I did get to try a few new different moves and was successful in executing a scissor sweep, side control sweep and learnt a few different submissions (gogoplata and omaplata from rubber guard). It was fun just experimenting as we couldn't go full bore sparring for an hour so we worked techniques and taught each other new things.
Anyways, after BJJ, I also did the Kenpo class which always makes me think a bit more about my technique. The Kenpo feels much more technical (though BJJ isn't exactly easy) and makes you reconsider concepts that you thought you had down pat.
One thing that we worked on yesterday was a technique called Gripping Talon. The video below shows a quick breakdown of the technique.
One of the first moves in the technique is a step forward with the right foot and trap the grabbing hand (with potential finger break). The elbow sinks in the first move so that the elbow point is below the point of the grab and allows you to break the grip very easily. And this is where I started thinking a bit more about the elbow position. Though it doesn't even get a mention in the video, I think the elbow position is a key aspect in alot of ways.
Whether you're a ground specialist, grappler or striker, the position of your elbows in your guard and in each position can dictate what happens next. Generally speaking, it would seem that close to your body tends to work well in most circumstances and gives you the additional grounding/defence/power that you need.
For example, in BJJ, if your arms and elbows are away from your body (usually across your centre line), people are able to capitalise upon this and you usually end up in any number of submissions. Similarly, if you are grappling and in a clinch, the person with their elbows closer generally has a stronger base to pull you close and is much more difficult to break away from. In stand up striking, elbow position close to our body allows us to protect our body from kicks and punches as well as dynamically fire punches. I've been to a few wing chun classes in which they showed me the folly of shifting my elbows even a couple of centimetres out of place. They were able to capitalise on this and could essentially control my arms from the elbow.
Quite often the first reaction that we have to a wrist grab is to pull away from the attacker. However, at this point, our elbow is too far away from our body and we are unlikely to break away. By stepping into the attacker, sinking our elbow below the grab, we are able to weaken the grip, obtain a better angle to break the grab and stabilise our base, all in one motion. The further away the elbow is from the body, the more effort is required to break the grab, we start to utilise our shoulder, triceps and chest muscles to compensate. Its a much more stable scenario than trying to establish our base from where we started off.
Anyways, just some thoughts. I think elbow position isn't given much thought, but is something critical that people take for granted.
In other news, a new video has been released of the last grading that we had in February for a Green belt and Brown belt in our Kenpo class. Just some highlights from the grading below (note, there is metal music playing in the background).
I'm one of the n00b yellow belts. So many problems with my form...need to think more about my guard and where my hands are when I'm sparring. And my posture...arrgghhhh >_<
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