Sorry to everyone! This was meant to come out on Monday, but didn’t for some reason. Enjoy!

Back in the days of yore, when I was a humble coach out in UCD (Okay, I was never humble but a coach out in UCD nonetheless) I used to start the year with this technique. I like it, it’s cool, effective, and has a direct application to anyone who remembers being in a scrap when younger.

So Matthew grabs me in a “Tallaght headlock” probably because I stood on his white trainers. Who knows? Either way, I’m in a headlock.

First things first, what not to do, and that’s turn away. Pat Miletich won a match in the UFC because his opponent did this once.

Here, I turn my head in towards Matt. My right hand grabs his right (choking) hand and my left hand grabs his left wrist. You’re not expecting to pull his grip apart, moreso alleviate the choke and stay conscious.

In this photo (below), I’ve my left hand and Matt’s hip. If I’m not in immediate danger of being choked this is a better placement as it will help me bring Matt to the ground.

From here, I step in front of Matt with my right foot, and place my right hand on the inside of his left knee. What’s my right hand doing you might ask? I’m not trying to push Matt over with my right hand, it merely stays in place against the inside of his knee (not the front, the inside). I don’t think I’ve stressed this enough, the inside goddamnit!

I “Elvis” my right knee inward (think that scene in Forrest Gump when Elvis first meets a young Forrest) against Matt’s right knee as I pull back with my left hand and sit down.

Done right, I pull Matt right over me and land on top in side control. (It’ll make sense on the video)

Another method of escaping the headlock, and a far cooler way to slam someone in shown below. In this takedown/escape, I once more step to Matt’s side, so that our legs form a T.Unforunately, this isn’t shown in the photo.

It’s super important that your feet in this escape that I get my feet at least parallel to Matt’s, if not in front of him. This means when I extend my hips I go through Matt, not just hit against him. As I smack my hips into Matt, my right hand goes behind his knee to lift up his near leg (right leg, in this case).

With someone light, you’ll pick them up in the air, and you’re free to slam them. More than likely, your opponent will keep his balance, so you’ll need to sweep the leg. Here, I’m sweeping with my left foot.

Techniques are detailed here in video.

Right, I’m getting a bit delirious from editing videos, time to relax. Enjoy!