Bump-Spiral System (from Aug. 2006)

In anticipation of our new DVD, here's some top position info for you: The system I like from top is what I call the Bump-Spiral system. This involves doing the 2 key things you want to do from the top position:
#1: Get pressure on your opponent. We do that early by Bumping him.
#2. Get Underneath his arms, which we accomplish by either putting our fist in his chest for our spiral, running a spiral half, applying a near-shoulder ride, or a claw. If you get underneath the arms, you can control him. If you get pressure on him, you put him on the defense. On our DVD, you will see us utilize this system to go into any offensive series that we want to run.

Controlling Hands (from Dec. 2006)

An important skill for the top wrestler to have is the skill of controlling hands. Being able to get a near wrist or cross wrist is an essential part of our system of wrestling from top. I teach this in my clubs and on my DVD. Once you teach your athletes how to do this, you can drill them on it, and also turn it into a live drill, or game. Give the top guy a set amount of time - maybe 10 seconds - to control a near wrist or cross wrist. Once they have the skill of doing this, it will help them immensely in their top wrestling. Another equally important skill is keeping the opponent down on the mat. Once again, it is another skill we teach in our system and on the DVD. This is another good live drill, or game, for your athletes.

A very good strategy, right out of the Playbook: If the opponent gets the arms out, we go underneath him. If he clamps them in, we go to the crossface. Athletes should remember, and utilize both strategies during the live drill mentioned above.

Ball & Chain/Armbar combination (from Jan. 2007)

Part 1: Armbar Tilt - the move
This is one of my favorite techniques, in part because I feel that, against the best athletes out there, this is one of the very best, most reliable turns you can use. There are two ways to get into this position: 1. Get the armbar first, and then reach your other arm all the way underneath the opponent to secure the wrist on the same side as the bar. 2. Get the wrist first - often a 'shallow' two on one - then keep the cross wrist, make sure you do Not pull it tight - and work your armbar in. Once you get the armbar and wrist, switch sides, do a little deadlift to get your knee in, and run your tilt. Now - there is also a stack on the same side as the bar. You can use the stack as a ploy if you want, but don't count on getting it to work on the better kids.

Part 2: The combination
In an earlier newsletter, we worked on getting the two on one from top position. Once the athletes develop this skill, they execute a variety of turns, including tilts, ball & chain series - and the armbar tilt that is our featured technique this month. The ball & chain and the armbar tilt can be nice complimentary moves to one another. If your athlete gets the two on one and is able to pull it tight - wrist to the hip - they can execute the ball & chain series. If the opponent fights it and you can't get the wrist deep - then keep it shallow and run the armbar tilt from there. A nice one-two punch.