Last night at Scranton Mixed Martial arts the Judo team went over some very interesting techniques and we will re cap them here today in the blog. Since competition season is on the horizon, the students learned two techniques which are useful against skilled opponents who know how to grip fight properly and who are looking to control you and shutdown your most effective techniques.
Most good competitors go out with a game plan and a strategy. Most often that strategy involves controlling the opponent’s strong side either at the shoulder or at the sleeve. This makes it very difficult for the opponent to execute their favorite throws. Since this is the most common strategy used in competition, it is important to have an effective counter strategy ready to go in case the opponent is able to control your strong side.
Last night both techniques were executed from a position where your opponent has secured a grip on your strong side shoulder. The first technique that was taught was a ‘falling’ arm bar. This is very similar to a flying arm bar, but it is much easier to learn and much safer to practice. The technique is actually very simple and quite effective. The students were shown the proper grip to use which makes it very easy to fall to the ground without much of an impact to your shoulder or head. The grip is a cross sleeve grip and a high shoulder grip. This allows you to pull the arm in tight for the submission and control your decent to the mat.
The second technique used the same counter grip to the shoulder post. You get a cross sleeve grip with your left hand and a shoulder grip with your right hand. Instead of falling directly to the arm bar in this technique the students were shown how to move their opponent around and set them up for a foot sweep. The students were shown the proper use of the hands which is a very important aspect of every foot sweep. Students were also shown how to be very efficient in their movements which allows them to get ahead of their opponent without moving any faster. Regardless of how fast you can move the more efficient your movement that faster you will be and the more effective you will be.
After both techniques were shown, students were able to practice linking the foot sweep into the arm bar. Students also were able to ask questions and discuss the strategic implications of using the arm bar and the foot sweep and discuss and see the different situations that will arise after the techniques are used in a competition setting.
After the technical portion of the class students got to do some randori or sparring with the instructors as well as each other. Everyone left with two new techniques that they can now practice and sharpen up before their next tournament.
After both techniques were shown students were able to practice linking the foot sweep into the arm bar. Students also were able to ask questions and discuss the strategic implications of using the arm bar and the foot sweep and discuss and see the different situations that will arise after the techniques are used in a competition setting.
After the technical portion of the class students got to do some randori or sparring with the instructors as well as each other. Everyone left with two new techniques that they can now practice and sharpen up before their next tournament.