Just too easy...

Just a quickie before tonight's class, a comment on Wednesday's...

Ever run into a technique that as you try it a few times you think to yourself, "No way...no way this works. How have I not seen this before?" Just to discover that yep, it works. And it works at 100% against a resisting opponent. This happened for me with a half-guard pass tonight. This, along with the side control escapes I learned really seem to be clicking and have improved my game this week.

Now, hear me, when I say "improved" I don't mean by much but I can notice it takes blue belts longer to submit me than it did, say...a month ago.

This was me then..."No, no! Don't hurt me!!

 Most likely I won't submit them and they eventually will get me or time will run out but it's not CONSTANT tapping.

I happy with this progression. It's making my defense much better (comment that was made by Blue Belt J that kicks my ass) and making me more comfortable escaping mount, back mount, side control, etc. If I can get relaxed in those positions I'll be able to progress with my attacks at a later date. Hopefully...

Tonight's open mat so expect me to come back and admit I've learning nothing after being throttled all night. See you then...

Moment of inspiration...

Just in case you don't get this joke...try here + here = joke.. 

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Overcoming through technique

Welcome back readers....(silence)...hello? Anyone out there..? No?

Last night was the first night back after last week (life gets in the way sometimes) and I was looking forward to it as, for some reason, I love training with the gi jacket. I guess for a beginner like me it gives me more stuff to hold onto while trying not to be attacked...or maybe it just makes me feel like the ninja I always wanted to be growing up.

The gold ribbon really sets it off

Anyway, I was excited. 

We worked on escaping side mount when the person on top has the underhook (a common position for yours truly)..basically, for any non-jiu jitsu playing readers, it's almost the worst position you can be in. I typically hate this position because there are a few guys in my academy who are similar rank to me but MUCH MUCH stronger and former wrestlers to boot so this position is impossible to break for me using brute strength. I usually end up just defending and defending until I get submitted. I've got a couple of escapes that work from time to time but needed more and needed to understand how to attempt to overcome someone who is so much stronger than me. (I'm about 6'2, 190lbs).

Thankfully, I have an amazing professor at the academy, a Relson Gracie black belt who sees the value in showing proper technique over and over and over again. The escape we worked last night was one we've gone over before but there was a very important piece that I hadn't grasped the first time. 

Pull...don't push. In this case it's with your bottom (inside) shoulder that you pull underneath you to create the base. Combined with a rooted, planted foot, the transfer of energy through a good connection and proper alignment you can't be broken down and it allows for space to be created to establish guard or escape underneath.

It was like someone showed me how to walk. Instantly my game changed. Changed to point that I was not worried about being in side control when we rolled afterward. Confident that given the right timing I not only COULD, but WOULD escape and improve my position. Also, it allowed me to do so being "mellow" (thanks Blue Belt J who kicks my ass). 

One major point that my professor pointed out was that Helio Gracie was NOT some huge, buff wrestler. He was a much smaller man than most and it never stopped him from destroying bigger opponents. Our sport and art is not based on having to be bigger and stronger, it's based on technique, that when applied correctly, essentially nullifies the "brute factor" (pending trademark). 

The GM himself...at around 90 years old.

So what do I take from this? When a technique is not seeming to work for me...ASK WHY NOT. Take the time to go to the professor, express that it's not working against larger opponents and get to the essence of the technique. It's truly a game changer. 

See you after next class...

First steps

Go Gators and go me.

This is awesome timing for my third blog post, huh? I am honored to say that last night after no-gi I received my first stripe on my white belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. It's crazy timing because just earlier this week (see here) I was saying I had a night where I felt like I was just getting crushed constantly. I guess my instructor sees some progress and I gotta tell ya, it feels good. 

What felt even better was when I was walking forward to get my stripe my professor says, "Is this guy a natural or what?;;;" It was almost difficult to hear and I wanted to sarcastically play it off...I'm not used to being good at much of anything. For me, it reminded me of how humbling Jiu Jitsu is. When you're in a sport like Jiu Jistu where it's not only OK but essentially required that you "lose" a lot it removes your ego...completely. With the ego removed a comment like that simply makes you feel honored and proud of the work you've put in, not prideful of what you've done. 

It was a healthy night of free-rolling too...constantly ending up on my back followed by constant running away followed by eventual taps, you know, the usual. What is amazing about this sport is that I found myself replaying the rolls over in my head later that night while driving, etc and seeing opportunities and mistakes I made. I usually do. Nothing before has caused me to be this passionate where I am constantly looking to improve and better my technique. 

So things I learned last night:

• When you're doing a take down, COMMIT ALL THE WAY.
• Keep things tight at all times, elbows, wrists, knees, etc.
• It is nearly impossible at this point to perform an Ezekiel no-gi for me...should have gone for the north-south choke.
• Work with your partners on staying on their backs. (This is WAY harder than it looks)

See you after class...