4 Powerful BJJ Techniques From US Olympic Judo Coach Jimmy Pedro
US Olympic Judo Coach Jimmy Pedro Has Great Tips And Tricks That Every BJJ Enthusiast Needs To Know!
If you did not already know, US Olympic Judo Coach Jimmy Pedro has some great instructional series for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu enthusiasts right here on BJJ Fanatics. Jimmy Pedro is considered by many to be one of the best judo coaches in US history. As such, it is safe to say he has excellent knowledge when it comes to all things grappling, whether standing or on the ground. Coach Jimmy Pedro is world renowned for his judo expertise, coaching ability, and training methods. As a world renowned coach, his success at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games led to the victories of Kayla Harrison earning back to back gold medals and Travis Stevens earning a silver medal in 2016. Coach Pedro is also very active in sharing his tips and techniques for the grappling world to see. So let’s see how a US Olympic Coach does it. Here are four powerful techniques for BJJ from Judo Coach Jimmy Pedro.
The Tai Otoshi is a powerful throw, and Travis Stevens is one of the best in the world at hitting it. He has a whole DVD series with fellow Olympian and Judo Coach Jimmy Pedro on how to throw with the Tai Otoshi and many others.
#1: Over Under Pass
The over under pass is one of the most effective guard passes, and one of the most difficult to deal with. It is done by controlling your training partner’s hips with an over grip on one side and an under grip around their legs you are able to maintain incredible smashing pressure while giving them no space or ability to shift those hips and create space alleviating the pressure. Let’s see how Jimmy Pedro approaches the over under pass. Check out the video below and then we will break down the technique!
From open guard bottom, Coach Pedro starts with on leg outside of his opponent, letting him go for a butter fly hook. Now Coach Pedro can grab his opponent’s gi in order to control his opposite leg. He does this in order to get the past past his shoulder and control the hip. From this position, Coach Pedro wraps his arm around his opponent’s leg, and uses his knee to drive forward. With his knee above his opponent’s knee he can sit back forcing his training partner to spread his legs, blocking the figure four. The key here is to stay above the knee. This allows Coach Pedro to control his training partner’s head. To clear the leg out, Coach Pedro flattens his body and brings his knee over the leg of his training partner. Then Coach Pedro brings his leg to his opponent’s hips, ending with side control.
#2: Preventing The Kimura From Over Under
The kimura from the over under pass can be a tricky submission to prevent. We just saw how good the over under pass is for passing guard but it also great for setting up submissions. Fortunately, there is an easy way to prevent the kimura from happening, and Coach Pedro knows how. Check out the video below and then we will break down the technique!
As Coach Pedro explains, if we get too careless our training partner can catch us in a kimura from the over under position. If this happens, the first thing Coach Pedro does is grab his opponent’s gi pants and sit back as the kimura is being capture. As his opponent rolls, Coach Pedro steps over the head and posts with his foot. Once you post with that leg you can rip your hand free. This is a simply but very effective technique for countering the kimura!
#3: Tai Otoshi
The Tai Otoshi is an incredibly powerful throw in Judo which involves your entire body, especially your foot work and hips. When done correctly, the Tai Otoshi should feel effortless. It is designed to be low effort, while generating the lift that will give your opponent a hard fall by driving him straight into the mats. Here is Coach Jimmy Pedro demonstrating the Tai Otoshi. Check out the video below and then we will break down the technique!
As Coach Pedro explains, the first thing you want to do with going for a tai otoshi throw is establish your grips. With this technique, you can use a few different grip positions that all work well, but the traditional grip is an inside lapel grip with one hand and a sleeve grip with the other. The throw should be one fluid motion be can be broken down into smaller steps. Coach Pedro pulls his opponent using the sleeve grip, step into the center of his training partner. He drops his body weight low, stepping across his opponent’s body using his calf to hit the throw. To finish the throw, Coach Pedro pulls with his hands and drives with his head in a full circle using his calf to trip his opponent’s leg.
#4: Grip Fighting
Grip fighting is an often over looked but critical component to any well rounded grappler’s game. Coach Pedro is renowned for his super strength gripping ability. Remember, every roll starts with a grip fight. If you want to handle your opponent and stop them from passing you need to first establish your grips. With that in mind let us take a look at what Olympic Judo Coach Jimmy Pedro has to stay about grip fighting. Watch the video below and then we will discuss the technique. Check it out now!
How you grip your opponent is crucial for establishing entrances, take downs and submissions. As Coach Pedro says, control the grips, control the fight. It can also make a huge difference if you know how to break your training partner’s grips. Coach Pedro starts off with showing how he looks to attack an opponent’s hand. It is most effective to go two hands on one, grabbing your opponent’s sleeve and wrist, stopping them from grabbing your gi lapel. Once you have the wrist you should push it down and away from your body. This allows you to dictate moving your opponent where you want, without allowing him a grip on your gi. If gets a grip it is hard to break but not impossible. But you want to avoid him from getting a grip so that he does not have control over your body.
If you liked these techniques then be sure to check out “The Judo Academy” By Coach Jimmy Pedro and Travis Stevens. It is packed with tons of great high level Judo for BJJ, giving you a complete resource to completely transform your game in every aspect, from throws to trips, take downs, and more. And the best part is, these techniques work whether you are in gi or no gi! So check it out and be sure to give these 4 powerful techniques from Coach Pedro a try the next time you are on the mats!
If you want to beat the guys at your belt level you need to be better than them in some areas. You could try to get better at sweeping or passing than they are at sweeping & passing, but that’s going to be difficult because they are working on those skills 3 to 5 times a week in class. Luckily, they are ignoring their standup games – some simple drilling of the right moves will give you a huge advantage.
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