A few months back, two high profile matches happened almost side by side.
They weren’t at the same event, but the time between them was almost inconsequential. What was interesting about them though is that at one point the same exact situation occurred, but the outcome was totally different.
Why?
It’s because of one small difference in grip.
Yup.
That’s all.
That one grip made the difference between sliding off an omoplata like an eel lathered in oil and locking on the attack in a way that gave the opponent no opportunity to escape.
I noticed right off the back because I use that little grip too.
And I know it’s significance.
In fact, I remember learning it many years again from Jordan Schultz during a seminar when I was a purple belt. The topic was completely focused on the omoplata and the monoplata (it was kinda his thing). Several of his setups and transitions were based on the grip too.
He used it to break posture and expose the arm to attack.
I’ve realized though that it accomplishes far more than just that. In fact, in the gi, there’s NO way that I’ll go for the omoplata without it.
Here’s why:
That grip anchors me to their shoulder. They can’t pull away. As long as I have that grip, they’re mine.
It doesn’t even matter if they roll.
I’m still attached to them, and I can roll right back through to reset the attack or I could snatch up the armbar. Either way, absolutely nothing has changed. I still dominate the situation.
I had an epiphany as well.
Awhile back, I had someone in the omoplata, and the grip was set too. So all was good, but he was actively trying to escape, and I had to transition with him to keep the attack in play.
It was that moment that I noticed something.
His head was lower than mine.
So…
I did what I do. Yup. I loop choked him. It was straight vicious.
In fact, I even made a micro adjustment listen that broke down the application and concept behind the grip and a few additional offensive options that flow from it.
You know what though?
It’s on the chopping block.
In a few short days, it will be replaced with a new lesson. So if you want to grab and study it to your heart’s content, now would be the time to act.
More details can be found here with just a little innocuous click:
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