MMA and me; day 88

Had a long weekend, so I only went to two classes on Monday, Kickboxing we worked some old stuff, and some new. First we started by going back and forth with high kicks. First throwing a high 10, followed by a high switch 9. Next was bump drills, low outside 10 -low inside 9-low inside 10-low outside 9. After the warm ups, we continued working the switch 9, and got that going by throwing a 1-2 then going right into the kick. Next we worked throwing the switch 9 twice, then following it up with a switch run up low 10. This is great for keeping your opponent guessing, especially if you throw the switch 9 a lot. Eventually they'll start to predict it, and then you can run up with the low 10 and dig the leg kick in. Next we worked a punch combo that ended up with you turning off to the side. You throw a 1-2, then spin on your front foot out to the right side as you push back with your lead leg and you end up facing their left side as you throw another straight. This felt odd at first, and I still need to push back more instead of just turning. This combo led into the next, where we did the exact same thing, except instead of throwing a two at the end, you throw a switch 9 to the midsection. Let me tell you, getting kicked there with even a light kick and with shin guards, does not feel good! We finished with flutter kicks, over unders, and of course, planks!

Grappling was a lot of work from top side control. First we worked on going from high judo to side control. From high judo, you have a far side under hook, and get inside wrist control on the near side. Pulling their arm away from their body, bring your top side knee over the arm, and pin it to the ground as you switch your hips and move into side control. Bring your knee up to their head, and move your other knee to their hip, maintaining the under hook, and move your other arm to the outside of their head, essentially pinching their head between your knee and elbow.

Next was an arm bar from this transition. So instead of pinning their arm down with your knee, you keep it under your knee, and trap it against their head, leaving it easier to grab. As you transition to side control, reach your top side arm back and over hook that arm, then slip your inside foo up near their head, and throw a snap arm bar. Make sure to go through your checklist; get your boot on, pinch the knees, and if you can't get the arm bar right away with the over hook, lean back and turn the wrist to the ceiling.

Next we worked on a bicep slicer. This felt weird at first, but I started to get the hang of it. Once in side control with the arm pinned under your knee, slide your inside foot over the trapped arm. From here, straighten out the outside leg, and one of two things will happen; one, your opponent will bend their arm to try and secure it. If that happens, slide your outside leg over your inside leg in a figure four fashion, and lean forward while splitting your knees until they tap. Or two, they will keep their arm straight, and if that happens, simply reach over and pull it up so you can finish the submission.

Lastly we drilled a top side triangle. From the beginning of the arm bar we had just practiced, instead of bringing up the knee and pinning the arm against the head, step the leg through and over the head, then securing it under the head. From here, lock your other leg around your ankle, and squeeze. If you don't get the tap, there is a good chance you will be able to grab their defenseless arm and try for a kimura. Pretty sweet!