Control And Pinning Training Methods

Developing control and pinning skills involves using body weight effectively and minimizing reliance on arm strength to keep an opponent flat. Practicing with a partner who gradually increases resistance helps build this technique. The partner on the bottom will attempt to bridge and turn, while the top practitioner focuses on using their hips and weight distribution to maintain control, aiming to keep their hip higher than their shoulder and project weight down at a 45-degree angle across the opponent's torso.

Two specific training drills are introduced to enhance these skills:

1. The first drill is a game where the top practitioner wins by pinning the bottom player's shoulders for three seconds, and the bottom player wins by turning from side to side three times. This can be played in various formats, such as timed rounds or winner-stays rotations, and can be adapted for all skill levels.
2. The second drill starts with the bottom player's arms extended and the top player giving full weight with knees off the mat. After a tap and a brief pause, the drill begins, and the top player aims to secure the bottom player for three seconds, while the bottom player tries to recover guard or reach a neutral position.

These drills provide immediate feedback on controlling various parts of the opponent's body and are effective for developing a strong base and pinning ability. They are simple yet demanding and offer balanced challenges for both top and bottom players across all skill levels.