In order to succeed I must fail hard. I think I am too much of a perfectionist at times. I am always worried about the impression I give off to other people. I think about it so much it has hindered me in many ways, especially socially. In order to cope with this anxiety I started to develop a behavior where I avoid that which I am afraid of. I fear because I do not know. If I keep going down this road I will eventually make my own bed. Instead now I see that our beliefs are really all in our heads. You assume one thing about people yet more than likely they don't even care because everyone has their own issues. No one is perfect and without worry. Instead of creating panic in my mind and avoiding that situation in the future I need to embrace it and take it for what it is. I won't improve unless I am able to change the outcome of it. This can only happen by thinking about what happened and looking for a way to improve. It's a time to learn every time I do not get the results I want. Life is about learning and becoming wiser with age so I need to embrace the good and the bad.
Actually jiu-jitsu has made me realized I can overcome any obstacles placed in front of me. When I first began bjj I developed a guard and I became comfortable playing it. I did not like working on my top game because I was horrible at it. I would get swept, submitted, and manipulated like a rag doll so I always played guard and "avoided" playing a top game at all cost. As I did more competitions I realized I needed to be good at both guard and passing in order to be a complete grappler. This has led me to force myself to work on my top game. In the beginning I hated it because I made so many mistakes but I kept forcing myself to stay on top. Now I am actually seeing results and I can see that I am improving and will continue to improve as long as I keep making mistakes and learning from it. Instead of running away and avoiding it I am getting good at it and I am enjoying it.
Life is a lot like bjj. If I don't try to learn from my mistakes and improve my position I will never be able to better myself. If I keep avoiding what I am unfamiliar with I will never enjoy the benefits of the unknown. As a result of bjj I can see that correlation now. Practice and perseverance will evolve you into a more competent and complete individual. I actually pick things up pretty well when I decide to dive head first into whatever I am tackling.
I am only hurting myself if I avoid taking on the unknown. This creates fear. I need to change the way my mind is wired like when I decided to stop playing guard and focus on the top.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
SMASH THE GUARD
I need to focus my efforts on passing the guard and understanding it. Need to work on cardio in order to go the distance. I need to pace myself in tournaments so I don't expend all my energy at once.
Danny: GUARD PASS *********************************************
Grab a fistful of your opponent's left pants and punch it to the ground then fall on top of it with his left leg between my knees. I should have opponent's right leg on top of my left shoulder and my left hand should be gripping the opponent's opposite lapel collar. Make sure my weight is forward smashing my opponent so no space is created and that I am still controlling his pinned down leg with my right hand. Now I left go of his pant leg and I use my right arm and hug around his shoulder in order to cross face my opponent. Now break my hips to the left to free my left leg, release opponent's collar with my left and hold the pant of my opponent's outside left leg. Finally push the opponent's leg to the opposite side of me while crushing his face with my shoulder and get into side control.
Danny: GUARD RETENTION *********************************************
-When someone attempts to pass my guard I can push the head
-When someone attempts to pass my guard I can bring my leg in for the lasso and recompose my guard
Observation: *****************************************************
Mendes brother will get their arm around their opponent's neck with right hand and the opponent will try to recompose their guard. Mendes brother gets into like a tripod and works his way around their legs to the side. The use of the left hand controlling one of the opponent's legs also helps. He also goes into north south at times to escape the opponent's legs completely. I saw he kept going for the knee on the belly like Danny.
Danny: GUARD PASS *********************************************
Grab a fistful of your opponent's left pants and punch it to the ground then fall on top of it with his left leg between my knees. I should have opponent's right leg on top of my left shoulder and my left hand should be gripping the opponent's opposite lapel collar. Make sure my weight is forward smashing my opponent so no space is created and that I am still controlling his pinned down leg with my right hand. Now I left go of his pant leg and I use my right arm and hug around his shoulder in order to cross face my opponent. Now break my hips to the left to free my left leg, release opponent's collar with my left and hold the pant of my opponent's outside left leg. Finally push the opponent's leg to the opposite side of me while crushing his face with my shoulder and get into side control.
Danny: GUARD RETENTION *********************************************
-When someone attempts to pass my guard I can push the head
-When someone attempts to pass my guard I can bring my leg in for the lasso and recompose my guard
Observation: *****************************************************
Mendes brother will get their arm around their opponent's neck with right hand and the opponent will try to recompose their guard. Mendes brother gets into like a tripod and works his way around their legs to the side. The use of the left hand controlling one of the opponent's legs also helps. He also goes into north south at times to escape the opponent's legs completely. I saw he kept going for the knee on the belly like Danny.
FBJJF Championship (Kississimee)
This past weekend I competed in the Florida State Championships. I lost about 5 lbs of weight weighing in at 137 without the gi and 141 with the gi. I won my first match but lost my second match. Much of it had to do with the fact that I was fighting on an empty stomach and I was not as hydrated as I should have been. After the first match I started to get dizzy and I had to sit down to recompose myself. When I got ready for the second match I was still exhausted. I went the second match knowing I would probably lose due to the condition I was in. From now on I will not cut weight in order to compete. I barely have any body fat so I have no reserves for fat so that translates to my body not being able to burn the necessary energy it needs in order for it to operate if I don't eat. My metabolism is so high it burns through whatever I intake quickly so the next time I compete I need to carb up and stay hydrated so I have something to convert to energy. It was a bad decision on my part to cut weight but at the same time I learned a great deal about dieting and healthy foods and what I did right/ wrong, etc. This ordeal really took a toll on my body as I am not 100% back to my self prior to cutting in terms of strength.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Lasso pant grab spread opp out curl my leg in and then roll opp over to lassoed side
lasso scoot hip under pull opp on top of my with my arms and legs then roll opp backward over lassoed side
when getting passed torreando style one hand on hip other on out side of opp head so I can bridge my hip while mashing opp head to the ground. opp hops over I do it again.
fake rainbow sweep but with my usual blocking leg hook the same leg (same side opp arm I am extending out. make sure I have both sleeve grips. Opp's natural reaction is to base his leg up to prevent sweep, I sit up and pass his far side (right) sleeve to my right hand. My left hand gets a deep hold around opp back to break posture down even more. Now my left foot on opp right hip and I pull him until he falls over his shoulder and I control in side control.
side control escape
lasso scoot hip under pull opp on top of my with my arms and legs then roll opp backward over lassoed side
when getting passed torreando style one hand on hip other on out side of opp head so I can bridge my hip while mashing opp head to the ground. opp hops over I do it again.
fake rainbow sweep but with my usual blocking leg hook the same leg (same side opp arm I am extending out. make sure I have both sleeve grips. Opp's natural reaction is to base his leg up to prevent sweep, I sit up and pass his far side (right) sleeve to my right hand. My left hand gets a deep hold around opp back to break posture down even more. Now my left foot on opp right hip and I pull him until he falls over his shoulder and I control in side control.
side control escape
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Simple details make all the difference..
7/11/2011
Hmm haven't updated in a while. Felipe is out in Brazil and won't be back until August so Danny is teaching the class. So far I think Danny has been doing an excellent job making us drill techniques over and over again at a face pace. He likes to do a lot of conditioning and when I get paired up with a partner to roll it's not the regulars. I get to go against some veterans and they have humbled me some more. lol
Let's see.. oh yeah I also began my Invisalign Braces treatment on 7/8/11. So far it's going pretty good. People can't really tell I have a clear aligner on. Downside is I have to wear it for 22 hours of the day leaving on 2 hours to eat, drink, snack. After every meal I pretty much have to floss, brush, and clean the aligners before wearing them again. I'm happy though because I am actually doing something about my teeth. I've always been self consious about my teeth (gap/ overbite/ gums) so that's why I don't tend to smile too much. That's the reason why people that do not know me get the impression that I'm a stand offish guy when in reality I think I'm a pretty nice guy. lol In the end the Invisalign is a good choice for me profesionally and socially. The biggest perk is the fact that I can grapple comfortably with the aligners on since they are pretty much like a very thin mouthguard instead of a tradition metal bracket. No cuts and canker sores here :)
On to the bjj stuff...
Important Details
1) When in side control (or KOB) make sure to have my thumb deep inside my partner's collar so that I can cross arm and keep him from turning his face/ body into me. The deeper I have it the more effective the crossarm becomes. This makes it literally impossible for the opponent to turn into me and escape my control.
2) When someone attempts to pass my guard they usually control me with both of their hands. Their body then moves around my legs to pass. In order to keep me from recomposing and moving my hips they have to apply downward pressure. If I try to prevent the pass by placing my hands on their body, they can apply the force and use gravity against me. Eventually my arms and body will tire and he will pass my guard.
-When rolling with Danny I learned something. Since both his hands are apply pressure on my hips I can just simply knock his arm out by somehow causing it to bend, which relieves the pressure and his balance by making him topple. I now have time to recompose my guard. This is best done by placing on hand on his hips while have my other hand work on disrupting his arm. If I can't disrupt his arm I just keep my hand on his arm and as he walks around my body will spin and rotate with him because his arm is not moving, his body is..
Rolling;
Caught Doc in a submission for the first time. I was on the bottom with both hooks in. Doc pulled me on top of him so I went with the momentum and brought myself directly on top of him with both hooks in. Immediately I took one foot out and went into KOB position and threw my other leg over his face for the armbar.
Caught Tony in an armbar as well when doing King of the Mats. I started with KOB and from there I caught an armbar on him. He stood up instead of stacking so I was able to use all that leverage and complete the armbar. I am glad he didn't slam me on my neck. He is a rough dude and still does not understand the concept of tapping early. I usually apply submissions gently until my partner taps but I knew Tony is a man who refuses to tap and will try to muscle out of things. I felt bad but at the same time BJJ is about humility and sooner or later everyone who continues to practice this art should come to understand this term. There was once a time I was wreckless but it's really not worth it. Tapping early will keep the injuries at a minimum.
Cool way to escape side control by pummelling
Hmm haven't updated in a while. Felipe is out in Brazil and won't be back until August so Danny is teaching the class. So far I think Danny has been doing an excellent job making us drill techniques over and over again at a face pace. He likes to do a lot of conditioning and when I get paired up with a partner to roll it's not the regulars. I get to go against some veterans and they have humbled me some more. lol
Let's see.. oh yeah I also began my Invisalign Braces treatment on 7/8/11. So far it's going pretty good. People can't really tell I have a clear aligner on. Downside is I have to wear it for 22 hours of the day leaving on 2 hours to eat, drink, snack. After every meal I pretty much have to floss, brush, and clean the aligners before wearing them again. I'm happy though because I am actually doing something about my teeth. I've always been self consious about my teeth (gap/ overbite/ gums) so that's why I don't tend to smile too much. That's the reason why people that do not know me get the impression that I'm a stand offish guy when in reality I think I'm a pretty nice guy. lol In the end the Invisalign is a good choice for me profesionally and socially. The biggest perk is the fact that I can grapple comfortably with the aligners on since they are pretty much like a very thin mouthguard instead of a tradition metal bracket. No cuts and canker sores here :)
On to the bjj stuff...
Important Details
1) When in side control (or KOB) make sure to have my thumb deep inside my partner's collar so that I can cross arm and keep him from turning his face/ body into me. The deeper I have it the more effective the crossarm becomes. This makes it literally impossible for the opponent to turn into me and escape my control.
2) When someone attempts to pass my guard they usually control me with both of their hands. Their body then moves around my legs to pass. In order to keep me from recomposing and moving my hips they have to apply downward pressure. If I try to prevent the pass by placing my hands on their body, they can apply the force and use gravity against me. Eventually my arms and body will tire and he will pass my guard.
-When rolling with Danny I learned something. Since both his hands are apply pressure on my hips I can just simply knock his arm out by somehow causing it to bend, which relieves the pressure and his balance by making him topple. I now have time to recompose my guard. This is best done by placing on hand on his hips while have my other hand work on disrupting his arm. If I can't disrupt his arm I just keep my hand on his arm and as he walks around my body will spin and rotate with him because his arm is not moving, his body is..
Rolling;
Caught Doc in a submission for the first time. I was on the bottom with both hooks in. Doc pulled me on top of him so I went with the momentum and brought myself directly on top of him with both hooks in. Immediately I took one foot out and went into KOB position and threw my other leg over his face for the armbar.
Caught Tony in an armbar as well when doing King of the Mats. I started with KOB and from there I caught an armbar on him. He stood up instead of stacking so I was able to use all that leverage and complete the armbar. I am glad he didn't slam me on my neck. He is a rough dude and still does not understand the concept of tapping early. I usually apply submissions gently until my partner taps but I knew Tony is a man who refuses to tap and will try to muscle out of things. I felt bad but at the same time BJJ is about humility and sooner or later everyone who continues to practice this art should come to understand this term. There was once a time I was wreckless but it's really not worth it. Tapping early will keep the injuries at a minimum.
Cool way to escape side control by pummelling
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Single Leg
Continued to work the fake guard jump single leg takedown.
1) trapped the leg between my thighs and hopped backwards until partner's leg is close to mine at which point I drop on my knees and both my hands grab for the ankle of the partner's free leg until he collapes over and I end up on top. Remember when I have the single to hold my collar. I can even use one hand to grab partner's free ankle while I hold onto my collar with my hand holding the leg.
2) fake guard pull to single. Pick the leg straight up and bring it to my outside (left side) and sweep with an osoto gari variation. Remember to sweep with my right leg pushing him forward with my right hand on his collar. My left arm holding his leg should be holding my collar as I do this.
Counter to the Single Leg
- If the opponent has control of my right leg I keep it in between his legs. I immediately reach over his back with my right hand and grab his belt palm down. I then push his head to my right side so it's ont centered on my body. My left hand reaches under him and holds the arm (his outside arm; left?) trapping it. I scoot my standing leg foward so I can get under him and I drop myself to the ground pulling and kicking him backwards with my leg in between his thighs until I am on top.
Rolling:
Dylan: played leg locks. passed guard. ended on top. side control. mount. hard to secure submission from mount. he has good defense.
Jordan: played leg locks and it made it a little more difficult for Jordan. I think I got a triple sweep. Survived a little longer this time around.
Liron: a lot of x-guard. swpet to roll on top and had to pass with knee through leg over shoulder. Maintained good side control. When I mount I controled his left arm with an over under which really helped keep him in position. He bumped many times and I was able to maintain position.
Ian: really have to fight to retain gaurd with Ian. He drives 110% and waits for me to tire out. I might need to turn up the aggression when retaining guard.
Danny: rolling with Danny is a lot of fun because we roll around in all sorts of position. playing a lot of x-guard and always looking to try to take his back. he is really good at pass my guard but I've been getting better preventing it.
Tyler: at the end of class rolled 5 minutes. I used no strength just relied on pure technique. I tried not to use my arms. It was a good experience. lots of butterfly, backtakes, smooth scarfhold to side control. It helped me work on my fluidity.
1) trapped the leg between my thighs and hopped backwards until partner's leg is close to mine at which point I drop on my knees and both my hands grab for the ankle of the partner's free leg until he collapes over and I end up on top. Remember when I have the single to hold my collar. I can even use one hand to grab partner's free ankle while I hold onto my collar with my hand holding the leg.
2) fake guard pull to single. Pick the leg straight up and bring it to my outside (left side) and sweep with an osoto gari variation. Remember to sweep with my right leg pushing him forward with my right hand on his collar. My left arm holding his leg should be holding my collar as I do this.
Counter to the Single Leg
- If the opponent has control of my right leg I keep it in between his legs. I immediately reach over his back with my right hand and grab his belt palm down. I then push his head to my right side so it's ont centered on my body. My left hand reaches under him and holds the arm (his outside arm; left?) trapping it. I scoot my standing leg foward so I can get under him and I drop myself to the ground pulling and kicking him backwards with my leg in between his thighs until I am on top.
Rolling:
Dylan: played leg locks. passed guard. ended on top. side control. mount. hard to secure submission from mount. he has good defense.
Jordan: played leg locks and it made it a little more difficult for Jordan. I think I got a triple sweep. Survived a little longer this time around.
Liron: a lot of x-guard. swpet to roll on top and had to pass with knee through leg over shoulder. Maintained good side control. When I mount I controled his left arm with an over under which really helped keep him in position. He bumped many times and I was able to maintain position.
Ian: really have to fight to retain gaurd with Ian. He drives 110% and waits for me to tire out. I might need to turn up the aggression when retaining guard.
Danny: rolling with Danny is a lot of fun because we roll around in all sorts of position. playing a lot of x-guard and always looking to try to take his back. he is really good at pass my guard but I've been getting better preventing it.
Tyler: at the end of class rolled 5 minutes. I used no strength just relied on pure technique. I tried not to use my arms. It was a good experience. lots of butterfly, backtakes, smooth scarfhold to side control. It helped me work on my fluidity.
Monday, June 20, 2011
DJ IN THE HOUSE
On Saturday DJ from Atlanta, one of Felipe's students from 15 years back, came in and taught the gi class.
First we learned some take downs.
1) Regular sleeve collar grip on my partner. I fake a guard pull by raising my right leg up. I have to make it seem real so I have to lean back a little and then surprise my partner by rushing in for the single leg. Remember my right leg drops back down onto my knee and then follow up by stepping in with my left leg on the ground. My head should be against my partner's sternum (ffacing foward down head down) and I lift my partner's right leg with both my arms while trapping his leg in between my legs.
- partner tries to regain some control by placing the leg on the outside of my body (my left). My left leg goes right in between his legs to the back (as deep as possible) and I reach my left hand around his waist (from the right) getting the underhook. Makes it easier if I am bent over so when I pick his left ankle with my right hand it will be easier. Once I pick his ankle I drop my right shoulder over my partner so he can not escape. Place my weight towards partner's upper right shoulder area.
2) Grab both sleeves and with my right hand I steer partner's left arm over to the opposite side of his body (steering to my left). As I do this I step my right leg right behind his right foot and I pick his ankle with my left (free) hand. I do this all at once using my momentum to sweep him over. I think I can use my shoulder's to drive him backwards. I can also do this with just one sleeve which is also very effective.
Ground Work:
1) From standing position I grab partner's right wrist with my left hand and pass it over so I have a pistol grip with my right hand and my left hand grabs right under partner's tricep area near the pit. Once that arm is secured I place my left foot on his right hip and I fall to my back pulling guard. Make sure I am on my side and extending my left leg out to keep opponent away. Now I release the tricep with my left hand and grab behind partner's right foot. Pretty much like I would set up the x-guard triple sweep style I bring my right hook inside partner's left leg to pull myself in so I can shift and get my left knee behin partner's right leg. Now his right leg should be off the ground with my left hand holding behind his right foot keeping his leg off the ground. This makes it hard for the big guys to balance on one leg and almost impossible to pass my guard while I set up my sweep or backtake.
a) now I can bring that trapped leg all the way around to the other side of my body (underhooking the leg bringing it around makes it easier for me) clearing both arms so I can trap that leg under my elbows. i am in X-GUARD now. I should have the pistol grip still. His leg should be over both my arms so my pistol grip should be under his right leg now (behind him). Now my left hand will grab his right thigh area. I loosen my right hook for now and I sweep my partner backwards with my left hook and as he is going back I straight out my right hook (keeping contact at all times) until he falls back on his side facing opposite of me. While still maintaining contact with my right hook I come up and secure a good seat belt grip.
-For seat belt grip Marcelo likes to hide the choking hand by my grabbing the fat part of the hand and not wrist in order to make it impossible for partner to pry my grip open by placing both hands on my hand when I grab my own wrist.
-secure the seat belt. get the hook in that's on the side of choking hand then fall to that side and work to get the other hook in
b) Same scenario as (a) but now that I've brought partner's leg all the way around he is placing his weight forward so I can not sweep him back. Now I simply bring my right hook around to his other leg (back of his right leg) and I come around to the back and pretty much grab his belt and let him ride into my lap and take his back. Just like the other x-guard move Felipe showed where I take an opponent's back
Rolling:
- Pulled the x-guard back take on Danny and almost submitted him with a bow and arrow.
- Pulled the x-guard and almost took Ian's back but he kept turning back into me . I need to figure out a way to kill his drive when passing because he just tires me out.
- I did well with Pete. Able to pass and maintain top control.
- Did well with Liron with the stacking passes from both sides where I bring his leg on top my my shoulder.
First we learned some take downs.
1) Regular sleeve collar grip on my partner. I fake a guard pull by raising my right leg up. I have to make it seem real so I have to lean back a little and then surprise my partner by rushing in for the single leg. Remember my right leg drops back down onto my knee and then follow up by stepping in with my left leg on the ground. My head should be against my partner's sternum (ffacing foward down head down) and I lift my partner's right leg with both my arms while trapping his leg in between my legs.
- partner tries to regain some control by placing the leg on the outside of my body (my left). My left leg goes right in between his legs to the back (as deep as possible) and I reach my left hand around his waist (from the right) getting the underhook. Makes it easier if I am bent over so when I pick his left ankle with my right hand it will be easier. Once I pick his ankle I drop my right shoulder over my partner so he can not escape. Place my weight towards partner's upper right shoulder area.
2) Grab both sleeves and with my right hand I steer partner's left arm over to the opposite side of his body (steering to my left). As I do this I step my right leg right behind his right foot and I pick his ankle with my left (free) hand. I do this all at once using my momentum to sweep him over. I think I can use my shoulder's to drive him backwards. I can also do this with just one sleeve which is also very effective.
Ground Work:
1) From standing position I grab partner's right wrist with my left hand and pass it over so I have a pistol grip with my right hand and my left hand grabs right under partner's tricep area near the pit. Once that arm is secured I place my left foot on his right hip and I fall to my back pulling guard. Make sure I am on my side and extending my left leg out to keep opponent away. Now I release the tricep with my left hand and grab behind partner's right foot. Pretty much like I would set up the x-guard triple sweep style I bring my right hook inside partner's left leg to pull myself in so I can shift and get my left knee behin partner's right leg. Now his right leg should be off the ground with my left hand holding behind his right foot keeping his leg off the ground. This makes it hard for the big guys to balance on one leg and almost impossible to pass my guard while I set up my sweep or backtake.
a) now I can bring that trapped leg all the way around to the other side of my body (underhooking the leg bringing it around makes it easier for me) clearing both arms so I can trap that leg under my elbows. i am in X-GUARD now. I should have the pistol grip still. His leg should be over both my arms so my pistol grip should be under his right leg now (behind him). Now my left hand will grab his right thigh area. I loosen my right hook for now and I sweep my partner backwards with my left hook and as he is going back I straight out my right hook (keeping contact at all times) until he falls back on his side facing opposite of me. While still maintaining contact with my right hook I come up and secure a good seat belt grip.
-For seat belt grip Marcelo likes to hide the choking hand by my grabbing the fat part of the hand and not wrist in order to make it impossible for partner to pry my grip open by placing both hands on my hand when I grab my own wrist.
-secure the seat belt. get the hook in that's on the side of choking hand then fall to that side and work to get the other hook in
b) Same scenario as (a) but now that I've brought partner's leg all the way around he is placing his weight forward so I can not sweep him back. Now I simply bring my right hook around to his other leg (back of his right leg) and I come around to the back and pretty much grab his belt and let him ride into my lap and take his back. Just like the other x-guard move Felipe showed where I take an opponent's back
Rolling:
- Pulled the x-guard back take on Danny and almost submitted him with a bow and arrow.
- Pulled the x-guard and almost took Ian's back but he kept turning back into me . I need to figure out a way to kill his drive when passing because he just tires me out.
- I did well with Pete. Able to pass and maintain top control.
- Did well with Liron with the stacking passes from both sides where I bring his leg on top my my shoulder.
Friday, June 10, 2011
X-Guard Day 3
I decided to take a break and go train again yesterday because I really liked the focus on x-guard for the week and did not want to miss out on any cool techniques Felipe shows.
We continued working on getting into x-guard from spider by the triple sweep motion and also from the belt with a slight variation. If I am playing open guard my opponent stuffs my feet between his legs and places his weight on me to keep me from using my guard, I am pretty much in butterfly guard so what I do is have one arm pushing him while I kick out with my hooks and immediately rush in from the belt grab in butterfly position. Now I have my right hook in, shoot my left leg through while pulling my partner on top of me and lifting him to establish the x-guard.
We learned a couple sweeps from x-guard:
1) If the opponent has his weight back I place both "feet" on his inside left thigh and I stretch/ kick it out and curl my legs back in and stand.
2) In x-guard I grip partner's right leg on my shoulder and bring it to the other side of me. Or better I think ducking under and shifting my body to the other side is good too. Move myself not my partner. So after bring my partner's leg over my face I can:
a) grip opponent's right sleeve with my right hand (MG grip) and myleft hand releases his right leg to grab his belt from behind. Now I sweep him backwards.
b) Grab his belt with my left hand and swim through with my right hand like we've been working on to get to his back and have my shin behind partner's knees. Now I let let him ride until he falls into my lap and I have his back. Or I swim to the back and grab both his ankles and force him forward with my knees.
Rolling:
Robert: I played it smart and kept low and he caught me in a triangle. Pretty much defended it until the last minute by stacking him and making sure I has space to breath.
Doc: played low and fought for the belt grip to play x-guard. Unable to lift Doc into x guard so went on top and focused on passing guard. Did well and I did manage to drive and pass his guard and end up in side control until the buzzer.
Taylor: This was a great roll. Taylor played his inverted guard and I was able to catch his back several times. Sometimes between his legs. Sometimes while he was rolling around. Sometimes I just made it up. Pretty much anything I can do to pull him up to expose his back so I can rush in and attack. I can't really recall how I did it but my body was able to improvise and come up with a plan. I think really it was being able to apply weight on his legs and get a grip on his belt or the tail of his gi. Sometimes we'd both end up in odd positions facing away from eachother but I'd control his body and somehow reach for his belt and pull him into a position where he would be forced to turn facing away from me allowing me that one second to attack. Taylor is very squirmy like me and when I take his back he can sometimes roll out into a position and I have been able to maintain his back or allow him to turn so I can mount him. Being able to roll around and adapt to his invertedness also helped. Become like water is making more sense. Rolling around to imitate my opponent is making it easier to catch their backs. Wow this is amazing I really like how fluid the rolls are becoming. I am starting to take a break from all the spider guard and I am beginning to pass, take their backs, and imitate their rolling. BJJ is even more exciting now. Combine this with my speed and it becomes quite an advantage. It seems as if there are few people who are focused on taking the back in class. They have more of a smash you, pass your guard, mount you, and choke you mentality.
We continued working on getting into x-guard from spider by the triple sweep motion and also from the belt with a slight variation. If I am playing open guard my opponent stuffs my feet between his legs and places his weight on me to keep me from using my guard, I am pretty much in butterfly guard so what I do is have one arm pushing him while I kick out with my hooks and immediately rush in from the belt grab in butterfly position. Now I have my right hook in, shoot my left leg through while pulling my partner on top of me and lifting him to establish the x-guard.
We learned a couple sweeps from x-guard:
1) If the opponent has his weight back I place both "feet" on his inside left thigh and I stretch/ kick it out and curl my legs back in and stand.
2) In x-guard I grip partner's right leg on my shoulder and bring it to the other side of me. Or better I think ducking under and shifting my body to the other side is good too. Move myself not my partner. So after bring my partner's leg over my face I can:
a) grip opponent's right sleeve with my right hand (MG grip) and myleft hand releases his right leg to grab his belt from behind. Now I sweep him backwards.
b) Grab his belt with my left hand and swim through with my right hand like we've been working on to get to his back and have my shin behind partner's knees. Now I let let him ride until he falls into my lap and I have his back. Or I swim to the back and grab both his ankles and force him forward with my knees.
Rolling:
Robert: I played it smart and kept low and he caught me in a triangle. Pretty much defended it until the last minute by stacking him and making sure I has space to breath.
Doc: played low and fought for the belt grip to play x-guard. Unable to lift Doc into x guard so went on top and focused on passing guard. Did well and I did manage to drive and pass his guard and end up in side control until the buzzer.
Taylor: This was a great roll. Taylor played his inverted guard and I was able to catch his back several times. Sometimes between his legs. Sometimes while he was rolling around. Sometimes I just made it up. Pretty much anything I can do to pull him up to expose his back so I can rush in and attack. I can't really recall how I did it but my body was able to improvise and come up with a plan. I think really it was being able to apply weight on his legs and get a grip on his belt or the tail of his gi. Sometimes we'd both end up in odd positions facing away from eachother but I'd control his body and somehow reach for his belt and pull him into a position where he would be forced to turn facing away from me allowing me that one second to attack. Taylor is very squirmy like me and when I take his back he can sometimes roll out into a position and I have been able to maintain his back or allow him to turn so I can mount him. Being able to roll around and adapt to his invertedness also helped. Become like water is making more sense. Rolling around to imitate my opponent is making it easier to catch their backs. Wow this is amazing I really like how fluid the rolls are becoming. I am starting to take a break from all the spider guard and I am beginning to pass, take their backs, and imitate their rolling. BJJ is even more exciting now. Combine this with my speed and it becomes quite an advantage. It seems as if there are few people who are focused on taking the back in class. They have more of a smash you, pass your guard, mount you, and choke you mentality.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
X-Guard Day 2
Yesterday we learned how to establish the x-guard stand up. I pretty much go for the triple sweep witht he cross grip. My left foot on my partner's hips while my right foot is on his left shoulder. My right hand grabbing his right sleeve and my left gripping behind his right elbow. Lean to the left and I release my left hand grip to grab his right ankle. Get mt left knee behing his right leg and I back hand his right leg and pull myself under him and establish the x-guard.
-ankle sweep
-control opp right arm while standing and roll him backwards (MG style)
After this drill we did king of the mat in closed guard.
First I went with Robert. He was in my closed guard. He stood up and I somehow managed to slip into x-guard and get the ankle sweep but no all the way. I ended up standing up with a single but we both went down pretty soon after. I ended on my back more so he got point.
Next I went with Lateef and I made sure to establish a strong base with my dominant hand keeping him from posturing and my left hand smashing his hips low. As I smashed his hips down I sprawled my legs back. This prohibited Lateef from raising his hips when I tried to pass with the knee behind the butt. It also kept him from becoming a danger to me since his hips were unable to moves. I tried this several times while Lateef tried to sweep. Finally I saw an opening and I slid my knee through with his right leg on my left shoulder and Iwas able to control his head with my right cross face arm. Right when I slip my left leg through he was able to sweep me. If I reacted faster I think I could have escaped.
I also ended in Docs closed guard. It was the same tactic. Strong base, posture up, keep doc down along with his hips. He attempted several collar chokes but I defended them by pushing down on Doc so he did not have the tension needed to complete the choke. He would sit up and bear hug me but I would concentrate on keep his hips in place and posturing back up pushing him down and really payign close attention to any submission attempts. Finally I tired Doc out and he made a move leaving space so I slipped through with right knee with his right leg on my left shoulder and I was able to secure a gable hold on Doc's head and get the underhook. Once that happened I locked it in tight and I pushed to free my left leg in Doc's guard and passed to side mount.
Rolling
Doc: Played the x-guard. Got the roll back sweep and almost side control again I believe. I may have tried passing and ended up with my kob but it was shortlived. I remember being on top and trying to apply my weight. It was going good for a little while but he soon swept me. I ended up in his closed guard. Defended the collar choke two times and the third time I tapped. Went again but time ran out. I am getting better with my rolls with Doc. Playing the x-guard by grabbing the belt worked out better than I expected. Keeping my base low and trying to maintain a hook inside Doc's leg. One problem is when he sits up in butterfly guard and leaves no wholes. His advice is to walk around and knock him off balance and from there the opponent should present an opening.
***Stripe Promotions at the beginning of the class.
-ankle sweep
-control opp right arm while standing and roll him backwards (MG style)
After this drill we did king of the mat in closed guard.
First I went with Robert. He was in my closed guard. He stood up and I somehow managed to slip into x-guard and get the ankle sweep but no all the way. I ended up standing up with a single but we both went down pretty soon after. I ended on my back more so he got point.
Next I went with Lateef and I made sure to establish a strong base with my dominant hand keeping him from posturing and my left hand smashing his hips low. As I smashed his hips down I sprawled my legs back. This prohibited Lateef from raising his hips when I tried to pass with the knee behind the butt. It also kept him from becoming a danger to me since his hips were unable to moves. I tried this several times while Lateef tried to sweep. Finally I saw an opening and I slid my knee through with his right leg on my left shoulder and Iwas able to control his head with my right cross face arm. Right when I slip my left leg through he was able to sweep me. If I reacted faster I think I could have escaped.
I also ended in Docs closed guard. It was the same tactic. Strong base, posture up, keep doc down along with his hips. He attempted several collar chokes but I defended them by pushing down on Doc so he did not have the tension needed to complete the choke. He would sit up and bear hug me but I would concentrate on keep his hips in place and posturing back up pushing him down and really payign close attention to any submission attempts. Finally I tired Doc out and he made a move leaving space so I slipped through with right knee with his right leg on my left shoulder and I was able to secure a gable hold on Doc's head and get the underhook. Once that happened I locked it in tight and I pushed to free my left leg in Doc's guard and passed to side mount.
Rolling
Doc: Played the x-guard. Got the roll back sweep and almost side control again I believe. I may have tried passing and ended up with my kob but it was shortlived. I remember being on top and trying to apply my weight. It was going good for a little while but he soon swept me. I ended up in his closed guard. Defended the collar choke two times and the third time I tapped. Went again but time ran out. I am getting better with my rolls with Doc. Playing the x-guard by grabbing the belt worked out better than I expected. Keeping my base low and trying to maintain a hook inside Doc's leg. One problem is when he sits up in butterfly guard and leaves no wholes. His advice is to walk around and knock him off balance and from there the opponent should present an opening.
***Stripe Promotions at the beginning of the class.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
X-Guard and Reverse De la Riva
Two ways to get into the x-guard
1) grab the belt with right hand and hold partner's right pant leg with my left. My right foot has butterfly hook on partner's left inner thigh. Pull opponent on top of my with the belt, use my hook to lift partner up, shift my hips so I am directly under my partner and establish the x-guard.
2) right foot hooking partner's right inner thigh while on my back. My Left foot crosses over my right leg and rests on top of partner's left thigh. The back of my left hand reaches inside opponent's right leg and as I use that to pull myself and shift my hips under my opponent, I go from using my back hand to rotating it and eventually grabbing the leg. Make sure partner's leg is on top of my shoulder. I pretty much use my left hand and force it into that position.
3) I could also go for the butterfly sweep with my right hand grabbing my partner's belt. Say I attempt and my partner bases his right leg, I now hook it the same way like in option 2 and I scoot myself under to establish the x -guard.
3 sweeps.
1) grab ankle and extend. sometimes if I can't reach the ankle use my right hook and elevate it so partner's leg slides down my shin and comes into a closer distance for me to grab.
2) I have the x-guard but opponentis leaning back with both hands on the ground. Get on my elbows. My dominant right hook on his left thigh (right under his stomach) extends all the way out and then I place my right hand on the mat and I technical stand with my right hooking leg ( step back).
3) I like to control a sleeve and roll opponent backwards landing on top (MG)
Ian - REVERSE DE LA RIVA
- someone tries the knee through with their right knee on my left leg. I get the reverse de la riva (this hook makes it impossible for my partner to pass).
1) If partner's right hand is gripping my left collar I break with both hands and force that arm across his body with both hands holding it with my right hand. My left hand releases and reachs around my partner to grab his belt. Now I pull him (pull/ spin him) and release my reverse de la riva hook so he falls and I have his back.
2) If partner drives the knee through and has a sleeve collar grip on me, I mimic his grip and I use my riva hook to sweep him backwards towards his trapped side. Using his energy against him.
Rolling:
David: He really likes to pass. When I go inverted he is able to control both my ankles and pin it back. I can't pull x-guard on him because he is good with keeping it heavy, like he sprawls neutralizing the leverage of my right hook to lift him up. I tend to keep butterfly / open guard with him but he likes to pin my hips down by laying on my stomach and hopping over. It's safer to keep one butterfly hook in while wrapping my other leg around him in case he tries to hop. My triangle tactics don't work particularly well because he knows I only go for the right side so his elbows and knees are sealed. I had him in my closed guard but he is able to defend the armbar attempts. His experience really shows.
Felipe: first time rolling with my instructor. I didn't know how to engage him. It's like he taught me everything so he's able to take me apart as well since he is the creator. He gets on his knees and his arms are tucked in. It reminds me of a stone ball and I can't penetrate it's defenses. I have never felt this way about an opponent before, there's usually some little hole I can capitalize on whether it be successfully or just a glimpse of hope. I was so lost I didn't have the slightest clue how to attack him. I could only establish my grips pull guard while I wait for the inevitable smashing. I was on the defense the whole time and my sensitivity of my spider trap could not keep up him. X-guard was impossible to establish on Felipe because it was neutralized with him keeping his weight heavy and not allowing me to get under him. I tried the inverted triangle but that had little effect. He has a very brutal top game and now I understand what it feels like to be "crushed." Once he passes and mounts or kob it's over. Slightly down because I felt like I didn't impress him but he is my teacher and a black belt so of course he is on a different level. Not just one belt level but 15 years ahead. Good experience for me very humbling. Sometimes I get too confident (in my bjj, which is okay) and rolling with Felipe has shown I have much to learn, that my journey has just begun. I have only started walking and I already thought I could run. Thank you Felipe.
I did surprise him with my flying kob pass when I hop over immediately after getting a grip on his left collar.
On the other hand I am starting to get the bow and arrow alot. (Brandon, Dennis). It may not be the way it was shown but it still works. A lot of class for me now is familiarizing myself with the principals/ mechanics of a technique and to be able to apply it in my own way. I've become a little better now that I stopped trying to perform every move perfectly the way it was taught. Instead I take chances and try to improvise with the principal in mind. This has resulted in a lot of self discovery. Just play around with it and stop trying to be a perfectionist. This hindered me in the past because I would not be comfortable executing a move until I perfected it. Sometimes I'll never reach perfection or it might take a while so start playing around with the idea and eventually it will polish itself over time. Taking risk and making mistakes is the fast track to success because I will have learned it much quicker than waiting around not applying the principals. I messed around with the open guard and got passed so many times but now it has paid off in dividends. My guard retention in the open guard has become a lot better. If I had began by learning the closed guard I may have become accustomed to it and it would have become habitually hindersome. I would be afraid of letting my opponent out of my closed guard but now that I can play from an open position the options are limitless. They say bjj can help you understand your true self and I believe it. Even in life I do not dive into a topic I am not 100% sure of. Mixing facts plus some bullshit can be a good way to get ahead sometimes ;)
1) grab the belt with right hand and hold partner's right pant leg with my left. My right foot has butterfly hook on partner's left inner thigh. Pull opponent on top of my with the belt, use my hook to lift partner up, shift my hips so I am directly under my partner and establish the x-guard.
2) right foot hooking partner's right inner thigh while on my back. My Left foot crosses over my right leg and rests on top of partner's left thigh. The back of my left hand reaches inside opponent's right leg and as I use that to pull myself and shift my hips under my opponent, I go from using my back hand to rotating it and eventually grabbing the leg. Make sure partner's leg is on top of my shoulder. I pretty much use my left hand and force it into that position.
3) I could also go for the butterfly sweep with my right hand grabbing my partner's belt. Say I attempt and my partner bases his right leg, I now hook it the same way like in option 2 and I scoot myself under to establish the x -guard.
3 sweeps.
1) grab ankle and extend. sometimes if I can't reach the ankle use my right hook and elevate it so partner's leg slides down my shin and comes into a closer distance for me to grab.
2) I have the x-guard but opponentis leaning back with both hands on the ground. Get on my elbows. My dominant right hook on his left thigh (right under his stomach) extends all the way out and then I place my right hand on the mat and I technical stand with my right hooking leg ( step back).
3) I like to control a sleeve and roll opponent backwards landing on top (MG)
Ian - REVERSE DE LA RIVA
- someone tries the knee through with their right knee on my left leg. I get the reverse de la riva (this hook makes it impossible for my partner to pass).
1) If partner's right hand is gripping my left collar I break with both hands and force that arm across his body with both hands holding it with my right hand. My left hand releases and reachs around my partner to grab his belt. Now I pull him (pull/ spin him) and release my reverse de la riva hook so he falls and I have his back.
2) If partner drives the knee through and has a sleeve collar grip on me, I mimic his grip and I use my riva hook to sweep him backwards towards his trapped side. Using his energy against him.
Rolling:
David: He really likes to pass. When I go inverted he is able to control both my ankles and pin it back. I can't pull x-guard on him because he is good with keeping it heavy, like he sprawls neutralizing the leverage of my right hook to lift him up. I tend to keep butterfly / open guard with him but he likes to pin my hips down by laying on my stomach and hopping over. It's safer to keep one butterfly hook in while wrapping my other leg around him in case he tries to hop. My triangle tactics don't work particularly well because he knows I only go for the right side so his elbows and knees are sealed. I had him in my closed guard but he is able to defend the armbar attempts. His experience really shows.
Felipe: first time rolling with my instructor. I didn't know how to engage him. It's like he taught me everything so he's able to take me apart as well since he is the creator. He gets on his knees and his arms are tucked in. It reminds me of a stone ball and I can't penetrate it's defenses. I have never felt this way about an opponent before, there's usually some little hole I can capitalize on whether it be successfully or just a glimpse of hope. I was so lost I didn't have the slightest clue how to attack him. I could only establish my grips pull guard while I wait for the inevitable smashing. I was on the defense the whole time and my sensitivity of my spider trap could not keep up him. X-guard was impossible to establish on Felipe because it was neutralized with him keeping his weight heavy and not allowing me to get under him. I tried the inverted triangle but that had little effect. He has a very brutal top game and now I understand what it feels like to be "crushed." Once he passes and mounts or kob it's over. Slightly down because I felt like I didn't impress him but he is my teacher and a black belt so of course he is on a different level. Not just one belt level but 15 years ahead. Good experience for me very humbling. Sometimes I get too confident (in my bjj, which is okay) and rolling with Felipe has shown I have much to learn, that my journey has just begun. I have only started walking and I already thought I could run. Thank you Felipe.
I did surprise him with my flying kob pass when I hop over immediately after getting a grip on his left collar.
On the other hand I am starting to get the bow and arrow alot. (Brandon, Dennis). It may not be the way it was shown but it still works. A lot of class for me now is familiarizing myself with the principals/ mechanics of a technique and to be able to apply it in my own way. I've become a little better now that I stopped trying to perform every move perfectly the way it was taught. Instead I take chances and try to improvise with the principal in mind. This has resulted in a lot of self discovery. Just play around with it and stop trying to be a perfectionist. This hindered me in the past because I would not be comfortable executing a move until I perfected it. Sometimes I'll never reach perfection or it might take a while so start playing around with the idea and eventually it will polish itself over time. Taking risk and making mistakes is the fast track to success because I will have learned it much quicker than waiting around not applying the principals. I messed around with the open guard and got passed so many times but now it has paid off in dividends. My guard retention in the open guard has become a lot better. If I had began by learning the closed guard I may have become accustomed to it and it would have become habitually hindersome. I would be afraid of letting my opponent out of my closed guard but now that I can play from an open position the options are limitless. They say bjj can help you understand your true self and I believe it. Even in life I do not dive into a topic I am not 100% sure of. Mixing facts plus some bullshit can be a good way to get ahead sometimes ;)
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Side Control Escapes
Today we continued the drill where we got on our knees in order to take the opponent down.
1) double leg
2) single leg
3) head between the knees, hindu pushup, choose one side to hold and take them down that way.
4) Another way to defend the torreando pass is to block your opponent like usual. My hand closer to his body reached and holds onto his cross facing arm's elbow and push it inward. I should be in a shrimped out position (facing away from opponent). I now release the arm stiffing his shoulder to grab his belt . Allow the opponent to drop on me. Get parallel to the opponent and as he drops roll him over to the other side so that I am on top. Use the belt to pull him over. Remember you can't be perpendicular to your opponent when attempting this, you must be in like a 69 position to perform the rollover. lol This is a really good way to reverse the positions. I anticipate the torreando pass and then I immediately use the opponent's driving force and appl y the technique. Works pretty well. Watch head placement so I don't smash my own head.
- one thing worth noting on the takedowns from your knees is not only should your head be on the same side that it's already on when your opponent attempts to pass, your body needs to pretty much be directly in front of your opponent's body for it to work. I was slanted when I got on my knees and it disabled my ability to perform the takedowns correctly.
Rolling
-Doc: took Doc's back. Went for bow and arrow which he blocked and I didn't see the armbar when he was defending. I need to stop linear thinking and not think "I will perform this move and if this doesn't work try something else." Think along the lines of "This probably will not work, so I should anticipate his reaction and react accordingly."
-Dennis: struggled a little with side mount escape. susceptible to bow and arrow chokes from the back.
-Kayla
-Randi
Danny omoplata to armbar. If omoplata does not work, Switch my triangle on the shoulder and have my outside foot behing the neck of the opponent. Allow myself to roll to belly down and then intoan armbar on my back. Ian had another way of doing this by cutting straight to the chase. Something like placing my outside foot behind the opponent's neck from the beginning and using it to driving him down then belly down roll over to armbar? Ask him later
***I am really liking the inverted triangle. It has really opened up my game.
1) double leg
2) single leg
3) head between the knees, hindu pushup, choose one side to hold and take them down that way.
4) Another way to defend the torreando pass is to block your opponent like usual. My hand closer to his body reached and holds onto his cross facing arm's elbow and push it inward. I should be in a shrimped out position (facing away from opponent). I now release the arm stiffing his shoulder to grab his belt . Allow the opponent to drop on me. Get parallel to the opponent and as he drops roll him over to the other side so that I am on top. Use the belt to pull him over. Remember you can't be perpendicular to your opponent when attempting this, you must be in like a 69 position to perform the rollover. lol This is a really good way to reverse the positions. I anticipate the torreando pass and then I immediately use the opponent's driving force and appl y the technique. Works pretty well. Watch head placement so I don't smash my own head.
- one thing worth noting on the takedowns from your knees is not only should your head be on the same side that it's already on when your opponent attempts to pass, your body needs to pretty much be directly in front of your opponent's body for it to work. I was slanted when I got on my knees and it disabled my ability to perform the takedowns correctly.
Rolling
-Doc: took Doc's back. Went for bow and arrow which he blocked and I didn't see the armbar when he was defending. I need to stop linear thinking and not think "I will perform this move and if this doesn't work try something else." Think along the lines of "This probably will not work, so I should anticipate his reaction and react accordingly."
-Dennis: struggled a little with side mount escape. susceptible to bow and arrow chokes from the back.
-Kayla
-Randi
Danny omoplata to armbar. If omoplata does not work, Switch my triangle on the shoulder and have my outside foot behing the neck of the opponent. Allow myself to roll to belly down and then intoan armbar on my back. Ian had another way of doing this by cutting straight to the chase. Something like placing my outside foot behind the opponent's neck from the beginning and using it to driving him down then belly down roll over to armbar? Ask him later
***I am really liking the inverted triangle. It has really opened up my game.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
I'm Going Inverted!
I am very happy I decided to skip studying for a day and head to class to train yesterday because Felipe had Danny show us inverted guard. I've messed around with the inverted guard but only to escape when I am about to be passed and not for a submission based purpose.
Scissor Sweep blocked to Inverted Triangle
-If the opponent blocks my scissor sweep I grip both of his sleeves, regular grip or cross grip it doesn't matter. Say I am positioned to sweep him to the right and I get blocked and I have my grips on both sleeves. Bring my right leg across to the same side of the opponent's trapped arm blocking me (similar to the lasso sweep where I bring my left to the trapped lasso arm) and then I kick off on my right foot while rolling on my left shoulder which brings be inverted and I spin all the way around (360 degrees) and catch the opponent in a triangle. By this time I should have released the grip of the opponent's arm that I am not trying to trap in my triangle.
Lasso to Inverted Submissions
(this setup is easier to set up because I do not have to wait for the situation of a scissor sweep block to happen)
-TRIANGLE: I have closed guard and while controlling both the opponent's sleeves I shrimp out to one side to get the 1/4 butterfly guard with the foot on the hips with my knees spread to cause tension on opponent's arms. Now I lasso one arm (let's say I lasso the right arm). I bring my right leg across to the same side of the arm being lassoed. Now kick off with my right foot and get on my left shoulder and go inverted rotating 360 degrees. When I come around be sure to pull opponent's arm (grasping the back of opponent's tricep with my right hand) and catch him in my triangle.
-OMOPLATA: I can also go inverted and instead of rotating all the way around I can rotate half way catching the opponent in an omoplata using the force as I come around from my rotation to force my opponent's to bend his body.
Rolling:
-King of the Mat I was on the bottom (closed guard) with a new three stripe blue belt from a Renzo Gracie school. I was able to secure the triangle and lock it in for the finish. I think the element of surprise is a key factor to my success with this submission. Most people are surprised that I play the guard so offensively and how much range I can cover when I shoot for a submission.
-There was another white belt who had trained a while ago at the school and I was able to catch him in a lasso inverted triangle that we learned that day. I really like that move :)
-While rolling with Robert I feel like I did a good job today. He caught me in some foot lock so I need to watch out for those because it's fair game now at the blue belt level. Rob acutally took my back but I did a good job defending it because I had his leg in a triangle and I had control of his left arm with both hands. You can't choke with one arm is what I've come to realize. I felt pretty safe. Eventually I scrambled and I believe I was able to turn into his closed guard. He immediately goes for some sort of half guard and I was able to get the knee down while pulling his outer arm up and using his collar with my other hand to rotate him into a downward position. I somehow managed to take his back by going between his leg (I actually forced his leg over me) grabbing the belt and then the back of his collar to secure the backtake. It was half assed but I was able to get some sort of back take. I eventually came around and ended on top when we both scrambled while he was trying to get out of the position. I gable gripped his head and left arm and tried to go for an arm triangle but he did a good job of trapping my legs. Time ran out and that was that.
-Tylers passing seems to be getting better
-Jeff and I are a good matchup. I still got the advantage for getting on top and looking for the crossface and passing (once?). Found out Jeff was out for a yeat due to a knee injury and then he took up mma but injured himself there as well, in which he reasoned old age had something to do with it. Cool guy. Wears nail polish (sky blue) everytime I've seen him. I don't know what it is but I don't care to ask because he is a nice guy.
Advice:
-Doc says I have not found a position where I can just relax and hang out, that's another reason why I lose in the end. I need to figure out this safe position. Help me relax and not waste energy. I also need to learn to relax. It is possible to get over your nerves and roll like I do in the academy. When I roll loosely I am able to conserve energy, time the sweeps, focus on back takes, and play a more fluid game from top and bottom.
Technique Class:
Side Mount (4 Variations)
1) Side mount to mount
2) 100 kilos
3) Switch the hips then back to side mount.
4) Reverse hip swtich (facing legs, lift arm hold belt) to mount (remember if opponent is bumping to grab hold of the outside pant leg and pull up so they can't use that leg to bump).
Scissor Sweep blocked to Inverted Triangle
-If the opponent blocks my scissor sweep I grip both of his sleeves, regular grip or cross grip it doesn't matter. Say I am positioned to sweep him to the right and I get blocked and I have my grips on both sleeves. Bring my right leg across to the same side of the opponent's trapped arm blocking me (similar to the lasso sweep where I bring my left to the trapped lasso arm) and then I kick off on my right foot while rolling on my left shoulder which brings be inverted and I spin all the way around (360 degrees) and catch the opponent in a triangle. By this time I should have released the grip of the opponent's arm that I am not trying to trap in my triangle.
Lasso to Inverted Submissions
(this setup is easier to set up because I do not have to wait for the situation of a scissor sweep block to happen)
-TRIANGLE: I have closed guard and while controlling both the opponent's sleeves I shrimp out to one side to get the 1/4 butterfly guard with the foot on the hips with my knees spread to cause tension on opponent's arms. Now I lasso one arm (let's say I lasso the right arm). I bring my right leg across to the same side of the arm being lassoed. Now kick off with my right foot and get on my left shoulder and go inverted rotating 360 degrees. When I come around be sure to pull opponent's arm (grasping the back of opponent's tricep with my right hand) and catch him in my triangle.
-OMOPLATA: I can also go inverted and instead of rotating all the way around I can rotate half way catching the opponent in an omoplata using the force as I come around from my rotation to force my opponent's to bend his body.
Rolling:
-King of the Mat I was on the bottom (closed guard) with a new three stripe blue belt from a Renzo Gracie school. I was able to secure the triangle and lock it in for the finish. I think the element of surprise is a key factor to my success with this submission. Most people are surprised that I play the guard so offensively and how much range I can cover when I shoot for a submission.
-There was another white belt who had trained a while ago at the school and I was able to catch him in a lasso inverted triangle that we learned that day. I really like that move :)
-While rolling with Robert I feel like I did a good job today. He caught me in some foot lock so I need to watch out for those because it's fair game now at the blue belt level. Rob acutally took my back but I did a good job defending it because I had his leg in a triangle and I had control of his left arm with both hands. You can't choke with one arm is what I've come to realize. I felt pretty safe. Eventually I scrambled and I believe I was able to turn into his closed guard. He immediately goes for some sort of half guard and I was able to get the knee down while pulling his outer arm up and using his collar with my other hand to rotate him into a downward position. I somehow managed to take his back by going between his leg (I actually forced his leg over me) grabbing the belt and then the back of his collar to secure the backtake. It was half assed but I was able to get some sort of back take. I eventually came around and ended on top when we both scrambled while he was trying to get out of the position. I gable gripped his head and left arm and tried to go for an arm triangle but he did a good job of trapping my legs. Time ran out and that was that.
-Tylers passing seems to be getting better
-Jeff and I are a good matchup. I still got the advantage for getting on top and looking for the crossface and passing (once?). Found out Jeff was out for a yeat due to a knee injury and then he took up mma but injured himself there as well, in which he reasoned old age had something to do with it. Cool guy. Wears nail polish (sky blue) everytime I've seen him. I don't know what it is but I don't care to ask because he is a nice guy.
Advice:
-Doc says I have not found a position where I can just relax and hang out, that's another reason why I lose in the end. I need to figure out this safe position. Help me relax and not waste energy. I also need to learn to relax. It is possible to get over your nerves and roll like I do in the academy. When I roll loosely I am able to conserve energy, time the sweeps, focus on back takes, and play a more fluid game from top and bottom.
Technique Class:
Side Mount (4 Variations)
1) Side mount to mount
2) 100 kilos
3) Switch the hips then back to side mount.
4) Reverse hip swtich (facing legs, lift arm hold belt) to mount (remember if opponent is bumping to grab hold of the outside pant leg and pull up so they can't use that leg to bump).
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Coming up on the knees for the double
One move I've neglected to incorporate is when you are in someone's side control and when they bring their crossface arm around your head you get on both knees and grab behind their legs and pretty much do a double take down on your knees.
In this particular drill Felipe had us do it was a little different. Person on top begins to pass torreando style and the natural defense for the person on bottom is to stiff arm the passer with one hand on the hip and one on his shoulder area. If the passer tries to being his crossface arm across I use the hand on his hip to block the crossface arm (bicep area). The counter to my defense on the bottom is to switch the hips and fall into a kessa katame position like we discussed previously. Do not fight against the stiff arm instead pick the path with the least resistance.
If I am on the bottom position I free my arm under his armpit and hold the opponent's collar directly across from my free arm and use that to stiff arm and push opp away. Now as I push the opponent away I pull out my other arm and now I can place both hands on the opponent. How bridge my hips towards the opponent while pushing and shrimping my hips out. Now I recompose my guard by bring my bottom leg in or blocking the crossface hand if opponent tries to bring it around me I can immediately get on both knees and do the double leg take down. I like to react right when the opponent is thinking about controling my head by crossfacing so I can skip that step and go straight for the takedown. Remember my head should go on the side of opponent's hips that it's already on and to post the knee that my head is on. Instead of grabbing both legs I grab the leg opposite of my head in a four finger gable hold. Pull the opponent's leg toward my chest so it's glued to kill his base and use my head to drive him to the side without a base.
Rolling:
The triple sweep/ tomohawk chop combo is working great. De la riva sweep I come up on the spot works as well. I am now able to internalize some of the concepts that I've learned and apply it in an unorthodox way. This is really exciting :)
I've been working the open guard pass when I control the hip by placing my left hand on his stomach area and my right hand chooses a leg to pin down. If I apply pressure and sprawl my legs back, driving forward, I am able to keep out of reach of the opponent's legs. I was able to avoid being caught up in their guard. Right when I pass I being my inside knee in and go directly into knee on belly to block their hips/ legs. Working better than expected. I like passing guard :)
I am catching a lot of people by going in between their legs and grabbing their belts / using my legs to catch them from behind.
Sweep -- Pass -- Submission might be a better formula to accumulate points and submit at tournaments
In this particular drill Felipe had us do it was a little different. Person on top begins to pass torreando style and the natural defense for the person on bottom is to stiff arm the passer with one hand on the hip and one on his shoulder area. If the passer tries to being his crossface arm across I use the hand on his hip to block the crossface arm (bicep area). The counter to my defense on the bottom is to switch the hips and fall into a kessa katame position like we discussed previously. Do not fight against the stiff arm instead pick the path with the least resistance.
If I am on the bottom position I free my arm under his armpit and hold the opponent's collar directly across from my free arm and use that to stiff arm and push opp away. Now as I push the opponent away I pull out my other arm and now I can place both hands on the opponent. How bridge my hips towards the opponent while pushing and shrimping my hips out. Now I recompose my guard by bring my bottom leg in or blocking the crossface hand if opponent tries to bring it around me I can immediately get on both knees and do the double leg take down. I like to react right when the opponent is thinking about controling my head by crossfacing so I can skip that step and go straight for the takedown. Remember my head should go on the side of opponent's hips that it's already on and to post the knee that my head is on. Instead of grabbing both legs I grab the leg opposite of my head in a four finger gable hold. Pull the opponent's leg toward my chest so it's glued to kill his base and use my head to drive him to the side without a base.
Rolling:
The triple sweep/ tomohawk chop combo is working great. De la riva sweep I come up on the spot works as well. I am now able to internalize some of the concepts that I've learned and apply it in an unorthodox way. This is really exciting :)
I've been working the open guard pass when I control the hip by placing my left hand on his stomach area and my right hand chooses a leg to pin down. If I apply pressure and sprawl my legs back, driving forward, I am able to keep out of reach of the opponent's legs. I was able to avoid being caught up in their guard. Right when I pass I being my inside knee in and go directly into knee on belly to block their hips/ legs. Working better than expected. I like passing guard :)
I am catching a lot of people by going in between their legs and grabbing their belts / using my legs to catch them from behind.
Sweep -- Pass -- Submission might be a better formula to accumulate points and submit at tournaments
Friday, May 27, 2011
Passing the guard
Lately I've been experimenting with my top game since it's lacking compared to my guard game. I rememeber the torreando pass that Felipe showed me so that was where I decided to start. I have a hard time making myself pass guard because I feel so comfortable on the bottom playing an open guard. It's nice to be able to play defense and offense all that once but it's making me a one dimensional player and that is a disadvantage when I compete with someone possessing a better guard game than mine. I need to be able to switch it up depending on my opponent. My friend Danny is a purple belt who is able to pass my guard with relative ease. I have developed an okay guard but he just smashes right through it like it's nothing. These sessions of getting smashed have finally provided an insight into my holes. I am getting tired because he keeps driving and since I am on the bottom I am working against gravity from the power of his drive on top. It's not rocket science and I feel like a retard for taking so long to realize this.
Anyways when attempting to pass my opponent's guard with the torreando pass I focused on getting a good grip on the inside of their pants and leaning my weight over while punching down on the ground to keep their legs grounded. I then proceed to tripod and drive my shoulder into my opponent to keep him from moving his upper body. The problem I ran into was everytime I tried this the opponent blocks me with his two hands and that's where my attempt to pass stopped and I'd try again. In the past week I have realized in order to pass you have to commit to it 100%, just like you would for a takedown. If you half heartedly commit to it then more likely than not you will not succeed. What I have come to realize is that not only do I have to commit to the drive, I now realize it is also better to get low and drive your entire weight into your opponent pushing off on your toes. This forces the opponent to work harder because you are increasing your drive power and using gravity to assist you. After realizing this I had a little more success passing the guard when the opponent became tired fighting against gravity and my drive. I asked my teammates Ian and Danny more about passing since they do it well and they told me to not fight against my opponent if he is pushing me with his arms when I am passing but instead to switch my hips and slide into like a kessa katame position while getting the farside underhook, or I can walk around to the other side and work from there, or bring my outer knee in and use it to remove the opponent's arm closest to mine by bring it inside his arm forcing his arm away from me. This eliminates one arm making it easier for me to pass. I am having a lot of fun learning how to pass and I'll continue to experiment with it.
Anyways when attempting to pass my opponent's guard with the torreando pass I focused on getting a good grip on the inside of their pants and leaning my weight over while punching down on the ground to keep their legs grounded. I then proceed to tripod and drive my shoulder into my opponent to keep him from moving his upper body. The problem I ran into was everytime I tried this the opponent blocks me with his two hands and that's where my attempt to pass stopped and I'd try again. In the past week I have realized in order to pass you have to commit to it 100%, just like you would for a takedown. If you half heartedly commit to it then more likely than not you will not succeed. What I have come to realize is that not only do I have to commit to the drive, I now realize it is also better to get low and drive your entire weight into your opponent pushing off on your toes. This forces the opponent to work harder because you are increasing your drive power and using gravity to assist you. After realizing this I had a little more success passing the guard when the opponent became tired fighting against gravity and my drive. I asked my teammates Ian and Danny more about passing since they do it well and they told me to not fight against my opponent if he is pushing me with his arms when I am passing but instead to switch my hips and slide into like a kessa katame position while getting the farside underhook, or I can walk around to the other side and work from there, or bring my outer knee in and use it to remove the opponent's arm closest to mine by bring it inside his arm forcing his arm away from me. This eliminates one arm making it easier for me to pass. I am having a lot of fun learning how to pass and I'll continue to experiment with it.
New Blog, Big Fishes!
This will be a blog for me to lay out some thoughts on my progress in brazilian jiu-jitsu. Hopefully I will be able to look back and review what I've learned and update new details on techniques as I pick them up. I may dive into little lessons I learn here and there about life in general as well. lol
On another note I ran across a nice little Brazilian story today..
There was once a businessman who was sitting by the beach in a small Brazilian village. As he sat, he saw a Brazilian fisherman rowing a small boat towards the shore having caught quite few big fish. The businessman was impressed and asked the fisherman, “How long does it take you to catch so many fish?”
The fisherman replied, “Oh, just a short while.”
“Then why don’t you stay longer at sea and catch even more?” The businessman was astonished.
“This is enough to feed my whole family,” the fisherman said.
The businessman then asked, “So, what do you do for the rest of the day?”
The fisherman replied, “Well, I usually wake up early in the morning, go out to sea and catch a few fish, then go back and play with my kids. In the afternoon, I take a nap with my wife, and evening comes, I join my buddies in the village for a drink — we play guitar, sing and dance throughout the night.”
The businessman offered a suggestion to the fisherman. “I am a PhD in business management. I could help you to become a more successful person. From now on, you should spend more time at sea and try to catch as many fish as possible. When you have saved enough money, you could buy a bigger boat and catch even more fish. Soon you will be able to afford to buy more boats, set up your own company, your own production plant for canned food and distribution network. By then, you will have moved out of this village and to Sao Paulo, where you can set up HQ to manage your other branches.”
The fisherman continues, “And after that?”
The businessman laughs heartily, “After that, you can live like a king in your own house, and when the time is right, you can go public and float your shares in the Stock Exchange, and you will be rich.”
The fisherman asks, “And after that?”
The businessman says, “After that, you can finally retire, you can move to a house by the fishing village, wake up early in the morning, catch a few fish, then return home to play with your kids, have a nice afternoon nap with your wife, and when evening comes, you can join your buddies for a drink, play the guitar, sing and dance throughout the night!”
The fisherman smiled. :)
In my own opinion too often in life I see people overlook the simplicities in life that make their hearts content. Instead we go out of our way trying to meet everyone's expectations all the while complicating/ sacraficing our lives trying to live someone else's dreams and ideas of what a realistic life should look like. In a world or consumerism it seems as more people believe the more material things we are able to amount the better our lives should ideally become so we stress ourselves out looking for ways to meet that quota. When was the last time you sat quietly, blocking out the noises in the background, and thought about what truly made you happy and tick? Life is too short to head in a direction that is not true to oneself. As the story implies, you don't have to wait until you are wealthy in material to have wealth in your life.
My goal is to strengthen the connection to my higher self so I may tap into my higher consciousness level, towards Courage. Far too long have I been terrorized by Desire/Fear/Pride where my thoughts and concerns were driven by my own ego. I hope I am able to step away from that lower consciousness level along my journey and into a higher state of mind and more in tune with my needs. Balance is king..
On another note I ran across a nice little Brazilian story today..
There was once a businessman who was sitting by the beach in a small Brazilian village. As he sat, he saw a Brazilian fisherman rowing a small boat towards the shore having caught quite few big fish. The businessman was impressed and asked the fisherman, “How long does it take you to catch so many fish?”
The fisherman replied, “Oh, just a short while.”
“Then why don’t you stay longer at sea and catch even more?” The businessman was astonished.
“This is enough to feed my whole family,” the fisherman said.
The businessman then asked, “So, what do you do for the rest of the day?”
The fisherman replied, “Well, I usually wake up early in the morning, go out to sea and catch a few fish, then go back and play with my kids. In the afternoon, I take a nap with my wife, and evening comes, I join my buddies in the village for a drink — we play guitar, sing and dance throughout the night.”
The businessman offered a suggestion to the fisherman. “I am a PhD in business management. I could help you to become a more successful person. From now on, you should spend more time at sea and try to catch as many fish as possible. When you have saved enough money, you could buy a bigger boat and catch even more fish. Soon you will be able to afford to buy more boats, set up your own company, your own production plant for canned food and distribution network. By then, you will have moved out of this village and to Sao Paulo, where you can set up HQ to manage your other branches.”
The fisherman continues, “And after that?”
The businessman laughs heartily, “After that, you can live like a king in your own house, and when the time is right, you can go public and float your shares in the Stock Exchange, and you will be rich.”
The fisherman asks, “And after that?”
The businessman says, “After that, you can finally retire, you can move to a house by the fishing village, wake up early in the morning, catch a few fish, then return home to play with your kids, have a nice afternoon nap with your wife, and when evening comes, you can join your buddies for a drink, play the guitar, sing and dance throughout the night!”
The fisherman smiled. :)
In my own opinion too often in life I see people overlook the simplicities in life that make their hearts content. Instead we go out of our way trying to meet everyone's expectations all the while complicating/ sacraficing our lives trying to live someone else's dreams and ideas of what a realistic life should look like. In a world or consumerism it seems as more people believe the more material things we are able to amount the better our lives should ideally become so we stress ourselves out looking for ways to meet that quota. When was the last time you sat quietly, blocking out the noises in the background, and thought about what truly made you happy and tick? Life is too short to head in a direction that is not true to oneself. As the story implies, you don't have to wait until you are wealthy in material to have wealth in your life.
My goal is to strengthen the connection to my higher self so I may tap into my higher consciousness level, towards Courage. Far too long have I been terrorized by Desire/Fear/Pride where my thoughts and concerns were driven by my own ego. I hope I am able to step away from that lower consciousness level along my journey and into a higher state of mind and more in tune with my needs. Balance is king..
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