The Language of the Mount (Na-waza)
When we talk a about Na-waza the student must be familiar with the terms used to describe certain positions the grappler can find himself occupying. In this lesson we will briefly give you terms that will make your education easier. When you go to school yo learn the language of mathematics and English, and this is true of striking, throwing, and grappling. Learning these terms allows the student to more easily communicate with the instructor.
In the last few decades ground techniques have been more of the focus than in the past. After the Gracie family dominated the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) in the early nineties, ground technique gained renewed place in the martial arts. Many of the terms used in our training today can directly be attributed to Brazilian Jujitsu (BJJ).
When I first began my training, the focus was on basic strikes, throws, locks, and chokes. These were all elements of the Three Ranges of Fighting. Initially, ground techniques were to prevent getting kicked while getting on top of the opponent to apply a submission or hold. BJJ made these grappling moves into a science and we gained the term guarding position or the guard and many more terms to describe what we were doing. Eventually, the lexicon of ground fighting would be changed. This was a good thing. It made training in range three more refined and easier.
Today these terms are commonly found in dojos and MMA schools, but when I began my training it was sensei do and student copy. Now we can dissect the intricacies of ground fighting and reduce a position to one word and not a discussion followed by an example. This new lexicon of jujitsu expedites the instructor’s ability to pass on information more quickly.
Note: There is a new term I’ve encounter recently that is used instead of Na-waza. The new term is Tatami-waza. This more directly denotes the sport aspect of ground technique than that of older schools of thought. I like this new term, but I do not use it unless I make an effort.
Note: The terms used by the AOKK may differ from those encountered in other schools. In the AOKK we use a blend of the older Japanese terms with English along with many of the newer terms sprinkled into the mix. The AOKK uses much of the Japanese language for its techniques because it is the universally understood language of jujitsu. This is especially true of our throwing techniques. Osoto-gari is the same in America as it is in Sweden. The name if this throw can be recognized around the world. Unfortunately, over the years we have truncated many of the Japanese terms and Americanized them.
Top Mount:
This is the most advantageous position you can have in single combat on the ground. From above the hipline, you can administer key-locks, chokes, arm-bars, elbows, punches, head-butts, and palm strikes. You can also grapevine your legs around uke’s if necessary. Dropping your weight on uke’s chest makes it hard for him/her to breathe.
Note: This is still not the position to be in if you’re facing multiple attackers. This is favored in a one-on-one personal combat situation.
Note: Not all schools of martial arts would agree, but this is the favored position of the AOKK when in range three Na-waza or ground fighting.
Side mount:
This is the second most advantageous position. Many jujitsu students are more comfortable in this position feeling they have great control. The student should practice how to set up locks, chokes, arm-bars, and strikes from this mount. The weakness is it gives the opponent more opportunity to esacpe.
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The Guard or Guarding Position
This is one of the the first position a student is taught. If you’ve been placed, by an opponent in the guard, you are not getting kicked, but you can still be struck with fists, knees and elbows. First thing breath and relax. Do not waste energy. You can escape from this position, but you can also choke or apply a joint lock from this position, and administer strikes too. In this position one opponent is on his/her back while the other is between their legs.
If you’ve placed an opponent in the guard, you can strike with your feet. Dropping your heels on the opponent’s kidneys, is one technique. In BJJ this is a preferred position. This is not so in the AOKK, so we do not advise simply pulling the adversary into the guard because our focus is on self defense and not sport. You are vulnerable in this position. During randori (Free Grappling), you obviously cannot strike, but this is still a good practice to become familiar with administering blows in this range while on the bottom. It is also imperative that you train from the bottom because you might be in that position one day.
When an adversary has been thrown to the ground and is on their back does not mean they’re defenseless. The first time I ran into a heel-thrust from a student, into my solar-plexus, when the student had their back to the ground was a real shock. I had spent too much time simply grappling and expected to jump into the opponent’s guard. This did not happen, so deal with the legs first, and the guard second. If you are standing and the adversary is on the ground, you can also administer kicks while they’re on their back. If the adversary is incapacitated you must stop your attack and render aid if necessary.
Open Guard
The open guard is from the student on the bottoms perspective. This simply means that you’ve not wrapped you legs around the attacker’s waist to prevent them from crossing the hip line. When you ‘re on the bottom this is the more flexible position because you can hip shift and place you feet on the opponent’s hip crease limiting their movement while increasing your ability to escape or place them in a submission.
Closed Guard
In this position, the legs are wrapped around the opponent’s waist to prevent them from crossing the hip line. In this position you arch arch your back and squeeze the attacker’s ribs. Pushing them back impedes their ability to strike and restricts their breathing. The downside is it sets-up an easy ankle lock. This technique was banned in some sport judo tournaments due to injuries. I personally had my ribs injured while working with another instructor practicing this type of the guard. It takes extraordinary leg strength to injure someone with this technique, but it can happen so exercise caution while practicing.
Half Guard (Not on the Video)
Technically the half-guard is when you’re controlling one leg of your opponent as opposed to bot legs. This is also from the perspective of the grappler with his/her back to the floor. It may be the most flexible of all the guarding positions. Originally it was an option to stop your opponent from crossing the hipline, but what was discovered was that it made hip shifting easier. Tori wants to stretch uke out and break his/her base. From this position you can lock-down the opponent by wrapping your arms around uke’s shoulders and making uke hold your weight.
Parachute Guard
This is a relatively new position and not one I was taught. It is performed by wedging you feet into the opponent’s hip crease with your feet between their legs. This is new, but sensei Dickson is fond of it and placed it in the video.
The Turtle (Not on the Video)
The turtle position is on hands and knees head between your arms or curled up with your arms around your head. This is a last-ditch position. If you curl up to protect yourself: you’ll be kicked in the ribs, punched to the back of the head, and punched or kneed in the kidneys. The only good news is you can raise to your feet from this position because it is not totally immobile. Pull your knees under your torso and stand up.
Note: I you’re knocked to the ground when facing multiple attackers it might save your life, but you still need to try and get to your feet. It is all about being mobile and ruthless in your counterattack when staring down multiple assailants.