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The Triangle Choke and Agile Development

I am a software developer.  We use SCRUM as our agile development methodology.  I hope I have not lost your interest already.  A Retrospective meeting is used to look back on our last period of work and think over what went well and what we could improve on.  I realized the agile development process can be applied to more then software development last week after Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class.  I was thinking about how I done in class trying to get the Triangle choke.  I realized I was starting to hold my own Retrospective.  Here are the results of it:

Triangle Choke

What did I do well?

  • I remembered to shoulder walk
  • I pulled him down with my legs and broke his posture
  • I remembered to hold the back of his head
  • I remembered the steps. I threatened the triangle and then tried to lock.
  • I grabbed my shin and not my ankle.

What could I have done better?

  • I forgot to frame when he stacked me.
  • While holding his head I should have tried to lock faster or used both hands to control the head.
  • I could not get the lock quite on and tried prematurely to get the angle.

We each I think do some kind of evaluation of your efforts in training.  Some of us have our own tried and tested methods that have paid off.  Some of are learning to organize and work out systems for improvement.  I thought I would share this simple example of a Retrospective to help those who are looking for a methodology.

After you roll or whatever you are doing that you want to improve on follow these steps: 

  1. Find a place you can think without interruption.
  2. With your pad and pencil write at the top “What did I do well?” and about half way down “What could I have done better?”.
  3. Start filling them out as you replay in your mind what you have done keeping these questions in mind.

When you are done you will have or should have clear goals or concepts to act on.  After your next roll, lesson, or whatever it may be that you used your action plan in, hold another Retrospective with yourself.  It is part of continual improvement.  Do not be to hard on yourself.  Look for improvement not perfection instantly.  Your continued steady improvement will lead to mastery of the submission, sweep, or escape you are working on.

Jiu-Jitsu is Life and Life is Jiu-Jitsu

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Gi Cross Choke from Closed Guard

Gi Cross Choke from Closed Guard

I edited this video and it didn’t come out very good.  It had some talking that wasn’t part of the technique.  It still gives enough detail you can figure out what to do.  This was taught by Chris in the advance class on Monday.  I found with some repetition you can really whip this one on quickly.  Everyone knows you are going to try something when you pull the gi out.  I don’t know if I would try and pull the gi out.  During a roll it will come out it self.  When you pull the guy down as Chris shows there is a moment where he feels safe against you and doesn’t realize you are going to loop the gi over his head.  I am going to try focusing their attention on you grapping the collar.  You grab the lose gi at the same time.  Then you pull them down to loop the gi over for the submission.  All this with your guard still closed.  I like this better then the traditional cross choke.  It isn’t as easy to get both hands into a defended collar.  They also see it coming as you try and work both hands in.  This is a bit sneaker way of getting the same choke.

Jiu-Jitsu is Life and Life is Jiu-Jitsu

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Triangle Every Which Way But Loose!

I have to say that the Triangle Choke is in the top 10 of my favorite submission techniques.  I have been searching high and low for a copy of Rigan Machado’s book and DVD titled "Triangle".  While searching I came across this awesome demonstration of the Triangle Choke by Rigan.

Rigan Machado – Triangle Choke

You have to admire his technique.  I never thought of folding the leg over the arm to pass it.  He is as smooth as silk.  Then the spin to Triangle, wow!  To look at him you might wonder if he is in adequate physical shape and then you see him move.  He is a true master.  I like how he uses his leg to move the arm forward.  He knows how to use technique instead of brute force.  The other night I had a guy set up for a Triangle Choke but I couldn’t get the arm forward.  I wish I had seen this before hand.  I’ll work on it and maybe next time, eh?!

If anyone knows where I might buy a copy of the Triangle book and DVD please let me know.  I hear it is really good.

Jiu-Jitsu is Life and Life is Jiu-Jitsu.

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