SATURDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2013

23 November 2013

We held a mixed BJJ/judo/MMA class on Saturday from 2:45 until 5:45 since Greg was out of town.  It is nice to tie together takedowns, grappling, and strikes...all with the gi...and see what we can learn along the way.

OH YEAH....NEW LOCATION

28 NOVEMBER 2013

Since I have been so bad in posting things, I forgot to mention that we have moved our location since AFR Christian Karate departed from their location to make way for Panera Bread. 

Our new location is at First Assembly of God Orange Park.  The address:

1324 Kinglsey Avenue
Orange Park, FL 32073.

We have the entire upstairs of the gym, in an area that was once a private Christian school. 

ALABAMA TRIP: 10 OCTOBER - 13 OCTOBER

I made a trip up my northern command post, aka McCalla, AL, to train with Matt Hobson and his crew for four days back in October.  I have been a bit slow in posting.

While there, we got in over 17 hours of training, and I even taught three group classes (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).  We were able to review and even offer modifications of techniques in the syllabus that he uses to teach from.

While there, I also added two stripes to Matt's purple belt. 

JASON COMPTON IS NOW A BJJ PURPLE BELT

SATURDAY, 10 AUGUST 2013

Jason Compton earned his purple belt after nearly five years of practice with me. I would say congratulations, but he has now entered the part of the BJJ game that is the most difficult. He will be targeted by white and blue belts, and brown and black belts will give him no quarter. It is a difficult transition mentally and physically since the speed of the game changes forever.

ETHAN'S RETURN

SATURDAY, 6 JULY 2013

After completing boot camp in Great Lakes, IL (I lived there from 1984-1986) and "A" school in Pensacola, FL (nope, never been there), Ethan returned to Orange Park and got some training in with us before reporting to Newport News/Norfolk.

LESSON 37 AT SMILEY'S

WEDNESDAY, 3 JULY 2013

Today's class consisted of defending punches from an opponent inside the guard and defenses against the arm-triangle (mount and side control).  There were 6 students in attendance, including Nick!

TUESDAY JUDO AT SMILEY'S

TUESDAY, 2 JULY 2013

We had a good turnout today with eight students.

I started the class on the ground and covered the basic baseball bat choke from knee-on-belly.  I also showed two defenses to this choke.  In addition, I showed a very unorthodox way of doing the baseball bat choke from the bottom (and the defense).

After transitioning to standing, we practiced o-soto-gari, ippon-seio-nage, and tai-otoshi.

LESSON 34 AT SMILEY'S

WEDNESDAY, 26 JUNE 2013

There were six students in this morning's class, which consisted of a defense against an underhand knife thrust and some defenses against kimura from side control.  As an added bouns, since the techniques for today's class were sparse, I permitted the students to choose one random technique.  They agreed on the flower sweep.

TUESDAY JUDO AT COMBAT ATHLETIX = WOW!

TUESDAY, 25 JUNE 2013

There were a total of 12 people in judo class today (myself included).  I taught tai-otoshi and focused on making the uke take a step into the planted leg by tugging on the sleeve.  Since I do not have Greg available, and the class is just an hour long, I do not permit standing randori.

With that said, I grabbed a few people (including Cedric T. and Josh M.) at the end and practiced on the ground just so I could get some practice time in.  I even taught Cedric a throw when the opponent tries a single leg takedown.

SATURDAY NIGHT BJJ AND JUDO

SATURDAY, 22 JUNE 2013

For BJJ class, it was me, Nick, Jason, and Kyle.  It was an open mat since everyone arrived after me and Kyle even had to return home. 

On the positive side, I was able to roll with a brown belt (Nick) with a love for footlocks.  I am proud to say that I only lost once to a footlock to him, while I achieved two footlocks (and an armbar!) of my own.  I learned a few set-ups that Nick is currently using, so hopefully we can continue to trade off and learn.

For judo, we had nine people on the mats.  The techniques of the night were o-soto-gari, o-soto- otoshi, and o-soto-garuma.  The crash pad helps immensely in the execution of these throws, though the repetitions are certainly prerequisite.  I also practiced approximately 100 o-soto-gari left-handed, with the idea that I will try to make my "goofy-side" as good as my normal side.

JUDO AT SMILEY'S: O-UCHI-GARI AND KO-UCHI-GARI

TUESDAY, 18 JUNE 2013

Today's turnout for judo was very good (total of 11).  The major technique I covered for the day was o-uchi-gari.  The "follow-up" technique was a variation of o-uchi-gari to ko-uchi-gari.

All in all, I got in a decent practice of my own and look forward to perfecting o-uchi-gari right and left-handed.

SATURDAY NIGHT TRAINING AT AFR

SATURDAY, 15 JUNE 2013

For BJJ on Saturday night, it was just me and Jason.  I reintroduced Jason to the berimbolo and taught three options from there (sweep, back take, bump to mount).  He and I also free-rolled against each other for about 30 minutes as well, so it was a good workout and drilling session since I also got in the act with the berimbolo practice.

In judo, there were six of us available, including Sensei Berlin.  Since we now have the awesome crash pad, we used it like it was going out of style.  Jason and I worked diligently on o-uchi-gari and ko-uchi-gari since the pad makes these techniques much easier to learn.

In randori, I got to go against Greg and Mark(?).  While I achieved sasae-tsuri-komi-ashi a few times, Greg showed me how to make it more effective in the future.  I will have to practice the foot movements and placements now since, as usual, he is right about the mechanics.

LESSONS 27-28 AT SMILEY'S

FRIDAY, 14 JUNE 2013

Because I was not sure which lesson I was supposed to cover, I covered two lessons on Friday.  This may sound like a lot, but there were were only four techniques to cover, so it was not as intense as it sounds.  There were 8 people in class, which is quite a few for a random Friday morning.

LESSON 26 AT SMILEY'S

WEDNESDAY, 12 JUNE 2013

Today, I went over lesson 26 in Smiley's curriculum.  There were six students in class today, though all except Josh M. bugged out at free-roll time. 

In order to help Josh in his quest to compete in tournaments this summer, I have agreed to start standing against him as much as possible.  This is good for us both since I get to practice takedowns and he gets to practice his transitions if he gets taken down.

VISIT FROM WOLFPACK BRANDON INSTRUCTOR

FRIDAY, 19 APRIL 2013 & SATURDAY, 20 APRIL 2013

Roberto L., a Charles Dos Anjos black belt, and Bryon W. (not Byron, but Bryon), a purple belt under Roberto, made a special trip up here to the Jacksonville area and trained with me and my classes over two days.

On Friday, Roberto and Bryon participated and taught with me at Smiley's.  I was able to get in a good 15 minute practice session with Roberto so I can gauge myself against a seasoned black belt.  I have things to work on to improve and I thank him for exposing those areas so I am better aware of them.

On Saturday, Roberto and Bryon came for my BJJ class at AFR (as did Jonathan G. from Smiley's).  It was an open mat session where specific questions were answered and we were able to roll.  I had Roberto assess Jason C. for me in order to get a second opinion on his progress and see if I have missed anything.  I also had the opportunity to roll with Bryon.

In judo, Roberto sat out due to a previous back injury that he aggravated earlier in the day.  It was a packed house, with Greg, Jack, me, Nick, Jason, Kyle, Bryon, and a new person named Scott (8 in all).  We practiced our favorite throws, or started learning throws, with Bryon working extensively on o-goshi.  In randori, I went against Bryon and hit him with ko-soto-gari on one occasion, and also took him down off of his attempt at a single leg.  All in all, it was a good training session.  I trust that all of us took something away.

It was a cool experience having fellow Wolfpack guys make the trip to train, assess, and hopefully bring a good report back to the folks farther south.

Kris

LESSON 36 AT SMILEY'S COMBAT ATHLETIX

WEDNESDAY, 17 APRIL 2013

I taught lesson 36 of Smiley's "Roadmap to BJJ Blue Belt" curriculum at Combat Athletix this morning.  Lesson 36 consisted of escaping the cross collar choke from the guard, escaping the armbar from the guard, and defending against punches from being full mounted (and achieving a trap arm/trap leg escape). 

There were 4 students in class today, and I got to practice with a non-white belt in the class for a little change (Cedric T., a 4-stripe blue belt).

All in all, I was pleased with this class this morning.

LITTLE BIRD LEAVES THE NEST

MONDAY, 1 APRIL 2013

In what is not an April's Fools joke, I have to announce that Ethan E. has flown away and is now at boot camp in Great Lakes, IL, after joining the U.S. Navy.

Ethan started training with me in March 2009 and has put up with my shenanigans for nearly four years (he has taken 2013 off, probably to avoid injury and prolonging his boot camp departure date).  I have watched him grow up, from the 9th grader who started over at First Coast Full Contact to the adult who wears a  2-stripe blue belt.

I look forward to Ethan's success in the Navy and hope to be able to train with him again.

Kris

CHARLES' IN HOUSE TOURNAMENT

SATURDAY, 30 MARCH 2013

Jason C., my 4-stripe blue belt, traveled to Sarasota on Saturday and competed in Charles Dos Anjos' in-house tournament.  In what amounted to an open weight category, Jason won a match and lost a match (which happened at the very end, on points, due to his opponent achieving a guard pass).

I am glad that he had a good time, performed well against people who train all the time with Charles, Dave G., Roberto L., Pat M., Nyantu B., and other long-time friends and training partners of mine.

Kris

SATURDAY NIGHT BJJ

SATURDAY, 23 MARCH 2013

There were just four of us in BJJ/judo class on Saturday night (me, Nick, Jason, Kyle).  I went over triangle choke defenses and escapes (from prevention to Triage).  I taught two specific escapes for when the triangle choke is actually set in and you start to see little stars and need to tap or take a nap.

After drilling these techniques, we then rolled for about one hour fifteen minutes.  In addition, we had a visitor who may be a potential student for Greg (Scott M.).  He watched during the rolling session, and I spoke to him for a few minutes so everyonce could catch their breath.

WEDNESDAY AT COMBAT ATHLETIX

WEDNESDAY, 20 MARCH 2013

I had a very interesting class this morning at Combat Athletix.  There were just four white belts in the class, so I did not teach to a large audience.  The techniques for the day (elbow strike to throw from opponent's double lapel grab and arm triangle from mount-Lesson 23 in Smiley's syllabus) are not too intellectually strenuous.  What was interesting was two students that I taught.

Two students are regulars.  The other two were first-timers for me; they are a husband and wife team.  Ana does not speak English fluently; Robert is BLIND.  Yes, that's right.

I found myself breaking the techniques into the smallest constituent parts, carefully explaining each movement as colorfully as I could, both visually and verbally.  I then demonstrated the technique on Robert so he can feel how it is supposed to go.  Then I carefully reviewed and assisted in hand placement/foot placement on the throw and the choke. 

In all honesty, I think I learned more than any of my students did on Wednesday.  Rather than simply saying "Watch me do this," I had to make sure that I explained and demonstrated each small step.  I think this made my own understanding of the techniques better as a result.  Thanks Robert and Ana!  I look forward to your continued attendance so I can teach MYSELF how to get better.

Kris

SATURDAY NIGHT BJJ AND JUDO AT AFR

SATURDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2013

For BJJ tonight, it was me and Jason for the first 55 minutes.  In effect, Nick showed up 35 minutes early for judo rather than 55 minutes late for BJJ.  I spent my time with Jason helping him develop his guard. I tied my feet to force me to do smash passes and help him develop a "leg circle" defense as I tried to pass.  Since this is the same method that I used with Nick, I feel confident that it will help Jason and help me in my smash passes and side control when I do pass.

I rolled, without my legs tied, with Jason.  Nick also rolled with Jason.

For judo, Jack (judo sandan) attended again.  There were, thus, five people in attendance (me, Jack, Nick, Jason, and Greg).  We covered our favorite throws and even added a little newaza for some perspective.

FRIDAY MORNING CLASS AT COMBAT ATHLETIX

FRIDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2013

This morning, I had six students (two blue belts and four white belts).  I covered lesson 8 in the curriculum, though I did modify the "simple gi choke from the back" into Charles' "seven basic chokes from the back."  For the two blue belts, I also showed the modified guillotine choke so they will have an additional weapon in their respective arsenals.

I had the opportunity to roll with three people (two white belts and a blue belt), and had a good time.

TEACHING AT SMILEY'S COMBAT ATHLETIX

WEDNESDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2013

I accepted a position as an instructor at Smiley's Combat Athletix teaching his Wednesday and Friday morning BJJ classes.  My first class as an official employee was on Wednesday, 20 February.  There were four students in attendance (one blue belt and three white belts).  I am following his syllabus, which is designed to lead students from white belt to blue belt and also integrate self-defense techniques into the curriculum.  We covered lesson 7, though I did show a defense and escape from the Ezequiel choke.

TATER RETURNS TO WOLFPACK ORANGE PARK

SATURDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2013

In keeping with tradition, Allen Tate returned for the third year in a row to train with us.  We had a good turnout today (me, Allen, Jason C., Ethan E., and Kyle S.).

I answered questions (sweeps from guard; how to pass butterfly guard), and we all got our roll on.

As always, it is a privilege to have Allen take time out to train with us when he is in town.  I get to share, learn something when I roll with someone that I do not train with on a daily basis, and have a good time.

WEDNESDAY MORNING TRAINING AT AFR

WEDNESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2013

Jason C., Kyle S., and I met at AFR on Wednesday morning and practiced for about 1.5 hours. 

We went over basic butterfly sweeps and an escape from kuzure kesa gatame. 

COMPETITION RESULTS: NAGA AND ABU DHABI PRO

SATURDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2013

My friend, training partner, and all-around good guy James Smiley traveled to Miami and competed in the prestigious Abu Dhabi Pro.  He won his first match and ended his second match tied 1-1 with his opponent.  A referree decision awarded the match to his opponent, and Smiley ended in third place.  Excellent job.

At the NAGA Atlanta, Cole Dobbins took home a silver medal in the blue belt gi and bronze medal in the intermediate no gi.  I think Meghan S. won silver in blue belt gi, and Jessica K. took gold in white belt gi.  All in all, Wolfpack Tuscaloosa seems to have performed well.

SATURDAY BJJ AND JUDO

SATURDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2013

For BJJ on Saturday night, it was me, Nick, Jason, Ethan (long time no see), and Kyle.  We rolled to warm up, reviewed the basic smash pass, and practiced a few defenses from full mount cross collar chokes.

In judo, a sandan from Houston who has relocated here, Jack, came to the class.  I provided him with a gi and belt (sorry that it was green...it was all I had), and we went over kumikata, kuzushi, and practiced our favorite throws.  I introduced Kyle to o-soto-gari and did newaza with him during randori since he is not prepared for throws or falls at this point in his development (2 classes).

WEEK IN REVIEW

This week was relatively slow in terms of BJJ training.

I trained with James Smiley on Tuesday and Wednesday to help him prepare for the Abu Dhabi Pro event, held Saturday, 9 February in Miami.  Of course, I was fodder for him since he was competing, but I like to think that I gave him enough of a hassle during our sessions to help him in his competition.

VISITOR FOR BJJ AND JUDO

SATURDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2013

Kyle S., who works with me at UPS, stopped by and participated in Saturday's BJJ and judo classes.  Regardless of what he posted on Facebook, he did not "get worked" during the classes.

KEYLOCK DEFENSES FOR MATT

JUDO REVIEW: HOW MANY THROWS DO WE KNOW?

SATURDAY, 26 JANUARY 2013

BJJ did not start until 5:00 pm on Saturday.  It consisted of me, Nick, and Jason reviewing a few items and then introducing concepts to each other.  We figured out a method of opening the guard that Jason brought up, and we drilled a few additional techniques as well.

In judo, we went through an informal "testing" to see what throws we know and what we need to learn.  Of course, we need additional precision with the techniques, but with time and additional practice, they will become more fluid.

ADIEU TO JUDO MIKE

Judo black belt, Michael S., affectionately known as "Muay Thai Mike," has packed up his gear and moved to my old stomping grounds in Virginia.  We at First Coast Kodokan Judo wish him the best as he embarks on this stage in his personal development.

Take care,

Kris

MY FIRST SEMINAR AS A BJJ PROFESSOR

SATURDAY, 12 JANUARY 2013

I taught my very first BJJ seminar on Saturday, 12 January for Matt Hobson's McCalla, AL class.  All in all, it was a good turnout, with people from as far away as Mississippi driving to attend.  I had gi and no-gi sessions, fielded questions, and had the opportunity to roll with Matt at the end of the seminar after everyone had left.  All in all, it was positive for my first time out, though I worry if I was too advanced or too elementary in what I taught.

In this first picture, I am working a set up to achieve De la Riva guard.

In the second picture, I have achieved De la Riva and am going over some finer details on opponent's arm placement for the sweep.

In the third picture, taken during the no gi session, I am providing Cole D. with my ideas on how to hold the seatbelt grip from the opponent's back so it is more secure and more difficult to escape from.

MY FIRST PURPLE BELT PROMOTION

FRIDAY, 11 JANUARY 2013

After almost two months of planning and training for a purple belt examination, Matt Hobson flew me up to his home academy in McCalla, AL.  With the help of four other people (Cole Dobbins, Jay James, Meghan S., and Jessica K.), I dragged him kicking and screaming through Charles' curriculum for four hours.  After a quick dinner, we returned to the academy.  I had previously asked him to hold a class so I could watch him teach; he complied and actually taught his class something that I had corrected during his test.

Though I did not say it to him when I originally asked him to hold the class, nor while I was still in Alabama, part of the purpose of the class was to have his students in attendance if I did place a purple belt on him.  He passed my test (which he did not know at that time), and I conferred with Wolfpack's patriarch, Charles Dos Anjos, about promoting him to purple.  Charles gave me valuable advice to consider for future promotion considerations to purple belt.

At the end of Friday's class, I told a few stories from my past regarding a situation where I was responsible for obtaining a purple belt for someone who was not ready for purple at that time, and then another story where I declined to promote my training partner to purple belt since he had decided not to make the trip to Sarasota (where Charles was going to promote him).  So, the first person received a purple and did not deserve one; the second deserved one but did not get it.  I was betting that people were thinking that I was not going to promote Matt to purple.  The two choices left were "does not deserve purple and does not get it," and "deserves it and gets it."  However, I very quickly let it be known that he had passed, called his wife onto the mat, and presented her with the belt so it could be tied around his waist.

THE START OF OUR FOURTH YEAR OF JUDO

SATURDAY, 5 DECEMBER 2013

Saturday's practice started the fourth year of our judo club.  First Coast Kodokan Judo had its first official practice on 2 January 2010, and after the third anniversary of our club, I am proud to say that we still have a core group of dedicated (crazy?) people in attendance.

For BJJ, it was just me and Jason.  We randoried a good bit of time (perhaps an hour), with me correcting some issues that I capitalized on during our roll.

In judo, Greg and David Berlin joined in.  Greg introduced a new drill that, essentially, is a tug of war using a 10-foot long gi sleeve.  It teaches sensitivity and correct pulling in order to off-balance your opponent (the very definition of kuzushi).  It was very good.

In addition, I taught a half-guard pass into kesa-gatame from o-uchi-gari that failed to achieve ippon.  We also spent about 35 minutes throwing each other into the crash pad.

All in all, the practice was good.