The ARK Triangle.
I could never have imagined how much moving to China would change BJJ for me. But here I am: I have my own club, I have my sponsors, and I’m going to a TV studio tomorrow to feature in a documentary about the growth of BJJ in China.
Admittedly, things didn’t start off this well. When I first got here I was training on flattened cardboard boxes in an abandoned room behind a gym, cutting myself open every time I made a transition over the bag of cement I was using as a drill dummy. But where there’s a will there’s a way. It allowed me to train the basics again, and even come up with a few basics of my own.
So here’s a move I’m going to put my name on. None of the individual components is original (you’ll see an armbar, knee on belly and triangle), but I haven’t ever seen it done like this before and so – even if it does exist out there somewhere – I came up with it myself.
*Below is for informational purposes only and should not be practiced unless under an instructors supervision*
Below are two of my students – Evan in the red rashguard and Gennady in his Like2Fight t-shirt – performing the ARK Triangle (Armbar to Reverse Knee on belly).
The situation: Evan ends up in an unorthodox armbar position – notice his left foot is through the “box” made my Gennady’s arms. What are his options?
1. Evan makes sure his butt is pressed tightly against Gennady’s shoulder. Notice his right hand is placed on the mat behind him to help him “butt scoot” closer when Gennady tries to move. Evan is also keeping a tight hold of Gennady’s arm.
2. Evan opens his legs, putting downwards pressure on Gennady’s hips and head. Notice Evans foot is controlling Gennady’s armpit, opening Gennady’s arm.
Why?
i) To escape, Gennady has to turn in towards Evan and come up on his knees. This involves his left shoulder coming off the ground. Therefore, Evan’s foot pressure will stop Gennady from being able to turn effectively.
ii) To escape, Gennady could try to push Evan’s left leg over his head and sit up. However, Evan’s foot pressure is opening Gennady’s arm, making it hard for Gennady to get a hold on the leg.
Note: Evan is still butt scooting when necessary.
3. Evan switches his grip on Gennady’s arm, applying a “keylock” type pressure. Notice Evan is in the process of brining his elbow against his side to trap Gennady’s arm.
Note: Still butt scooting!
4. Evan moves his right leg to block Gennady’s hips. Gennady is trying desperately to turn. This movement allows Gennady to turn, but ensures Evan will have a nice little space to perform his transition to knee on belly.
5. Evan swings his left leg round, pincering Gennady’s right arm. He has also moved his right leg back to create a more stable base.
Note: In the instant this transition is made, Evan stops butt scooting and leans over Gennady slightly, applying heavy pressure with his left knee.
6. Evan is now in a perfect position to come up into an unorthodox reverse knee on belly. Notice he is keeping tight control of Gennady’s arm by pulling back on Gennady’s tricep. Evan is also trying to pinch his own elbow against his side.
Note: Evan’s shin is directly across Gennady’s arm pit, creating serious discomfort in a sensitive area and trapping the arm “good and proper”.
7. Evan does a 180 degree turn, sitting back on Gennady’s chest to keep Gennady’s shoulders on the floor.
Note: Evan is sweeping his extended leg round in small steps to keep a solid base.
8. Evan comes into the mounted triangle position with Gennady’s arm still trapped! Awesome!
A big thank you to Evan and Gennady – two of our grapplers at Team Malevolent China!
To find out more about our UK and China clubs, visit www.teammalevolent.com and www.frontierasiabjj.com. Osss!
