Cyph

Hi TracyLou, I've had a brief experience with GKR - I didn't stay long because it was definitely a McDojo IMO and I wanted to resume more realistic training. Anyway, the people that come knocking on your door have a script they've memorised. They usually ask how old your child is and if they're around 5, they'll say they usually accept them at one year later than what they currently are, but can start them at the current age. The black belt with white stripe only means they're an instructor (or sempai I think is the term used?). If they're a black belt, they'll be wearing their black belt. One of GKR's aims is to increase the self-esteem and confidence within the children. However, if you want your son to be able to defend himself, I'd strongly reccommend you take him elsewhere, to a proper dojo. His current training will also give him bad habits that will be hard to break later on if he's to start another style. Have I changed your mind?

How about the hip throw? Assuming you have one overhook and one underhook on your opponent, this is always easy to achieve when you clinch. Grab their tricep on the side you have an overhook on and pull their arm down. Step around to the side you have the underhook on, keeping up CLOSE to them so they don't knee you in the groin and slide your arm around their waist. You should end up with their leg in the middle of your two legs. From here, bring your foot that's behind them in front of them and place your hips square in front of their and as close as possible to your opponent, then pull with the grip you have on their tricep and arm around their waist as you flip them over your hips. Extremely mechanically efficient move and should feel effortless doing it.

Hmm, one point that wasn't mentioned is the angle of the cut. As you grab their arm, post your foot on their hip so you can turn your hips and head towards them, you want to try and turn around so you're perendicular to their head, not facing them. The leg must go on the back of their neck, not on their shoulder. As you clamp the leg down on their neck, you should almost be able to get the tap from here before you even cross your leg over your ankle.

We do some greco wrestling, Judo (not much). If you consider no gi another 'grappling sport' I do a lot of that and some MMA. I cross train in boxing & muay thai as well.

I don't consider any of them to be the 'best'. They're all different. Wrestling has AWESOME take downs - I've been thrown around the room by wrestlers before, I just don't think anything compares to their takedowns. BJJ has excellent submissions which wrestling doesn't have - it doesn't have any. Sambo guys are excellent at leg locks, generally much better than your BJJ guys. As, Andrew Green said: Why restrict yourself to the methods and techniques of one style? Take what works I very much agree with this, this is what we're doing at the moment, we've got our boxing, muay thai, BJJ, greco, Judo. We take techniques from everywhere!

Nope, BJJ doesn't include strikes. However, you will find schools that do MMA (mixed martial arts) which is striking & grappling combined.

It's all about creating space between you and your opponent. When you're on top of someone, you want to be in nice & tight on them, so it's the opposite for escaping. Use the floor as your friend, it's there to help you. Shrimp your hips, buck your hips, don't let them get settled - push on their head/neck/hips, etc.

I love side back mount when the guy's turtled up, from here I can go into the crucifix and get a neck crank, choke or armbar. I can also get their back and go for a rear naked. I've got the clock choke I can work from here. You can also do some rolling armbars from here.