THE GROUNDWORK KUZUSHI GAME

The principles of breaking balance & establishing control from the ground, applying judo's throwing concepts to groundwork. Focuses on creating kuzushi through positional frameworks, grip fighting, & strategic recovery to dominate the ne-waza phase. Timing beats strength

Flow outline

  1. Collar And Sleeve

    • If they frame, the foundational grip for establishing control and initiating kuzushi, similar to the kumi-kata of standing judo. from here, you dictate the tempo and create openings for transitions

  2. Positioning

    • The strategic placement of your body to maximize control and off-balance your opponent, ensuring you keep the dominant angle for attack

  3. Rules

    • From here, The governing principles of movement and control that dictate effective groundwork, ensuring every action contributes to breaking the opponent's posture

  4. Retention

    • Key detail: from here, maintaining dominant positions and preventing the opponent from recovering their base, applying constant pressure to deny them stability

  5. Lasso Side

    • A control position using the lasso guard to entangle the opponent's arm, creating a fulcrum to disrupt their balance and set up sweeps

  6. Frame Side

    • From here, establishing strong frames against the opponent's body to create space, manage distance, and prepare for a reversal or sweep

  7. Legs

    • Often Utilizing the legs as primary tools for control and off-balancing, hooking and lifting to generate kuzushi from the ground. Angle matters

  8. Quadrants

    • From here, often dividing the opponent's base into sections to systematically attack their stability, targeting weak points to collapse their posture

  9. Offensive Cycles

    • Usually Continuous sequences of attacks that flow from one to the next, maintaining relentless pressure and capitalizing on the opponent's reactions

  10. Heights

    • Quick note: Managing vertical levels to control the engagement, dropping your center of gravity to increase stability or rising to create attacking angles. Don’t force it

  11. Golden Rule

    • Once set, the fundamental principle: always break the opponent's posture before attempting any major transition or submission. switch if it stalls

  12. Lasso Side

    • From here, if it shows up, a control position using the lasso guard to entangle the opponent's arm, creating a fulcrum to disrupt their balance and set up sweeps

  13. Knee Shield

    • Key detail: using the knee as a barrier to control distance and create a defensive frame, preventing the opponent from closing in and settling their weight

  14. Recovery

    • The process of regaining a dominant position or creating space when under pressure, utilizing hip movement and frames to re-set control. Timing beats strength

  15. Bullfighting

    • Most of the time A dynamic guard retention and sweeping strategy that uses constant off-balancing and angle changes, akin to controlling an opponent's momentum in standing Judo. Don’t force it

  16. Knee And Elbow Connected

    • From here, A tight control position where the knee and elbow are linked to shut down the opponent's space and limit their mobility, enhancing your base

  17. Open Bullfighting

    • Often A more mobile version of bullfighting that uses wider frames and dynamic movements to create sweeping opportunities from various angles

  18. Reverse De La Riva

    • An inverted guard position that uses leg entanglements to off-balance the opponent and set up back takes or sweeps, emphasizing rotational kuzushi. Switch if it stalls

  19. Headquarters

    • A dominant passing position where you control the opponent's legs and upper body, poised to collapse their guard and advance

  20. Stack Or Pile

    • A pressure passing position that folds the opponent onto themselves, compromising their posture and alignment to create passing opportunities. Angle matters

Branch conditions