First Class for 2007

Hi everyone welcome back! Last nights BJJ beginners class was the first class for 2007 and we were really happy with the turnout and also everyone's enthusiasm!

We have decided to restructure things a little bit in the beginners class to try and get maximum benefit out of each class and present techniques in a way that each technique relates to the next.

In each BJJ Beginners class we will cover 1 drill, 2-4 techniques and 1 escape. Last night we did the following;

Drill

Keep the Mount
The "keep the mount" drill is to teach us to keep a mounted position regardless of our partners movement, it is important to hold your positions tightly when you have them, but to move with your partner so that when they roll, you can move with them so that you can flow from mount to side mount then to back mount. The important points to get side mount are to slide your knee up behind your partners head as they roll and to pull your lower leg up so that your foot in tight to their stomach and your knee is pointing to the roof. When transitioning to back mount you need to get "your hooks in", this means your feet hook over your partners thighs, you can cheat by hooking your top foot over the thigh as they roll. Once your hooks are in put both arms under your opponents arms and grab the wrists (in a paddle or "5 finger grip"), stretch your opponent out by pulling the arms and stretching your legs.

Techniques

Rear Naked Choke
Start in back control with hooks in (note: it doesn't matter if you and your partner are facing up or down) and a harness grip which is one arm over the shoulder and one arm under their arm gripped in front of their chest. Your choking hand is the top one which should be held by the other hand. Bring your choking hand up around partners neck and grab your own shoulder, try to get you elbow right in front of neck. Bring you other hand past your partners ear to behind their head making sure that both elbows are in front of your partners shoulders. Squeeze your elbows together and puff out your chest for the choke.

Lapel Half Nelson Choke
Start in Side mount on your partner, reach under the opponents top arm and loosen their collar with you top arm, reach your bottom arm under your partners head and grip their collar with your thumb in slide up tight to their neck. Make your top hand into a blade and put it behind your partners head but in front of your bottom arm. Push your top arm to the floor and pull you bottom hand like you are starting the lawn mower.

Escape

Rolling Headlock Escape
This escape is from Side Headlock, start by gripping you hands around your partners body high up under their arm pit. Walk your near leg toward them and bridge a little to get your leg underneath them. Bridge your hips up high and roll the opponent over towards their back, post out with your arms so the partner cant roll you over. Step your lower leg over their stomach and pull it tight to get side mount.