WEDNESDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2015

Today's class consisted of me, Nick, Jason, John, and Ryan.

The first things we practiced were take downs. I focused on arm drags to the correct positioning for single legs, but then changed it up to allow for us to go into double legs from arm drags.

On the ground, I continued half-guard sweeps by focusing on three techniques. The final half guard sweep incorporates elements of the basic Garcia X-guard sweep, which I intend on transitioning into from butterfly guard in November.

As always, I allowed plenty of time for the guys to try their techniques against moving, thinking opponents (each other).

SATURDAY, 24 OCTOBER 2015

There were five people in today's class: me, Nick, Jason, John, and Ryan (or "Carl," as is now the inside joke). Tony decided that we are not cool enough and went to compete at the NAGA event in Jacksonville. I will update his results at the bottom of this entry when I receive them.

I went over six (6) half-guard sweeps in today's class. Two were review, two were utilizing methods we have learned from de la Riva guard, and the final two were new. We drilled these techniques for 90 minutes and rolled for 30 minutes. I practiced with Jason and Ryan, and we called it a day.

TONY'S UPDATE:

Tony took gold in the no-gi and silver in the gi at today's NAGA. He won both of his matches in the no-gi via submission (arm triangle & americana from kesa gatame following a great koshi garuma) and won via Ezekiel choke in one of his gi matches. GREAT job.

SATURDAY, 17 OCTOBER 2015

Saturday's class consisted of me, Jason, John, and Tony. We went over three additional half-guard sweeps and covered a full guard opening in case you have to deal with the strong, stubborn guy who will not open his guard for any reason.

In addition, Jason earned the third stripe on his purple belt and Tony earned the third stripe on his white belt.

SATURDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2015

In what is an ongoing theme for October, I covered more half-guard items in today's class. I allowed ample time for drilling the techniques before moving on to a couple of butterfly guard techniques. At the end of class, Nick & Jason rolled while Ryan & I did the same.

FRIDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2015

John & I lifted weights (BACK: pull-ups, cable press-downs, & dumbbell rows) and then drilled half-guard recoveries and sweeps. Due to both of us being sick for about a week, we did not roll in this practice.

SATURDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2015

Saturday's class consisted of me, Nick, Jason, and Tony. The flavor of the day was half-guard sweeps and recoveries. Jason and I rolled for about an hour at the end just to check and see how his neck is progressing.