseys was first practiced by Liverpool, which happens to be my favorite club.  But it has to be one brand only although it doesn't have to be related to football.  Standard-Chartered sponsors Liverpool's jersey.  Samsung for Chelsea, AON for Manchester United, Emirates Airlines ("Fly Emirates") for Arsenal, etc. 

In BJJ, different brand names are patched all over the gi!  Both fighters can have the same sponsor and that's no biggie for them.  And all brands are related to Jiu-jitsu and MMA.  "Vitamins & Minerals" is not a drug.

2.  Both Football and Jiu-jitsu have a reputation for being a GAY sport  --  (Future Article)












*And we're talking about competing professionally.  Yes, the best goal scorers stand at 5'10" or 6' such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, Bale, etc.  But there are star strikers as well that stood only 5'4" like Maradona who was Argentina's charismatic coach during the World Cup, his protege Messi is 5'6", USA's star forward Landon Donovan is 5'7", and our very own Paulino Alcantara is only 5'2" yet he's the highest scoring player ever of FC Barcelona.

Scissor sweeps, Hip bump

From this point forward, all techniques will be explained in a right-handed POV, unless otherwise stated.  

Scissor sweep

1.  From closed guard, grab your op's left collar with your left hand.  At the same time pull his left lapel with your free hand and position it to your side.  Make sure you are in a diagonal position.
2.  Squeeze your bent left leg in a space between you and your opponent's chest. 
3.  Pull him until you feel his weight.  Your body should be bent.
4.  Push his left leg with your free leg. At the same time, arch your back (DETAIL)!  You should be able to throw his body to your right.  You may also pull with your hands to your right if that would help you achieve the technique.
5. This sweep will lead you into a mounted position.

Hip Bump.

1.  From closed guard, reach for the opponent's left arm like attempting a kimura.
2.  Your attacking arm should wrap around his arm.  At the same time, make sure you also grab the tricep with your free arm. 
3.  Your body would slightly be tilted to your right.
4.  Bridge your body to the right.
5.  This sweep will lead you into a mounted position.

What Football and Jiu-Jitsu Have in Common

I may not be able to train next week because I'm having a bad cold.  Even if I have fully recovered by tomorrow, I might still be infectious to my team mates.  Bummer. 


Next topic:  Football and BJJ

Another review for the double leg takedown

I am still having problems with this technique despite my long and arduous training.  I knew I've done it correctly.  I dived with back straight, hands on the opponents' calves, a bent leg between his legs, my head pushing on his side, then my other leg placed right beside his leg for balance.  But I still exerted too much energy where theoretically, I don't have to carry him, just push him sideways.  Worse, my opponent's legs kept getting caught on my supporting leg.  That opened up opportunities for defense in his favor even if I were able to take him down. 

Then I learned from another beginner (I just observed him) that I missed one simple detail.  JUST ONE. 

But before I tell you, let's review the techniques again.  If I stand in an Orthodox stance where my body is diagonally positioned to the right, here are the steps that I've done correctly.

1. Touch opponent's body other than arms to determine distance. 
2. Step in with the left foot. 
3. In one simultaneous motion: a) dive with your back straight;  b) Use left shoulder to bump on opponent's midsection;  c) Grab behind his legs (ideally, at the calves); d) Dig your head into his side to your left (that's where you are going to topple him). 
4. Your right leg should be stretched behind you.  Bring that leg right beside your opponent's left leg. 

From this position, I immediately pushed my opponent to the left by pushing his ribs with my head and tossing his legs away from the mat.  But my position was too unstable.  My opponent felt heavy and he could have had brought his weight forward to take me down instead (But we were performing drills so he did not attempt that trick).  To prevent this from happening, let's proceed to No. 5.

5.  Place left leg on the direction where you want to take him down (your left flank). 
6.  Push his side with your head and toss his legs upwards to your right (If you followed no. 5, performing this step would be much easier than it looks).
7.  Place your chest on top of his when his body lands on the mat. 

That's the problem with grappling arts.  Every small detail matters.  Treat the techniques like a computer code, a musical piece, a woman to be pleased.  A regular joe with no boxing experience can knock out a bully with a lucky punch.  But to toss that guy cleanly off his feet?  Keep on training. 




Code (irrelevant to the article):  Get your potbellied pig to mate

Bow and Arrow, Spider Guards, etc.

Correct Position for Bow and Arrow:

1. Rear leg is parallel to the ground and bent.  Front leg is bent facing the opponent.  Foot is firmly placed on the mat.

2. Arm closest to the opponent should be placed over the front leg.  Post your free arm a little behind your body (from bird's eye view, at 5 o' clock of your body).

3. Raise the portion of your bum where your lead leg is aligned (*uhurm* attached) with. 

Trick 1:

1.  Tap the charging opponent's closest elbow point with your lead arm.  Tap it away from your body and slightly grab it.

2.  Raise your hips and position on your knees.  Take advantage of the momentum to bring opponent to his knees for a back mount.

Trick 2:

1.  Same, except grab the gi collar.

2.  Post your posting arm further behind you.

3.  Do no. 2 of Trick 1 and at the same time force the collar down. 

Spider Guard:

1.  Grab both lapels and use legs to push your op's biceps (actually an area close to the elbows' bending point).

2.  One leg is bent with your parallel arm pulled close to you.

3.  The lead leg is extended and planted on the op's bicep area.  Don't let go of the op's lapel.

4.  Your hips should be tilted towards your lead leg.  This will give you a diagonal position.

5.  Change positions by shifting lead leg and bent leg right to left, left to right.   

6.  If you timed this correctly, you can tilt your opponent off-balance.

Anchor:

1.  From spider bent leg position, pull your op's arm until your own elbow touches the ground.

2.  Wrap your leg around your op's arm.  Be sure to wrap leg OVER the arm then hook ankle on op's armpit.

3.  Lead leg releases op's bicep area then plant firmly on op's knee.  DON'T LET GO.

4.  Don't release op's other lapel unless a technique requires you to do so.

Technique 1:

1.  When op places knee on your bent leg, he creates a space between his crotch and the mat.

2.  Feed your op's other lapel (#4 above) on that space.  At the same time, free your wrapped leg and push it forward.  It should remain bent when planted on the mat.

3.  Grab your op's fed hand with your other hand.  Do this simultaneously with no. 2.

4.  DON'T LET GO OF YOUR LEAD LEG.

5.  Let your body fall on its side (lead leg side) so your other foot can hook to your opponent's foot.

6.  Then swing your lead leg towards your other leg.  Your body should take advantage of its momentum.  At the same time, grab your op's ankle as the momentum would make your opponent fall and you right over him. 

Wow...what a vacation

Actually, I didn't have any.  I was caught up with the World Cup fever and I almost forgot about BJJ or this site. But I still kept on training at around August.  As far as I could remember, I've been able to perform these techniques in a decent manner:

1. Chokes from mount -- Flatten yourself with arm on op's opposite collar.  Place head and free arm on the floor.  Make an arc on the arm and grab op's free collar.  Move body at 12 o clock.

2. Spider -- Hold both arms and legs of op.  Use a leg to push body away from op.  Then play with the arms.  If you stretch your left leg, your body should be angled towards the right, and vice versa.  You can create an armbar, triangle, and sweeps.

3.  Spider pass -- Tilt the longest leg to the other side and then quash your body on it.  Reach for a sidemount but grab arm nearest to the mat to avoid rolling over.

4.  Mario Sperry half pass -- Cross face.  Then grab outer leg's pant.  Use your free leg to place on op's thigh then pull trapped leg free.

That's it for now.

A cute variation of choke from mount

Perform basic choke except you start with your head on the mat.  Then slide in your first hand to the collar.  If that hand is your right, place head at 1 o' clock.  Use free arm to make an arc from your left to your right flank.   You can avoid a sweep this way.  Slide your free hand and reach the other collar.  Make a sharp 12 o' clock turn to finish the sub.

Neat trick:

If you op defends by grabbing your forearm, just stick out your elbow.  Slide your free arm under the space your elbow created and finish the choke.

There is another technique on passing a half guard.  But it's too complicated for me to explain.  Maybe next time then.

Half-guards

Half-guards are said to be the most dynamic position in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  For the basics, your body should be diagonal to your opponent and your legs are crossed at his leg placed furthest from you.  In that position, use your arms to push the op's chest to get space.  Use the freer leg (the upper leg in that position) to drive it close to the op's chest.  In that way, he won't crash his entire weight on you.  Your arm closest to the raised leg should reach under the leg (kick for more space) and grab the op's belt.  At the same time sit up and plant face on op's chest.  If op crashed his weight again, let him.  Reach under his legs, roll and you'd be in a better semi-mount position.

Var. 2.  If op makes an N foot plant, then grab his other leg, then grab that planted leg and the push down.

Var. 3  A var of #2 is similar to the X guard position.  Your leg under the op's thigh should push it up while your free leg may push the ball of his knees forward.  You will end up holding a semi-leg lock.

Oh, a cool video of passing the guard: http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=MZHOYWZTqNY&feature=related

and another half guard defense: http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=hTZv7IEwMeo&feature=related

Free spar:

I still could not get the half guard.  But I was able to perform a fireman's carry.  Stupid of me, after landing the op, I still dove for his legs instead of his exposed arm.  I was able to do the roll escape to avoid the piggy back.

Triangle counter (NEW)

At position, move your arm as if scanning a horizon.  Then grab op's thigh.  Use free hand to grasp the defending hand.  Sit up, look up, then pry.  Move head to get away from the triangle (easier said than done).  Make a pass.

Takedowns and half guard defense (plus basic sweep and armbar and more)

Basic double leg:

Back straight even if you're crouched. Take one step forward then charge.  But rear leg should propel you forward.  Aim the forwarding shoulder to the opponent's navel, if possible.  At impact, grab op's legs immediately.  Plant your rear leg beside op's leg.  Use your head to push op's body sideways. 

Single leg:

Same principle except use the arm opposite of the rear leg.  The other arm should grab the ankles.  Plant your head on op's rib.  Stand up, and place the op's leg between your legs.  Move in a circle.  Move one step forward, then back.  Move front leg outside op's leg.  But hold the op's legs firmly.  You should look like someone assisting your op's front kick.  Move forward until he falls.

Half guard defense:

Var 1: Grab op's gi and transfer to his opposite side.  Reach down his pant leg.  Raise your legs and then like a pendulum, swing them to the desired direction to sweep.  Pull op to that direction as well.

Var 2: Grab op's gi on the back and belt near his butt.  Adjust crossed legs, carrying leg should be under.  Get butt out (shrimp out).  Push op's leg up while pulling op's body to desired direction to sweep.  You should be on the get-the-back position

Basic sweep and armbar:

Assume armbar position.  Drop leg closest to op's arm.  Grab free arm on op's pant leg.  Raise free leg directly on op's armpit then swing to desired position. 

If op posts with his free hand, switch hand on pant leg and hand on arm alternately.  Your body should roll to plant shin on op's nape.  Do a side roll (Murillo roll?).  You should be in an armbar position...

...except your leg isn't placed over op's head.  If op resists, move your leg on his chest to space beside his ear.  Then place free leg over op's head.  Lie down and wait for tap.

Chokes

"Ezekiel" from guard
Grab labels near the neck.  Make sure wrist is bent towards you.  Reach over his nape and feed your hand to the space made at the crook of your other elbow.  Move to one side and tap.

Gator choke
From facing turtle, grab op's head and elbow.  Make a triangle using your arms.  Roll sideways.  Move body to his hips.  Wait for tap.

Guillotine
Place blade of forearm under his neck.  Tighten it.  Hold other hand.  The free arm should look like a chicken arm bent forward that should push down op's back, and at the same time raise attacking forearm.


Quick news:

I got my first victory by surprise surprise, a choke!  I didn't expect that because it was far from perfect.  I should have had assumed a knee on stomach.  What I did was placed my weight on the choke and moved sideways. 

Mount Escape

Believe me, this is a tough technique to pull off.

1. When you are mounted, make sure an elbow is positioned on the mat and inside your opp's thigh.

2. If both of you are wearing a gi, you can grab a fold of your op's thigh. Another variation is make a kimura hold (place free hand on top of the hand with planted elbow. The latter hand should grab the wrist of the other.)

3. Make sure your legs are placed inside your op's legs. Straighten your leg nearest to your planted elbow.

4. This is the tough part. Your body should move diagonally as if rolling your weight to another side. To do this, simul: shrimp out+use kimura hands to push your op's thigh away. Easier said than done.  


Another dela Riva variation:

1. The op in your guard raised his leg farthest from you.

2. X-guard his thigh immediately.Make sure you place your opposite foot on top and wrap his thigh with a figure-4.

3. Wrap your hand around his heel and pull it to straighten the leg (his instep should be parallel to your ear).

4. When he attempts to stand, Grab his free foot with your free arm using the form in No. 3 except you don't have to straighten it.

5. Push him down.

6. When he's down, slide your top foot towards you as you lift your other foot towards him.

7. You can grab a collar to make a scarf hold (kesa gatame).

Quick notes on basic choke from guard, Kimura from guard, omoplata, etc.

The hand:

1.  Open the collars comfortable enough for you to attack.
2.  Use opposite arm to enter the collar.  The other arm should keep the collar straight. 
3.  The blade of your hand--from your wrist to the tip of your thumb-- should snugly slide through your op's neck to his nape.  Use the rest of the fingers to grab the collar.
4.  Ditto with the other hand.  As a beginner, I prefer passing my free arm under my attacking hand. 
5.  Sim: Turn your wrists in a counter clockwise manner + forcing your arms down, bringing op's head with it + Lift yourself up.
Do Not bend your wrists.
Easier doing it than writing all the steps as far as English language could describe

The legs:
1.  Close guard

 Kimura from guard:

1.  If op's hand is planted on stomach, use opposite hand to push hand on the side and use free hand to circular sweep op's hand to the mat.  I'm not sure though if I should turn it clockwise or counter clockwise.  I remembered I did clockwise, but I tested again tonight and CC appears better because once the op's hand is planted on the ground, my hand is already holding his wrist.  I may ask next meeting.

2.  Use closed guard to push down op's body while you assume the kimura position.

3.  Lift your op's locked hand to his ear until he taps.

4.  Beginners use closed guard, some heel a foot but instructor warned us that this is dangerous, or a happy medium would be shrimping perp to op's body while placing a leg on top of the op's back.

Omoplata:

1.  From a triangle, the op defends with his arm wrapped around a leg.
2.  Shrimp, grab a leg.
3.  Straighten your legs so it can crash into the mat with your op's body with it. 

Passing an open guard:

1.  Ideally, grab the pant leg by the side of the kneecaps.
2.  Either push them down and pass; or
3.  Crash a leg on the mat and pass.
4.  If you chose No.2, turn your body facing your op's legs, and then to your opponent.



Notable achievements:

1.  I performed a basic pass effectively I think on two or more incidents. 
2.  I performed a near perfect kesa gatame.  My arm grabbing arm was too loose I got my op away.
3.  Kesstring's guillotine counter was effective to relieve the pain but due to lack of space I failed to make my op submit.

Notable failures:

1.  At kesa, my op straightened his arms to relieve my hold.  I should have performed an armbar or kimura americana.  Stupid of me.
2.  I kept eating weird sweeps.
3.  In BJJ, never ever grab a gi by the op's back.  You'd risk a takedown.  You can do that in Judo.
4.  I need to improve my mount defense esp on heavier opponents. 

Chokes from Mount, top game

1. From mount, flip a collar and slide your opposite hand deep until it reaches your op's nape.
2. Place elbow on sternum.
3. Use free hand to make an arc on the mat, above the op's head.
4. Grab the fabric close to op's neck. The pinky should touch the neck.
5. Sim: Twist other hand and pull the other into a V direction + place your weight on your hold or op's chest.
6. For greater effect, hook your op's legs when you drop your weight down.

Var. 2

1. If op blocks No. 1 move with his hand, make an N mount.  Just raise the leg nearest to your attacking arm and place entire foot on the mat.
2. Turn your op's body sideways.
3. Wrap your free hand around op's neck and reach for the collar you've been holding in No. 1.
4. Your op's defending arm has an opening.  Use the other hand to enter that opening.  Straighten your arm.
5. Pass your straightened arm on the side of your op's neck.  Tighten the choke with the other hand.

Basic triangle, armbar from mount, half guard sweep

Basic triangle:

1.  Grab wrist and elbow to preferred arm. 
2.  Lift hip to pull arm closer.
3.  Place leg nearest to op's arm at his hip. 
4.  Sim lift hip and place free leg behind op's neck and shoulders.
5.  Shrimp to achieve perpendicular position.
6.  Set up triangle position.
7.  Pull down op's free arm or push his head down.
8.  If op stacks you, move away again and again.
9.  Forgot the rest...

Armbar from mount:

1.  Assume a tight mount pos.
2.  Clasp hands on op's head to move to high mount.  Elbows on the mat.
3.  If op is on a cross arm defense, slide hand toward bicep of opposite arm.  Your hand should slide UNDER the forearm NOT OVER it or you will lose the grip. 
4.  Make an S mount.  I still could not perform this perfectly.  Move the S first before placing the other leg perp on op's head.  P's advice: Shift weight diagonally on other leg while making an S on the other. 
5.  Then place leg perp on op's head and tiptoe.  Ideally No. 3 and No. 4 should be sim.
6.  Spin, place tiptoed leg over op's head.  Fall down from one side to another.  If your op's head is at 12 o' clock, fall down at 10 o' clock then gradually move at 9 or lower when you touch the mat.
7.  Tighter knees.  Lift hips.  Op's thumbs should face up. 

Half guard sweep:
You are embraced with your opponent and your leg is on a half-guard pos.  

1.   Use free leg and arm to bridge to one side.
2.   Slide the hand closer to the head and pass it through the neck. 
3.   That hand in No. 2 and the free hand should push the farthest shoulder away from you.
4.   Immediately raise your free leg to make a knee, shrimp in to place that leg on op's shoulder. 
5.   Use hand closest to the leg to block op's hand that is closest to the raised leg.
6.   Now use the hand in No. 5 to reach from the inside of the leg to grab the belt.  If no gi, the shoulder.
7.   The free hand should grab or hold the collar.
8.   Sim:  Kick leg + swing from bottom to top +  leg and hand on belt should assume seatbelt position at the same time. 
9.  Seatbelt hold: one arm slides across the neck, the other under the armpits.  Both are clasped tightly.  Let the legs make the op fall closer to the mat.  Hips should be lower.

Triangle, Pendulum armbar, stacking triangle counter, passing guard,

Triangle
1.  Hold both hands close to your chest.
2.  Place left leg on opponent's hip + push down op's left hand + throw  right leg on op's shoulder (all simul)
3.  VERY IMPORTANT: Do a bunny position.  Lift your hips as high as your can.
4.  Secure your triangle and shrimp out to achieve reach.
5.  Toffee advice: Push down opponent's free arm to help you bring your legs down.

Pendulum armbar
1.  If your op got his hand away from an armbar, turn your leg so that the crook of your feet meets your op's neck.
2.  Hold arm tightly as if in an armbar.
3.  Swing leg over op's neck like an armbar.
4.  Push hips up.

Triangle counter
1.  Stack but to a space beside op.
2.  Use both hands to get rid of the triangled foot.
3.  Ideally, you'd end up in a sidemount.

Passing guard
1.  Lift opponent and make him land in your bent knee.
2.  Push op's lower abdomen area.
3.  Use elbows to push out.
4.  Sit back and enjoy.

Log 4/17/10: the finer details in the basics: Americana, Kimura, Armbar, Dela Riva, shrimp, reverse shrimp

Keylock Americana or KA

1. From the mount: push down your opponents wrist and elbow downwards with your elbows straight.  This would drive your entire weight to his arm before you perform.
2. From the side mount: if the op's forearm is pushing your neck, grab his wrist AND TWIST it before performing the technique.  It won't hurt him but it's a good set up.

Keylock Kimura

1. Make sure your arm nearest to your op's hip is on standby in case the op's arm escapes from KA.
2. Do the technique, but make sure his arm is in a sharp perpendicular shape before you do number 3.
3. Do a Kesa leg form, then swing the far leg over his head. 
4. Push your lock toward's your op's ear.

Armbar from side -- AMAZING

1. Twist your op's biceps towards you.  Works best if his arms are raised.
2. Immediately plant your elbows on his solar plexus.
3. Sprawl simultaneously.
4. Push op's head down, pref towards you.
5. Post farthest leg beside op's head.
6. Swing.  Perform armbar.


Some details from Dela Riva Guard...

1.  Starting position is legs are slightly crossed. If shrimping to the right, place left leg under op's leg and right leg over. 
2.  Ear should be close to the left leg
3.  Hold the op's ankle.  It should pass around the inner ankle.
4.  Reach for the other ankle.  Same thing.
5.  Push.

Shrimp

1. Tiptoe on one foot.
2. From that foot, push until your body resembles a shrimp.

Reverse Shrimp

1. Extend a leg.
2. Try to reach it with both arms.
3. Push your body forward