Submissions (diary entry)

General Lesson

At the request of students we focused on basic submissions today. These were performed from different pins. Before applying the submissions we went through controlling the person underneath whilst transitioning through the pin.We then looked at the Americana from side control and full mount, and the Kimura from northsouth. After going through the details of the set-up and correct execution, we drilled repetitions of each submission before putting them on.

The lesson finished with some submission sparring.

Private Lesson

This lesson took the diversion off the self-defence path into grappling and submissions. We began with an intense cardiovascular warm-up. It was pointed out how important it was for an individual to become accustomed to being able to act when their body was under pressure or stress.

Grappling continued from the arm-drag taught in the previous lesson. Both my clients retained most of the information taught and we were able to look at adaptations for taking the back. This included getting the underhook and dealing with a much taller attacker. We then took this to the ground and used the butterfly guard to get the back position. This was followed with pressure tests to attack and defend the back followed by free-sparring from the knees.

If a self-defence student learns nothing else from grappling other than than the choke/stranglehold they will, at least, get experienced in what it feels like to be grappled. Grappling is default unarmed tactic for human beings and many instances will deteroriate to grappling range if the incident is not avoided or, if this is not possible, thrwarted using a pre-emptive strike. Learning not to panic when being grappled will better aid you in accessing anti-grappling and striking methods.