All Levels Training and Escapes

Due to the weather conditions Monday, the training center decided to combine the three night classes into a one “All Levels Class” for an hour and one half. So... we did 360-degree defenses at the beginning of the class (Level 1) that actually appeared again in a knife defense against a downward stab (Level 5) by the end of class.

It was good for the beginning students to see how the Level 1 techniques are applied in the higher Level techniques. Moreover, it was good for the beginning students to see why it is important to master the Level 1 techniques in order to be effective in the higher Level techniques.

We did some defensive front kick drills against two people with kick shields. We also did some of these kicks with our backs against a wall. If a person approaching you was too close for a front kick, you delivered a knee strike.

Another drill had you stand in a neutral position (hands by your sides) with your eyes closed. When you heard someone say hey, you opened your eyes and defended against a knife attack.

We ended the class by having someone attack you with a knife. You defended with a defensive front kick if the attacker was in kicking range. If the attacker was too close for kicking, you defended with the appropriate close quarters defense. At times, you were told to do a back breakfall and then you had to defend against a knife attack while on your back and mounted by the attacker.

Wednesday’s ground fighting night was focused on escapes from arm locks and the dreaded triangle choke. Most of the beginning grapplers are familiar with applying the Americana, Kimura, Straight Arm Bar and Triangle Choke, but many don’t know how to escape from them. The KMWW curriculum shows how to apply the Americana, Straight Arm Bar and Triangle Choke in Levels 3 and 4, but surprisingly it doesn't show how to escape.

This week’s lead instructor showed two escapes for the Americana, Kimura, Straight Arm Bar and the Triangle Choke. He explained that you should have a minimum of at least two escapes for each situation in your repertoire.

Although the escapes the instructor showed were high percentage escapes, nothing is 100 percent guaranteed. What works well for one individual might not work as well for another. Experiment in the grappling lab until you find what works well for you.

The instructor also explained that once your opponent has the lock or choke cinched, you’re toast. You have a better chance of escape or reversal upon initiation of the lock or choke than you do when it’s been applied.