Dojo Discernments
Hi all! Here is your weekly dose of Dojo Discernements where i share nuggets of thought earned on the mats this week! God bless!
Fragmentation
Sometimes youâre working on ideas that donât seem to fit anywhere. Maybe you've yet to develop the habit of forming ideas in completion, youâre learning a new skill, or youâre engaging with something foreign.
When focused on too closely, these incomplete or unfamiliar ideas can feel disconnected from everything else. But when you zoom out, with time or perspective, that fragmented/isolated piece might reveal its perfect place in the whole.
So if you can't put the puzzle together and youâre working on something new, incomplete, or seemingly out of your hands, try zooming out. Time, perspective, and trust often reveals where it fits. Wholeness might just be waiting at a wider angle.
Tensions Systems
Tension systems describe the physical and relational space between things. If you look around right now, every object exists in a balance of space and influence, each one affecting the field around it.
In the body, your back might hurt because your hamstrings lack tension, or your shoulders may ache because your hips are too tight.
In jiu-jitsu, an arm breaks not by accident, but because the wrist and shoulder are pinned and the elbow is hyperextended.
In learning, every piece of stimulus, positive and negative, affects what you practice.
If you want to relieve pain, refine your jiu-jitsu, or teach more effectively: the cause and effect within tension systems.
Tensegrity: the state of tension in a system.
Who is Nelson?
Nelsons: Control Through Turning and Tension
The Nelson series is a group of pinning and turning techniques used to control or turn an opponent from the top positionâespecially from turtle or belly-down. They're staples in wrestling, but variations show up across grappling styles.
Why are they called âNelsonsâ?
The exact origin isnât entirely pinned down (no pun intended), but most agree the term comes from Horatio Nelson, a British naval officer from the 18th century. His name became associated with the idea of dominating or controlling an opponentâpossibly through British schoolboy wrestling slang, where âgetting a Nelsonâ meant getting caught in a tight pin or hold. Over time, the term stuck in grappling culture.
Types of Nelsons
Half Nelson
One arm comes under the opponentâs arm and behind their neck. Simple, effective for turning a turtle opponent or reinforcing control. Often used in combination with wrist control on the far side.
Power Half Nelson
A variation of the half nelson where the other hand pushes down on the head or neck for increased leverage. Strong for turning and breaking defensive structure, especially when an opponent posts up.
Full Nelson
Both arms come under the opponentâs arms and behind the neck. Technically illegal in many grappling sports (including wrestling and BJJ) due to the potential for neck crank and injury. Mostly seen in older catch wrestling or pro-wrestling theatrics.
Stockade
While not a Nelson in name, the stockade uses similar principles, great for pins and submission setups from side control.
Nelsons arenât flashy, but theyâre real. They teach you how to control the head to control the spine, and how turning pressure can break base when applied patiently.
In submission grappling, Nelson-style controls can blend well with ride transitions, back takes, or top pins. Force the turn, or the pin.
Podcast I'm listening To
A podcast about a coach who has competed at the highest levels and is trying to produce other talent in Ireland. What we do, but with an accent.
Video I'm Watching!
Coach JFLO teaching Keith Krikorian a footsweep!
I can watch these videos endlessly. After taking a molly whop from coach, a story for another day, I have to know everything there is đ
If any of these ideas resonated with you, share with a friend! These ideas are mean to be shared!
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