Okay, so today I wanted to share my experience diving into some grappling drills inspired by Marina Shafir and Ronda Rousey. I’ve been a casual BJJ practitioner for a while now, and I’m always looking for ways to level up my game, you know?
Getting Started: The Mindset
First off, I had to get my head in the right space. These women are legit. No half-assing it. So, I watched some of their old fight footage and training videos. I really wanted to absorb the intensity and focus they brought to the mat. I tried to visualize myself executing the moves with the same precision and aggression.
Drill #1: Armbar Entries from Mount
- Started from a solid mounted position.
- Focused on isolating one of my partner’s arms.
- Used my weight to control their body and posture.
- Key point: It’s all about control before you go for the finish, right?
- Transitioned smoothly to the armbar setup, keeping my hips high and tight.
- Made sure to keep their elbow pointed towards my head for maximum leverage.
- Repeated the drill multiple times, alternating arms.
Drill #2: Judo Throws and Takedowns
Marina and Ronda both have a strong judo background, so I couldn’t ignore the stand-up game.
- Practiced basic throws like O Goshi (hip throw) and Seoi Nage (shoulder throw).
- Worked on single-leg and double-leg takedowns.
- Drilled entries from different angles and distances.
- The goal was to make these takedowns feel more natural and less forced.
- Partner and I would alternate between attacking and defending.
Drill #3: Ground and Pound Defense
No matter how good your offense is, you gotta be able to defend yourself on the ground.
- My partner started in the mount position and simulated ground and pound.
- I focused on creating space and escaping the mount.
- Used shrimping and hip escapes to get to half guard or full guard.
- Practiced different defensive postures and techniques.
- I gotta say, this one was tiring.
The Aftermath and What I Learned
After a couple of hours of drilling, I was exhausted but feeling pretty good. Here’s what I took away from the experience:
- Details matter: It’s the little things, like hand placement and body positioning, that make a huge difference in grappling.
- Repetition is key: The more you drill a technique, the more natural it becomes. Muscle memory is real!
- Partner up: Having a good training partner is essential for improving your skills.
- Someone who’s willing to push you and give you honest feedback.
- Stay humble: There’s always something new to learn in BJJ. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and experiment.
Overall, this training session was a valuable experience. I’m definitely going to incorporate these drills into my regular routine. Hopefully, this inspires some of you to try it out too. Keep training!
