6PM: Showed up for No Gi at West Coast. Great class tonight. Brian showed us some techniques from the seated position while your opponent is standing. The first technique was an offensive move from the ground. It’s very apparent you have to be very fast and precise to lock this in. From your back, spin 180 degrees. Your head should be almost in between your opponent’s feet. Roll up to your shoulders and shoot one leg between your opponent’s thighs (the higher up on your shoulders the better). Once you leg is through your opponent’s thighs, triangle lock your legs around his leg (above his knee). Press your legs back down and this will force your opponent to fall forward and your lock is set.
The next technique Brian teaches us is how to defend against it. The first option is by easily recognizing what your opponent is doing and taking a big step out. Easy enough and effective. Option 2 is more involved. Once, before being forced down by your opponent, dive forward. The further the dive, the better chance you will have escaping. Once you’ve dove to the mat, use your free foot and push yourself free from the hold.
Great class now it’s time to roll. We free roll 5 minute rounds. My first opponent is Mark (I’ve written about him in previous blogs). Mark is preparing to make his MMA amateur debut for West Coast at Evolution on March 26th (next Friday) which means he is FOCUSED. We roll for 5 minutes and Mark kicks my ass for about 4 of it. Next.
Next I choose to roll with Nate. Nate just received his pro card and is LEGIT. I outweigh Nate by about 40lbs and in Jiu Jitsu, that means squat when your opponent has the technique Nate has. 5 minute round. All Nate.
And last, I roll with Mighty Mo. A samoan 185 pounder who is also making his MMA amateur debut at Evolution. I battle it out with Mo for the rest of the session.
Great great workout tonight. Halfway through.
7PM: Gi class starts. At this point I am EXHAUSTED but right now, after missing a month, I’m playing catch up. Brian teaches us some breaks from the standing position when your opponent has you neck or your wrist. After some practice we move onto passing the Butterfly Guard.
We worked on this technique a few sessions ago from the standing position, this time he changed it up and taught how to pass when you’re stuck in the Butterfly Guard. Step 1: Slightly sprawl out of the guard to straighten out your legs. Step 2: Force one of his knees down towards the his other knee. Step 3: Simultaneously place your outside knee down between his top knee while applying your weight on him. STAY HEAVY. Step 4: At this point either way your opponent rolls, you will have one of two options. Option 1: If he rolls in the direction his knees are pointing, you can walk around and move in Side Control. Option 2: If he rolls away from the direction his knees are pointing, you can take Full Mount.
After the lessons, he opens the mat to free rolling. I’m still exhausted so I take the time to observe. There’s a couple of upper belt students in class so it gives me a chance to analyze their styles.
Day 20 Lesson of the Day: Taking time away has definitely cost me not just in learning techniques but in the way my body feels after practice. I’m definitely back to square one in that category. Not only do I leave tired, which is normal, but I leave and wake up the day so sore. I just need to rest and hope next week my body get re aquainted with the after effects and I don’t feel this way anymore. No more taking time off!!!!