Controlling and Finishing Your Opponent

Playing the Trujitsu Game with Matt Baker

MATT BAKER IS A LONG TIME FRIEND OF THE MAGAZINE. HE’S A SECOND-DEGREE BLACK BELT UNDER JEAN JACQUE MACHADO.
Over the years, he’s been developing what he calls Trujitsu. According to Matt, it is a foundation of basic rules and concepts that anyone can use, but they’re typically best suited for those of us that aren’t the most athletic or most agile grapplers on the mat. The rules and concepts that he employs in Trujitsu have
been observed and documented after competing and referring thousands of matches over his career, both as a competitor and as a referee. Currently, Matt is ranked number one in the world at Black Belt Males Masters 3.
Matt likes to relate to jiu-jitsu as being a language. Think of a salesperson that maybe isn’t the sharpest with their words. If they talk too quickly or want to jump ahead in the process to
catch opportunities, they probably won’t be the most successful salesperson. Instead, think of that smooth, likeable character that after a few minutes of talking you’re begging them to sell you something. Matt says that the rules employed in Trujitsu will help your jiu-jitsu become more fluent. Some of the concepts
of Trujitsu include framing, which is using the proper frame to combat pressure or being efficient with every movement. If a movement doesn’t help you towards your goal, don’t do it. Proper hip placement and connection to your opponent makes all the difference most of the time. On their own, none of these concepts are groundbreaking, but when used and orchestrated together, they can have a huge impact on your jiu-jitsu. Matt’s
not selling courses or memberships, but he is sharing quite a bit of great information on the Trujitsu website. Be sure to check it out at thetrujitsurevolution.com. But until you do that, here is a sampling of the techniques that Matt considers to be great examples of the Trujitsu system. Enjoy

DIAGONAL SIDE CONTROL

This is a variation of side control where instead of being completely perpendicular to your opponent,
you’re actually diagonal to them half way between north/south and in side control. If you were
to look at the two of you like a clock, and your opponent’s feet were at 12 o’clock, your feet would
be at about 4 o’clock. This is a great way to play because it still gives you a lot of arm attacks
along with the ability to shift sides quickly or move to traditional side control or to the north/south.

kimura grip from diagonal side control
Step 1
Matt wants to get control of the nearside arm so that he has multiple attacks to choose from depending on Mike’s movement. While staying on his toes and being heavy on Mike, Matt drives his left side down across Mike’s face and shoulder- this makes Mike uncomfortable and not very fond of the position.
Matt uses his left arm and hand under Mike’s left arm to create a barrier to keep him from escaping to his left.

Step 2
The pressure on Mike, with Matt using his hip pressure, makes it inevitable that Mike’s right arm’s going to come loose. Once this happens, Matt remains tight to Mike and places his right palm against Mike’s side and
scoops up the side of his body to get a solid control of his right arm. Matt likes to call
this open palm scoop across the body the “spatula.” Matt’s controlling the arm by curling his arm to keep Mike’s arm tight against his body; he’s not gripping in any way, his palm is still open.

Step 3
Matt uses two points of control here to get Mike to turn to his side. Matt is using pressure near the
knot of his belt to push Mike forward and then using his chest to push him downward. This gets
Mike to roll to his left side.

Step 4
Now, Matt brings his left arm up and over Mike’s head to grab his wrist and then locks up the
Kimura grip on the arm. At this point, Matt’s pressuring with his hips, chest, and keeping his elbows
in to keep Mike from getting any room to escape.

NECK TO THE GROUND TO BOW AND ARROW

If the person turtled up is defending everything and you can’t force the position, you sometimes have to bait. In this technique, Matt’s going to use some pressure and discomfort to get Mike to give up some space.

Step 1
Mike’s covering everything up and Matt can’t get the hex grip or the collar. So, he cups his right hand on the back of Mike’s head and forces it down to the mat.

Level 1

Step 2
Matt can increase the level of pressure on Mike’s head. This might be necessary if the person turtled up is much larger than you. In this case, Matt just wants to make Mike uncomfortable so he ends up giving him what he wants. The first level of pressure is Matt using his hand and arm to push down. Level two would be Matt turning his elbow in and framing it against his right thigh. Level three would be Matt getting his elbow between his right thigh and hip and pressuring downward.

Level 2

Level 3

Step 3
Matt wants Mike to think that the whole point of this pressure is for him to keep his head glued, or welded in
the case of Level 3, to the mat. After laying down this pressure for a while, Matt brings his left leg up and around to circle around Mike’s head. When his leg gets to his arm, Matt has to let go of Mike’s head.

Step 4
Sensing the pressure gone for that split second, Mike lifts his head off the mat. This gives Matt the opportunity to dive his right arm across the front of Mike’s neck to grab his leftside collar. Matt’s using his left hand and right foot to maintain balance.

Step 5
With the grip on the collar, Matt brings his left hand to Mike’s left pant leg and grabs a hold of some fabric.
With everything locked up, Matt can maintain control of Mike depending on which direction he goes. In this case, Mike falls into the trap and turns to his right side toescape.

Step 6
Mike’s fallen into the bow and arrow choke – Matt already has his right leg over. Matt just needs to keep his right elbowtucked in tight and pull back on Mike’s left leg. Matt puts some hip into it for good measure.

Hope you enjoyed these techniques from Professor Matt Baker. For more from him be sure to grab this issue.