Pins and Needles

In order to isolate specific advantage in any position, it is essential to use "Pins" or "Needles" as tools to do so.

A "Pin" would be considered locking down any element of an opponent; getting heavy on a part of an opponent so they can not move. Even using their weight or part of their body to stop their desired motion like pinning their shoulder to the ground, arm across their chest, head to one direction. One pin I find especially effective is using my shin on the inside of an opponent's thigh when passing guard, because they have trouble lifting their leg, and a measure of pain is delivered.

A "Needle" would be considered using pain as a persuader to open up, move in a specific direction, or as in last class, motivate a tap. An elbow on the side of the neck, a knee on belly (also a good pin), or any pressure applied to a nerve are good "needles". And no-one likes needles, so they are effective tools to not only motivate a desired response, but also shift an opponent's concentration away from offence to defense.

It is not the same when a fighter moves because he wants to move, and another when he moves because he has to.

Joe Frazier,
1944

I think is as important, now that I am finally understanding the game, to not only focus on specific techniques, but also the small little "why" and "how" stuff. Every class when I get caught with something, I do my best to remember how it happened and correct it in my mind for next class. One thing, over and over. I find it less likely I am caught with the same thing again, well, it does not get applied as easy if it does happen.

Ous.

P.S. Someone who always has cool little and effective tips is the Blue belt Jason from our class. Two weeks ago he spent some time with a few of us after class explaining different ways to break someone's resistance to an arm bar. Slick bio-mechanical stuff from his personal experience. These little things are golden.