My friend Joe Silvia aka Ausgepicht on Technique vs Fundamentals ~ Stickgrappler's Sojourn of Septillion Steps

Thursday, July 10, 2014

My friend Joe Silvia aka Ausgepicht on Technique vs Fundamentals

7/10/2014 11:00:00 AM Alexis Davis, Animated GIF, Ausgepicht, Back Step Throw, Catchwrestling, Fundamentals, Joe Silvia, Judo, Kesa Gatame, Koshi Guruma, Ronda Rousey, Throws, Wrestling No comments

Yesterday, I posted 11 GIFs I've made from the following fight:

UFC 175 - Ronda Rousey X Alexis Davis

I asked my friend Joe Silvia aka "Ausgepicht" what the name of the technique/throw Ronda Rousey did to Alexis Davis was.

He's a wrestler, so he wasn't sure of the Judo name since Rousey is a Judoka. Additionally, he wrote up something that I sometimes don't remember, and I'm guessing some beginners like me would need to be reminded of sometimes... Technique vs Fundamental... learn 1 technique and you have 1 technique. Learn 1 fundamental and you have 100’s of techniques!

Please read on for Ausgepicht's thoughts/teachings and learn the difference between specific Technique vs a Fundamental.

The technique in question:

Of course, a general throw like this is in pretty much every form of wrestling. We both know the debate on where it originated is pointless. Though I think there is some merit to it, since roots are always important.

Generally speaking, this is a Back Step throw. One of the fundamentals of wrestling. It has many variants and in this case it is a Headlock throw (using a backstep) with an inside leg reap.

Since Ronda is a Judoka, she learned the throw as an Uchi Mata, IIRC. (SG's NOTE: Ausgepicht's strength is wrestling... I've asked some friends who are Judo-savvy and they said it's a "Harai Goshi" in Judo - thx Michael W. and Pierre H.! As the Japanese are very precise with the naming of techniques, elder999 corrected me and said it's actually Koshi Garuma. Domo arigato gozaimasu elder999!)

Here's why I think "roots" are important in this particular throw:

1. It is easy to see the Uchi Mata as a technique. This leads to mindless repetition without context. Which is akin to turning a parked car's steering wheel left and right 10,000 reps for "automatic response." We both know again how pointless that is, yet it is a primary training method for most martial artists and combat sports enthusiasts.

2. Since a backstep is a fundamental, there is tremendous value in emphasizing its daily experience. Knowing one fundamental allows you to have 1,000 variants or techniques - which one you use depends on the LIVE interaction and sport reading in the moment of the two players in UNION.

3. Knowing it as a fundamental allows you to adapt its variables - its grips, feet positioning, a weight shift, locking arm, etc. One will not feel it must be executed EXACTLY as rigid rote repetition has taught them, but have the FREEDOM to express and be alive. Being more effective is a good thing!

The position she had when she landed is as you correctly stated: Kesa gatame. IN Catch its called a Head and Arm Hold. In wrestling just a headlock pin or some other regional variant.

Happy training!

-Joe

For selected posts by my good friend Joe Siliva aka "Ausgepicht" that you may have missed, please check out:

Thursday, July 10, 2014