Yana started training MMA/BJJ in Adelaide a couple of months ago. When I caught up with her on New Year's eve, I half jokingly said that if she was interested in a roll, to come and visit, for I have mats!!
And surprise, surprise, she turned up on New Year's day :-) She brought her mum (who came armed with a camera) and her boyfriend (who came armed with curiosity). Well, it transpired that she hadn't been to very many classes, never rolled yet, and was still hazy on some of the basic stuff.
I decided to just go over some of that basic stuff. Turns out the place she trains (I've forgotten the name, and I'm sorry for that) is a Will-Machado afilitate, so they do the same basic drills and things I'm used to. That made it easier.
So as much for the edification of the onlookers (who had never seen BJJ) as for Yana's benefit, we went over some very basic "Basics", ie: a drill that involves side control, mount, dismount, side control via north-south. It's all about the transitions and maintaining pressure. The other drill is the "keep the mount" drill where the top person goes from side control to mount. Then the bottom person tries to escape by bridging first and then rolling to their side. Top person has to keep the mount during the bridging and then transition to side mount, get seat belt grips and hooks in as the bottom person finally rolls over totally and the top person gets back control. The drill ends with the top person flattening the bottom person. A perfect position for a rear choke, of course.
We worked on the back choke for a bit. And then, just for a variation on that theme, I showed her a front choke from guard and turtle top. And that was all we had time for.
No rolling, but it was fun all the same. Here are some pictures :-)
Explaining some stuff before we started. I've no idea why I'm pointing my finger. But I know I have a bad habit of doing that when I work with horses, too ;-)
Explainig concept of guard passing. Notice concern on boyfriend's face. :-)))
Explaining knee through guard pass (as opposed to passing under the leg).
Yana practicing her front choke on me. No other volunteers ;-)
I'm really happy she has chosen BJJ and I think she'll enjoy it. Pity she lives in Adelaide. By the time she visits next time though, we'll be able to have a roll. I'm looking forward to it!
Was boyfriend at all tempted to join in rather than just watch? Would be cool if her mum fancied a go too. ;)
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't think he was ;-)
ReplyDeleteMum is my best friend. She has been watching me start BJJ and I talk to her about it more than anyone else. Although she is intrigued, I think I shall remain unsuccessful in talking her into it. She knows what it means to me and I think that some part of her would like to try, but she is 60 and I think she is scared of the physical hardships which come with BJJ.
She has seen me bruised and stiff too often, I guess. She tells me I must have masochistic tendencies ;-)
I'm not making excuses for her, I think she should at least try it. But I can see it's not her cup of tea. Sadly.
Hmm. In that case, you could try throwing some of the links I use in my FAQ at her, especially 70 year old Pete Griffiths and 61 year old black belt Lily Pagle. Then there is Tony Penny, a guy I used to train with who started when he was in his 80s.
ReplyDeleteI might just email her the link to this page. Maybe YOUR comments will help. The people you mention are an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping :-)
Let me know: would be very cool if that helped. I think Pete trains at the place I'll be training at for the next few months or longer (same instructor as in Wycombe, but I've now moved closer to his Aylesbury club), so perhaps I'll even be able to get him to do an article or something.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if Pete could do an article. I'd love to hear his take on things, because compared to him, I'm a spring chicken.
ReplyDeleteWellll, I did get tempted somehow, but taking into consideration that I can't even get up easily when sitting on the ground at my age (62), and being handicapped with bad elbows and sciatic etc., I don't think it's a good idea really. Will stick to my horsies...
ReplyDeleteYvonne
You'd be surprised: not only are there people like Pete and Tony who have taken up BJJ in their 70s and 80s, but there are people missing limbs who have done well too. E.g., this impressive lady who competed despite only having one leg. Or in the comparable sport of wrestling, this guy, who has stumps rather than limbs.
ReplyDeleteTo each their own, but I think it is definitely worth your while to give BJJ a try, particularly as you're lucky enough to have somebody like cy to practice with. ;)