Half Guard from Turtle Transition

[tallgeese]

This week, our group focused on dealing with back mount, particularly from the Turtle Position. Here, we break down a bit of fundamental structure, how that plays into setting up the technique, and the transition from turtle to half guard. It ties in with last weeks video very well.

Check it out and feel free to discuss from any point of view you'd like. Comments, criticisms, and questions are always welcome.

[sensei8]

Excellent tutorial, as always!! Can't control what you can't grab!!

You're poor gi top; it's been someone's lunch, Alex!

[tallgeese]

Excellent tutorial, as always!! Can't control what you can't grab!!

You're poor gi top; it's been someone's lunch, Alex!

It's got some miles. I shredded out a Lucky gi last year and had to retire it, followed by my blue Spartan gi that finally lost an arm that wouldn't sew back early this year. I'm not sure how many miles the OTM has left. Add to that a Combat Corner that shrunk (really irritating since it's only a year old) but still wearable and I'm starting to run thin. Almost time to start ordering again.

[sensei8]

I always thought that Judo/BJJ gi tops were tougher than though. Although, doing BJJ isn't kind to gi's seeing that you're on the mat all the time rolling; things tend to wear out faster, I suppose!

[tallgeese]

They are typically way thicker, although there are varying degrees of weave even within grappling gis. Still, as you say, there is CONSTANT stress on them. That particular gi top is in the neighborhood of 8 years old, but it's not in my day to day rotation. It's probably got 3-4 years of hard use on it.

[bushido_man96]

Nice rundown, especially with getting out of a bad position. And I like how you are always pressing about moving up the "positional ladder." Its just not enough to say, "don't get caught in this position," because its going to happen. Great stuff, Alex.

[sensei8]

Nice rundown, especially with getting out of a bad position. And I like how you are always pressing about moving up the "positional ladder." Its just not enough to say, "don't get caught in this position," because its going to happen. Great stuff, Alex.

I wholeheartedly concur!!

In BJJ, is it a good thing or a bad thing to be always moving? I ask that because we're taught that it's a bad thing to always be moving for the simple reason that...

"Each time you move, you open up other possibilities to your opponent to capitalize upon; don't be moving just to be moving: have consciousness while moving" ~Dai-Soke

[bushido_man96]

Nice rundown, especially with getting out of a bad position. And I like how you are always pressing about moving up the "positional ladder." Its just not enough to say, "don't get caught in this position," because its going to happen. Great stuff, Alex.

I wholeheartedly concur!!

In BJJ, is it a good thing or a bad thing to be always moving? I ask that because we're taught that it's a bad thing to always be moving for the simple reason that...

"Each time you move, you open up other possibilities to your opponent to capitalize upon; don't be moving just to be moving: have consciousness while moving" ~Dai-Soke

I'd say its always good to be moving, but you have to move with purposes. Like fighting on your feet, if you stop moving, you become a statue for someone to spool up on. Especially if you are trying to improve position, which is paramount. Once you obtain a position of dominance, the other person will likely try to move out of it, so you have to move to keep position.

[sensei8]

Nice rundown, especially with getting out of a bad position. And I like how you are always pressing about moving up the "positional ladder." Its just not enough to say, "don't get caught in this position," because its going to happen. Great stuff, Alex.

I wholeheartedly concur!!

In BJJ, is it a good thing or a bad thing to be always moving? I ask that because we're taught that it's a bad thing to always be moving for the simple reason that...

"Each time you move, you open up other possibilities to your opponent to capitalize upon; don't be moving just to be moving: have consciousness while moving" ~Dai-Soke

I'd say its always good to be moving, but you have to move with purposes. Like fighting on your feet, if you stop moving, you become a statue for someone to spool up on. Especially if you are trying to improve position, which is paramount. Once you obtain a position of dominance, the other person will likely try to move out of it, so you have to move to keep position.

I agree! After all, move this way or that way with no rhyme or reason, you might work right into a rear naked choke hold, or one of the other fun submissions...fun for your opponent, but not for yourself.

[tallgeese]

Brian hit the nail on the head. It's movement for a purpose. It's not always huge movement, it might be a minute adjustment that is critical.

I always talk to people about the difference between a scramble for position and technique. A scramble occurs when an opportunity presents itself outside the bounds of routinely accepted positions. It's just that, a scramble to find the better position with both parties jockeying for position. I've heard instructors, good instructors, talk about techniques that "lead to a scramble."

With respect, I think this is lacking. However, technical transition occurs when the same opportunity presents, but you know and understand the principles of the art and have an intuitive understanding of connection, reading, and timing that allow you to guide that motion to your desired outcome.

Scrambles will almost always go to the individual with a higher degree of speed, athleticism, and/or strength. Technical transitions will go to the individual who has laid the foundation of not just technique (the starting point) but also conceptualized learning and UNDERSTANDING of the "why" of the art.

I'm rarely the strongest, fastest, or most athletic individual on the mat. Therefore, I always strive to build the best technical transition I can.

This, to me, is the difference between movement with purpose and just aimless movement.