Longstep Passing Basics: Tainan Dalpra

Notes on Tainan's Longstep Masterclass

Tainan is undeniably one of the top gi competitors right now. And the most impressive aspect of his game is his passing.

In order to understand Tainan’s style and concepts behind his passing, I think it’s necessary to study deeply a specific pass that can lead us to understand the underlying principles of his super successful passing style.

The following notes are from his Longstep Masterclass Instructional (AOJ+ Link Here):

Notes:

Positioning and Posture:

Most of the long steps start from the knee slide position:

But you need to know how to manage the distance to be successful with the long step

You need to know when it is the right time to use it

In order to know when to use it, you need the following:

• Your head cannot be on top of theirs:

  

• Be in front of them and below their knee line instead:

  

  Head position avoids the knee shield

🤯 Note:

You are trying to separate their knee from their chest and occupy that space with your head or chest or upper body. Works on every pressure pass

Grip Combinations

Right Hand or Top Hand

Collar Grip: A bit safer - Better to start with a collar grip:

Use to control distance: Most of the time, you don’t want to pull but push

To push, use this grip:

To pull, use this grip: When they are trying to push away (not very common):

Head Control: A bit harder:

Tricep Grip and Belt Grip:

When they don’t allow you to get control of the collar or head:

Left Hand or Legs Hand

It is used to clear the legs away from you.

Always keep your hand free! Don’t grab the pants or leg in any way at the beginning. Because they can always use the other leg to frame:

They’ll recover as you switch the grip to the bottom leg

Keep the hand free instead:

And as you fight the framing leg, you need to tripod (next topic):

Tripod

Always tripod closer to North-South instead of being perpendicular:

Always go over the shoulder-line

As soon as you tripod and pin their top half, maintain the opening between their knees and chest.

The last step is to lower your body and occupy this space.

This is a shortened version of the notes. If you’d want me to share the solo drills that Tainan recommends everyone to do in order to improve their longstep movement patterns, let me know.

That’s it!

Let me know if you like this kind of breakdown of specific instructions. I have many more coming for the premium subscribers.

Have a great week.