TFS#88: Creating Diamonds

Keep your eye out this upcoming week…

For my Deep Dive Series!

If you signed up, I’ll be sending you the first lesson very soon.

If you missed it and would like to get on this Deep Dive series, reply to this email with “deep dive.”

Enough of my excitement, let’s get to this week’s topics…

Smart Pressure Doesn’t Require Heft

Last week, we learned playing Half Guard.

Today, we’ll go over passing Half Guard along with key details you need to execute properly.

So, when you get your opponent to play Half Guard, you have a very good opportunity to pass.

(Easy for me to say because I feel very comfortable passing there.)

But I’m not a big guy and I’m still able to keep my opponents down.

🔑 Key detail #1: Take the underhook when it’s available, don’t force the reaction. A good guard player will keep their elbow tight. It’s also easier to get a cross face from this position than fighting for an underhook.

Scenario: Crossface | Hip Turn Pass

From Half Guard, you’ll want to sit on your hip as far up as you can. By “far up” I mean get your butt as close towards your opponent’s shoulders as possible. (Image below)

It’s easy to free your knee from here and use your free leg to help free your foot.

Watch the clip here.

If you can’t get your knee out, you can simply transition back into a Knee Cut Pass.

If you have additional questions, feel free to write in.

Scenario: Crossface When Underhooked | Pass to 3/4 Mount

🔑 Key detail #2: If they get the underhook, your cross face isn’t going to win. Instead, turn perpendicular and flatten out their hips. (Image below)

In this particular situation, your opponent is trying to get to their side and come up with the underhook.

So, as long as you flatten their hips, they won’t be able to come up on their side.

Once you flatten their hips, your cross face becomes very strong because their shoulders become easy to flatten out.

Watch Danaher (at 1.5x speed if need be) explain it here.

You can get to Mount, Side Control, or even a fun diving back take here.

We can save those for another day.

Isometrics Strength

There are 2 different types:

1. Yield isometrics = holding a certain a position in a range of motion

   Example: When doing pull ups, hold at the top for 2-3 seconds. Or when doing squats, hold at the bottom for 2-3 seconds.

2. Overcoming isometrics = pushing/pulling against an immovable object, creating maximum amount of tension

   Example: Squeeze a med ball between your thighs for 5-10 seconds. Or squeeze a med ball between your arms for 5-10 seconds.

Here are 3 isometric exercises you can improve your chokes.

*Technically, pulling is a type of pushing…but this isn’t a physics lecture.

More Resources

🥋 The Knee Slice pass is reliable and a great place to build your passing system, get inspired from Black Belt Heather Morgan. (link)

🥋 The most important lesson in Jiu-Jitsu is often forgotten. (link)

🥋 Only 30 Minutes to finish this home workout on your off days to keep you Jiu-Jitsu ready. (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 Thought

If you’re not intentional with your sparring, you’re training without direction.

You’re essentially drifting through the ocean hoping the winds take you to your desired destination.

But with direction and intent, you can adjust your sails and get to where you want.

Even through the storms.

Whatever you do, stay the course.

See you on the mats,

Wayne

P.S. New goals don’t deliver new results.