Jake Nicholls vs Ari Tabak: ADCC Trials Match Breakdown

Jake Nicholls (@jakeistired1999) breaks down his ADCC Trials match against Ari Tabak: the defense and rule awareness that won the overtime. From his video: https://youtu.be/LPtzV9P1BtU

Flow outline

  1. Opening Plan: Delay Engaging

    • Plan: avoid a technical exchange with Ari.
    • From Jake Nicholls (@jakeistired1999), coach at Hills Grappling Club, breaking down his own ADCC Trials match against Ari Tabak.
    • Mistake: posted on the shoulder too long, and Ari got the tricep grip
    • Plan vs K-guard: sit back on an ankle lock

  2. K-Guard Entry

    • Ari throws into K-guard off the tricep grip.
    • Grip: Ari wraps the tricep
    • Leg Path: Ari threads into K-guard

  3. Ankle Lock Attempt

    • You sit back on the ankle lock. Ari inverts to make the angle wrong and puts his foot in as a body X.

  4. Ari Goes Out The Back Door

    • As you push into Ari, he inverts underneath to take the back.
    • Grip: Ari holds the foot so you can't get out

  5. Back Step And Leg Pummel

    • Back step and try to pummel the leg.
    • Tried: run and kick out, but the grip was too tight
    • Context: no-points period, so you didn't fight the top position

  6. Half Guard With Underhook

    • Ari lands in half guard with a near-side underhook and a high tripod.
    • Pressure: Ari drives his weight forward in a high tripod
    • Posture: Ari keeps his head low and tight

  7. C-Post Elbow Control

    • C-post on Ari's elbow to stop the double underhooks.
    • Grip: C-post on his elbow
    • Frame: follow his arm to keep the grip

  8. Overhook And Hip Frame

    • Overhook his arm and frame the hip so he can't lift the underhook.
    • Grip: overhook his arm
    • Frame: left hand frames his hip
    • Angle: straighten the arm to bar the hip

  9. Butterfly Hook Recovery

    • Insert a butterfly hook to off-balance him and recover guard.
    • Leg Path: butterfly hook under his leg
    • Weight: lift with the hook to off-balance him

  10. North-South Pin Defense

    • Elbows inside, stay relaxed, and wait for the action call.
    • Frame: elbows tight to the ribs to block grips
    • Timing: wait for the referee's action call

  11. Reverse De La Riva Wrestle-Up

    • From reverse De La Riva, bump him overhead to start a wrestle-up.
    • Pressure: push him to get a reaction
    • Timing: bump him overhead as he pushes back
    • Goal: force a wrestling exchange in the points period

  12. Single Leg vs Ari's Underhook

    • Ari squares up and gets a near-side underhook during the wrestle-up.
    • Grip: Ari punches the near-side underhook
    • Pressure: Ari runs you down to flatten your posture

  13. Back Exposure And Roll

    • You expose his back but follow the roll and miss the score.
    • Pressure: Ari rolls to escape the back exposure
    • Fix: let go and keep him down chest-to-chest
    • Avoid Following the roll instead of letting go and keeping chest-to-chest pressure.

  14. Triangle Attempt And Closed Guard

    • Throw up a triangle as he comes up. Ari slips his head out and you pull closed guard.

  15. Shin Fold And Tricep Control

    • Ari shin folds to an angle and collects the tricep to go behind.
    • Leg Path: Ari shin folds to create an angle
    • Grip: Ari doubles up on the tricep grip

  16. Log Roll Escape

    • Beat the one-hook back take before the 3-second count.
    • Arm: throw your arm above your head to misalign his shoulder
    • Weight: roll your body as a unit to turn in
    • Key detail Throw your arm above your head and log roll to misalign his grip.

  17. Hold On To Overtime

    • "Defense maxed" so Ari can't score.
    • Timing: hold until the referee stands you up

  18. Psychological Reset

    • Run to the center to show him you're fresh.
    • Posture: stand up quickly and run to the center
    • Truth: "I was very tired"

  19. X-Guard Tripod Sweep

    • Overtime: Ari pulls guard, which puts you ahead, then enters X-guard and tripod sweeps as you stand.
    • Leg Path: Ari threads into X-guard
    • Angle: Ari tripods to knock you backwards

  20. Twister Hook And Triangle Legs

    • Ari gets a twister hook and triangles his legs.
    • Grip: Ari puts the twister hook in
    • Not scoring yet: keep your elbow to your ribs

  21. Quarter Guard Recovery

    • Turn to your side and collect his ankle for quarter guard.
    • Leg Path: turn fully onto your side to face him
    • Grip: collect his ankle to lock quarter guard
    • Key detail They don't score it until it's clearly settled. Stay on your side and keep bridging.

  22. Chair Sit Back Take

    • Ari chair sits to take the back as time runs out.
    • You: up on two knees, hand in your back pocket; Ari lacks control of that side

  23. Hook Prevention And Win

    • Block the last hook and shake him off.
    • The idea If you can put a foot over your shoulder, there's no longer a score.
    • Leg Path: lift his leg over your shoulder to block the hook
    • Finish: "I just chill": four-point, shake him off, no leg configuration for him

Branch conditions