Omoplata Counter To Armlock Escape.

It's always a good idea to practice linking two techniques together. This way you will be able to perform combinations very fluidly and on the spur of the moment.
The Omoplata is the perfect counter to an Armlock Escape. So practicing linking an Armlock and, if the opponent escapes, flowing to an Omoplata works very effectively.




As we can see in this detailed video of the application stage of the armlock performed by Rodrigo Gracie. Imagine blue countering by pushing on white's leg that is closer to blue's head. Pushing the leg over his head.
Now blue rises up to escape and white continues the momentum spinning while passing his leg over blue's arm (that white should still be holding) while reaching over the lower back of blue to secure the Omoplata.

Next time we'll be looking at a different Armlock Escape and the Omoplata Counter.

Basic Armlock Escape.

Let's take a look at this basic armlock escape shown here from Dave Camarillo.





Ok, now to be able to really perform well in Jiujitsu, you have to be able to think several moves ahead. Let's look at how we can immediately counter this basic armlock escape.
The Omoplata is the perfect counter to an armlock escape and there are several armlock escapes that it applies very well to.
If you watch carefully there is a spot where Mr. Camarillo (in white) has successfully begun to counter the armlock once his arms are properly placed and he has stacked his opponent.
It is at this precise spot that his opponent can choose to abandon his armlock and move into omoplata the timing has to be precise though.
As soon as he lets go of whites arm with his hands, he needs to grab the other arm and use his leg to force white to roll slightly forward to free up some space to get his hips out.
Once they have moved forward and blue's hips are out, he can reach over and grab white's belt or waist to prevent him from rolling forward.
He then secures the submission by leaning forward himself into his opponent, finalizing the submission.
Later on this week I'll be discussing more on the Omoplata countering an Armlock escape.

Countering Your Instincts in Jiujitsu.

This might sound strange but being able to go against your instincts is a necessary part of becoming a capable grappler.
Jiujitsu itself was developed as an art that naturally applies itself against your opponents natural reactions.
The positions and the counters and submissions that come out of these positions were all designed to follow your opponents instinctive reactions and use them against him.
Mount anyone who has no experience and his initial response will be to push you off extending his arms and leaving them open to an armlock or to turn and give you his back exposing himself to a choke.
Get someone in a triangle choke and instinctively they will look down and bend forward moving further into the choke to avoid the pressure. To counter this technique they would need to do the opposite and go against their instincts by looking up and raising themselves away from the choke, but unless someone has practiced this they will never instinctively understand it.
This counter intuitive tactic can be used in your offense and defensive tactics.
Only through consistent practice can you develop the skills to counter your instincts and become more aware in your training.

The 2 Technique Principle.

The 2 Technique Principle is probably the fastest teaching method I've ever seen for beginners to become functional grapplers.
The teaching of 2 particularly relevant techniques at a time, along with a unique way of breaking down their application during sparring, always brings the benefits of:
-Quicker reaction time when needed.
-Proper choice of moves when they are called for.
-A beginning student becoming more functional with the few moves they've mastered as opposed to being overwhelmed.
-Better usage of actual technique and better timing in execution.

Instructors who use this method always find their classes are more productive and students retain the lessons better and can actually USE the material ALOT faster.
This makes for more satisfied students too as they enjoy their training more when they see faster, more consistent progress.

Due to the demand I've been receiving by those who have been exposed to this approach, I'm in the process of putting together a DVD that shows the 2 Technique principle in action. It's been shown to take total beginners with a month of training to where grapplers who have been training for a year are, in 2 months!


I'll be going more in depth on this approach in the coming weeks.

Just a Quick Message...

Well actually a quote I'd like to share that I think about often before I train.

"You only advance when you push past your comfort level."

Think about this carefully.
Do you think it's possible to take your Jiujitsu skills to a higher level if you don't push past what you're comfortable with?
Do you think it's possible to improve ANY skill without pushing past what your comfortable with?
I'm not talking about taking a huge leap past what your comfortable with because in Jiujitsu that could end up being dangerous and could get you injured.
What I'm talking about are subtle small increments of pushing past what you regularly do.
It's a good habit to get into thinking about this everytime you go train.
It's also a good idea to write this quote down somewhere you'll see it before training. It could be in your car on your way to training, or like me you can write it on your Gi!

A Great Basic Reversal.

Here is a great basic reversal from the Guard that can be used in what I like to call a Fork. A Fork is a move that can set up a second move if the opponent successfully resists your move.
The way to set it up off this reversal is if the opponent manages to get his arm back as you are trapping it by his tricep. Imagine he gets it free and posts it on the ground creating a base so you can't reverse him.
Now you can use his resistance to set up a Kimura from the Guard.
The hand you have on the ground will grab his wrist on his basing hand and your hand that is on his tricep will continue around his tricep and grab your own wrist to finish the kimura.
Basically you will go from the move above and if it's countered will continue on to the move below.

The Path To The Black Belt; All I Can Say Is WOW!

Well actually I can and should say ALOT more.

I recently finished reading through this book written by Rodrigo Gracie and Kid Peligro. I think I'll be wearing this copy out in no time as I can see myself returning to it over and over again.
Basically this is an overview of everything that is taught on the way to Black belt.
The great thing about it is that not only techniques are covered but many different topics like how to protect yourself during training and prevent injuries. How to train correctly. Preparing strategy. Learning and retaining single techniques
and even how to select the best techniques for you, on top of all the techniques and drills.
This book makes for THE training manual to own to supplement your training and help keep you focused.
The sections on solo and partner drills are the most complete I've ever seen.
The details provided in the tips on positions and submissions are the most detailed I've seen in a book showing many examples of incorrect ways to apply the techniques as well as the correct ones and clearly explaining the reasons for the subtle differences.
Although no book is a substitute for an instructor, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Path to the Black Belt is the first book that I would recommend as a supplement to training.

Get Ready For A Wild Ride!

This blog will feature tons of information on the techniques and strategies used in Jiujitsu. Feel free to subscribe to receive the blog through email. There will be video footage, as well as features on Gi and No Gi techniques.
I'm working hard to make Jiujitsu Universe THE place for grappling info on the net. Check back often as new info will go up almost daily.