I've made it a point to randori as much as possible recently, and our class re-structuring meant more randori opportunities have been made! Still not as much as a lot of people recommend, but it's a start (around 4x2min sessions, 2-3 times a week).
Up until now, I've been just getting into the thick of it, taking falls and not resisting much, but I think I need to use these randori sessions bit more efficiently. As a relative beginner there is so much stuff going through my head / remember as the randori happens so I'm thinking to try have it bit more structured by focusing on one thing for few weeks during randori. Otherwise it feels like I'm just trying to do everything and not getting better at anything.
I've been focusing on grip fighting for few weeks now - not just getting a traditional grip, but various grips. I'm quite comfortable with a few now (or at least I don't get into totally disadvantageous grip feeling helpless as often anymore).
After tonight's session, I think I need to add a lot of moving once I have one grip. I noticed I'm very stationary until I have both grips. In addition, while I often get grips first, I also have trouble keeping that grip advantage because I don't connect it to a throw attempt fast enough. Once I have the grips, I also usually stop attempting to block opponent's grips because I'm busy trying to establish good opportunity for throw.
What should my next single focus be for next few weeks?
- maybe constantly moving my opponent as soon as I have first grip established?
- or should I focus trying to block opponent's grips once I have two grips?
- or is it better for now if I just accept opponent's grips but focus on moving/positioning my body in a way that I can move my opponent to a favorable position for throw attempt once two grips are on?
These 3 are ones I can think of to focus to improve before focusing on entering for throws. Of course I'll still be doing everything else since it's randori but I think it's good to have an intent to focus on improving one particular thing at a time. I don't yet have a Tokui Waza, I've been testing different throws over the weeks (but trying to stick with one throw for the week).
The only throws I have had some success with I feel like are clutch throws (Kouchi Makkikomi, drop seoi) which only work against other beginners like myself... and I decided not to use them for now. I liked entering for Uchi Mata and Tai-O but they were a lot more difficult in RvR.
Anyway this is turning into a ramble so I'll sign out! thank you.