Here it is folks: the “worm guard”. Highly popularized by Keenan Cornelius at the moment, here are some studies on what it exactly entails, and how to hit some of its variations:
BJJ Scout: Keenan Cornelius, Worm Guard Study Analysis is around 1:30
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Jason Scully: Brainstorm Of The New Innovation
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This position emphasizes the key use of the lapel (to unbalance your opponent) and has a number of variations. More info available at BJJ Scout.
It’s been a while since my last post but I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus due to injuries. Getting back into it now, with cross-fit and drilling/sparring on a day-to-day basis.
After sinking my teeth into some good roles on the mats yesterday, I got home feeling fired up – and that means doing some research via Youtube. I highly recommend taking a look into studies conducted by BJJ Bishop and BJJ Scout; BJJ Scout, in particular, features some truly in-depth and fairly accurate studies, with some catchy melodies to boot.
So here’s two notable studies I ran into via the BJJ Scout Youtube channel, highlighting unique tendencies used by Wrestling prodigy Ben Askren, and Jiu Jitsu star Michelle Nicholini.
Lucas Lepri knows a thing or two; he has competed and continues to compete on the world stage. In this video posted earlier this year, Lucas shows the most efficient method for taking the back with your opponent in turtle position; securing the points; then finishing with 2 cross-choke variations:
Budo Jake, journalist and brains behind BudoVideos.com, caught up with upcoming talent from Team Atos: Keenan Cornelius and Michael Liera Jr.
In Part 1 of this episode (episode #43), Keenan and Liera Jr. discuss some interesting topics of choice; here’s a syllabus on what is covered, along with direct video queues’ to those points of discussion (Note: links may not queue to the assigned time in the clip on mobile apps):
Note: Keenan makes mention that potency of the Berimbolo remains effective because the counters are few, while successful execution of the move is powerful.
Additional points of discussion made during Part 1 interview include the following:
I messaged Clark on Facebook after watching this short clip (embedded further below), featuring his match against a worthy Diego Borges, from last weekends Copa Podio.
Sina Razi [Sept. 11, 2013, 9:24pm]:
Clark. Your middle name should be Clark “Kent” Gracie… like Superman… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef9oUHe127Q. Brilliant technique with the collar and belt, and transition with leg inside to roll… really well done.
Clark Gracie [Sept. 11, 2013, 1:38am]:
Haha thx
Well if you haven’t seen it, here it is. Clark appeared to be in a difficult situation early on, versus a powerful Diego Borges; but like anyone who heralds a pedigree to that of Clark’s omoplata – famously now called the “Clarkoplata”, the fight is never really over.
In this latest match at the Copa Podio (2013), Diego Borges appeared to have the ‘cryptonite’ to deal with Clark’s game; Clark had other ideas.
While attempting to pass his opponents guard, Clark hits a transition, instinctively capturing Diego Borges into his most prized position, the omoplata.
Below is a short clip of the end of the match when Clark applies the finish; scroll further below to view my break-down on key elements assumed by Clark, to apply his Superman-like finish:
“CLARKOPLATA” BREAKDOWN, AT THE COPA PODIO (2013):
Any, if not all BJJ players would do well to understand the grips and transitions from this particular position (the omoplata), so I’m going to attempt to highlight some key factors Clark uses to break down his opponent, and to apply the finish:
Notice, at 0:15 of the video, Clark dives for the omoplata. After watching it a few times, I have no doubt he is controlling the sleeve of the arm he is planning to attack. I am fairly positive this has been done intentionally. Sleeve control on the arm you are diving for is key here… it appears to be a cross-grip.
Once the omoplata is locked on, Clark immediately triangles his legs to apply pressure. As his opponent lifts him off the ground, he is more then comfortable with this, as he continues to hold/force his opponents trapped arm into a deep omoplata.
Notice: Clark is able to break his opponents posture, and ensure he is glue’d onto his opponents arm, by using these effective grips: (1) Clark immediately grabs his opponents collar, within the leg triangle. This is a key point here – to breaking your opponents posture, and maintaining that tight omoplata. (2) Clark uses his other arm (the near-side) to grip the sleeve of his opponents arm – to deepen the arm and ensure it is trapped.
Simultaneously, Clark continues to manage his leg work – tightening the triangle on the trapped arm, to apply further pressure on his opponents posture.
Now that the arm is truly trapped, Clark switches his arm on the near-side, and begins to attack the rear of his opponents belt. These grips create a tremendous amount of pressure.
Because of the pressure created from the grips, and Clark’s legs, he is able to unlock his triangle momentarily, in order to swing his body and gain momentum, in an attempt to bring his opponent down onto the mats (a break in posture). Diego refuses to give up and attempts to stand back up – lifting Clark off the ground once more.
Clark realizes it is only a matter of time. He continues to adjust his legs, while maintaining that potent inside collar grip. His opponent is becoming extremely tired, and his posture is now very low. Clark attacks the belt grip once more with his free hand, but his opponent stands to defend, so Clark goes under the leg to keep the position secure.
NOTICE: at 1:00 of the video, with his opponent standing in such a vulnerable position, Clark angles out, and sneaks his leg inside the far leg of Diego Borges, to apply a trip. With this amount of pressure, his opponent has no other angle to move, and has no alternative but to roll. This is exactly what Clark wants.
NOTICE: At 1:05, right before his opponent is forced to roll, Clark switches his grip on the near-side, and places this hand onto his opponents back. He does this so that as he and his opponent are forced to roll, Clark can stop his opponent from re-rolling upon dismount.
His opponent realizes he cannot roll, and avoids being broken down by dropping Clark onto his back – a typical escape for the omoplata.
Unfortunately for Diego, Clark still has the omoplata locked on tight. This is merely a transition for Clark, and he is still in an optimal position.
From here (1:15), Clark maintains his leg-work, and begins to attack Diego’s collar – to apply the choke. Notice: Clark does not triangle his legs when in this position – this may allow his hips to move and remain adaptive to his opponents movement.
Diego fights in desperation; Clark uses his free hand to negate Diego’s ability to defend the collar choke. At 1:23 of the video, you see why Clark does not triangle his legs – as he uses his free leg to post on the mat, and allow his hips to escape, in order to enhance his position. His opponents hips are no longer on top of his – his movement is independent to that of his opponents and he may now apply the leverage he needs to finish.
At 1:34, with his hips escaped, Clark re-triangles his legs and has his opponents collar firmly gripped. He finishes the choke by placing his free hand behind his opponents neck. Opposing forces create the most tension, and Diego taps with no chance of escape.
Phew… So now it’s time to try this at home! (yeah right…). Truly great piece of work by Clark.
A very neat modification to the Peruvian neck-tie; this one is called the ‘Gerbi’ choke – well executed (just days ago) at the 2013 World Judo Championships by Yarden Gerbi.
Yarden would go on to win the Judo, women’s 63 kg division.
You can see around 1:13 of the match video, Yarden clearly has been practicing this on the training mats.
She begins by forcing her opponent to turtle position, then secures her under-hook on one side, while proceeding to undo her own gi (with her other arm), so she can pass it under her opponents neck, to the under-hook she has already secured. From there on, it’s a standard Peruvian finish: (1) near leg over the head, (2) far leg over the opponents lower back to follow; then it’s a matter of applying the right leverage/torque; her opponent goes out.
One of the more innovative loop chokes to be seen; another brilliantly executed technique to study and potentially implement into your game: Renan Borges vs Francisco Iturralde.
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Here are some demonstrations, showing similar loop choke concepts:
Forcing your opponent into turtle guard, is a great way to setup back-takes, or chokes/submissions, and is a great position for MMA (used to reign down punches).
Here’s an overview of techniques covered in this series:
AJ Agazarm: AJ shows a great variation when attacking the turtle; this technique encourages the same grips to that of the clock choke, but is a supplement to it. The move ends in a rolling choke; this is very similar in style to that of the bow & arrow: a high percentage submission.
Budo Jake: Budo Jake shows a great transition to a guillotine choke (head and arm) if your opponent maneuvers your choking arm to the opposite side. Inversely, this position may be initiated by placing the choking arm onto the opposite side of your opponents head.
Orlando Sanchez: Orlando teaches us the value of deception; if your choking arm is getting blocked, grab the collar with your opposite (far) arm; then hop onto your opponents back, drag/lift your opponent (exposing his back) onto your chest. Sink your hooks in and apply an over under choke or stabilize the position for points.
If you are going to drill these moves, I recommend drilling them for a week or two; drill them as often as possible and re-visit them at a later date. The video may be seen as follows:
Razi BJJ Blog: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Health & Fitness 