Side control

Today we learned a variety of things. Not only did I learn side control/mounts, I have learned a few insights from a almost blue belt about how to more effectively do chokes.

1.) The basic side mount.

The elbow at the head can be pulled in, while the other hand is pushing against the hip.

2.) Another side control is if you have the underhook on the far side of your opponent, with the other arm put it under his head and clasp your hand. Keep your chest to his chest, and dont over extend. Also keep your hips close to his hip and your leg down low so he can't get to half guard.

3.) A headlock. This is similar to above, but the side of your chest is on their chest. Its important not to let them get onto their side, or they can get out. Also don't over extend or you can be swept over.

One thing we did was to transition from one to the other. Its important that I keep my weight on while transitioning, otherwise it gives my opponent the opportunity to move and adjust.

4.) Next, we learned how to get to mount from side control, which is to grab the far side wrist, open up your hips (by twisting onto your side) and then hopping over. From here we can do a choke.

Here I learned some tips to do a choke better. to go over the basic gi choke, you dig in deep with one hand inside their collar. With the feeding hand, you want to make sure there is NO slack. This is key. The next step, which is to encircle your opponents neck, you want to grab the shoulder (or other lapel) and grab tight, ALSO close to their neck. The motion isn't a crushing, but a pulling, like a lawn mower with the hand thats in their collar. This is how to do a proper choke.

This video has similar things I've learned: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oN43Wv1NOs