chokes and teaching

Monday night we had a medium sized class with lots of beginners. With people away, one of the blue belts was taking the class and I was the next most senior person present, so I was the honorary grappling demo dummy again (that seems to happen often lately).

We went over a couple of chokes from guard. One was what I'd call a box choke. Say I have my right hand deep in their right collar and I break my partner down. I can bring the left arm across the back of his head, grab the material of my gi near my right elbow and push my right elbow up while pulling the left elbow down. Sounds almost too simple to work. I don't think it would work on a savvy opponent, but being a trachea choke, it comes on pretty quick, so if they were pulled down hard and didn't notice what you are up to until it's on, it might work. Interesting alternative to a cross lapel choke.

Next one was in fact a cross lapel choke, but with a different setup. Starting again with my right hand well inside his collar, I push off with my left foot on his right hip and swivel my upper body to my right, bringing my right leg across his back. Basically, I threaten an armbar or sweep. As he pushes back into me, I wing up my right elbow under his chin and grab a bit of gi material on his left shoulder with my left hand. Proceed to cross lapel choke. This could also work with my left hand reaching over my right, if he happened to not tuck his chin.

I think this one is good, I'll give it a try.

The third choke was from back control. Actually, I'm not sure what it's called. Could be a clock choke? If I'm behind my partner, hooks in, and a seat belt grip with my right arm over his shoulder and my left arm under his left arm, I insert my right hand into his left collar. I can use my left hand to open it up so I get my right hand nice and deep. Then I grab the right collar about half way down his chest with my left hand. The left holds or pulls down slightly, the right arm pulls the left collar tight around his neck in a clockwise fashion. I can also bend my wrist towards his feet, to bring the bony part of my wrist (thumb side) into his windpipe harder.

I was working with a brand new guy, it was only his second class, so I spent a lot of time talking him through stuff. He hadn't seen full guard once, and back control never. That made it a bit entertaining, but we managed ok.

For the second half of the class, I was handed the two newbies to take them through the keep the mount drill. However, as they were unfamilar with all positions bar closed guard and back control, I showed them long base side control, mount and transitions first, also what to look out for when on the bottom. I think we actually got through the whole drill once by the time the class was over.

So it was a sort of quiet and low energy class for me. In some ways I didn't mind.

It was funny to watch the two guys. They both tried very hard but couldn't help look longingly when the others started to wrestle. I laughed and said they need to learn to crawl before they can run, and if they were let loose with those guys, they'd get mauled and have their arms ripped out :-))). But I promised they'll soon be rolling if they get their basics happening.