2. NOVICE KNOWLEDGE - THE FLOOR IS LAVA!!

Posted by on

Last week we spoke about the importance of posture and the subsequent consequences with a lack of having a "Gorilla back". Throughout your BJJ journey you will undoubtedly find yourself with your posture broken and your opponents sticking themselves to you like wrapping paper.
However, there is one "no-no" that is universally understood in ground fighting and that is the dreaded hand on the mat in your opponents guard.

If your hand is on the mat when in the guard, you have told your opponent you have no postural control and that your centre of gravity has been compromised so much that you need to use your arm/s as table legs so that you don't tip over.

Remember from last weeks beginner FAQ'S?

"If they can tip you, they can sweep you. If they can sweep you, they can tap you."???

Well, you have already been tipped so much that without posting a hand on the mat for control you are face down in your opponents chest, or face up after being swept. Your only point of call here is to post just long enough so that you can reset your posture and reclaim your centre of gravity.



A hand on the mat is a hand in danger of *takes deep breath*
Kimuras, Omoplatas, Armbars, Triangles, Guillotines, Hip Bump Sweeps, Scissor Sweeps, Flower Sweeps, Arm Drags..... You name it really....
And none of it is good unless you really, really want to train your defence and escapes because, like it or not, you will be in a disadvantageous position 99 times out of 10.

The correct procedure is to keep your hands on your opponent's hips if possible which creates structurally sound frames that reinforce your Gorilla posture, or failing that anywhere you opponent cannot form grips on you (biceps etc).



If you're reading this and you have trouble getting into positions for submissions or sweeps, get that opponents hand on the mat double time!!

As always, go fourth with the confidence of King Kong and always remember the floor is lava.

 

Jake Anderson

← Older Post Newer Post →



Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published