This week was vibrant and I had the chance to be continually inculcated with new knowledge. Monday's class was a review of Andre's emphasis on the paramount characteristics of gripping. One one way of looking at is to think of grips in number grade terms. 4 points for gripping the very upper collar, 1 point for the lower collar and 2 points for grips on sleeves and pants. Additionally, as illustrated through Mark later in the week, the grip on the sleeve can be strengthened through spatula gripping it then turning it over and breaking the grips can come via gripping the fiber of the hands then pushing outwards. Wrestling was back to normal with Jimmy teaching class. I did not do very well in the stand up rolling sessions but I was able to learn that when catching the single leg, I must drive my head upwards towards my opponent's chest and push forward, and through this process I can prevent my neck from being snatched and choked. Furthermore, Jimmy illustrated that the ankle pick can essentially be caught anywhere and not just at the point when the foot steps forward rather it can come when any weight is established on the lead leg stepping forward. Wednesday was BJJ class with joel's judo and BJJ instruction. First, instruction of the circling foot sweep was conducted, then upon following the sweep on the ground attacking the over under sweep then when the opponent pushes switching to the other side (AKA 'transferring onto the 405'). Once in sidemount position, an explanation of the kimura was given. One method of breaking it was via conducting two small grip breaks then one gigantic strong grip break to break. Thursday was devoted to rest but I had the opportunity to watch a video about competition from Travis Stevens and how important it is to think when you are training and not just go through the sessions on autopilot, thus I need to be an active learner on the mats whenever possible.

     
Friday was a Judo session with Mark and I had the opportunity to have Mark pretty much do a one on one with me. I asked for instruction on the Uchi-mata, but instead received instruction on the foundation of the throw and something I can build my skill level towards. Fortunately, I was able to garner the principle of when initiating a throw to off-balance my opponent and if the throw occurs following through on it 100 percent and not holding back. Additionally, I now have knowledge of solo drills to practice during the week; therefore, 10 minutes each day will be devoted to just shadow boxing the throw.
 Saturday was an vivacious and exciting open mat. I had the opportunity to roll with a very strong Atos competitor and learned that when full mounting an individual when the guy hips up to push his face the other way and in that direction not just turn the opponent's chin but grab the shoulder that is in the direction of the opponent's face. Daniel taught me another method of hitting the triangle from the back by letting my arm go under my leg control his side arm and from that point he will roll into my triangle, it can be left unsaid that this technique is difficult to illuminate with the usage of words alone. Lastly, in rolling I had the opportunity to get beat up by a renowned Judo competitor named Justin Flores, and facets learned from the roll can pertain to being very active attacking and establishing a good base which can come about through many rounds rolling.

 Sunday was the usual open mat at Barum and it was enlightening as my old training partner Mike instructed me on a method of hitting an S-mount arm bar. Joel also elucidated on the way Justin was able to take me down left and right whereupon the opponent grabs my inside collar and I turn his arm in a steering wheel fashion and smoothly take him. Rolling was decent and I am coming to realize that I often get caught in half-guard. Therefore, I must develop a strong base of attacks from this position. It was indeed an eventful week