04/12/2010 – Fundamentals of Ground Grappling, Part 2

The second and final part of this series on positional ground grappling.  Good effort put in by everyone as far as learning the important skills went.  A word of caution, however - learn to regulate the amount of intensity you put into your rolling, especially when unfamiliar with the zone of engagement.  Especially, keep in mind the rules of engagement put in place for training safety - more than once, I saw uke (person on top) attempt to submit tori (person on the bottom) when my instructions quite clearly said to maintain positional dominance only.

If you find yourself going into an adrenaline-fuelled fugue during sparring, slow down, exhale and remind yourself that it's only training.  Your goal is to refine your skills, not destroy your partner (or yourself).

Homework

Your homework assignment remains the same as far as joint mobility and conditioning go.  Revise also the three biomechanical drills taught in this class - they will stand you in good stead for ground engagement in general.  As a rule, don't do them to any appreciable level of fatigue.  Rather, treat them as a skill to be mastered and go through them with an eye to performing them as smoothly and effortlessly as possible, with an eye at all times to good form.



Objectives

- Developing fundamental skills for defence and attack during ground grappling



Warmup

- IntuFlow intermediate routine

Conditioning

TacFit Commando Mission 1 – Recruit-to-Grunt



1.) Front Lunge Jump – 20/10 x 8

1min rest

2.) Plank Push – 20/10 x 8

1min rest

3.) Sit-Through Reach – 20/10 x 8

1min rest

4.) Screwing Pushup – 20/10 x 8

1min rest

5.) Spinal Rock Pike – 20/10 x 8

1min rest

6.) Tripod Twist – 20/10 x 8


Biomechanical Prep Drills

- Quad base switch

- Hanging and Alternating Hemi-Circular Scorpions

- Stationary Shrimp


Bottom Drills

Side Control

- Sweeps versus side control

                 § Push head to leg scissor
                 § Body pendulum to roll into side control (used when opponent stays close)

Back

- Defences against an opponent in back mount or taking the back

               § Trap underhook, shoulder bridge onto opponent, trap attacking arm against head and turn to guard
               § Attack of opportunity – ankle trap versus improper back guard

Top Drills

Side Control

- Moving from side control to mount
                                   § Knee slide
                                   § Cockroach killer

- Submissions from side control
                                  § Figure-4 locks (kimura/Americana)

Knee on Belly

- Establishing knee on belly from takedowns

- Establishing knee on belly from side control


Situational Sparring

Tori starts in bottom position – mounted or guard in alternating fashion – and aims to sweep or submit uke. Uke aims to retain positional dominance.