Theme & Techniques: Side Control Escapes
Had a private class with Conan this morning and it was well worth it. After our warm-up he asked me what I wanted to work on to which I said either side control escape or retaining guard. Since we worked on the latter in the last morning class he taught, we focused on side control escapes. Most of the time he would move around in side control and see what my reaction was and then give me some tips or tell me to do something else completely. So it wasn't traditional class in that he taught a technique and then I repped it; it was more like flow a bit and then repeat the movement and then he'd throw a wrench in that and we'd move on to the next thing.
The big takeaway of the day was acquiring a pants grip and using that to help me escape. In a couple of cases he had me use it similar to the straight arm escape which really helped disrupt the opponents balance. Another thing I need to work on is bumping more and stiff arming in the break dance escape. I'm sure that's not it's really name but you pretty much spin on your butt underneath them into guard.
Rolling: Free Rolling
I was given plenty of opportunity to attempt some of the escapes that we worked on. He was always one step ahead but I did feel some progress. He allowed me top position a couple times and I think I had him a little worried about a somewhat bow and arrow choke that he got out of. A majority of the roll was half guard and side control with me on the bottom.
We had a good discussion after class about how we learn, ego, and the positives of mat time. I was encouraged that he still struggles with ego sometimes, which should have been obvious, everyone does, but he just seems to take it all in stride.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Thursday, January 2, 2014
January 2nd 2014 - No Gi (New Year, New Challenges)
Theme & Techniques: Butterfly guard passing and the Conan sweep
The first official classes of the year were tonight. The beginner class was huge and I saw a couple new people trying out Jiu-Jitsu for the first time. The advanced class was not nearly as big but we put in good work nonetheless. Mike and I did some rolling
I worked with Adam for this portion of the class. We went over the hand stand pass and then a sprawling pass. We dealt with the sprawling pass from the other side for the remainder of the technique portion of class. The Conan sweep amounts to a hook sweep with the other leg. We moved on from there mostly focused on what to do if you got or didn't get the underhook. The most prevalent thing that I picked up on was when applying the straight arm lock to take up the space first and move back into the armbar instead of going straight for it.
Rolling: Free Rolling (4 x 6 min rounds)
Everyone in class got to roll 1 round together. I kept Adam from submitting me, not from a lack of him trying. I felt like I maintained guard a little longer than usual but he ended up attacking from side control like usual. Mike gave me a clinic on foot locks. I felt like I was doing better against his guard passing attempts, we had a few good scrambles but it seemed like as soon as I forgot about leg locks he slap one on. Will and I also had a good battle. I had set up a farside armbar only to have it foiled by him timing a back roll as soon as I went for it. We ended up in guard before the time ran out. Conan used my weakness against me and submitted me with a couple americanas and a kimura. He did allow me to mess around from side control for a little while but it didn't amount to anything. It was a great way to start out the new year.
I asked Mike to go over the foot lock and one legged-x guards. I feel like it's something I should be familiar with as it's used on me a lot. It should be pretty simple to pick up, front shrimping is a big part of it and I already feel pretty competent with that. He also paid me some compliments on my pressure lately which was cool. I think I can contribute to my knee flexibility returning.
I signed up for the Circle of Iron tournament on the 18th. I'm cutting soda and fast food out of my diet until the tournament and I'm motivated to hit the gym more often. This will be the first tournament since my injury and my number one goal is to stay healthy and injury free. Greg reinstated the tournament class for the next couple weeks. Next task is to formulate my game plan. But now it's time to get some sleep for 6 AM gi class in the morning.
The first official classes of the year were tonight. The beginner class was huge and I saw a couple new people trying out Jiu-Jitsu for the first time. The advanced class was not nearly as big but we put in good work nonetheless. Mike and I did some rolling
I worked with Adam for this portion of the class. We went over the hand stand pass and then a sprawling pass. We dealt with the sprawling pass from the other side for the remainder of the technique portion of class. The Conan sweep amounts to a hook sweep with the other leg. We moved on from there mostly focused on what to do if you got or didn't get the underhook. The most prevalent thing that I picked up on was when applying the straight arm lock to take up the space first and move back into the armbar instead of going straight for it.
Rolling: Free Rolling (4 x 6 min rounds)
Everyone in class got to roll 1 round together. I kept Adam from submitting me, not from a lack of him trying. I felt like I maintained guard a little longer than usual but he ended up attacking from side control like usual. Mike gave me a clinic on foot locks. I felt like I was doing better against his guard passing attempts, we had a few good scrambles but it seemed like as soon as I forgot about leg locks he slap one on. Will and I also had a good battle. I had set up a farside armbar only to have it foiled by him timing a back roll as soon as I went for it. We ended up in guard before the time ran out. Conan used my weakness against me and submitted me with a couple americanas and a kimura. He did allow me to mess around from side control for a little while but it didn't amount to anything. It was a great way to start out the new year.
I asked Mike to go over the foot lock and one legged-x guards. I feel like it's something I should be familiar with as it's used on me a lot. It should be pretty simple to pick up, front shrimping is a big part of it and I already feel pretty competent with that. He also paid me some compliments on my pressure lately which was cool. I think I can contribute to my knee flexibility returning.
I signed up for the Circle of Iron tournament on the 18th. I'm cutting soda and fast food out of my diet until the tournament and I'm motivated to hit the gym more often. This will be the first tournament since my injury and my number one goal is to stay healthy and injury free. Greg reinstated the tournament class for the next couple weeks. Next task is to formulate my game plan. But now it's time to get some sleep for 6 AM gi class in the morning.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
December 28th 2013 - Open Mat
Kids Class
My lovely wife's parents were in town for Christmas and were able to come to watch our kids do some Jiu-Jitsu. Class went as usual with Jerad and Conan teaching. As usual the kids enjoyed foot tag and blob tag. They had a little bit of an off day with their shrimping and animal walks, I'm not sure how to motivate them that these are the important things. They also worked on shooting for the double leg, which turned out pretty well. They even completed the takedown today.
Open Mat
Since I had a family get together at 1:00, I went to class early and Jerad was the only one there to roll with. He got the better of me most of the time with some one legged x and his ability to pass my guard. He finished me with a mounted triangle and an armbar. During one of our rolls I had a good volley of submissions and ended up attempting a north/south choke, then went to kimura, and finally an armbar. Something like that doesn't happen often with Jerad.
I spent the majority of my roll with Fuji in his mount and finally side control. I feel like I defend the submissions well but I don't feel like I have an escape plan. I may need some positive thinking, but it seems like Fuji has my number and I'm not making much ground against him.
It's not often that I get to roll with Gina, predominantly because we attend different classes. It's quite a different experience rolling with her. There are things that she can get out of that I give others a hard time with. My main objective was to take her back, but for some reason she was always able to twist out of it even when I got to the full position with hooks in. She did make the mistake of telling me that arm triangle was her kryptonite recently so I used that information against her.
Mike and I had a great long roll. I was in side control for a lot of the time and I had to stick close to him. I transitioned from north/south choke to guillotine and then kimura. I attempted to take his back but he defended his collar well and didn't allow me to get any hooks in. I screwed up though and he ended up in my guard and was able to escape the choke. From there he passed my open guard quite easily and after some top work submitted me with a gi choke. I'm just happy that I got to train this week.
My lovely wife's parents were in town for Christmas and were able to come to watch our kids do some Jiu-Jitsu. Class went as usual with Jerad and Conan teaching. As usual the kids enjoyed foot tag and blob tag. They had a little bit of an off day with their shrimping and animal walks, I'm not sure how to motivate them that these are the important things. They also worked on shooting for the double leg, which turned out pretty well. They even completed the takedown today.
Open Mat
Since I had a family get together at 1:00, I went to class early and Jerad was the only one there to roll with. He got the better of me most of the time with some one legged x and his ability to pass my guard. He finished me with a mounted triangle and an armbar. During one of our rolls I had a good volley of submissions and ended up attempting a north/south choke, then went to kimura, and finally an armbar. Something like that doesn't happen often with Jerad.
I spent the majority of my roll with Fuji in his mount and finally side control. I feel like I defend the submissions well but I don't feel like I have an escape plan. I may need some positive thinking, but it seems like Fuji has my number and I'm not making much ground against him.
It's not often that I get to roll with Gina, predominantly because we attend different classes. It's quite a different experience rolling with her. There are things that she can get out of that I give others a hard time with. My main objective was to take her back, but for some reason she was always able to twist out of it even when I got to the full position with hooks in. She did make the mistake of telling me that arm triangle was her kryptonite recently so I used that information against her.
Mike and I had a great long roll. I was in side control for a lot of the time and I had to stick close to him. I transitioned from north/south choke to guillotine and then kimura. I attempted to take his back but he defended his collar well and didn't allow me to get any hooks in. I screwed up though and he ended up in my guard and was able to escape the choke. From there he passed my open guard quite easily and after some top work submitted me with a gi choke. I'm just happy that I got to train this week.
Monday, December 23, 2013
December 23rd 2013 - Gi (Forearms-a-burnin)
Theme & Techniques: Weird Lasso Sweep Type thing with kimura and roll over variation
As I entered the school, Conan said that he heard I was suffering from Jiu-Jitsu withdrawal. Ain't that the truth. I'm assuming my wife made mention of this earlier in the kid's class. With being sick and then having a limited holiday schedule for the next two weeks I'm going to be going crazy without my BJJ fix. Luckily I was able to attend the beginner class tonight.
Conan started off class saying that as a Christmas present we'd work on something a little more advanced in the beginners class. We started out the sweep by moving to a shin spider guard then kicking one leg through and going over to the opposite armpit and kicking through all the way to the knee. Keep holding on to their sleeves and then kicking them forward. If they resisted and moved in the kimura was there, if they sprawled back you just rolled the opposite direction. It's difficult to describe so I won't go into more detail. It seemed to work well and I may try it while rolling. I ended up working with Ross and he did well for only having done a couple classes so far.
Rolling: Up/Down/Out Guard Position, Free Rolling
Had a lot of success in Up/Down/Out but I mostly went up against the new guys. My pass of choice for the evening was Toreando while I used a couple of different sweeps. The scissor has been my stand-by lately while the omoplata has not been bearing any fruit. Mike and I discussed it after class, and it's just natural that the school as a group are learning and responding to a technique that I was good at for a while. I also hit the spider to x-guard to technical stand-up sweep. I think this is the next thing to be added to my a game as it's been high percentage lately.
Conan stayed around after class and let us roll since this would be the last until Saturday. I rolled with Brian first who's kids attend class with my boys. I guess I'll refer to him as glasses Brian not to be confused with Air Force Brian. This is the first time I rolled with him and he asked me what we were doing. The question kind of confused me, but I guess if he's only ever been in beginner class he may never have free rolled. That being said he did fine for a beginner. His posture and base were good but I just have several more tricks up my sleeve than he does for now.
I finished out the evening with Wess. We haven't rolled since classes at Roseberry's so I was interested to see how he's progressed. Soon into our first roll I already started to feel a forearm burn. I did my best to keep top position and spent some time in back mount. His hand fighting was very good and frustrating which just made my forearms and fingers more fatigued. During our last roll I almost felt like asking to quit because my arms had nothing left. I had the best success with collar chokes as every time I tried to do an armbar he was good at keeping them tight to his body. If I were to give him any advice, it would be to focus on standing guard passes and using the pant grabs to setup a pass.
As I entered the school, Conan said that he heard I was suffering from Jiu-Jitsu withdrawal. Ain't that the truth. I'm assuming my wife made mention of this earlier in the kid's class. With being sick and then having a limited holiday schedule for the next two weeks I'm going to be going crazy without my BJJ fix. Luckily I was able to attend the beginner class tonight.
Conan started off class saying that as a Christmas present we'd work on something a little more advanced in the beginners class. We started out the sweep by moving to a shin spider guard then kicking one leg through and going over to the opposite armpit and kicking through all the way to the knee. Keep holding on to their sleeves and then kicking them forward. If they resisted and moved in the kimura was there, if they sprawled back you just rolled the opposite direction. It's difficult to describe so I won't go into more detail. It seemed to work well and I may try it while rolling. I ended up working with Ross and he did well for only having done a couple classes so far.
Rolling: Up/Down/Out Guard Position, Free Rolling
Had a lot of success in Up/Down/Out but I mostly went up against the new guys. My pass of choice for the evening was Toreando while I used a couple of different sweeps. The scissor has been my stand-by lately while the omoplata has not been bearing any fruit. Mike and I discussed it after class, and it's just natural that the school as a group are learning and responding to a technique that I was good at for a while. I also hit the spider to x-guard to technical stand-up sweep. I think this is the next thing to be added to my a game as it's been high percentage lately.
Conan stayed around after class and let us roll since this would be the last until Saturday. I rolled with Brian first who's kids attend class with my boys. I guess I'll refer to him as glasses Brian not to be confused with Air Force Brian. This is the first time I rolled with him and he asked me what we were doing. The question kind of confused me, but I guess if he's only ever been in beginner class he may never have free rolled. That being said he did fine for a beginner. His posture and base were good but I just have several more tricks up my sleeve than he does for now.
I finished out the evening with Wess. We haven't rolled since classes at Roseberry's so I was interested to see how he's progressed. Soon into our first roll I already started to feel a forearm burn. I did my best to keep top position and spent some time in back mount. His hand fighting was very good and frustrating which just made my forearms and fingers more fatigued. During our last roll I almost felt like asking to quit because my arms had nothing left. I had the best success with collar chokes as every time I tried to do an armbar he was good at keeping them tight to his body. If I were to give him any advice, it would be to focus on standing guard passes and using the pant grabs to setup a pass.
Friday, December 20, 2013
December 20th 2013 - Gi
Theme & Techniques: Drilling Omoplata, Side Control Escape
I was the only one to attend this morning which was okay since I'm getting over a cold. I did a couple variations on the omoplata besides the submission like the sweep and then the armbar we worked on a few weeks ago. I had a little trouble keeping it in the armpit but only because I thought holding the elbow was more important. I worked on the stiff arm side control escape which I have seen some success with lately. The major improvement I needed was to turn on my side more in the beginning. Greg worked on a back take from turtle that he learned from Marcelo Garcia's website that would be pretty cool to pull off.
Rolling: Free Rolling
We had a couple of good rolls where I totally dominated and didn't allow him any position that he wanted or to establish a decent guard. I then pulled off a slick trick by floating from half guard into mounting him followed by a gift wrap to backmount. I submitted him with with an RNC and then later on a straight ankle lock that I've been working on. And, that would all be awesome if it was what I did and not what Greg did to me.
I was the only one to attend this morning which was okay since I'm getting over a cold. I did a couple variations on the omoplata besides the submission like the sweep and then the armbar we worked on a few weeks ago. I had a little trouble keeping it in the armpit but only because I thought holding the elbow was more important. I worked on the stiff arm side control escape which I have seen some success with lately. The major improvement I needed was to turn on my side more in the beginning. Greg worked on a back take from turtle that he learned from Marcelo Garcia's website that would be pretty cool to pull off.
Rolling: Free Rolling
We had a couple of good rolls where I totally dominated and didn't allow him any position that he wanted or to establish a decent guard. I then pulled off a slick trick by floating from half guard into mounting him followed by a gift wrap to backmount. I submitted him with with an RNC and then later on a straight ankle lock that I've been working on. And, that would all be awesome if it was what I did and not what Greg did to me.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
December 17th 2013 - Gi (Coworker)
Theme & Techniques: Self Defense against standing RNC, Mount Upa Escape & Cross Collar Choke
My coworker Bhuvana decided to try out a class yesterday. She was hesitant for a variety of reasons but seemed to enjoy the class nonetheless. She took a couple of hard falls with the first throw and commented that her insides were a little shook up. I ended up being her partner for the rest of the class. There were a few times where I had to remind her to relax because she was trying to muscle the technique. In the end, Bhuvana said that she had fun and left wanting more.
Rolling: Mount Position, Free Rolling
Somehow amazingly I was able to escape Greg's mount and regain guard. The second time he ended up taking my back with a gift wrap. Jordan and I rolled after class for a little while. I had some success with the spider guard to x-guard that Greg often does to me. I was also able to setup the mounted triangle that I turned into an armbar.
Apparently everyone that competed did well at the tournament this past Saturday. I haven't got too much information about what happened but a lot of medals were brought home.
I've been sick as a dog since yesterday and had to miss the evening class. Hopefully I'm well enough for tomorrow's class.
My coworker Bhuvana decided to try out a class yesterday. She was hesitant for a variety of reasons but seemed to enjoy the class nonetheless. She took a couple of hard falls with the first throw and commented that her insides were a little shook up. I ended up being her partner for the rest of the class. There were a few times where I had to remind her to relax because she was trying to muscle the technique. In the end, Bhuvana said that she had fun and left wanting more.
Rolling: Mount Position, Free Rolling
Somehow amazingly I was able to escape Greg's mount and regain guard. The second time he ended up taking my back with a gift wrap. Jordan and I rolled after class for a little while. I had some success with the spider guard to x-guard that Greg often does to me. I was also able to setup the mounted triangle that I turned into an armbar.
Apparently everyone that competed did well at the tournament this past Saturday. I haven't got too much information about what happened but a lot of medals were brought home.
I've been sick as a dog since yesterday and had to miss the evening class. Hopefully I'm well enough for tomorrow's class.
Friday, December 13, 2013
December 13th 2013 - Gi (Throat Punch)
Theme & Techniques: Takedown fit-ins, Mount Hip Escape, Drill Comp Stuff
I was still a little sore from yesterday and from the weights lifted on Wednesday. I forgot to mention that Bauer hooked me up with a basic routine to help me get started with lifting. My goals are to improve my back and knee strength and just generally improve BJJ. He's having me do some body weight squats, dead lifts, bent over rows, as well as pull-ups and push-ups. I've only done it once so far but I liked it, hopefully a good addition to my current workout schedule. I'm taking special care to make sure I'm improving myself instead of raising the chance for injury.
The mount escape was going fine until Brian accidentally elbowed me in the throat as he was practicing the escape. It didn't hurt as bad as it could of, but it came out of nowhere and surprised me. We continued and I didn't think much more about it.
Brian reacted a little differently than I'm used to with the omoplata from cross guard. It made it difficult to do the omoplata but the pendulum sweep was right there. There were a couple of times I was able to transition to the right thing to do when he reacted differently whether it be finishing the sub, or him rolling over into side mount, or having to straighten out and do the sweep. I was trying some of the different things Adam was doing with the over/under pass but Greg convinced me to keep doing it the way I have been.
Rolling: Slow and Free Rolling
We did some slow rolling, which was new to Brian but he got along fine. We may have been a little stiff and had too many pauses between our turns.
After class I rolled with Greg and had a great time. He obviously kicked my ass but I did some pretty good things. Deep half guard presented itself a couple of times and I kept myself out of submissions a few times. It ended with a kimura that he set up from north/south. One of the most noticeable problems I have with his style is the way he uses his feet and shins to prevent me from regaining half guard.
On the way to work I kept thinking that my throat was hurting. I was trying to figure out if I was getting sick, but then I recalled the elbow to the throat that Brian delivered earlier.
I was still a little sore from yesterday and from the weights lifted on Wednesday. I forgot to mention that Bauer hooked me up with a basic routine to help me get started with lifting. My goals are to improve my back and knee strength and just generally improve BJJ. He's having me do some body weight squats, dead lifts, bent over rows, as well as pull-ups and push-ups. I've only done it once so far but I liked it, hopefully a good addition to my current workout schedule. I'm taking special care to make sure I'm improving myself instead of raising the chance for injury.
The mount escape was going fine until Brian accidentally elbowed me in the throat as he was practicing the escape. It didn't hurt as bad as it could of, but it came out of nowhere and surprised me. We continued and I didn't think much more about it.
Brian reacted a little differently than I'm used to with the omoplata from cross guard. It made it difficult to do the omoplata but the pendulum sweep was right there. There were a couple of times I was able to transition to the right thing to do when he reacted differently whether it be finishing the sub, or him rolling over into side mount, or having to straighten out and do the sweep. I was trying some of the different things Adam was doing with the over/under pass but Greg convinced me to keep doing it the way I have been.
Rolling: Slow and Free Rolling
We did some slow rolling, which was new to Brian but he got along fine. We may have been a little stiff and had too many pauses between our turns.
After class I rolled with Greg and had a great time. He obviously kicked my ass but I did some pretty good things. Deep half guard presented itself a couple of times and I kept myself out of submissions a few times. It ended with a kimura that he set up from north/south. One of the most noticeable problems I have with his style is the way he uses his feet and shins to prevent me from regaining half guard.
On the way to work I kept thinking that my throat was hurting. I was trying to figure out if I was getting sick, but then I recalled the elbow to the throat that Brian delivered earlier.
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