TFS#86: Flashy Comes From Fundamentals

Today is the last day of the year!

It’s also coincidentally the last day to sign up for my Deep Dive course on the Shoulder Lift Back Take course.

If you haven’t already signed up, go ahead and do so by hitting “yes” in the survey below.

And just like that, you’ll get the course in the upcoming weeks!

Now on to today’s topic…

New Year Spice

This newsletter focuses on fundamentals but we also have to keep Jiu-Jitsu fun.

So to ring in the new year, let’s have some fun with Kiss of The Dragon to Armbar.

Stop The Knee Cut

Knee Cut Passes are common and used by everyone.

One way to stop it is by using the Reverse De La Riva (RDLR) hook and entering the guard.

It’s not a guard you want to sit in for a long time but there are a bunch of cool attacks you can do from there.

The key here is getting the hook in and supporting your thigh with your arm to ensure your leg doesn’t get pinned to the ground by the Knee Cut.

🔑 Key details: 1) Make sure your RDLR hook is tight, curl your toes to really hook their thigh. 2) Use your free leg to step on their hip to support your RDLR hook. 3) Switch to a collar and sleeve grip to prevent them from controlling your head. (Image below)

Kiss Of The Dragon

If you follow the Lunar Calendar, this year will be the Year of the Dragon so I guess this is fitting.

From the RDLR, use your legs to knock them away from you, creating enough space for you to invert and get underneath. (Image below)

Once you spin to the back, you have a nice back take from there. (Image below)

If you want something flashier, keep reading…

The Spicy Part - Instead of Back Take, Armbar

I won’t recommend this simply out of safety.

But if you feel like you’ve got the move down and a friend who’s willing to try this with you, knock yourselves out—just not literally.

Once you’ve spun underneath to the back with the KOD grips, kick with your leg and push with the grip on the waist, this gets them up in the air. (Image below)

Here’s the full video from the start.

Thoughts

If the last part is too spicy for you, don’t worry about it.

You can always come back and pull up this email when you’re comfortable with the movement.

In case you haven’t noticed, my newsletter is meant to be used like a reference, like a rolodex.

Perhaps I should organize it by subject…would you find that useful?

Developing Strong Hips For Your Guard

Having adequate internal and external rotation of the hips will help you develop a dynamic guard.

Following this simple mobility routine will improve your guard, you’ll need these for your RDLR.

1. 90-90 Hip Mobility

2. Shin Box Get Up

3. Cassock Squat

You can do these anywhere, no equipment needed.

Instead of sitting in front of the TV, bust these out.

More Resources

🥋 If you haven’t mastered the art of flow rolling, you’ll want to read this. (link)

🥋 10 Benefits you’ll get by tracking your progress. (link)

🥋 Reverse De La Riva Guard is a great attacking position so make sure you know these sweeps. (link)

👉 You can’t be consistent if you can’t stay healthy. Build functional mat strength and durability for Jiu-Jitsu with one move. (link)

*Links with 👉 emoji is an ad or affiliate link.
Book your slot here.

Closing Remarks

If you’re setting goals for next year, make sure they are output driven goals rather than outcome driven goals.

The difference is that output is 100% achievable whereas outcome isn’t.

Let’s take a look at some quick examples of outcome driven goals.

• I’m going to get my blue belt this year.

• I’m going to win gold my next tournament.

• I’m going to submit all the blue belts in my class today.

What do these have in common?

You might come up short and “fail” these goals.

To adjust them to output driven goals it’ll look something like:

• I’m going to train 3 classes a week for the whole year.

• I’m going to win the next match ahead of me.

• I’m going to do my best to stay on top against all blue belts today.

All of these are output driven, your success is determined purely by your efforts and not the results.

And I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the goals from the first list and they are indeed healthy to strive towards.

Just keep in mind you might not reach them the way you’d hope.

And to avoid completely missing your marks, you can build in output goals along the way.

Like everything in Jiu-Jitsu and life, it’s about balance.

Output driven goals are great for small mini-goals while outcome driven goals can be seen more as a result of a bunch of output driven goals.

Let me know what you think.

Talk to you next year,

Wayne

P.S. I always keep this in mind when writing to you.