Positional suckiness?

**Chizilds** · Posted On: 11/14/2007 1:32am

So I have been having this issue, and it was highlighted even more so tonight. We were working on some basic guard passes and some defences when I noticed it. Each time that I would sit back in a good base, I would leave my head down or pointing towards the other guy. Each time he would be able to either goose neck me or pull me down by the lapel easily. I know that you are supposed to keep your head back or up, but how do you guys drill that into your heads? Is it just a passing stupidity that will one day remidy itself?

I never really understood the importance of body posture even in sitting in a combat base for an example.

**Blue Negation** · Posted On: 11/14/2007 1:43am

Don't look at your opponent when in his guard. (it's not gay if you don't make eye contact) Look up and away, maybe 15% above parallel with your opponent or a bit less. This will naturally make your neck have strong posture. Feel everything, don't look at anything.

**Das Moose** · Posted On: 11/14/2007 4:52am

If you're wearing a gi, always make sure the back of your neck touches the gi collar at the back, and look down at your opponent with your eyes not your head.

**ViciousFlamingo** · Posted On: 11/14/2007 7:10am

Posture is everything. I always make sure that my chin is up and I'm looking a little higher than straight forward and that my back is straight (lumbar arch intact).

Also, keeping the posture triangle (hands, shoulders, hips) is really important in preventing your opponent from breaking your posture.

Anyhow, operant conditioning says that you'll learn to keep your head up soon enough. Just keep reminding yourself all the time, and eventually it'll become more and more natural.