10. February 2010 by Don Ebuen.

When you see the guys on UFC or Strike Force and WEC put their opponents in arm bars it looks easy enough right? Hold the arm, slap the legs over, lift your hips. The set up however is a different story. No one is going to lay there and give you their arm. The set up is the art.

Today started off with a small session of some of Brian’s more experienced students including Gladstone. Now Gladstone isn’t what you’d typically expect of a martial artist. He is a big, burly man with a big smile and glasses. He looks like the nicest guy in the world. A big teddy bear if you will. BUT make no mistake. Gladstone is FOR REAL. He’s an experienced Purple Belt and he can get down. On a number of occasions I’ve observed Gladstone training on the side with other Purple Belts. Gladstone is SO good, he makes his own variations of moves and set ups and is always willing to share his ideas. So working with him today was going to be a great experience.

I asked Brian if we can go over submissions from the Mount and Side Mount positions and he was more than happy to go over it with the group. The first lesson was reviewing the Key Lock. Brian threw in a variation to the key lock that made a HUGE difference. The point of submission is much quicker. While in the key lock, your grip on your opponents wrist is not using your thumb wrapped around his wrist, its more of like a cupping hand. With his palm facing up, while performing the ‘paintbrush stroke’ begin twisting his wrist away from him. This little variation changes everything.

Next we went into a Shoulder Lock or Kimura from Side Mount. The Kimura grip is very similar to the Key Lock but basically upside down. We continue in the Arm Triangle choke.Take Down class with Coach Aguilar was about to start so Brian, Gladstone and I moved over to the side and continued with the lesson. This is when the REAL fun begins.

Brian showed me how to correctly perform an Arm Lock from the Mount. While in the Mount and your opponent is pushing off against you, you wrap your arm around the top of the arm you’re going to attack and place both hands on his chest (hands slightly twisted). In one motion, you use your hands to lift and pivot in a circle to the side of your opponent, drop the feet down (keep the weighted), fall back, squeeze the knees together, lay back and pull the arm to straighten it out. Remember, their thumb should be pointing up. Then lift the hips and submit. The pivot to Arm Lock is a really smooth transition if done right. It just flows.

The next set up was from the Mount and doing a “Two on One”. This is when your two hands are holding his one arm down. The set up to the Arm Lock is you make it seem you’re going for the Key Lock. Their natural instinct is to reach over and block the Key Lock with their free hand. They’ve basically just given you their arm to attack. Once the hand comes over you grab the arm, step around and place your foot over his face and as close to his head as possible. Plant your feet, lean back, squeeze your knees together, pull the arm to straighten it out, lift the hips and submit.Awesome lessons tonight at West Coast. I have a lot of confidence in what I learned tonight and am looking forward to using it next time I roll.

Thank you Gladstone for letting me practice on you. You’re the man.

Day 18 Lesson of the Day: So before the session with Brian, Coach Aguilar shows up and I’ve been meaning to ask him about the D’Arce he had taught us before. So forgetting how intense Coach Aguilar is with his demonstrations, I let him throw me in a D’Arce. He wraps me in the D’Arce and literally the next thing I know Tim (another student) is asking me “Hey man, you okay?!?” Apparently Aguilar put me OUT. Tim said I was out for about 2 seconds with my eyes open and my hands shaking. Yeah, I don’t remember that at all. What I do remember is Aguilar smiling at me. He knew he put me out. LOL. I have to say I instantly felt rejuvenated. Like I took a really good nap.So the Lesson of the Day is two parts: A) DO NOT ask Coach Aguilar to demonstrate on you (or at least be ready to tap IMMEDIATELY) and B) being put out is a REAL “Power Nap”.

Posted in From Don | 2 Comments »

9. February 2010 by Don Ebuen.

Showed up with the intention of doing the No Gi and Gi class today but after the No Gi I was exhausted and my arms felt like jelly.

We started off with some techniques on taking side mount while controlling your opponent’s legs and rolling them over their head. Mark, who I had rolled with during one of my first days showed up. That was great measuring point for me…more on that later. Mark and I partnered up to practice the techniques Brian was teaching. It’s amazing how once your rolled up on your head and neck, you almost have no defense against your opponent taking side mount.  IF your opponent fends you off with their hands on your hips, Brian showed us how to slip your knee in over his bicep and continue with the side mount.

After practicing that for a while we moved on to taking your opponent’s back and setting up a choke from the ’seatbelt’ grip. The natural instinct of your opponent in this position is to slide your top hand away, which is why it’s key to have the hand of the arm you are going to use for the choke on the bottom of the grip. Once he grabs your arm to block the choke, you use your free hand to force his close hand off of your arm while simultaneously sinking the choke deeper. Using a ’scrubbing’ motion, you scrub his other hand off of you arm, again simultaneously sinking the choke deeper. You roll him INTO your choke and lock it in.

We begin a 10 minute drill of rolling. Every two minutes, whichever position you and your partner are in, you switch positions. Now, being that the first time I rolled with Mark I was relying on pure strength, he was able to Arm Bar me and choke me out within a 5 minute period. This time I was able to defend and gain some offensive positions on him. In 10 minutes, I was submitted zero times. Proud of myself.

After rolling with Mark, I was gassed. 10 minutes for me is a long time. I need to work on my breathing and conserving energy.

Next I rolled with a young man named Jamie “The Samurai” Nakamura. Jamie is an incredible student. He is full of energy and very very advanced this early in the game. Big things are expected of Jamie. He’s aggressive, flexible and EXCITING on the mat. The guy is fearless. I’ve had the opportunity to watch Jamie roll with some of the other higher ranking belts and he can definitely hold his own. So I went into this session knowing it would be a good test for me to see where I’m at.

Every time I seemed to get a good position on Jamie, we would hit the 2 minute mark and Brian would yell “Switch”. So this put Jamie in MY position. This happened about 3 times in a row. Jamie and I laughed and I took as a good chance to work on my defense. I was able to fend off Jamie attempts on choking me, Arm Bars….but finally fell prey to his Triangle Choke. The session ended with me taking mount on Jamie.  By this time I was spent. My forearms were throbbing and I just wanted to lay down.

I called Jamie over and asked for his feedback. He had a lot of positive things to say and some really good pointers. Much appreciated Jamie.

Day 17 Lesson of the Day:  Breathe. It’s sometimes natural to hold your breathe when you’re trying to do something that exerts energy. Its like lifting weights, bench pressing. You’re taught the proper way to push the weights off you is to exhale at the same time. Breathe. In boxing, you’re taught to breathe out when throwing a punch. Breathe. I know what I need to do to conserve my energy. I need to relax, focus and of course…breathe.

Posted in From Don | 1 Comment »

9. February 2010 by Don Ebuen.

Took the Gi class at 7pm. Big class tonight at West Coast. Brian started with a single leg take down. You position your head right into your opponents sternum. Pulling his leg between yours and gripping the leg around the thigh like you’re hugging it. By piveting in a circle and using your head to turn his body, you will take your opponent down.

Next up, Brian showed us some techniques on passing the guard from the standing position using a ‘baseball slide’. While controlling your opponent’s legs (they’re on their back) you step outside of their leg pushing it down and holding the other leg up. You plant you inside shin on the inner thigh of your opponent and plant your hip against their body. The key is staying in tight. Get your underhook with your hand and post. By using a baseball slide motion you pass the guard and right into side mount. Now, your opponent is not going to let you just come right in and he will probably put up his knee to block you. In this case you grab both of his knees, straighten them out, pull them down and continue with your shin on the thigh and the baseball slide. I practice the technique with Miko and Chris. Chris is an excellent training partner because he puts up resistence. Having a partner like Chris helps in getting the technique down right.

For the next 20 minutes, the class rolls. I watch because I want to study the difference between Gi and No Gi. I sit with Brian and he is always welcoming of questions. I notice the maybe places grabbed by both opponents is the inside collar and the sleeve of the gi. I confirm with Brian, he concurs. I also notice alot of the positioning of Gi is made by one hand pushing the opponent and the other hand pulling simultaneously. Again, I confirm with Brian and he concurs. Brian also explains that with Gi competition its more push/pull versus in No Gi where its alot more squeezing. The pace of Gi is very slow and calculated compared to the fast action of No Gi.

Since starting at West Coast I have yet to throw on the gi for even the Gi classes I’ve taken. Tonight, for the first time, I will don the West Coast gi. It’s on.

Day 16 Lesson of the Day: There is a lot to learn in observation. Sometimes you have to observe and study the art before you can jump in and do it. Understanding the movements and analyzing the strategies of two experienced combatants creates a better understanding of the sport. Leverage and positioning aren’t gained by luck. They’re gained by planning and set ups. As Brian once said to me “you make them BELIEVE you’re attacking one way when you’re actually setting them up for something else.” Jiu Jitsu is a sport of wits and skill. Your goal is to mislead your opponent into putting themselves into the position you want. Brian is a prime example. When I roll with Brian, I always get the feeling he is positioning me to make a mistake. And with a seasoned opponent, one mistake is all it takes.

Posted in From Don | 1 Comment »

3. February 2010 by Don Ebuen.

Showed up early again at West Coast. Observed Brian do some private lessons in the ring with 2 young kids. Brian has a great relationship with his students. He asks his students how they did in school, what their reports were on etc. He has a genuine interest in each of his students. And that feeds into why so many kids come to West Coast. The environment is a family oriented environment. Every student greets you. Every student says goodbye. Brian is truly admired by ALL of his students.

6PM: Chris, Patrick, Marcello and I are in the cage with Brian. Brian shows us some moves from the ’seated’ position. Pushing away from your opponent as he steps in (this is a set up for what’s next). From there, you pull the opponent’s lead leg into your chest simultaneously hooking his back leg with your hand and connect the two (picture a double leg while sitting down). Using their lack of balance, force them to fall over and take side mount.

Of course there’s a counter. Brian instructed us on the follow up move to the opponent’s counter (maybe the back leg cannot be reached). At that point, you scoot away, reposition your foot inside the opponent’s lead leg. You shoot your legs through, leaving one knee up to block the mount, bring your other leg around the knee, over the thigh and plant your foot in his hip. Rocking and then exploding to forcing him down with you legs.

The next lesson was a great refresher for me. Brian actually showed me this moved early in the Quest (Day 3). From the seated position and your feet inside your opponent’s legs, you get the underhooks and rock backwards forcing your opponent to post both hands. Once they post, you rock back again BUT the key is you transition into an arm lock. The secret is getting your hand positions while rocking back to square 1. By planting your hands on the elbow and locking his wrist between you neck and shoulder you begin putting pressure on the elbow.

For the next 15 minutes (5 minute rounds) we begin free rolling. I roll with Marcello. I learn so much rolling with Marcello. His defense is incredible. And Marcello is always attacking. It’s fun trying to fend him off. But no one is more fun to roll with than Brian, who I happened to roll with after a 1 round break. Brian never ceases to amaze me. Just when I think I’m defending correctly, I’m getting choked. I learn a lot rolling with Brian. I’m learning more and more about relaxing, staying calm and being patient.

7PM: While the class is warming up, I have a chance to talk to Brian. I enjoy my conversations with Brian because I continue to absorb information. The more I know Brian, the more I can understand the road he took to be as good as he is. Brian wrestled in high school, but surprisingly he admits he wasn’t good. That he didn’t have good balance. He was involved in other forms of martial arts before meeting Rickson Gracie and being introduced to, the now world famous, Gracie Jiu Jitsu. At 17 years old, Brian fell in love with jiu jitsu and is indeed a master. Keep in mind, when Brian started training, this was BEFORE Royce Gracie showed the world how effective Gracie Jiu Jitsu was at the first ever UFC.

We jump into class and it’s all about defense. PERFECT! Brian shows us how to defend against the Kimura and the Key Lock (refresher from Day 2). After practicing each of the techniques, we move on to 2 minute offensive/defensive drills where you match up with a partner and one focuses on offense and the other on defense. I practice with 2 of the best in class: Marcello and Chief. I actually go 2 rounds with Chief as he gives some pointers on arm positions. Again, all the experienced students are always eager to help. Makes for a beautiful training session.

Day 15 Lesson of the Day: Relax. Stay calm. Patience. Every day is step closer to my goal. Each day I learn so many things. Jiu Jitsu and Life are the same. You cannot go full steam all the time or you will drive yourself right into the ground. Sometimes you have to sit there, assess the situation and uncover your options. The more calm and patient you are, the easier it is to breathe.

It’s a thought process for me right now. But eventually, as Jiu Jitsu becomes more and more a part of me, it will flow. I believe that.

Posted in From Don | 1 Comment »

2. February 2010 by Don Ebuen.

Showed up early and watched the kids classes at West Coast. Today Brian was going over tournament style Jiu Jitsu with the kids. It’s amazing to see how extremely motivated these students are. And it’s truly a chance to see that gender makes no difference.

Dojo Fightgear in the house as Julius showed up around 6pm. So we started the class off with some take downs when you have control of the neck and wrist of your opponent.  Brian showed us several options from that position. Again, always being ready to switch things up and counter your opponent’s move.

We paired up and rolled for 5 minute rounds. First up, I rolled with Mike Fisher. A good friend of mine and just started at West Coast (Welcome aboard Miko!!!). It was fun rolling with Mike because he could gauge my progress. Mike and I rolled together on my first day at West Coast and he was in his trial membership period. Its been a month since we last rolled and Mike said “much improved”. I was flattered.

Next up, I rolled with a guy who’s been training at West Coast for a few weeks BUT he was training in Monterey for 6 months. Tall guy. Long legs. Damn. He took my back and was able to get the choke sunk in. Tap. We go again. He took my back again, but this time I wouldnt let him get the choke in. I was trying to twist around but couldnt. Thats when I realized he had me in Body Triangle (the benefits of having long legs). I could feel the air being squeezed out little by little but I couldnt let him get that choke in. Time expired. Whew.

Conditioning continues to be a factor. My conditioning SUCKS. Contemplating taking Nick Willert’s MMA Cardio class at West Coast. I need to do something.  I’m tired of gassing out and I to be the best I have to be able to go go go.

Day 14 Lesson of the Day: If I don’t get my conditioning going I am going to really suffer in these tournaments. I make every excuse not to get up in the morning and running. I need to start taking my conditioning more serious. The lesson I learned…get running Don. Forget the excuses and start frickin’ running.

Posted in From Don | 3 Comments »

2. February 2010 by Martha Benavides.

Last we met you were showing of your teeny bruises made by your opponents fingertips and the oh so vicious mat…..

Get used to it.

Most of my injuries have not come from the cage (although I’ve had my share there), but instead, the mats at West Coast Jiu Jitsu. I got my first black eye trying to backdoor escape from mount, had my lip busted a few times, got kneed in the nose from a pass, and am currently dealing with a messed up knee/shin from a sprawl during Aguilar’s class.

I was told you get to the point where “you just have to work through this”. And you will. Someone will kick you in the face one day and you’ll find yourself saying “Meh….happens all the time” It will, and believe me, it will definitely prepare you for the more heightened pace of competition. It’s what Todd was trying to give you a taste of when he came at you a little more aggressively during your last roll. It’s what it felt like to have Brian sub you 7 times during that round (and I bet he had his eyes closed for at least five…, seriously) and just WAIT until you do a live takedown round with Aguilar. These are tools you will take to your first tournament and you will NOT get thrown off because you’ve been there before.

You are doing well…only one note from me so far. I don’t care if you are tired. Keep going. Those are the times you will just have to depend on technique. I rolled last night still nursing a bad chest cold I had over the weekend but it was one of the best classes I’ve had in a while. I couldn’t rely on muscle or a faster pace so all I had left was slow deliberate technique…and it didn’t always work(!) but it was awesome.

And congratulations on your weight loss!!! I know that some people question whether or not it’s true so I have provided a BEFORE photo along with a computer “age enhanced” AFTER photo so that we can see the true results that your training will achieve.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Oh yeah, baby, One Man’s Quest indeed

Posted in From Don | 3 Comments »