Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tip, Tricks, and Secrets
My last post Scissor Sweep and Arm Bar from Guard covered most of what we did in class Wednesday. Here are the variation on the Scissor Sweep and how to do it for Nogi. As Rich notes in most cases you will use the leg push with the Scissor Sweep because your opponent has good base.
Thanks Rich and Blake for letting me post you in action.
Jiu-Jitsu is Life and Life is Jiu-Jitsu
Magic Monday is the advanced class at West Side Jiu-Jitsu. We always have a good time learning something new. It became known as "Magic Monday" for all the the sweet techniques Chris teaches. This week we went over two sweeps from De La Riva Guard. As you can see here I got some nice footage of the De La Riva to Tomoe-Nage sweep (Shown in Jiu-Jitsu University
What I like about this technique is it doesn’t feel like a over head sweep like the Tomoe-Nage is coming. With the left leg, in this case, wrapped around the opponents leg, it doesn’t feel like you could chuck them over you.
The other thing I like about it is it doesn’t let the opponent flail about. When you do a Balloon Sweep, sometimes people freak out and kick their legs about. This just hurts them when they strike something or fall funny. It also messes up my Balloon Sweep because I’m afraid they are going to hurt both of us. If I didn’t care about my training partner I could just send them sailing to . . . you get the idea.
Jiu-Jitsu is Life and Life is Jiu-Jitsu
One of the techniques that was brought back from the 2010 Pan Am was a sweep. I don’t have a name for it so I’m calling it the 2010 Pan Am Sweep.
Here it is demonstrated by Miles (who competed in the Pan Am) and Chris. Like I always say, a picture is worth a thousand words. I’m not sure what is ever "new" in BJJ. I think a lot is rediscovered. What ever the case it is new to me. Techniques continues to evolve and revolve in BJJ. Going to a big tournament like the Pan Am gives you exposure to it all.
One of the things I like about this sweep is soliciting the reaction you want. When the arm is pushed down and the leg pushes you toward your trapped arm you feel like your base is gone. You push back against the leg and add force to the sweep. This is another fine example of BJJ’s principal of using technique not muscle and of using your opponents force against him.
I also might point out this is a Half Guard Sweep. I think it might come in handy if I fail a Spider Guard Sweep. I’ll have to experiment with it.
Jiu-Jitsu is Life and Life is Jiu-Jitsu
This has got to be one of the most fun Jiu-Jitsu sweeps even for the guy being swept. I know in reality you could slam someone to the ground with it and cause serious damage. But we don’t want to hurt our training partner as Conan talked about in his latest post entitled "Injuries". In the two videos I am wearing my red Atama Mundial #5. I am swept by my instructor Mark Johnson and I then sweep Brad, a fellow student. Keep in mind this is the first time I’ve done this. But at the same time my mistakes I think will help you see how to improve your Balloon Sweep. I am sorry some of the sound quality isn’t the best.
Having the power to lift the person and balance them isn’t hard as long as you position them correctly. Notice how I don’t get the positioning right. I weigh 208.5 lb right now. Mark sweeps me like a rag doll. Brad weighs less them me. I have trouble getting my legs straightened. With practice I’ll get it, I know, but the video does do a good job of illustrating difficulties you may face too.