My mind was a little scrambled last weekend b/c I came very close to make an ill-timed life choice. Realized the impending chaos that would ensue and made a different choice. That said, jiu jitsu has been a distant and welcome after thought. Attended all of the usual classes except for Sunday's advanced class which was canceled.
Nothing really memorable from those training days except that I got to roll with Sarah a fair amount during Friday's class. My Fundies class went well on Saturday except that I demo'd an ancillary detail to the omoplata that served only to confuse people and I'm not even sure why I did it. It's not even something that I do, was shown to do, or makes a lot of sense. Weird.
Monday's class was big again with ~20 people. Rolls were ok, nothing awful, nothing great.
I'm also a little frazzled b/c I'm going to be on the road a bit this summer and am leaving for SLC tomorrow and will be staying a week. I looked into a couple of places to train while I'm there, so hopefully that will work out.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Wed Morn and Night
This was the best overall day of rolling I've had in awhile. Morning class we covered side control escapes, where I always learn something new. My bottom side control can't suck forever...right?
Huuuuuge morning class, so it was KOTH for rolling, win by sub, back or mount. Chris N., Joyce, white belt guy who's name I don't know, Joe and Russ. Best roll by far that I've had with Chris. It was a real battle, but I was determined to be on top the entire time. Not only was the strategy sound, but I was able to execute it. I don't remember how I won, but I did.
Was a bit gassed after that roll as we had been going for awhile. Started from guard with Joyce, got a quick scissor sweep to mount.
Started working guard on white belt guy and got a relatively quick triangle/armbar.
Was a little tired by the time I rolled with Joe, but that wasn't an excuse for getting in a bad spot early and getting choked by I don't remember what. I think I started the roll too passive.
On the wall until I hit Russ, who had been rolling the whole time. We had a spirited battle, and I came close on a belly down armbar. We were both really tired though, and had moments of regrouping where we both more or less completely disengaged during the roll to catch our breath. I eventually got to mount somehow. I wasn't happy with how tired I was, but otherwise pleased with my performance during the roll.
I waffled all afternoon about whether to do night class or not. I was bushed after morning class, as the gym was up to the mid-80s by the end. I convinced Rachael to do class, then I convinced her to take the night off, and then I decided that we should go. Of course, she's free to do whatever she wants, but she seems to prefer to go when I'm there.
Evening technique consisted of submissions from bottom half guard, namely a shoulder or armlock from 93 guard.
Fewer people at night than morning, so regular rolling. Rachael, Manny, Jenny and Kasey. Rachael again after class.
Manny and Kasey had the better of it, but even so I recognize that I did a bit better than I usually do with them. Jenny and I had a fun roll, as she is great at elevating herself and damn near floating above you while you try to sweep her. I'm not sure how I got into it, but I do remember that I had a pretty sweet entry to an armbar.
Did fairly well against Rachael. Tried to bolo once or twice, and while I didn't get the back I got a sweep on one of them. Got a couple of passes and generally stayed off of bottom.
Huuuuuge morning class, so it was KOTH for rolling, win by sub, back or mount. Chris N., Joyce, white belt guy who's name I don't know, Joe and Russ. Best roll by far that I've had with Chris. It was a real battle, but I was determined to be on top the entire time. Not only was the strategy sound, but I was able to execute it. I don't remember how I won, but I did.
Was a bit gassed after that roll as we had been going for awhile. Started from guard with Joyce, got a quick scissor sweep to mount.
Started working guard on white belt guy and got a relatively quick triangle/armbar.
Was a little tired by the time I rolled with Joe, but that wasn't an excuse for getting in a bad spot early and getting choked by I don't remember what. I think I started the roll too passive.
On the wall until I hit Russ, who had been rolling the whole time. We had a spirited battle, and I came close on a belly down armbar. We were both really tired though, and had moments of regrouping where we both more or less completely disengaged during the roll to catch our breath. I eventually got to mount somehow. I wasn't happy with how tired I was, but otherwise pleased with my performance during the roll.
I waffled all afternoon about whether to do night class or not. I was bushed after morning class, as the gym was up to the mid-80s by the end. I convinced Rachael to do class, then I convinced her to take the night off, and then I decided that we should go. Of course, she's free to do whatever she wants, but she seems to prefer to go when I'm there.
Evening technique consisted of submissions from bottom half guard, namely a shoulder or armlock from 93 guard.
Fewer people at night than morning, so regular rolling. Rachael, Manny, Jenny and Kasey. Rachael again after class.
Manny and Kasey had the better of it, but even so I recognize that I did a bit better than I usually do with them. Jenny and I had a fun roll, as she is great at elevating herself and damn near floating above you while you try to sweep her. I'm not sure how I got into it, but I do remember that I had a pretty sweet entry to an armbar.
Did fairly well against Rachael. Tried to bolo once or twice, and while I didn't get the back I got a sweep on one of them. Got a couple of passes and generally stayed off of bottom.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Monday
Huge class this morning. School is definitely out.
Leg drag from DLR, either the straightforward way or ducking under and doing it the more complex way. After that, finishing the leg drag by taking the back.
KOTH since it was a big class. Booo.... Win by submission, back or mount. I lost every match up. The first one I was a spirited match up against Kelly. I was able to thwart his bolo and damn near get his back in the process but couldn't quite get there. Staved off the really bad positions and submissions for awhile but eventually succumbed to a belly-down arm-bar.
After that it was Nate, who got to mount way too easy. Swept, passed guard, mount. Ugh.
Vaughn was another spirited match up. He started almost on all fours, so of course I had to take an arm-drag opportunity since he's a 200+lb brown belt. Got a hook in, eventually lost it, ended up in a bad position. Was able to get a beautiful sweep and another attempt at the back but couldn't finish it. Eventually got submitted with I'm not sure what.
Final match up against Jason S., who positionally dominated the entire time until James called it a day.
Overall got my ass kicked pretty good, but I'm happy about my rolls with Kelly and Vaughn. Not so much my roll with Nate. Jason so-so.
Leg drag from DLR, either the straightforward way or ducking under and doing it the more complex way. After that, finishing the leg drag by taking the back.
KOTH since it was a big class. Booo.... Win by submission, back or mount. I lost every match up. The first one I was a spirited match up against Kelly. I was able to thwart his bolo and damn near get his back in the process but couldn't quite get there. Staved off the really bad positions and submissions for awhile but eventually succumbed to a belly-down arm-bar.
After that it was Nate, who got to mount way too easy. Swept, passed guard, mount. Ugh.
Vaughn was another spirited match up. He started almost on all fours, so of course I had to take an arm-drag opportunity since he's a 200+lb brown belt. Got a hook in, eventually lost it, ended up in a bad position. Was able to get a beautiful sweep and another attempt at the back but couldn't finish it. Eventually got submitted with I'm not sure what.
Final match up against Jason S., who positionally dominated the entire time until James called it a day.
Overall got my ass kicked pretty good, but I'm happy about my rolls with Kelly and Vaughn. Not so much my roll with Nate. Jason so-so.
Weekend
Fundamentals on Saturday consisted of sweeping an opponent with both knees down. Hip-bump, scissor, flower and pendulum. Julio was in class, so that was something different to have a black belt attend. Felt very comfortable with teaching those techniques.
Rolled with Rachael for an 8min round between classes b/c she had to leave. I think it was a pretty evenly matched roll.
Noon class was drilling (if you wanted) or all rolling. I tried to drill a few things but was working with lower belts who weren't reacting quite the way that I needed. I did spend quite a bit of time helping them with some areas though so that was rewarding. Rolled for about a half hour with a variety of people.
Sunday I tried drilling a Mendes Bros variation of the back-step from knee slice if your opponent has the underhook. If I can get set immediately it works great, but I was having issues back-stepping to the exact position I needed to be. I'll try fussing with it a bit more today.
Rolled with Kelly, Vaughn, Shaun and James. Got my ass pretty well kicked for the most part, but did have a legitimate sweep on James and almost got to the back. Just before that happened he had done a backstep pass and then sat on my chest instead of off to the side...and then BOUNCED up and down. I squawked my displeasure, but it was all in good fun.
Rolled with Rachael for an 8min round between classes b/c she had to leave. I think it was a pretty evenly matched roll.
Noon class was drilling (if you wanted) or all rolling. I tried to drill a few things but was working with lower belts who weren't reacting quite the way that I needed. I did spend quite a bit of time helping them with some areas though so that was rewarding. Rolled for about a half hour with a variety of people.
Sunday I tried drilling a Mendes Bros variation of the back-step from knee slice if your opponent has the underhook. If I can get set immediately it works great, but I was having issues back-stepping to the exact position I needed to be. I'll try fussing with it a bit more today.
Rolled with Kelly, Vaughn, Shaun and James. Got my ass pretty well kicked for the most part, but did have a legitimate sweep on James and almost got to the back. Just before that happened he had done a backstep pass and then sat on my chest instead of off to the side...and then BOUNCED up and down. I squawked my displeasure, but it was all in good fun.
Friday, June 12, 2015
Friday Morning
Having a tough time falling asleep this week when I don't do jiu jitsu class. It's becoming a bit of a problem. Waking up later than I'd like, especially since it's summer and the mornings are sooo nice.
Class was great. Worked with someone who's only had a few classes. Technique a lot of little things from turtle like sitting out (hip heist?) if they're sprawled on top of you, rolling or sitting through if they're beside you and how to defend those from top position, pulling them into back-control if you're on top and finally d'arce/brabo and anaconda from top. Was a little tough because she'd fall over for a lot of the techniques, but she was improving as class went on and hopefully enjoyed it.
Rolled with her, Sarah, Rachael and then Dennis after class. Rolls were ok. Rachael had me in stifling side control until the very end when I got her back. Did pretty well with Dennis, worked a guard pass for most of the time.
Didn't do anything amazing, but energy was surprisingly good.
Class was great. Worked with someone who's only had a few classes. Technique a lot of little things from turtle like sitting out (hip heist?) if they're sprawled on top of you, rolling or sitting through if they're beside you and how to defend those from top position, pulling them into back-control if you're on top and finally d'arce/brabo and anaconda from top. Was a little tough because she'd fall over for a lot of the techniques, but she was improving as class went on and hopefully enjoyed it.
Rolled with her, Sarah, Rachael and then Dennis after class. Rolls were ok. Rachael had me in stifling side control until the very end when I got her back. Did pretty well with Dennis, worked a guard pass for most of the time.
Didn't do anything amazing, but energy was surprisingly good.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Wed Night
AIR CONDITIONING.
'nuff said.
James did something a little different tonight and instead of doing technique + rolling, he split everyone into two teams, with him as one captain and.... me as the other. Apparently he does this with the kids frequently, but I hadn't seen it before. Captains pick teams, then alternate sending 4 people into different sections of the mat. He'd send four people, then I'd send four people picking the match-ups. Then I'd send four and he'd send his four and picking the match-ups. If someone lost by submission they'd go to the other team.
I'll summarize the evening by saying that my team got pretty whupped. I was down to two people, so I hopped in for my first match and was pitted against Rachael. I pulled guard, got a sweep and pass. Tried like hell to get a head and arm but whiffed on it somehow.
After over an hour of that game it was regular rolling via KOTH. I started off down, since I was relatively fresh (having only had one match in the past hour while most everyone else had... alot). First was with Jenny, who I eventually got to mount. Then Rachael. We had a spirited back and forth match, but I gave up side control then gave up some choke and that was that. Back to the wall, then had Chaz who said he was tired but still managed to quickly kick my ass.
There are days when I don't understand why I was promoted to purple.
'nuff said.
James did something a little different tonight and instead of doing technique + rolling, he split everyone into two teams, with him as one captain and.... me as the other. Apparently he does this with the kids frequently, but I hadn't seen it before. Captains pick teams, then alternate sending 4 people into different sections of the mat. He'd send four people, then I'd send four people picking the match-ups. Then I'd send four and he'd send his four and picking the match-ups. If someone lost by submission they'd go to the other team.
I'll summarize the evening by saying that my team got pretty whupped. I was down to two people, so I hopped in for my first match and was pitted against Rachael. I pulled guard, got a sweep and pass. Tried like hell to get a head and arm but whiffed on it somehow.
After over an hour of that game it was regular rolling via KOTH. I started off down, since I was relatively fresh (having only had one match in the past hour while most everyone else had... alot). First was with Jenny, who I eventually got to mount. Then Rachael. We had a spirited back and forth match, but I gave up side control then gave up some choke and that was that. Back to the wall, then had Chaz who said he was tired but still managed to quickly kick my ass.
There are days when I don't understand why I was promoted to purple.
Wed Morn
It turns out that if you can restrain from looking at the thermostat, you can kindof tell your brain to stop complaining about the heat.
James was late so Shaun, Jason S and I covered techniques. Shaun started with spiderguard, and I should have stuck with that theme but my hammer sweep is pretty crappy so I bailed to a half guard sweep. Jason picked up with a back-take or head and arm choke from the end of the sweep.
Rolled with a couple of white belt women, then Blaine and Jason S. Did better against Blaine than Monday, but couldn't get the sweep in the final 30sec that I wanted.
I started to pass Jason's guard, he got a kimura grip and used it to almost get to back-mount. I spent the remainder of the 5min fending off chokes, triangles, arm-bars and baratoplatas from back-mount and body-lock. Uggggggggggggggh. The one positive I can take from it is that I did successfully fend off the subs. Never improved my position.
James was late so Shaun, Jason S and I covered techniques. Shaun started with spiderguard, and I should have stuck with that theme but my hammer sweep is pretty crappy so I bailed to a half guard sweep. Jason picked up with a back-take or head and arm choke from the end of the sweep.
Rolled with a couple of white belt women, then Blaine and Jason S. Did better against Blaine than Monday, but couldn't get the sweep in the final 30sec that I wanted.
I started to pass Jason's guard, he got a kimura grip and used it to almost get to back-mount. I spent the remainder of the 5min fending off chokes, triangles, arm-bars and baratoplatas from back-mount and body-lock. Uggggggggggggggh. The one positive I can take from it is that I did successfully fend off the subs. Never improved my position.
HOT
Monday morning was hot. I made the mistake of checking the thermostat at the end of class. 87F. Uggggggggggh. I was sortof planning on doing the night class, but Rachael sent me a text that it was 94F right before I was heading out of work to class. I decided to go home instead.
We covered arm-bars from guard, using our legs to stabilize and break their posture before finishing. If they defend by grabbing their other bicep, pull the other bicep toward your midline and finish the original arm-bar. Or get their arm before they can grab the bicep and try for an americana in the other direction.
Don't remember the rolls other than everyone seemed to kick my ass. That is becoming the theme lately.
We covered arm-bars from guard, using our legs to stabilize and break their posture before finishing. If they defend by grabbing their other bicep, pull the other bicep toward your midline and finish the original arm-bar. Or get their arm before they can grab the bicep and try for an americana in the other direction.
Don't remember the rolls other than everyone seemed to kick my ass. That is becoming the theme lately.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Saturday
I went over top side control during Fundies. Not a single submission from my top side control class, mind you. I wasn't really happy with how I structured the class, which is becoming a common refrain. I change my approach a bit from cycle-to-cycle, but I don't think I put quite enough time into figuring out how I was going to go through the techniques. I had an idea of how I was going to start, and expected the rest of the techniques to flow more naturally. Really need to pin something down.
Noon class was pretty warm, to say the least. I don't remember what we covered or the rolls. I think everyone pretty much kicked my ass.
Noon class was pretty warm, to say the least. I don't remember what we covered or the rolls. I think everyone pretty much kicked my ass.
Friday, June 5, 2015
Schweaty No Gi
I forced myself to sit in the yard last night and read a book instead of doing a number of other activities (like rolling with Rachael) that would have been much more strenuous. My body and mind needed a break, and I went to bed and woke up feeling much better than I had in a couple of weeks as a result.
No gi Friday morning, and it wasn't even that hot but good grief did the sweat ever flow. We circled up after class and I twitched my head every so often as James was talking to get the droplets to fall on the already saturated mat. Ugh.
Technique was going to a head and arm choke from top half guard, or moving to reverse kesa and attacking the far arm for a kimura, back-take or baratoplata. I could not get the baratoplata for the life of me. It's like a dance move that everyone can pick up but I simply couldn't get all of my limbs to move in the desired way. I've done it ok from guard, but it seemed pretty awkward from the sitting-on-their-head-with-kimura-grip position.
Rolled with Emilie, Jason S., Dennis, Manny and Joe. Emilie asked me specifically to not go easy on her, so I didn't. Got to mount several times, back, etc.
Jason got back control and finished with a choke. I tried to fend off the body triangle but I'm still severely lacking in defense to that. Trying to pin one of his hooks to the floor and slide out was impossible. I need to figure out what he's doing with the hooks to make it so hard.
Dennis and I had a pretty good roll, lots of guard work from me.
Can't remember much about my roll with Manny, except that I was doing an ok job of retaining guard. He said afterwards that my feet are like hands when I'm in guard, so that was encouraging. I'm still making progress on leg weaves and the like.
I did pretty well against Joe, even snagging a head-and-arm triangle from guard, using it to get to mount and then finishing just like we did in class. I tried for it a second time from half guard but didn't control the hips so he escaped.
I (reluctantly) went over the top side-control transitions that I'm going to use tomorrow. He was wearing a cotton tshirt which made a loud squishing noise when I started the position in top side. Uggggggggh.
No gi Friday morning, and it wasn't even that hot but good grief did the sweat ever flow. We circled up after class and I twitched my head every so often as James was talking to get the droplets to fall on the already saturated mat. Ugh.
Technique was going to a head and arm choke from top half guard, or moving to reverse kesa and attacking the far arm for a kimura, back-take or baratoplata. I could not get the baratoplata for the life of me. It's like a dance move that everyone can pick up but I simply couldn't get all of my limbs to move in the desired way. I've done it ok from guard, but it seemed pretty awkward from the sitting-on-their-head-with-kimura-grip position.
Rolled with Emilie, Jason S., Dennis, Manny and Joe. Emilie asked me specifically to not go easy on her, so I didn't. Got to mount several times, back, etc.
Jason got back control and finished with a choke. I tried to fend off the body triangle but I'm still severely lacking in defense to that. Trying to pin one of his hooks to the floor and slide out was impossible. I need to figure out what he's doing with the hooks to make it so hard.
Dennis and I had a pretty good roll, lots of guard work from me.
Can't remember much about my roll with Manny, except that I was doing an ok job of retaining guard. He said afterwards that my feet are like hands when I'm in guard, so that was encouraging. I'm still making progress on leg weaves and the like.
I did pretty well against Joe, even snagging a head-and-arm triangle from guard, using it to get to mount and then finishing just like we did in class. I tried for it a second time from half guard but didn't control the hips so he escaped.
I (reluctantly) went over the top side-control transitions that I'm going to use tomorrow. He was wearing a cotton tshirt which made a loud squishing noise when I started the position in top side. Uggggggggh.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Wed Morn and Night
In both classes it was DLR sit-up sweep, tripod sweep and baby bolo. I've heard the sit-up position referred to as the koala guard, which seems like an excellent descriptor.
Rolls were generally ok, although I think I was off form a fair amount in both the morning and night class. Probably did better in the morning class. My first roll in the evening class was with Nando, who went from 0 - 100. No fault of his, I'm just not used to it. He got an americana at one point. I had a couple of sweeps, but he swept and passed several times. It's disheartening that I can train literally twice as much as he does but I don't make any progress against him when we roll.
Rolled with Sarah after the Wednesday night class for about half an hour or so. Kept it playful and got into odd spots like we usually do.
Rolls were generally ok, although I think I was off form a fair amount in both the morning and night class. Probably did better in the morning class. My first roll in the evening class was with Nando, who went from 0 - 100. No fault of his, I'm just not used to it. He got an americana at one point. I had a couple of sweeps, but he swept and passed several times. It's disheartening that I can train literally twice as much as he does but I don't make any progress against him when we roll.
Rolled with Sarah after the Wednesday night class for about half an hour or so. Kept it playful and got into odd spots like we usually do.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Out
Sunday
Advanced class, only four of us. Class was earlier than usual so that we could watch the finals of Worlds. We did three rounds of drilling, then three rounds of 10min rolls. Rolled with James, Shaun and Nate. Nothing special to note. Tried to stay active with James and had another good roll with him. I think a fair amount of back and forth with Shaun, while Nate had top control most of the time.
Monday Morning
Was dead tired from the weekend. Didn't really want to go to morning class and still am not sure why I did. Technique was ok. Rolled with Shaun, Christopher, Tyrone and can't remember who else. While rolling with Chris, he had top position and was working a choke. I knew it was in, but figured I could fight it off. I'm not entirely sure I went out, but it felt like one minute I was doing jiu jitsu and in a terrible position, and then it was like one of those old slide shows where there's a pause between one slide and the next and then I was still in a shitty position and had a brief moment of wtf am I doing here? But my body was reacting and I got into half guard and continued the roll. If I did go out, it couldn't have been more than a second or two.
I was really happy for Mackenzie to get the win and world title and in such a crazy exciting fashion. She's awesome.
Advanced class, only four of us. Class was earlier than usual so that we could watch the finals of Worlds. We did three rounds of drilling, then three rounds of 10min rolls. Rolled with James, Shaun and Nate. Nothing special to note. Tried to stay active with James and had another good roll with him. I think a fair amount of back and forth with Shaun, while Nate had top control most of the time.
Monday Morning
Was dead tired from the weekend. Didn't really want to go to morning class and still am not sure why I did. Technique was ok. Rolled with Shaun, Christopher, Tyrone and can't remember who else. While rolling with Chris, he had top position and was working a choke. I knew it was in, but figured I could fight it off. I'm not entirely sure I went out, but it felt like one minute I was doing jiu jitsu and in a terrible position, and then it was like one of those old slide shows where there's a pause between one slide and the next and then I was still in a shitty position and had a brief moment of wtf am I doing here? But my body was reacting and I got into half guard and continued the roll. If I did go out, it couldn't have been more than a second or two.
I was really happy for Mackenzie to get the win and world title and in such a crazy exciting fashion. She's awesome.
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