July 30, 2009
Bring 'Em Back Alive: More On Recovering From Chokes
The last blog post (Choke Recovery in Grappling) prompted some lively discussion and debate when I posted it on the Sherdog Grappling Forum and on MMA.tv. I also received a number of emails on the topic.
The most common question by far, was "what about lifting the unconscious person's legs up into the air to bring blood into their brain."
I've have seen the legs-in-the-air technique used to resuscitate unconscious grapplers. In fact, it's even been used on me (I was 12 years old and got knocked out by a Judo throw in the adult class. I awoke with my legs in the air and a whole bunch of very concerned faces looking down at me)!
But I didn't talk about it in my last newsletter for a simple reason - I've never seen any sort of research about the safety or efficacy of this resuscitation technique.
It seems fairly obvious that it 'should' bring more blood to the brain, and that it 'should' help people wake up faster. But that kind of thinking can be dangerous. Medical history is littered with techniques, procedures and drugs that 'should' have helped people, but instead caused grievous bodily harm.
A forum participant called "BJJ Medic" finally helped me out. He told me about some research on the so-called Trendelenburg postion. This head down, legs up position was used during and after World War 1 to help manage shock.
Recent research, however, indicates that this position does nothing to help with shock, and increases the risk of choking on your own tongue (which is, by the way, the most common cause for blocked airways in unconscious people). Click here to read The Myth of the Trendelenburg Position for yourself.
So until someone actually does proper research on the legs-in-the-air position, specifically with regard to waking up unconscious people, I'm NOT going to use it. The 'treatment' at this point only has risks, and no proven benefits.
BUT I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THIS
If someone is unconscious from a choke you should check to see if they're breathing. If they're not breathing, then either move them to the recovery position (3/4 prone) OR start rescue breathing. You should also check for a pulse, and if they don't have one, start CPR.
I think that every serious grappler or martial artist should have basic CPR and first aid training.
But even if you don't have the training to do rescue breathing and CPR, it's very important to be able to tell the 911 dispatcher "my buddy is unconscious but has a pulse and is breathing".
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The most common question by far, was "what about lifting the unconscious person's legs up into the air to bring blood into their brain."
I've have seen the legs-in-the-air technique used to resuscitate unconscious grapplers. In fact, it's even been used on me (I was 12 years old and got knocked out by a Judo throw in the adult class. I awoke with my legs in the air and a whole bunch of very concerned faces looking down at me)!
But I didn't talk about it in my last newsletter for a simple reason - I've never seen any sort of research about the safety or efficacy of this resuscitation technique.
It seems fairly obvious that it 'should' bring more blood to the brain, and that it 'should' help people wake up faster. But that kind of thinking can be dangerous. Medical history is littered with techniques, procedures and drugs that 'should' have helped people, but instead caused grievous bodily harm.
A forum participant called "BJJ Medic" finally helped me out. He told me about some research on the so-called Trendelenburg postion. This head down, legs up position was used during and after World War 1 to help manage shock.
Recent research, however, indicates that this position does nothing to help with shock, and increases the risk of choking on your own tongue (which is, by the way, the most common cause for blocked airways in unconscious people). Click here to read The Myth of the Trendelenburg Position for yourself.
So until someone actually does proper research on the legs-in-the-air position, specifically with regard to waking up unconscious people, I'm NOT going to use it. The 'treatment' at this point only has risks, and no proven benefits.
BUT I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THIS
If someone is unconscious from a choke you should check to see if they're breathing. If they're not breathing, then either move them to the recovery position (3/4 prone) OR start rescue breathing. You should also check for a pulse, and if they don't have one, start CPR.
I think that every serious grappler or martial artist should have basic CPR and first aid training.
But even if you don't have the training to do rescue breathing and CPR, it's very important to be able to tell the 911 dispatcher "my buddy is unconscious but has a pulse and is breathing".
Labels: Brazilian jiu-jitsu, chokes, Injuries
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July 27, 2009
Choke Recovery in BJJ and Submission Grappling
The first time I saw someone choked unconscious it scared the crap out of me. And it was made worse by the fact that it was a friend of mine...
It was many years ago at a local tournament. My friend was winning his match but got caught in a sneaky gi choke. He was (and still is) a stubborn bastard, so he refused to tap and passed out. He might have been out for about 10 seconds before anyone realized what was going on.
When the referee finally separated the two competitors, I could see my buddy lying flat on his back and he wasn't moving. From my position in the stands I couldn't even see if he was breathing.
But then it got even worse...
He started to snore REALLY loudly. We're talking horrible-keep-you-awake-from-the-next-room-sleep-apnea kind of snoring. Everyone at the tournament could hear it. Then, just to make things even more dramatic, he started convulsing a little bit, like he was having a small epileptic seizure.
Finally - to my infinite relief - he woke up, sat up and looked around sheepishly. Objectively he'd probably only been out for a total of 15 to 20 seconds (including the snoring and convulsing) but it sure seemed a lot longer than that to me at the time!
In fact this is a fairly normal sequence for someone who has been choked out. The snoring is normal. The mini-convulsions are to be expected. And they're going to be a bit light headed when they wake up.
Judo and BJJ coaches have different opions about what to do if someone gets choked out. The most common approach is to stand around and wait for the person to wake up. And this works just fine 99% of the time.
There are traditional judo resuscitation techniques (known as "kappo"). Kappo is an esoteric subject, and I don't know much about it. But I'll give you some guidance coming more from a western first aid point of view.
In first aid class I've been taught to roll unconscious people onto their side or into the 3/4 prone position (IMPORTANT: you only do this if you're sure that there's no neck or back injury). Being on the side helps drain fluids from the mouth and prevents the tongue from blocking the airway. And there are some Judo coaches who agree that this is a good idea.
I don't want to scare you with all this talk about unconscious people. Most accounts of chokes gone bad involve cops trying to restrain someone high on PCP by squeezing their neck with a billy club. Hopefully that's not happening at your club.
In fact, chokes and strangles are fairly safe.
The Kodokan, which is the central organizing body for Judo, has conducted studies on the safety of chokes ("shimewaza"). The results are encouraging: Judoka have been choking each other for more than 100 years without any reported fatalities.
Attacking the neck is part of submission grappling and BJJ. If you do this sport long enough then eventually someone will get choked out right in front of you. Now you know what to expect when that happens!
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It was many years ago at a local tournament. My friend was winning his match but got caught in a sneaky gi choke. He was (and still is) a stubborn bastard, so he refused to tap and passed out. He might have been out for about 10 seconds before anyone realized what was going on.
When the referee finally separated the two competitors, I could see my buddy lying flat on his back and he wasn't moving. From my position in the stands I couldn't even see if he was breathing.
But then it got even worse...
He started to snore REALLY loudly. We're talking horrible-keep-you-awake-from-the-next-room-sleep-apnea kind of snoring. Everyone at the tournament could hear it. Then, just to make things even more dramatic, he started convulsing a little bit, like he was having a small epileptic seizure.
Finally - to my infinite relief - he woke up, sat up and looked around sheepishly. Objectively he'd probably only been out for a total of 15 to 20 seconds (including the snoring and convulsing) but it sure seemed a lot longer than that to me at the time!
In fact this is a fairly normal sequence for someone who has been choked out. The snoring is normal. The mini-convulsions are to be expected. And they're going to be a bit light headed when they wake up.
Judo and BJJ coaches have different opions about what to do if someone gets choked out. The most common approach is to stand around and wait for the person to wake up. And this works just fine 99% of the time.
There are traditional judo resuscitation techniques (known as "kappo"). Kappo is an esoteric subject, and I don't know much about it. But I'll give you some guidance coming more from a western first aid point of view.
In first aid class I've been taught to roll unconscious people onto their side or into the 3/4 prone position (IMPORTANT: you only do this if you're sure that there's no neck or back injury). Being on the side helps drain fluids from the mouth and prevents the tongue from blocking the airway. And there are some Judo coaches who agree that this is a good idea.
I don't want to scare you with all this talk about unconscious people. Most accounts of chokes gone bad involve cops trying to restrain someone high on PCP by squeezing their neck with a billy club. Hopefully that's not happening at your club.
In fact, chokes and strangles are fairly safe.
The Kodokan, which is the central organizing body for Judo, has conducted studies on the safety of chokes ("shimewaza"). The results are encouraging: Judoka have been choking each other for more than 100 years without any reported fatalities.
Attacking the neck is part of submission grappling and BJJ. If you do this sport long enough then eventually someone will get choked out right in front of you. Now you know what to expect when that happens!
Labels: choke recovery, chokes, Injuries, judo
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July 20, 2009
'My' Technique at ADCC...
Talk about synchronicity!
A month ago I told you about a specific guard position I've been having a ton of success with - the logsplitter position.
And then, a few weeks later, I taught entries and finishes to this same position at GrappleCamp 2009.
Finally, to top things off, a reader recently emailed me a link to footage of Nicholas Renier hitting a perfect logsplitter submission at the European 2009 ADCC qualifiers...
It's at about 1:52 of the following video:
(I don't know much about Nicholas other than the fact he has now secured a berth ADCC, the big Kahuna of submission grappling championships.)
Anyway, I thought it was cool and so I'm passing it along
P.S. If you haven't done so already, send me your top question quick about preparing for, or competing, in grappling tournaments. I'll try to work your questions into my interview with David Meyer, author of 'Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling
'
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A month ago I told you about a specific guard position I've been having a ton of success with - the logsplitter position.
And then, a few weeks later, I taught entries and finishes to this same position at GrappleCamp 2009.
Finally, to top things off, a reader recently emailed me a link to footage of Nicholas Renier hitting a perfect logsplitter submission at the European 2009 ADCC qualifiers...
It's at about 1:52 of the following video:
Nicolas Renier vs Frank Stäblein (ADCC European trials 2009)
(I don't know much about Nicholas other than the fact he has now secured a berth ADCC, the big Kahuna of submission grappling championships.)
Anyway, I thought it was cool and so I'm passing it along
P.S. If you haven't done so already, send me your top question quick about preparing for, or competing, in grappling tournaments. I'll try to work your questions into my interview with David Meyer, author of 'Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling
'
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July 14, 2009
Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir: How to Destroy the Half Guard
Brock Lesnar probably wouldn't be on my list of people to invite to a book club or an evening of wine tasting. But love him or hate him, you have to admit that he's a hell of a fighter and force to be reckoned with.
What I found most interesting about Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir at UFC 100 was that it was a case study of how to shut down the half guard. Frank spent most of the match in the half guard, and I have no doubt that he has a TON of highly effective sweeps and attacks from there.
But that night none of his techniques worked on Brock...
Of course it's partially that Brock Lesnar is a very large human being. I mean he actually cuts weight to make it down to the upper limit for heavyweights (265 lbs)! He's also explosive, incredibly agile and has great endurance.
Let's first take a look at two strategies that form the foundation of most successful half guard attacks:
- Being on your side, facing your opponent, and
- Getting your body under his center of gravity
Brock deliberately kept Frank on his back and/or facing away from him, and also didn't let him get under his center of gravity.
How did he do this? At various times in the fight Brock used the following techniques and tactics:
- He stiff armed his neck (keeping Frank away),
- He pinned the head and moved his body back
- He turned the head away with his forearm
- He secured the far underhook and applied chest pressure
- He used his head to grind into Frank's jaw, and drive into the chest and armpit
- He grabbed the far armpit to turn Frank's face away and place it directly in the line of fire
The thing is that there are counters and preventive measures to all these half guard top position techniques and tactics. And I'm sure that Frank knows them and practiced them. It's just that when the size difference is that large then your timing has to be razor sharp in order to apply your game. And a bit of luck helps too...
A rematch between these two fighters is inevitable. Maybe the next time Frank will be sharp enough or lucky enough to impose his half guard game on Brock!
Download your free copy of "BJJ Secrets for MMA" by clicking here!
Labels: Brock Lesnar, Frank Mir, half guard, UFC
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July 05, 2009
How to Pick the Right Sparring Partner
A while ago I got an email asking me how to pick sparring partners. The gentleman wrote: "I am a BJJ blue belt, and I want to know how much time I should spend sparring people of my own level, vs people who are better or not as good as I am?"
On the other hand, some people only want to spar with higher ranked partners...
It's true that going against someone much better than yourself can be educational. It sure forces you to work your defense. Also getting badly schooled can be a real eye-opening experience, clarifying what high level grappling looks and feels like.
But always fighting higher level guys can also be problematical! That's because you'll get dominated a lot, and that encourages a very defensive mindset. You'll be unlikely to develop confidence in your offensive repertoire because your opponents will shut down most of your attacks before they ever get started.
So that's why, in an ideal world, at least half your sparring should be against people roughly your own level.
In this way you'll be challenged, without always getting crushed. You'll have a fighting chance that your techniques will work, and you'll get some honest feedback as to your ability to counter your opponents' attacks.
When two people are close in skill and square off against each other all the time, you can get grappling arms races. Here you plot, plan and research your training partner's weaknesses, while he kindly does the same for you. This means that both people get better FAST. (More on grappling arms races here.)
If you don't have anyone close to your level then I encourage you to try and bring the level of your sparring partners up as fast as possible. Make it challenging for yourself!
Start by showing them the counters to all your moves, because it's a terrible thing to be the best grappler at a club!
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The quick answer is that most of your sparring should be with partners just a little bit better and a little bit worse than yourself.
Sparring lower level guys can be useful if there is something specific you want to work on. Usually this is a time to refine your offensive game, but you can also work escapes and defense if you purposely start out in a bad position (click here for some suggestions on how to do this).
On the other hand, some people only want to spar with higher ranked partners...
It's true that going against someone much better than yourself can be educational. It sure forces you to work your defense. Also getting badly schooled can be a real eye-opening experience, clarifying what high level grappling looks and feels like.
But always fighting higher level guys can also be problematical! That's because you'll get dominated a lot, and that encourages a very defensive mindset. You'll be unlikely to develop confidence in your offensive repertoire because your opponents will shut down most of your attacks before they ever get started.
So that's why, in an ideal world, at least half your sparring should be against people roughly your own level.
In this way you'll be challenged, without always getting crushed. You'll have a fighting chance that your techniques will work, and you'll get some honest feedback as to your ability to counter your opponents' attacks.
When two people are close in skill and square off against each other all the time, you can get grappling arms races. Here you plot, plan and research your training partner's weaknesses, while he kindly does the same for you. This means that both people get better FAST. (More on grappling arms races here.)
If you don't have anyone close to your level then I encourage you to try and bring the level of your sparring partners up as fast as possible. Make it challenging for yourself!
Start by showing them the counters to all your moves, because it's a terrible thing to be the best grappler at a club!
Labels: Brazilian jiu-jitsu, training
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