New Classes at LBJJC

It was recently announced that new classes would be offered at LBJJC: Jiu-Jitsu Lab and Drilling, Judo for BJJ, and Advanced Youth.  Since I'm teaching one of them I decided to dust off the blog to explain my thoughts on these new additions.

Advanced Youth:

I think it's a great addition as many of the kids are ready for more challenges and more mat time.  I think it will be a great transition to get them ready to eventually move to the adult classes as well as get them ready for competitions.

Judo for BJJ:

I completely vouch for Bob's skills and teaching ability.  I started training for Masters Worlds in early 2017 and Bob was a huge piece of making me feel more confident in my stand-up.  I encourage anyone to attend as we don't always get enough time to work on stand-up especially if the class is packed. 

I was in the office the other day when Greg purchased a crash pad.  This is a fantastic piece of equipment that our school has needed.  It obviously helps the person being thrown to take the fall easier, but it's also great for the thrower to put a little more oomph into the throw.

One of the biggest positives to this class will be learning to fall safely.  This is something I believe all martial artists should be good at.  In fact it may come in useful when the sidewalks are iced over. You'll also be able to decide where the match goes.  You can still pull guard but it's good to also be able to have a few techniques to bring the match to the ground on your terms.  You'll be more difficult to take down.  Your balance will improve and you'll learn body control to avoid being taken down.

Jiu-Jitsu Lab and Drilling:

Drilling has become a quintessential part of my progress in BJJ.  I think it's the best way to incorporate new things to your Jiu-Jitsu and to get the things that you are already good at to that next level.

In early 2017, Greg introduced me and some other students to the Grappling Improvement Plan Sheet and had us choose things to improve on. Along with some techniques that were already a part of my game I added the crucifix position, a position I hardly used unless I accidentally ended up there.  After several weeks of drilling the position when I could it started to become a big part of my game and now I finish submissions regularly from there.  Without putting the time into the position through drilling and just trying to add it in through rolling I think I would have abandoned it long ago.

Class description: Students will fill out a grappling improvement plan worksheet with techniques they want to drill during the class.  The class will have 8 timed drilling rounds and sparring at the end.

Grappling Improvement Plan Sheet: To determine what techniques to put on your sheet, try to find a good mix of things you're already good at, new techniques, and techniques that solve a consistent problem during rolling. Also feel free to contact the coaches that you work with the most and know your Jiu-Jitsu game to get ideas.  

Students are encouraged to research their techniques by finding video instructionals and adding them to the sheet.  There is also a section for recording notes and successes with the techniques throughout the week. 

Class Format: Students will be given 5 minutes to get warmed up and stretch on their own. From there, students will partner up and the timer will be started with 4 minute rounds with 30 second rest for 8 rounds.  

Gi/No Gi: Students are asked to bring both gi and no gi gear to each session.  Currently we will be doing No Gi on the first Monday of the month.  But it is subject to change if we find a schedule that works better.  It is also possible to train both gi and no gi in a given session by wearing a rash guard under the gi top and removing it when needed.

Sparring: students can do positional sparring related to the techniques that they drilled with 2-4 three minute rounds. Finishing with open free rolling.

New students: If a new student attends the class they will be shown 1 or 2 basic techniques (escaping mount, side control, scissor sweep, etc) or techniques from the weekly curriculum.  They will then drill those techniques for all of the rounds.

May 20th 2017 - Purple Promotion and Tinguinha Seminar

Had a busy weekend. Greg's coach, Tinguinha was in town for our belt promotion ceremony.  He taught a no gi class Friday night, a kids seminar Saturday morning, followed by the promotion and adult seminar.

No Gi

No Gi was packed with somewhere around 38 people.  With the limited space I was still able to get in a good workout. I partnered with Justin for a slick pummeling to armdrag series.  It included going to the  back and finishing with a takedown.  We also did some rolling back attacks from the turtle

We split up into 2 groups for positional rolling from turtle.  Then finished with 2 free rolls with Derek and Conan.

Kids Seminar

The kids seminar introduced a few techniques that they hadn't done before and a fun game using the belt.  They did kind of a butterfly guard pull right into the sweep takedown, then armbar from mount transitioning from americana, and some basic open guard to triangle.

The kids all kept up well and had some fun in the process.  I was impressed with my son, Jace, as he was partnered up with a boy from the younger class. He helped him with the techniques that he could and showed him how to tap.

The kids got promoted after this with most of them receiving new belts.  My sons are now grey belts with black stripes with yellow coming next.

Promotion

For some reason this was the most nervous I've been in a long time. Something about getting the recognition and being the center of attention.  It really wasn't anything to be concerned about. My name was called, I went up to the front took my ratty blue belt off. Greg put the new stiff purple one on and shook my hand and hugged.  I was choked up a bit but didn't have to talk so it wouldn't have shown. Then I hugged Conan and shook hands with Tinguinha.

There was applause, a lot of congratulations, many telling me that it was "well deserved" and "about time."  I also witnessed some training partners receive their blue belts (Ben, Derek, Josh, and Tyler)  and several get enough stripes to hopefully receive their blue next time.  I'd like to think I've helped and mentor many of them along the way.

Adult Seminar

We covered quite a few sets of techniques. Tinguinha stated at the beginning of the seminar that with the distribution of many different belt levels this time he wanted to focus on some transitions between techniques.

I had a good time working with Jerad. We were able to figure most of it out without issue. By the end my knees were probably the most fatigued. I would have liked to have rolled but understood why we didn't.

Here is the list of Techniques:

1. Half Guard Butterfly 
1. Hook Sweep
2. Underhook and Knee Grab takedown
2. Turtle 
1. Arm Trap and Roll
2. Grab knee headstand kick hips over to the other side
3. Tripod to free head in kimura or attack turtle
3. Omoplata 
1. Ankle and Hip Control to get them flat
2. An armbar counter when they try to get away
4. Spider Guard 
1. Kite Sweep
2. Opponent recovers from sweep back up to omoplata
3. Combat Base hook shin sweep
4. Opponent recovers from sweep back up to Triangle

Thoughts

I feel like purple was very difficult for me to attain. I remember about 2 years ago not being able to fathom how I could get any better than I was.  I thought maybe my mind wasn't built for Jiu-Jitsu.  There were also quite a few times where I felt lost and didn't know what to do to get better.

I struggled with getting out of my comfort zone.  I worked on getting out of my head as much and to be more assertive and believe that my techniques would work when tested.  I had a problem with trying to make every technique be perfect and would often fall apart when something failed. I believe I developed a decent game along the way and enjoy being the guy in our gym known for deep half, cross guard, north/south choke, over/under pass and hopefully crucifix soon.

My confidence in Jiu-Jitsu is at an all time high.  I can't​ imagine how badly I would destroy my 4 years ago fresh blue belt self.  The work I've put in has paid off. That said, I'm exited to see what I'll be like when I'm ready for brown.  I've still got quite a few deficiencies, takedowns and leg locks being major ones.

I'm on a good path now.  I've got techniques and positions that I'm working to master  I still have several mentors in the gym to keep me humbled and give me guidance.  I've got a larger target on my back now so can't wait to break my belt in next week at open mat. 

All School Training and Belt Promotion (Plus Announcement)

The first thing that happened was Mike and I were announced as instructors for LBJJC.  It was the best part of the day for me.  Of course I've known for a little while so it wasn't a surprise for me, but Greg had also said some kind words about our abilities in being able to relate BJJ.  Besides the pleasure I get out of being able to sweep and submit people I also get a lot out of teaching and helping my fellow students.  It's truly a great feeling when I'm watching someone roll and they use a technique that I just gave them some pointers on.  For now I will just be filling in when needed, like when Conan and Greg go on vacation this summer.

Like last year we separated the mat so the adults weren't stepping on the kids during the warm-ups.  The focus of the day was guard passing and Greg had asked me the day before if I would teach over/under pass.  It is probably my highest percentage pass and not one that is taught in the white belt curriculum so it was a good choice.  It was a little daunting at first because I taught a group of maybe 20+.  The important steps that I tried to get across for the pass include:

•  I usually do it off of 3 different entries: the basic kneeling guard break, the Standing guard break, and butterfly guard
• Control their foot between your legs because if that gets free you will most likely get caught with a triangle.
• After burying the foot take the other arm under their opposite leg and grab the belt and connect your ear to their thigh
• The other arm on the buried foot leg goes over the knee and grabs the pants down by the ankle
• Elbows should be tight
• Do a plank and make sure your butt isn't too high in the air
• Punch their leg down between your legs and backstep
• Set your knee on their hip and slide yourself up and get the cross face

The rest of the class I helped with the kids.  They played some flag tag and then Jerad taught the knee slide pass.  My boys had a little trouble with motivation for doing the technique but they were happy with flag tag and both had some good matches.  At the end they rolled from guard position as did the adults but I didn't see too much of it.  Such is life of an assistant instructor.

The promotion ceremony took place after and quite a few people got promoted.  Among them were new blue belts for Bauer, Mike (Lawyer), and Zack.  All 3 of them I've had many great rolls with on the mats.  Of course we'll have to find a way to break their belts in. 

My boys and I all received one stripe each putting us all at 3.  My youngest was very into the ceremony and instead of being shy was cheering along with everyone else and walked across the floor a few times.  He was especially cute in his tiny gi.  He didn't earn any stripes though. 

Possibly this time next year I'll be eligible for my purple.  Thinking back I've come a long way in a year.  I've taken interest in certain parts of my game like deep half and cross guard and added a couple of passes like x-pass and smash pass.  Who knows how much my game will change in another year.  Probably need to take a good hard look at my perceived deficiencies and work to correct them.  I'd like to improve my wrestling and scrambles especially which may be my next focus.  

April 5th 2014 - Kids Class & Announcement

First, let me announce the birth of my 3rd son, Jake Maxwell Cather.  He came a couple days earlier than we were expecting but we're very happy to have him home.  We decided not to find out the sex before he was born and having 2 boys already we were looking forward to the possibility of a girl.  Alas it wasn't meant to be but after meeting our little guy we are overjoyed and wouldn't trade him in if we could.  Jake was born healthy and my fantastic wife is doing well.  Jayden and Jace are enjoying having them both back home and we've had quite a few new questions to field.      

Kids' Class

My boys did really well today and have been doing well for a quite a while.  Greg has also mentioned that he's happy with their maturity as of late.  They've gotten over quite a bit since they started; from not wanting to wear their gis to not wanting to partner with other kids. 

Today they played 1 on 1 foot tag and blob tag.  They worked on the double leg and from what I saw everyone in class looked great.  Some of the kids looked better at shooting than me. 

We had some new additions to class today.  My friend Craig brought his son in for his first class and Bhuvana brought her boys in for the older class.  Hopefully they all enjoyed it and stick around.