October 6th & 7th - Cole Franson Seminar

Cole Franson is a brown belt that trains at Tinguinha HQ and is an avid competitor.  Check out some of his matches on youtube.  Greg brought him out to give us a taste of a different style of BJJ from a high level competitor. 

I didn't take as good of notes as I normally do for a seminar so a lot of this is from memory and I probably forgot some of it.  I plan on using much of this as I enjoy guillotines.  I'd like to get good at berimbolos some day but it just hasn't been a focus of mine yet.  I did enjoy the lasso stuff that we did though.

Cole ended up rolling a lot and he looked smooth and always in control.  For my experience rolling with him, I didn't ever feel like I got him in a position that I wanted him in.  I attempted my over/under pass and I couldn't push his foot down between my legs.  I put him in deep half and I couldn't hold him tight to my shoulder.  When I tried to pass his guard he inverted and kind of walked back up into me and reguarded.   So I have a lot to learn still, duh.

We had an unfortunate accident Friday night as my buddy Craig dislocated his elbow while posting on a scissor sweep.  We got him taken care of at the hospital where they relocated it and doped him up a bit. Then back home safely that night. 

I'm in the background wishing I was rolling instead

For some reason we look more happy than we should in this photo.  Probably the drugs

Friday

Techniques Covered:

• Guillotine with chinstrap grip 
• Headlock position
• They defend by grabbing wrist, butterfly hook sweep
• Situp guard: push head to the outside back step sit pass
• Get to Side Control
• Opponent does Side control escape with underhook
• Fall into Guillotine as they situp
• If they don't come up, mount
• If they roll the other way, anaconda

Saturday

Techniques Covered:

• Reverse De La Riva Kiss of the Dragon backtake
•  If they lean back, waterfall to back
• If they lean forward, hold hips to get up
• If they sit balanced and grab feet, grab higher on their lapel and butterfly sweep to one side
• De La Riva Berimbolo Back Take
• Lasso
• Invert to Sweep
• If they switch legs, DLR sweep to invert to omoplata

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. 

January 23rd 2016 - Tinguinha Seminar

Kids Seminar

Busy day of Jiu-Jitsu starting with the kids seminar.  Both of my boys did well.  Tinguinha started off with some jogging around the room and various other exercises.  They worked on several techniques with a good mix of new things and things they were familiar with.

• O-Soto Gari
• Defense against O-Soto Gari with O-Soto Gari.  This was interesting in that the defender takes a step back changing the angle for their own throw.
• Guillotine Defense.  This was a tough one for my kids.  They had a hard time getting around to the side to do the takedown.  
• Americana is defended and then switching to the armbar.  In my opinion this is one of the best ways to teach how to transition from a failed technique to another one.
• Butterfly Guard Head Stand pass.  Kids seemed to have fun with this one, they don't have any experience with butterfly guard yet, but doing a headstand is always fun.

They did some stand-up games like sumo and takedown sparring and all of them did well.  I saw a few decent throws but also some good body control and push/pull.

Open Guard Seminar

It was completely awesome that the seminar was based on a large part of my game.  Plus having it taught by the 5th degree black belt who made a cross guard DVD that I own is just frosting on the omoplata cake.  Fuji was my partner which was good since he's usually the one that prevents my omoplata.  He gave me some good pointers that will help prevent being stacked.

Close to the end of the seminar Tinguinha gave us a chance to ask some questions and I was able to ask for tips on preventing being stacked and finishing the omoplata.  He walked me through the submission setup using the pant grab and the major detail I was missing was that I wanted to move back diagonally instead of just straight to the side.  Tinguinha gave a couple other people pointers too.  After the seminar we all took some pictures.  I asked Tinguinha if I could "feel his cross guard" which was a poor choice of words because the other guys gave me shit for it and I don't think I'm going to live it down for a while.

Anyway, Tinguinha demonstrated it on me and he did clamp in the cross guard with his legs a lot tighter than I do.  He let me try it on him and said the major reason I was getting stacked is that I wasn't engaging my omoplata leg to curl and push them away enough.

All in all a great day of Jiu-Jitsu ending with a group dinner at fireworks supplied by Conan's brother, thanks Brian!

Here are the techniques that were covered:

Cross Guard

• Omoplata set-up
• When partner uses posture to hide the elbow, back roll to both knees on the mat kind of like star sweep.  I've never had confidence in this, but I think I understand when to do it now a little better than before.
• Same as last but if partner sprawls their leg out roll back to omoplata
• Partner postures up using leg, point knees outward to omoplata sweep, transition to mount
• Partner stands with posture, star sweep

Spider Guard

• Partner is kneeling in combat base, butterfly hook foot to extend their leg and sweep
• Partner toreando passes with sleeve grips roll directly to side and bounce back into spider guard
• Partner kneeling on back leg.  Use leg to swing up and hand off their sleeve under their leg.  Grab their knee and drive them back for the sweep.
• Same as last but partner pressures back, post hand and move around behind them until you can get your knees on the floor until they go down.

November 9th 2014 - Weekly Review

Theme & Techniques
Beginner/All Levels: Guillotine from Guard Defense, Ezekiel from Mount & Top Half Guard

It was quite a week.  These classes were pretty hard on the neck as most choking weeks can be.  I did find out that I'm generally being too nice with my ezekiel because I'm not bringing it across the throat as much as I should, so look forward to that.  I also needed to work on keeping my head down before applying the choke.  I think this has a little to do with discomfort concerning tight spaces and a little bit of a sweat factor.  I had a bit of a theory that the EZKill was easier to get from half guard since their hands are out of the equation rather than the mount where I feel a lot of people can defend with their hands and keep their head tight to the mat.  Greg disagreed and I think I'm coming around to his way of thinking.

Rolling was fulfilling during these classes as I got to roll with Zack who just returned to Jiu-Jitsu after a hiatus as well as Greg, Brian AF, Ben, and Bhuvana.  I helped Brian get ready for his blue belt test and got some half guard questions from Zack.

No Gi: Pummeling Techniques, Passing Butterfly guard: Guillotine, Hip Switch Pass

It's been a long time since I've felt this sweaty in class, but no-gi will do that to you.  Tinguinha led us through quite a warm-up focusing on the abs.  Jerad was my partner which was very productive for some good training especially when it came to the hip switch guard passing. 

During rolling I got all of the big guys.  Adam took it to me pretty good and I had to scramble my ass off.  Jorge had learned some new tricks, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't berimbolo me the next time we roll as he was close this time.  Bauer reminded me of why I need to train more no-gi as with all of my gi grips gone I had a hard time controlling him.  Jerad pretty much destroyed me with butterfly sweeps and armdrags. 

Tinguinha and Greg rolled to finish out the session and Greg had a lot better showing than earlier in the day.  In the rolls that I saw them together in, I really saw Greg's A game shine through as he was doing everything that I know him to be good at in rapid succession but Tinguinha always had an answer for it.


Tinguinha Seminar

I created a post just for the seminar: November 8th 2014 - Tinguinha Seminar

One thing that crossed my mind during the seminar was how similar mine and Tinguinha's body types were.  We seemed to be of similar height and frame, maybe weight.  It probably is a good idea to model some of my game after him.  I've already discovered the cross guard to click well with me.  Maybe the spider guard should be my next focus.

Esteemed Colleagues and Honorable Mentions

Conan: The second in command and currently the only purple belt at LBJJC is one of the reasons that I started Jiu-Jitsu in the first place.  When I first met Conan back in 2000, I was seeing him several times a week at Detox.  Before you start jumping to conclusions it was because I worked there and he's a police officer.  Not until several years later when I visited his Jiu-Jitsu class with some of my Hapkido colleagues did I realize how much of a badass Conan was and how little I knew.

He constantly surprises me technically with his ability to put enormous amounts of pressure on me from side control with seemingly little effort.  Then there's his stupid butterfly hook that comes out of nowhere.  I also hate when he plays possum and gives me a good position and then reverses and sweeps me slowly and methodically.  Sorry, I'll keep this positive and digress.  He's also given me a lot of great advice that has served me well.  He's been there for others as well both as a teacher and a friend.  I would consider him our Papa Smurf.

Conan deserves a lot of props for getting Jiu-Jitsu going in Lincoln.  I'm not clear on the whole back story but I know Conan had to do quite a bit of research and experimentation on his own to get good at Jiu-Jitsu and along the way gather up several of my closest brothers and sisters in this sport.  He introduced Jiu-Jitsu into the State Games a few years ago and put on a few local tournaments.  Plus we probably wouldn't have our current school without contributions from him and Jerad.  So Thank You Conan!

November 8th 2014 - Tinguinha Seminar

Had a great couple days of Jiu-Jitsu starting with no-gi class last night taught by Tinguinha and a gi seminar today.  Here is a link to last year's seminar post if you're interested: July 27th 2013 - Seminar / Promotion (The Dexterous Dozen).  There were a lot more new faces in the group picture this time! 

Great turnout for our growing LBJJC family

There was a lot of good information given starting with passing the open guard, followed by some open guard techniques and finally a few submissions from side control.  I used a note taking program on my phone to jot everything down which turned out to be better than bringing a notebook like I had meant to do.  If anyone was paying better attention than I and you see that I missed some please let me know.  Here's the list of techniques:

Guard Passing

• Butterfly Reach over underhook, grab the belt post leg, knee and hip switch to side control
• Same as previous bottom foot traps leg, move around their knee, move their wrist up, crossface and step to mount
• Attempted Hook Sweep, Post foot and head to floor, switch hips and jump to other side
• Had some trouble with the timing of this one, I got it a few times, but it was difficult
• Single Under arm position with their hips off the floor, grab leg over head and head weaves to leg drag position, shut down hips collar control smash to side control
• From a distance reach and grab belt and top of the foot circular standing pass to north/south postion
• This was pretty cool and something I may follow up on, if only I had longer arms
• Same as above but their foot is in the hip, push their leg down with hand not on belt and move to north/south
• Same as previous but opponent does Lasso not completely locked in, walk to the side of the arm that is lassoed, put shin pressure on ribs and grab belt, pry the elbow loose.
• Same as previous but locks Lasso in, walk to other side push leg down and staple, push knee down and use your chest for pressure and get them flat on their back in side control.

Open Guard

• Lasso sweep using outside pant grip, free leg moves across.
• This lasso stuff was great as I've been experimenting with it lately, I'll take it as a sign to continue working with it.
• Lasso sweep opponent posts leg up, hook free leg under their leg to sweep.
• Lasso opponent posts other leg. Lasso foot moved under opposite armpit free leg goes to the ground and helps shrimp, then hook sweep.
• I wish I could have made this look as good a Tinguinha was doing it.
• Lasso opponent hunkers back to pass, move to turtle and front roll into omoplata
• I shouted "Yes!" when he showed this technique
• Lasso opponent stands, inside cross pant grip, free leg goes on opposite side of opponent's body for sweep

Side Control Submissions

• Side control pull gi skirt out and bring across neck, cross face arm grabs gi, switch to other side and choke
• Upside down collar grip and knee on belly, opponent escapes KOB, switch sides and grab other side of baseball bat choke.
• I meant to ask Greg if he knew about this before the seminar as this is some dangerous stuff for my white belt rolling partners of the future.

During the drilling portion I had an on and off headache that I attributed to forgetting my morning coffee.  I might have been a little dehydrated from the night before also.  I think the mixture of beginner and advanced techniques and concepts was perfect for the crowd.  That's probably a difficult part of planning a seminar for a diversely skilled crowd.  The quarters were a little cramped and 3 hours is a long time.  Craig and I kept a pretty good pace throughout and I think we got in sufficient reps on everything.  

Close to the end I saw an opportunity and asked Tinguinha to critique my cross guard.  I showed him the basic omoplata, the armbar, and the omoplata sweep.  He seemed to be happy with it and asked me if it worked for me during rolling and said that was the most important thing.  I showed him what I was doing from standing to pull the cross guard and he liked it although it was a little different than what he showed in the video.  The one major compliment he gave was on me getting my hips up high which was a common mistake.  I'm glad I took the opportunity!

After the seminar we had stripe and belt promotions.  My sons, Jayden and Jace, excitedly received their grey and white belts.  I'm very proud of them.  I received a second stripe on my blue belt, while Jerad and Mike received their third.  Brian AF moved up to blue belt (I had been his partner for testing the night before), he is the first blue belt under Greg to do all of his Jiu-Jitsu training at LBJJC.  Conan dawned a purple belt and the school went crazy.  Finally Tinguinha gave Greg his first degree stripe and certificate. 

Conan: First LBJJC Purple Belt

July 27th 2013 - Seminar / Promotion (The Dexterous Dozen)

Tinguinha's Spider Guard

There is so much I could put into this post so I apologize if this is too long.  I'll start off by saying my expectations for the day were exceeded and there was so much new information disseminated that I would be grateful to retain a quarter of it.  I was also happy that two of my Hapkido training partners, Craig and Kori, were able to attend.  I've included all of the techniques I can remember in lists at the bottom of this post as well as some pictures from the day.

Craig was my partner for the first class and throughout the day.  We kept a pretty steady pace throughout, and now that I've looked at the list of techniques I'm sure we got our money's worth of information.  It's very important now that I pick a few of these things to focus on and add to my repertoire while they're still fresh. A couple things that really stick out from the first seminar was using a rear hand on the ground to help hip out from butterfly guard and that I have a new omaplata to add to my game from the spider guard.

As I suspected, Tinguinha is a great instructor. He's obviously speaking from experience and he seemed to cover any questions that I would have before I could ask them.  We started out doing some basic easy things but it got very complicated at times.  He'd show us a technique multiple times and he and Greg would walk around and help or let groups know they were doing a good job.

Directly following the seminar we gathered for the belt promotion.  Greg gave out some stripes first; 2 for little Jared and bald Brian and 1 for Air Force Brian.  Then they promoted the 12 of us that tested to blue belt in the order that we tested.  He mentioned that several of us wouldn't be at this rank for too long (probably not referring to me) and purple was just around the corner.  Conan was also awarded 2 or 3 stripes on his blue belt.  It was a very cool moment.

The no-gi seminar was a little smaller.  Most of the out of towners had to leave for the day.  This is the session that I was looking forward to, because no-gi guard passing is something that I don't have a good gameplan for.  I was not disappointed.  Right off the bat he showed us the guard break by shooting our hands under their thighs, it's revolutionary (to me anyway).  Then he also showed us the hip switch pass that Greg seems to do to me at will.  I had some issues with it at first but once I figured out what to do with their knee it became easy.  There was even the no-gi clock choke that I've never seen before.  I couldn't have asked for a better session. 

Morning Gi Open Guard:
Butterfly guard
Distance drill
Inverted drill to regain Butterfly Guard
Torreando pass hip escape to regain butterfly guard 
Collar Drag
Loop Choke
Leg up Ankle pick to knee slide
Other leg up scoot in and hook sweep

Spider Guard
Kick out, bring foot to opposite hip, underhook knee
Combat base situp grab sleeve kick out knee grab over shoulder roll them into side control
Combat base situp Grab sleeve they stand up under leg standup single leg knee bar thing
From kneeling kick out secure wrist to hip omaplata
Opponent standing, Foot on hip grab ankle pant grip push and pull over body.

Afternoon No-Gi Guard Passing and top game
Closed guard, basic guard break with the addition of putting both hands in opening to break 
Double Under Pass
Single under to big circle around their arms
Jump over to pass.

They're Sitting, guard passer is standing
Standing grab ankles and swing them up go to double unders.
Standing to knee slide pass using underhook
They grab leg kimura grip step back and around to back, kick out of half guard or kimura

De La Riva
Grab ankle elbow to floor, roll into side control.
Grab toehold leg drag, knee down, crossface

Butterfly
They have Over/Under hooks, spread out, lean to overhook side, bring leg up into knee slide pass.
They have double unders, spread out and flatten them to their back, hip switch

Top Turtle
Get head lock grabbing far shoulder, switch to other side, lock up with bicep, No-Gi clock choke.

Top side control
They use underhook to bridge singe-leg to escape side control.  Sprawl and push head down step to the side, Omaplata

Vicious Loop Choke

My Spider Guard