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.