Learning from Xande was a real pleasure. He has the chararateristic "YEAAAAAS!" that I've come to associate with the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu. I found myself doing it this Sunday while I was coaching.
Wow! What an experience! I am a firm believer that EVERYONE who participates in our sport should go to a tournament like that Pan Ams. It is truly something to see top level grappling. It's even more amazing to see that the basic techniques we learn every day -- things like the humble scissor sweep -- are still being used! I know, I know... we are all told that they are used. I mean, I'm horrid at the scissor sweep. I can't even really do it against someone of lesser skill then me.
So for my personal game, I had a pretty good epiphany on Saturday. I discovered that I can roll without analyzing everything and not go all out. That I can just flow and react, relax, and turn my brain off. Prior to this, I had analyze-and-be-mellow or unthink-and-go-hard. Now the third option is there -- which I think is a HUGE deal.
I orginally got this from Jude Ledesma from Berkeley. However, I think it was in a Gracie book; though not sure which one.
I like it because it helps give a beginner a structure to work by ... an understanding of what positions are strategically considered more important than others. I find that it has helped clarify / guide my game. It is a great guide.
Read from top to bottom. It goes from best positions to worst positions in BJJ:
Back with hooks / opponent belly down with you on his back Back with hooks / you on your back with opponent on you Mount
