Immobilizing Submission Hold and the Fighter Mentality
Written & Photographed by Fred Ortiz
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Kosen Judo and the Fighter Mentality
The great grappling style of Judo prior to 1925 was known as Kosen Judo. Kosen Judo is comprised of the same throws and techniques as other forms of Kodokan Judo but the emphasis is on ground techniques. This is the fighting style Edson Carvalho began in his youth.
Kosen Judo offers the Judoka the ability to drag his opponent down while falling straight onto his back. Once on the ground, chokes or joint locks to the arms and legs are executed. Application of proper technique is primordial to success but, what sets the victor apart is a fitness level that promotes endurance. Endurance in the most extreme fighting situations is part of the basic fighting alphabet of the grappling world, just as important as repetition and discipline.
The traditional Japanese grappling style of fighting should include a warm-up tough enough to wipe out those who are not in top shape. The constant execution of drills and repetition does have its down side if proper technique is neglected. In addition to extreme physical training, mental discipline prepares the athlete for the game. Mental discipline will separate the fighter from the player.
Judo tournaments usually focus on the throw, due to sport rules. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments focus on points or a submission (the “grand slam” of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). But if you have a fighter’s mentality, ending the match is your goal using either a standing or ground assault, depending on your opponent’s reaction.
In the world of MMA, it is clear that only fighters who are mentally prepared are fit to win. Usually these fighters are known for one way of winning, sometimes by strikes or slams. But the weapon that sets the disciplined fighter apart from the rest is a focused goal to finish and win. So by understanding both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the arsenal of attacks becomes larger and options are numerous.
If grapplers were to focus on finishing and not game play the evolution would take us back to the day of the samurai. The fighting spirit that knows no defeat and no surrender – no other options but winning. A new student should never loose the level of enthusiasm that makes practice and training new each and every time.
Enthusiasm is what makes the sport rich in discovery and innovation. However, when repetition becomes a means of merely copying, then interest is lost. The need to improve looses its flavor or saltiness and the need to fight goes down the tube. There are many players in the grappling world who only have the goal of accumulating points. While the practitioner with a fighting spirit requires mental discipline to finish by submission and not points.
Edson Carvalho
As a student of Edson Carvalho I can say that this fighting spirit dwells in his dojo – when we train we focus on finishing the fight. When we train we focus on the worst situation because when you prepare for the worst, you show others your best.
“Immobilization can be a submission if it works”, Edson Carvalho.
Sensei Edson Carvalho is a 6th Degree Black Belt(Rokudan)in Judo. He is known for mastering NEWAZA (ground techniques), hold down techniques specifically. In his dojo located in Paterson, NJ, Edson performs the following technique with such effectiveness and finesse that he has devastated opponents in world class tournaments by having them tap out due to it’s crushing grasp.
BJJ Technique: Immobilizing Submission Hold
Due to the nature of ground fighting and the unrestricted time limit of pining in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, this hold down technique has evolved into a submission. .This submission hold is attained after a throw or guard pass and the opponent is placed in a side mount.
This hold, when applied correctly can work as a submission, plowing down into the rib cage and lifting the back causing air movement to collapse, minimizing oxygen intake to the lungs and in some cases also blocking the wind pipe when pulling down on the head.
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At this point your hip weight should be next to your opponent’s hips. The right side of your ribs should also be pressing into the opponent’s rib cage diagonally. Finally exhale as you pull the opponents back off the ground.
The pressure must be constant as you turn and post with the left foot. The Right leg should be tight under the right arm pit.
This immobilizing positions technique proves once again how the grappling world is constantly evolving.
About Fred Ortiz (Article Written and Photographed by)
- 1988-1991 Black Belt in Kyokushin-Kai Karate under Prof.Angel Coba (
- 1991-1992 Purple Belt Washin-Ryu Karate under Master Hidy Ochiai
- 1993-1996 Opened Karate Club in
- 1995 3rd Black Belt Forms NJ Open
- 1996 3rd
- 2000-2001 Aerobic Kickboxing Instructor – Sil Jeon Do Academy, Master Chang
- 2003 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Mike Mrkulic
- 2005 to Present – Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Green Belt in Judo under Sensei Edson Carvalho.
