Hey Southern Soul family,
This week, we’re tackling a position that can be challenging but incredibly rewarding to master—the bottom mount. It’s a spot that can feel daunting, but it’s also an opportunity to showcase your resilience and strategic thinking. Let’s dive into how you can turn this seemingly unfavorable position into a testament to your skill and perseverance.
Embracing Challenges
Every position in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teaches us something valuable. The bottom mount, while tough, is an excellent place to develop resilience and strategic thinking. It’s about finding calm in chaos and using your skills to turn the tide. In our Navarre Jiu Jitsu classes, we are working hard to develop this resiliency.
The Mindset of a Champion
When you find yourself in the bottom mount, maintaining a calm and focused mindset is crucial. It’s easy to panic, but remember, BJJ is as much about mental strength as it is about physical techniques. Stay patient, stay focused, and trust in your training.
Technical Breakdown: Key Escapes
Let’s dive into some essential escapes that can help you turn the bottom mount into an opportunity for a counter-attack. Here are three techniques to practice:
- The Bridge and Roll Escape (Upa Escape)
- Step 1: Secure one of your opponent’s arms by trapping it against your chest.
- Step 2: Trap their foot on the same side by using your foot.
- Step 3: Bridge explosively, rolling towards the trapped arm and leg to flip them over.
- The Elbow Escape (Shrimping)
- Step 1: Create space by framing against your opponent’s hips with your elbows.
- Step 2: Shrimp your hips out to one side, pulling one knee through to regain half guard.
- Step 3: Continue shrimping and repositioning to escape fully into guard or another more favorable position.
- Combining Techniques for a Strategic Escape
- Step 1: Use your frame and hip movement to create space.
- Step 2: Switch between bridging and shrimping as needed to keep your opponent off-balance.
- Step 3: Always look for opportunities to transition into a dominant position.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for when escaping from the bottom mount:
- Panicking and Using Too Much Strength: Stay calm and use technique over brute force.
- Neglecting to Trap the Arm or Leg: Make sure to secure at least one limb of your opponent to make your escape more effective.
- Ignoring Hip Movement: Use your hips actively; they’re crucial in creating the space you need to escape.
Real-life Applications and Benefits
Escaping from the bottom mount is not just about getting out of a tough spot on the mats. It builds confidence and teaches perseverance. These skills translate to everyday life, helping you tackle challenges head-on with a cool, strategic mindset. Try out a Jiu Jitsu class in Navarre and see how your confidence changes off the mat.
Practice and Patience
Mastery comes with time, patience, and consistent effort. Let’s all come to class ready to work on our bottom mount escapes this week. Share your progress, ask questions, and help each other out. Remember, we’re a community, and we grow stronger together.
Come Try it Out!
Join us in class near Navarre and bring your focus and determination. Let’s make this week about overcoming challenges and growing together. Feel free to share your experiences and progress on our social media platforms or in class.
Stay strong and keep rolling,