Today, I went to my first ever girls-only class.
Really, I should be sick of driving all the way to Melbourne, having done it for the last seven weeks or so. But an invitation to train with the girls at DMMA, together with another excuse to make a trip to the big smoke was to hard to resist. So I had an early start and headed off for the 10am class.
It wasn't a very big class, but to me it was rather a novelty. I knew the instructor and three of the girls from the comp training and I was made to feel very welcome.
After a warmup, we went through some solo drills to learn specific moves. First a bridge over onto alternating shoulders. Then from there and step over to end up face down and in turtle. Finally, a set of moves consisting of a few little steps to the side (on our back), a bridge and then step over so end up face down heading the opposite way. This would be a series of moves that could be used to regain guard when someone is starting to pass our guard and going for side control.
Then we worked on regaining guard, specifically if the guard passer is going under a leg.
First option: If we can make a stiff and heavy leg before she lifts out leg on her shoulder, we make a plank with our body, turn a bit to the side to give us room to put the other leg on her hip and push off with it. This separates our bodies. If she pushes into us, we have time to either reestablish closed guard or use open guard.
Second option. Same stiff and heavy leg on her arm when she goes under the leg. If she lifts it up hard, we can use that momentum to roll over, around our own axis and land in open guard position in front of her. Sort of like the crocodile roll I learned a few months ago. This worked well, I had to ensure that as I roll over, I keep me legs apart so that they can't be trapped together if she drives forward while I roll. Legs together mean she can hug them together an pass.
Third option: she has progressed to getting my leg bent and on her shoulder. Say she has lifted my right leg. I need to stiff arm her right hip and hip out to my left to create distance. My right foot has to point right and I'm aiming and getting my right knee to the mat by pulling it down pas her head/neck. This seemed very counter-intuitive to begin with. We practiced this with a lot of space to begin with and then worked on achieving the same with more pressure by the guard passer and less space. Once the right knee is on the ground and the foot is freed, I can have the shin across her belly to maintain space, assisted by my left hand on her shoulder. Then I can hip out more to re-establish closed guard. This, I will need to work on.
I think that the stiff leg versions will fit in well with what I'm doing, but the other method gave me a lot of new stuff to think about.
We had brief open mat after and did a little bit of free guard passing after some more practice of the aforementioned techniques.
Well, I think that I might (just occasionally), make the trip to Melbourne. It makes a nice change and I won't be so out of my depth when I get to fight girls at competitions ;-)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
this last week
As much as I enjoyed the Vics and all, it's great to be back to familiar face in regular classes. And it was nice to hear that I've been missed :-)
On Monday, we worked on chokes. Firstly the half lapel nelson from side mount and then a variation. Say he is with this right side up I can't get his right arm isolated so that I can put my top hand behind his head (he might clasp his hands or grip onto his gi) to get the choke. If I stick my left shin behind his neck, to the inside of left arm (my left hand has his right collar) and sit down, I can add the push of my hip against my left arm to get the choke. Whether he lets his right arm go or not.
Then collar choke from turtle top. From head to head, I grab his right lapel with my left hand and pass it to my right (hand inserted over his shoulder). My left hand shoves his right elbow across towards his centreline quickly and comes out behind his head, pushing on in while I insert my head into the gap between his right elbow and hip. Then I roll over my left shoulder and under him and end up holding him in an upside down collar choke. Ha, that one will take some work....
Finally we worked on how to roll into a crucifix when the bottom person is turtled and how to set up collar chokes from there, using either his left or right collar. If the choke doesn't come on, I can put my leg over his head for extra leverage.
On Wednesday and Friday, we did some rubber guard stuff. I will say I hate the names because they bear no resemblance to what we are doing. Some of it is working for me, for example the lockdown from half guard bottom and the whip up. Other stuff.. hmm. But to be fair, I have not had enough time to properly assimilate and try these things out. My flexiblity is good enough, and it's good to learn some extra options. Some of the setups seem very complicated though, and for now I think that I would specifically work for some of those positions. If, however, I found myself in stoner control (!), I guess I'd know what to do from there :-) .
Some of the stuff we worked on was a transition from armbar from guard to jiu claw and then omoplata. It works if the guy in your guard turns aside to pull his trapped arm out and leaves his other arm exposed.
Another thing we learned which I think might be useful to me is a half guard sweep. Instead of lockdown (say if I can't get double underhooks), I overhook his right arm tightly (assuming his right leg is trapped) and put my right arm on his left hip. I need to use my left leg to bend his right leg and bring his right foot to the mat on the outside. His body has to shift to his right to follow the leg. As his weight shifts, I swing my right leg right and then in an arc which sweeps him. If he is swept, we clear our left leg and go to side control. If (which is more likely), he counters the sweep by posting out with his left leg and coming back over, I keep my right leg out wide and take him back in my full guard when he lands. Of course there is a name for this, but I can't remember it :-)
The assorted wrestles I had during classes varied considerably. Early in the week, I escaped every armbar attempt, but on Friday I was caught by several guys. Hmmm. The consistent underlying theme of the week was how good my defence is and how bad my retention of top positions and attacks. Though I did score a triangle a couple of timess, an armbar and a figure four. I am making some small improvements on regaining guard.
I've finally figured that I need to play a different game altogether with one of the guys who uses a lot of unorthodox positions and has a horrible habit of grabbing hold of various bits of my anatomy and then slowly but surely bulldozes over me. I need to make sure I don't expose bits of my anatomy, I need to play more open guard and keep him off me.
I had some positive comments from our senior guys, but all too often I make dumb mistakes. Sometime it seems that I make a few little steps forward in some area, just to find out that in most other areas, I have no skills at all. But I figure that the rolls that leave me most embarrassed are probably the ones that contribute the most to my learning experience. And if I can roll with one of the hot shot young guys and make him work hard, and we can both be amused, then I guess it's not too bad ;-)
On Monday, we worked on chokes. Firstly the half lapel nelson from side mount and then a variation. Say he is with this right side up I can't get his right arm isolated so that I can put my top hand behind his head (he might clasp his hands or grip onto his gi) to get the choke. If I stick my left shin behind his neck, to the inside of left arm (my left hand has his right collar) and sit down, I can add the push of my hip against my left arm to get the choke. Whether he lets his right arm go or not.
Then collar choke from turtle top. From head to head, I grab his right lapel with my left hand and pass it to my right (hand inserted over his shoulder). My left hand shoves his right elbow across towards his centreline quickly and comes out behind his head, pushing on in while I insert my head into the gap between his right elbow and hip. Then I roll over my left shoulder and under him and end up holding him in an upside down collar choke. Ha, that one will take some work....
Finally we worked on how to roll into a crucifix when the bottom person is turtled and how to set up collar chokes from there, using either his left or right collar. If the choke doesn't come on, I can put my leg over his head for extra leverage.
On Wednesday and Friday, we did some rubber guard stuff. I will say I hate the names because they bear no resemblance to what we are doing. Some of it is working for me, for example the lockdown from half guard bottom and the whip up. Other stuff.. hmm. But to be fair, I have not had enough time to properly assimilate and try these things out. My flexiblity is good enough, and it's good to learn some extra options. Some of the setups seem very complicated though, and for now I think that I would specifically work for some of those positions. If, however, I found myself in stoner control (!), I guess I'd know what to do from there :-) .
Some of the stuff we worked on was a transition from armbar from guard to jiu claw and then omoplata. It works if the guy in your guard turns aside to pull his trapped arm out and leaves his other arm exposed.
Another thing we learned which I think might be useful to me is a half guard sweep. Instead of lockdown (say if I can't get double underhooks), I overhook his right arm tightly (assuming his right leg is trapped) and put my right arm on his left hip. I need to use my left leg to bend his right leg and bring his right foot to the mat on the outside. His body has to shift to his right to follow the leg. As his weight shifts, I swing my right leg right and then in an arc which sweeps him. If he is swept, we clear our left leg and go to side control. If (which is more likely), he counters the sweep by posting out with his left leg and coming back over, I keep my right leg out wide and take him back in my full guard when he lands. Of course there is a name for this, but I can't remember it :-)
The assorted wrestles I had during classes varied considerably. Early in the week, I escaped every armbar attempt, but on Friday I was caught by several guys. Hmmm. The consistent underlying theme of the week was how good my defence is and how bad my retention of top positions and attacks. Though I did score a triangle a couple of timess, an armbar and a figure four. I am making some small improvements on regaining guard.
I've finally figured that I need to play a different game altogether with one of the guys who uses a lot of unorthodox positions and has a horrible habit of grabbing hold of various bits of my anatomy and then slowly but surely bulldozes over me. I need to make sure I don't expose bits of my anatomy, I need to play more open guard and keep him off me.
I had some positive comments from our senior guys, but all too often I make dumb mistakes. Sometime it seems that I make a few little steps forward in some area, just to find out that in most other areas, I have no skills at all. But I figure that the rolls that leave me most embarrassed are probably the ones that contribute the most to my learning experience. And if I can roll with one of the hot shot young guys and make him work hard, and we can both be amused, then I guess it's not too bad ;-)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
no-gi essentials
I found out that Roy Dean's new instructional is available for pre-order, both from the Roy Dean Academy website and from Budovideos.com .
To find out more, check out this in depth review by Slideyfoot.
I've ordered my copy. Hope it's here soon. :-)
To find out more, check out this in depth review by Slideyfoot.
I've ordered my copy. Hope it's here soon. :-)
Victorian Championships
Well, I had a thoroughly great time at the comp. I had some 'nerves' before. Got there early and when they finally set up and the loudpeakers came on, my stomach churned... But when it was time to step on the mat, I was all good. Focussed, but not like with tunnelvision and dry mouth :-) Actually just looking forward to getting into it.
Funny how everyone has been saying that they remember every move they make when they fight in a competition. I don't. I'm often hazy on details. I remember positions but I can't recall how I got there. So if my descriptions are lacking, that's because I can't remember.
First fight with in the gi. She got ahead of me on points early in the piece when she moved to mount. I bridge and rolled out out of that and spent the rest of the fight trying to pass her guard, but time ran out and I lost on points. She couldn't break down my posture and I broke the legs open a few times, but there was always something in they way and she could close her legs again. I had a very good corner man for this and it made such a difference.
Second fight was no-gi. We had a reasonably lengthy grip fight and some pummeling. I think I initiated the takedown but it went pearshape and she ended up in my guard. I had one leg around and one shin across her belly. But I couldn't bring her forward for a sweep so I went for full guard until I spied an opportunity to get a triangle. Got it and tightened it. Remembered I wasn't allowed to pull on the head, only on my knee and remembered to angle off. It was tight but not tight enough. I brought the arm across and still no go. Meanwhile she was standing up, tried to angle off, tried to get her arm out etc. I could hear her corner giving advice. When I realised the triangle didn't do the job, I attacked her arm. Armbar, figure four, cutting armbar, back to triangle, depending on where the arm was. In the end I put the other foot across her face and armbarred her. When I came out, several total strangers congratulated me and said that was a great fight to watch.
Same division, another no-gi fight. I lost that one on points. She tried various things but my defence is first rate (must be all those big guys I wrestle with all the time!) and she near busted her backside to get anything, until I escaped (once from back contol, once from side control). I had her far arm trapped from side control bottom and was within a whisker of getting a reverse triangle. From there I progressed to bottom half guard, and managed a lockdown that she couldn't get out of or launch an attack from. Finally reversed her into a bad position. Had the fight been longer, I may well have won, but I left my run too late :-) Again, a couple of people commented on a good fight. Later on, in the crowd, I passed the ref for those two matches and he said: hey, you have some good moves!!
Then another gi fight. Very aggressive young girl who went straight for a flying arm attack. I'd seen her fight before, and mostly, she smiled when she submitted her opponents, and I think she bulldozed her way through her other divisions. Well, I gave her nothing much to smile about and she had to work her arse off. Unfortuately, she swept me and got points for that and the mount. No submission, as usual, my defence is pretty tight. I busied myself with the knee-elbow escape and I don't know if I was in half guard or getting there when time was up. She looked tired, but she won on points. I think that was the only figtht she didn't win by sub. Her parents came up to me after and thanked me and said: good fight.
Last fight was no-gi again in a different division. Similar story to the previous fight. I remember a pretty hard takedown and in the ensuing scramble, she got mount. I couldn't buck her but managed to get to my left side. Fended off attacks on my left arm and chokes. There was a spot when I had her in my half guard and I controlled her head and threatened her right arm. Absolutely have no recollection of how I got there but it lasted for a fair while. Then it was time up, and same old story... she won on points.
All in all, there aren't too many places where, when I think back, I'm horrified with myself. Compared with how I fought at my first comp six months ago, this was hugely improved. I enjoyed every fight, even the ones I lost. I don't mind losing if it's fair and square and I feel I went well, and it's all mutual respect afterwards because both had a good fight. I certainly came off the mat smiling every time and can genuinely say I enjoyed myself.
The fight I won, I won by sub. The ones I lost but were on points, none by sub, so that's waaaayy improved from where I used to be. What surprised me mostly were the comments from people I didn't even know :-) But I also had a lot of good feedback from friends.
I ended up getting silver out of two in my weight class in the no-gi division, silver out of three in my weight class in the gi division and bronze out of 8 in the open weight no gi.
Friday, March 19, 2010
fat ear
My ears have been sore on occasions. Early in my "grappling career", I didn't give it a second thought, nothing was ever badly swolling, but they were sore on and off. However, I didn't know about cauli ear. As a result, my right ear has become a little thicker and stiffer. Can't really see it (well, I can't anyway!), so I guess I was fairly lucky.
Then I figured what was going on and bought some earguards. One pair didn't fit at all and was way too big and cumbersome. Then I bough a pair of lightweight Brute earguards which stay on and don't bother me too much. I hate them when it's hot though and it does make hearing a little harder.
Lately I haven't worn them much because my ears have been fine.
After Monday however, the left ear was hot and painful. On investigation, I realised that there was in fact a bubble of liquid. Having read a lot about it, and not wanting to spend time hanging around waiting at the doctor's surgery (and then running risk of getting a doctor who doesn't know how to deal with it!), I decided to use the self help approach.
Due to having a farm full of horses, I have a fairly well stocked vet box which includes a good supply of syringes and needles. Needless to say (haha), they are of thicker gauge than what would have been perfect. Animals have tougher and thicker skin. The thinnest I could find was 21 gauge. But at least they are sterile, and so are the syringes. The hardest thing was to see what I was doing and find a good spot. The NJEEK! wasn't as bad as I had anticipated, and I managed to collect some dark blood. Due to the size of the hole, it bled a little longer 8-) . Then I held a wad of tissues on it for a while to compress it.
Operation successful. Patient alive!
I repeated the same the next day and there was less fluid. The following day, there was no discernable bubble so I gave it a miss. Feels fine now. Phew.
I think I'll need to go back to wearing my fancy headgear again. It pisses me off, but not as much as sticking needles into my ear.
Then I figured what was going on and bought some earguards. One pair didn't fit at all and was way too big and cumbersome. Then I bough a pair of lightweight Brute earguards which stay on and don't bother me too much. I hate them when it's hot though and it does make hearing a little harder.
Lately I haven't worn them much because my ears have been fine.
After Monday however, the left ear was hot and painful. On investigation, I realised that there was in fact a bubble of liquid. Having read a lot about it, and not wanting to spend time hanging around waiting at the doctor's surgery (and then running risk of getting a doctor who doesn't know how to deal with it!), I decided to use the self help approach.
Due to having a farm full of horses, I have a fairly well stocked vet box which includes a good supply of syringes and needles. Needless to say (haha), they are of thicker gauge than what would have been perfect. Animals have tougher and thicker skin. The thinnest I could find was 21 gauge. But at least they are sterile, and so are the syringes. The hardest thing was to see what I was doing and find a good spot. The NJEEK! wasn't as bad as I had anticipated, and I managed to collect some dark blood. Due to the size of the hole, it bled a little longer 8-) . Then I held a wad of tissues on it for a while to compress it.
Operation successful. Patient alive!
I repeated the same the next day and there was less fluid. The following day, there was no discernable bubble so I gave it a miss. Feels fine now. Phew.
I think I'll need to go back to wearing my fancy headgear again. It pisses me off, but not as much as sticking needles into my ear.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
last class before D-day
Sheesh, I still felt tired from Saturday!!
As several of us are going to the Vics, we just did rounds from standing, swapping partners every three minutes and getting right back into it.
Didn't go balls to the wall because I didn't want to get hurt (and sure enough, one of the guys bent his thumb back painfully, but he should be good to compete).
Had mixed success but feel quite postive about it all. One of the blue belts commented that I have improved a lot. Certainly none of the subs he tried (he loves armbars!) succeeded, and I didn't spend all of my time on the bottom. With another guy, I was within a whisker of making a D'Arce choke work, and I had much more top time with him than I usually do. Good rolls!
I decided to make that the last session before the comp on the weekend. I want to be well rested, sharp and eager :-))
As several of us are going to the Vics, we just did rounds from standing, swapping partners every three minutes and getting right back into it.
Didn't go balls to the wall because I didn't want to get hurt (and sure enough, one of the guys bent his thumb back painfully, but he should be good to compete).
Had mixed success but feel quite postive about it all. One of the blue belts commented that I have improved a lot. Certainly none of the subs he tried (he loves armbars!) succeeded, and I didn't spend all of my time on the bottom. With another guy, I was within a whisker of making a D'Arce choke work, and I had much more top time with him than I usually do. Good rolls!
I decided to make that the last session before the comp on the weekend. I want to be well rested, sharp and eager :-))
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Melbourne - week 5
Last of the training sessions at DMMA in Melbourne.
Not quite so tough as the last few, even the fitness session was shorter (however, just because it was shorter, that didn't mean it was less work!). I felt the effects of Friday night's session, but it wasn't too bad. Knowing it was the last session, I think we all put in a pretty good effort.
It was a very similar session to prior weeks, so no point going through all the details again. I felt a bit disappointed in how I did against one of the bigger girls, but I was happy how I went against some of the others. As usual, my defence was top shelf, while the attacks and sweeps departments are still in need of much work. As an aside, I felt I had better balance and footing during the standup part. I experimented with trips and takedowns and while I didn't pull many off, it frustrated my opponents and they resorted to pulling guard. And some of my guard passing is getting much better.
The fitness session was short but intense. Four minute rounds consisting of alternating 30 second intervals (burpees / sprinting). That was tough. After every four minute round, we could wak or whatever for four minutes. We did three four minute rounds with breaks between them. I managed to get up to 9 burpees in, but mostly 8, sometimes only 7. I know that's not a lot for 30 seconds, but the sprints inbetween made it sort of hard :-)
I visited my brother and his family in Melbourne before heading home this time.
Well, next weekend we have the comp. The moment of truth!
Not quite so tough as the last few, even the fitness session was shorter (however, just because it was shorter, that didn't mean it was less work!). I felt the effects of Friday night's session, but it wasn't too bad. Knowing it was the last session, I think we all put in a pretty good effort.
It was a very similar session to prior weeks, so no point going through all the details again. I felt a bit disappointed in how I did against one of the bigger girls, but I was happy how I went against some of the others. As usual, my defence was top shelf, while the attacks and sweeps departments are still in need of much work. As an aside, I felt I had better balance and footing during the standup part. I experimented with trips and takedowns and while I didn't pull many off, it frustrated my opponents and they resorted to pulling guard. And some of my guard passing is getting much better.
The fitness session was short but intense. Four minute rounds consisting of alternating 30 second intervals (burpees / sprinting). That was tough. After every four minute round, we could wak or whatever for four minutes. We did three four minute rounds with breaks between them. I managed to get up to 9 burpees in, but mostly 8, sometimes only 7. I know that's not a lot for 30 seconds, but the sprints inbetween made it sort of hard :-)
I visited my brother and his family in Melbourne before heading home this time.
Well, next weekend we have the comp. The moment of truth!
goodbye cold, hallo mat
It was a good thing that Monday was a public holiday. If there had been a BJJ class, I would have had to stay at home and grizzle, as I was still not ok to resume normal activities. Still too much coughing. After all, I really didn't want to give it to anyone else.
But by Wednesday night, there was no way I could stay home. Between lectures, I finally sampled the uni pool. Time to start making use of my pool/gym membership! Pool is nice and I did some laps for about half an hour. Discovered that I was somewhat short of breath after a few laps, had a break and did some more. Only spent half an hour there. And was disgusted with how tired I felt after. I was nearly in tears, to be honest. All those weeks of hard work to get my conditioning right for the comp, and then one week of a stupid cold and it all seeemed to be gone.
Evening BJJ class came and I really was in two minds about joining in. But then I thought oh well, at worst I'll fade and end up being mat pizza in which case I'll excuse myself and watch.
And what did we end up doing? Some quiet drilling? A few easy rounds? Nope. Course not. With a comp around the corner, it was five minute rounds from standing. Not a big class but everone keen (except yours truly who was wheezing just thinking about it). And wheeze I did!
Actually, what transpired was interesting. I sometimes had trouble breathing, but all in all, my energy levels were quite good. I did remarkably well, even pulling off some subs and having good positions as well as good defence. It was great. I lasted the whole hour and was able to walk and talk afterwards :-). Sure, I was tired when I got home. But not trashed.
Friday was similar with lots of rolling (no gi this time), and I had a pretty good time. The worst part of that was one occasion when we started from the knees, and him and I simultaneously leapt forward, leading with one hand (to grap collar). So we managed to smack each other in the face at the same time. Doh. Stupid. Fat lip.... Anyway, the rest was more intelligent and I'm proud to say that I gave all the guys a lot of grief ;-) It is so good to not always be on the receiving end of subs.
Aside from rolling, we did a new drill I'll try to describe.
I have my partner's back with one hook in and the opposite hand across his neck. He gets his back to floor and turns into me. As he does, I transition to mount, but he gets half guard. He gets his double underhooks and does a whip up. I whizzer him immediatedly. He tries for the sweep with both hands around floating ribs, but I brace. He tries to tap my far knee but if that fails, too, he limp arms his way out, takes my back and gets a seatbelt grip.
I roll either way and he transitions to side control (Eddie Bravo version). He sits on my near arm, his ribcage pushes on my head and the bottom leg's knee is against my near hip. He has one arm in my far armpit, the other grabs my far leg and pulls it towards him. I turn to escape. Either way, he goes for back control and ends up with one hook in and the opp. Arm around my throat. Now that we have reversed positions, we repeat and on it goes.
The fun part of it is that you have options at various points. For example, from whip up you try different sweeps, and which works determines the next position. Also, how the partner takes side control depends on how I roll into him. So there are many variation within the drill and it becomes a flow where either partner reacts to the other one, but both still stay within the scope of the moves of the drill. I quite liked it. I would also work well as a warm up or as a high energy drill to get a good workout.
Other version: instead of limp arm, do a sweep. Say if I’m on his right, if first two techniques fail, I move my left knee against his right leg hard, grab his left pant leg near his ankle and then sit down and roll back to my left sweeping him. Goto SC, etc.
But by Wednesday night, there was no way I could stay home. Between lectures, I finally sampled the uni pool. Time to start making use of my pool/gym membership! Pool is nice and I did some laps for about half an hour. Discovered that I was somewhat short of breath after a few laps, had a break and did some more. Only spent half an hour there. And was disgusted with how tired I felt after. I was nearly in tears, to be honest. All those weeks of hard work to get my conditioning right for the comp, and then one week of a stupid cold and it all seeemed to be gone.
Evening BJJ class came and I really was in two minds about joining in. But then I thought oh well, at worst I'll fade and end up being mat pizza in which case I'll excuse myself and watch.
And what did we end up doing? Some quiet drilling? A few easy rounds? Nope. Course not. With a comp around the corner, it was five minute rounds from standing. Not a big class but everone keen (except yours truly who was wheezing just thinking about it). And wheeze I did!
Actually, what transpired was interesting. I sometimes had trouble breathing, but all in all, my energy levels were quite good. I did remarkably well, even pulling off some subs and having good positions as well as good defence. It was great. I lasted the whole hour and was able to walk and talk afterwards :-). Sure, I was tired when I got home. But not trashed.
Friday was similar with lots of rolling (no gi this time), and I had a pretty good time. The worst part of that was one occasion when we started from the knees, and him and I simultaneously leapt forward, leading with one hand (to grap collar). So we managed to smack each other in the face at the same time. Doh. Stupid. Fat lip.... Anyway, the rest was more intelligent and I'm proud to say that I gave all the guys a lot of grief ;-) It is so good to not always be on the receiving end of subs.
Aside from rolling, we did a new drill I'll try to describe.
I have my partner's back with one hook in and the opposite hand across his neck. He gets his back to floor and turns into me. As he does, I transition to mount, but he gets half guard. He gets his double underhooks and does a whip up. I whizzer him immediatedly. He tries for the sweep with both hands around floating ribs, but I brace. He tries to tap my far knee but if that fails, too, he limp arms his way out, takes my back and gets a seatbelt grip.
I roll either way and he transitions to side control (Eddie Bravo version). He sits on my near arm, his ribcage pushes on my head and the bottom leg's knee is against my near hip. He has one arm in my far armpit, the other grabs my far leg and pulls it towards him. I turn to escape. Either way, he goes for back control and ends up with one hook in and the opp. Arm around my throat. Now that we have reversed positions, we repeat and on it goes.
The fun part of it is that you have options at various points. For example, from whip up you try different sweeps, and which works determines the next position. Also, how the partner takes side control depends on how I roll into him. So there are many variation within the drill and it becomes a flow where either partner reacts to the other one, but both still stay within the scope of the moves of the drill. I quite liked it. I would also work well as a warm up or as a high energy drill to get a good workout.
Other version: instead of limp arm, do a sweep. Say if I’m on his right, if first two techniques fail, I move my left knee against his right leg hard, grab his left pant leg near his ankle and then sit down and roll back to my left sweeping him. Goto SC, etc.
Monday, March 8, 2010
rainy long weekend
I'm sitting at home watching the rain coming down. We're having a long weekend but it's way too wet to do anything outdoors.
My cold is better. Or should I say, I'm better. In any case, I'm winning, the cold is losing. I'm going to start working out again (lucky me has a mini gym in the shed, haha), and I should be good to go to BJJ on Wednesday. YES!
Meanwhile, I've been reading this and reading that (as you do), to get a bit of a fix for my grappling cravings.
Here are two blog posts on very different subjects, good reading (I happen to really relate):
SteveBJJ.com - Pressure in Jiu Jitsu
BJJ Grrl - The girl card
My cold is better. Or should I say, I'm better. In any case, I'm winning, the cold is losing. I'm going to start working out again (lucky me has a mini gym in the shed, haha), and I should be good to go to BJJ on Wednesday. YES!
Meanwhile, I've been reading this and reading that (as you do), to get a bit of a fix for my grappling cravings.
Here are two blog posts on very different subjects, good reading (I happen to really relate):
SteveBJJ.com - Pressure in Jiu Jitsu
BJJ Grrl - The girl card
Saturday, March 6, 2010
sniffles and coughs
Yes, a cold. Bugger!
So no training Friday night. Sob. And no training in Melbourne today. WAAAAHH!
Monday is a public holiday = no training. ..... I will have to wait until Wednesday!
Not. Happy. Not at all.
But at least not a full blown flu, so I hope that a few days off won't knock my cardio back too much. And by the time I go back to training, I'll feel fine plus I won't give this stupid cold to everyone else.
So no training Friday night. Sob. And no training in Melbourne today. WAAAAHH!
Monday is a public holiday = no training. ..... I will have to wait until Wednesday!
Not. Happy. Not at all.
But at least not a full blown flu, so I hope that a few days off won't knock my cardio back too much. And by the time I go back to training, I'll feel fine plus I won't give this stupid cold to everyone else.
Friday, March 5, 2010
two more classes
This week is different. I've started uni, so my head was full of other stuff, and I am not yet used to the new routine. Luckily, uni and the dojo are not far from one another. Unfortunately, I can no longer go to the Wednesday afternoon BJJ classes, as I have lecture on at that time. Still, at least I can get to the Wednesday evening class.
Monday night, we worked on closed guard, how to break grips and break posture to set stuff up. For example, if we can break their posture, get over and underhooks. Then some free guard passing to put it in practice.
Then we did a bit more on rubber guard and how to get there from closed guard. Then how to progress to New York (having done the zombie), and then to Jiu Claw (I hope I have the names right, hehe). At some point, i totally lost the plot with regard to where I should start with under or overhook, which leg goes where etc. Just lost it. It was like a puzzle in 3D gone bad due to lost instructions. I felt like such a klutz. My partner seemed to get it right. I got it right once and then couldn't repeat it for love or money, even with his help. So doh! |-)
Wednesday night, we quickly went through a sneaky way to a submission just as your opponent passes your guard. Say he comes around on your right, having opened your guard. Works best if he does a knee through pass, but it would probably work if he went under the leg, too. I need to graby his right sleeve with my left hand and rotate my left foot over his arm and hook the foot behind his armpit. To trap his arm, I triangle my legs above his elbow. Then I need to reach around with both arms and clasp over the back of his upper arm and pull down. Imagine his forearm against your belly, elbow bent around your left shin and your hands pulling down on his tricep. Lastly, a hip raise at the same time as pulling down will bring on a nasty little bicep crusher. This might be useful for me, as it's happened to me a lot lately that while being passed I managed to hold on to that far arm and I'd been wondering if there are methods to do something nasty to that arm. Now I have one, hehe.
We briefly looked at a sweep from a similar setup, but I'm pretty careful rolling people over their heads so it's not one I'd like to use.
Then we did guard passing fist and a fair amound of free wrestling. I had a good time, several long rolls with loads of position changes, I pulled off some subs and fell victim to several. I had the chance to encourage tries made by less experienced guys, and explain things. It was a really good class.
Monday night, we worked on closed guard, how to break grips and break posture to set stuff up. For example, if we can break their posture, get over and underhooks. Then some free guard passing to put it in practice.
Then we did a bit more on rubber guard and how to get there from closed guard. Then how to progress to New York (having done the zombie), and then to Jiu Claw (I hope I have the names right, hehe). At some point, i totally lost the plot with regard to where I should start with under or overhook, which leg goes where etc. Just lost it. It was like a puzzle in 3D gone bad due to lost instructions. I felt like such a klutz. My partner seemed to get it right. I got it right once and then couldn't repeat it for love or money, even with his help. So doh! |-)
Wednesday night, we quickly went through a sneaky way to a submission just as your opponent passes your guard. Say he comes around on your right, having opened your guard. Works best if he does a knee through pass, but it would probably work if he went under the leg, too. I need to graby his right sleeve with my left hand and rotate my left foot over his arm and hook the foot behind his armpit. To trap his arm, I triangle my legs above his elbow. Then I need to reach around with both arms and clasp over the back of his upper arm and pull down. Imagine his forearm against your belly, elbow bent around your left shin and your hands pulling down on his tricep. Lastly, a hip raise at the same time as pulling down will bring on a nasty little bicep crusher. This might be useful for me, as it's happened to me a lot lately that while being passed I managed to hold on to that far arm and I'd been wondering if there are methods to do something nasty to that arm. Now I have one, hehe.
We briefly looked at a sweep from a similar setup, but I'm pretty careful rolling people over their heads so it's not one I'd like to use.
Then we did guard passing fist and a fair amound of free wrestling. I had a good time, several long rolls with loads of position changes, I pulled off some subs and fell victim to several. I had the chance to encourage tries made by less experienced guys, and explain things. It was a really good class.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Melbourne - week 4
The Saturday session at DMMA was very similar to the last one.
The big difference for me was that I wasn't completely exhausted by the time we started the rounds from stand up. That made a nice change :-)
Part of it was a lucky choice of partners in the first hour, I had a heavy-ish but but very inexperienced guy and then a lightweight young guy with limited experience at the beginning. So all the grip fighting, closed guard posture breaking rounds as well as the 'escape from' or 'hold onto' positional sparring was easier than usual. In the past I always seemed to end up with big and fairly experienced partners. (... like during the continuous guardpassing exercises a couple of weeks back, when I scored to competitive blue belts, and there was none of me left when that was over....) But I didn't just have light and easy partners. I was flattened every time by a 52 year old bluebelt. Good on him!! :-))
Anyway, but there is no question that the training is improving my fitness levels, and I guess that's the point of doing it. Well, aside from getting better at BJJ :-)
I didn't write down all the specific details of my rounds from standing. My overall feeling is that I'm starting to be more aggressive. And as my cardio and strength are picking up, I get out of bad spots better. Interestingly, it was during this session, that our instructor made the comment that at white belt level, the outcome of a fight is primarily determined by how aggressive and determined someone is, ie: the more aggressive fighter usually wins.
The fitness/strength session was tough but ok. Again, similar to last time. This time we did a sprints-starjumps rotatation with jogs for recovery. Then a pummeling-burpees rotation.
And after...? I felt pretty good, even after my two hour drive home. And no soreness the next day.
The big difference for me was that I wasn't completely exhausted by the time we started the rounds from stand up. That made a nice change :-)
Part of it was a lucky choice of partners in the first hour, I had a heavy-ish but but very inexperienced guy and then a lightweight young guy with limited experience at the beginning. So all the grip fighting, closed guard posture breaking rounds as well as the 'escape from' or 'hold onto' positional sparring was easier than usual. In the past I always seemed to end up with big and fairly experienced partners. (... like during the continuous guardpassing exercises a couple of weeks back, when I scored to competitive blue belts, and there was none of me left when that was over....) But I didn't just have light and easy partners. I was flattened every time by a 52 year old bluebelt. Good on him!! :-))
Anyway, but there is no question that the training is improving my fitness levels, and I guess that's the point of doing it. Well, aside from getting better at BJJ :-)
I didn't write down all the specific details of my rounds from standing. My overall feeling is that I'm starting to be more aggressive. And as my cardio and strength are picking up, I get out of bad spots better. Interestingly, it was during this session, that our instructor made the comment that at white belt level, the outcome of a fight is primarily determined by how aggressive and determined someone is, ie: the more aggressive fighter usually wins.
The fitness/strength session was tough but ok. Again, similar to last time. This time we did a sprints-starjumps rotatation with jogs for recovery. Then a pummeling-burpees rotation.
And after...? I felt pretty good, even after my two hour drive home. And no soreness the next day.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
in the pit
Friday evening.
While a couple of the no-stripe white belts practiced their drills for the Saturday grading, the rest of us played a new game.
We went no-gi. Basically, two uf us were "in the pit" and the rest took turns going in against them. We always started with the pits people having to pass guard, and the incoming fresh person on their backs trying to sweep. Once someone was passed or swept, a fresh person would come in. After so many minutes (more than 5, less than 10.. not sure), the pit people were relieved by a new pair.
It was a fun variation to the standard guard passing routine. And because the people in the pit couldn't rest on their back but had to pass, they were constantly working hard.
I liked it. I'm still one of the easiest persons on the planet to sweep, but I'm starting to pull off sweeps myself on people other than rank beginners :-)
While a couple of the no-stripe white belts practiced their drills for the Saturday grading, the rest of us played a new game.
We went no-gi. Basically, two uf us were "in the pit" and the rest took turns going in against them. We always started with the pits people having to pass guard, and the incoming fresh person on their backs trying to sweep. Once someone was passed or swept, a fresh person would come in. After so many minutes (more than 5, less than 10.. not sure), the pit people were relieved by a new pair.
It was a fun variation to the standard guard passing routine. And because the people in the pit couldn't rest on their back but had to pass, they were constantly working hard.
I liked it. I'm still one of the easiest persons on the planet to sweep, but I'm starting to pull off sweeps myself on people other than rank beginners :-)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday grading
I did it :-) . Got my fourth stripe.
Did my technique demos. Had a bit of an issue with a rollover sweep which is part of a headlock escape sequence. But after initial failed attempts which made me want to hide in the cracks between the mats from sheer embarrassment, I succeeded. Not on someone my size, someone twice my size (though, admittedly without much resistance from him...).
Then wrestling, with four different partners. I cannot remember all the details! But I showed 20 different techniques. I suppose a lot of them were escapes |-). However, there was a triangle, there were chokes, there was an armbar. And I could always think of what to do at any given time. The two big fellows gave me a wee bit of space occasionally, so I could work for escapes and then try to do horrible things to them. It was all over in no time, it seemed. At the end of it, I dripped all over the mat though... :-)
Sensei said some nice things about how I did, he made me blush ;-). The guys who were there and helped me were great. As always, this grading was hard work but fun and I'm all fired up to go on and get better.
I had commitments at uni in the afternoon, as I'm starting studies next week, and I went and signed up for unisports membership (gym and pool access!!!). Between one thing and another, and knowing I had to feed horses after coming home, I piked out on the evening BJJ class. I was tired and keyed up all at the same time, and a bit stuffy, as though there may be a cold in the offing. A cold wouldn't be good, least of all now. But we'll see how we go.
Did my technique demos. Had a bit of an issue with a rollover sweep which is part of a headlock escape sequence. But after initial failed attempts which made me want to hide in the cracks between the mats from sheer embarrassment, I succeeded. Not on someone my size, someone twice my size (though, admittedly without much resistance from him...).
Then wrestling, with four different partners. I cannot remember all the details! But I showed 20 different techniques. I suppose a lot of them were escapes |-). However, there was a triangle, there were chokes, there was an armbar. And I could always think of what to do at any given time. The two big fellows gave me a wee bit of space occasionally, so I could work for escapes and then try to do horrible things to them. It was all over in no time, it seemed. At the end of it, I dripped all over the mat though... :-)
Sensei said some nice things about how I did, he made me blush ;-). The guys who were there and helped me were great. As always, this grading was hard work but fun and I'm all fired up to go on and get better.
I had commitments at uni in the afternoon, as I'm starting studies next week, and I went and signed up for unisports membership (gym and pool access!!!). Between one thing and another, and knowing I had to feed horses after coming home, I piked out on the evening BJJ class. I was tired and keyed up all at the same time, and a bit stuffy, as though there may be a cold in the offing. A cold wouldn't be good, least of all now. But we'll see how we go.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
closed guard attacks
Monday night we worked on how to break down someone in your closed guard.
We were shown and then practices flaring out the elbows and then grabbing the head or getting over and underhook. Then we had a look at options when their wrists are planted below our floating ribs. Aside from that, there were hints on how to use the legs at the same time to facilitate posture breaking.
We had a brief look at rubber guard and how to set it up, then how to get the arm to the mat and lock it in there. From that we ran through the steps of going for omoplata, or jiu-claw, if our legs are stretched out. I'd only seen that in Eddie Bravo's book, and was surprised how effective that straigtening of the legs is in getting the opponent flattened out and taking away the most effective omoplata escape, the forward roll. Nasty, nasty.. I like it :-)
Then some free wrestling from closed guard, with an emphasis on breaking down the opponent in guard to set up submission, or alternatively, try to posture up and pass. I did't set the world on fire with this. Break down and control - yes. Set something up - fail... I have much work to do!
Lastly, one round of free wrestling. I scored one of the blue belts. He toyed with me. Gave me a wee opening to get out of a shitty spot (which, at least - I used!), just to catch me in another bad or worse spot as soon as I got out. Yikes! Once I could have gone for a very low single as he stood up, but I saw the edge of the mat behind him and refrained. Good things to report: I escaped an armbar with a technique I recently learned and again, my closed guard
We were shown and then practices flaring out the elbows and then grabbing the head or getting over and underhook. Then we had a look at options when their wrists are planted below our floating ribs. Aside from that, there were hints on how to use the legs at the same time to facilitate posture breaking.
We had a brief look at rubber guard and how to set it up, then how to get the arm to the mat and lock it in there. From that we ran through the steps of going for omoplata, or jiu-claw, if our legs are stretched out. I'd only seen that in Eddie Bravo's book, and was surprised how effective that straigtening of the legs is in getting the opponent flattened out and taking away the most effective omoplata escape, the forward roll. Nasty, nasty.. I like it :-)
Then some free wrestling from closed guard, with an emphasis on breaking down the opponent in guard to set up submission, or alternatively, try to posture up and pass. I did't set the world on fire with this. Break down and control - yes. Set something up - fail... I have much work to do!
Lastly, one round of free wrestling. I scored one of the blue belts. He toyed with me. Gave me a wee opening to get out of a shitty spot (which, at least - I used!), just to catch me in another bad or worse spot as soon as I got out. Yikes! Once I could have gone for a very low single as he stood up, but I saw the edge of the mat behind him and refrained. Good things to report: I escaped an armbar with a technique I recently learned and again, my closed guard
Monday, February 22, 2010
Melbourne - week 3
This session was very similar to the one a couple of weeks ago.
Firstly, two hours of BJJ training. Rather than a warmup, we did joint mobility exercises. Then, one minute rounds of either holding a dominant position or getting out of it, two minute rounds of guard passing. Then 5 or so minute rounds (depending on ranking) from standing, competition intensity.
Again, I hit a really flat spot after the first hour, just before we started the proper rounds from standing. Promptly, I slipped into my DEFEND mindset. My first opponent was a woman, considerably younger and bigger than myself. I was reefed down as she pulled guard and while I was thinking of how hard guard passing is, she choked me. Duh. Embarrassing. Stupid! Went again, this time I shot. But I was too half arsed so she sprawled in time and I was flattened out, and the rest of the time she fought for as sub and I fought to get out, variously from back control, side control, mount, turtle. She wasn't just heavy, she used her weight wisely. The bad news is all I managed to work was my defence. The good news is that it worked well :-)
I went pretty similar when I rolled with the blue belt lady. Although I find that if I roll with people more my weight, I do a lot better with my escapes. Anyway, from memory another less than stellar attempt at a double, but this time didn't quite get flattened. But as usual, I did end up on the bottom and from then on it was a repeat of the last round. Good defence, but nothing that would score points, let alone win a fight.
I had another round with a young guy and must admit to my shame that I can remember nearly nothing. I think we reset after he subbed me (how??), but the rest is gone from my brain. All I recall is that he thanked me and said good work. I think I actually pulled guard on him once, and I know I'm fairly successful at breaking people's postures. Only I wish I were better at translating that into submissions... I guess one problem is that the second I open my closed guard, I usually get passed. Presumably because I'm too slow and/or too telegraphing in setting up a sub. Anyway, I didn't come away feeling too much of a moron from that round...
Afterwards, we had a couple of minute long rounds of grip fighting, where one person was squatting, and one with hooks in.
Finally, the fitness session. Same as last time, it was 5 x 3 minute intervals, the first, third and last of which were fast stuff, the other two jogging. This time, our fast intervals consisted of alternating 15 seconds of burpees (he asked for 7, but this person managed 5) and 15 seconds of slow and technical pummelling. A very short break after that. Then another set of 5 x 3 minute intervals, this time the fast sessions being shuttle runs (15 seconds sprints, 15 seconds jogging on the spot). As is was pretty hot, that's all we did.
But that was enough... :-) I survived. Again. And unlike after the first session, no sore legs during the days after. Only my lower back was stiff - oh how I HATE burpees!
Firstly, two hours of BJJ training. Rather than a warmup, we did joint mobility exercises. Then, one minute rounds of either holding a dominant position or getting out of it, two minute rounds of guard passing. Then 5 or so minute rounds (depending on ranking) from standing, competition intensity.
Again, I hit a really flat spot after the first hour, just before we started the proper rounds from standing. Promptly, I slipped into my DEFEND mindset. My first opponent was a woman, considerably younger and bigger than myself. I was reefed down as she pulled guard and while I was thinking of how hard guard passing is, she choked me. Duh. Embarrassing. Stupid! Went again, this time I shot. But I was too half arsed so she sprawled in time and I was flattened out, and the rest of the time she fought for as sub and I fought to get out, variously from back control, side control, mount, turtle. She wasn't just heavy, she used her weight wisely. The bad news is all I managed to work was my defence. The good news is that it worked well :-)
I went pretty similar when I rolled with the blue belt lady. Although I find that if I roll with people more my weight, I do a lot better with my escapes. Anyway, from memory another less than stellar attempt at a double, but this time didn't quite get flattened. But as usual, I did end up on the bottom and from then on it was a repeat of the last round. Good defence, but nothing that would score points, let alone win a fight.
I had another round with a young guy and must admit to my shame that I can remember nearly nothing. I think we reset after he subbed me (how??), but the rest is gone from my brain. All I recall is that he thanked me and said good work. I think I actually pulled guard on him once, and I know I'm fairly successful at breaking people's postures. Only I wish I were better at translating that into submissions... I guess one problem is that the second I open my closed guard, I usually get passed. Presumably because I'm too slow and/or too telegraphing in setting up a sub. Anyway, I didn't come away feeling too much of a moron from that round...
Afterwards, we had a couple of minute long rounds of grip fighting, where one person was squatting, and one with hooks in.
Finally, the fitness session. Same as last time, it was 5 x 3 minute intervals, the first, third and last of which were fast stuff, the other two jogging. This time, our fast intervals consisted of alternating 15 seconds of burpees (he asked for 7, but this person managed 5) and 15 seconds of slow and technical pummelling. A very short break after that. Then another set of 5 x 3 minute intervals, this time the fast sessions being shuttle runs (15 seconds sprints, 15 seconds jogging on the spot). As is was pretty hot, that's all we did.
But that was enough... :-) I survived. Again. And unlike after the first session, no sore legs during the days after. Only my lower back was stiff - oh how I HATE burpees!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday evening
We were shown a way to secure the near arm from short base side control by using our gi lapel. It's not that easy to describe and I'm a bit hazy on the details as I didn't pull my finger out and write it down straight away. But basically, we pull out our gi lapel on the side where his head is, pass it across and make him think we are threatening his neck or far arm. But then we pass it back to the same side hand and we've wrapped it over his arm near the elbow. As we push him up on his side facing away from us, we then hold that gi tight, and step over for the armbar
I can't even remember what the other two attacks were which we covered :-(. When I think of them, I'll edit this post...
Stayed behind for open mat which was short because everyone had to leave relatively early. My recollection is that I pretty much got trashed by everyone I rolled with. Did some good escapes, only to land "in the shit" again. Ah well.
I can't even remember what the other two attacks were which we covered :-(. When I think of them, I'll edit this post...
Stayed behind for open mat which was short because everyone had to leave relatively early. My recollection is that I pretty much got trashed by everyone I rolled with. Did some good escapes, only to land "in the shit" again. Ah well.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
midweek - cruising
As I won't be in town for the next grading at the end of the month, I'm being put through my paces, so to speak.
Wednesday midday class saw me going though syllabus drills and other stuff, all the first to third stripe stuff. I was, for some reason beyond me, nervous. Why? Maybe because I'm the only one, and I hate being made a fuss over. Don't know. It couldn't have been the ... hey guys, today you'll take turns to flatten Chris, she's grading! type of peptalk ;-) Anyway, I settled down, got through it all and even did the two sweeps I don't like much quite well. So with that out of the way, next Wednesday will be the more fun stuff, the fourth stripe moves and the wrestling part of the grading.
Once I'd done my stuff, I went through the syllabus stuff again with one of the guys, because he'll be grading at the end of the month. And while it was just drilling and practicing, it was a really good class.
Wednesday evening, we learned some escapes.
Escape from figure four from mount: turn towards the locked arm so I'm nearly on my side, which pins my elbow to the floor. Then buck up and as he braces, I suck my elbow in. And I'm in a good position for a knee-elbow escape.
Escape from armbar from mount: I grab the opposite collar with my trapped arm to buy time. With the other hand which is now free, I pull his high leg back over my head. Once my head is free, I push it back over the leg and keep pushing until I'm through with my shoulders, then start turning into him. If I keep my hand on the collar until I'm in guard, I avoid being armbarred from guard straight away and I'm in a good defensive postion.
Escape from guillotine choke from short base side control (he is on my right side): my left hand grabs his wrist to buy time and stop the choke from coming on straight away. I buck slightly and to my left, so I can get my right hand past his left elbow and up over my head, in an arc towards my left shoulder. I want my right hand near my left shoulder because he can no longer complete the choke as his left elbow is blocked by my armpit and can no longer go to the floor. Then I start escaping his side control.
The rest of the class was free wrestling, first with gi, then without. Firstly had a newish guy, so I helped him in how to get good back control and then try for the RNC. Then I escaped it :-). We did a little bit more until I caught him in something. He was good, not spazzy or using all his strength. With the next guy, started no-gi. We had three rounds in all. He's not done a lot of wrestling, and some at another school, so he had a couple of attackes I hadn't come across, and he was pretty fast. We did a lot of sweeps and rolls and it was quite funny because it was a bit like a rollercoaster. I triangled him once. I told him how to avoid and how to watch out for it, also gave him some pointers on posture breaking when he has someone in his guard.
Our other rolls finished with a choke each. I got him in a front choke from guard or half guard (can't recall). I learned something from his choke: when he had me in headlock (switch base side control) and I got my arm around his middle to escape by working for a sweep, he applyied an ezekiel choke. I couldn't let go of my grips fast enough to escape the choke and had to tap. If I had been fast enough to get his forearm off my throat, I would have abandoned the escape and left my right arm in a vulnerable position. Good attack, I'm sure I'll use that one!
I managed another roll with one of the senior guys. I pulled off turning him over when he turtled, which is something I've never managed before (thank you to the guys who showed me this one a few weeks back!). After that, I worked on position change to attack to the next position change, until I ended in high mount. Except he worked and worked and got out the back door. And I couldn't stop him. From then on it's a bit of a blank but he ended up in my guard. I'm not bad at breaking people's posture down, but don't manage a lot of attacks yet. In any case, he reached back for my feet so I snaffled his arm behind his back and he was doomed :-) But truly the best part of it was the flow of it and the fact that at no point was I clueless what to do next. THAT, for me, was great.
So coming home, I felt I'm cruising. Finally, I'm getting somewhere. At least part of the time, I'm the squasher, not the squashee :-) And this is just the type of motivation I need going into the competition!
Wednesday midday class saw me going though syllabus drills and other stuff, all the first to third stripe stuff. I was, for some reason beyond me, nervous. Why? Maybe because I'm the only one, and I hate being made a fuss over. Don't know. It couldn't have been the ... hey guys, today you'll take turns to flatten Chris, she's grading! type of peptalk ;-) Anyway, I settled down, got through it all and even did the two sweeps I don't like much quite well. So with that out of the way, next Wednesday will be the more fun stuff, the fourth stripe moves and the wrestling part of the grading.
Once I'd done my stuff, I went through the syllabus stuff again with one of the guys, because he'll be grading at the end of the month. And while it was just drilling and practicing, it was a really good class.
Wednesday evening, we learned some escapes.
Escape from figure four from mount: turn towards the locked arm so I'm nearly on my side, which pins my elbow to the floor. Then buck up and as he braces, I suck my elbow in. And I'm in a good position for a knee-elbow escape.
Escape from armbar from mount: I grab the opposite collar with my trapped arm to buy time. With the other hand which is now free, I pull his high leg back over my head. Once my head is free, I push it back over the leg and keep pushing until I'm through with my shoulders, then start turning into him. If I keep my hand on the collar until I'm in guard, I avoid being armbarred from guard straight away and I'm in a good defensive postion.
Escape from guillotine choke from short base side control (he is on my right side): my left hand grabs his wrist to buy time and stop the choke from coming on straight away. I buck slightly and to my left, so I can get my right hand past his left elbow and up over my head, in an arc towards my left shoulder. I want my right hand near my left shoulder because he can no longer complete the choke as his left elbow is blocked by my armpit and can no longer go to the floor. Then I start escaping his side control.
The rest of the class was free wrestling, first with gi, then without. Firstly had a newish guy, so I helped him in how to get good back control and then try for the RNC. Then I escaped it :-). We did a little bit more until I caught him in something. He was good, not spazzy or using all his strength. With the next guy, started no-gi. We had three rounds in all. He's not done a lot of wrestling, and some at another school, so he had a couple of attackes I hadn't come across, and he was pretty fast. We did a lot of sweeps and rolls and it was quite funny because it was a bit like a rollercoaster. I triangled him once. I told him how to avoid and how to watch out for it, also gave him some pointers on posture breaking when he has someone in his guard.
Our other rolls finished with a choke each. I got him in a front choke from guard or half guard (can't recall). I learned something from his choke: when he had me in headlock (switch base side control) and I got my arm around his middle to escape by working for a sweep, he applyied an ezekiel choke. I couldn't let go of my grips fast enough to escape the choke and had to tap. If I had been fast enough to get his forearm off my throat, I would have abandoned the escape and left my right arm in a vulnerable position. Good attack, I'm sure I'll use that one!
I managed another roll with one of the senior guys. I pulled off turning him over when he turtled, which is something I've never managed before (thank you to the guys who showed me this one a few weeks back!). After that, I worked on position change to attack to the next position change, until I ended in high mount. Except he worked and worked and got out the back door. And I couldn't stop him. From then on it's a bit of a blank but he ended up in my guard. I'm not bad at breaking people's posture down, but don't manage a lot of attacks yet. In any case, he reached back for my feet so I snaffled his arm behind his back and he was doomed :-) But truly the best part of it was the flow of it and the fact that at no point was I clueless what to do next. THAT, for me, was great.
So coming home, I felt I'm cruising. Finally, I'm getting somewhere. At least part of the time, I'm the squasher, not the squashee :-) And this is just the type of motivation I need going into the competition!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday fun
After missing Friday night and Saturday training, I felt like I'd been away too long ;-)
We practiced going straight from a standard sweep (leg across belly) to an ezekiel choke. All we need to do is let go of the sleep and hold that bottom arm out as he lands, so our forearm is right behind his neck. As we complete the sweep and land in mount, it's so easy to bring the other arm across the front of his neck and finish.
Then we drilled what I think is the flower sweep. I don't know if he called it that, but I've seen it in books and that's what it was called. Useful for when someone tries to pass guard and puts that leg where we can get our hand on it! The important bit is to put our hand near his foot and then bring that hand around along the mat with an outstretched arm to above our head. That way it's easy. If I just push upwards with that hand, it's much harder.
As an alternative, we can reach for the other leg, where the knee is still on the ground. Grab either the pant leg, but better, the foot. The mechanics are slightly different for this version. Where the first version wants me to lift my leg and then swing it across to sweep him, the second version is more of a kick downwards. So it feels quite different. I found the first version a lot easier.
The last sweep we did was a rehearsal of the heart attack sweep from open guard and an alternative if he braces out at the last second, which is similar to the flower sweep, because we use that braced out leg as a lever.
Very brief free wrestle where I caught my partner with a an ankle lock because he crossed his legs while he had my back. I don't think he meant to cross them, we were rolling around with me trying to escape, so it just worked out that way. But being sneaky and mean, I capitalised on it. Well, I've fallen for the same silly thing in the past which I told him and we had a laugh.
We practiced going straight from a standard sweep (leg across belly) to an ezekiel choke. All we need to do is let go of the sleep and hold that bottom arm out as he lands, so our forearm is right behind his neck. As we complete the sweep and land in mount, it's so easy to bring the other arm across the front of his neck and finish.
Then we drilled what I think is the flower sweep. I don't know if he called it that, but I've seen it in books and that's what it was called. Useful for when someone tries to pass guard and puts that leg where we can get our hand on it! The important bit is to put our hand near his foot and then bring that hand around along the mat with an outstretched arm to above our head. That way it's easy. If I just push upwards with that hand, it's much harder.
As an alternative, we can reach for the other leg, where the knee is still on the ground. Grab either the pant leg, but better, the foot. The mechanics are slightly different for this version. Where the first version wants me to lift my leg and then swing it across to sweep him, the second version is more of a kick downwards. So it feels quite different. I found the first version a lot easier.
The last sweep we did was a rehearsal of the heart attack sweep from open guard and an alternative if he braces out at the last second, which is similar to the flower sweep, because we use that braced out leg as a lever.
Very brief free wrestle where I caught my partner with a an ankle lock because he crossed his legs while he had my back. I don't think he meant to cross them, we were rolling around with me trying to escape, so it just worked out that way. But being sneaky and mean, I capitalised on it. Well, I've fallen for the same silly thing in the past which I told him and we had a laugh.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Melbourne - week 2 - no gi competition
I'm back from Melbourne. Even through I had an early start to be in good time for signing up and weighing in, the drive today didn't feel so long. Made it in about 1 hour, 45 minutes today (a bit longer going home, as there was more traffic at the Melbourne end - Victoria Street, Richmond is a busy place!).
The tournament was no-gi, round robin. Everyone had four fights in their weight classes. As there were only two girls, we both ended up competing in the lowest (under 68kg) division. It was a fairly small affair, like a club thing, but there were people there from other schools. Most who competed are taking part in the 7 week thingy.
I had an attack of the nerves this time. Couldn't really say why. I mean, it's ridiculous, I like grappling, I've gone from standup before, I've done no-gi before, I've tapped out a million times before etc. I've competed at a BJJ tournament once before, and competed heaps in horseriding events in another life. So what's there to be nervous about?? Yet, briefly I felt dry-mouthed and light-headed. The way I do if I have to speak publicly (hate it!).
I got a grip though. I warmed up, I gave myself the don't-be-an-idiot-of-course-you-can-do-it speech and then it was on. No waiting. And once I'm on the mat and have shaken hands, I'm good. Unlike in my first competition, I knew what I was in for :-)
I'll say right here right now that I can't give a blow by blow description. I have an awful memory for details which is a pity. One day I hope someone will take a video of me fighting, so I can see where exactly I stuff up. That might help in getting better.
Ok, first fight was a young muscled up guy (I think that's called ripped these days??). Sheesh, I can't even remember if I attempted a takedown and messed up or if he took me down. All I remember was me in side control, then mount and him attacking my arms full on, inbetween some forearms across my neck and an attempted ezekiel choke. Come to think of it, he might have nearly had my back, but I avoided his hooks and then came the other stuff. I balled up like I tend to, defending neck and arms, getting half guard. Even had a lockdown. But couldn't get in deep enough for a sweep because he flattened me out. In all that, he eventually peeled out my arm and I had to tap to a figure 4.
Second fight we clinched while standing and then he took me down pretty hard. It knocked the wind out of me for a second, by which time he had a good position. Whatever happened didn't take long, and I am trying to think what I tapped for??? Damn!
Third fight started better. He was a bit tentative and I scored a double leg takedown. He got his arm around my neck for a front choke but it wasn't very tight and I had my hand in it. I got to side control with my head still trapped. And then foolishly went to mount (head still trapped). Then he bridged and rolled and when he arrived in my guard, I finally got my head free. Now, was that stupid or what?? In any case, I kept breaking him down in my guard and looked for something. I was a bit irritated by his constant hands or forearms on my throat, but I wasn't aggressive enought in using his extended arms for a sub. When an armbar finally stuck out like dog's balls and I had his arm, he started stacking me and I couldn't get my hips in position. Sometimes I hate my creaky old body.. But the truth is: my subs are sadly lacking. No excuses. I need to get better. Anyway, time was called and lo and behold, I'd won on points. Whooohoo!
Last fight was against the only other girl in the comp, and I outweighed her by 10kg. She had been a bit roughed up by a couple of the other guys. After winning against one guy in her first fight, the next two guys manhandled her and she was a little upset about it. We both weren't in the placings anyway, so I didn't go full bore. I didn't drive hard into the takedown so she got full guard, and from there it went to open, and from there it went pear-shaped for me and she finished me in a nasty tight triangle. Don't trust pretty looking blond girls :-). Naw, but seriously, she deserved it, and she is a lovely person.
So that was my day out at my first no-gi tournament. What I took away from it was:
I need to be more proactive/aggressive (what's new??)
I need to work attacks (what's new??)
I need to have more confidence/worry less
I am not hopeless, some of the stuff I did was fine
I need to get better
I want to do this more often :-)
On that note, I'll sign off, make myself dinner and have an early night :-)
The tournament was no-gi, round robin. Everyone had four fights in their weight classes. As there were only two girls, we both ended up competing in the lowest (under 68kg) division. It was a fairly small affair, like a club thing, but there were people there from other schools. Most who competed are taking part in the 7 week thingy.
I had an attack of the nerves this time. Couldn't really say why. I mean, it's ridiculous, I like grappling, I've gone from standup before, I've done no-gi before, I've tapped out a million times before etc. I've competed at a BJJ tournament once before, and competed heaps in horseriding events in another life. So what's there to be nervous about?? Yet, briefly I felt dry-mouthed and light-headed. The way I do if I have to speak publicly (hate it!).
I got a grip though. I warmed up, I gave myself the don't-be-an-idiot-of-course-you-can-do-it speech and then it was on. No waiting. And once I'm on the mat and have shaken hands, I'm good. Unlike in my first competition, I knew what I was in for :-)
I'll say right here right now that I can't give a blow by blow description. I have an awful memory for details which is a pity. One day I hope someone will take a video of me fighting, so I can see where exactly I stuff up. That might help in getting better.
Ok, first fight was a young muscled up guy (I think that's called ripped these days??). Sheesh, I can't even remember if I attempted a takedown and messed up or if he took me down. All I remember was me in side control, then mount and him attacking my arms full on, inbetween some forearms across my neck and an attempted ezekiel choke. Come to think of it, he might have nearly had my back, but I avoided his hooks and then came the other stuff. I balled up like I tend to, defending neck and arms, getting half guard. Even had a lockdown. But couldn't get in deep enough for a sweep because he flattened me out. In all that, he eventually peeled out my arm and I had to tap to a figure 4.
Second fight we clinched while standing and then he took me down pretty hard. It knocked the wind out of me for a second, by which time he had a good position. Whatever happened didn't take long, and I am trying to think what I tapped for??? Damn!
Third fight started better. He was a bit tentative and I scored a double leg takedown. He got his arm around my neck for a front choke but it wasn't very tight and I had my hand in it. I got to side control with my head still trapped. And then foolishly went to mount (head still trapped). Then he bridged and rolled and when he arrived in my guard, I finally got my head free. Now, was that stupid or what?? In any case, I kept breaking him down in my guard and looked for something. I was a bit irritated by his constant hands or forearms on my throat, but I wasn't aggressive enought in using his extended arms for a sub. When an armbar finally stuck out like dog's balls and I had his arm, he started stacking me and I couldn't get my hips in position. Sometimes I hate my creaky old body.. But the truth is: my subs are sadly lacking. No excuses. I need to get better. Anyway, time was called and lo and behold, I'd won on points. Whooohoo!
Last fight was against the only other girl in the comp, and I outweighed her by 10kg. She had been a bit roughed up by a couple of the other guys. After winning against one guy in her first fight, the next two guys manhandled her and she was a little upset about it. We both weren't in the placings anyway, so I didn't go full bore. I didn't drive hard into the takedown so she got full guard, and from there it went to open, and from there it went pear-shaped for me and she finished me in a nasty tight triangle. Don't trust pretty looking blond girls :-). Naw, but seriously, she deserved it, and she is a lovely person.
So that was my day out at my first no-gi tournament. What I took away from it was:
I need to be more proactive/aggressive (what's new??)
I need to work attacks (what's new??)
I need to have more confidence/worry less
I am not hopeless, some of the stuff I did was fine
I need to get better
I want to do this more often :-)
On that note, I'll sign off, make myself dinner and have an early night :-)
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