I like the lapel grip Firemen’s carry a lot. It is one of the moves I use when my right hip is in. I prefer to fight left hip in, but when I find myself right hip in the lapel grip firemen’s works well to either get me a score or get me out of the situation. It works especially well against Jiu Jitsu primary athletes. This is for two reasons. First, they often think they can grab the crucifix and try to do so. As long as I wrap the calf instead of the thigh I can usually just throw through this. Second, in Jiu Jitsu we tend to practice rolls and break falls as a way to absorb a throw safely, but rarely practice simply refusing to be thrown. The lapel grip firemen’s doesn’t account for Uki’s arms at all, so it should not be possible to finish the throw toward them. A post or a cartwheel should make scoring in that direction impossible. However, for these two reasons most Jiu Jitsu primary athletes make no attempt to avoid the throw. They usually just accept it. As a result I can frequently get away with just tossing people toward their head.

imagine my surprise when during sparring last Sambo class I dropped into this throw with Martin and he simply said ‘no’ and refused to be thrown opting instead to cartwheel out. This is something I have talked in class about a bunch of times, but I’m always a little shocked when people actually listen. Good job , Martin.