Sitting here watching the DVR'd Canucks-Kings game ... Vancouver just went up 1-0 ...
Good training today. Since it was Friday, we reviewed the techniques from the week. On the self defense front we worked defenses against the front bear hug over the arms. Here you block the hips, sprawl back a bit, get an over/under and work toward the back before stepping back in front with the hip throw.
What made the technique different were two finishes: a farside armbar off a knee on belly and a choke,
We more on chokes, as well as armbars, from the mount. Some of the details about the choke: turning your palm up on your initial choking hand after you secure the grip and then bringing your elbow down so that your forearm is flat against the guy's chest - were really worth knowing. Also on this tip was the idea of spreading your knees a bit and lowering your stomach down as you squeeze (WRISTS!) the choke.
On the armlock from the mount, one detail that was especially worth remembering is that you want to isolate the shoulder first. That is what gives you access to the arm. You don't just grab the arm out of midair. You block the shoulder, which makes it impossible for the arm to get away.
A nice trick on the keylock from mount: Pressure the opposite arm (ideally the one on the bottom if the guy is doing the "deadman's defense") and move up high under that side's armpit as if working for the armbar. Then slide your grip down the lower arm and push the other arm to the mat, putting your elbow in the ear, as you go for the americana.
Some good specific work with Lance and Connor, but no real sparring today which was too bad. I'm still not transitioning to some of my preferred open guards when guys go to standing (i.e., shin guard, cross guard, x-guard), and that's something I really need to focus on over the next month or so.
Fortunately, I've got a pathway in the flow chart that tells me exactly what to do against standing passes. I've just got to learn it and follow it.
