[FIGHT] Strapple: Lessons 6-15 [Part 1]

The last couple of months of jiu-jitsu lessons have been rather a blur. To be frank, I've actually lost count of them. Nonetheless, there's no time like the present to jot down the little left remaining in my head.

Hip choke

One of a series of maneuvers you can employ when you have trouble getting a choke from the opponent's back. Get a grip on the collar to one side (here, your left hand on the opponent's right lapel), forearm over the bottom guy's throat; a totally tight seal is not necessary. Hop off the opponent's left side and take hold of the pant leg inside your opponent's right knee to prevent an escape. (In the alternative, slip your right hand under his torso to grip the material around his right wrist.) Rotate your base at the hips, as in kesa-gatame position, with your right leg thrust forward and left leg behind. Keep your butt off the ground and crawl forward, sitting your right hip on your opponent's upper left arm. If done correctly, the tap should come.

Side RNC

There are several attacks when the opponent is on all fours and you are to one side, say, his left. The first priority is to immobilize his left arm by trapping it between your legs. Then slip your left arm under his chin and grip your right bicep in typical RNC fashion, finishing by curling your hands into fists and leaning your chin into the back of the bottom guy's head if necessary.

Side straight armbar with legs

Very confusing, so nothing more than an incomplete, likely errant note here. From the same starting position as above in the side RNC, focus on the position of your legs. Bottom guy's left elbow should be pointed upward. Keep your pivot point (i.e., your crotch) higher up his arm, above his elbow. Your left leg crooks 90 degrees and crosses the pale part of his forearm. Your left ankle or foot meets the back of your right calf or knee. Optimally your right heel pushes on his left hand or palm to create more pressure. Lean your tummy into his elbow to complete the submission.

Half-Nelson collar choke

First, a word about a bad habit of mine. When I get over the back of a turtled opponent, I tend to sit straight onto his back and start looking for a submission. Even worse, I will often ride too far ahead on his back, making it difficult to stay balanced; if the turtle jerks back quickly, I end up with my hands sprawled forward and a very poor base. Masada-sensei's advice: If I can get the hooks in on a turtled opponent (keeping in mind that tugging on the turtle's back collar can sometimes create a world of space), then my goal should be to pull him back into a seated position, as I will have more opportunities and control if I play the koala.

One such opportunity is the half-Nelson collar choke. Assuming here that your left arm is free over his left shoulder and your right arm is caught under his right armpit, use your right hand to tug on his right lapel and feed a sweeter spot of his collar to your left hand. Once the left hand is deep, release the right hand grip and use your entire right arm to pull your opponent's bent right arm backwards; your right hand should move around the right side of his head all the way until it nears the base of his rear skull, thus suspending his right hand in mid-air somewhere directly behind his head. At the same time, your left hand should be doing the Pepsi bottle top motion, counter-clockwise and at all times with a firm grip. Very useful from a wide variety of positions and against many reactions, once you get comfortable with it.