Positional Grappling - Page 2

Robb Wolf · 06-07-2007, 09:32 AM

I might have the name wrong. Once you have the lock down you position both your arms to an underhook position, then brace on your partners ribs with your hands, use the lockdown do drive him back while pushing him back with the arms, you will sit up slightly with this movement. yo9u then whip him forward and escape to the side you have the lockdown. if you really whip the person you can end up with their back but more often you will be on their side.

Let me know if that helps.

Daniel Christensen · 06-08-2007, 03:04 AM

Thanks Robb

One of the young whippersnappers at training gave me a quick demo last night. Between that & your description I've got a start. When I get some time I'll see if I can find some clips on the net as well. I'll report back when I've played around with it for a bit - although I had instant success in setting up the lockdown.

An aside, what are peoples favourite positional games?

From head to head, I usually let the other guy pull guard, and back myself in that once I get good grips & posture I can't be broken down (I'm longer than most other guys I roll with, so I seem to be able to post out rather than be swept). Then it's a grinding battle for the pass. Othersise head-to-head I like to shoot low and see what happens, although that leads to a game which is physically taxing for me.

In my guard I like to break the other guy down, and keep his posture under pressure utnil something opens up (preferably a sweep so I can get on top).

In mount I like to initially get high and post out &/or grapevine... let the other guy tire out and then go for something.

Side control and knee ride I have a lot of trouble holding, although now we are back to pyjama season I'm having more luck in side control with the grip where you reach under your partner's legs to grab the side of the hip away from you. What troubles me in setting up these positions is that:
a) I don't seem very good at dealing with a stiff-arm on me when trying to consolidate from passing guard.
b) The whippersnappers are much quicker and more explosive than me and I feel disadvantaged
when it becomes an unstructured scramble.

Cheers

Dan

Daniel Christensen · 06-08-2007, 03:27 AM

More thoughts on my positional game...

I've got, I think, a good idea of posture in the guard - both from bottom and top position in terms of what I want. From top I concentrate on establishing grips inside biceps, then around belt, the move to attack the legs, the onto passing. From the bottom I'm basically trying to prevent that and set up my attacking grips.

For the other positions my picture of good posture isn't so clear - something I can pick my instructors brains on.

Josh Whiting · 06-08-2007, 03:53 AM

Talking of Mr Bravo does anybody have any good stretches to help someone who has problems getting into rubber guard?

Daniel Christensen · 06-08-2007, 06:18 AM

The Content's of Eddie Bravo's 2nd book shows it's got a few stretches...
http://victorybelt.com/store/bravo-m...-rubber-guard/
Otherwise I'd suggest whatever hip, thigh & hammie stretches you know, plus, work rubber guard into your game wherever possible - in warmups, rolling with beginners, any time you can - if you can't grab your own leg just 1 climb leg as high as you can. Working the guard is going to give you more dynamic/ specific flexibility than stretching will anyhow.

Robb Wolf · 06-08-2007, 03:01 PM

Daniel-
Most of my positional games involve rapid, very nearly constant, tapping.

That appears to be my strategy at the moment.

Anton Emery · 09-20-2007, 11:06 PM

That move after the Lockdown is called the Whip Up. Its a good technique that has helped me alot. We were drilling it in class and one thing that we realized was that to whip the guy up you have to turn yourself into a ball. Alot of times with the lockdown guys will get it, stretch the top guy out, and then try the Whip Up. That doesnt really work because the bottom guy is flat and you cant get any momentum. What the bottom guy needs to do is keep the lockdown, but bring your knees up towards your head as you elevate the top man towards your head with your arms. Now you can get out to the side and attack.

It took a bit getting used to for me on bottom to assume to the balling up motion. Getting the Lockdown and then stretching the guy out really feels you are hurting him, but its usually just annoying pain, and you cant be offensive flat on your back.

anton

Sam Cannons · 09-23-2007, 10:06 PM

I find with Barvo's work you must drill it for a while especially the basics like halfguard-lockdown-whip up-dogfight-sweep to side control........ just drill the shit out of those transitions, then work on mission control. Once you start to get it, its very valuable stuff. Personally i like side control and half guard. I cant wait for the Rubber Guard DVD's to get here.

Rob Harris · 09-27-2007, 08:10 PM

I like to use the lockdown to neutralize an aggressive attempt to get to my side or mount, but I don't like to hang out there. I use it to take their base and then unhook to sweep or recompose. I think it is probably the most useful part of Eddies System. Rubber Guard for the most part will destroy your knees and only bugs the posture of those that have never dealt with it before.

Good thread.

Anton Emery · 10-03-2007, 10:52 AM

Yea, i used to play rubber guard quite a bit until my knee started hurting after practice. I would make the mistake and try to hold it on a guy with big shoulders as he tries to posture up really hard. Plus i think the other types of guard (closed, open, spider, butterfly), are better at making you improve your hip movement, which is key in BJJ.

I do like alot of the other stuff Eddie offers. his half guard game is great, as are some of his stuff from the Oomaplata position.

anton