Scale: 169.4
Showing posts with label side control escape. Show all posts
Showing posts with label side control escape. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Training Day: Wednesday
Scale: 169.4
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Training Day: Wednesday
Live Drilling: Scarf hold - escape specific / Back control - escape specific
Scale: 167.8
Post-Training HICT: 25 technical lifts / 50 hipscapes
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Training Day: Wednesday
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Scale: 169.4
Friday, June 01, 2012
Training Day: Friday
One thing Friday's training revealed was my weak guard replacement from the side control escape. My escapes from side control are generally about securing the underhook, walking out, and then drop stepping to knees. Today, we spent a lot of time working on the guard replacement as an escape from side control, which requires a different fundamental movement, the "bumpscape", that I need to train more often individually.
The bumpscape is a vertical bump combined with a hipscape without resetting your feet. It's a very quick explosive, movement, an UP AWAY one-two. The key point with the bumpscape is that because of the bump, you don't have time to reposition your feet wider to do a really good escaping hipscape. Instead, you just have to pivot, as near to the apex of the bump as possible, shifting your hips outward and getting on to your side.
I drilled this a little in between lessons during class, and then put in three minute rounds, one each side, focusing on the bumpscape. It has some similar characteristics to the dropstep - arguably, the bumpscape is halfway between the dropstep and the hipscape. But more drilling will help this move fall into place.
Better in the half guard against bigger/stronger today. My focus was on getting small and sideways and not getting stretched out and flat on my back. I wasn't able to get the sweep I wanted. But my positioning was far better than its been in weeks, and I was able to launch the right attacks - even if they didn't reach their objective.
A little stymied against the knee shield half guard. My usual move it to step back and force an open guard, but that just led to stand ups so I decided to try and pass it on the ground. Not my preference against bigger/stronger; the trick here may be to try and steer the game toward the Effing Pass, something I've been thinking about as a different way to attack the half guard without revealing the open guard pass attack that's coming.
Was 161.8 after training. 159.8 after post-training conditioning (2 rounds 3-minute bumpscapes, 1 round 4-minute technical lifts).
The bumpscape is a vertical bump combined with a hipscape without resetting your feet. It's a very quick explosive, movement, an UP AWAY one-two. The key point with the bumpscape is that because of the bump, you don't have time to reposition your feet wider to do a really good escaping hipscape. Instead, you just have to pivot, as near to the apex of the bump as possible, shifting your hips outward and getting on to your side.
I drilled this a little in between lessons during class, and then put in three minute rounds, one each side, focusing on the bumpscape. It has some similar characteristics to the dropstep - arguably, the bumpscape is halfway between the dropstep and the hipscape. But more drilling will help this move fall into place.
Better in the half guard against bigger/stronger today. My focus was on getting small and sideways and not getting stretched out and flat on my back. I wasn't able to get the sweep I wanted. But my positioning was far better than its been in weeks, and I was able to launch the right attacks - even if they didn't reach their objective.
A little stymied against the knee shield half guard. My usual move it to step back and force an open guard, but that just led to stand ups so I decided to try and pass it on the ground. Not my preference against bigger/stronger; the trick here may be to try and steer the game toward the Effing Pass, something I've been thinking about as a different way to attack the half guard without revealing the open guard pass attack that's coming.
Was 161.8 after training. 159.8 after post-training conditioning (2 rounds 3-minute bumpscapes, 1 round 4-minute technical lifts).
Monday, February 13, 2012
Training Day: Monday
Trained with Bryan today, working on different elements from the fundamentals program: side control escape to turtle position, turtle to taking the back with an emphasis on putting in the hooks by rolling over the shoulder, and finally putting it all together and attacking with the choke.
Three rounds of Live Training: J.M., Bryan and Chaim - tough rolls all. One thing that is very clear about training from my Cobra guard position is that I need to re-emphasize the arm control that Marcelo uses from this position. I'm just allowing far too much movement and grips, and not doing enough to take advantage of the fact that I'm in a relatively unfamiliar position for most folks. That 2-on-1 grip is critical to avoid the guardpasser getting momentum and confidence about the pass by putting him initially on the defense (trying to escape your 2-on-1 control).
Also thanks to Professor Carlos for the help with the Ryan roll. I'm feeling pretty good about attacking with the roll from the backstep against the half, and from the deep half the way Ryan did at the Houston Open last weekend. But I still don't quite have the feel for the straight half guard version, where you walk the guy into exposing his back by doing a Roger Gracie half guard pass, then turn 90 degrees toward the back and execute the roll. Trying it a time or two with Bryan, I didn't get the initial move right. Fortunately, I remember Prof Rodrigo showing us this move a few weeks ago. I'll have to remember to ask him about it this week.
So I need that review, plus a little drilling with the deep to X and RDLR to back transitions and then I'll be ready to put in some serious drilling volume on all of these variations.
A very wonderful 156.5 on the scale-post-train in the gi. Maybe it was the scale, but that is almost exactly where I want to be on a training day-in, training day-out basis. Eu sou pena, after all!
Three rounds of Live Training: J.M., Bryan and Chaim - tough rolls all. One thing that is very clear about training from my Cobra guard position is that I need to re-emphasize the arm control that Marcelo uses from this position. I'm just allowing far too much movement and grips, and not doing enough to take advantage of the fact that I'm in a relatively unfamiliar position for most folks. That 2-on-1 grip is critical to avoid the guardpasser getting momentum and confidence about the pass by putting him initially on the defense (trying to escape your 2-on-1 control).
Also thanks to Professor Carlos for the help with the Ryan roll. I'm feeling pretty good about attacking with the roll from the backstep against the half, and from the deep half the way Ryan did at the Houston Open last weekend. But I still don't quite have the feel for the straight half guard version, where you walk the guy into exposing his back by doing a Roger Gracie half guard pass, then turn 90 degrees toward the back and execute the roll. Trying it a time or two with Bryan, I didn't get the initial move right. Fortunately, I remember Prof Rodrigo showing us this move a few weeks ago. I'll have to remember to ask him about it this week.
So I need that review, plus a little drilling with the deep to X and RDLR to back transitions and then I'll be ready to put in some serious drilling volume on all of these variations.
A very wonderful 156.5 on the scale-post-train in the gi. Maybe it was the scale, but that is almost exactly where I want to be on a training day-in, training day-out basis. Eu sou pena, after all!
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Training Day: Tuesday
As I tweeted earlier (@burientopteam, BTW), tonight's training was a great reminder of why it so often pays off big-time to show up at the academy early and to stay late.
Tonight Prof Rodrigo had about six of us who arrived early working on some flow drills (i.e., free sweeps from the guard, free guard passes, free submissions from the back, etc.) It was really nice to be able to get right into some training first, then slowing down for the actual class and instruction, and then warming things back up with Live Training toward the end.
As for the class, we focused on escapes from north-south and the "rollout" escape from side control. Very good work, training with Brock and Greg, and keeping the pace up - and the details. One of the nice things about working in a threesome instead of just a pair is that there is always someone standing right there to watch and catch if any mistake or detail is off. Or sometimes, just to keep track of reps and shout the occasional encouragement.
Prof. Rodrigo also took some time to talk about the importance of drilling and anticipation in jiu-jitsu, which he said was 95% of the art. He pointed out that the difference, when all else was equal, was in the ability to anticipate the other person's next move. It reminded me of something I heard Rickson Gracie say at a Pedro Sauer seminar, that he was able to do what he did with someone as talented as Pedro sauer because he was able to anticipate Pedro's next moves.
It is also a reminder of that great line from "Choke" - also from Rickson Gracie - that "this is the point beyond knowledge." You can see a lot of jiu-jitsu. You can know a lot of jiu-jitsu. But being able to execute what is to be done at precisely the right moment that the opportunity presents itself, that ability to anticipate the opportunity, comes only from time on the mat.
No Lessons from Live Training save to say that things are working along pretty well. No armdrags (again) tonight, but an armbar, which was my first all year (and maybe only the fourth or fifth armbar from the guard I think I've ever successfully done). Trying to keep moving. All hooks & ladders from the guard. A lot of Marcelo passing from the top (especially the #1) and probably too much good side Flat Pass. Back at it tomorrow, most likly for the early show.
158.8 on the scale post-train.
Tonight Prof Rodrigo had about six of us who arrived early working on some flow drills (i.e., free sweeps from the guard, free guard passes, free submissions from the back, etc.) It was really nice to be able to get right into some training first, then slowing down for the actual class and instruction, and then warming things back up with Live Training toward the end.
As for the class, we focused on escapes from north-south and the "rollout" escape from side control. Very good work, training with Brock and Greg, and keeping the pace up - and the details. One of the nice things about working in a threesome instead of just a pair is that there is always someone standing right there to watch and catch if any mistake or detail is off. Or sometimes, just to keep track of reps and shout the occasional encouragement.
Prof. Rodrigo also took some time to talk about the importance of drilling and anticipation in jiu-jitsu, which he said was 95% of the art. He pointed out that the difference, when all else was equal, was in the ability to anticipate the other person's next move. It reminded me of something I heard Rickson Gracie say at a Pedro Sauer seminar, that he was able to do what he did with someone as talented as Pedro sauer because he was able to anticipate Pedro's next moves.
It is also a reminder of that great line from "Choke" - also from Rickson Gracie - that "this is the point beyond knowledge." You can see a lot of jiu-jitsu. You can know a lot of jiu-jitsu. But being able to execute what is to be done at precisely the right moment that the opportunity presents itself, that ability to anticipate the opportunity, comes only from time on the mat.
No Lessons from Live Training save to say that things are working along pretty well. No armdrags (again) tonight, but an armbar, which was my first all year (and maybe only the fourth or fifth armbar from the guard I think I've ever successfully done). Trying to keep moving. All hooks & ladders from the guard. A lot of Marcelo passing from the top (especially the #1) and probably too much good side Flat Pass. Back at it tomorrow, most likly for the early show.
158.8 on the scale post-train.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sunday Update (Training Day Friday, 8 Weeks Out ...)
Kind of depressing to see that the American Nationals tournament has had to extend registration in order to try and get more competitors. I noticed that local brown belt Hayato Atalig from Marcelo Alonso (a Carlson Gracie school, I think) has no competitors at adult lightweight. If I were thinking of competing, I'd be in the same boat: there are currently no competitors at senior 2 lightweight brown belt (although there are two in the open, a middleweight and a superheavy, I think).
Training Friday was all Live Training, per usual. I rolled with Angus, Rueben, Elliott and both Profs. Carlos and Rodrigo. I'm feeling myself start to drift again, technically, which means that it is a good time to get back to basics - especially the basics I want to take with me into the Seattle Open on October 2nd and the Revolution in November.
Specifically, I need to begin transitioning to a more diagnostic approach to training. I do what I do. Now I need to start focusing especially on how others are reacting to what I do, and what opportunities that provides me.
There are a couple of standouts: countering the knee cross/Royler attack from the half guard, a more aggressive side control escape (MGs's latest is a good reminder of the power of the bump to create space, something I've been preaching lately to blue belts I've been training with), a tighter takedown game and a better integrated suite of attacks from side control/knee on belly, especially the choke series.
I'm also looking at some schedule changes. Per the calendar, I'm actually supposed to be at the beginning of Week 2, not the start of Week 1 (the 8-week camp does not include Fight Week/Compete Week). Today I did the aerobic plyometric routine, three 5-minute rounds of 10s on/30s off double leg bounds. It was the first time I ever did plyometrics and it was the third set that was really the charm. I'll do another aerobic plyo routine on Thursday, with explosive-repeat (deadlift high pulls and squats) on Tuesday.
158.4 on the scale post-train on Friday. I'm behind pace in my training schedule, but assuming I train Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this next week, I'll be back on track . Right now, the week is setting up to be a five-day training week, and it should be a very good opportunitity to focus on some of those key areas I mentioned above.
Training Friday was all Live Training, per usual. I rolled with Angus, Rueben, Elliott and both Profs. Carlos and Rodrigo. I'm feeling myself start to drift again, technically, which means that it is a good time to get back to basics - especially the basics I want to take with me into the Seattle Open on October 2nd and the Revolution in November.
Specifically, I need to begin transitioning to a more diagnostic approach to training. I do what I do. Now I need to start focusing especially on how others are reacting to what I do, and what opportunities that provides me.
There are a couple of standouts: countering the knee cross/Royler attack from the half guard, a more aggressive side control escape (MGs's latest is a good reminder of the power of the bump to create space, something I've been preaching lately to blue belts I've been training with), a tighter takedown game and a better integrated suite of attacks from side control/knee on belly, especially the choke series.
I'm also looking at some schedule changes. Per the calendar, I'm actually supposed to be at the beginning of Week 2, not the start of Week 1 (the 8-week camp does not include Fight Week/Compete Week). Today I did the aerobic plyometric routine, three 5-minute rounds of 10s on/30s off double leg bounds. It was the first time I ever did plyometrics and it was the third set that was really the charm. I'll do another aerobic plyo routine on Thursday, with explosive-repeat (deadlift high pulls and squats) on Tuesday.
158.4 on the scale post-train on Friday. I'm behind pace in my training schedule, but assuming I train Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this next week, I'll be back on track . Right now, the week is setting up to be a five-day training week, and it should be a very good opportunitity to focus on some of those key areas I mentioned above.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Training Day: Wednesday
These days it seems like every training day brings with it a new minor discovery. Today's training helped me both see the shortcomings of my Guy LaFleur sweep as well as a possible solution that also improves my overall Skeedaddle game.
More work on side control, the dive2knees and runaway fullguard as I code them. Monday was the pushscape hipscape guard recovery approach to dealing with side control.
Deep half is becoming more and more popular, with more and more black belts working the position and counters to the position. I'm still thinking that I'll embrace the deep half starting in August, hopefully with a little X-guard tossed in, as well. As Jeff Glover makes clear on his Deep Half Guard DVD, the X-guard is really just a mirror image of the Deep Half, so excelling at one position gives great opportunity to be effective with the other.
Also, the more I think about it and watch both guards in action, I realize that both allow for the guard player to be under the opponent (which I like), but not to have that opponent's weight on them at the same time. In the deep half, it's because of the focus of all limbs on the one leg (a la Glover). In the X-Guard, it's because of the destablizing outward pressure put on the base (high on both inside thighs).
Spent some more time watching Glover's deep half DVD after class. Both his head trap half guard counter and his deep half sweep against a standing opponent are must-drill - as are the three basic sweeps: Homer Simpson, inside hook to double unders pass, outside hook to the back.
Looking to train Friday and again on Saturday for competition team training. Rebecca is taking me out to dinner Saturday night to celebrate my faixa marrom. We're going to Ipanema Grill: a bit expensive, maybe even a little kitschy. But given the ocassion, she'll accept no substitutes so why should I?
More work on side control, the dive2knees and runaway fullguard as I code them. Monday was the pushscape hipscape guard recovery approach to dealing with side control.
Deep half is becoming more and more popular, with more and more black belts working the position and counters to the position. I'm still thinking that I'll embrace the deep half starting in August, hopefully with a little X-guard tossed in, as well. As Jeff Glover makes clear on his Deep Half Guard DVD, the X-guard is really just a mirror image of the Deep Half, so excelling at one position gives great opportunity to be effective with the other.
Also, the more I think about it and watch both guards in action, I realize that both allow for the guard player to be under the opponent (which I like), but not to have that opponent's weight on them at the same time. In the deep half, it's because of the focus of all limbs on the one leg (a la Glover). In the X-Guard, it's because of the destablizing outward pressure put on the base (high on both inside thighs).
Spent some more time watching Glover's deep half DVD after class. Both his head trap half guard counter and his deep half sweep against a standing opponent are must-drill - as are the three basic sweeps: Homer Simpson, inside hook to double unders pass, outside hook to the back.
Looking to train Friday and again on Saturday for competition team training. Rebecca is taking me out to dinner Saturday night to celebrate my faixa marrom. We're going to Ipanema Grill: a bit expensive, maybe even a little kitschy. But given the ocassion, she'll accept no substitutes so why should I?
Friday, June 18, 2010
Training Day: Friday
A review of the weeks fundamentals started things off on Friday - though without the self-defense moves (16a: punch, push kick, body lock clinch and 16b: escape from rear bear hug).
Interestingly, although we started off the with head lock escape from the ground (the bridge and backroll), Rodrigo managed to combine all three of the other moves from side control into one. We did the side mount escape to turtle position (16b2) to double leg takedown from turtle position (16b3) to spinning armbar from side mount 16a3). I worked with Chaim on this, and his extra weight during 16b3 really helped make a workout out of it. He was also very tight on the armbar, which helped remind me of some key details.
Specific training with Elliott and JM. Mostly guard/pass guard. I'm doing relatively little pure half guard these days, focusing instead on creating opportunities out of Sit Up Guard and Breakdown Guard. Energy levels feel pretty good, though I'm about three pounds heavier than I'd like to be right now as Week Four of the tournament prep camp nears an end. I'll get a better sense of where I am weight-wise at the end of Week Five.
Interestingly, although we started off the with head lock escape from the ground (the bridge and backroll), Rodrigo managed to combine all three of the other moves from side control into one. We did the side mount escape to turtle position (16b2) to double leg takedown from turtle position (16b3) to spinning armbar from side mount 16a3). I worked with Chaim on this, and his extra weight during 16b3 really helped make a workout out of it. He was also very tight on the armbar, which helped remind me of some key details.
Specific training with Elliott and JM. Mostly guard/pass guard. I'm doing relatively little pure half guard these days, focusing instead on creating opportunities out of Sit Up Guard and Breakdown Guard. Energy levels feel pretty good, though I'm about three pounds heavier than I'd like to be right now as Week Four of the tournament prep camp nears an end. I'll get a better sense of where I am weight-wise at the end of Week Five.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Training Day: Tuesday
Rodrigo started us off with the other collar drag takedown - the one I'm not so good at. I'm going to call it Dog Tail (as opposed to Rip Cord, the other collar drag takedown) because the key to getting into position is to circle away from the drag to attack the near leg (opposite the drag side). This circling is as critical to the Dog Tail as the step/stepback is to Rip Cord. Dog Tail also reminds me to get low on the leg (cue Frank Zappa's Zombie Wolf) with my head in tight and working ("circling") toward the back.
Rodrigo added a deep half sweep in case the guy sprawled or posted to avoid the takedown. Actually, he added two. The first was to shoot in with your outside, up leg, roll under, and reach for an X-guard type roll and sweep. Version two had you attack the sleeve rather than the collar, and go to both knees after the takedown and then shoot in with the near leg (the leg that had been knee down and part of the takedown) and roll under (back to front). This version was more than a little tricky for me. But the first version really seemed to feel right.
We also did the headlock defense, the one where you step over and hook the guy's up knee, and then hip out to get your far leg's knee on the mat. This combines with the leg over headlock counter we did last night that I think I forgot to write about.
Self-defense was the guillotine and standing guillotine counter ( look in toward the body, hold the wrist, reach over the back, close the elbow and walk around in that direction, kick the leg and takedown backwards ...). The A-frame triangle on the back of the guy sprawling was key to the set-up.
We also worked a side control escape to guard. If the guy has both arms over, his elbows checking your head and hip, then you can forearm brace at his forearm and neck, bridge into him and slide your inside knee between the two of you. If necessary, hipscape to get additional space to recover full guard.
In the advanced class, we worked that second takedown to deep half as part of the specific. Then a lot of guard/pass guard. I felt a lot like I did on Monday: moving pretty decently in my transitions from the guard and being patient and Roger-like when passing from standing (almost 100% of the time). The flow was very nice and I felt a lot less fatigued at the end of the night than I have in weeks. I'm trying to work through my progressions: sit-up guard with Skeedaddle or the guillotine/kimura to crossover sweep ... breakdown guard with Guy La Fleur ... Rap Star ... the half ... My guard game is starting to coalesce in ways I hadn't anticipated. I've essentially created a menu that is nothing but appetizers. But by the time the server delivers the espresso and Sambuca, you know you've had a meal.
Rodrigo added a deep half sweep in case the guy sprawled or posted to avoid the takedown. Actually, he added two. The first was to shoot in with your outside, up leg, roll under, and reach for an X-guard type roll and sweep. Version two had you attack the sleeve rather than the collar, and go to both knees after the takedown and then shoot in with the near leg (the leg that had been knee down and part of the takedown) and roll under (back to front). This version was more than a little tricky for me. But the first version really seemed to feel right.
We also did the headlock defense, the one where you step over and hook the guy's up knee, and then hip out to get your far leg's knee on the mat. This combines with the leg over headlock counter we did last night that I think I forgot to write about.
Self-defense was the guillotine and standing guillotine counter ( look in toward the body, hold the wrist, reach over the back, close the elbow and walk around in that direction, kick the leg and takedown backwards ...). The A-frame triangle on the back of the guy sprawling was key to the set-up.
We also worked a side control escape to guard. If the guy has both arms over, his elbows checking your head and hip, then you can forearm brace at his forearm and neck, bridge into him and slide your inside knee between the two of you. If necessary, hipscape to get additional space to recover full guard.
In the advanced class, we worked that second takedown to deep half as part of the specific. Then a lot of guard/pass guard. I felt a lot like I did on Monday: moving pretty decently in my transitions from the guard and being patient and Roger-like when passing from standing (almost 100% of the time). The flow was very nice and I felt a lot less fatigued at the end of the night than I have in weeks. I'm trying to work through my progressions: sit-up guard with Skeedaddle or the guillotine/kimura to crossover sweep ... breakdown guard with Guy La Fleur ... Rap Star ... the half ... My guard game is starting to coalesce in ways I hadn't anticipated. I've essentially created a menu that is nothing but appetizers. But by the time the server delivers the espresso and Sambuca, you know you've had a meal.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Training Day: Wednesday
Fundamentals: 5b: Tue pm, Wed am, Thu pm
1. Counter to rear bear hug w/ arms pinned (step back and hip lift)
2. Side control escape to turtle (going flat then to knees)
3. Side control escape to turtle to double leg takedown
#3 is the one I want to focus on the most. There are a ton of times you'll find yourself in this situation and being able to convert and get the reverse is key.
From the turtle, you want to grab behind the knee on the leg on the opposite side as your head. Bring your knee on that side up and, as you do this, post on the mat with the hand on the other side (the head side) and posture up sharply. This will help secure your grip on the leg and set you up for the takedown.
Once you have upright posture, reach behind the knee on the headside and post out with the leg on the headside. The takedown is a kind of circle, as you bring your posted leg around like a big sundial.
A lot of power in this reverse. But the key is to get the mechanics down right: Grip. Crunch (knee to grip and posture up). Post. Run.
Did a lot of side control specific and definitely felt my cardio being tested. One of the things I want to do is to break these drills down into key movements that I can then add to my conditioning routine: side control escapes, mount escapes (mount is the focus for next week, BTW), rear mount escapes). For example, today's side control escape to turtle involved a bridge, hipscape to belly, and belly to knees. I need to be able to do repeated 60-90 second rounds of moves like this in order to really get these moves ingrained in muscle memory/circuitry.
A good day on the mat. I'm still having an impossible time working in some of my focus areas, tending to "wing it" more often than not. I'm still very much in the market for some under-165 training partners who are into a little drilling before or after class, and I suspect that's where I'll get a lot of my improvement time in. But all of that is a work in progress - and another goal for 2010.
1. Counter to rear bear hug w/ arms pinned (step back and hip lift)
2. Side control escape to turtle (going flat then to knees)
3. Side control escape to turtle to double leg takedown
#3 is the one I want to focus on the most. There are a ton of times you'll find yourself in this situation and being able to convert and get the reverse is key.
From the turtle, you want to grab behind the knee on the leg on the opposite side as your head. Bring your knee on that side up and, as you do this, post on the mat with the hand on the other side (the head side) and posture up sharply. This will help secure your grip on the leg and set you up for the takedown.
Once you have upright posture, reach behind the knee on the headside and post out with the leg on the headside. The takedown is a kind of circle, as you bring your posted leg around like a big sundial.
A lot of power in this reverse. But the key is to get the mechanics down right: Grip. Crunch (knee to grip and posture up). Post. Run.
Did a lot of side control specific and definitely felt my cardio being tested. One of the things I want to do is to break these drills down into key movements that I can then add to my conditioning routine: side control escapes, mount escapes (mount is the focus for next week, BTW), rear mount escapes). For example, today's side control escape to turtle involved a bridge, hipscape to belly, and belly to knees. I need to be able to do repeated 60-90 second rounds of moves like this in order to really get these moves ingrained in muscle memory/circuitry.
A good day on the mat. I'm still having an impossible time working in some of my focus areas, tending to "wing it" more often than not. I'm still very much in the market for some under-165 training partners who are into a little drilling before or after class, and I suspect that's where I'll get a lot of my improvement time in. But all of that is a work in progress - and another goal for 2010.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Training Day: Monday
Cual es mas macho? El academia o el fitness club?
Fundamentals
6a: Mon am/pm, Wed pm
1. 1-2 punch, front kick to shot with in-to-out reap takedown
2. Headlock escape on the ground: bridge and post, bridge and roll
3. Armlock from side control (arm on northside of head)
I never really wondered what it would take to make me feel unwelcome in my own academy. Unfortunately, I know exactly what it would take and, having experienced it for the second time in the past several months, I can at least take growing refuge in the notion that I'm better equipped to deal with it than I was before.
Day one of TAS felt both uncomfortable and strangely comfortable at the same time. It will probably just take some getting used to. But after darting in that direction and then recoiling in a fit of guilt again and again over the past two or three years, that direction has increasingly become a welcome destination - and maybe even the key to getting where I want to go.
Class kind of fell apart after the specific training involving headlock escapes and the side control. Things dissolved into an open mat which typically has been disastrous in terms of finding a decent sparring partner quickly and getting my mat time in before I've got to run. TAS is helping out tremendously on that score - at least it did today - and will be my guideline going forward whenever the moment arises.
That said, some halfway decent work in sparring with Troy. I didn't get to work on any real guard passing. But what I was able to do from my back in terms of both defending the pass and maintaining an aerobic pace went pretty well - especially for a Monday.
No weight today because I wasn't in the mood to play the scale game. But I'm feeling pretty good (again, especially for a Monday) and there are no deadlines to make.
Fundamentals
6a: Mon am/pm, Wed pm
1. 1-2 punch, front kick to shot with in-to-out reap takedown
2. Headlock escape on the ground: bridge and post, bridge and roll
3. Armlock from side control (arm on northside of head)
I never really wondered what it would take to make me feel unwelcome in my own academy. Unfortunately, I know exactly what it would take and, having experienced it for the second time in the past several months, I can at least take growing refuge in the notion that I'm better equipped to deal with it than I was before.
Day one of TAS felt both uncomfortable and strangely comfortable at the same time. It will probably just take some getting used to. But after darting in that direction and then recoiling in a fit of guilt again and again over the past two or three years, that direction has increasingly become a welcome destination - and maybe even the key to getting where I want to go.
Class kind of fell apart after the specific training involving headlock escapes and the side control. Things dissolved into an open mat which typically has been disastrous in terms of finding a decent sparring partner quickly and getting my mat time in before I've got to run. TAS is helping out tremendously on that score - at least it did today - and will be my guideline going forward whenever the moment arises.
That said, some halfway decent work in sparring with Troy. I didn't get to work on any real guard passing. But what I was able to do from my back in terms of both defending the pass and maintaining an aerobic pace went pretty well - especially for a Monday.
No weight today because I wasn't in the mood to play the scale game. But I'm feeling pretty good (again, especially for a Monday) and there are no deadlines to make.
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Training Day: Wednesday
Fundamentals
5b. Tue pm, Wed am, Thu pm
1. Standing Guillotine against double leg/shot
2. Standing Guillotine counter/escape (shoulder control) w/takedown
3. Headlock escape on the ground w/back take
4. Side control escape/guard recovery
5b. Tue pm, Wed am, Thu pm
1. Standing Guillotine against double leg/shot
2. Standing Guillotine counter/escape (shoulder control) w/takedown
3. Headlock escape on the ground w/back take
4. Side control escape/guard recovery
Monday, March 29, 2010
Training Day: Monday
Fundamentals
5a. Mon am/pm, Wed pm
1. Front bear hug with double underhooks
2. Headlock escape/counter on the ground
3. Side control transition to north/south and back (without backstep or hip switch)
Specific training was mostly 60 second side control and escape. Then we did some "king of the hill" guard/pass guard. Unfortunately, I'm still doing a terrible job of practicing my specific focus areas. I did a lot of half guard (what else is new?), but I don't think I went for the transition to deep half once.
I'm also still allowing myself to get flattened out. Even if I've got the skills to regain good position, it's a detour I need to stop pursuing because all it does is (a) waste energy and (b) increase the potential for making a mistake while in a vulnerable or at least semi-vulnerable position.
A good day on the mat. My conditioning felt pretty good even though I'm increasingly going up against larger and larger guys of late. We'll see if what seems to be some modest improvement on that front actually holds up.
5a. Mon am/pm, Wed pm
1. Front bear hug with double underhooks
2. Headlock escape/counter on the ground
3. Side control transition to north/south and back (without backstep or hip switch)
Specific training was mostly 60 second side control and escape. Then we did some "king of the hill" guard/pass guard. Unfortunately, I'm still doing a terrible job of practicing my specific focus areas. I did a lot of half guard (what else is new?), but I don't think I went for the transition to deep half once.
I'm also still allowing myself to get flattened out. Even if I've got the skills to regain good position, it's a detour I need to stop pursuing because all it does is (a) waste energy and (b) increase the potential for making a mistake while in a vulnerable or at least semi-vulnerable position.
A good day on the mat. My conditioning felt pretty good even though I'm increasingly going up against larger and larger guys of late. We'll see if what seems to be some modest improvement on that front actually holds up.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Training Day: Friday
Felt great to be back on the mat on Friday. I joined the class right after warmups, and managed to do the stand-up drills with Jared. A lot of us were coming in on the 5-10 miinute late side: Jesse, Lindsey, Jared, and two or three other folks.
The instructional was scarf hold escapes. Rodrigo showed us three variations from the same basic defensive position. The immediate defense against the scarf hold is to hipscape out a bit and dig your inside elbow deep into your side. Rodrigo talked about even bridging a little to get the elbow actually under you to avoid giving the guy control (of your elbow and your ability to hipscape away).
With your outside arm you want to stiff arm the guy at his far bicep. This is mostly to avoid being crossfaced, and you want to make sure you stiff arm at the bicep instead of at the shoulder because the guy can still reach you if you stiff arm at the shoulder.
Once you have control of your own inside elbow, you want to grab the pants of the guy's leg that is nearest you - and as close to the knee as possible. A lot of this will depend on how well you hipscape away initially and the size of your opponent. But this is a critical grip through all the variations.
#1. Knee block. From the grips, continuing hipscaping until you create enough space to bring your bottom knee up between the two of you. There is a sweep from here that Reuben pointed out, controlling the outside sleeve and continuing to rotate your body into the guy with the pants grip. It has a little of the Twist Back feel to it.
#2. Underhook 2 Knees. This was probably my favorite. This is the option especially if you can't get your knee in between you and the other guy. From the grips, you want to continue to escape your hips back until you have enough room to swim out of the stiff arm and go for the underhook. Keep the pants grip, which will help you in the sweep and to avoid being put in the guard if you start to move to the top.
#3. Flat Out. This one is situational and requires timing and a sense of the momentum. If the guy in the scarf hold position sits back too far, there is an option to take him backwards. Here, the trick is to scissor your inside leg under you and go flat. It's very much a momentum thing - that and the leverage. Rodrigo pointed out that it will often show up as an opportunity when the first two options are countered.
Got in some good guard specific work with Reuben and Glenn - who was awarded his blue belt today. I'm trying very much to be in the Right Mind, part of my set of jiu jitus resolutions for Twenty-Ten, and today's rolls got passing grades in terms of focusing on what I want to focus on in the coming year: standing to pass the guard, working my weak side half guard, and incorporating the "Move of the Day" during the specific and/or sparring.
159.6 on the scale after training. I felt very good cardio wise during the training, my HR was around 130 after the standup drills and around 160 after the specific training, which is pretty much where it was a week ago. I've got my conditioning split up with one day a week of aerobic power, two days of static dynamics, and one day of threshold training making the week.
Both my knee and my leg were acting up a bit by the time training was done. I think my timing is good, especially with the hip/groin/pectineus thing. I figure two days off over the weekend will allow me to train on Monday. And if everything is okay on Monday, I'll be able to get in another training on Tuesday or Wednesday before leaving for Arizona for Christmas.
As much as I'll be looking forward to getting back to training, I suspect the spotty schedule over the next few weeks will probably do some good in keeping the hunger stoked. I'm really looking forward to 2010 in terms of what I think can happen in terms of growth and improvement and, holidays notwithstanding. In many ways, I feel as if 2010 has already started.
The instructional was scarf hold escapes. Rodrigo showed us three variations from the same basic defensive position. The immediate defense against the scarf hold is to hipscape out a bit and dig your inside elbow deep into your side. Rodrigo talked about even bridging a little to get the elbow actually under you to avoid giving the guy control (of your elbow and your ability to hipscape away).
With your outside arm you want to stiff arm the guy at his far bicep. This is mostly to avoid being crossfaced, and you want to make sure you stiff arm at the bicep instead of at the shoulder because the guy can still reach you if you stiff arm at the shoulder.
Once you have control of your own inside elbow, you want to grab the pants of the guy's leg that is nearest you - and as close to the knee as possible. A lot of this will depend on how well you hipscape away initially and the size of your opponent. But this is a critical grip through all the variations.
#1. Knee block. From the grips, continuing hipscaping until you create enough space to bring your bottom knee up between the two of you. There is a sweep from here that Reuben pointed out, controlling the outside sleeve and continuing to rotate your body into the guy with the pants grip. It has a little of the Twist Back feel to it.
#2. Underhook 2 Knees. This was probably my favorite. This is the option especially if you can't get your knee in between you and the other guy. From the grips, you want to continue to escape your hips back until you have enough room to swim out of the stiff arm and go for the underhook. Keep the pants grip, which will help you in the sweep and to avoid being put in the guard if you start to move to the top.
#3. Flat Out. This one is situational and requires timing and a sense of the momentum. If the guy in the scarf hold position sits back too far, there is an option to take him backwards. Here, the trick is to scissor your inside leg under you and go flat. It's very much a momentum thing - that and the leverage. Rodrigo pointed out that it will often show up as an opportunity when the first two options are countered.
Got in some good guard specific work with Reuben and Glenn - who was awarded his blue belt today. I'm trying very much to be in the Right Mind, part of my set of jiu jitus resolutions for Twenty-Ten, and today's rolls got passing grades in terms of focusing on what I want to focus on in the coming year: standing to pass the guard, working my weak side half guard, and incorporating the "Move of the Day" during the specific and/or sparring.
159.6 on the scale after training. I felt very good cardio wise during the training, my HR was around 130 after the standup drills and around 160 after the specific training, which is pretty much where it was a week ago. I've got my conditioning split up with one day a week of aerobic power, two days of static dynamics, and one day of threshold training making the week.
Both my knee and my leg were acting up a bit by the time training was done. I think my timing is good, especially with the hip/groin/pectineus thing. I figure two days off over the weekend will allow me to train on Monday. And if everything is okay on Monday, I'll be able to get in another training on Tuesday or Wednesday before leaving for Arizona for Christmas.
As much as I'll be looking forward to getting back to training, I suspect the spotty schedule over the next few weeks will probably do some good in keeping the hunger stoked. I'm really looking forward to 2010 in terms of what I think can happen in terms of growth and improvement and, holidays notwithstanding. In many ways, I feel as if 2010 has already started.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Training Day: Thursday
Today's training was just open mat. Rodrigo opened up the academy from about 10 -12 noon for those of us who were looking to train on the holiday. I arrived shortly after 10:30 am and managed to get in a nice 8-10 minute roll with a big white belt whose name I didn't remember.
We ended up spending a lot of the time going over specific issues he was having trouble with. I didn't mind as we went from mount escape to side control escape to half guard sweep, with a few basic principles added in. He was an interesting guy to roll with given his size, and I was pleasantly surprised that I switched to a version of the Sauleh guard, with a collar and sleeve grip on one side and a foot in the bicep or on the shoulder on the other.
I've been meaning to work more and more on this guard ever since Tuesday, the second consecutive day of armlocks from the guard. I started to see a way that I might set up not only armlocks from the guard, but also even triangles (!) from the guard. The trick is that I do the armlock and triangle better in one direction, and the sweep and choke better in the other. So I need to do a better job of noticing what opportunities arise from the closed guard, pick a side, and execute the technique.
A good time on the mat. Lindsey was there, as was Jesse and Sonya. Pat arrived a little while after I did and I thought I saw him and Brock training at some point. Rodrigo was there with his daugther, who was making a lifeboat out of some of the striking equipment. Time really seemed to fly. I could have easily stayed at the school for another hour.
Both schools are shut down tomorrow. But it looks like I'll get a chance to get back on the mat this Saturday, which is great. I didn't get a weigh-in after training, but the 163 and change in the gi beforehand was a perfectly fine number for now.
We ended up spending a lot of the time going over specific issues he was having trouble with. I didn't mind as we went from mount escape to side control escape to half guard sweep, with a few basic principles added in. He was an interesting guy to roll with given his size, and I was pleasantly surprised that I switched to a version of the Sauleh guard, with a collar and sleeve grip on one side and a foot in the bicep or on the shoulder on the other.
I've been meaning to work more and more on this guard ever since Tuesday, the second consecutive day of armlocks from the guard. I started to see a way that I might set up not only armlocks from the guard, but also even triangles (!) from the guard. The trick is that I do the armlock and triangle better in one direction, and the sweep and choke better in the other. So I need to do a better job of noticing what opportunities arise from the closed guard, pick a side, and execute the technique.
A good time on the mat. Lindsey was there, as was Jesse and Sonya. Pat arrived a little while after I did and I thought I saw him and Brock training at some point. Rodrigo was there with his daugther, who was making a lifeboat out of some of the striking equipment. Time really seemed to fly. I could have easily stayed at the school for another hour.
Both schools are shut down tomorrow. But it looks like I'll get a chance to get back on the mat this Saturday, which is great. I didn't get a weigh-in after training, but the 163 and change in the gi beforehand was a perfectly fine number for now.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Training Day: Friday
Was too beat up to train Thursday night - and was also anticipating a rip-roarin' Friday class. At it turned out, Rodrigo turned it up, but not overwhelmingly so (i.e., a minimum of sprawls). I got a good workout without feeling too overwhelmed.
We did some hipscapes, jumping jacks, squats, pushups and chokes to warm-up. Then the new takedown warm-up/conditioning/pre-tournament routine wear you maintain the gi grips. I'm still looking for ways to attack the legs around the stiff-arm of the gi grip (without popping the grip), so it is nice to get the work.
The instructional was the double biceps side control escape, which we did at a pretty good pace. Rodrigo also had us work on the Cross Guard move where you get a cross grip on one side, then attack the leg on the other side with a hook and cuff control as you spin around under him and kick the hook leg forward to off-balance. I tried this a little bit in the guard/pass guard specific drill - the trick is to remember the cross. It was nice working the drill with the new white belt I was paired with and helping him complete the steps really did a great job in helping me remember them.
I have to say that I love the fact that I've really only worked on two different positions this week: the side control escape and the Cross guard. In my perfect jiu jitsu world, I would train twice a day for four days a week and learn about 2-4 positions over the course of the week - so this pace (training once a day four times a week) of two moves a week is ideal for me.
I also love training the basic/beginner classes. I almost miss the drills we used to do - the armlocks from the guard and mount, for example. One day when Gracie Barra Seattle expands enough to do two day classes every day, I'd love to teach/lead a jiu jitsu conditioning/circuit-building class that is all drills: 360 drill, armlocks from the guard, hook sweeps, my matwork routine, armlocks from the mount, Rodrigo's takedown drill, then all specific sparring mount/mount escape, side control/crossbody escape, guard/guard pass - hell, maybe even some ginastica natural, while I'm at it.
Got to work some Flat Pass during tatame. I'm thinking I'll get a chance to use it at the Revolution given the fact that some many guys rely on the closed guard. I had some success today going the other way - though I really need to keep working it develop a sense of stability and surety. At the same time, I want to make sure that I'm working both Shield and Sword (I might rename that the Saulo) as well as the Leozinho, which I almost went to Wednesday as well as Friday.
Also fun was working with Glen on a couple of things: low mount and the Ezekiel, high mount and the armlock. We also went over the two main side control escapes: the double biceps and the swim-to-belly. I can't even say how much fun that was: going over basics, living somewhat vicariously through someone else's tournament prep.
A good week of training. Including the two hours of training on Sunday at the Saulo seminar, I managed to get in a second consecutive four-training week. I can really feel the difference when I'm training at this clip and it is really motivation to do what I can to stay off the illness list and on the mat. One thing I'm hugely grateful for is the fact that I've been injury-free for quite awhile it seems. Annoying as the headcolds and rhinovirii are, I'll take them over a 6-week whack due to a bad shoulder or worse.
Next week, as I go into "Fight Speed" until tournament time, I'll be back on my regular schedule. There is a huge temptation to take the early classes for the next two weeks to try and condition myself to train at the same time of day that I'll be competing at. It hugely tempting - and would probably contribute toward getting the rest I really need - but we'll see if I can pull it off.
I'm still in the Saulo glow - even after hearing a few stories (one from a teammate and one from the Intertubes) that didn't necessarily portray the man in the most magnanimous light. But seeing my heroes as mistake-making human beings actually is a prerequisite for pedastal-hood. If I don't see flaws in the work, then I'm inclined to believe I'm looking at a fake.
Without going on and on about any more than I already have, the Saulo seminar seems to have helped chill me out: about competing, about training, about "accomplishing" things in jiu jitsu. There are times when I start to treat training like work, like an obligation in order to get to where I want to be. And while that's understandable, ultimately that's not right. I'm not training to become a jiu jitsu black belt. I'm training because jiu jitsu is one of my favorite things in the world and I can't quickly get over how fortunate I have been to have a top-notch Gracie Barra academy less than 30 minutes away from home for the past four-plus years. While "enjoy the journey" tends to have a bit of an "eat your vegetables" quality to it, it really is the truth: you've got to enjoy the path, the process, in order to get the most out of both becoming and being.
We did some hipscapes, jumping jacks, squats, pushups and chokes to warm-up. Then the new takedown warm-up/conditioning/pre-tournament routine wear you maintain the gi grips. I'm still looking for ways to attack the legs around the stiff-arm of the gi grip (without popping the grip), so it is nice to get the work.
The instructional was the double biceps side control escape, which we did at a pretty good pace. Rodrigo also had us work on the Cross Guard move where you get a cross grip on one side, then attack the leg on the other side with a hook and cuff control as you spin around under him and kick the hook leg forward to off-balance. I tried this a little bit in the guard/pass guard specific drill - the trick is to remember the cross. It was nice working the drill with the new white belt I was paired with and helping him complete the steps really did a great job in helping me remember them.
I have to say that I love the fact that I've really only worked on two different positions this week: the side control escape and the Cross guard. In my perfect jiu jitsu world, I would train twice a day for four days a week and learn about 2-4 positions over the course of the week - so this pace (training once a day four times a week) of two moves a week is ideal for me.
I also love training the basic/beginner classes. I almost miss the drills we used to do - the armlocks from the guard and mount, for example. One day when Gracie Barra Seattle expands enough to do two day classes every day, I'd love to teach/lead a jiu jitsu conditioning/circuit-building class that is all drills: 360 drill, armlocks from the guard, hook sweeps, my matwork routine, armlocks from the mount, Rodrigo's takedown drill, then all specific sparring mount/mount escape, side control/crossbody escape, guard/guard pass - hell, maybe even some ginastica natural, while I'm at it.
Got to work some Flat Pass during tatame. I'm thinking I'll get a chance to use it at the Revolution given the fact that some many guys rely on the closed guard. I had some success today going the other way - though I really need to keep working it develop a sense of stability and surety. At the same time, I want to make sure that I'm working both Shield and Sword (I might rename that the Saulo) as well as the Leozinho, which I almost went to Wednesday as well as Friday.
Also fun was working with Glen on a couple of things: low mount and the Ezekiel, high mount and the armlock. We also went over the two main side control escapes: the double biceps and the swim-to-belly. I can't even say how much fun that was: going over basics, living somewhat vicariously through someone else's tournament prep.
A good week of training. Including the two hours of training on Sunday at the Saulo seminar, I managed to get in a second consecutive four-training week. I can really feel the difference when I'm training at this clip and it is really motivation to do what I can to stay off the illness list and on the mat. One thing I'm hugely grateful for is the fact that I've been injury-free for quite awhile it seems. Annoying as the headcolds and rhinovirii are, I'll take them over a 6-week whack due to a bad shoulder or worse.
Next week, as I go into "Fight Speed" until tournament time, I'll be back on my regular schedule. There is a huge temptation to take the early classes for the next two weeks to try and condition myself to train at the same time of day that I'll be competing at. It hugely tempting - and would probably contribute toward getting the rest I really need - but we'll see if I can pull it off.
I'm still in the Saulo glow - even after hearing a few stories (one from a teammate and one from the Intertubes) that didn't necessarily portray the man in the most magnanimous light. But seeing my heroes as mistake-making human beings actually is a prerequisite for pedastal-hood. If I don't see flaws in the work, then I'm inclined to believe I'm looking at a fake.
Without going on and on about any more than I already have, the Saulo seminar seems to have helped chill me out: about competing, about training, about "accomplishing" things in jiu jitsu. There are times when I start to treat training like work, like an obligation in order to get to where I want to be. And while that's understandable, ultimately that's not right. I'm not training to become a jiu jitsu black belt. I'm training because jiu jitsu is one of my favorite things in the world and I can't quickly get over how fortunate I have been to have a top-notch Gracie Barra academy less than 30 minutes away from home for the past four-plus years. While "enjoy the journey" tends to have a bit of an "eat your vegetables" quality to it, it really is the truth: you've got to enjoy the path, the process, in order to get the most out of both becoming and being.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Training Day: Tuesday
A pretty good day back at GB Seattle. I was a little anxious due to a lingering sore throat and the sense that, despite the upbeat pace of Saulo's seminar, I hadn't done any hard training since Friday. Rodrigo turned it up to "more than warm", but not quite as hot as I suspect things will get in a week. I felt challenged to my limits during the warm-up/conditioning phase, which was good. The standup variation was left collar grip / right collar grip, and go for the leg without breaking the grip. Light sparring pace.
We worked on the double bicep hook side control escape tonight as the main instructional, and Rodrigo added a choke after you get to the side. I was fatigued after the first part and I think that played some role in my losing focus on the feed-the-collar part of the choke. This was predictably bad on my bad side. But it was very nice to get to work the same escape some more. Part of it is circuit building and part of it is conditioning. A perfect blend any time, but especially pre-competition.
Training was four minutes guard/pass guard. I actually liked my disciplined approach of attacking with the Flat Pass first to my better side and then to my weaker side. If I were smart, I'd train my weak side almost exclusively between now and the Revolution (the Maia Plan, per the UFC's Mike Goldberg - of all people). But we'll see how that goes. Then, in an even more stunning display of self-discipline, I switched to standing passes for the rest of the session. I never got to really implement the Crab or the 1 on 1 from standing, though I did bring back the oldie, but goodie in PTMU which I would do well to drill a few times between now and then.
From the bottom I was a little timid in my full guard - very timid actually, setting up left armlocks and pretending I was "threatening" with them when there really wasn't any chance of me pulling the trigger. I also went with my basic half guard game - and on my best side, too - which wasn't impressive. I could have redeemed myself if I'd practiced either the armdrag or the slingshot. But apparently lightning will have to strike before I train either of those situations when given the opportunity ...
I did find myself getting all Saulo/Rickson during sparring after training. I was attacking from the guard with a lot of foot-in-the-hip straight armlocks early on. There were a few aspects later in the session that I'm not proud of, and need to be more mindful of moving on when a situation is not working in my favor instead of staying until the situation finally bends to my will. It's ultimately a poor way to practice and can do a disservice to my training partner, as well.
That doesn't mean just "giving up" a good position because the submission hasn't arrived. Maybe it just means being even less risk-averse and attacking with submission like an armlock that forces me to give up the position and give the other guy the chance to escape.
Something to keep in mind. 155.2 on the scale after training which wasn't bad considering. I was 166.2 with the gi before class, which was well under the IBJJF lightweight with gi limit of 167.5. I suspect over the next just-under-three-weeks, I'll shed "permanently" another two pounds, which will take care of the 154.9 I need to make on November 6th.
Looking for a way to take Cindy's Friday night no-gi class. I meant to ask Jeff B. what the odds were of the Revolution becoming a two-day event, with gi on one day and no gi on the other. Even though I'd be competing in the advanced group now with some real tough guys I'm sure, a part of me would love to give no gi competition a try in my second year of faixa roxa-hood.
We'll see about Cindy's Fridays. It may not be until after the Revolution. But the idea of being able to train at night, come home and NOT have to think about getting up at 5:30 the next morning sounds pretty good to me.
We worked on the double bicep hook side control escape tonight as the main instructional, and Rodrigo added a choke after you get to the side. I was fatigued after the first part and I think that played some role in my losing focus on the feed-the-collar part of the choke. This was predictably bad on my bad side. But it was very nice to get to work the same escape some more. Part of it is circuit building and part of it is conditioning. A perfect blend any time, but especially pre-competition.
Training was four minutes guard/pass guard. I actually liked my disciplined approach of attacking with the Flat Pass first to my better side and then to my weaker side. If I were smart, I'd train my weak side almost exclusively between now and the Revolution (the Maia Plan, per the UFC's Mike Goldberg - of all people). But we'll see how that goes. Then, in an even more stunning display of self-discipline, I switched to standing passes for the rest of the session. I never got to really implement the Crab or the 1 on 1 from standing, though I did bring back the oldie, but goodie in PTMU which I would do well to drill a few times between now and then.
From the bottom I was a little timid in my full guard - very timid actually, setting up left armlocks and pretending I was "threatening" with them when there really wasn't any chance of me pulling the trigger. I also went with my basic half guard game - and on my best side, too - which wasn't impressive. I could have redeemed myself if I'd practiced either the armdrag or the slingshot. But apparently lightning will have to strike before I train either of those situations when given the opportunity ...
I did find myself getting all Saulo/Rickson during sparring after training. I was attacking from the guard with a lot of foot-in-the-hip straight armlocks early on. There were a few aspects later in the session that I'm not proud of, and need to be more mindful of moving on when a situation is not working in my favor instead of staying until the situation finally bends to my will. It's ultimately a poor way to practice and can do a disservice to my training partner, as well.
That doesn't mean just "giving up" a good position because the submission hasn't arrived. Maybe it just means being even less risk-averse and attacking with submission like an armlock that forces me to give up the position and give the other guy the chance to escape.
Something to keep in mind. 155.2 on the scale after training which wasn't bad considering. I was 166.2 with the gi before class, which was well under the IBJJF lightweight with gi limit of 167.5. I suspect over the next just-under-three-weeks, I'll shed "permanently" another two pounds, which will take care of the 154.9 I need to make on November 6th.
Looking for a way to take Cindy's Friday night no-gi class. I meant to ask Jeff B. what the odds were of the Revolution becoming a two-day event, with gi on one day and no gi on the other. Even though I'd be competing in the advanced group now with some real tough guys I'm sure, a part of me would love to give no gi competition a try in my second year of faixa roxa-hood.
We'll see about Cindy's Fridays. It may not be until after the Revolution. But the idea of being able to train at night, come home and NOT have to think about getting up at 5:30 the next morning sounds pretty good to me.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Training Day: Friday
Ended up taking Thursday night off, as well. I figured that training today, and then all weekend at the Saulo seminar, I'd get in plenty of mat time - if not the conditioning.
Rodrigo is really turning up the temperature in the warmups. The Friday warmup - to which I arrived late - was a bruising circuit of pushups, situps, sitouts, sprawls, chokes, squats and high knees. You can tell it's tournament time.
I'm not convinced I would have made it all the way if I'd been there on time. If I have one goal between now and November, it's to get back in some halfway decent shape. I really feel as if I lost most of whatever I had been building on this score with my double dip cold. And I'm not likely to get all that back in what are now three weeks. But it will be interesting to see how far down the line I can get.
We started off with alternating takedowns. I worked with a new, 6-month white belt whose name I can't remember right now. I focused on breaking the collar grip more than anything, which will be key to any ability to attack with a single or double leg from a tie-up.
One thing I'm not practicing is much as I should is pulling half guard. I had great success with that in the spring - even more than my success with the Jacare in the summer. I don't know how much I want to go with it. But I should definitely make sure that it is sharp.
The first half of the instructional was the same side control escape we worked on back on Tuesday. It was very nice to work on the same technique again. Rodrigo emphasized avoiding "holding down" the guy when doing the double underhooks, and in getting maximum control of the arm in the "arm drag" portion of the escape.
The second half was the collar drag escape from rear mount. Some of the key details here were in rotating over to your side, planting the far knee as you step over, elevating your hips to create space to turn into the guy and, finally and most importantly, to turn your head into the guy. This last step is really critical in helping you drive yourself back into the guy's rear mount.
I got to roll with both Shawn and Bryan. I've pretty much abandoned standing guard passes against anyone my level or better for now, and instead of focused on both the Flat Pass as well as trying to bait the guy into attacking with a butterfly guard and then using the Wallid Ishmael pass. I don't know how much I will be able to make out of this over the next few weeks. I would like to incorporate the Leo Viera pass that resembles the one Rodrigo showed us the day (!) before the summer Revolution event - the pass that's half leg rope, half Jack pass. But I don't have all the time in the world ...
I'd love for Saulo to include the leg rope pass in his seminar tomorrow. There's going to be four hours of gi instruction, so there's plenty of room. In any event, I want to make sure that I'm well-nourished so as to make the most out of the day. Rodrigo said that there were only about 8 Gracie Barra guys going - which surprises me a little. But it will be interesting to see who shows up.
Rodrigo is really turning up the temperature in the warmups. The Friday warmup - to which I arrived late - was a bruising circuit of pushups, situps, sitouts, sprawls, chokes, squats and high knees. You can tell it's tournament time.
I'm not convinced I would have made it all the way if I'd been there on time. If I have one goal between now and November, it's to get back in some halfway decent shape. I really feel as if I lost most of whatever I had been building on this score with my double dip cold. And I'm not likely to get all that back in what are now three weeks. But it will be interesting to see how far down the line I can get.
We started off with alternating takedowns. I worked with a new, 6-month white belt whose name I can't remember right now. I focused on breaking the collar grip more than anything, which will be key to any ability to attack with a single or double leg from a tie-up.
One thing I'm not practicing is much as I should is pulling half guard. I had great success with that in the spring - even more than my success with the Jacare in the summer. I don't know how much I want to go with it. But I should definitely make sure that it is sharp.
The first half of the instructional was the same side control escape we worked on back on Tuesday. It was very nice to work on the same technique again. Rodrigo emphasized avoiding "holding down" the guy when doing the double underhooks, and in getting maximum control of the arm in the "arm drag" portion of the escape.
The second half was the collar drag escape from rear mount. Some of the key details here were in rotating over to your side, planting the far knee as you step over, elevating your hips to create space to turn into the guy and, finally and most importantly, to turn your head into the guy. This last step is really critical in helping you drive yourself back into the guy's rear mount.
I got to roll with both Shawn and Bryan. I've pretty much abandoned standing guard passes against anyone my level or better for now, and instead of focused on both the Flat Pass as well as trying to bait the guy into attacking with a butterfly guard and then using the Wallid Ishmael pass. I don't know how much I will be able to make out of this over the next few weeks. I would like to incorporate the Leo Viera pass that resembles the one Rodrigo showed us the day (!) before the summer Revolution event - the pass that's half leg rope, half Jack pass. But I don't have all the time in the world ...
I'd love for Saulo to include the leg rope pass in his seminar tomorrow. There's going to be four hours of gi instruction, so there's plenty of room. In any event, I want to make sure that I'm well-nourished so as to make the most out of the day. Rodrigo said that there were only about 8 Gracie Barra guys going - which surprises me a little. But it will be interesting to see who shows up.
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