Marcelo Garcia is my grappling idol. If you don’t already know, Marcelo is amazing at taking the back and submitting guys. With most guys you’ve got a fighting chance if they get the back, you’ve got maybe 30-50% of pulling out of it depending – but with Marcelo, it’s like 10%.
Here’s three videos of Garcia rolling around with some guys after a seminar. Take a look at how easily he goes to the back – I’ll be posting about it in detail in the future. In two cases, he does this step-over move, swinging his leg. The other time he goes to the back when the other guy is trying a hands on hip/ shrimping escape.
Of course, he instantaneously goes to a choke, too.
For the above, it’s important to get your hips under your opponent’s center of gravity. Your knees should be bent, your butt pushing right up into the hips. To pick him up, you straighten your legs and NOT lift with your back. You need to lift him up, getting his center of gravity disconnected from the ground.
Leg Lifter
For this one, it still hold true from the first video – lift his center of gravity, but you are now doing it with your leg. This move requires some grace that only comes through practice.
Combo Example
You see a lot of stuff going on here – good overhook control and a fine attempt at the leg lifter throw. When it doesn’t quite takedown the opponent, Nogueira hits him with an ankle pick and sends him to the ground. Also of note, watch how quickly Nogueira moves into side control. Get in the habit of always pushing for side control the moment your takedowns are initiated. Never hang out after you hit the mat, you’ll get sucked into your opponents guard.
The University of Utah has two Jujitsu classes taught twice a week in the mornings. The class number us ESSF 1420, sections one and two. See this page at the university web site for details. The focus for this semester will be mastery of the fundamentals. I’m expecting all levels of students to acquire a firm, usable Jujitsu toolbox of the basic moves. Hopefully, students will be able to perform these moves under heavy stress and resistance because their technical mastery is so good.
Unfortunately, mentor and friend, Sensei Jorge will be moving down to California to take care of his aging parents. I have the utmost respect for a man who puts family first. I’m sad to see him go, and wish the best for him. He will be missed.
However, Sensei Jorge has instructed me to take over the classes, so there will be no change in terms of times and dates. I’ve been preparing a lot of new things for students, to make these classes even more exciting and informative. As always, keep checking SLC MMA for techniques and videos to improve your skills. I am honored to be allowed to teach and train with you.
Going for a clinch and an upper-body throw is fundamental MMA. Sometimes you can’t shoot in for leg takedowns – maybe your opponent is a great sprawler or has such a reach advantage on you that you can never quite make it into shooting distance (rule of thumb, if you can’t punch him, you can’t successfully shoot in for a takedown).
Here are a few vids on taking your opponent to the ground.
There is a reason you see a lot of guys in MMA with strong collegiate wrestling backgrounds. Taking a fight to the ground is an essential skill. Here’s some good info on how to get it done via the double leg takedown.
The Classic
A few pointers:
Drop your level by bending the knees, not bending at the waist.
Keep the curve in the small of your back, and drive the takedown with your legs.
Once you’ve shot in deep and have control, “cut the corner” – push his weight back and around his back leg (like a door swiveling open)
Let your weight slam into him
Wrestle into side control
Double Leg Slam
Here’s a nice animation from the show Human Weapon that illustrates a more athletic, lift and slam variation double leg. Matt Hughes comes to mind. Also, it’s got two extra moves in the vid too – icing on the cake.
A few pointers:
Keep your head glued to his body – you don’t want an arm sneaking down an attempting a choke
Make sure to get his center of gravity disconnected from the ground while lifting him up
Get at least one leg totally off the ground before you start to “cut the corner”
Double Leg with Sweep Assist
This is a great variation if your opponent is good at sprawling.