One idea that I've had a hard time training out of my kids is the idea that simply bridging will invalidate a hold. Where does this idea come from? Pro-wrestling maybe?
In judo, a hold-down is done by pressing most of the bottom man's shoulders into the mat from a position of control. If bottom man bridges (lifts his butt), he's still held down. Sometimes some of my kids will lift one shoulder off the mat and wave the arm at the ref as if to say, "look, my shoulder's up," even though the opponent is clearly controlling and pressing the other shoulder into the mat. This does not stop the hold-down either.
I have finally said it enough times that some of my kids have figured out that there are three basic ways to escape a hold
- - Turn clearly onto your side. Even though you are still on bottom, this is a great step toward escape and the back of neither shoulder is pressed into the mat. Turning onto your side will stop a hold-down. Watch out though - you need to turn to face the opponent. If you turn away he'll jump on your back.
- - Reverse positions so that you are on top. If you are clearly holding uke, then he is not holding you. Make it easy for the ref to see that you are the boss. Refs are dumb, and if it's not easy to see your mastery they might think you are actually losing ;-)
- - Get your legs around their leg(s) or torso. Again, if you are holding him, he is not holding you.
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Patrick Parker is a Christian, husband, father, martial arts teacher, Program Director for a Cardiac Rehab, and a Ph.D. Contact: mokurendojo@gmail.com or phone 601.248.7282 木蓮
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