Standing Up In Base – The Brazilian JiuJitsu Way
This move comes in many different names in BJJ. You could call it the get-up, the technical stand-up, or the standing up in base. Though, for the purpose of this article, we’re going to refer to it using the latter name.
The standing up in base is a move where you go from a seated position to a standing position, all the while protecting yourself from physical attacks, either in sports or in a sticky situation.
How It Works
When standing up from a chair, you usually lead with your head. You’ll push with both of your hands on either or both sides of your thighs if you’re feeling a bit tired or if the chair is too comfortable to sit on. Standing up from there is easy, but things get a little different when there’s someone standing over you, ready to inflict any form of bodily harm they can. In this situation, leading up with your head is going to leave you open to an attack.
Standing up in base is a move that tries to neutralize that and put you in a solid position, one that’s referred to as “base”, and here’s how you do it:
- Assume a position where you’re sitting down. Now, hold your left foot firmly on the ground, with your right knee down and your right hand behind you. Keep your left arm up to guard against attacks, such as a possible kick to the head.
- In this position, you should be able to put much of your weight on your left foot and right hand, making it easier for you to lift your hips up.
- Put all your weight on the hand and foot that’s on the ground to lift your hips, allowing you to throw a thrust kick with your right foot to the leading knee of your opponent. You won’t always be making contact, but it should at least make them move back.
- Now that the leg is out of the way, you now have space to move. Take your right knee under your right elbow and place it on the ground. This will make your opponent think twice before thrusting in and attacking you, especially with your left arm up for defensive purposes.
- Chances are, your opponent will now far from immediate attack range and won’t be able to attack you without putting himself at risk. You can now take up a solid position and be ready to fight.
Standing up in base isn’t as easy as it sounds or looks. It takes a lot of effort to learn how to take aseemingly defenseless position and make something out of it. More so in a competitive match, or even in an unwanted street fight.
With the tips above, however, you have something to go about and that’s something that you can try and improve on during your succeeding training sessions.
Practice and improve, eventually, going from the ground and assuming a solid “base” will be second nature to you.
