RENDER - Dani and Kimiko (didn't graduate that much)

Dani is used to rolling with Jessica and has a lot of practise with "bigger and stronger".

Recently even took that to a new level with Lena for the win.

One of the mistakes a lot of people make is falling for the fallacy that "smaller" is easier than "bigger".

There are a few grapplers at the very top of my virtual roster.

Some of them, like Jessica and Marielle, even Jacelyn, are more muscular and stronger.

Dani has just handled Lena and is feeling a bit cocky. She asks Kimiko to roll.

Jessica is a bit amused. But she's kind of curious herself.

"Keep it friendly guys."

Oh well. Dani gets it now.

No, Kimiko isn't as big or as strong as Jessica.

She's not weakling. When she's working on the mats Dani feels like she's wrestling something made out of sinew and tendon.

But that's not the difference.

You need some strength and fitness to grapple.
 
There may be an opening from your opponent.

You still have to move into it.

Your opponent is looking for your openings. You need to be able to close those openings or block them.

Kimiko's openings are very, very, very small.

No Kimiko isn't as big either. Dani gets that this isn't necessarily a good thing either.

Kimiko is finding more openings in more places than Dani thought possible, and Dani is expending a lot of her strength blocking and trying to close those openings before it's too late.

Dani gets caught in a one arm choke. Breathe, bend, flex, she manages to get out.

Kimiko is impressed, and changes tactics slightly.

Now Dani has a new problem. Kimiko moves, Dani blocks, Dani panics.

It seems every time Kimiko makes a move now it's a feint, and as Dani blocks one thing she's leaving herself open more for the next.

And finally she gets caught.

The triangle isn't locked in yet. Kimiko has moved into the opening, she hasn't gone completely past it yet though.

Patience, first she sets position.

Dani sees what's coming, even with her flexibility the opening to escape is very, very small.

 Kimiko bends forward and locks down, that opening to escape is gone now.

Dani is trying to bridge and twist. Kimiko isn't that big or that strong, except that right now it feels to Dani like she's under a car.

Kimiko flexes and pulls, this would be a choke out for almost anyone else.

Dani breathes and bends and keeps working.

Kimiko is impressed.

But then...

There was no escape. That door was closed.

What just happened now feels less like a door and more like a belt, one that just got tightened to half it's length.

Dani taps...

Kimiko is impressed.

"Your defense is pretty awesome. Long time since someone made me work that hard."

"Your offense is nearly non-existent. You spend too much time waiting for someone to make a mistake or fall for an obvious fake."

"Work on that and let me know sometime..."