On the Path

Its been to long......

2008-11-23T09:20:00.003-09:00

Well lets see a lot has happened since my last post on this blog...

Quick recap:

1.) Received my Blue belt in July '08.

2.) Went to Brasil in August '08 and attended Felipe Costa's 10 day camp, it was amazing ill post pictures and videos.

Ive been averaging 10 hours a week training both Gi and No-Gi.

The most important thing is I found a kindred spirit to train with this has been vaulting my game through the roof. Finding a good training partner is the single best thing for your training.

On the academy drama front.... As the Mats Turn

That fucking Douchebag bully from my first month of the training... the one who used to beat the shit out of me when I did'nt know anything, is now at our academy as he got banned from his old academy : FOR PUNCHING AN INSTRUCTOR IN THE FACE DURING A ROLL, not only is he training at my academy, my Instructor promoted this bastard to purple belt! not only that hes taken this asshole under his wing and is making him a assistant instructor.

I avoid the douche nozzle as much as possible and have lost all respect for my instructor, which is fine as he doesn't invest the least amount of interest in my learning of jiu-jitsu. Thankfully I have a great training partner and some high ranking excellent jiu-jitsu guys to learn from, if it wasn't for them I'm not sure id stick around.

My Instructor dedicates all his attention to a couple of MMA guys he thinks will get into the UFC hes all but abandoned the day to day training of the masses and leaves it to his assistant instructors. Thankfully they are for the most part very competent.

I cant tell you how much it sucks to have an instructor who has lost focus of whats really important in Jiu-Jitsu: That Jiu-Jitisu is for everyone, bullies should remain unskilled, your students are a reflection of the instructor (if something wrong look at your teaching style first), Teaching is not a burden it is a privilege

Ok enough bitching, I will continue to train where i'm at as there is no other option, overall its a great place to train.

I look forward to opening my own academy someday and running it the way I see fit.

1/28/08

2008-02-02T05:55:00.000-09:00

Monday No-Gi

Warmup: lots of running.

Worked on a straight armlock take down from standing.

Drilled a butterfly guard pass.

Keeping your head down on his abdomen you lift up your legs and torso and clear (jump) his legs to side control.

Butterfly guard pass #2

Posture up, grab and push his knees to one side go to front base on the opposite side by scissoring your outside leg under the other keeping his knees pinned and to the side.

Guard passing with standing knee up combat base

start in your opp. closed guard, posture up, look straight ahead shrug your shoulders bring your elbows in midline on his thighs one hand slightly father out than the other hands are on his lower abdomen, when he tries to pop up push him down. move one knee outside of his hips keeping it tight. standup bring your knee between his but cheeks and sit down cracking open his guard.

I was working with Jamie (he is the reason my shoulder is fucked) Back Story: right before the 1st of the year we were working americana drills (no resistance) I put my arm out for him to get the lock and relaxed well he got the lock and proceeded to crank it I heard my shoulder pop and so did he because he said oh sorry.

I did'nt think much about it as it seemed fine and went through another 2 hours of training including rolling.driving home I knew it was hurt.

Well long story short I have two severe pulls/strains in my shoulder (right) acroium and another ligament on my collarbone, I also have a fractured scapula(shoulder blade) from a boxing injury getting hit in the back or a throw not sure which but I know when I was doing a private on the 1st and we worked throws and boxing..

so I explain to Jamie my shoulder is injured so I cant do much against a guard pass as Ill be using one arm and the same for guard passing one arm. So instead of gong easy he goes 100% passes my guard a couple times and then tries to armbar me, I said look leave my arm alone Im injured and we are not working on subs.

We worked on a choke from north south. I was stuck working with Jamie he would not let me sink the choke and kept trying ad-hoc defenses and asking the instructor how to escape, he does this on all technique instruction its frustrating. The drill becomes all about him, he is part of this newer generation of adults who have grown up being told everything they shit out of their mouths is gold. Im seeing this more and more with the younger guys.

Here is the choke from north-south: http://lockflow.com/article_view.php?id=2786

1/23/08

2008-01-25T07:30:00.001-09:00

Wednesday Beg. followed by Int./Adv Jiu-Jitsu w/ the gi 6-8pm

Beg. Jiu_jitsu.

Warm-up: shoulder is still weak could barely do 20 pushups.

Breaking closed guard:

Keys: always "fix" the gi. Translation: grab both lapels with one hand getting a firm grip, keep your head pinned to his chest while obtaining lapel grip.

Take your time, dont move to the next step until everything is secure.

Other hand secures grip near his hips (below the waist line) control his hips, keep your elbow in tight not to close to his inner thigh or he can push your hand out and guess what? you get triangled for your ignorance. Ignorance should be painful right?

If hes controling your head, posture to side and then pull straight up looking straight ahead.

Your on your knees for this pass. The leg/knee nearest to the arm your grabbing his waist with, comes out and tight up against his hips this is the "wedge"

Bring your other knee into his but crack or under his but cheek.

Shrug your shoulders, keep tight grips relax and move your base back against his crossed feet, depending on how long his legs are adjust your grips (slide down) and back up until his feet pop apart.

Quickly swim both hands inside and obtain over-hooks on his legs, bring the leg on the wedge side to your shoulder make pressure, reach in with the same side hand (around his leg) and grab his lapel down low.

sprawl out making pressure on his thigh and bring his knee towards his nose, he will give up the pass quicker if hes not flexible. Keep cradling his leg and get cross_sides.

We then did a triangle variation from closed guard.

Get double sleeve control.

Pick an arm hip out at the same time brining your shin up and trap the arm to his torso.

Shoot up the leg thats against his arm, popping the arm out, you have to shoot your hip and leg straight up, and then bring in over his neck not the back.

Set the triangle, hips up, squeeze knees together pull down on the head.

In Int./Adv. worked on 2 on 1 wrist control , Kimura one wrist using your hips bring both arms to one side.

Hip out to the side getting up towards his back, pushing your hips into him, grip his lat, when he pushes back roll him over for the sweep and get mount.

Sweep attempt from above opp flattens out on your leg preventing sweep.

Just bowl him over collect an arm spin to armbar.

We worked on this the remainder of class.

My shoulder felt alright but sore enough to keep me from rolling.

8-9pm stayed for open and and filmed it, had some great conversations and protected my shoulder.

1/22/08

2008-01-25T07:21:00.000-09:00

Tuesday Afternoon class 12-1pm

Light warm-up

We spent the entire hour working on the Americanna and then the straight arm-lock when your opp attempts to straighten his arm out.

Key points:

Americanna from mount/cross-sides: use both hands and rotation of upper body to put hand to the mat.

Overlap your wrist with your hand while grabbing the figure 4, keep your wrists straight.

Use your head on top of your wrist to help hold his arm down.

Turn his pinky to the mat.

Bring his arm up and then back, painting his fingers on the mat.

straight arm-lock:

When he straightens his arm out follow with your chest on top of his arm.

Maintain your figure 4 grip.

Which ever way his thumb points pressure must go in the opposite direction.

lift your arm that you use as the fulcrum to get the leverage.

make sure your arm is on top of his elbow for maximum pain.

Down but not out....

2008-01-21T00:58:00.000-09:00

Im currently out with a pretty bad shoulder injury, no rolling. I cant post on my right arm with out major pain in the shoulder, cant shrimp to the left with out pain can grab with my right arm with any real strength.

Dealing with the injury plan of attack:

1.) No rolling under any circumstance.

2.) No push ups or pull ups until its healed 90%.

3.) Work on the things I can : lower body/core conditioning:
body weight squats, lunges, ab work, calf raises and such

4.) Stretching 2-3 x per day

5.) Attended class as much as possible, if its to painful to participate then just watch, take some video, drill lightly if possible.

6.) Watch and seriously breakdown instructional and comp. videos. (MTRG DVD set just got it!)

7.) Keep a healthy outlook on the whole process and try and comeback stronger.

Cool Roll....

2008-01-15T22:48:00.001-09:00

SHHHHHHHHH!...Listen up!

2008-01-15T21:57:00.000-09:00

Technique in Depth: KIMURA

2008-01-13T00:49:00.000-09:00

The Kimura

BJJ Name: Kimura named after Judoka legend Masahiko Kimura 5'6" 187 lbs. In 1951 in Brazil Kimura faced Helio Gracie in a super fight, Helio fought bravely against the larger Kimura but suffered a broken left elbow after not tapping to a gyaku ude-garami (Japanese term for "reverse arm entanglement").

The Kimura is a figure 4 shoulder/elbow Lock submission usually applied from the guard or side control. Its one of the first submissions taught to beginning BJJ students.

Kimura from closed guard: http://www.grapplearts.com/Kimura-Technique-1.htm

I can attest to the shoulder ripping power of this sub, Ive been hurt by not tapping quick enough to a powerful kimura 2x thus far and once from an Americana, my shoulder has never felt the same and probably never will. Tap early tap often and dont roll with spazz'es who have no concept of the power of the techniques.

Focus for 2008

2008-01-12T20:19:00.000-09:00

The new years resolution thing...blah blah...

Ive been hurt and have not been to class since the first of the year which was a private.

Im ready to return this Tuesday and wanted to make a list of shit to focus on .

My Main Goal in '08 is to get my Blue Belt..I know we shouldnt be focused on belts but for me the goal of getting my blue belt is something tangible and obtainable I can set my sights on.

Things to avoid:

1.) Douche bags with the win at any cost mindset during training. These ego heads are responsible for bad attitudes and injuries.

2.) Over training. Its alright to train everyday just cant roll hard everyday Ill set aside 1 or 2 days a week to roll.

Things to focus on:

1.) Warm up before every training session.

2.) Focus on basics and techs that are being taught:

a.) 2 throws osoto gari and Ogoshi
b.) 2 take downs single leg and double leg
c.) 2 escapes form mount bottom
d.) 2 escapes from cross sides bottom
e.) 2 kneeling guard passes
f.) 2 standing guard passes, bullfighters and one other
g.) breaking posture from guard
h.) dominant cross-sides
i.) dominant mount
j.) guard defense
k.) 2 armbar escapes
l.) 2 triangle escapes
m.) armbar from guard
n.) triangle from guard
o.) kimura from guard
p.) spinning armbar from mount
q.) 3 gi chokes from guard
r.) 2 attacks from cross-sides top kimura and Carlos Gracie jr. choke
s.) 2 attacks from back control RNC and armbar or lapel choke
t.) halfguard pass
u.) 1 attack from halfguard top and bottom
v.) scissor sweep from guard
w.) flower sweep from guard

3.) Focused open mat training pick a couple things and work only those.

4.) Flexibility

5.) Breath control

6.) Conditioning

7.) attend class as much as possible

If I do these things and avoid injury this time next year I hope to be a much improved player and maybe a blue-belt.

Rubber Guard

2008-01-10T22:13:00.000-09:00

Rubber guard 2
Uploaded by sweddd

This video is a pretty good intro to the rubber guard system.

I plan on drilling. experimenting with this in Gi and focused in No-gi, I think it will work for me.

The squeeze with your legs has to be tight and takes time to develop, I use my heavy bag to drill this.

I like Eddie Bravo he brings fun and creativity to BJJ since most Americans are turning it into a boring ass serious pursuit for macho tough guys, a cash cow Mc Dojo or an exclusive club. IM looking forward to getting good at his system.

Im looking forward to meeting him and training at 10th Planet this spring/summer.

I got his Mastering the Rubber Guard Book and Ive been following the stretching program i can do the lotus stretch already so Im stoked.

Eddie Bravo is good for Jiu_Jitsu Love him or hate him hes developed a complete system not just moves in isolation his book breaks down the whole game counters to look for counters to those counters its good stuff.

My Instructor is a little apprehensive about rubber guard I understand his concern a couple people from the academy have hurt their Knees from doing it. He tested my flexibility and said I had good enough flexibility to start using it.

I think poor execution is why they get hurt, you use your hips more than just yanking your foot up to a high guard, you have to pay attention to all the little details or it wont work just like most of Jiu-Jitsu techniques its the small details that make the difference.

New Years day 2008

2008-01-10T21:58:00.000-09:00

Went and trained with a good purple belt bro of mine.

About 3 hours of drilling some cross-sides stuff, a kimura counter from top halfguard bait your opp leave that arm out reverse to a spinning armbar.

Carlson Gracie Jr. choke- You have cross side position untuck your gi top slip the upside lapel closest to his head under his neck (try and be sneaky) grab with your other hand (one near his torso) and bring your foream across his neck try and put your elbow on that mat. Its sort of like a paper cutter (be cautious this is a trachea choke).

Take down Guard jump to armbar. I want to master this one. Cross lapel grip, other hand sleeve control (same side) foot in hip fall back pull opp down throw leg over sink arm bar.

We did some more drills (flying armbar, attacks from mount and cross sides)) gi and No-Gi and then rolled Gi and No-Gi fro about 30 minutes)

Did some boxing(sparring) shouldnt have pushed it, My shoulder is fucking killing me!!!!!

I also developed a nasty rash from using the community boxing gloves it sucks its all over my biceps, torso and legs its just now going away (contact irritant dermititis).

I have not been to the academy since the first and I dont plan on going back until my rash is 100% gone and my shoulder is feeling up to it.

Ive been doing a little conditioning and solo drills to keep moving mostly Ive been sleeping, a side affect of the meds Im taking (anti-histimine) for the rash.

I hate not training Im feelin real cracky and want to get back ASAP!

12/30/07 Shoulder Injury and Goals for '08

2007-12-30T15:15:00.000-09:00

When rolling on Wed. 12/26/07 my right shoulder suffered what Im thinking is an impingement.

After over 48 hours of rest and heat it feels much better although I will have to be careful not to strain it anymore.

The academy is shut down until Wednesday the 2nd so Ill rest and R.I.C.E. until then and show up and see what I am capable of.

I injured my shoulder back in Sept. so Its highly likely that contributed to this injury. I have been doing a good job of avoiding injury but with all the mat time Ive been logging something was bound to happen and injury is part of the process of getting better.

As the new year approaches Ive been reviewing this year and my start in Jiu-Jitsu and my development. I have come up with a list of Jiu-Jitsu oriented goals for 2008:

1.) Earn Blue Belt by years end 12/31/08: I believe this goal is within reach if I stay injury free and average 4-5 classes per week.

2.) Compete at least once as a white belt in a BJJ or Judo match.

3.) Get more rest and eat better. Not getting enough rest is biggest hole in my training as I have a lot of pursuits and responsibilities outside of jiu-jitsu.

4.) Work on timing and feel.

5.) Drill, drill, drill and then drill some more. Drill at least 1-2 hours per week on basic techniques.

6.) Gain proficiency with Osoto Gari, single leg, double leg and O-goshi. Use these during standup sparring and uchi-koms.

7.) Stay clear of negative or over aggressive douche-bags on the mat. People who dont seem to get that training is not about winning by submitting your partner at all costs but by learning the most possible. These assholes are responsible for most of injuries and bad feeling so I have to avoid them to reach my goals.

8.) Be more assertive on the mat during sparring, less reactive more setting the pace of the match. Maintain control, let go of sloppy submissions and work on safety and position first.

9.) work hard on the Armbar, triangle and kimura from guard and other positions. Go for these during sparring, learn every single detail on these submissions and learn to set these up.

10.) Improve grip and grip fighting.

Wed. 12/26/07

2007-12-27T13:08:00.000-09:00

Wednesday Gi

Only 6 people showed up the day after Christmas.

6-7pm GI beg. did a little more intense warm up than usual to work all the christmas cookies and candy and what not out of our systems.

We worked on the knee to groin defense from from a standing gullotine.

we learned a great defense from some one grabbing your shoulder and pullin you in sideways.

Whizzer your arm over thiers at the elbow make a fist grab the fist with the other hand and while stepping the the front look up and push you hands up, very painful, lots of leverage.

We did partner shrimping for a grueling 10 minutes and then worked the rest of class on the elbow escape from being mounted, I really need to work on this. Then the same scape but get half-guard.

we talked about setting goals for the new year and training smartly to avoid injury and burn out.
We disscused proper nutrition, cross training , rest and general mental health.

7-8pm int/adv BJJ GI

we had a pretty intense workout lots of push ups, crunches, body weight squats, ran some laps.

We worked In and outs, Uchi_Komis set ups for take downs with out the takedow.

we learned a standing front naked choke off the clinch.

Then the white belts me another whitebelt (3 stripes) and a green belt (14 yo) were put on side of the mats and we did armbars from guard, kimuras, spinning armbar from mount, americana from mount.

One of our MMA fighters who is the current middle weight champ (6'6" 185 lbs) has a fight coming up so we all took turns taking his back taking cross-sides and him taking our backs and such to get him ready for his fight.

We then started open mat.

I recieved Mastering the Rubber Guard: Eddie bravo Christmas so I found someone who was interested in learning it and we started working the basics.

We worked on breaking posture, securing mission control, getting a hand to the mat (zombie), new york (keeping the hand pinned), clearing the head(chill dog) and a few subs: the invisible collar the armbar and the go-go plata. We spent a good 45 minutes drilling with increasing resistance.

We then rolled I kept him guard most of the time looking for a submission I loosened up he reversed me and got mount I escaped from a keylock and then an armbar we stopped since we both had bloody noses, good roll but very competitive as he is close to his bluebelt and roll harder than some other students he also tries to be nasty with little moves like digging his elbows in to your thighs while in guard and the can opener (which he thought about doing, if he did I would have had no choice but to retaliate). While we were doing americana drills from mount he tweaked on a bit hard and today my shoulder hurts ill be cautious with him from now on.

Im just glad to have some one who will work rubber guard with me. Im not planning on using it in rolling until I get some more reps .

Lazy Post for: 12/17-12/22

2007-12-27T12:49:00.000-09:00

I have not been posting regularly since taking on the academy web site and other projects and the holiday season is always a little "cracky". I am having a hard time recalling the lessons of class over the last 2 weeks, so Ill just write what I can recall.

Monday 12/17/07- No gi after noon class worked on guillotines and some other clinch control techniques. did some single leg takedowns and rolled a little.

Tue. 12/18/07 12-1pm afternoon gi class. arm bars from guard rills, halfguard pass.

Wed. 12/19/07 6-7pm cannot recall what we did!

7-8pm int/adv Gi BJJ worked a windmill sweep from closed guard and then taking the back off the sweep and then a straight armbar from wind mill sweep.

8-9pm rolled a few times. got a nice kimura from crosssides thats about all I remember.

12/22/07 Saturday open mat not many people showed up, I worked with Pat (awesome purple belt, bronze in the '07 worlds). This guy is the embodiment of maximum efficiency everything he does is effortless its no wonder he got his purple belt in 2 years he is a phenom. I managed to get passed hid s guard once but I had to resort to an acrobatic cartwheel pass to get there and I was put right back in guard, damm!

He did however show a plethora of good techniques, mostly small details that pay big dividends working from guard and cross sides, good stuff it was like a private.

I rolled with another purple and worked take downs he got me with a nice tome nage I however was not able to get anything! We then rolled for about 15 minutes, I did well I thought.

12/13/07 training

2007-12-21T13:38:00.000-09:00

December 13th, 2007 Thursday

Local BJJ club ran by bluebelt

7-8:30pm GI Seminar by Kyle Hanson Brown belt from the main academy.

Kyle agreed to do a seminar/class if Dan (the bluebelt teaching the local class) could get 10 people so I came out to support him since its local plus Kyle is a great teacher.

we did open guard drills, 3 points of contact foot on the hips, biceps, and sleeve control.

following your opp, keeping you foot in his hips when he is standing and trying to move around your guard.

we did a sickle sweep from open guard.

we did the guard defense to the leg on shoulder staking pass, where you load your leg heavy on his shoulder and peel his arm away thats reaching in to grab your collar.

We then worked on refining the triangle from spider guard.

Dan wanted Kyle to roll with his son and another student who are regulars at his classes on Mondays and Thursday nights

So I filmed the session, and after class I got some group pictures and a picture of Kyle and I.

Good class met some new people and learned some good techs.

12/12/07 Training

2007-12-21T13:12:00.000-09:00

Wed 12, 2007 December

Afternoon no-gi

we worked on a defending the haymaker punch to a take down (hip throw) and then a straight armbar from knee on belly/side

proper way to defend a punch we covered up with our elbows angled up in front of the face and tight and our hands tight up on the back of our heads, dont chase the punch to block, but step in deflect and get the overhook sweep around the other side tie up his arm with your arm around his waist trapping his arm between your bodies, step your hip in front and throw (O-Goshi) keep control of the arm and put your knee into his sternum or ribs figure four his arm, your forearm should be right on or slightly above his elbow reach down and grab his peck/shoulder area finishing the arm bar.

we then did a whole series

1.) start standing opp. pushed you down you back breakfall get up in combat base keeping ypur arm up to defend strikes.

2.) opp circles yopu follow keeping him in front of you , you pivot on your other arm which is posting.

3.) when ready your back foot kicks forward at his knee you whip the kicking leg back and hip out standing up, hands up to defend.

4.) opp throws a haymkaer at your head, you intercept by closing in with your whole body elbows up tight. get the over hook and duck under trapping his arm.

5.) step across and throw with O-Goshi

6.) keeping control of the arm finish him with the knee on side/belly straight arm-bar.

rolled after class did alright no subs just position battling, felt I did good my partner was bigger and a exp. wrestler, I escaped some bad positions and handled him well in guard and cross-sides. Nice flowing roll, no straining.

Wednesday 12, 2007 December
Evening Gi classes 6-8pm

6-7pm beginning BJJ Gi

Lots of bodies, approx. 40 students! We reviewed the kimura from standing and then from guard.

We worked on the technical lift which is more widely known as standing base.

7-8pm int/adv BJJ Gi

worked on half guard first a review on the basic technique and then a pass.

for 45 minutes we did live resistance drills 4 guys down everyone against the wall
4 guys come out get in half-guard. bottom guy defends or tries to get full guard or submit, top guy tries to pass or submit, winner stays down.

I was having a lot of fun trying different stuff, I passed some got subbed more and was very tired when the class ended.

I rolled for 30 minutes with Justin (purple belt) it was a fun roll, i got subbed with the jacare-choke (which I showed him) but hey Im a lowly whitebelt so its expected. great roll no subs for me but I felt fluid and was using all technique as I was exhausted. Left feeling great.

12/11/07 Training

2007-12-21T13:06:00.000-09:00

Tuesday 11, 2007 Afternoon Gi class

12-1pm

we worked on spider guard basics and then a triangle from spider guard, mostly review, so not much to report.

The regular afternoon instructor Kyle is moving out of state so Prof. Ted taught the class.

Kyle will be missed he is a great person and a beast on the mat.

Rolled a little after class did fairly well just changed positions so a stalemate.

12/10/07 First No-GI class

2007-12-12T01:04:00.000-09:00

Monday December 10th, 2007

12-1pm BJJ/Submission grappling NO-GI

Today was my first official NO-GI class.

When I originally stated training about 6 months ago I decided that Id train Gi exclusively for 6 months before starting NO-GI training.

Ive trained some NO_GI during open mat a few times and really liked it, its a faster paced roll and I can escape from more bad positions due to the absence of the GI and the holds.

We started with a pretty intense warm up 50 mountain climbers, 30 pushups, 1 minute jumping jacks and then Tony (instructor) had me introduce the class to the burpee, and we did 25, I dont think most guys finished (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/rossboxing2.htm look for burpee)
we ran some laps after the burpees.

Tony had a cold so Ted the head instructor taught the class. he explainedd the reasons behind training with the gi and without and the differences.

We worked on the NO-GI closed guard

We went over basic strategy for breaking the posture of your opp. in closed guard.

Such as grabbing one of his wrists with both of your hands and using your legs like a piston pull him over to one side and work to take his back.

We worked on getting head control and one overhook (arm-wrap) when an opp. is punching us from inside our guard.

1.) Start with your opp. in your closed guard. Cover up your face by pinching your elbows together and keeping your arms hands tight infront of your face, never extend our arms, or a punch will get through.

2.) As he comes in with a punch deflect it with your forearm/hand and wrap around it high on the tricep (getting an over hook), grab the back of his head high up with the other hand and bring him in tight, scape your hips out to the side you have established the over-hook effectively preventing him from punching you in the ribs with his free hand.

Professor showed us a defense when someone is punching us from inside our guard, where we open our guard bring our knees together putting them into his chest and raising our hips off the ground, we then find a hip put a foot on it and push either ourselves or him away (depends on the size of your opp) and then kicking him in the face.

We worked on pushing our opp. head away to the side (from our guard) and as he resists letting go and catching him with an elbow as he tries to push against the hand.

we drilled all these techs multiple times.

we worked on the basics of the double leg, I need to work on this:

all in all a great class I will be back wed, after noon for another session.

12/06/07 training recap

2007-12-08T23:25:00.000-09:00

December 6th, 2007 Thursday

12-1pm BJJ Gi

Same line up as Tuesday 1 white (me) 1 blue 4 purples a brown and a black.

We worked on a guard pass where you pass the arm your controlling under your opp. body grab it with the other hand and work a knee through pass.

We did it with some resistance and I almost caught an omoplata (from the bottom) so you have to be careful.

I was trying to pass a taller purple bet with e pass, he let me get the arm under and then i tried to pass, it was not working then i remembered a video I saw from Marcelo Garcia doing this pass but standing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqEcKADdLko&feature=related

It worked with some coaching from Tony! Good stuff.

I rolled with everyone once great class!

Tony the No-gi instructor for afternoon classes said hey its time to start no-gi training so Ill be going to his class on Mondays, my original plan was to do 6 months in the gi and then start no-gi training so its perfect timing as I just hit my 6th month of training.

I bought some brute brand head gear as Im starting to get cauliflower ear on my left ear, it hurts.

12/05/07 training recap

2007-12-08T22:57:00.000-09:00

Wednesday December 5th, 2007.

6-7pm Beg. BJJ w/ GI

Worked on some pummeling drills.

Then we worked the basic half-guard escape, this was the same lesson of my very first class 5 months ago so Ive come full circle in the beg. class.

We then learned a a kimura from half guard top.

7-8pm Int./advanced BJJ w/Gi

White belts on one side blue and up on the other.

We did drills, 30 kimuras, 30 cross-chokes, 30 armbars from guard each side.

We did the one leg under hook guard pass, not a nice pass for the bottom guy.

1.) start in your opp.'s closed guard.

2.) Posture up grab his lapels, both lapels, keep your arm loose and stiff arm him when he tries to rise. Your other hand is holding his belt controlling his hips, keep your elbow tight and tucked into his thigh not to deep or youll get triangled.

4.) Once your safe and have established posture, but your knee on the side your controling his hips out to side slightly, take the other knee and place it between his but or you can put it in the middle of one his cheeks if you want a little more balance.

5.) In one continous motion move your hips back unlocking his feet.

6.) shrug your shoulders and control both hips keep the elbows tight against his thighs.

7.) quickly weave your arms around and collect both legs, locking in front with a gable grip, pull his hip back and up (important dont move towards him bring him to you.)

8.) pick a side sprawl back and put weigh on him, grab his lapel with your outside arm under neath his leg and stack him, move around and take side control, keep constant pressure this is a nasty pass.

If your not flexible this pass hurts even more some guys just tap when this is done to them. so be aware.

8-9pm open mat

Worked on the Estima top grip choke:

I love this choke, you can get an armbar a triangle and a shin leveraged choke from this set up.
I will use this often until i get it down, theres gold in this thar' technique!

We drilled this for a good 45 minutes.

I then rolled with Tony a 4 stripe purple and the no-gi afternoon instructor, it was fun he let me play a little I tried the estima choke and almost caught him, then he picked up his game and passed my guard and submitted me. we rolled a few times it was fun. he told me my hips are getting real fluid,,,,its all the shrimps I do right!

Great class!

12/04/07 Trainnig recap

2007-12-08T22:40:00.000-09:00

December 04, 2007 Tuesday

12-1pm Bjj GI

Sad news found out today that Kyle (the afternoon instructor) is leaving, this really sucks hes a great guy and teacher. He will be missed by many including me. He will be moving to Oregon in 2 weeks.

I was the only white belt it went me white a blue 4 purples a brown and a black!

We worked on a nice lasso choke from knee on belly:

1.) Start w/ your opp. in your side control, one arm under his neck controlling his head, take that hand and stick your thumb in the collar closing your fingers and make a fist in the ground. Tke the other hand and block the hip.

2.) do a push up keeping control of his collar, and out your knee into his belly your foot on the ground (in reality you want to max. the discomfort by putting your knee into the sternum and brining up your foot off the ground driving into his breast plate) keeping your toes on the ground makes it more comfortable during training, in comp. or the streets look out!.
lastly grab his belt with the back hand.

3.) keep your torso low and stick your shoulder into his face keeping his head pinned, feed your back hand in across and between your bodies and grab his lapel farside.

4.) raise up a bit and Lasso your arm (the one on his collar/neck) around in front of his face and pull him to his side and into you, if he hip escapes into you the choke just gets tighter.

we worked some knee on belly to knee on neck face transitions, no fun for the bottom guy! and hen collecting and getting the armbar close side and far side.

great class. I rolled with 4 purple belts, a brown (kyle) they let me play a little and I almost got an armbar form turtle top. One purple drove his knee into my floating rib and it hurt for a week, ouch!

12/01/07 training recap

2007-12-02T21:41:00.000-09:00

December 01, 2007 Saturday

11am-2pm

11am-12:30pm Judo

Worked on tai-oToshi

Got some great advice and details by a real expert brown belt Judoka named Neefo, cool person great teacher, he had me nailing these all session, this throw is quickly becoming my favorite.

I like the armpit grip which is the reinforced seem near the Gi collar top and then I grip under the elbow slightly above the elbow joint, this grip is awesome. They call this the armpit grip or Morte grip.

we worked on some other throws, osto gari, O-goshi and others.

an interesting thing happened on Saturday: If youve read my blog from the first post you will know that I spent my first month of BJJ training at the other academy which is a full on meathead gym were you are not basics but are beat down on..on a daily basis for about a year or until your are deemed worthy to be taught the secrets of BJJ.

One guy in particular was very hard on me his name is Seth hes a mongoloid looking, teeth missing, bald-heaed neanderthal I call him the knuckle dragger. I looked over towards the chairs just off the mat near the window there he was sitting there talking to one of the MMA fighters, my heart dropped into my stomach......

This asshole is straight out of a late 80's coming of age movie. He's the classic bully, not so much the jock bully but the criminal tough guy bully we called them hoods. Hes about 5'10" 210-220 pounds all muscle. At the other school he is the dick head instructor enforcer whe your new its who you get put with, he beat the shit out me every single class, he put his balls in my face laughed at me, cranked every kind of submission there is, suffocated me, cross faced me hard, neck and head cranks you name it. I still showed up 3 times per week every week for a month.

He though he smelt ganja on my Gi and threatened that he would coke me until I blacked out if he smelt weed on my gi..this scared the shit out me as it was my 3rd class and I did not know a soul they were all starring at me I got he fuck out of there, but I showed up the next day and warmed up right beside him. Just about every class he made comments abut my hair, my car my feet anything he could think off in his tiny brain, I just laughed it off not much I could do after about 3 weeks I got pissed enough of his BS and used all my strength to fight him he got the point and made an excuse about eating to much for lunch. I left a week later and found my new home. seeing him there made me very angry, dark feelings! I saw him talking with my instructor and then he left. I really hope he dose not start training with us its going to be unpleasant I will not have anything to do with him until he insults me and then I will give the instructor one chance to deal with it if he does nothing Ill have no choice but to defend myself by any means available.

I then did some stand-up with Carl "the eye surgeon" Rosen, hes a BJJ purple belt and a great guy whose been going out of way to help me, I did record some of his matches at a tourney and made him some nice DVD's so hes hooking me up with many lessons which is great hes intelligent and a good teacher.

We did some 1 minute rounds of grip fighting from standing, one guy defends and tries to to break the established grips if you can keep both we start over and switch after a minute is up.

We then proceeded to do some stand-up sparring you get the throw we reset. One guy defends while the other tries for the throw. We were even 2 for 2 he got a single leg trip and a guillotine takedown no sub (I defended) I got a Tome nage and a spinning head and arm take down.

We then worked on ground techs.

positional sparring. One guy is in side control the top guy tries to submit not just hold and the bottom guy tries to escape and then submit. I did alright no subs but dam close he however got me several times.

We did some guard work he gave me some useful advice and review of the basic concepts for passing and defending guard.

We then rolled for 2 .......5 minute rounds.

I then worked with Big Jason (260+lbs. white belt) on guard passing he passed my guard with a heavy knee through pass (now in my defense I was frickin tired and he was fresh) but excuses are as rampant as assholes! When it was hi turn to pass I must have been on auto pilot as I armbarred him 3 x in a row as soon as he put his arm across to grab my lapel I grabbed hi arm and popped up my hips throwing my leg over his head and extending my hips he tapped I was surprised so was he. My first armbars ever, i was stoked.

I should have went home after this, but a 6'3" 205 guy named Jim or something cant remember started talking to me about the gogo-plata aand other things, i showed him the one I knew from a Kimura attempt. he then asked me if I wanted to roll I should have just went home or drilled with someone I knew, I was tired I had already clocked 14 hours of mat time this week and my body was screaming for rest.

but alas..Im greedy or dumb sometimes......and accepted

I should have expected something odd when he looked at my 2 stripes and said, " what were you here when Ted (our instructor) was handing out a bunch of stripes!" not sure what he meant and then he said "stripes dont mean much to me, lets roll!" (BTW hes a 2 stripe white whose been training 10 months as he claims), I was to tired (with 20/20 hindsight) to see what was going on, he was goign to teach me a lesson by trashing my tired ass which he did. His legs and arms were so long he would just reach out and grab me , I tried to armbar him but I let his wrist go he mounted me and after a brief struggle he kimured me kind of rough, my shoulder is still hurting. He then got me a further 3 times with some chokes, I must have been tired I have not been choked in guard for 4 months by anyone. He really enjoyed beating me in training and was acting very pleased with himself. I though about going again but discretion is the better part of valor and I shook his hand and thanked him, he said something like hey man lets work on some stuff, no thanks Im tired been here 4 hours.

Im not one for revenge rolls but I am going to give him a shot when Im 100% and see how likes that! I never see this guy after class rolling and he comes sporadically.

Ive hear of a tactic some guys in BJJ mat culture employ called sniping those who do it are know as snipers.

Heres their sneaky M.O. : Come in after an hour or so during open mat after everyone has already been going hard, put on their gi or gear do a light warm-up while scanning the mats for potential victims, I must have stuck out since I was the only guy there smaller than him a lot of the MMA guys were there all heavyweights and only one other white-belt who is huge and a brown belt who likes to play very rough. So Iwas the antelope!

He approaches the herd selecting his prey In this case me obviously tired (my Gi was dripping sweat his..bone dry!) strikes up a supposed casual friendly conversation and then proceeds to ask for a roll!

Where he goes all out on your tired ass, feeding his ego driven training. This guy is one of many BJJ stereo types.

I cant wait to have a crack at this sniper when Im 100% he may be in for a shock!

All in all a marathon week of rolling and learning........................ my body is bruised.

11/30/07 Training recap

2007-12-02T20:24:00.000-09:00

November 30th, 2007

I was invited to a private training session with a brown and purple belt from class at 9am on Friday Morning. My friend Justin (purple belt) called me on Thursday night and I accepted the offer, its like a private for a white-belt.

I could not make it at 9am as I had to get my girls on the bus at 8:30am (academy is an hour to hour and a half away depending on road conditions) I showed up around 9:45 am.

We worked from 10 am till 2pm 4 hours of training good stuff!

We went over some can-opener from closed guard escapes.

Checkout this match to see a canopener:

Jeff Monson vs Marcio Cruz (ADCC)
Uploaded by UrbanX

defending the can opener method #1

Open your guard and armbar: probaly the best defense and you get submission.

http://www.lockflow.com/article_view.php?id=470

defending the can opener method #2

Press your palm into his chin and extend your arm the pressure is on the his spine.

We worked on the darce choke, the anaconda and some other chokes from top turtle.

We drilled guard passing of every type imaginable.

We rolled in between technique drilling.

We worked some stand up. club and dig head control. A flying leg scissor take down, fun but risky and probably illegal in most comps.

Did some foot work for striking and a little light boxing.

Great long training session.

11/29/07 training recap

2007-12-01T00:26:00.000-09:00

Thursday November 29th, 2007

6-7:30pm BJJ w/GI Advanced Fundamentals

Pretty intense warmup

went into training Ogoshi

really like this throw, got some got ones during drilling. we drilled this fro 15 minutes or so.

next we did an ogoshi drill where you feed your hip in and stop and your partner pushes his hips forward killing the throw, he then steps in front of you and repeats. great drill!

We then paired up and went over the scissor sweep from guard. need to work this more, its a requirement for bluebelt.

worked with a guy who is 265lbs got some good sweeps but my tech. was off, we were right in front of the professor so I was getting constant feedback, made me kind of nervous but it helped.

Next guy was 135lbs very easy to sweep but using tech properly it doesnt matter. short or tall sweep them all. The trick is to load the guy onto you not by pulling him but by moving your leg into you and then scissoring your legs.

After this we did a scissor sweep to mount to top grip choke.

We then made 2 lines facing each other. One guy in guard one guy trys to pass, bottom guy can submit top guy.

I was paired up w/ Jason another white-belt hes a big guy at over 250lbs, he passed my guard at least once, I was doing terrible, not opening my guard when he got posture and he was pinning my leg and passing, miserable job on my part.

When we switched I had a hard fight passing guard, I got it once or twice but it was ugly and my game was way off.

from there it only got worse I went with a returning soldier from Iraq he was ver y intense and was using alot of strength and explosive movement, he passed my guard fairly easy.

being He submitted me from his guard with an arm bar, I tried to stack him but I fell to the side and he slapped it on pretty hard, popping my elbow a bit. I wasnt mad I let it slide Im sure he wasnt malicious but Im gonna watch these returning soldiers since they roll very competitively.

after class during open mat I worked with Jason (the big 250+ guy) we rolled I got him cross-sides he turned away and I caught an armbar from side mount.

We then worked on cross sides escapes with me on top the whole time. I feel my cross sides is getting pretty effective. We BSed a little and then I limped home thinking about my crappy guard work.

11/28/07 training recap

2007-11-30T23:46:00.000-09:00

Wednesday 28th, 2007

6-9pm

6-7pm Beg. BJJ w/GI

Lots of bodies in class 35-40 people.

worked on a self defense move when someone bearhugs you from the front

1.) opp bear hugs you front he front

2.) bend at the knees slightly, put both palms in his hips and straighten your arms (stiff arm)

3.) Bring back one leg and bring forward your knee to this groin.

Next self defense move defense against some one to close to your face

1.) your opp. stands inches from your face threating an attack

2.) reach around and poke your finger into his lower spine (no real pressure is needed)

3.) reach up with your other hand and put your fingers in to his eyes ( a person will not press his body forward pushing his eyes in to something)

4.) curl your hand like throwing a jumpshot and he will slam to the floor from the pressure on his spine.

We finished with the basic americana from cross-sides. I worked with a newbie, it was good to teach as it reinforces my grasp of the move.

A good number army and airforce guys and gals have come back from Iraq and Afghanistan.

They have all been training in army combatives and they use BJJ moves and tactics, so they dont have belts but they are all very good, a little to aggressive on the subs hopefully they will calm down. Watch the video youll see where the mentality comes from.

11/27/07 Training recap

2007-11-30T23:05:00.000-09:00

Tuesday November 27 2007

6-8pm

6-7pm BJJ w/Gi Advanced Fundamentals

We worked on the armdrag from standing to back control

Armdrag from standing

1.) Start standing facing your opp. grab the wrist dont pull just pick up slightly.
pick an arm if the right arm grab the wrist w/ your left (straight across)

2.) grabbing the right wrist let go and at the same time grab inside and behind the elbow with your right hand,.

3.) dont pull so much on the elbow more use it as as anchor (as he will be resisting) to pull your self around to his back or side.

we worked on this for 10 minutes great move I like it and will be perfecting it.

We worked on the Americana from cross-sides

1.) Start with opp. in cross-sides

2.) In this version opp. has a forearm (arm bent at a 90 deg.) in your throat (the knife) and the other arm bent at 90 deg. into your hip

3.) Clear the knife by wrapping your rear arm around his shoulder and using your shoulder and head bend his arm out away from his body.

4.) come up on your side slightly keeping you front arm/hand tight to your body turn with your hips back into side control grabbing his wrist and pin his hand to the mat, putting your head on top of the controlling hand.

5.) figure four and grab your own wrist with the hand that was under his shoulder.

6.) keep his pinky to the mat bring his elbow into his ribcage and pull up painting the mat.

My right shoulder was torn up 3 months ago not tapping early enough to this sub, dont be a dumbass like me tap early, my shoulder still hurts.

We did position drills from cross sides trying to finish the sub on our partner he tried to escape.

7-8pm Open mat

rolled and drilled with Big John (blue belt) he spotted my 2 stripes and said your mine lets roll!

we rolled and drilled for an hour great session.

I almost caught him with a Peruvian neck tie a compression choke from top front turtle. after open mat he said he man I almost tapped to that it was real close, I let go because I was afraid I was cranking his neck, I was not. Lesson learned dont let go of the sub until your 100% sure its lost.

it was a great session, I felt really good and even though I was subbed quite a bit I was putting up a good defense and getting some good reversals.

Breakdancing helps BJJ

2007-11-26T00:10:00.000-09:00

I was an avid B-Boy (to use the proper parlance) in the mid to late 80's. I was more of a popper but I had a respectable ground game, I could do basic windmills and headspins and some floor work.

Even though Im older now lately my body and mind have felt great from doing BJJ for almost 6 months and I want to start breaking again. It requires a lot of upper body strength and momentum to work so I see at as a fun exercise that will only help my ZHOO-ZHeetz-oo.

Ill post my my crude attempts when I feel comfortable, so stay tuned for a good laugh.

Training Recap 11/24/07

2007-11-25T04:50:00.000-09:00

Saturday November 24 , 2007

11am-12 pm Judo

Neither instructor showed up. A guy and his 2 kids showed up from the same Judo club and he brought a couple of instructional videos.

We worked on Tai-ototshi...I like this throw its very natural feeling for me, Im definitely gonna work on this one.

We did a modified version as well for no-gi where you control the wrist and then instead of the lapel you use your forearm to finish the throw by driving it into his underneath elbow area

I landed some really good throws with this during practice. I also got drilled pretty hard with a knee to the back of the head on a sloppy throw but I recovered in about 10 minutes.

We then did the throw and went into a armbar and then a farside armbar combo from knee on belly.

After Judo I filmed ben and Justin rolling and 2 how to's for the academy website which Ill be taking over soon. very excited about doing the site.

I worked No-gi with Justin, we did some take downs, arm-drag to neck control and underhook spinning take down. He showed me how to properly do an arm drag since I was pulling the wrist which is wrong. You grab the wrist just to control a little and then you swim in with the other hand and clasp around the back of his elbow/tricep and you do most of the moving using his body like an anchor to get the back, its great stuff.

I showed him the darce choke from top turtle.

we rolled for about 10 minutes. I felt very good about my performance and held my own almost getting a triangle and a RNC, Justin caught me in a triangle eventually, but I probably rolled the best thus far No-Gi since I started. Im really starting to like No-gi, the speed/pace suits me more than gi.

What felt good about the 2 sub attempts was that they happened naturally with and automatic with out me thinking about them thats progress for me, I think way to much and fall behind which leads to tapping.

I told myself I wouldnt start No-gi training until 6 months of gi-training and 6 months comes up the first week of Dec. so Im excited to start, I may wait until after the first but im going to play it by ear.

We had a UFC fighter come in yesterday Doug Evans, he has fought roger Huerta, Doug is a badass wrestler . Doug has fight coming up in UFC

http://www.ufcdaily.com/2007/09/24/ufc-79-doug-evans-added-to-fight-card/

Whats weird is Doug trains at the 'other school" so it was weird to see him walk in the door and train with our MMA team. Its all good though. Our guys basically dominate the local fight scene so hell benefit from training with our guys.

I rolled with a Purple belt, Bob w/ the gi on, I did really good against him, hes very technical and usually just thrashes me but I fought off his submission attempts for at least 5 minutes until he caught me with a reverse triangle.

I worked with some other guys in class Jordan and Jason doing some half-guard stuff and armbar escapes.

after class I rapped with one of the MMA guys Jesus whose got a title fight coming up (light heavy) he suggested training hard and getting into the cage, not sure about that since Im 37 but he said there is no age in the cage! I would like to workout with the MMA guys, just to get my striking back in stride. They have 2 of the best boxers in state and our heavyweight champ is an ex-toughman runnerup who fought butter bean!

I think I will start working out with them a little after new years, striking is fun, I love kicks.

Great class! cant wait for the next one, my shoulder in feeling much better almost 100%.

Training Recap/promotion! 11/20/07

2007-11-21T09:55:00.000-09:00

11/20/07 Tuesday

Went in for the evening Tuesday Advanced basics class (my 1st time in this class).

Great class.

We did moderate warmup.

We worked on 2 takedowns.

2 single leg variations.

We worked on pummeling and then a a counter to double underhooks.

Your partner has double under hooks, you wrap your arms around his and around his back clasping your hands together slide your hips back and squeeze. If done right its sort of like a double armbar in a way.

We then did a spiderguard/open guard drill:

1.) get your partner in open guard. both feet on the hips. control one of his arms with both hands.

2.) Your partner stands with a good base one knee forward pressing on your thigh, he has control of one of your knees (grip)

3.) To break you grip on his sleeve your partner bends his elbow postures up and breaks your grip on his forward knee

4.) You quickly wrap your leg/foot around his forward knee and calf and grab his ankle you push with your other foot into his hip moving him back. mean while you pull back with both hands on his wrist to your chin.

5.) unwrap your leg and reestablish it on his hip.

After class there were some stripe promotions. The last guy was me, I was given 2 stripes.

11/17/07 training recap

2007-11-18T21:31:00.000-09:00

November 17th, 2007 Saturday

11am-2:30pm

No Judo today. Went straight into doing sweeps from guard for a warm up.

Worked w/ Justin the new purple belt, congrats to Justin.

He showed me a series from closed guard to open guard to sitting up overhook an arm and sweep.

Then we went into a triangle from this position by posting up on one arm and swinging your leg over your partner as he closes.

We worked on a sneaky triangle from crosssides top.

Starting with your partner in cross-sides you control his far-side arm by the wrist, you take your leg closest to his head and turn it in parallel with his torso foot pointing towards his feet, when your opp. upas and begins to turn in you roll him into the triangle by pushing his arm out (the one you control) and secure the triangle.

I rolled with a bluebelt, big John. I though I did shitty he said I was getting much better and that he now has to actively turn up his game to get me. I was submitted multiple times but I guess i did an average job o defending I felt really weak still from a week of inactivety and illness. Thats my excuse.

We worked on some turtle attacks and some rolling re-guards from bottom turtle.

I worked with Carl "the eye surgeon" Rosen. Hes a purple belt he is so busy with his practice that he takes privates almost exclusively with the head instructor. Hes very good, and likes head control and chokes and guillotines, yes hes what some call a "Head Hunter".

I work with him a lot I believe he likes to work with me cause Im not a spazz whitebelt, and I try and learn what he teaches me which is always good stuff.

We did some stand up, take downs. It was pretty even he got me with a nice standing guillotine take down and a single leg and I got him with a club and dig spinning take down and a standing baseball choke.

We then worked on guard passing ( I have been working on guard passing from the knees for the last 2 weeks) he showed me some great details for the stack pass and putting your fist into your opp chin as you grab their lapel when posturing up.

We rolled for a couple rounds then he took off, I was basically dominated but it was fun.

I then rolled with big john again, did a little better but still got caught. and then A purple belt, Gary. I get the feeling he does not care for me and I dont really like him, but all in all I guess hes alright I think its a classic personality conflict, he is the instructors #1 guy though so its not good on the dojo political front. He caught me in a couple arm-bars, I fought them off fairly well on one from sidemount he held on a little long and tweaked my elbow a little, not to bad though.

I finished off with doing trigger drills from closed guard with big John. hand on mat=Kimura, one arm in one out=triangle, one arm midline= armbar

I was going to go in on Sunday to work with Justin and Kyle but I stayed up all night working on a video from the last comp.

Ill try to go Monday, Tuesday this week as Im taking the family to my parents house(about 4 hours south) for Turkey day on Wed and staying until Thursday.

11/12/07-11/15/07 illi'n Again

2007-11-15T17:56:00.000-09:00

Since Sunday 11/11/07 Ive been down and out with the flu: sorethroat, fever, severe congestion, muscle aches. So being the responsible Jiu Jitsu 'ka that I am, Im staying home and resting watching videos and catching up on rest and work.

This is the 3rd time Ive missed class due to illness since Sept.

Many people at the academy have missed class as well. I know for a fact a good number of guys who train when sick with little regard or understanding of the consequences.

After last weeks marathon trainig 13 hours of mat time I dont feel to bad missing but still Id like to get at least one day this week, probably Saturday Judo 11am-12pm and open mat 12-2pm.

I will update on saturday night.

11/10/07 Training recap

2007-11-10T21:22:00.000-09:00

Saturday November 10, 2007

11am-12pm Judo

We worked on a couple throws to submissions.

Koshi-guruma to armbar.

Ippon seoi nage

We were informed that our professor may work out a deal were we would start receiving and working on rank in Judo and the sessions would be 2 hours instead of one.

After class I talked to Sesnei Ira about my goal of getting a Black belt in bjj and Judo and that next year when I competed Id like to ahve to throws I could get dialed.

I told him Uchi-Mata is the first.

He gave me 2 drills I could work on at home.

Ill try and get some picts of the drills.

12pm-2pm ( I ended up staying until 4pm) open mat

The MMA team was in full swing as two guys have fights coming up, one guy is fighting for the light-heavy weight title.

Half the mat was theirs half was us grappling fools.

For about 30 minutes I worked with Sensei Ira on Judo's version of ground control (their pins) and a bunch of chokes to many to remember but a good overview.

After that I worked on drills with a bluebelt (John, hes a solid bro that has helped me learn the finer points of the basics) and Jason a big guy (260 lbs) we worked on the standard armbar to the foot hook variation armbar clip #2. I really like this combo. We also worked on the arm bar to triangle when the opp. pulls the arm out you swing your leg around and catch the triangle.

WE did about 30 of each combo.

we then went over a a 3 move combo from closed guard.

1.) closed guard. go for the kimura, opp wraps arm around your back to defend, transition to guillotine.

2.) when opp. defends the kimura by wrapping his arm immediately scoot your but back and wrap your arm over for the guillotine. The opp. defends the guillotine by reaching his arm and cupping your forearm or wrist.

3.) you immediately straighten out the same side leg basically getting out side his arm and falling back throw your leg over neck and head and grab the triangle.

We then did a bunch of crosside positional drills, bottom guy trys to escape and top guy trys to hold no subs.

We then did a north south drill. Top guy works north south bottom guy uses the pendulum move to escape. Gary a brownbelt showed us another option of escaping the north south by grabbing the belt and sitting up and stiff arming the opp. so he cant follow.

We worked Northsouth for about 30 minutes.

We then did some guard passing drills w/ increasing resistance.

Then on to the trigger drill.

start in closed guard select from:

arm mid line opp does an armbar.

hand on mat opp. does a kimura

one hand in one hand out opp. does triangle.

We worked this until we basically dropped taking turns.

John and Jason left.

I then rolled with a brownbelt John (he is a NAGA champ) hes mainly into NO-Gi but he was donning the armor.

Had a great roll, he let me play and we just worked on flow, my favorite type of sparring.

My training homework goal (2 weeks) is to pass guard from the knees. So we worked on that, he showed me a lot of helpful details on passing and defending guard.

I showed him some wrist locks from guard and a really ninja sneaky wrist lock while your in closed guard.

We then Bs'd for a bit about BJJ in general.

great day!

11/09/07 Training Recap

2007-11-10T20:48:00.000-09:00

Friday November 09, 2007

Beginning BJJ w/GI 6-7pm

More mount to side control work.

We worked on clearing the knife and seashell

knife: Is the bottom persons forearm bent at 90 deg. and put into the guy on top throat area causing discomfort and preventing him from pressing all his weight down. By using the trapezoid muscles (not the triceps which is a common mistake) you raise and increase the pressure.

Seashell: Is the bottom persons hand and forearm that is turned palm up and placed on the hip.

Knife and seashell combined with Upa and shrimp escape.

You Upa using the knife and seashell and traps to throw the opp. over your head and at an angle, you then shrimp your hips back (usually twice) and swing your knee underneath and get half guard or full guard.

We were concentrating on the top guys/girls job, which in across sides/side control is to make the bottom guys life miserable, transitioning to an improved position , Mount or attacking.

Our drill was a repeat of Wed. start in mount feed your arm behind the neck, swing your body and have your other arm follow your torso and use it to block his hip. get side control.

we did the mount to side control and then mount keylock and transistion to side control and keylock.

We then did some stand-up striking and threw some jabs, learning to relax and drop elevations.

Fun class.

11/08/07 Training recap

2007-11-09T23:11:00.000-09:00

Thursday November 08, 2007

Went to the local BJJ club run by a blue belt under my professor.

this was my second time attending his class. It was just him and his 2 boys and me and my son. we had a great night went over quite a few techniques and rolled.

We worked on the Go-go plata a little and some rubber guard stuff, we did some take downs from the knees and an escape from scarfhold.

The classes are very informal and loose we just work on various techniques I show him what wev'e been working on in the academy.

A good night. Not much to report.

11/07/07 Training Recap

2007-11-09T09:46:00.000-09:00

Wednesday Novermber 07, 2007

Beginning BJJ 6-7pm

We warmed up.

We spent 10 minutes partner Shrimping, professor is not happy with out overall hip movement this is the second class we did this.

We spent the rest of class doing a mount to side control drill.

1.) start mounted on your opp.

2.) pick a side, feed in an arm around the back of his neck palm up

3.) spin towards the direction of the side that your elbow is on (the one wrapped around his neck) at the same time bring your other hand circling in after your body and place it (or grab his pants) near his hip.

4.) bring your knee up to block his hip(replace your hand)

5.) bring that hand (one on his hip) over and under his elbow and shoulder.

6.) bring the hand that was around neck to the side of his face and wrap that hand around your own elbow trapping his arm and shoulder.

7.) scoot your hips back a little (towards his feet) and come to your knees, use your front knee to clear his hand on your hips (called clearing the seashell) by pushing up towards his head.

8.) twist his trapped arm and shoulder towards his head a little.

9.) bring your knee up on his belly maintain constant pressure and slap it on the other side on the mat securing mount, be sure to slap your hands out in front, keep your weight back and on top of his hips.

10.) do the other side.

Interm./Adv. GI 7-8pm

We warmed up by grabbing a guy who was not in Beg. and doing a light roll for 5 minutes.
I rolled with my afternoon instructor Kyle a brown belt. I started off kind of tight and he reminded me to relax I did and felt much faster and flowing.

Mount to sidecontrol transitions

Using the same transistion from beg. we added a cross choke from mount and a papercutter from sidecontrol.

Then we did a kimura from sidecontrol and then from mount using the same transition through out the class.

8-9pm Open mat

Worked with a newer guy on guard passing (I was trying to pass) its my 2 week goal :I will pass guard on my knees. I did pretty good.

When he went to pass I defended very well but hes new.

I worked with Kyle on the rubber guard Go-go plata and Go-plata to omoplata. fun stuff.

12/06/07 Training recap

2007-11-09T09:19:00.000-09:00

Tuesday 12/06/07

Afternoon GI BJJ 12-1pm

Worked on a great series from the kimura in closed guard.

Start in closed guard go for the Kimura, he defends by wrapping his arm around your back.

You scoot your but/hips straight back, wrapping your arm(the one you used for the kimura attempt) and sink the guillotine.

If he defends the guillotine by sticking his hand in grabbing your choking forearm drop the leg on that side straight to the ground drop back down and wrap the same leg over his neck for the triangle.

I was working with a MMA fighter hes only a white belt but he armbarred a tough purple belt after class rolling, hes be doing no-gi for a long time though, so his actual level is probably high blue.

Another great class taught by our new brownbelt Kyle.

11/05/07 Training recap

2007-11-08T16:46:00.000-09:00

November 05, 2007

Monday Beginning GI class:

6-7pm

Light Warmup

We worked on Closed guard.

First technique shown was opening the closed guard when your partner gets posture or statrs to break your guard open.

The trick is the timming. You have to be faster than him/her. When they start to posture and you cant re-guard open you legs and stick your feet on their hips while your maintaing hand in collar (cross collar grip) and controlling the other hand with a c-grip or pistol grip on the sleeve.

Replacing closed guard from open guard.

1.) start in closed guard

2.) Get a cross collar grip, and a grip on the hand opposite the side your controlling by gripping the sleeve.

3.) When your opp. goes to sit up in posture and you cant break him down, open your guard put your feet on his hips.

4.) while pulling with your arms push with your legs unbalancing him forward and re-close guard.

Closed guard to top grip cross choke

1.) Start in closed guard w/ cross collar grip and sleeve control on the opp. hand/wrist

2.) Using your legs/hips rock him/her forward breaking their posture, bring their head down to your chest.

3.) keeping the cross collar grip release the hand on the sleeve and circling around the back of your head, grab the gi up on the shoulder near the neck.

4.) roll your wrists back (like wringing a rag out).and bring your elbows up towards the ceiling while keeping them in tight to your body....finishing the choke.

Approaching the 6 month mark in BJJ training

2007-11-04T21:17:00.000-09:00

I am fast approaching my 6th month of BJJ training. I started on May 30th, 2007 at a different school Im at now.

The first academy I spent all of June in. It was hard time rock breaking BJJ training!

The workouts were very intense, I lost 20 lbs of fat in that month so I am grateful for the exp.
I did however get treated very rough and not shown much in the way of basics, the instructors way of training is like a dog trainer who uses compulsion or force to teach the lessons.

Dont want to get arm barred dont stick your arm out! You make a mistake and you receive a punishment in this case pain in a joint lock or choke. If I wasnt getting injured so much and I was younger I would have stuck it out, its cheaper if nothing else part of me likes the challenge of being in a shark pit which is what it felt like and I was the weakest shark! I could only move up the food chain.

Its all operant conditioning. Reinforcement and punishment are the main tools used to get the desired behavior.

The other academy used the positive punishment model: you make a mistake you receive pain!
Not repeating the action that got you in that submission makes the pain go away and a decrease in that action is the (desired) result.

Starting in July I switched to the other only BJJ place with in 300 miles of me(we only have 4 places in the whole state of Alaska). Gracie Barra of Alaska. I have until recently really enjoyed the school, lately Ive been hurt and sick an awful lot not really the fault of the training enviorment more on me.

Nothing puts a damper on training something like BJJ and being 100% committed to getting better than being unable to train due to injury or sickness.

Im a little lost on my development as my instructor is far to busy with the move we are doing in a month or two, Ive never seen a framing crew take so long to put up 3 or 4 walls! Anyways I think with the stress of the move and the sheer number of students we are getting is making my instructor a little "cracky".

He for example told me 3 weeks a go that I was ready for my 1st stripe, guess what no stripe no mention of it. Oh well Im not gonna bitch to him about it, I guess Ill just be the no stripe white belt guy thrashing all the other white belts with their pretty stripes, bastards.

I think its odd that people with 1 month of exp have received their1st stripe and have never rolled Ive been there 5 months and I roll hardcore every week I put in 7-10 hours a week training and I get passed by, oh well what are you gonna do.

I get the feeling my instructor has way to many students to know whats up with me, but maybe he does who knows.

I have an unusual schedule attending classes, I only go to the Wed. beg and int night classes when he teaches, the other afternoon class I go to is taught by someone else and Sat. is Judo taught by someone else and then open mat, so I guess he thinks I only show up once a week no wonder Im getting passed by.

Ok enough beating of that dead equine. When he thinks Im ready ill get my stripe, so no more second guessing the coach.

On a good note I found a local club and get to train 2 extra nights with a blue belt in a growing BJJ club. Right now its just the guy his 2 sons and a crazy 18 year old wrestler. We will get more adults to train with soon I hope.

So as I approach my 6th month with a good amount of confusion in my overall progression so I plan on using this month to sort out my life and get refocused and moving down the path.

Good training everyone!

12/01/2007 Back from the dead/New Local BJJ club

2007-11-04T02:03:00.000-09:00

After being bed ridden and as sick as Ive been in many years I returned to training on Thursday Nov.1.

Thing is I started at a local BJJ club only 1o minutes from my house. This is great as I drive about 100 miles round trip to the main academy ( I still intend to do this) but now Ill get a couple days a week of extra training.

The man who runs it is a blue belt under my head instructor and comes highly recommended by my professor (his instructor) and other top dogs at the academy.

Well I gave him a call got directions and showed up around 7pm. The classes are at a local fitness club. Its a nice place and street shoes are not allowed past the front entry.

I changed into my gi pants and waited for the guy. He showed up with 3 teenager looking guys. After introductions we went up to the aerobics/yoga room. He recently bought new mats, we went to set them up. The room is very nice with mirrors on one wall and a nice wood floor also very clean.

The main guy is Dan hes in his 50's and a hell of nice guy, his 2 sond are 13 and 16 and both yellow belts the other guy is 18 and a white belt, big kid though.

We warmed up and did a mount to the bottom guy reversing with an upa and the to guy did a hip escape and got guard.

We then drilled some techniques. I showed them a couple throws and basics of unbalancing in Judo. Both the teenagers speak fluent Japanese their teacher is a black belt in Judo and is Japanese herself, she will be going to the class soon with her husband so that will be good.

We went over some take downs from the knees and I showed them the baseball choke from side control.

and then Dan had me roll with the 18 year old, he said we will go at 20%, ok so I just shook hands and came out very light, this was a mistake apparently this kid did not hear or ignored the coach, he grabbed my head slapped down and then grabbed my collar and chin and started doing a clock like crank/face crush as I had my chin buried, I couldnt get out but before I could tap he had damaged my jaw I felt it.

I told him Id hate to see his 100% if that was supposed to be 20% and not to crank my head again as its dangerous and not allowed at the main academy. I am not going to make a big deal about this but I will be very cautious about rolling with this young fool. Its been 48 hours and my jaw is finally feeling better.

After that we rolled again and stalemated so the coach stopped us. I then rolled with his 16 year old son, he is a cross country skier and a nice kid, hes got good jiu jitsu as well, I went at 20% like instructed he was going a little harder but I let him play a little and then passed his guard a couple times and then worked from my guard, he did a nice pass to side control and then to mount and then I ended up his guard and then passed and defended guard until time ran out, a good roll.

He had me roll with his 13 year old son, I went very light and did not try any subs, the kids has skills, great hip movement and a very nice kid to boot.

I then rolled with Dan, he caught me in an armbar from side control, after that we basically exchanged position I thought I did alright.

We went over some escapes from back control and then put the mats away and I was asked if Id be coming every week I said sure and that id see them next Monday and Id bring my son whose 11 and trains at the main academy once a week on Wed. now he will get 3 days total.

Classes are 5$ each class and are every Monday and Thursday 7pm-8:30 0r 9pm.

So my new BJJ training schedule will be:

Mondays: Local club 7-8:30 or 9pm
Tuesdays: Main academy after noon gi class 12pm-1pm
Wednesday: Main academy 6-9pm
6-7pm- Beg, GI BJJ
7-8pm int./adv. GI BJJ
8pm-9pm open mat
Thursdays: Local club 7-8:30 or 9pm
Saturdays: Judo 11am-12pm
open mat 12pm-2pm

That will give me 10 hours a week of training. hopefully I can protect my self from injury.

Wednesday 10/24/07 Training recap....

2007-10-26T10:23:00.000-08:00

Wed. 10-24-07

I have been sick again!!!!!!! since Saturday. I felt pretty good on Wednesday morning so I decided to drive in for class my son has class at 4:30-5:30pm kids bjj so at the very least I needed to get him to class.

6-7pm beg. BJJ w/Gi

beginning class was pretty good, a lot of people showed up. We worked on securing a over hook and grabbing the collarbone area (standing) and controlling the other arm with a elbow grip on the underside.

We then went over the cross lapel coke from standing just to get the mechanics down(we would never do this standing).

We then review the kimura from standing. we then drilled all 3 techniques in a row about 10-15 times.

We then used the overhook and elbow control to do a throw from the knees by pulling the elbow of your uke across your body and twisting your hips to throw him ending up in side control.

It was during this drill that I started feeling very weak, I did a horrible throw as I could not focus and my professor yelled "what the hell was that! That was ugly!"....thanks for the motivation coach.....I improved my form and we drilled the takedown about 10 times on each
side.

I thought about leaving before int/advanced class but I decided to stay...this would end up being a bad decision.

7-8pm int./adv BJJ w/gi

We did a harder than usual warmup after this I was really feeling like crap.
The class was split into 2 groups white belts on one side and blue and above on the other.

WE (the white belt legions) were introduced to the basic foot lock we were shown three variations, and told not to do these in sparring. we worked on these for a while, I am really looking forward to using these at blue belt level, ive always liked the footolck.

The entire class was then paired up in a large circle the person on the inside would rotate clockwise after a 2 minute sparring match. I should have bowed out as I knew I did not have the strength and presence of mind to spar, but the instructor said we were to go light!

I was paired up with Tony a 4 stripe purple, hes cool and the roll was light and fun, he dominated me but I managed to get out of some subs before getting kimuared I quickly tapped to protect my damaged shoulder.

I was then paired up with Gary a 2 stripe brown. Hes a big guy and he could dispatch me easily but he let me play a little with hip movement. Gary is a good teacher and I always learn something from him.

Next match was against a green belt from the kids class ( Justin hes 14 0r 15 ) I went easy and just let him work, he pulled guard and I defended his attacks and tried to pass. This kid is going to be a great player his dad is a brown belt and and a great competitor.

The next match I was paied up against a big whiet belt wearing a judo gi, this guy was was from a local Judo club he comes in with his daughter once in a while to train ground work.
This guy does obviously not understand the meaning of going light, he was going all out and using all his strength he was kia'iiiing (karate yelp) and trying to break my limbs on any part of his body he could, he was stiff arming me and when I tried to get guard on him and he got cross sides and put my arm between his legs and did some kind on armbar tapped it hurt.

By this time I had no strength and was seeing little birds flying around my head, we rolled again and this time he managed to get my lapel across my face he pulled as hard as he could groaning and kiai'iiiiing time ran out and he continued to choke my face my instructor had to yell at him and grab him to get him to stop. After he said you should still feel good I had to use all of my strength and I hurt myself to defeat you....wtf!!! I was at a loss for words..

I was next paired up with Joe a bluebelt he usually very controlled and technical so I figured I would just defend and get off the mats and limp home. well he must have had it out for me cause he slapped on a armbar from guard, I tapped (I had no strength to stack him) and he readjusted and popped it pretty hard with his hips ....after I had already tapped......My arm was damaged again (this had happened my first week of training 4 months ago at another academy, one of the reasons I left that academy)...needless to say I was very agitated.

I drove home feeling weak, dejected and crushed mentally and physically. I felt embarrassed in front of my son and my professor. To add to this wonderful night we had the first snowstorm of the year and the drive home took 2 hours.......

I wont be back to training until Im 100%

Well Im pissed off and sick and injured...I better sign off.

10/20/07 Training Saturday

2007-10-21T01:28:00.000-08:00

10/20/07 11am-2:30pm

11am.-12pm Judo

Today we worked on drop knee seoi-nage. I dont really like this throw, but I helped out by showing folks what I knew.

http://www.suginoharyu.com/html/video/kihonwaza/ippon%20seoi%20nage%20(drop).mpg

12-2:30pm open mat

I drilled a little on defenses to being stacked in guard and then rolled with Karl (2 stripe purple) hes really helpful and I always learn a lot from our rolls. I worked my arm warp and got it on him once but he escaped by ratcheting his arm loose. He was going easy but if I got close to something he let me know what time it was!!!

I then rolled with Jeremy (3 stripe blue) we are about the same weight hes obviously more advanced than me he also has a wrestling background.

Jeremy is very good, a little rough (in a good way) he has great hip movement and is very hard to defend he loves guard and I spend most of my time trying to pass his open guard I usually get 1 or 2 passes and then submitted a bunch. My pinky toe is brokedn on my left foot and my big toe (same foot) is hurtin (turf toe) so my base in guard has been shit!!! SO Ive been easy to sweep. oh well I need to learn to adjust and work around my injuries.

Jeremy is constantly on the attack and I really have to work to defend, but I always learn a lot (more through feel) but lately hes really been giving me solid advice.

My shoulder, was starting to hurt a little so I took a break and Jeremy took off.

I then rolled with my buddy Justin (4 stripe blue) we went No-GI, I felt I did really good (but I have about 30 lbs on him and he was not rolling all out. I escape 2x from his back control, a brown belt who was watching said my technique was near perfect on my escapes Ive been working hard on this so I felt good. When I roll with Justin we roll light and fast and flowing hes my favorite person to roll with because we have fun and not stress about getting subs. its my chance to try shit thats new to me or be creative, I get a lot out of it.

Justin said my hip movement is really improving so thats good since are the key to a lot of BJJ.

After that we worked on some chokes from turtle (top) and our Professor came in and he demonstrated a couple on me and let me tell you I thought my eyes were going to pop out...ouchhhhhh!

I was rapping with some of the MMA guys training and found out they recently just got back from Iraq and were starting up again. I helped clean up the mats and then went home.

A good class!!!

I got 7 hours of training this week. 1 hour of standup and 6 hours ground work.

10/19/07 Fri. Training recap........

2007-10-21T00:57:00.000-08:00

10/19/2007 Friday 6-9pm

I arrived at 4:30pm for my sons class no professor so Megan our Judo instructor taught a Judo style class and I helped out it was a lot of fun. W went over a hip throw and then played some games, like having the kids put their belts in their pants like tails and run around trying to take the tail.

Our professor was sick so Pat Applegate a Purple belt and bronze medal winner at the worlds (when he was a blue belt, he was promoted after by Carlos Gracie Jr., what an honor)
taught class.

Only 5 students showed up (rainy cold night) so we did a light warm-up.

Pat showed us a baseball choke from side-control or knee on belly

we worked on this and then a step over choke from front base and then if that is defended go back to side control or knee on belly to baseball choke cool stuff.

I love chokes so it was a good series of moves for me.

After this we had an impromptu open mat a couple more people showed up.

I worked with Jason a 270lbs white belt ( thats almost a 100 lbs weight difference), we drilled some guard passing ( with increasing resistance). He passed my guard once with a stack pass, I showed him this so I still felt good ;) Hes really learning to use his weight.

I showed him a cool armwrap move I like when I have someone in closed guard. I basically over hook an arm and secure it by grabbing his far collar and setting up a choke.

I worked a little with ryan light rolling as he has a separated or strained shoulder. We just rolled and worked for positions I avoided subs.

I worked with a couple other people on drills and then took off.

all in all a good light fun night.

Heavier than a really Heavy thing........

2007-10-21T00:23:00.000-08:00

Today (Sat. 10/20/07) during open mat we were working on cross-sides: details, attacks and transitioning between side control and north south.

When I got home tonight I wanted to test how much weight I could transfer down on my opp.'s sternum or chest so I took my 'ole bathroom scale and put my medicine ball about center enough to see the numbers on the analog readout.

my weight 187lbs./85 Kgs. Some results: max pressure I could exert after adjustments

position ---------------------------------------------- weight as in downward pressure lbs./kgs.

1.) cross-side both knees close and tight into opp.'s body 130lbs/59kgs
butt lower than head

2.) cross-side one knee up (as in hip block) other leg 130lbs/59 kgs.
out straight knee on ground

3.) cross-side one knee up (as in hip block) other leg 160lbs/73 kgs.
out straight knee off ground weight on toes rocking forward

4.) cross-side both legs back (block hip w/ hand) knees off ground up on toes 165lbs./75 kgs.
hips lower than head.

5.) Knee on belly 50/50 balance 170 lbs./ 77 kgs.

6.) Front Base Legs spread wide up on feet 160lbs./ 73 kgs.

Not really scientific but it gives one an idea of the forces at play.

KOGA!:Judoka God

2007-10-18T07:33:00.000-08:00

KOGA!

Toshihiko Koga was a dominant Judoka in the late 80's and through most of the 90's.
He fought at 78 Kg. (171 lbs) and 70 kg. (155 lbs.).
92' Barcelona Gold Medal at 71 kg.
96' Atlanta Silver Medal at 78 kg.

Koga is known for his Ippon Seoi-nage's

10/ 16/07 Tue. Training recap.....

2007-10-16T17:41:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Oct. 16th 2007

12-1pm Afternoon Gi BJJ Class

Afternoon Gi BJJ classes on Tue. and Thu. are taught by Kyle he is a 4 stripe purple belt.

Kyle will be competing in the 12th Us Open held in Santa Cruz, Ca. this weekend 20th -21st
I wish him the best of luck I think he is going to do good he is strong and very technical.
http://www.claudiofrancabjj.com/USOpen/usopen.htm

Today only myself and Han showed up besides Kyle for the afternoon class. I have known Han for a couple months now he is a cool guy and a good player hes good at sweeps. He has been training for 1.5 years and last night he was awarded his blue belt! Congrats to Han.

We warmd oueselves up and then Kyle showed us a open guard defense drill.

1.) Start with your partner standing and you assuming open guard (no hands in this drill) with your feet in his hips

2.) Your partner will move to one side and clear your foot to the outside of his hip.

3.) you hip out and cross your far leg across his body placing it on his hip.

4.) you bring your other leg underneath and next to the foot on his hip.

5.) you then place the foot that was on the hip to the other hip and then your opponent switches to the other side.

We worked this for a while taking turns.

we then worked on an open guard pass and then an open guard pass to knee on belly and then to armbar.

Im tired at the moment and I broke my left pinky toe about an hour ago so Ill describe later.

Kyle then showed us a couple of cool sweeps from half guard.

Kind of difficult to explain so ill add later.

We also learned an escape from being flattened out when you have half guard but failed to get an under-hook and are now being squashed.

After class Han and I took turns rolling with kyle

Ive never rolled with Kyle and Ive never rolled 100% with a 4 stripe purple if that wasnt enough he outweighs me by 40 pounds as well.

Needless to say but I was completely dominated, I dont think I put up much of a defense but thats to be expected, still it was fun to roll with someone so much more skilled.

We rolled for about 5 minutes.

It was a good class.

My shoulder is getting better every week. But now to add to the injury on top of injury Ive broken my little toe on the left the same side of my sprained big toe.....dammmm!

Not in training but about an hour ago I was getting the kids and the dogs down for the night and I stepped wedging my baby toe under my daughters bed post keep walking and snap!! I screamed loudly this hurts.

10/13/07 Sat. Training recap....

2007-10-14T10:58:00.000-08:00

10/13/07

11am-12pm Judo A new Black belt Judo instructor!

A nice surprise today, I noticed some new faces in the academy I recognized then from the Judo newaza tournament .

A big black belt a brown belt and 2 white belts a father and daughter. The girl trains with us sometimes working on her ground skills, she was submitting so many people in class her instructor reached out to our professor and now he will be teaching Saturday classes!!!!!!!! Awesome our professor rocks.

Sensei Ira went over the very basics of Judo concepts such as Kusushi (unbalancing) and grips and foot placement.

I have a background in Judo so this was a great review.

We were shown how to break fall I need to improve these Im rusty as hell.

We went over some throws Osoto Gari and Koshi Guruma

At the end of class we did very light randori (sparring).

I was paired up with the instructor hes a big guy 250+. I asked him if I could throw him with an ippon seonage since he mentioned he has a slew of injuries he said go for it. so I did I was surprised how easily I threw him I felt none of his weight I was pleased.

all my class mates were stoked some of them have no idea I was in Judo.

After class he shook my hand and said I did good. I am going to make a huge deal of him training us and lobby Professor to keep him coming permanently as we will all benefit learning Judo from a black belt. Megan our normal Judo teacher was out sick she is a great teacher also.

I am very excited as learning Judo is important to me as one of my long term goals is to obtain a black belt in Judo and use throws in BJJ comps.

I love Judo!

12pm-2pm Open Mat

During open mat I worked with Big John (Blue belt) on a variety of things.

The arm bar from closed guard with cross choke grip. Some lapel chokes using your opp. lapel, guard passing and defense, sweeps the scissor sweep the and others.

He wanted to work on top control so we drilled that. He started with me in his side control and worked to submit. It was a good session I defended well I think he caught me 2x that's an improvement.

Then we rolled. I was really protecting my shoulder but I did alright for a gimp.

The big guy I worked with on Wed. class came in ( i need to learn his name) he worked in with us on guard passing he tried to pass my guard and John watched pointing out details.

Jeremy is a 2 stripe Blue Belt and very good from the guard. He asked me to roll I said my shoulder hurt and I didn't want to roll, Jeremy plays a little rough.

After some thought I decided to roll with him I said as long as you don't rip my shoulder off he said cool I started in his guard. He caught me a couple time with a triangle and a face crush cross choke but I did alright he said my base is really improving as well as my guard passing although I only passed his guard 2 x I think.

I managed to get his back 2x from him being in turtle I grabbed the back of his lapel and his belt and pull up rolling him into my back control. but he escaped I need to work on back control.

I had him side mount during rolling and went for the double attack i could sense a little panic on his part as I went for an armbar he quickly got out, I was close though.

We rolled for about 20-30 minutes I think and then called it a day.

All in all a great Sat. session.

MY shoulder however was really hurting on Saturday night, I know I pushed it a little but I had fun. The pain during rolling is holding me back.

10/10/07 Wednesday Training Recap

2007-10-14T08:47:00.000-08:00

10/10/07 Wednesday Night classes 6-9pm

Wednesday was a special day as my 11 year old son started in BJJ in the kids class from 4:30-5:30pm.

He has 3 years of Judo he was state champ one year and 2 years in freestyle wrestling.

He was taking down most of the upper belts in the kids class very easy. Professor was very impressed with him and says hes got great potential. I was proud!

6-7pm Beginning Gi BJJ.

Professor Ted introduced spider guard on Mondays class I can only make Wednesdays evening class so I played a little catch up.

We drilled with a partner establishing spider guard.

Establishing spider guard from closed guard opp. is on knees:

1.) Starting from closed guard. Control booth sleeves slide one knee inside of you arm and up against opponents chest.

2.) Slide the other knee in.

3.) put one foot on your opp. hips
3a.) Repeat for the other leg.
ending up with both feet in your opp.
hips and inside of both of your arms.

4.) Next move one foot to your opp. bicep
4a.) repeat for the other side. ending up with both feet in your opp. biceps.

5.) Always be on one hip never flat (just never be flat in any move in bjj) push against the biceps with your feet and pull in with your arms. rolling from one hip to the other.

establishing spider guard when opponent stands in your guard.

1.) control both sleeves near the wrists.

2.) both feet start hooked around the knees.

3.) one foot moves up to the hips. heel on the hip.

****note always have 3 points of contact with your opponent. never move more than one foot at a time and always maintain contact with the other foot and a firm control of both sleeves near the wrists either c grip or pistol/joystick grip.****
3a.) do the same with the other foot.

4.) Next move one foot from hr hip to the bicep.
4a.) repeat for the other side.

5.) Maintain pressure by pushing with the legs and pulling with the arms

After drilling the basics of spider guard with different partners we were shown the triangle from spider guard. I was the demo opponent for the instruction so I remember this tech.

1.) Starting from closed guard. acquire spider guard control. (opp is on knees in your guard)

2.) Get on one hip with opp leg stretched out and near leg in tight.

3.) put your close foot...the one near the hip your on and put it in your opp hip.

4.) push off the foot on his hip bring the arm on that side across your body and bring the opposite side leg over the opp back and shoulder close to the head.

5.) Grab your own shin locking it across the opp. back/shoulder

6.) hip out towards the controlling leg side to get a good angle for the triangle.

7.) over hook your other leg and hip up while pulling his head down and squeezing your knees together finishing the triangle choke.

We worked on this for the reminder of the class.

7-8pm Intermediate/Advanced GI BJJ

Review of the armbar from closed guard with cross collar grip I really need to work on my armbars from guard I spend a lot of time on chokes but my armbars are weak especially from the left side.

My armbars are alright from the right but shit from the left I will dedicate some time to training armbars over the next couple months and try them in sparring.

1.) start with your opp. in closed guard with a cross collar grip and controlling one arm at the sleeve/wrist.

2.) open guard hip out slightly towards arm your going to attack, close guard.

3.) put your foot that's on the same side of the arm your gonna attack and push off circling the leg around while your other leg climbs his back/shoulder and breaks down his posture.

4.) bring the swinging leg around trapping his arm squeeze your knees together and raise your hips, finish the armbar.

We worked on this most of the class and the last 20 minutes were spent drilling various armbars weve learned.

8-9pm Open Mat

I worked a little with Big John the Blue belt, he has helped me immensely and I cant thank him enough, he is always willing to work with me..he had to leave to take his sis to the airport so we only had 5 minutes.

During open mat I drilled guard passing with a newer student (3 weeks of training) hes 280 lbs..I'm 180....gasp! that's a 100 lb. difference.

He wanted to work on the simple stack sweep so we started with him in my closed guard I could barely get my knees around his body...my ankles were holding on for dear life..

The first couple of times I gave token resistance and when he felt confident I upped the resistance. I kept him from stacking by opening my guard hooking one of his arms with the back of my knee raising up and then coming down hard preventing the stack he kept trying until he finally collapsed from exhaustion.

I explained to him that jiu jitsu is based on maximum efficiency and when your struggling your not using jiu jitsu and you will quickly run out of energy and be vulnerable to attack.

I gave him some of the routines I use for conditioning as well.

I went over the basics of guard passing and then Pat ( new purple belt, fresh off a 3 rd place finish in the blue belt category in the worlds) and Joe (3 stripe blue) came over and refined both of our guard passing and guard defense techniques.

I learned a lot from these guys 2 of the best in the school, Pat is generally accepted as the top grappler in the class and Joe is very technical.

Ive been using Pat's advice to sharpen my guard defense attack game and everything he teaches me makes sense and works for me same with Joe and Big John another blue belt I work with a lot.

When working from guard I like to agitate my opp by grabbing an elbow and flaring it out preventing them from obtaining posture, I love getting over hooks as well, once I have a solid over hook its very hard on my opp. to do anything or get out.

I continued to work with the big guy cant remember his name for a while. We worked from cross sides, I was down he was up , having 280 lbs on top of you in side control is no fun one he gets more exp. look out! I rolled to my knees I was flat so picked u\him up and got to turtle ( yes I used strength I had no choice and yes Im strong for my size but I try not to use strength), he got a hook in and started to work for a RNC I controlled one hand with two got to the side by bridging and worked to face him I got out and he was surprised how I worked out of his back control he was exhausted and just laid on his back.

We worked some mount. I was on bottom, I did a hip escape and I guess I exploded so much I swept him. I went over what little knowledge I had on top positions which is where he wants to work from.

I had to go help a friend move his motor cycle so I left at 8:45pm. all in all a good class although I felt out of it due to my 3 injuries..Knee, toe and shoulder. being injured sux!!!!!!!!

My shoulder feels ok still weak in a lot of positions I need to be careful and I cant roll 100% yet.

My turf toe feels alright I wore my wrestling shoes to protect it, not used to the friction I prefer bare feet.

10/ 09/07 Tue. Training recap.....

2007-10-14T08:29:00.000-08:00

Tuesday afternoon class 12-1pm

We worked on a backwards shoulder roll when you are being stacked during a guard pass.

When someone attempts a stacking guard pass you can roll into turtle or your knees and begin a reversal or simply reclaim guard either way you avoided the pass.

You roll back to turtle or all the way back to guard, depending on space between you and your partner. YOU do this before they have a chance to lock their hands you use their forward momentum and hook your knee around one shoulder and use this kick over in to the roll.

From turtle we then worked on grabbing a leg/foot and turning it in towards their other leg sweeping them to their back.

The last 10 minutes of class were dedicated to live positional drills with one guy in the guard trying to pass and the other guy defending his guard, no submissions allowed for this drill.

My guard passing is improving I was able to pass two guys guards I have never even come close to passing before so I was happy.

My guard defense is improving as well I am putting a lot of effort into guard defense and attacks though so its good to see its paying off a bit. I am really starting to see frustration in peoples eyes when they are trying to pass my guard these are white belts and maybe one newer blue.

I stayed after class and worked on sweeps from the guard, I got my left big toe caught in my partners gi pants and hyper extended my toe back ouchhh!

Besides the injury it was a good class.

Creepy Crawly : Newaza Tournament

2007-10-07T14:26:00.000-08:00

Saturday October 6th, 2007........

No Judo or open Mat training this Saturday. A local Judo club hosted a Newaza only tournament.

Rules:

Competitors had to start from the knees.

No standing. one leg is allowed to come up when inititating an attack or changing position.

No head cranks. No guillotines.

Only the elbow joint can be attacked although Kimuras were allowed.

No leg submissions of any kind.

Ill post some video when I get my video capture PCI card up and running.

The comp. started at 12 pm with the kids, so many kids showed up that they went from 12pm-4:30pm.

Unfortunately I had to get home so I only stayed until 5:30pm. I videoed most of all the men's lightweight matches, there were some awesome matches.

One highlight of note was a 2 stripe white belt from our academy arm -barred a Judo Blackbetl, very good match and nice submission. Ill post it when i get set up.

I could not compete as my shoulder was still hurting which seemed to displease my instructor and some of the other guys from class, not sure why. One purple belt made the comment tsk! tsk! when I told him I would not compete cause of my shoulder, it really pissed me off!

Ive been hurt or sick for the whole month of September, first strep, then mystery illness then strained patellar tendon and then to top it off a strained tendon in my shoulder.

IM secretly glad he got he ass kicked by a blue belt in the comp as he is an ass in the final analysis...Tsk tsk motherf*&cker!!!!

Im feeling particularly evil..possibly due

I was basically on the sidelines filming the matches and taking pictures. My 11 year old son came with me to watch he starts BJJ on Wednesday. It was cool to watch the matches with him, he has 3 years of Judo and 2 years of wrestling so I think he will do well. Plus now I have someone to roll with and try stuff with. We can drill all the basics.

I left feeling kind of lame and dissed by my instructor and some of the higher belts, hopefully it was just comp. focus.

I continued my conditioning routine to test my shoulder I went lighter than usual, today I feel alright.

Im going to try and attend class 4 times a week for the next couple of months and really pick up my focus on drilling basics.

Wednesday Oct. 3rd., 2007.......BJJ Class

2007-10-04T15:33:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 3, October 2007.

After a week layoff due to a shoulder injury I decided after a visit to the Doc. that I could handle some mat work, drills only...... no sparring. Ill need another week maybe 2 to heal, if it still hurts in a week I may opt for an MRI.

6-7pm- Beginning Gi BJJ

We had at least 6 new students come in on Tuesday, the class had at least 30 students total, while all the students are healthy for the academy, it will be nice to move to our new space.

We did a light warm up and then a self defense technique against a two handed grab to the wrist with the thumbs up.

Basically you bend your knees assume a basic combat stance if the opponent grabs your left hand with both of his hands you bring your right hand over make a fist with your left trapped hand and grab the fist with your right hand and pull it back using your legs to step back.

Sound basic but works quite well as you are pulling against the thumbs and they will give.

We worked on both controlling cross sides, proper arm placement when in cross sides and the principle of the knife and the sea shell and transitioning to the mount from cross sides

The Knife and Seashell

When in someones side control you want to bend your arms at 90 degrees

KNIFE: keep one arm in your opponents throat region causing discomfort

SEASHELL: the other arm is in the hips

Always use your traps (back) to extend your arms not your triceps., this in unison with the upa hip escape combo is a powerful escape.

keep the knee closest to your opponent pointing out and in contact with him/her rest your foot on your other leg for leverage. This helps to prevent the mount.

We were not working on the hipeascape during this class just the proper position of you arms and legs.

You clear the knife by trapping the guy on the bottom outside arm and stretch him out by moving his arm/shoulder in an arc towards his head pressing down on him making pressure with your shoulder.

You clear the seashell by using your knee closest to his head to scope his arm away and up towards his head.

When the above is complete pass your knee over his stomach keeping close contact until you reach the other side then and only then slap your foot down to the mat... obtain mount.

We worked this the remainder of class increasing resistance.

7-8pm Interm./Advanced GI BJJ

After a more intense than usual Warm up we worked on open guard defense, using your legs to keep your opponent at bay.

We worked a defense by rolling over and reclaiming guard when being stacked, great drill.

We worked on a defense from open guard when the opp. is trying reach around your leg and getting a cross grip, you grab the wrist of the hand and you hip up and drop your leg down breaking the grip. once you get the timing down it works great.

The remainder of class was spent drilling escapes from the scarf hold or Kesa Gatame.
Since this was a full resistance drill I opted not to push my injury.

This Saturday OCT. 6th is a Newaza (ground fighting) tournament sponsored by a local Judo club. The rules are fighting from the knees only, no foot locks, kneebars, head cranks, only elbow and shoulder submissions allowed as well as all chokes.

I was going to compete but not with my current shoulder injury, so ill be watching.

class over ran until 8:30pm .

I worked with a blue belt named John he was cool enough to drill with me on guard defense and guard passing as well as an armbar to triangle to armbar combo and an ezikeil (sp?) choke. http://www.bjjfighter.com/techniques/gi/guard/gi_eziquiel.html

I like this choke and was shown some details by John and Kyle (4 stripe purple).

We worked on escape from the scarfhold when John put it on 100% resistance I could not move him. I must work on this escape.

I stayed until 10 pm it was great to be able to just drill when hurt and I appreciate John's help.

My shoulder feels pretty good, tender but stable.

I hope to get some pictures and maybe video of the tournament this Saturday.

Grappler's Guide/Resource Site

2007-10-01T10:36:00.000-08:00

         


I found this site when poking around on Subfigter.com.

Today I purchased the premium membership for 19.99 USD its for 1 year.

Its a great site with a very dedicated person running it.

There are hours of Gi and No-gi comp. footage, instructional, breakdown analysis  of matches, solo drills, exercises and more.

The forums are full of knowledgeable people willing to help.

All in all a great site dedicated to improving your game and a great deal for only 20$.

Do yourself a favor and go check it out.

Shoulder Injury

2007-09-29T23:09:00.000-08:00

Well September has been a pretty bad month for me in general.

I Contracted a nasty mystery sickness out of training for 2 weeks.

I then Hurt my knee during Judo training by straining my patellar tendon.

The week after I come back from my knee injury I rolled with my brother law who was in town and I did not tap fast enough to an Americana he caught me in, he yanked up and I had a feeling I was hurt I did not feel the pain until 3 hours later.

Cant stress this enough TAP early!

This happened on Wednesday 9/26/07 during open mat.

Most likely a shoulder capsular strain 1-2 weeks out if Im lucky. Ive been following the R.I.C.E. treatment. It seems to be improving. The worst pain is when I clasp my hands in front of my torso and try to pull against my own hands like when defending an armbar.

I went to class today and helped with JUDO instruction, UCHI MATA. I have been asked to help out on Saturdays during Judo class, which I will gladly do. The class (JUDO from 11am-12pm) used to be small usually you'd see 4-5 people training today we had 20!

A bunch of us went over to the new academy and helped remove the drywall and other demo trash from the building. The new academy will be more than twice the size of our current one.

I will be doing at least one mural maybe more. I was asked to paint the school LOGO in the entrance on a wall facing the doors its 8' by 8'.

We should be moving in around December its gonna be nice!

I hope to come back from yet another injury and continue my training.

My plan for rehab is following the RICE treatment, attending class and doing what I can, take it easy until my recovery is near 100%, watching BJJ, Judo fotage and reading my BJJ books.

Using Visualization techniques for moves Im learning.

IPPON/A JUDO Video comp.

2007-09-19T00:46:00.000-08:00

I made this video footage compilation when I was trianing JUDO thought I lost it but I found it buried on my old hard drive.

I made the soundtrack; techno-tronic song in a program called ACID.

BJJ Book review: The Path to the Black Belt

2007-09-17T20:25:00.000-08:00

I received my book order form Amazon.com today. The Path to the Black Belt by: Rodrigo Gracie and Kid Peligro.

Once I started reading I could not put it down, its very well done.

If there was a text book for intro to BJJ this is it!
Im keeping this in my gear bag.

The Introduction section alone is worth the 20 USD. Its about 40 pages of info ranging from What to look for in an instructor to Conditioning, to avoiding and healing injuries, Taking advantage of your body type and Advancing through the belt system and much more.

The rest of the book is a feast of step by step pictures and detailed instruction in all the basic to advanced techniques that are truly important.

He covers Basic Drills such as turning to your knees, how to fall, some hip throws and more.

Advanced drills dealing with position transitions and such.

He has chapters dedicated to chokes, Joint Submissions, take downs, Guard defense basics, Guard passing basics, sweeps and reversals, half guard passes and defense, the mount and more.

I highly recommend this book its a great deal, very well organized in a logical fashion great pictures and a joy to read.

It answers almost all of the questions I have wanted to know since I started, the information is gold.

So go buy it!!!

To all the nuthuggers in the world....!

2007-09-17T20:23:00.001-08:00

Saturday August 15th, 2007

2007-09-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

Saturday training is 11am-2pm

11am-12pm JUDO with a kodokan brown belt she has a blue belt in BJJ and used to fight MMA until she was told to stop because on an anurism!

We worked on Tome Nage

I did a couple of nice ones in drilling but hurt my patellar tendon ouch! Didnt feel it till after class of course on the drive home.

Hope I can heal up before next class on tuesday.

12pm-2pm is open mat. Quite a few MMA guys were working striking and some ground work.

I was asked to work with a 14 year old from the kids class on his throws and grip fighting I have some JUDO exp., I also showed him a stacking guard pass (his request) and an armbar finnish from a hip throw. It was a great exp. as one of my ultimate goals in BJJ is to teach.

After working with the 14 YO. I rolled with a new guy named Matt he is about 6'6" and weighs 270 lbs yes hes big and hes in good shape he is a black belt in TaeKwon DO he has about 2 months in BJJ, one less than me he is also a very nice guy, luckily. Im thinking great here is a guy who finaly has less exp than me and hes an in shape man-beast, I was sure I was goign to be crushed like an orange in a metal press. If you read this Matt I mean no offense Its just for fun! and please dont kick my head off!

We started on the knees (as usual) I quickly pulled guard. I broke his posture by controlling his collar behind his neck and controlling one arm by gripping the sleeve. I went for an arm drag to arm bar but missed it but i still had the arm so locked it down and worked for a choke. I put my arm around the back of his neck and with that hand grabbed my own cuff of the other hand I then snake the free hand under his neck. He tapped after a brief struggle stop here....

This is my first submission ever in a sparring match in 3 months of BJJ training.
That it came against someone 90 lbs heavier than me who was in shape is just a real life testament to the effectiveness of BJJ a smaller man can submit a much larger man until he learns just as much BJJ as you and then your dead. What was cool is that it just happened I did not really think about the sub.

OK continue here:

Next match I pulled guard again, Im focusing on guard this month and I felt it was the safest way to handle such a big man. I had a lot of success breaking posture I went for another choke, this time a loop choke from closed guard. Another Tap. We sparred 2 more times I got an arm bar from the back after a failed rear naked choke. The last match I got yet another choke the basic cross choke from closed guard.

Click here for more on "Beginning Jiu Jitsu Moves"

I was very happy to get the submissions but I know its all a learning process and Ill get tapped a thousand more times and hopefully get just as many subs. After we sparred I showed him what I did and I showed a stacking guard pass and arm bar from the mount.

After that Matt and I did some striking work on focus mitts. We just did some kicks he kicks very hard.......

I did my best Thai Boxing roundhouse kicks..I did alright I need to work on my technique a little more he said my kicks had good power. Kicking aggravates my past knee injuries so I dont do it enough.

To end the day's training I was asked to roll by a blue belt named Justin, hes a cool MF'er , He wanted to do no-gi ( I havent rolled no-gi before so this was new) goes about 150 but hes strong and technical he dominated me most of the match submitting me a bunch. I did get his back and sink a rear naked choke I fought hard to keep it and eventually got the tap, Justin was going easy on me but I did earn the RNC.

It was a great session and we rolled from position to position instead of playing the pressure game. For my 45 cents thats what BJJ is all about, smooth flowing and creative.

Now if I can just heal up before next class on Tuesday.

Force of the Spirit: A true warrior JJ Machado

2007-09-15T00:27:00.000-08:00

If you practice BJJ and you haven't heard of or don't know much about Jean Jacques Machado you should watch the above mini documentary and then visit his website.

http://www.jeanjacquesmachado.com/onlinetraining/

JJ Machado is an unbelievable BJJ player and he does this all with a handicap, he is truly amazing.

I am student of Gracie Barra under Prof. Ted Stickel but Im also a student of JJ Machado and I am planning on meeting him in late Feb. early March 2008. Im flying into Vegas to train at a Machado school in Vegas for 2 days and spend a day at Cobra Kai (Mark Laimon) and then its off to Tarzana , California to train at JJ's academy.

Smashing the shield: Passing the Guard

2007-09-14T19:37:00.000-08:00

In BJJ you will spend a high percentage of your time in the guard, defending the guard and passing the guard.

I need help in every phase of BJJ but the guard is a good place to start. I end up in the guard quite a bit during sparring. especially against other white belts since the guard is something most know the basics of. Also of note a good number of white belts like to pull guard at the start of the match so passing guard is something I have to get down ASAP!

Im at a point where I need to have some sort of basic plan of attack for sparring sessions.
I can try to absorb every position and technique my instructor and training partners show me or I can just focus on key points of each position enough to survive and try to find a system or style that works for me.

I am choosing guard to focus on this next month or so. I will attempt to pull guard on my trianing partner regardless of rank and work from there.

Passing the Closed Guard

Basic principals: (what Ive learned thus far)

Safety first. Make sure your not in danger of being swept or submitted.

Posture up keep your weight centered over your base. keep your head up looking straight ahead to avoid him grabbing your lapel at the collar or head.

Get your knees under his hips to control his movement.

****Keep both arms in or out never one in one out!****

Either grab his pants near his belt line and exert pressure down with both hands keeping your elbows in tight to his thighs or "Fix his Gi" grab both lapels and close them holding both tightly keep your elbow bent and tight to his torso with your other hand grab near his belt line on his pants and lock your elbow into his thigh.

After you do the above there are many guard pases to attempt but the above should keep you out on danger until you can pass.

Ill add different guard passes as I learn them hopefully with videos or pictures.

Base how low can you go...../:Exploring the concept and mechanics of Base

2007-09-14T12:55:00.001-08:00

I do not come from a grappling background my background is striking. Some of the terms and concepts in grappling/BJJ are alien to me. So I though it would be interesting and helpful to try and define some of the terms by researching the usual, the net, books and asking instructors and advanced students.

This installment is BASE! What is it ? Why is it important to BJJ and how do you get it?

Defined:

Base: refers to balance in grappling combat arts. One who has good base is difficult to sweep, break posture and in general hard to handle on the ground, i.e. move around.
Think of a water heavy bag, the ones that stay on the ground, the base keeps them from moving when kicked or punched.

Here are some definitions, uses of the term base that I find analogous to BJJ

1.) the bottom side of a geometric figure from which the altitude can be constructed; "the base of the triangle"

2.) the bottom or lowest part; "the base of the mountain"

3.) foundation: lowest support of a structure; "it was built on a base of solid rock"; "he stood at the foot of the tower"

So now that we have a definition how do we develop base for grappling?

The obvious:

1.) Mat time! Get on the mat with a resisting partner and concentrate on not being moved be a stone in the current.

2.) The scientific approach:

Lower your center of gravity. The center of mass in a ball is the center of the ball the center of mass on our asymmetrical bodies is about 2 inches below our belly button at least when we are standing.
Lowering the center of your mass results in more stability. This makes your base of support broader and thus your harder to move or unbalance.
When you stand your center of mass or center of gravity is in line with your base of support your feet and you are balanced. When the head, legs or arms moves away from the center of mass and the base of support (your feet) the chance of falling increases.

Important concepts:

Mass: In general everyday terms this simply means weight measured in kilograms or pounds.
Center of gravity (or center of mass): for our purposes the point at which the total weight of the body is concentrated. When standing it is 2 inches below the navel.
Rotational motion: Simple or complicated movement around an axis.
Torque: Distance times a force. Produces changes in the rotation of an object. Torque is produced by any force that acts on an object that is not pointed directly towards the object's axis of rotation example: When you push off one foot_ to the right the friction created by the movement pushes back to the left t the planted foot. if one object exerts a torque on another object, then that object exerts and equal and opposite torque back For every Action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Angular velocity: specifies the angular speed at which an object is rotating along with the direction in which it is rotating.

So by lowering our center of mass and widening our base support we lessen the chance of torque causing rotational motion.

So looking at the basic BJJ standing combat stance:

So when your standing you lower your center by bending at the knees widen your stance to shoulder width (wider than the shoulders gives more base of support but lessens mobility.
Keeping your head over your center back straight head up your are increasing your base of support with out sacrificing to much mobility. Elbows in not flared out bent at 45 degree angles cuts down on rotational movement leading to a stronger base.

Things get progressively more complicated when you get on the ground. Your center of gravity is constantly changing during a match. Keeping tight, your head and knees in towards your core reduces you being flattened out and makes it easier to move and execute techniques.

When you start a match on your knees (typical in most academies due to space and safety) the wider your base of support is the harder you are to move. you do this by widening your knees out forming a nice wide base and dropping your but down towards the mat. Too wide and your immobile not wide enough and you are easily taken down or pulled into guard. I see many upper belts start by just sitting also known as sitting in base.

As you move in relation to your opponent you are either attempting to overcome his/her base, disrupting or removing your opponent base neutralizes their ability to remain balanced no balance no meaningful movement. Or you are defending your base support from disruption, when you feel that your opponent base is changing its a race to see who takes advantage of the base shift, if you don't move when your opponent is trying to climb your back from guard your will be positionally dominated, making it easier for your balance to be disrupted.

So a good base can be developed from proper body mechanics (positioning) and proper adaptation to your opponents movements. Keep your base intact and disrupt your opponents.

Develop a strong core if your core is weak your base will be weak.

Develop sensitivity to your opponent movements and intentions so you can defend and gain dominate positions.

You can quickly see the importance of a good BASE in BJJ or any grappling art, its core to progression.

Structures with an improper foundation (base) quickly fall. Build your foundation or base brick by brick with fundamentals.

To see base in action watch a sumo match!!!

Thursday Sept. 13th, 2007

2007-09-14T07:33:00.000-08:00

Went to the afternoon Gi class at 12pm.

12pm-1pm BJJ GI

Kyle the 4 stripe Purple belt was instructing the class as per usual.

About 6 people showed up.

We were shown an escape from knee on stomach.

Escape from knee on stomach or running man escape to sweep

1.) Start in your opponents knee on stomach control.

2.) bring your outside elbow up and in in a circular motion and bump the knee on your stomach while at the same time turn away from you opponent by bringing your leg closest to him over you other leg and turn to the side ending up in a running pose.

2a.) the motion of your legs is what moves your opponents knee not your elbow alone so concentrate on the movement of your legs in sync with your elbow to clear the knee.

3.) be sure to bring your hands up to your face and neck to protect from chokes, keep your elbows in with no space to avoid the arm bar.

4.) use the momentum created by the initial move to go up on your knees facing your opponent perpendicular. Don't stay on you side for to long.

5.) grab his pant leg with our outside (closest to his head) control his arm with the other hand and roll him over ending up in acrossdie's (you have to adjust on the fly to get crosside control).

Its hard to explain for me so ill sketch out the moves eventually which translates to probably not going to happen..

For the last 15 minutes of class we did randori (free spar)

I had about 4 matches

I was asked and gladly excepted to roll with Tony a 4 stripe purple belt hes getting ready for the US nationals. Tony has been instrumental in helping me with my game.

We started on knees (due to space/safety) I took him down with an osto gari (major outside reap) modified from the knees. That's about all I remember I did escape from an inverted armbar we were literally rolling from position to position and he eventually got me with an armbar. We rolled again and it went almost identical except this time he caught me with a choke while I was in turtle.

After he said I was getting much better and he gave me a fist to fist and said keep it up.
we were both pretty tired after that.

I then rolled with a young 19 yo 2 stripe white belt he has about 8 months exp. His name is Pat hes a big strong athletic kid. Hes quite a bit taller than me and heavier about 15-20 lbs.

Ive rolled with him before and did reasonably well he did catch me with a kimura though but we were pretty even after that last time we rolled.

We started from the knees. He went in to a turtle positon baiting me to attack (al'a Eduardo Telles). Since we are just training I took the bait and tried to get his back he rolled me over and got me in sidemount I worked to my knees and then to turtle I fought him off fairly well but eventually he got my back he finished me with a hard fought cross choke it was more on my chin but I did not want to break my jaw by being a tough guy.

We rolled a couple more times each time he started in turtle, he caught me in a triangle from guard i tried the handy stacking escape but hes so tall I ran out of space and he secured the choke knocking me down.

In the next match he got my back again and finished me with a nice Head and arm triangle from the back I fought it off but he had it so I submitted.

After class Kyle told us we both looked really good and said we were improving quickly. I felt like I performed poorly but I may have been spent from the match with Tony since I usually give Pat a harder time. Still he is more exp. than me so its expected for him to do better.

After class pat and I were talking and Pat thought I was in my early to mid twenties he was surprised when he found out Im 37!!!! I took it has a compliment. I told him I get that all the time and its family genetics my grandpa in 93 and still has all his hair and lives alone doing all his own yard work. We all age well in my family.

I have not gotten one good submission in sparring yet, but I have never rolled with anyone my exp. level or less exp. than me. there are some new guys starting in the academy but they are either huge or have exp.

When I get my first sub it will just happen im not going to force anything. Ive heard 6 months is generally accepted as when you begin to mount an effective offense. 3 months to go, I guess we will find out.

Wednesday Sept. 12th Trainning

2007-09-13T18:59:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 9/12/2007

Went to BJJ Gi class from 6pm-9:20pm.

Wed. 6-7pm- Is Beginning BJJ- It was an usually large class about 35 students, with some new and returning students which is great fro the academy.

We did a light warmup , were informed that all students will be wearing Gis at all times during Gi classes. He commented on the new and returning faces and informed all about our move to the new academy which will be more than double the sq. footage of our current one. We should be moving in a month or two.

The plans for remodeling the new space and a sample of the new puzzle mat were on display very cool will have showers, new changing rooms, a bunch of heavy bags a half cage, very cool.

We did a couple self-defense moves from a muggers hold.
Defense against mugger's hold when opponent punches(headlock from the side)

1.) Training partner holds you in muggers hold and is starting to punch your face.

2.) Turn your chin into his ribs to protect your neck from choke, put hand in front of your face to deflect punch.

3.) Grab his bicep around his back with your other arm.

4.) Squat down maintaining control of his arm, pivot your body towards your back using your leg motion to pull his arm elevated and stretched up and and behind him at a 45 degree angle.

5.) Squat down maintain control of his arm and back your head out from underneath his out stretched arm while bending his wrist and elbow behind his back and using your legs push his arm folded up to his neck (very painful).

6.) When having his arm folded and pushed up his back he will be unbalanced to ease the pain at this point you reach across his throat with your other hand and lock it with a grip on his shoulder, choking him, he can easily be taken to the ground at his point and finished.

We also did a take down where you secure your opponents arm and pull into you body trapping it and then roll on your shoulder in front of him and to the side of his opposite arms taking him down.

We worked on escapes from the mount when your opponent has a deep cross lapel grip and other variations.

Escape from the mount when opponent has cross grip on your collar.

1.) Start with you opponent controlling you from mount with a hand securing a cross grip on your gi collar.

2.) Grab that arm with both hands and pull it down and pin it to your torso. trapping the same side leg with your foot.

3.) Upa. push up your hips straight back and then go to your shoulder (to the side of his trapped arm shoulder) and land on top of you opponent in his guard, be sure to defend your neck from him trying to Finnish the cross choke from his guard.

from 7-8pm is interm./advanced BJJ. You must have 20 beginning classes or permission from the professor to attend.

We did a pretty light to medium warm up.

The class was divided into 2 groups white belts on one side of the mats and blue and up on the other half.

The white belt side (including me) were shown the paper cutter choke from side mount.

Ill post a picture when I find one.

Basically

1.) start w/ opponent in your side mount.

2.) Clear (control) his arm (the seashell) that's under you hips and close to your legs, by moving it out of the way with your hip and legs.

3.) While keeping max pressure on his upper torso you sprawl your legs back maintaining your hips low and reach your hand that's closes to his legs underneath your own legs keeping close to his body you grip his lapel/collar.

4.) while still sprawled with max down pressure you put your elbow (the one controlling his head) on the ground and into his ear forcing his head back towards your legs.

5.) You then in one smooth movement dig your outside hand( the one that his head pinned) into his gi collar thumb in fingers out and bring your knees close to his head.

6.) you then in a paper cutting motion drive your elbow to the ground drawing your forearm across his neck.

This is a trachea choke and is very painful and powerful you need to be nice to your training partner!!!!

We worked on this all class switching partners every so often and increasing resistance . we did do some variations but basically it was the same submission.

From 8-9pm is open mat

At 8pm Professor said goodnight and said stay and spar! But be careful.

About 20 people stayed which is more than usual.

I took pictures for the move of the month sequence.

Then rolled for about an hour ( I left at 9:20pm).

I rolled against a 3 stripe white belt who had about 30 lbs on me.

I did alright he caught me twice after that it was a stalemate, I controlled him from guard (my focus for the month: playing guard, breaking posture, triangle) and did an alright job breaking his posture.
went for a triangle when I got one of his arms out, he postured up and I lost it. need to work on angles and controlling his arms effectively from guard to set up attacks.

Next roll was against a blue belt. we rolled for at least 20 minutes I made an alright account of my self. I did get caught quite a few times. My highlight was escaping form about 5 or 6 armbar from guard attempts I used the stacking and walk around defense, it works very well if you commit. He was a very crafty player and very helpful with advice as we'd roll.

I rolled with another blue for the rest of the time, he has a bruised rib so we ent easy I learned a bunch as we were just flowing, good session

All in all a great night, I feel like Im improving a little bit each week.

Ive heard that around 6 months you start to be able to mount more of an offense and start to catch people regularly. 3 months down 3 months to go.

Back on the BJJ Horse: After a 2 week layoff

2007-09-11T23:41:00.000-08:00

After 2 weeks of missing class due an unidentified sickness I was more than happy to shuck the withdraw symptoms and hit the mats.

Today I went in for the afternoon GI class 12pm-1pm. Most people who frequent this class are doing it on their lunch break. Its a laid back atmosphere and a lot of fun.

A purple belt teaches this class most days but today Professor Ted Stickel showed up and led the first half of class. We did a elbow-escape to halfguard from the mount and then a sweep with variations depending on the opponents reaction such as him pulling his arm out when you trap for the sweep.

The last 5 minutes of class I sparred with a purple belt named Tony. Hes been real cool about showing me techniques and hes really improved my game all around.

I immediately pulled guard which he liked, since usually I just wait for the opponent to attack, but im taking the intuitive from now on and working a plan.

I was working to break his posture and get a choke by throwing my elbow over the center line of my torso and peeling his arm back that was holding my lapel and then grab his lapel as I bumped him forward with my legs then feed it to my other hand and place the empty hand on the back of his collar move my head out and bring my elbow over for the choke, I got close but no cigar!

He passed my guard and got me in crossides where I gave up a kimura after attempting to escape, dam! I did not concentrate on proper hand/arm placement to defend crossides.

We rolled a second time I pulled guard and it pretty much played out the same, but this time I fell to an armbar, I have a long way to go , but I felt good about it in general this guy is a 4 stripe purple so i feel good to get anything.

He pointed out that I need to make my movements smoother as I tend to jerk when i move and I need to make my body work in unison. I'm gonna work on this.

Goals for this week: Work on guard, breaking posture, defending pass, open my guard when he tries to pass and sweep, also sub of the week is triangle. Also smoother movements

Its good to be back!

White to Blue: Mandatory knowledge for getting my Blue

2007-09-09T21:33:00.000-08:00

The sheer magnitude of information on BJJ techniques available on the Internet, books and DVD is overwhelming.

The amount of techniques I learn during open mat when I spar with higher belts is enough to confuse me sometimes.

I only go to class 2x per week I do stay for 3 hours each time but I am missing out on valuable techniques the professor is laying down. I only see my professor once a week on Wed. class, Saturday is Judo and open mat.

It just isn't possible to go to class more than I do due to my schedule, I can pick up extra classes here and there but basically its 2x per week for a total of 6 hours a week on average is what I have to work with.

Since I want to make the most of out of every session I am going to collect and write down all the requirements for my first solid goal in BJJ, achieving the bluebelt.

I want to focus only on what I need to progress to blue in the hopes of building a solid foundation of BJJ fundamentals.

The following is What most BJJ instructors expect from their Blue belts, Im not sure exactly what my professor expects but I have a pretty good idea.

Heres the list so far:

Basic movements

1.) Tie your belt:

2.) Stance:

3.) Proper falling:

4.) Shoulder roll:

5.)Hip escape:

6.) Bridge:

Takedowns

7.) Osoto Gari:

8.) Hip Throw:

9.) Double Leg:

10.) Single Leg:

11.) Hip Throw to armbar:

The Guard

12.)Closed Guard basics:

13.) Scissor sweep:

14.) Passing the guard method #1:

15.) Passing the guard method #2:

16.) Closed guard sweep to armbar:

17.) Closed guard sweep when opp. stands:

18.) Hip elevation reversal to the mount:

19.) Armbar from closed guard:

20.) Triangle from closed guard:

21.) Kimura from closed guard:

22.) Cross collar lapel choke from closed guard:

23.) The Mount

24.) Mount Basics

25.) Collar chokes

26.) Armbar from the mount

27.) The americana from the mount

28.) Transistion when opponent rolls:

29.) Mount escape #1: Upa

30.) Mount escape #2: Elbow-knee

31.) Side control

32.) Side control basics:

33.) Side control transistion to the mount:

34.) Escaping from side control:

35.) Basic attacks from side control:

Knee on stomach

36.) Knee on stomach basics

37.) Basic attack from knee on stomach

Self defense

38.) Standing front headlock and guillotine defense:

39.) escape headlock from ground:

Thats all I can think off at the moment. Either way its a hell of a lot to learn.

No wonder it takes an average of 2 years to earn you blue belt.

It is my hope that this list will serve as a guideline to stay on track.

Each weeks sparring sessions Im going to work on these basics only . Ill pick an attack from each position and work that only.

So next class for example Im going to work on holding guard and attacking with a triangle and see what happens.

Ill track my results on here and see what I need to work on. Ill write the details down since that seems to be the difference in these techniques working during sparing.

The OG White Belt:: My Martial Arts background

2007-09-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

After 3 months of training in BJJ one of things Ive noticed is that some higher belts and white belts w/ stripes take their rank and place in the academy pecking order very seriously which is all good they earned their rank after all which if you train at a reputable BJJ school you ll no doubt understand how hard it can be to obtain rank.

Another thing Ive noticed is that some of the younger students look at the belt around my waist in all its milky white glory bearing no stripes and only see an OG (older grappler) with a white belt.

Also some of these same students seem to act as if being a whitebelt means you have little BJJ knowledge and your also lacking any real exp. of any kind, some I swear treat you like your mildly retarded.

Something that really makes me laugh is when some 19 year old whitebelt who im paired up with during drills is constantly pointing to the mat, lay here do this and such but cant figure out why I continually escape from his mount, sidemount and pass his guard even though he has a stripe on his belt and I dont.

I guess being young they either think they know it all about life already and dont want to be shown just how much they may not be aware of.

Its Ye'Ole dont judge a book by its cover thing. Being an OG I have learned a long time ago that assuming things about anyone is a mistake. I have learned to give people the benefit of the doubt and let them prove me wrong.

What these fellow students dont see is some one who started training martial arts at he age of 8 years old. They dont see or refuse to see the many scars on my face and head (which is shaved), the bulging knuckles from years of punching and dislocating and breaking most of my fingers, the 1 inch thick callouses on my feet from kicking. All they seem to see is the white belt....damm kids.

My earliest memories of martial arts was around 8 years old while at Catholic school I started boxing, it was our PE class we had no gym, so a priest would come to our class the girls went to another class to play hopscotch or whatever and we put the desks up against the wall put on gloves and boxed for 30 minutes 3x per week.

ON weekends my step dad at he time a 6'4" ex-Marine drill sergeant and our neighbors who were my godparents would barbecue and have all us kids in the neighborhood put on gloves and box in a makeshift ring which was really the front yard with people standing or sitting in lawn chairs in a square. Those were fun days no age or weight classes and the worst beating I can remember were from some of the girls, one broke my nose, good times.

At around age 11 after my mom had gotten a divorce and we moved from Philadelphia to Oregon(kind of like a poor mans karate kid story line). I had caught some beat downs at school and my Mom put me in a ShotoKhan Karate class, I was pissed because I wanted to learn Kung-Fu like my hero Bruce Lee or receive ninja training as an alternative. I had a blast in Karate and learned a great deal about respect and humility and that bruce lee was in fact beatable ( I never let on that I knew that he was in fact unbeatable).

In Shoto Khan I even went to some tournaments and sparred against adults. I learned to defend myself and had little problems w/ bullies. I spent 2 years in ShotoKhan and then lost interest when I discovered breakdancing.

I spent most of teens skateboarding, breakdancing, playing basketball and snowboarding.
I moved from Oregon to California and then in 10th grade we moved to Alaska.

While a Highschool student in Alaska I did not train martial arts but I did learn how to street fight from different sources and getting in scraps. Skaters vs. jocks , poor kids vs rich kids thing.

In my early 20's I studied Tae Kwon DO (the BJJ of the 90's) I had no real interest in TKD but I was working in a Eskimo (Inuit) village and it was the only martial art available I considered myself lucky. I spent 2 years training TKD and even competed regularly . I trained in TKD very hard and was at the blackbelt level but I never tested for personal reasons involving the instructor and his Chuck Norris wannabe henchman. This asshole kicked me in the front of my knee while sparring and never apologized or try to help me, needless to say I never went back.

I had a good friend (more like a father figure) who was my supervisor at work, train me on the side he was from Hawaii and he fought in the Army in Europe in kickboxing and some TKD tournaments. We trained old school very hard contact little padding only gloves a mouth piece, cup, and headgear. He taught me Thai boxing techniques, freestyle kickboxing and karate kicks.

In the mid 90's I moved to Anchorage, Alaska and enrolled in college to study fine arts, drawing, oil painting and ceramics.

While in college I enrolled in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu. say what you want about kung fu's effectiveness but the workouts were just as hard as anything ive seen in BJJ workouts.

Norhtern Shaolin uses a lot of kicking techniques and acrobatics. I studied this art for 2 years.
I really enjoyed kung fu being into snowboarding and having a background in breaking they all complimented one another. It was a student from this class that actually introduced me to bjj, he had gone to Brazil for a month and studied. If only I had looked around I would have known that a school was just opening in Anchorage, if only!

During this time I was more than familiar with the UFC and Royce Gracie as well, I wanted to study BJJ but I did not know about the school in Anchorage until I had moved to Nevada.

During this time I also took ShoShin Ryu
A self defense based martial art I spemt 2 years in. We even had access to firearm training, talk about street effectiveness! We did learn some throws and grappling but the lack of sparring against a resisting partner limits effectiveness.

In 97' I moved to Nevada met my lovely wife (we have 3 kids) moved back to Alaska in 2000 I spent the years from 97-2005 working as an electrician, doing the responsible adult thing, buying a home and putting my wife through school, I did not train regularly because of my work schedule. I did manage about a years worth of Judo training and a month of BJJ in 2004, man if I only could have stayed with it. I did do some training alone and work with whomever I could find that was interested in grappling. I bought the Vale Tudo DVD collection by Marrio Sperry.

Well Its 2007 and I now have the time to dedicate myself to training BJJ. I have no intention of stopping BJJ training until im in the dirt or in a wheel chair. I am noticing that there are core universal lessons that any martial art teaches you about life and combat and while I may not have years of mat time I will not have to repeat many lessons Ive already been lucky enough to learn. I also look forward to learning new lessons and most important is by helping and treating all my training partners with respect we all improve.

When you see an older guy or even a younger one dont concentrate on the belt color find out what he or she is really about. Dont be a douche bag kids!

You don't have to like everyone on the mat but you need to respect everyones right to train.

Not down with the sickness!

2007-09-08T10:54:00.000-08:00

Well I awoke this morning to the annoying beep..beep of my digital bugler sounding revaly and the sound of my amature lumberjack neighbor and his gas powered chainsaw only to realize quickly that I felt worse than yesterday, this sucks.

I haven't been to class in 2 weeks, but I just cant see running the risk of infecting someone and plus I feel as weak as a limp noodle thats an espesically limp and weak representative of the noodle nation.

Bottom line no class today....arghhhhhh!

Im gonna have to start taking vitamin C and drinking green tea to bolster my immune system because this sucks.

Strategy and Tactics of BJJ/Whats your Plan?

2007-09-07T22:47:00.000-08:00

After 3 months of training in BJJ , one thing I have noticed is that Ive been taught a wide variety of mostly basic techniques, but when I spar I have no real plan to execute the moves Ive collected thus far.

When sparring I find myself just waiting for my partner to dictate the match and reacting to his/her movements. I do consciously work on securing a dominant position and maintaining correct posture, I have up to this point been avoiding submissions unless the opportunity arises in the match.

What I want to work on in the coming months is formulating a plan of attack. I will be experimenting with techniques that I can execute in a sparring match.

I am an avid Warfare history buff, especially WW2, so I have an extensive collection of books on the history of warfare and strategy and tactics on the battlefield.

I think that most of the concepts can be applied to BJJ as it is a martial art and a sparring match is a conflict involving combat between two persons which leads to a resolution and the goal is winning by submitting your opponent or by points earned by sweeps, reversals takedowns and such.

Lets look at some key concepts:

Strategy is defined (wiki) basically as is a long term plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal , most often "winning".

Submitting your partner in training , an adversary in the streets or an opponent in a competition is the ultimate goal. It's what we train for its why BJJ and other Martial arts developed, to protect the physical integrity of ones being against an aggressor bent on ones destruction.

So Strategy as it relates to BJJ is a the long term planning to achieve a submission, ultimately this is the goal of every BJJ player to submit your opponent and end the conflict.

Part of out long term planning to achieve our strategic goal of submitting an opponent with BJJ :

1.) Attendance, go to class regularly. All the theorizing, conditioning and solo drills in the world will mean nothing if you do not attend class regularly.

2.) Drill the techniques we are taught in class so they become automatic during a match as part of our muscle memory.

3.) Sparring: attempt our moves live with a resisting training partner to learn how to apply them in a real situation.

4.) Physical and Mental conditioning to be able to execute the techniques under the stresses of combat.

4a) Using visualization to ingrain the moves in our memory.

5.) Creativity in sparring to outwit our opponent to achieve our ultimate goal of submission.

Now lets look at some of B.H. Liddell's ( from his book "Strategy") thoughts on strategy and connect them with BJJ:

Positive axioms

1.) Adjust your end to your means.

Work within your abilities, stay calm and focused and do not bite off more than you can chew.
Ask yourself "What can I realistically achieve?

BJJ example: I have 3 months of training Im not going to attempt a flying triangle on my opponent exposing myself to defeat or a bad position.

2.) Keep your object(ive) always in mind.

remain focused on your goal of submitting your opponent and ending the fight.

Adapt your plan to unfolding circumstances. remember" no plan survives contact with the enemy". You must adjust your game to what your opponent is providing, use his attack against him and exploit his weaknesses.

And as Napoleon (Dynamite) said: "Do not interrupt your enemy while he is busy making mistakes".

BJJ example: If your initial plan of an armtriangle from the closed guard fails look for alternatives.

3.) Choose the course of least expectation.

put yourself in your opponents shoes. Predict what course he/she may take and what course you may take that will be unforeseen by your opponent. Surprise him/her!

BJJ example: after feeling out your training partner try to beat him to the next position or go for a submission and surprise him/her.

4.) Exploit the line of least Resistance.

Look for opening and exploit them with maximum result for minimum effort.

A frontal is assault on a prepared position is one of the worst mistakes a commander can make in war.

This is the central meaning to Jiu Jitsu : the gentle or yielding way.

5.) Take a line of operation which offers alternative objectives.

Put your opponent on the horns of a dilemma. Pressure your opponent and go after what he/she guards least as this leads to gain one objective after another.

BJJ example: by being aggressive going for submissions you pressure your opponent into making mistakes you can exploit.

6.) Ensure that both plan and dispositions are flexible and adaptable to circumstances.

"Your plan should foresee and provide for a next step, in case of success or failure."

You must build on your partial successes ignore your failures on your way to your objective.

BJJ example:you fail in a armbar attempt and instead of dwelling on it you immediately go for an triangle when he pulls his arm out.

Negative

1.) Do not throw your weight into a stroke whilst your opponent is on guard.

you cannot achieve success against an opponent who is poised to counter your attack. You must neutralize his/her ability to counter, block or evade your attack.

In war this means demoralizing your enemy into disorganization.

BJJ example: If you put everything into an attack that your opponent is prepared for your are taking a line of maximum resistance and wasting valuable energy.

2.) Do not renew an attack along the same line after it has failed.

If your opponent has blocked your attack he/she may have gained confidence in this.

BJJ example: You go for a triangle your opponent defends instead of going for it again you switch to an armbar or choke.

All of these maxims are pretty much universal in the application of strategy.

The central theme in Liddells work is: "for success 2 major problems must be solved, dislocation and exploitation."

"One precedes and one follows the actual blow. You can not hit the enemy with effect unless you have first created the opportunity you cannot make that effect decisive unless you exploit the second opportunity that comes before he can recover. "

Now lets look at Tactics;

Tactics are defined as the execution of techniques to carry out the attack. The method of combat.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is primarily a ground fighting oriented martial art. The goal or Strategy of a BJJ player is to take down his opponent to the ground dominate him/her positionally paralysing the opponents ability to counter or defend and then ending the conflict with a submission.

The tactics of BJJ are the details, the method or the tools to achieve the strategic objective, the techniques: the positions, the submissions, the training method and the transitions and how they relate and are executed to achieve victory.

Whats great about BJJ is that the techniques can be adapted to suit a particular persons physical attributes.

Im now at a place in the journey where I must begin to find what works for me.

Im a firm believer in mastering the basics is the secret to success in any endeavor really.

So while I have to put more effort in to sparring and drilling the basics I will be experimenting with different techniques to see works for me modifying the techniques to fit my attributes.

In closing

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu strategy is to take your opponent to the ground and apply a submission rendering your opponent helpless to end the conflict.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tactics are to use ground based wrestling techniques to control your opponent paralyse his defense and submit him with a variety of leverage based grappling maneuvers designed to use the physical properties of the lever and fulcrum to overcome any deficiencies in strength.

JUDO:The Gentle Way/Orgins

2007-09-06T17:46:00.001-08:00

BJJ = Basically Just Judo. You will hear some refer to Brazillian jui jitsu as this.

First of all what is JUDO? and how does it relate to Brazilian or Gracie Jiu Jitsu

I have been reading about this for a while and here's a synopsis:

Judo translates to: the gentle way or the way of yielding is a martial art created by Jigoro Kano.

Watching Judo one might wonder what the hell they mean by "the gentle way!".

What is really meant by the gentle way or yielding way is

JU= instead of meeting your opponents strength or attack head on you adapt and turn their strength against them for your own advantage.

Do= Way. Is the techniques and strict moral principals needed to obtain "Self Perfection".

Kano cahnged the name of JuJitsu to Judo largely because at the time JuJitsu had a bad reputaiton and he tough that by putting an empahsis on Do which was more centered on Budo and the development of the person than Bu- jutsu with was focused on warfare.

JUDO is a martial art that utilizes throwing techniques (NageWaza), grappling techniques (Katamewaza) by turning the opponents attack against them by redirecting their momentum to neutralize the attack by incapacitating the attacker with a powerful throw or a painful joint lock or rendered unconscious by a choke.

Judo schools vary on the time or degree that is devoted to throwing techniques or NageWaza and ground techniquies NeWaza.

I studied Judo for a year at that club we did about 80% Standup and 20% groundwork.

Since Judo's inclusion into the Olympic games in 1964 most clubs have opted for a competioin focus and throwing techniques are usually the focus at these schools.

It seems that the rules of Olympic Judo have changed the focus of Judo practice as a self-defense and personal pursuit of perfection to learning to win at a sport.

Executing a perfect throw yields an ippon which is a win, match over. You can win by submitting you opponent but sumissions must be quick since the Judoplayers are stood back up with in a set amount of seconds it there is no action..

A pin is when one player holds down their opponent immobilizing them for 25 seconds capturing a win.

In essence Judo has largely become sport oriented and emphasis is put on throwing to win matches.

Kosen Judo or Newaza Judo has an emphasis on ground techniques. Students of Kosen were known to beat larger foes in comps using ground techniques to stall, wear out and finally submit theirr opponents.

Kano limited the use of ground techniques in comps by only allowing short periods of time to engage on the ground before being stood up. Kano did not destroy Kosen Judo because he must of known its right full place in Judo.

Kosen Judo is thought to have developed from Fusen-Ryu (a school of jiujitsu that used ground techniques such as chokes and jointlocks.

Mitsuyo Maeda who taught Carlos Gracie Sr., was a student of Fusen-Ryu and a leading Newaza expert at the Kodokan .

So from what Ive been able to find Fusen-Ryu Jiujitsu is very influential on Brazillian juijitsu if not directly reponsible for BJJ's heavy empahsis on groundfighting..

Kosen Judo and BJJ are similar in many ways.

I enjoy training Judo and BJJ they obviously compliment each other. I plan on getting a Black Belt in Judo eventually.

I favor the techniques that lead to quick a submission. and search for a synergy between Judo and BJJ.

Relapse of this crud:missed class for the 2nd week

2007-09-06T17:06:00.000-08:00

I have not been to class since 2weeks ago today, I was feeling better yesterday and doing some remodeling on the intieior of my house and started feeling like crap again, damm..I decieded to stay home I dont want to give any one this flu.

I do not like grappling when Im sick I have tried once its not good. i despise missing class but I have to be responsible.

Saturday is Judo at 11am-12pm and then open mat from 12pm-2pm hopefully I can submit this flu and get my ass back to class.

Since Ive been out with the flu I have been watching a lot of BJJ/Judo footage on You Tube and Dailymotion.

Im also a member of JJ Machados online trainig program its a great resource you should check it out. Its a freindly helpful community of grappelers.

There are over 500 instructional clips and they add one each week and you can request videos as well, its very cool. Its like having an ever evolving instructional set.

Ive been visualizing the moves in my head and shadow grappling, its better than nothing.

Time for some green tea and aqua-seltzer!

Submitted by Virus:Missed a week of class due to Flu!

2007-09-04T00:02:00.000-08:00

I havent been to class since Thursday August 23rd., Ive been sick with some kind of crummy sorethroat flu, I always seem to contract something when the kids head back to school, elementary kids make great vectors for disease.

I went to an afternoon class from 12-1pm on 8/23/07 as class on Saturday was canceled due to our Judo instructor and open mat instructor being at the worlds.

I got a private with a purple belt Tony as I did some electrical work for him(I'm a journeyman electrician 10 years exp. thankfully I work at home now doing artwork) .

We worked on passing the guard and defending the guard, which was great because in my 3 months of exp. ive never been officially shown the guard I just picked up what I could from videos and other students.

He showed me some drills and the main thing I took from the lesson is dont be flat (again I see a pattern) put pressure on your opponent in guard to keep him off balance, use your legs & hips 80% and 20% your arms, scoot out your hip on one side and attack if hes close and sweep if hes far.

Attacks from the closed guard

If arm from opponent is midline on your torso armbar him.

or

If one arm is in and one is outside your legs triangle him.

or

or

If one of his hands touches the mat go for a kimura if he blocks sweep him if the sweep fails scoot back your butt and guillotine him.

kimura

simple sweep

When he tries to pass your guard look for a sweep.

A bluebelt named John explained the guard to me like this: Think of a triangle when someone is in your closed guard if hes in the front of the triangle close to your hips attack him if hes in the rear of the triangle towards your legs sweep him.

After my lesson Tony had me roll with another white belt named Pat, we are basically the same weight although he was approx. 3 inches taller than me he has about 5 months of exp. and I have 3 months so a fair match up on paper.

I did alright, I tapped to a kimura from the mount. I managed to escape from the mount and pass his guard, i worked pretty good from the guard, I concentrated on breaking his posture.

When I had him in guard he was grinding his elbow into my stomach, I need to gain better control of the arms.

I really need to work on committing to attacks and sweeps and such I hold back to much.
Im not sure how hard to go in sparring sometimes, I roll allot with blues and purples and play defense so from NOW on when rolling with white belts I will be more offensive and match their intensity.

Anyways Im looking forward to returning to class on Wednesday 9/5/07.

Ill be caught up on my blog and ill try to post once a week.

Roy Dean Seminar

2007-09-03T23:41:00.000-08:00

On Saturday the 18th of August My Professor brought up Roy Dean a Black Belt under Roy Harris

Heres a link to the seminar: http://www.roydeanacademy.com/video/alaska_bjj_seminar

It was Bob's 54th birthday and our professor wanted to surprise him. Bob is a great guy and a purple belt at our school, Bob and Roy are friends.

Roy put on a 2.5 hour seminar. He went over the kimura from the closed guard to A sweep to a Guillotine and then a transition from mount to sidemount to armlock variations to a triangle really cool stuff.

After the seminar he rolled with one of the orange belt teens, Megan a blue Belt and our Judo Instructor and another bluebelt.

Roy is very smooth, very intelligent and humble it was an honor to meet him and learn from him.

I look forward to visiting his academy some day.

Roy Dean Has dueled with Nick Diaz see below:

Write it Down!:Keeping a BJJ Journal

2007-09-03T23:23:00.000-08:00

I have been keeping a BJJ Journal of my training since I started my Journey 3 months ago.

Its been an invaluable tool. I have been involved in quite a few martial arts in my life and learned that keeping a journal really helps to remember the lessons learned and to set goals.

This blog is really an extension of my written journal. The Blog format is a lot more fun and rich, since you can add videos and other media.

Documenting my training has been an invaluable tool I can look up notes on certain techniques, I keep contact info, important dates and so on.

I am an artist by nature so I like to draw the techniques out it helps me imprint them deep in my data bank or as some call it a brain.

I plan on posting my drawings when they dont look like crap.

If you dont keep a journal you should.

A private lesson with Flavio "CACHORRINHO" Almedia

2007-09-03T23:02:00.000-08:00

This is Flavio "Cachorrinho" Almeida in action

Flavio came to our school to give a seminar on Aug. 4th 2007, I could not attend the Seminar on Saturday so I opted for a private on Sunday at 10 am.

This was my first private lesson so I wasn't sure what to expect. I had decided previously to work on Side mount escapes for the entire hour as I was weak in this position.

Flavio is a very cool down to earth guy and a great teacher. We did Gi as thats what I concentrate on.

I forgot my camera like a dolt, he had his wifes and he let another student take a couple shots, I left my email w/him but I still havent gotten the picts, oh well next time ill bring my damm camera.

We went over the basics of side mount and I learned about 3-5 escapes and reversals, great stuff!

I realized I have a long way to go but that im on the right track.

I learned about the knife and the seashell.

Thats holding one arm bent at 90 degrees under your partners neck (the knife) and the other arm bent at 90 degrees in his hips (the seashell).

Dont ever lay flat on your back!!!!!!! always scape your hip out to one side.

A reoccurring mantra in BJJ dont be flat! Its simple physics less contact with the ground less friction = more speed and mobility.

I look forward to my next private lesson which should be with JJ Machado in Febuary if all goes well!

My Condtioning routine: From fat baboon to Iron monkey

2007-09-03T21:57:00.000-08:00

Since I started training 3 months ago I have lost 20 lbs and went from tapping due to exhaustion to being able to roll for an hour with out gassing. My Technique has a long way to go but Im one of the better conditioned guys at the academy so now I can roll and get submitted far longer than most of the newer guys/gals.

Im not trying to brag I just want to share my exp. in the hopes of helping another out of shape slob become a fit lean mean grappling machine! or lean mean taping machine.

Heres my weekly workout routine:

Daily warm up. I do this or a variation everyday except Sunday not for any religious reason I just like to chill on Sundays.

light stretching basic stuff youll find yourself doing in BJJ and I do Ginastica Natural as well

2 minutes of Standard Jumping jacks/Brazillian flava and jumping hip twists

100 push ups 2 sets of 50

30 reps of each neck lifts/front ot back/side to side/and shrugs to traps.
Lay on your back and lift your neck up and down and then side to side these are very painful at first so be cautious.

1 minute of hip swivels.
Back on ground keep your head off the mat and left your legs with your knees bent and swivel your legs in a circular motion using your hips to initiate movement. alternate clockwise to counter clock wise.

30 planks
3 sets of 10 reps

2 laps of shrimps/Hip escapes focusing on perfect technique. remember kids perfect practice makes perfect!

15 Gi pull ups 3 sets of 5 reps
Throw Gi over pullup bar and grip lapels and pull yourself up keep your abs tight.

30 Hindu squats
3 sets of 10 reps

2 minutes of De la Riva guard drills

1 minute of wall sit
Back to the wall legs bent 90 degrees hands out in front.

I add things as I find them and never do exactly the same routine twice.

My goal is to make my body adapt constantly, build an iron core a solid grip and a bottomless gas tank.

Weekly routine

Monday

Magic 50 (from rosstraining.com)

Tuesday

Yoga, Stretch, drill and daily warmup

I do heavy bag Thai boxing techniques about 30 minutes

Wednesday

Go to BJJ class 6-9pm

6-7pm beginner GI class

7-8pm- Intermediate GI class

8-9pm open mat free spar

Thursday

stretch, Yoga, Drill and daily warmup

Friday

Workcapacity 101

Do this for 20 minutes resting 45 sec, between circuits

I customized mine a bit

5 Gi pull ups
10 medicine ball push ups
15 burpees I do a pushup at the bottom or kick my legs up on a wall
20 jumping jacks

rest 45 sec and start again

I do some Thai boxing techniques on the heavy bag about 30 minutes.

Saturday

11am-12pm Judo instruction at the BJJ academy (I frickin love Judo! I did it for a year)

12pm-2pm open mat sparring

Saturday evening weight lifting

misc. free weight exercises

Sunday

Chill

Id go to BJJ class 4x per week if I could but its an hour and a half drive and family and work come first.

I still average 6-7 hours per week so I think its a good schedule.

Ive had great success with this routine.

A new Academy: BJJ Salvation

2007-09-03T21:41:00.000-08:00

After my Harrowing 1 month exp. at the first BJJ school which I Will refer to as the M.E.(meathead, Ego maniacal) BJJ Academy spent as a grappling dummy.....

I was pleased to find out that a Gracie Barra BJJ school was the other school in town.
When My brother in Law Travis came to town we went and checked it out.

As soon as I walked in the door I could feel an air of good vibness. We were greeted with a smile from a bluebelt named Patrick Applegate (who recently took 3rd in the worlds in his division).

He asked us if we would be participating or watching we decided to watch as we did not have our gear with us.

The class was well run and we filled out some paper work and made palns to return on friday the next beginners class.

We returned on Friday and had a great class working on half guard escapes.

I felt extremely lucky to have found this school and to this day I am very happy training there.

Its been 3 months since I started training BJJ and the last 2 were spent in a very positive enviorment. IM elated to say Im still at Gracie Barra Alaska and having a great time.

First steps. Begining training. The bowles of the beast....

2007-09-02T13:32:00.001-08:00

I began my training in BJJ on May 30th, 2007.

..I stated at an academy (name with held) I heard about through my brother in law.
He had never been there he just knew the website url.

After looking up the site I contacted the instructor via e-mail.

I explained (trying to be sarcastic) that I was out of shape(fat) and an OG (older grappler). He responded a day later via email stating " this is probably not the place for you, but that I was welcome to come down and scope out a class".

I though this response was rather chilly, but Ive been wrong before on rare occasions.
So I decided to go down on a Wednesday and check it out against my gut instinct which was telling me to look elsewhere.

I arrived a little late than the class start time, they were warming up. When I opened the door a guy in his early 30's, who i found out later was the instructor, wearing a purple belt said: "Whats up?". I replied with can I watch a class?

he shot back curtly "Take a seat over there!" and pointed to a row of chairs adjacent to the mats.

I sat patiently watching class for about 45 minutes, I waited for a non-interuptive moment to ask him about taking classes, it never came.

After class I approached him and asked him about class he turned away from me and started conversing with a student. My spidey senses were now insisting that I get out of there and that for what ever reason I was not welcome or had broken some bjj protocol I was unaware of.

Again going against my inner guide I waited until he asked me aprubtly: "you can take a free intro class, after that its 60$ a month( he reminded me that this was really cheap) with a 6 month contract, auto withdraw on my debit card."

I asked when I should come back he said next class is fine, he said wear a Gi or sweats.

Well I quickly removed myself from the academy after getting a lot of hard looks from quite a few large tattooed guys. The place had an Oz prison vibe.

I Drove the 1.5 hours home (yes I live in the sticks) thinking about whether I should go and try a class which was the next day (thursday). I chose to come in the following week on a Wednesday (the 30th of May 2007).

I decided to give it a shot, the class schedule really fit in nicely with mine, I found later that this a very poor basis when choosing a BJJ school to train at.

I showed up 15 minutes early, and introduced myself to a couple of guys, I asked where the changing room was and was informed that there is not one and we change behind the quarter of a MMA cage. NO problem I changed into my Gi and went out onto the mats to warm up.

The class warm up at this academy were very rigorous.

Heres the recipe for making me puke:

20 minutes long

150 pushups

300 crunches, leg lifts, bicycles....

run a halfmile

30 bridges

2 laps hip escapes/shrimps

30 back on the mat head lifts, side to side, shrugs and back to front. These hurt!!

1 minute of jumping jacks

50 hip swivels (kick your legs in a circular motion while your back is on the mat)

touch feet to mat with legs over head.

I excused my self after the warmup and puked in the restroom...very humiliatingly.

After the intial shock of the workout we did 30 minute of drills on the Omoplata, I was taken aside and worked with a little on basics.

the last 40 minutes of class were spent sparring. I was paired up with a guy I will from here on out refer to as the Knuckle Dragger! or simply KD.

He was a 4 stripe white belt whose been training for 18 months. He sports a shaved head has missing teeth is about 6' tall and weighs about 220 lbs., he has a very mean and intense look on his neanderthalish dome.

When I stated training I was weighing around 200 lbs Im 5'9" tall. I was very out of shape to put it mildly. another way to say it is I was a 200 lb. bag of pudding!

KD was not interested in hearing my plea to take it easy as I was out of shape and had not trained in a year (I had taken Judo for a year).

He said Im here to beat you up!....I was starting to panic.

Need less to say he roughed me up for the whole 5minute round, and submitted me in every neck crank/choke/shoulder lock/armlock I could imagine. He mounted me and when in high guard switched to an S mount and sat right in my face, laughing as I gasped for air (not to mention feeling a little grossed out getting all but tea bagged by KD,m I was also pissed!, which KD relished in.

I was brutalized by KD for the entire 30-40 minutes of sparring. I stuck it out but I knew I would be paying for my pride driven actions the next morning.

As i was about to leave KD looked in my direction and grunted: "Hey new guy....If you ever come to class again high Im going to choke you until you black out!!!". I was shocked....I said I m not high ( I really was not high) and I dont know What your talking about....KD fired back"BS I smelled it all over your GI, there is no place for pot heads in BJJ. Well I went towards the door and he was blocking the entrance I said look Im not high Im sorry (im such a puss, but his actions caught me off guard and I was not sure what to say) you think I am but your wrong, perhaps its the incense I burn or my deodorant, I hurried past him out the door and drove home, furious that I did not stand up stronger, but then again I was in no position to fight back.

My initial exp. with the OZ like BJJ academy, the rude instructor and KD almost forced me to quit,. I however told myself I was going to learn BJJ and become a blackbelt no matter what.

I spent the next month sticking it out and getting better at defense for pure survival, I had signed the 6 month contract (foolishly).

One night a young wrestler got an upside down armbar on me I tapped he keep stretchin out I yelled enough I tap! he stretched until my elbow gave a little pop. I said WTF is your problem I said Tap..he said its my job to hurt people and laughed so did the instructor...

I know I should have left then...instead I went home and took care of my elbow. Its been nearly 3 months and I still feel pain in my elbow.

On my last night there a guy came in who had been out of town training at 10th planet Jiu jitsu under Eddie Bravo had come back.

He asked me to spar, I explained I was new and had less than 1 month of classes he said I dont care what you know or how long youve been training, you could be lying!"...wow..

well he proceeded to neckcrank me, forearm choke me, and footlocked me I had no idea what to do soI yelled Tap! he twisted it anyways and then let go...I laid on the mat wincing, worried he had destroyed my knee (which had already had a torn ACL and surgery years ago).

I crawled off the mat, sat there for a while and then limped to my car and drove home. I quickly made up mind to try the other school (we only have 2).

..ON a good note I lost 20 lbs during that hardcore month of BJJ hell.

It also taught me to ignore pain when someone is doing non-submission things like sticking thier elbow in your thighs or the point of an elbow in your eye socket...