Saddle Questions.....

[Darcebrabo]

Hi All,

Its my first post here, and I had some questions regarding the Saddle Position/s that I was hoping someone here could help clear up for me.

1) Is purposely trying to transition out of Side Saddle, to Full Saddle a logical idea? If it is a logical idea, is there a method to doing it that I should be aware of? Coach Sonnon teaches in both MMA Uncaged, and Mastering the Saddle that the Full Saddle is the optimal position. Before having any of Coach Sonnon's Saddle instructionals, when rolling in class (I'm a purple belt in BJJ), I used a position that Ryan Hall refers to the "50/50" position. He heel hooks people quite frequently from there.

I've recently learned that some of his mechanics could be alot better refined if he knew the Saddle position.

2) In MMA Uncaged, Coach Sonnon taught one transition, which was the relationship between Full Saddle, and Reverse Saddle, and how he transitions in and out of Reverse Saddle to get back to Full Saddle.

Are there drills that I could do that involve me transitioning in and out of other Saddle positions? I've just begun training the Saddle about a month ago, and I'm really trying to make sure that I digest the ability to transition into the Saddle, and maintain that position before I dive to deep into the Actual leglocks themselves.

Thank you for taking the time out to read this!

[Scott Sonnon]

Hi All,

Its my first post here, and I had some questions regarding the Saddle Position/s that I was hoping someone here could help clear up for me.

1) Is purposely trying to transition out of Side Saddle, to Full Saddle a logical idea? If it is a logical idea, is there a method to doing it that I should be aware of? Coach Sonnon teaches in both MMA Uncaged, and Mastering the Saddle that the Full Saddle is the optimal position. Before having any of Coach Sonnon's Saddle instructionals, when rolling in class (I'm a purple belt in BJJ), I used a position that Ryan Hall refers to the "50/50" position. He heel hooks people quite frequently from there.

I've recently learned that some of his mechanics could be alot better refined if he knew the Saddle position.

2) In MMA Uncaged, Coach Sonnon taught one transition, which was the relationship between Full Saddle, and Reverse Saddle, and how he transitions in and out of Reverse Saddle to get back to Full Saddle.

Are there drills that I could do that involve me transitioning in and out of other Saddle positions? I've just begun training the Saddle about a month ago, and I'm really trying to make sure that I digest the ability to transition into the Saddle, and maintain that position before I dive to deep into the Actual leglocks themselves.

Thank you for taking the time out to read this!

Welcome to RMAX!

Yes, the Full is the optimal position, though you'll find yourself more often in Side. Side is more vulnerable since the top of the 4 (your overlacing leg) is exposed for attack at his arm in the Side, but in the Full, your overlacing leg is much more protected, including your foot tucked under his tailbone.

Ryan's 50/50 position is about 50% of your potential structure you can use, and is useful to remember that in some BJJ tourneys, they've made it illegal to use the Saddles.

There are other transitions. Keep practicing and studying the mechanics of how to establish and remove the structure of the Saddles.

[Darcebrabo]

Welcome to RMAX!

Yes, the Full is the optimal position, though you'll find yourself more often in Side. Side is more vulnerable since the top of the 4 (your overlacing leg) is exposed for attack at his arm in the Side, but in the Full, your overlacing leg is much more protected, including your foot tucked under his tailbone.

Ryan's 50/50 position is about 50% of your potential structure you can use, and is useful to remember that in some BJJ tourneys, they've made it illegal to use the Saddles.

There are other transitions. Keep practicing and studying the mechanics of how to establish and remove the structure of the Saddles.

Coach Sonnon,

Thank you for welcoming me to to RMAX (i'm a huge fan of your work), and thank you for replying to my question. Its always an awesome thing when you can ask a pioneer a direct question, and he actually answers you!

As for tournaments that dont allow Saddle position, for the most part those are primarily Gi tournaments ran by the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation), and they only prohibit the use of the Full Saddle (Side Saddle, Reverse Saddle, and Rear Saddle is legal in the Gi). However, I compete alot in NoGi tournaments, and all of the Saddle positions are legal. In fact, I plan on tackling another competition I'll be competing in, in June (Ohio Grappling Challenge), and I plan on sweeping the entire NoGi division with just the use of the Saddle!

[Scott Sonnon]

Outstanding. Get video. I know that you'll represent RMAX proudly!