BJJ Norcal

Once again Matt has provided some really good insight into progressing in BJJ.  In his most recent article, he talks about an approach to improving the understanding of BJJ.  His process is as follows:

1- Make a list of all the core fundamental positions within BJJ.
2- Determine what the top 3 to 5 things (major points, principles, concepts) are as it relates to holding that position. And ask yourself why those are the 3-5 things.
3- Determine what the top 3 to 5* things (major points, principles, concepts) are as it relates to escaping that position. And ask yourself why those are the 3-5 things. *(I seldom go above 5 because it's usually over complex if I do so)
4- Determine the order in which those 3-5 things arise naturally during a competitive roll. And ask yourself why those 3-5 things occur in that order.
5- Create a drill to develop the top 3-5 habits in an Alive environment.” - from article

I completed the task for mount....

Mount: Top

    * Holding Position
         1. Knees Tight to...limit their hip movement.
         2. Strip Grips/Hands or threaten attack to...free my hips and knees to climb.
         3. Knees High to...take their hips out of the game and open elbows for attack.
         4. Grab head, drive shoulder, off balance to...limit their escapes (both), distract attention, set up arm triangles.
    * Order During a Roll:
          o 1, 2, 3, 4.
          o When taking mount, I immediately clamp my knees.  Typically, they are beginning to block the climb with their hands/elbows.  Then I will feign a choke or strip the hands and climb the knees high once their is space.  Once high on their body, if I really want to secure the position, I will grab the head, apply shoulder pressure and weight to the open side heavily.  I should note, that grabbing the head never happens before I climb the knees, I just feel too stretched out and offbalance (ie vulnerable to an elbow escape).  Also of note is that the wrapped head position limits the attacking options a bit, but provides a very stable position.    From there I am usually going for an arm triangle or ezekial.
    * Drills:
          o Start mounted with knees high.  Try to hold position.  Bottom guy works to get elbows to the mat and frame on hips.  Top guy works to maintain position and wrap head if possible.  If either succeed, reset.
          o Start mounted with elbows on mat and frame in place.  Top guy works to remove the frame and climb.  Bottom guy works to maintain the position.
          o Start in side control.  Knee slide or hip switch to mount.  Once in mount top guy works to climb and wrap head, bottom guy works to frame and get good posture.
          o Repeat any of the above and add goal of escape for bottom and goal of submission for top.


Mount: Bottom

    * Escaping:
         1. Elbows to the mat to...limit their climb and minimize options to attack the arms.
         2. Frame their hips to...stop their hips from advancing.
         3. One leg flat/bladed hips to...offbalance them, stop them from crossing their feet, and creating a path for the knee to escape out.
         4. Head pressed to mat to...stop them from grabbing your head while reminding you not to turn torso to the side.
    * Order During a Roll:
          o 1,4, 2, 3.
          o When mounted, the immediate reaction must be elbows to the mat.  I also try to drive my head to the mat and frame their hips at the same time.  These are what I would tie to Matt's concept of "visceral" reactions.  I place the "one leg flat" response as last since it depends on my escape route.  If I am going for am elbow escape I need that, but it is less important than stopping their hip from advancing since I can survive longer with a leg up than their knees up.  I would also say that if I was to go for an upa, I would not flatten a leg, but instead bring my toes to my butt for maximum drive.
    * Drills
          o See Mount Top.


This exercise helped me to gain some clarity into my mount game and more importantly, reminded me of the fundamentals of mount.   Knowing this helps me to structure classes more effectively rather than showing a few techniques.  The focus is on drilling these core concepts and then exposure to other ideas for the position.

See you on the mat.