This weeks training as I edified on some new concepts, techniques and philosophies. On Monday, Andrej illustrated methods of basic open guard sweep coming via swinging the leg over to the opponent's hip then conducting a basic scissor sweep. From that point the training was focused on creativity using the guard and simply playing in order to find movements and pivotal concepts which are enormously conducive to my BJJ game. Tuesday was an inspiring wrestling session whereupon jimmy went over methods of catching the arm drag when the arm as the hand clubs the head then going inside for the double takedown thereafter. He further elaborated on waiting for the guy to pull the arm as a trigger to attack the double leg takedown from having the arm inside the leg. Wednesday was further inculcation by Andre upon the importance of the grip, and the rolling which that followed dealt with more of the same training on Monday but I did notice in the rolling session that I feel a bit more confident in hitting the umoplata. Thursday entailed my participation in Luca's class and he went through a knee shield pass instruction which I has been well-known to me previously but I unfortunately passed over some vital points and details. First Lucas stated to push the shoulder forward and then dive my shoulder down, and from that point my hips fall close to the floor and glide along the opponent's side to a clean and smooth pass. Friday once again had judo mark teaching. My tai-otoshi skills are coming along nicely. In regards to the Tai-Otoshi, there are some crucial elements to consider before the throw is attempted. First, the opponent must be moving forward towards me. Second, ample amount of room (ideally 1 foot) must be present. Third, the conduction of the throw must be done using my legs and minimizing use of the arms.
  Saturday proved to be an incredibly enlightening session as I headed to 10th planet. Richie Martinez went through the Mexicana, which comes via establishing the pancho villa position with elbows inside the opponents armpits, switching the hips then using my near side leg to pin the opponents leg and grabbing the looping opponents wrist and gaining the Mexicana. Geo then went over a guard sweep where you push the opponents head while in guard, then wait for the opponent to push back, use the momentum of the head pushing back then swim my hand inside and basically crank the opponent over. As the opponent falls over opportunities for mount and truck position will explicitly present themselves. Sunday was a very fun session as I got beat up badly by Baret, Joel and my new friend Jerry. Joel illustrated a few different key concepts. One that gained my attention is attacking the lower leg on the half-guard pass then reverting to the capoeira pass pulling myself into a nice strong ankle lock. Additionally, Joel reviewed the Barum pass whereupon you grab the upper collar of opponent in butterfly and switch legs over and pas. Furthermore, the 405 pass can be had by establishing grips on one leg at first then pass. Lastly, Jerry elaborated on my ankle lock from knee cut pass and how I must grab the ankle then move my body diagonally backwards away from my opponent, sprawl and then attack the ankle.It was an enthralling week of training and I will maintain a new training curriculum consisting of simply training daily.

Training this week was usual but not redundant. On Monday I began the day with a new training method utilizing tabata training as I presently feel a lack of explosiveness in my BJJ abilities. The Monday night BJJ session was substituted by Bill Cooper and I was enlightened upon another method of hitting a darce as the opponent sets up a butterfly guard and from there I armdrag then allow my opposite arm to swim directly for the neck establishing the darce position as I switch my hips and fall into the sidemount. The rolling session was good but I still need to work on catching the leg drag and to that end must maintain patience. Tuesday was a wrestling session substituted by Aaron, and Aaron reviewed two set-ups for the arm/shoulder/wrist drag and throwing the opponent's arm down like a pail of water and went on to illustrate finishes coming via darce as well as a no-gi clock choke where the outside arm lodges into the opponent's hip pit and from there the other arm wraps into the choke position and the hip makes the clock movement to achieve the tap. Frustration was felt when I realized the impossibility of passing Aaron's guard as he flustered me just laying on his back controlling and throwing me around at will. Wednesday was an enriching session as class had the substitute teacher, Bill Cooper. Bill conducted a semi-breakdance warm up then showed off two methods of hitting the deep half and a subsequent sweep via the single leg and swinging the opposite arm not and another variation coming via the knee shield guard and scissoring the leg to create the opening and launching myself inside for the deep half. Rolling was lazy and I allowed myself to get beat up a little and realized I can't be hot daily. Explicitly, I noticed that I have a struggle in establishing a formidable S mount position, so more work is necessary in that area. On Thursday, Lucas taught an engrossing session where the basic full mount escape was elucidated upon  and emphasis was placed on the importance of trapping the leg hipping strongly upwards and allowing myself to tip-toe outside while maintaining grips on one arm and then bridging over. The instruction maintained a focus on being readily able to switch from side to side and be fluid enough to move from each position to another. The rolling was good and I got thrown and beat up by Lucas, thus more improvement is needed. Friday session was great as Mark further illustrated a method of hitting Tai-Otoshi coming via when the opponent tenses up and from there I side-step and attack the throw as well as a second method of performing a semi-piroutte and giving my back for a split second and accomplishing the vaunted throw. In doing the throw I am still perpetually entranced by the ferocity of the throw and how I must implement it into my skill set.Saturday was particularly hard with two sessions and learned in the morning no-gi session that I need work on my wrestling skills yet I learned from Dustin some points on reverting from one sub to the next. Sunday was a good open mat session and learned a particularly fascinating things such as using the gi fabric to breakdown the upper collar grip while in guard and also setting up the baseball choke from bottom by using the lapel around the backside of the opponent. It was a fun Sunday to say the least and onto another productive week of training. 

  This week's training was vibrant and inspiring. Monday's session began with Andre providing his interpretation of the Gordo seminar and he reviewed Gordo killer knee shield pass along with providing instruction on how to pull off the collar that comes from the opponent underhooking. The rolling session following afterwards provided an enlightenment as I learned that if I desire to win BJJ matches under IBJJF rules I must work towards establishing position and gaining points in substitution of going completely for the sub. The wrestling session proved to be enthralling as usual as Jimmy provided instruction upon defenses against the single leg takedown and the defenses more or less held the theme of clubbing the head to the side and then facing the opponent and sprawling down upon him. Additionally, Aaron provided elaborations upon attacks for the kimura after performing the chest to arm movement Wednesday was a rest day and Thursday proved to be fruitful as Lucas went over passing the half-guard via straight collar choke, and the key point is remembering to keep the opposite shoulder pinned to the ground. Lucas also showed a cool judo take-down where you let the opponent grab your inside gi collar then you strive to sweep out the front leg and then dive roll inside the opponent and score the beautiful takedwon. Afterwards, me and Ulee rolled for about a half-hour and I was enlightened upon a few issues, he showed an awesome sweep from being knee on bellied which entailed an abundant amount of details that must be reviewed, researched and drilled. Furthermore, Ulee showed me an effective method for hitting the guilotine choke by positioning my chest over my opponent's head and pulling straight up. Friday's session was again devoted to easy judo training yet I became entranced with two throws, one of was arm to chest then turning in and allowing myself to fall to the ground and kick out for a beautiful sweep and I also discovered just how cool and how apt I am at accomplishing 'Tai-Otoshi' and plan to implement it any chance I get.

   Saturday was the tournament and I performed well and got gold; however, there was a massive weight disparity as one of my opponent's was 135 pounds while the other was a mere 100 pounds. I walked through the competition but realized I need to amend my submissions as I caught some but failed to finish them off cleanly. In particular, the new submission I am implementing which is the use of my own collar to pull off the collar choke needs to be altered via stiff arming my arm in a strict NFL running back stiff arm fashion. Sunday was Barum BJJ open mat. I realized a few issues. Namely I must make certain when I am in an opponent's guard that I cannot allow myself to be push to the side as I get isolated and resetting myself becomes a monumentally difficult task.  Additionally, in no gi there can be ample amounts of opportunities to take submissions even though I may lack a controlling position. Basically, it is break kimura then attack the neck, more research and rolling should be emphasized in this area.

Training this week was a bit eye-opening. In Andrej's class, I was enlightened upon how weak my side-guard escapes are. One key point of emphasis I must heed is being able to thread my arm inside and create the space necessary to shrimp outwards. Additionally, there is ample opportunity to push the head and possibly achieve a triangle from conduction of that particular break. Rolling was decent and my take-downs definitely need a lot of work as Joel threw me around left and right. I also have a habit, especially against stronger more BJJ adept opponents, to revert to turtle position, thus some continual research must be put forth in assessing how to fight and escape turtle position and with that the utilization granby roll  sprouts resoundingly in mind.

 The next day was  the Xande Ribeiro seminar and he hit upon some interesting moves and concepts to add to my repertoire. First was the emphasis on grasping a deep collar grip and breaking out of the Z half-guard through diversion of hips. Second, a tweak to my umoplata set-up was gained through breaking the elbow via bringing the knee inside and hitting the umoplata from that point. Third, a method of breaking the Dela riva through grasping the DLR leg and twisting my fist pushing the leg downwards directly to the floor, and from that point a breakdown-like hip switch can be done to pass to side mount.  Lastly, Ribeiro illustrated a way of breaking the Z guard through that same fist switch and running-back stiff arming the leg putting on the Z guard, and once all these steps are finished,  the pass can be conducted.

 Wednesday's class was good. I was continually reminded again about how I need to work my take-downs as Joel and David continually took me down. One move that caught my attention was when David arm-dragged me and then let his body fall to S-mount and got the takedown from that point; consequently, I could sense his feeling of victory. From Thursday until Saturday I was out due to a small injury coming by way of a pesky bursted mole on my shoulder.Nevertheless, I was able to attend and spectate at the Gordo BJJ seminar and learned of an interesting method of attacking a choke from inside the half-guard. Regular training was resumed on Sunday, I was able to pull off the same side S-mount collar grab throw and do some leg drag passes as well. Additionally, Lucas told of a method of hitting a battering choke right on the half-guard pass, so it is yet another opportunity I can pursue for further growth with my BJJ skill-set. On to the next week of training and look forward to competing next Saturday.

   Training this week was good and could have been a bit more arduous. Andre's class was good as he put on a thorough review of techniques taught in the Rigan Machado seminar. Rolling was fairly decent as I was able to fully understand how to perform one of the throws conducted upon me by Justin Flores which occurs when my opponent grasps my inside gi and from that point I dip my head downwards while twisting my arms into the throw. Wrestling class was as usual with many instances of Jimmy taking me down at will and thus from that point it can be manifested that I must constantly chuck the neck and head when attempting the throw. Wednesday was designated as a rest night but still managed to strive to swim for an hour. Thursday was class with Lucas and he instructed me and my partner on how to hit a twisty armbar when the opponent turtles. Additionally, Lucas delved upon a point when you attack the back by sidemounting the opponent then allowing the opponent to flee to the turtle position, and at an opportune moment you thread your leg inside and clasp yourself unto the opponent's back, and achieve a very tight position. Lucas additionally elaborated on the strategy of the knee cut pass by pinning the opposite shoulder of the knee cutting angle and attacking the pass. Conversely, in no-gi an underhook can be achieved and the knee cut pass can be enacted.

  Judo was just me and an old training partner. I discovered that I could effectively pull of a drop seo nagi and must consistently go for it. Saturday was a BJJ party with lots of eating (steak, chicken, sausage) and it was without a doubt beyond amazing.

  The last of week, Sunday, was deigned for the Kit Dale seminar and he illustrated an abundant amount of concepts deserving of attention. In particular was guard passing as he never allows his opponent to move forward and close distance, and when he attacks he will club the head downwards and then pass the leg as opponent shoots his head upwards. Dale also showed a method of landing the knee cut by pushing the knee outward and digging the hand to the opponent's upper lat area and then completing the pass by tripoding and placing the weight of my shoulder to my opponent's side rather than directly on my opponent. Lastly, Dale showed a way of hitting his great white grip which was beyond awesome and I had the fortunate opportunity to actively drill out that particular move. In his concluding remarks, it was fascinating to hear him speak about the emphasis of focus on concepts as opposed to specific techniques along with designating an emphasis on rolling and finding out where your mistakes lie and where improvement can be necessary.  

  This week, I also signed up for the IBJJF worlds no-gi and the IBJJF nationals. I will train as much as I can including the stoppage of alcohol drinking and the following training schedule will need to be maintained.

 Monday-morning exercise (one hour) BJJ night

 Tuesday-morning exercise (half hour) wrestling night

 Wednesday-morning exercise (half hour) BJJ night

 Thursday-morning exercise (half hour) BJJ night

 Friday-morning exercise (half hour) Judo night

 Saturday-REST

 Sunday-Morning exercise (half hour) Open Mat (Barum or 10th planet)

  The morning exercise routine is simple. Monday would be 2 minutes skip rope 2 minutes burpees, 2 minutes shrimp, 2 minutes umpas, 2 minutes triangles, 2 minutes knee slice, 2 minutes sit outs, 2 kick passes, 2 minutes kickback pass, 2 minutes jump up squats, 2 minutes shoot, 2 minutes judo step which taken in altogether equals a half-hour.

 Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday will be Push ups and squats. Wednesdays will be designated as pulls. There will be a lot of work ahead and a common theme I will enact in my competition will be a constant level of attack, non-stop attack to eventual victory.

This week has been a bit more slacker-like than usual. On Tuesday, attendance to wrestling class was invigorating as I was able to discover a gameplan for my wrestling. A massively frustrating aspect of my wrestling occurs when I attempt a shot and it becomes immediately stuffed. The frustration I discovered is derived on the basis of attempting shots on the opponent's legs when the leg I am attacking is at a distance far too large to cover, thus I have to attempt the shot when my knee is nearly parallel with my opponent's knee. Furthermore, Jimmy elucidated how it is quite common for me to club the head and bring my opponent's leg forward and at that point I set myself up for an easy pick of the front leg and a snap into the single leg take-down. Upon hitting the single leg takedown it is best to consider it from the basic Jimmy method of driving my head into my opponent waiting for him to push back then moving forward to institute his usual method of the single leg takedown. Wednesday was treated as a rest night but I did manage to get in some swimming in which proved to be beyond exhausting as new muscles were being actively utilized. Thursday was a basics session whereupon Lucas introduced his understanding of hitting the leg drag. The leg drag according to him must be done with the knee on the side of the leg being dragged going down immediately to my opponent's hip, and from that point the collar can be gripped and the guard can be easily passed. Additionally, Lucas showed a way of hitting the leg drag by pushing the opponent's knee forward then driving the shin across the opponent's lower shin and hitting the leg drag. Needless to say the Luca's training session was filled with thought-provoking and enthralling stuff.
   The tournament performance was as usual not too good. First round match had me clinched with my opponent as I struggled for a take down. I wasted a lot of effort striving to get the take-down and miserably failed. And when I failed, I begun to realize that I should become offensive with my guard and work my guard attack.Often when I fail a takedown, I fall back to turtle which is a position that entitle to lack of tenacity and a set-up to attack; consequently, that's my learning lesson.
  Sunday was fantastic with a seminar from Rigan Machado. Within the seminar, he illustrated a method of hitting a guard passing via gliding the passing leg downward over my opponent's leg as the opponent strives to set up a delariva guard, unfortunately, the technique is too deep and complex for me to surmise in writing. Rigan also illustrated a method of attacking the gogoplata from spider guard and then also reverting to the armbar sweep. Finally, Rigan showed a way of achieving a choke via pressing my opponent's head down into my chest and then positioning my non-choking arm on the ground and moving forward. An additional variation of this push-down technique was illuminated by pushing my opponent's arm inside, dipping my head into the little hole opening, flipping myself over and then getting the tap via choke. Rolling was good and Joel's roll proved to be the most eventful as I realized I need to continually develop my Judo skills with an eye to the uchi-mata along with the basic foot sweep. Further learning was also realized in my rolls with a big guy named Gerrick as he had a very strong knowledge and prowess for utilization of the lower lapel grip which can in turn lead to the worm guard set-ups. Learning is always continual.

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