Post by BillCogswell on Mar 8, 2006 7:59:57 GMT -5
Here's a great article by Steve Scott:
POSITION...POSITION...POSITION
"We all have heard the old saying in real estate; if you want to sell property, the three most important things are location, location and location. Same thing in judo, jujitsu, sambo, and any form of grappling. It could also be easily said for any form of personal combat.
If you're not in the right place at the right time, and don't put your opponent in the wrong place at the wrong time (for him), your throw or hold won't work...period.
Having been on the mat for over 40 years now, it is my opinion that one of the least emphasized skills taught is position. Too often, we rush to get to the end result with little regard as to how to make that end result happen. Training athletes in how to control their opponent's bodies is important.
Here's what I mean when I say "position." Position is purposely (and with forethought) placing your body is such a way that you can successfully work the move or skill you want to accomplish.
An example is, when in groundfighting, get behind your opponent in a wrestler's ride position, controlling at least one of his hips and his near arm. From this initial position, you can sink your legs into his crotch as you climb on his low back and work into the rodeo ride. From this rodeo ride, you have the option to roll him into a sitting position, break him down and flatten him or work from there to do a hip roll or head roll juji gatame or other submission hold. My wife, Becky, used to get her opponents in a rodeo ride, then roll them into a single wing strangle with an excellent ratio of success. I'm sure many of you have done similar moves from this top (rodeo ride) position as well. This is what I mean by position. I like to work from the wrestler's ride position, taking the advice of Neil Adams, when he once told me to "Always get behind your opponent." Conversely, never try to let your opponent get behind you. There are many positions that are useful. Fighting off the butt (what the Brazilian jujitsu guys have labeled "the guard") is a useful and often effective position. This position is as old as judo itself and it's an instinctive movement for many of us.
Remember, in any position you take, have a goal in mind. It may be a really short term goal of simple getting to another, more stable or controlling position. It simply may be to get out of a bad position and get out of trouble. Not every position ends in a cool, sophisticated submission hold with the opponent tapping out.
I know this may be a bit crude (Sorry ladies!), but position is like going out with a good-looking girl. If you do everything right, make all the right moves and be in the right place at the right time, then things will develop, and to your liking!
Okay, I know that analogy works with a bunch of guys in a dojo filled with testosterone, but you get the point. Often being in the wrong position leads to bad results. When you are in a bad positon, do what you can to work out of it. (What I like to call "get out of trouble moves.")
An example of a bad position is what I've called the "chicken" position for many years. The chicken position is when an athlete lays flat on the mat, face down with his hands up around his neck and elbows tucked in. We've seen this for years in judo. It's like an ostrich sticking his head in the sand hoping a threat will go away. But that threat never does go away. It simply takes advantage of the situation. When an opponent is in the chicken position, say a silent "thank you" and then work him over. Here is a great opportunity to do just about any breakdown or set-up you want if you are the top person. He's flat on his belly and face and not fighting back and not in a position to be able to fight back. What more could you want?
Here's a plug for my book COACHING ON THE MAT. I discuss position in the book and have photos showing what I mean. A good photo of Kenney Brink with an opponent in the chicken positon as well as one of Chris Heckadon with an opponent flat on his face and belly are shown.
Remember that a good position gives you a lot of control over your opponent so you can work into another (better) position or execute a throw or hold. Position is important for both standing and groundfighting situations. There's more to be said about this subject, but let's save it for another issue.
The main point is pretty simple though, in that, no technique will work unless you're in the right place (and put your opponent in the wrong place for him) to make it happen. Try to think beyond the end result and work on how to get him there."
POSITION...POSITION...POSITION
"We all have heard the old saying in real estate; if you want to sell property, the three most important things are location, location and location. Same thing in judo, jujitsu, sambo, and any form of grappling. It could also be easily said for any form of personal combat.
If you're not in the right place at the right time, and don't put your opponent in the wrong place at the wrong time (for him), your throw or hold won't work...period.
Having been on the mat for over 40 years now, it is my opinion that one of the least emphasized skills taught is position. Too often, we rush to get to the end result with little regard as to how to make that end result happen. Training athletes in how to control their opponent's bodies is important.
Here's what I mean when I say "position." Position is purposely (and with forethought) placing your body is such a way that you can successfully work the move or skill you want to accomplish.
An example is, when in groundfighting, get behind your opponent in a wrestler's ride position, controlling at least one of his hips and his near arm. From this initial position, you can sink your legs into his crotch as you climb on his low back and work into the rodeo ride. From this rodeo ride, you have the option to roll him into a sitting position, break him down and flatten him or work from there to do a hip roll or head roll juji gatame or other submission hold. My wife, Becky, used to get her opponents in a rodeo ride, then roll them into a single wing strangle with an excellent ratio of success. I'm sure many of you have done similar moves from this top (rodeo ride) position as well. This is what I mean by position. I like to work from the wrestler's ride position, taking the advice of Neil Adams, when he once told me to "Always get behind your opponent." Conversely, never try to let your opponent get behind you. There are many positions that are useful. Fighting off the butt (what the Brazilian jujitsu guys have labeled "the guard") is a useful and often effective position. This position is as old as judo itself and it's an instinctive movement for many of us.
Remember, in any position you take, have a goal in mind. It may be a really short term goal of simple getting to another, more stable or controlling position. It simply may be to get out of a bad position and get out of trouble. Not every position ends in a cool, sophisticated submission hold with the opponent tapping out.
I know this may be a bit crude (Sorry ladies!), but position is like going out with a good-looking girl. If you do everything right, make all the right moves and be in the right place at the right time, then things will develop, and to your liking!
Okay, I know that analogy works with a bunch of guys in a dojo filled with testosterone, but you get the point. Often being in the wrong position leads to bad results. When you are in a bad positon, do what you can to work out of it. (What I like to call "get out of trouble moves.")
An example of a bad position is what I've called the "chicken" position for many years. The chicken position is when an athlete lays flat on the mat, face down with his hands up around his neck and elbows tucked in. We've seen this for years in judo. It's like an ostrich sticking his head in the sand hoping a threat will go away. But that threat never does go away. It simply takes advantage of the situation. When an opponent is in the chicken position, say a silent "thank you" and then work him over. Here is a great opportunity to do just about any breakdown or set-up you want if you are the top person. He's flat on his belly and face and not fighting back and not in a position to be able to fight back. What more could you want?
Here's a plug for my book COACHING ON THE MAT. I discuss position in the book and have photos showing what I mean. A good photo of Kenney Brink with an opponent in the chicken positon as well as one of Chris Heckadon with an opponent flat on his face and belly are shown.
Remember that a good position gives you a lot of control over your opponent so you can work into another (better) position or execute a throw or hold. Position is important for both standing and groundfighting situations. There's more to be said about this subject, but let's save it for another issue.
The main point is pretty simple though, in that, no technique will work unless you're in the right place (and put your opponent in the wrong place for him) to make it happen. Try to think beyond the end result and work on how to get him there."