I was watching Jesse the Purple during the King of the Guard drills on Saturday. I was sort of surprised to watch him do the basic, Gracie Barra standing guard pass. It's just another reminder that the basics are called "the basics" for a reason: they work.
I need to simplify my game over the next three weeks going into the tournament at the end of the month. One main guard pass. One main finish from on top. One main escape from side control. One main attack/sweep series from the guard. One main takedown. One main finish from the back. One main escape from the back.
The best way to get good quickly is to become master of a few techniques, as I've said before. That will allow you to compete against guys who are much better than you overall, and allow you to improve on other parts of your game at the same time. In other words, because opponents will have to "double team" your best techniques, your other lesser techniques will more open.
So, those six things: guard pass/guard attack-sweep series, finish from top/escape from side control, escape from rear mount/finish from back ... Pick just one technique to respond to each situation, and practice, practice, practice ...
Here's the current Cliff Notes version of the Q3 06 gameplan:
Guard Pass: Cuff, collar, stand on cuff side first, turn sideways and press knee on cuff side as you step back
Guard Attack/Sweep Series: Crossover sweep/omoplata OR spider guard triangle/omoplata/sweep
Escape from Side Control: THROAT, SWIM, WALK, FLAT, PULL, BOOM!
Finish from Top: Side control to mount or S-mount with collar choke/armbar finish OR keylock/armbar finish
Escape from Back: Protect the Neck, then DUCK, SHUCK, SPIN IN
Finish from the Back: Winding choke with collar and half nelson
