BaffledExperts by Adam Norman

17: Submissions

There are a great many submissions from the bottom. Many of them are very complicated. Because I am a big guy and not at all flexible, I like to keep mine very simple. I play to my strengths, which, happily, are a beginner’s strengths too.

As I said earlier, a great many experienced judoka (and almost all beginners) will think that you are weak if you lie on your back. They will think that they are winning when you have them in your guard. They will reach in with their arms and necks exposed. This gives you some great opportunities, but you can't rely on all of your opponents being so stupid.

Submissions need to be combined with sweeps and constant efforts to break your opponent's posture down. If he is sitting tall or turtled on you, you can't submit him at all. You need to keep him working in the hope that he will make a mistake.

While you are pressuring your opponent, keep in mind what his goal is: to pass your legs and improve his position. You need to keep those legs moving to keep him on the defense.

Ashi gatame
This lock works really well against people who don't know what they're doing--in other words, most of us. Many, many  judoka will reach deep towards you when you are on your back and place a hand on your lapel, collarbone, or neck.

As your opponent reaches in, grab one wrist (in this case, I'll assume her right) with both hands. Pull it up towards your left ear. This should off-balance your opponent. Using your opponent’s hip or knee if possible, push your body out to 45º off centre with your right foot (from above, you would appear to move from 12 to 2 o'clock) and simultaneously step over her face with your left foot.

Using the weight of your leg, force her shoulder to the ground. Now she is in great danger, so go slowly. Push her face up with your foot, and push her elbow down with your knee. Lift her wrist up with your hands and point her thumb to the ground. She should submit from an elbow hyper extension.

If she doesn't, but isn't able to pull her arm out, keep rolling toward your right until you turn right over and face the mat. Be careful, though, as the weight of your hips can really hurt. Keep your legs tight around your opponent's shoulder and arm, as you slide your hips toward her elbow. Pelvic thrust with your hips and pull back with your arms. You should transition nicely into juji gatame, straight arm bar.

Juji jime
If she does pull her arm away, release your grip on her wrist and reach for her left lapel with your left hand. Put your knuckles in and your thumb up. Grip her right lapel with your right hand. Your wrists should be crossed. Wrap her hips up in your guard.

As you lie back, pull her chest onto you, but push her hips away with your legs. If possible, push her knees out with your feet. To apply the choke, pull your elbows in and down. If you're having trouble finishing the choke, make the same kind of movement with your wrists as you would with casting a fishing rod; this should push the fleshy part of your thumb up into her throat.