Week 2: Lifts and getting to the outside.

Decided to change the content of the blog from technique details to more of a reflection of the session.

We covered:

Standing clinch drill:

Head control
Neck control
Shoulder control (underhook)
Arm control (overhook)
Both sides then Switch sides
Learning points I picked up from here was about 3 points of pressure contact at all times. A new concept to my ears.

Take downs: front body clinch

Body lift (chest to chest)
Double hip capture
Single hip capture
Single leg capture
Side body clinch double hip
Double leg (head in middle)
Pass to side control

The learning from these lifts we looked at was to do with my head and spine. Lee repeatedly emphasised a strong positive spine and for these to be as effective and efficient you need to get under their hips. The point of these moves is to disrupt their base by taking the feet off the floor. When, on the rare occasion the links of the chain connected, it felt simple and effortless. Mostly it felt a little cumbersome and awkward.

From standing:

Passing bottom attack pull opponents leg straight and pass to the outside into side control

Free form grappling with strikes
Felt a little nervous as the call was made as I have not just striking with grappling before. My first spar was with Alan and we just focussed on grappling. It was a fun roll and there were lots of positional changes and a wide variety of sub attempts. The second roll was with Lee. He felt very strong and gave no space and worked very slowly but methodically for position and ultimately a pair of submissions. He also threw lots of strikes to my none. In a post spar chat he said that this is something I need to start to do. When throwing strikes it will cause the opponent to move and thus set up more opportunities for the sub or striking finish. I talked about my strategic preference to fight from my back. In MMA this is a poor strategy. Lee instructed that if that is the preference, make them getting you to your back so tiring for them, that once they get you there they are knackered. My ground strategy needs to be to get dominant positions and not to easily give my back to the floor.

Free form standing to any take down position-with out completing the take down
When the call was made to switch ends of the hall I became very nervous and struggled a little to get the big gloves and shin pads on. I went up with Charlie who is one of the more senior lads at the club. He gave me some excellent tips and advice. ON reflection I might have actually enjoyed it!!