Live Training: 5 minutes
Scale: 171.2
Showing posts with label turtle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label turtle. Show all posts
Monday, March 24, 2014
Training Day: Monday
Live Training: 5 minutes
Scale: 171.2
Friday, January 31, 2014
TGIF: Dawn Training
Ground:
Top control vs turtle / Top control vs turtle to spinsit to back / One arm choke from back control / Armbar from back control / Bow and Arrow choke
Live Training:
six minutes
Scale:
166.0
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Training Day: Saturday
Your final training day of the week should be a big deal and for me, this week, Saturday's session delivered on a number of accounts.
The cardio component was very good, a pair of two-minute rounds in the 360 drill against the turtle got things off to a good threshold testing start. We worked on taking the back from turtle, the controls at the nape of the neck and the far hip, the switch and open to provide "falling space" as you take the back - as opposed to trying to "roll" the guy into your rear mount ... Prof Carlos added a clock choke, as the guy tries to return to turtle after you've changed your grip to the collar. It was a nice reminder of how powerful the choke can be, and why it's worth keeping part of your regular set of options.
The specific and Live Training were excellent, with a couple of tough rolls with Dave, a blue belt I see on Saturdays usually, and Prof Abel, who earned the first degree on his black belt today. I'm working more DLR as part of the Leandro Lo sweep I've been trying out for the past week or two. Guys are fighting to keep me from inserting the lead single X leg by pinching their knee in, which I know sets up a DLR backtake for me.
More critically, I'm patching up my half-guard defense to the backstep pass, especially when I've already got a grip on the lapel. I'd been stymied here for the past month or so, and couldn't really get my technique clear. Simply by switching hands on the lapel grip, I'll be able to both go belly-down and then on top while keeping the guard passer from being able to turn in (their inside leg is kept up by my new lapel grip, now on my outside hand rather than my inside hand).
Even though it's sort of a junkyard dog position, I think I want to work it a lot more just to see if I can turn it into another effective "heads I win/tails you lose" situation like my Gordo/Twist Back half guard sweep combo. If I can pull half guard from standing with that lapel grip (as I did in my first brown belt competition against a very tough opponent), then even the worst case scenarios of the knee cross and backstep pass are a lot less to fear.
156.6 on the scale post-train. Almost an ideal number for the end of the week.
The cardio component was very good, a pair of two-minute rounds in the 360 drill against the turtle got things off to a good threshold testing start. We worked on taking the back from turtle, the controls at the nape of the neck and the far hip, the switch and open to provide "falling space" as you take the back - as opposed to trying to "roll" the guy into your rear mount ... Prof Carlos added a clock choke, as the guy tries to return to turtle after you've changed your grip to the collar. It was a nice reminder of how powerful the choke can be, and why it's worth keeping part of your regular set of options.
The specific and Live Training were excellent, with a couple of tough rolls with Dave, a blue belt I see on Saturdays usually, and Prof Abel, who earned the first degree on his black belt today. I'm working more DLR as part of the Leandro Lo sweep I've been trying out for the past week or two. Guys are fighting to keep me from inserting the lead single X leg by pinching their knee in, which I know sets up a DLR backtake for me.
More critically, I'm patching up my half-guard defense to the backstep pass, especially when I've already got a grip on the lapel. I'd been stymied here for the past month or so, and couldn't really get my technique clear. Simply by switching hands on the lapel grip, I'll be able to both go belly-down and then on top while keeping the guard passer from being able to turn in (their inside leg is kept up by my new lapel grip, now on my outside hand rather than my inside hand).
Even though it's sort of a junkyard dog position, I think I want to work it a lot more just to see if I can turn it into another effective "heads I win/tails you lose" situation like my Gordo/Twist Back half guard sweep combo. If I can pull half guard from standing with that lapel grip (as I did in my first brown belt competition against a very tough opponent), then even the worst case scenarios of the knee cross and backstep pass are a lot less to fear.
156.6 on the scale post-train. Almost an ideal number for the end of the week.
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
Training Day: Wednesday
Very nice to get back on the mats after relapsing into my summer cold over the weekend (and missing training on Monday). We worked guard replacements from the turtle (sprawl defense and side attacks against the turtle), which provided a good opportunity to work on mechanics, as well as a good workout.
Live Training was also good. I have to say, the past several sessions training with Coach Angela have been especially productive, giving me a chance to focus almost exclusively on open guard passing, movement, and technique. I'm getting a chance to work on not only the Effing Pass, but also some toreano passing, which is another major priority for my guard passing game. I'm also able to train the double under/double drop pass that Brian and I worked on a week or two ago.
The focus for me today was not letting anyone put their weight on me, going chest to chest, in half guard. It's one of my worst habits, making my work a hell of a lot harder. So with arm frame and knee shield, I did a much better job of controlling range and setting up my entries to sweeps. Also on this score, from a half guard passing game, I had some great early success with one of the passes that Rodolfo Viera shows in the latest edition of GracieMag, especially helpful against the knee shield half guard, where you overhook the top leg, fight for the cross face, and then squeeze your arms together while kicking your trapped leg free.
158.8 on the scale, post-train. Anything under 160 is gold.
Live Training was also good. I have to say, the past several sessions training with Coach Angela have been especially productive, giving me a chance to focus almost exclusively on open guard passing, movement, and technique. I'm getting a chance to work on not only the Effing Pass, but also some toreano passing, which is another major priority for my guard passing game. I'm also able to train the double under/double drop pass that Brian and I worked on a week or two ago.
The focus for me today was not letting anyone put their weight on me, going chest to chest, in half guard. It's one of my worst habits, making my work a hell of a lot harder. So with arm frame and knee shield, I did a much better job of controlling range and setting up my entries to sweeps. Also on this score, from a half guard passing game, I had some great early success with one of the passes that Rodolfo Viera shows in the latest edition of GracieMag, especially helpful against the knee shield half guard, where you overhook the top leg, fight for the cross face, and then squeeze your arms together while kicking your trapped leg free.
158.8 on the scale, post-train. Anything under 160 is gold.
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!
Monday, November 07, 2011
Training Day: Monday
Just the facts, m'am.
Judo with Sensei Kyle: Osoto gari, focus on footwork, handwork and off-balancing
BJJ with Prof Carlos: Drilled standing guard passes, trapping the arm the way Saulo does in his first video series. Two turtle reversals: posting on the far arm and sitting out into guard / rolling over the far shoulder, but bridging over instead of rolling down on your hip, flip over to side control as usual.
Live Training: Trained with Benny P and Angela. Benny showed me the Twist back with gi lapel out of the knee cross counter. Will definitely come in handy. Always good flow with A.H.
156.0 on the scale post-train.
Judo with Sensei Kyle: Osoto gari, focus on footwork, handwork and off-balancing
BJJ with Prof Carlos: Drilled standing guard passes, trapping the arm the way Saulo does in his first video series. Two turtle reversals: posting on the far arm and sitting out into guard / rolling over the far shoulder, but bridging over instead of rolling down on your hip, flip over to side control as usual.
Live Training: Trained with Benny P and Angela. Benny showed me the Twist back with gi lapel out of the knee cross counter. Will definitely come in handy. Always good flow with A.H.
156.0 on the scale post-train.
Monday, October 03, 2011
Training Day: Monday
Back to ATM Evening Edition ... Sensei Kyle had us working on the ouchi gari. We were talking before class about different competition challenges in jiu-jitsu and what judo throws and takedown would help best. I suggested that for many of us, failing to commit fully to the takedown was one main obstacle, in part because we spend relatively little time in live takedown sparring to get used to it and in part because of the ever-present guard pulling threat (or at minimum, the standard low defensive clinch posture many jiu-jitsu matches start out with).
Here's how Gene Lebell describes the ouchi gari in his book Gene Lebell's Handbook of Judo:
"The ideal time to execute this throw is when your opponent's legs are spread wide apart in a pulling, defensive posture."
And that's as good a description of the defensive jiu-jitsu clinch posture as I could imagine.
The key detail for me was the pulling the guy toward you, initiating a step on his part and opening up of his stance, by moving diagonally backward and dragging the guy to you with your collar/sleeve grip. It was surprising how destabilizing that initial diagonal drag step was - and, as Kyle pointed out before class, could also be a good setup to the ankle pick variation takedown that I like to use.
A few other points: make sure to pull down on the collar and to focus getting your attacking leg deep through the center. That alone may be enough to off-balance and get the takedown even without the in-to-out leg wrap as you drop to the knee of the attacking leg.
*
The BJJ part of the class had us working on taking the back from turtle using a technique similar to one I remember seeing Giva Santana show us in a seminar over at Foster BJJ a year or two ago. Either way, it was good to see the technique.
The memorables: scruff of the neck collar grip and low lapel grip around the waist . Tight elbows for maximum control. Drop near knee right on side, near ribcage and squeeze with grips (sort of like I do too frequently when in knee on belly), and use that leveraged to step in on the same side with your far foot, putting the initial hook in place.
To take the back, drop diagonally north, pulling on the neck and low lapel grip to drag the guy into your lap. Remember to stay on your side and not roll all the way on to your back where escape is easier. Go quickly for the two collar choke.
*
Live training was a nice combination of different types of training partner. This meant I got to focus on a very technical, chess-like game in my first roll, a flow-oriented second roll and a third and final roll that forced me to focus on spacetime and guard replacement. It's not every day when you get this kind of diversity of training experience, and it will definitely be something to keep in mind the next time Live training rolls around.
155.8 on the scale, post-train, everything but the coat. On a Monday no less!
Here's how Gene Lebell describes the ouchi gari in his book Gene Lebell's Handbook of Judo:
"The ideal time to execute this throw is when your opponent's legs are spread wide apart in a pulling, defensive posture."
And that's as good a description of the defensive jiu-jitsu clinch posture as I could imagine.
The key detail for me was the pulling the guy toward you, initiating a step on his part and opening up of his stance, by moving diagonally backward and dragging the guy to you with your collar/sleeve grip. It was surprising how destabilizing that initial diagonal drag step was - and, as Kyle pointed out before class, could also be a good setup to the ankle pick variation takedown that I like to use.
A few other points: make sure to pull down on the collar and to focus getting your attacking leg deep through the center. That alone may be enough to off-balance and get the takedown even without the in-to-out leg wrap as you drop to the knee of the attacking leg.
*
The BJJ part of the class had us working on taking the back from turtle using a technique similar to one I remember seeing Giva Santana show us in a seminar over at Foster BJJ a year or two ago. Either way, it was good to see the technique.
The memorables: scruff of the neck collar grip and low lapel grip around the waist . Tight elbows for maximum control. Drop near knee right on side, near ribcage and squeeze with grips (sort of like I do too frequently when in knee on belly), and use that leveraged to step in on the same side with your far foot, putting the initial hook in place.
To take the back, drop diagonally north, pulling on the neck and low lapel grip to drag the guy into your lap. Remember to stay on your side and not roll all the way on to your back where escape is easier. Go quickly for the two collar choke.
*
Live training was a nice combination of different types of training partner. This meant I got to focus on a very technical, chess-like game in my first roll, a flow-oriented second roll and a third and final roll that forced me to focus on spacetime and guard replacement. It's not every day when you get this kind of diversity of training experience, and it will definitely be something to keep in mind the next time Live training rolls around.
155.8 on the scale, post-train, everything but the coat. On a Monday no less!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Training Day: Tuesday
A great way to get back into training mode after a fantastic couple of days on vacation in Portland.
My approach to training over the next two months heading into the November Revolution is to always begin class a little fatigued. I read someone talking about this recently in an issue of GracieMag, and it's something I think will only help my game over time. When strength becomes a very scarce commodity, you have no other choice but to rely on technique to get you out of situations you don't want to be in and into situations that you do want to be in. And by starting class fatigued, I'm finding it easier and easier to get into that pure flow mode where I'm only relying on the leverage that's available, rather than trying to spontaneously create leverage and momentum.
So I'm warming up before hand, doing mat laps, then halfway through a first round of matwork before I get the opportunity for a pre-class roll with Prof Rodrigo. As always, the emphasis is on movement and efficiency on my end, trying to defend dynamically and work to escape rather than settling for survival.
Tuesday is fundamentals so we worked on some self-defense first (wristlock counter to the cross arm grab) then taking the back from front sprawl defense and finishing with either the choke and back mount or the double armdrag to side control. In the first move, Rodrigo emphasized anticipating the choke as soon as you make the move to the back while in the second, the key detail to remember was in trapping the arms as you reach to control the head.
A little sloppy early in Live Training. I got lost trying to north-south choke based on some of the recent variations I've been watching. But I think I made up for it with some very good, very fun flow training in my next two rolls. There's a gratification in this sort of training that I often take for granted, but it really plays a great part in helping smooth out and provide nuance to your jiu-jitsu.
Nice to get a few tips on the barataplata from Joe, who almost caught me in one a few weeks back and whom I've been meaning to talk about the submission for awhile. I'm not convinced it will be a major part of what I do from the guard. But it's not a common position, which means that mastering it could provide a significant edge.
155.7 on the scale post-train. That's what a few days of clean livin' in the City of Roses will do for you.
My approach to training over the next two months heading into the November Revolution is to always begin class a little fatigued. I read someone talking about this recently in an issue of GracieMag, and it's something I think will only help my game over time. When strength becomes a very scarce commodity, you have no other choice but to rely on technique to get you out of situations you don't want to be in and into situations that you do want to be in. And by starting class fatigued, I'm finding it easier and easier to get into that pure flow mode where I'm only relying on the leverage that's available, rather than trying to spontaneously create leverage and momentum.
So I'm warming up before hand, doing mat laps, then halfway through a first round of matwork before I get the opportunity for a pre-class roll with Prof Rodrigo. As always, the emphasis is on movement and efficiency on my end, trying to defend dynamically and work to escape rather than settling for survival.
Tuesday is fundamentals so we worked on some self-defense first (wristlock counter to the cross arm grab) then taking the back from front sprawl defense and finishing with either the choke and back mount or the double armdrag to side control. In the first move, Rodrigo emphasized anticipating the choke as soon as you make the move to the back while in the second, the key detail to remember was in trapping the arms as you reach to control the head.
A little sloppy early in Live Training. I got lost trying to north-south choke based on some of the recent variations I've been watching. But I think I made up for it with some very good, very fun flow training in my next two rolls. There's a gratification in this sort of training that I often take for granted, but it really plays a great part in helping smooth out and provide nuance to your jiu-jitsu.
Nice to get a few tips on the barataplata from Joe, who almost caught me in one a few weeks back and whom I've been meaning to talk about the submission for awhile. I'm not convinced it will be a major part of what I do from the guard. But it's not a common position, which means that mastering it could provide a significant edge.
155.7 on the scale post-train. That's what a few days of clean livin' in the City of Roses will do for you.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Training Day: Friday
To steal a line from Jesse: some days you are the hammer, some days you are the nail, and some days you are just the pure effort of swinging away.
That pretty much sums up my week of training. Today, starting off with a little judo, Harai Goshi, I think, an outside thigh sweep, that we were able to turn into a trip by changing the angle of your knee. Again, a lot of combination attacks in the judo these days, which is a good way to learn the throws (even if the names are slow in coming).
We also worked some transitions in and around the turtle position. Starting from turtle with front headlock threat, we did sit-outs to the back, then the top guy reversed to take the back by pinching the attacker's far arm under the armpit and then doing a sit out and turn back into the guy to take the back.
There were some other follow-through moves, all geared toward increasing the transition. Good hard conditioning type training.
We also did some more flow work: guard submissions, guard passing, mount escape and mount submissions. Then a little Live Training to finish things up.
A good session made all the more rigorous with an ending training session with Dan, who is becoming one of my more regular training partners. Like Elliott and a couple of other guys, Dan keeps up a pace that is hard to keep up with, and often when I think I'm only a moment away from an opportunity, that moment is extinguished almost immediately.
More than anything it makes me wish there were a 9 am jiu jitsu open mat around here somewhere tomorrow. There's actually a chance of something developing on Sundays that would fit the bill. But right now, there's little I'd rather do than roll.
159.0 on the scale, post-train. Actually my heaviest weight of the week - in part due to skipping all my off-mat conditioning this week (after Monday, at least). A part of me feels as if I'm still in recovery mode from last Saturday's Train Until You Drop session. A little conditioning this weekend, and maximum time outside in yonder lawn and garden, are probably just what the Professor ordered, so to speak.
My four-week training average is finally back up to a respectable 3.0/week as of today's session. Keeping it there - or higher - over the balance of 2011 may be the most important thing I do this year on the mat.
That pretty much sums up my week of training. Today, starting off with a little judo, Harai Goshi, I think, an outside thigh sweep, that we were able to turn into a trip by changing the angle of your knee. Again, a lot of combination attacks in the judo these days, which is a good way to learn the throws (even if the names are slow in coming).
We also worked some transitions in and around the turtle position. Starting from turtle with front headlock threat, we did sit-outs to the back, then the top guy reversed to take the back by pinching the attacker's far arm under the armpit and then doing a sit out and turn back into the guy to take the back.
There were some other follow-through moves, all geared toward increasing the transition. Good hard conditioning type training.
We also did some more flow work: guard submissions, guard passing, mount escape and mount submissions. Then a little Live Training to finish things up.
A good session made all the more rigorous with an ending training session with Dan, who is becoming one of my more regular training partners. Like Elliott and a couple of other guys, Dan keeps up a pace that is hard to keep up with, and often when I think I'm only a moment away from an opportunity, that moment is extinguished almost immediately.
More than anything it makes me wish there were a 9 am jiu jitsu open mat around here somewhere tomorrow. There's actually a chance of something developing on Sundays that would fit the bill. But right now, there's little I'd rather do than roll.
159.0 on the scale, post-train. Actually my heaviest weight of the week - in part due to skipping all my off-mat conditioning this week (after Monday, at least). A part of me feels as if I'm still in recovery mode from last Saturday's Train Until You Drop session. A little conditioning this weekend, and maximum time outside in yonder lawn and garden, are probably just what the Professor ordered, so to speak.
My four-week training average is finally back up to a respectable 3.0/week as of today's session. Keeping it there - or higher - over the balance of 2011 may be the most important thing I do this year on the mat.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Training Day: Friday
A great session on the mat. Prof Rodrigo kept the warm-up short and sweet so we could get quickly to the drilling.
We spent most of the session working on the clock choke variations.
1 the basic clock choke
2 clock choke with hip switch
3 spin and sit to the back
4 back escape return to clock choke
Very nice work - and Rodrigo had us going at a pretty good pace. It certainly didn't hurt to have worked the position just a few days ago (and with the same partner).
A lot of specific (rear mount, closed guard), which went well. I actually managed to work my omoplata game - a game I know I haven't even touched in a year, no lie. For sure, watching a few minutes of Stephan Kesting's omoplata DVD got the move in my head. But one of the things that I know helped me really get fully into position is all that triangle drilling I do as part of my matwork BJJ conditioning routine.
So it was nice to see that off-site training paying off a little.
Now, with about a month or so to go before the tournament I'm not competing in, the goal is to up the intensity and really push the endurance. Today, I was the last guy on the mat, which is something that - like my lonesome omoplata - has been a real rarity for some time. I was on my way out the door at a respectable time, but then decided, to hell with it, it's Friday. I'm getting some more training in.
159.8 on the scale post-train - a very nice little number. Too spent to do HICT - hopefully I'll have enough left after Saturday's training to get 6 laps in.
We spent most of the session working on the clock choke variations.
1 the basic clock choke
2 clock choke with hip switch
3 spin and sit to the back
4 back escape return to clock choke
Very nice work - and Rodrigo had us going at a pretty good pace. It certainly didn't hurt to have worked the position just a few days ago (and with the same partner).
A lot of specific (rear mount, closed guard), which went well. I actually managed to work my omoplata game - a game I know I haven't even touched in a year, no lie. For sure, watching a few minutes of Stephan Kesting's omoplata DVD got the move in my head. But one of the things that I know helped me really get fully into position is all that triangle drilling I do as part of my matwork BJJ conditioning routine.
So it was nice to see that off-site training paying off a little.
Now, with about a month or so to go before the tournament I'm not competing in, the goal is to up the intensity and really push the endurance. Today, I was the last guy on the mat, which is something that - like my lonesome omoplata - has been a real rarity for some time. I was on my way out the door at a respectable time, but then decided, to hell with it, it's Friday. I'm getting some more training in.
159.8 on the scale post-train - a very nice little number. Too spent to do HICT - hopefully I'll have enough left after Saturday's training to get 6 laps in.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Training Day: Wednesday
First training day of the week, having missed out on Monday.
Prof Carlos had us working on both attacking the turtle and defending from turtle. He helped fix a major mistake I was making in transitioning from the front to the side (putting my knee down instead of sprawling into the guy's hip from an angle, and showed us a very nifty tuck and hop into reverse watchdog that reminded me more than a little of a move I saw Ryan Hall do in a promo to his taking the back instructional video.
A drill day since I wasn't able to stick around for Live Training afterwards. I never have as much time as I'd like for the early class and the late class has me trying to put out maximum effort when I'm well into my 14th hour. That's why I always feel like Saturday is the optimum training day, at least for me.
Looking to get back on the mat Friday for sure. There's a chance that I'll be able to do some training tomorrow if I drive down to Federal Way (much closer than GB Eastside). But even then I'd be a little time-constrained.
159.8 on the scale post-train.
Prof Carlos had us working on both attacking the turtle and defending from turtle. He helped fix a major mistake I was making in transitioning from the front to the side (putting my knee down instead of sprawling into the guy's hip from an angle, and showed us a very nifty tuck and hop into reverse watchdog that reminded me more than a little of a move I saw Ryan Hall do in a promo to his taking the back instructional video.
A drill day since I wasn't able to stick around for Live Training afterwards. I never have as much time as I'd like for the early class and the late class has me trying to put out maximum effort when I'm well into my 14th hour. That's why I always feel like Saturday is the optimum training day, at least for me.
Looking to get back on the mat Friday for sure. There's a chance that I'll be able to do some training tomorrow if I drive down to Federal Way (much closer than GB Eastside). But even then I'd be a little time-constrained.
159.8 on the scale post-train.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Training Day: Monday
Back on the ATM train. Rodrigo had us working from above and below the turtle, first the sit-out escape (head to left, crossgrip to left kneecloth, left widestep, stay tight), with an instant transition to the back and the clock choke. One point of emphasis here was to really pull on the wrist with the non-choking hand, opening up the elbow to prevent the rolling escape.
The rolling escape was the counter we trained. Here, the bottom guy closes that elbow to prevent it from being opened up, grips the far leg with the free hand, steps out on the same side and then rolls over the far side.
You end up in a sort of watchdog crossbody position where you want to continue to back into the guy's upperbody to drive the arm over the head. Here, there's an opportunity to use your knee and then bring your arm around behind the guy's head to trap the arm.
From here there were a variety of attacks, from armbars to chokes. The chokes seemed to work far better for me, but I know that I've become pretty biased in favor of chokes these days.
Live Training was not bad: two long sessions of around 12 minutes each. Mixed success with the Ezekiel from mount, but some nice work with the Faria sitting guard to back move I've wanted to try since the Pan last weekend. I need to work some kinks out of it. But anything that has me getting to the back is a good thing.
I was pretty fatigued after my last roll with Danny. Very, very tough guy who reminds me a little of Garcia in terms of speed and agility. I'd like to think that a lot of my lagging though had to do with my four-week training average dropping to its lowest level in a year. But I'll have a better idea of all of that after a week or two of regular training.
163.9 on the scale, post train. Not the worst place in the world to start, assuming it's a start.
The rolling escape was the counter we trained. Here, the bottom guy closes that elbow to prevent it from being opened up, grips the far leg with the free hand, steps out on the same side and then rolls over the far side.
You end up in a sort of watchdog crossbody position where you want to continue to back into the guy's upperbody to drive the arm over the head. Here, there's an opportunity to use your knee and then bring your arm around behind the guy's head to trap the arm.
From here there were a variety of attacks, from armbars to chokes. The chokes seemed to work far better for me, but I know that I've become pretty biased in favor of chokes these days.
Live Training was not bad: two long sessions of around 12 minutes each. Mixed success with the Ezekiel from mount, but some nice work with the Faria sitting guard to back move I've wanted to try since the Pan last weekend. I need to work some kinks out of it. But anything that has me getting to the back is a good thing.
I was pretty fatigued after my last roll with Danny. Very, very tough guy who reminds me a little of Garcia in terms of speed and agility. I'd like to think that a lot of my lagging though had to do with my four-week training average dropping to its lowest level in a year. But I'll have a better idea of all of that after a week or two of regular training.
163.9 on the scale, post train. Not the worst place in the world to start, assuming it's a start.
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.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday Night Training
The lesson class was a reprise of the moves to the back from in front of the turtle. This time, we went more directly to the choke, for example.
Rodrigo added a roll to the clock choke. Key to getting the roll correctly is to pull in on the wrist of your opponent and to dig your elbow in tight to control his body. You want to let go of the collar and grab your own wrist (the one that was controlling his wrist) so that you have a lock on his upper body before you go into the roll.
Another point with the roll is that it isn't so much a back roll as it is a side roll. It becomes a side roll as you move higher up and across the guy's upper body until you are almost perpendicular. As you turn into the roll, with the grips, the guy's body will fall right into your lap.
Definitely some moves that I can incorporate into my game - which really lacks much in the way of taking the back.
Tatame was all no gi, as is the way of Thursdays. Nothing spectacular, though I did manage an arm-in guillotine that fortunately was more choke than crank. That's a technique that I think will really come in handy in no-gi competition, and there are still very few people outside the elite ranks that are finishing the guillotine with the arm in.
Excellent number on the scale: 156.4. Admittedly, I've not been eating much for the past 24 hours due to recent events. But I won't pretend not to appreciate being a lot closer to that 154.9 number than I was at the beginning of the week.
Rodrigo added a roll to the clock choke. Key to getting the roll correctly is to pull in on the wrist of your opponent and to dig your elbow in tight to control his body. You want to let go of the collar and grab your own wrist (the one that was controlling his wrist) so that you have a lock on his upper body before you go into the roll.
Another point with the roll is that it isn't so much a back roll as it is a side roll. It becomes a side roll as you move higher up and across the guy's upper body until you are almost perpendicular. As you turn into the roll, with the grips, the guy's body will fall right into your lap.
Definitely some moves that I can incorporate into my game - which really lacks much in the way of taking the back.
Tatame was all no gi, as is the way of Thursdays. Nothing spectacular, though I did manage an arm-in guillotine that fortunately was more choke than crank. That's a technique that I think will really come in handy in no-gi competition, and there are still very few people outside the elite ranks that are finishing the guillotine with the arm in.
Excellent number on the scale: 156.4. Admittedly, I've not been eating much for the past 24 hours due to recent events. But I won't pretend not to appreciate being a lot closer to that 154.9 number than I was at the beginning of the week.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday Night Training
I'm writing this up Wednesday night. I took off training Monday night so that I could be around for Rebecca when she got home from her first day of work.
The instruction was mostly in taking the back and executing chokes against the defender in the turtle position. #1 was the basic move of swinging the elbow over the back to trap the hip (or under the arm, I'm not sure), then the backstep to move to the side. #2 was the basic move, only Rodrigo added the step back with the other leg to complete the move to the side.
#3, if I remember correctly, was a version of the clock choke. Key details here included feeding the collar to your choking hand to get a good choking grip, and to grab the non-choking lapel and pull it tight to help set the choke.
From a body perspective, Rodrigo had us put all our weight on the guy's upper back and head, with your head almost on the mat. It was a little different from the typical sit-out method of finishing the clock choke but, as long as your balance is okay, then this new method seems to produce a pretty tight choke.
We did some standup sparring for the advanced class. I got to spar with Jeff from the Revolution tournaments, Stephen and Andrew. I'm still a little skittish starting from standing. But it is definitely the thing to do in advance of a tournament.
The instruction was mostly in taking the back and executing chokes against the defender in the turtle position. #1 was the basic move of swinging the elbow over the back to trap the hip (or under the arm, I'm not sure), then the backstep to move to the side. #2 was the basic move, only Rodrigo added the step back with the other leg to complete the move to the side.
#3, if I remember correctly, was a version of the clock choke. Key details here included feeding the collar to your choking hand to get a good choking grip, and to grab the non-choking lapel and pull it tight to help set the choke.
From a body perspective, Rodrigo had us put all our weight on the guy's upper back and head, with your head almost on the mat. It was a little different from the typical sit-out method of finishing the clock choke but, as long as your balance is okay, then this new method seems to produce a pretty tight choke.
We did some standup sparring for the advanced class. I got to spar with Jeff from the Revolution tournaments, Stephen and Andrew. I'm still a little skittish starting from standing. But it is definitely the thing to do in advance of a tournament.
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