Just for Fun: Technique Video

I haven't posted on this blog in a while. My inclination has been to only post when I have something rather detailed and particular that I want to write about at length, but a friend pointed out that too long a break could give people the impression that the blog has been abandoned. So, I'm going to try something new. Rather than infrequently post only big pieces of writing, I'm going to start sharing videos of techniques and concepts I think are fun, along with a little written description. Most of the videos (like the ones in this post) will likely be recordings from classes I coach. My goal will be to put out about one video-centric post a month. We'll see how that goes.

First up, controlling from the lapel with the corkscrew punch:

This is a pretty basic lapel pressure that I've found creates a good postural advantage and can be a useful landmark in the grip fight on the feet.

Now, here are a few roads to set it up:

I'm a sucker for versatility. Not everybody trains Jiu-jitsu for self-defense, and not everybody trains Jiu-jitsu for sport competition. When I find something that works for both, I'm happy.

For most of an hour I coached basic control from the corkscrew punch position, contingencies against likely counters, and a few high percentage takedowns. It's stuff that I think works in either context...I'm not posting video of that stuff today.

The point of this blog post, at least in my head, is to share something fun. Something a little flashy. Something that fits firmly into the category of techniques that are optional. So, with that in mind, here's something I've been doing for fun lately:

When this works it's great, but I wouldn't call it the highest percentage route and I probably wouldn't recommend it in a fight. This is a road I take simply because it's fun.