Sinking hooks

[yamadin]

Dear Burton,  often position that I face whenever I grapple is when the person went into a turtle position. this can happen after a snap down from the plumm, when I sprawl or when the partner escape from side control into the turtle position. getting to his side into a knee ride position I usually get by getting the over head and arm position.

From there, I grab his tricep, then move into a side ride.  What I want to find out is how to sink my hooks inside his thighs. See if I wear a Gi,I can sit on his lower back where my feet glue to his thigh. From there, one hadn grab his collar, the other the belt/pant, then as I pull/jerk him up, my hooks usually go in then I got his back.

How to do this No Gi? thanks

[Burton]

If your grip is tight, over shoulder, under arm, try rolling him back to you (push, pull) or tumbling over and putting the hooks in.  If he stays balled up, there is a type of choke that you can do without the hooks.  I put it on a recent monthly video, and it has been working well.  
   Leo Vierra gets to the back, bear hugs under both arms, puts his head on the ground next to the opponent's head, then flips forward into a bridge.  This very athletic move ends up with the opponent either tumbling forward, where you might be able to put in hooks, or he extends his legs back to keep from being tumbled.  Leo then flips back and inserts hooks.  I have done it, and it is actually a bit easier than it seems.   Aloha!

[yamadin]

Thanks for the info Burt, I'll try that. It makes sense though. I remember that I always have to grip it tight so when I roll and he rolls with me I can sink them. The Leo style is kind of scary, but I haven't tried it so I dont know. I just learned how to bride with my head and neck for exercise. I still support them with my hands, so I don't know about that. Is there any exercise I should do before trying Leo's technique?

Also in your Baret instructional, I saw Baret sunk his hooks without salto. But, I couldn's see what he did cause he did it in sparring and very fast. since you train with him. Do you know whar he did when he spar your students? thanks

[Burton]

Baret usually does the push, pull, or he tumbles over the head with a tight grip.
   Doing the bridge while holding an opponent is actually easier than doing it as an exercise without anyone to balance on.  Work your bridge for a month or so before trying with a partner.

[Jeff Rockwell]

Agreed on the Leo Veirra method: not as hard as it initially seems, and actually pretty hard to stop once you get it down.

[Burton]

For those who don't know, Jeff is an outstanding grappler.  He is a NAGA World's Champion.   Thanks for the advice Jeff.

[yamadin]

Dear Jeff, are you with BJJ federation or a Ronin grappler like Marc Laimon? Sorry to ask, cause in my effort to learn BJJ, I have been pingpong from one instructor and school to another due to work location and other issues. thanks

[Jeff Rockwell]

Hi Yamadin,

I'm currently under Pedro Sauer's association, though I started out with a Machado affiliate.  

You are definitely doing the right thing by training with whoever you can, whenever you can.  To be sensitive to the beliefs of whatever instructor you're with, you might want to warn them ahead of time that you are going to also be training with X instructor down the road from time to time.  But if they are truly concerned about your improvement, they will encourage you.

Nothing wrong with being a Ronin as long as you go about it tactfully!

[yamadin]

Dear Jeff, Pedro is agreat instructor. I haven't met him, but his instructional are great. Excellent explanation. I have been strugling in getting formal rank in BJJ due to mobility among instructors. Besides Burton, not many instructors are fond of my situation, which often times got me into politics in rank more than that of my performance.

I am in the point of sick of BJJ belt. Currently besides Burton and his crew, I train with my students and a BJJ brownbelt under Marc Laimon. I asked nothing of this brownbelt besides his knowledge and mattime. Same with all my students, some of my students even destroyed some Australian bluebelts where they had no BJJ belts status at all from me. i am happy though.

Hope to meet and roll with you someday

[Jeff Rockwell]

Man, politics are a pain in the butt.  I really try to stay away from as much of that as I can.  I really try to emulate guys like Burton, Matt Thornton, and Pedro Sauer who avoid politics like the plague and encourage their students to train with anyone they like.  Makes for good vibrations all around.

"Hope to meet and roll with you someday"

Sounds good, me too!