In regards to the striking techniques for the week…. The overhand punch is a unique one. Not a commonly thrown punch by any means, and some may even consider it to not be a fundamental punch either. The power behind the overhand though has serious knockout power, it’s the Hail Mary of punches if you will. As far as kicking goes, timing and connecting kicks back to back, or at the end of a combination is a fundamental part of striking that I think everyone should learn. Proper technique and delivery can have show stopping impact. 

Separation of sport jiu jitsu and self defense jiu jitsu is sometimes lost. The bully grip is hardly ever used in sport jiu jitsu for a kid. It is however the iconic bully grip and on a self defense level, learning to defeat this grip is super important. It then blends straight into a common sport jiu jitsu technique of the arm bar, a highly efficient technique used by many of the greats in the sport. 

In little kids, I love seeing it click when 1 technique ends, and you can see in their eyes, how it’s the start to another set up. Landing the bully grip takedown this week, a huge focus on making sure they don’t let go of that wrist, allows such an easy transition into the arm bar. 

After helping with a few competitions now, I definitely see the difference between competitive training and technical training. I think we can do more at ROL to help with competitive training, but that being said, I also think it is something that needs to be worked on at home, in all aspects of life. The competitive attitude, the ability to push through discomfort, adapt and overcome…. These are life skills. Jiu jitsu competition is going to help with putting them in those uncomfortable situations where they have to fight thru and sharpen those skills, but that isn’t where they learn it. Being a good training partner is someone who can push each other in a positive environment, but also dialing down to allow your partner to learn the move correct and with sound technique to execute it in competition. There is a balance between aggression and skill that needs to be found for every competitor. Speed and technique often complement power and strength. 

Pulling guard….. while it can sometimes get smack talked, it has its place and benefits. If someone isn’t comfortable in their takedowns, pulling guard allows a sense of control. You get safely to the ground and can control posture, before planning your own attack, at your own pace. 

I would say it’s a mixture of the 2 options for me. I feel like I try to bait my partner into an action, and then I react to that. 

Pulling guard. Lol

This is definitely a technique that I saw some of the kids could have benefited from in the competition. Especially when the opponent in guard leans back, take the momentum and use it against them. Great reversal. 

When I try a technique or move that I can typically always land, and the person I’m rolling with, shits it down like it’s my first day at the gym. So demoralizing. 

While we would hope that nobody makes the mistake to extend their arms from the bottom, it is great to see our kids recognize the opportunity to secure an arm, twist the hips, throw the leg over, and land an arm bar. I also love that for every attack technique shown to the kids, it also shows the defensive technique in a way for the training partner. Great training partners make for great jiu jitsu.