MONDAY, 4 JUNE 2012

Josh and Elizabeth attended their first formal BJJ class under James Smiley's guidance at Combat Athletix.  We must remember: "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great."  I am proud that they wanted to go, and even more that they want to continue.

SATURDAY, 2 JUNE 2012

We had a good turnout of regulars on Saturday night (6 in the house for judo), and Greg returned from the heathen land of Hawaii. 

We got in a good practice for BJJ.  I taught an escape from the bottom of half-guard that I want to work over the next few weeks to perfect.  We also examined Nick's "scissor guard" to see how to attack it.  I have some ideas, and while one worked, it was not as crisp as I would like.  I also practiced the leg-drag series when I rolled with Dave, and I worked DLR as much as possible as well.

I judo, Greg corrected/fine-tuned a detail on ippon seio-nage that I think will add some danger to my opponents' life.  I also worked on "finishing" throws with Greg and Jason.

CONGRATUALTIONS TO ETHAN FOR GRADUATING FROM RIDGEVIEW HIGH SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, 1 JUNE 2012!!!!!

TRAINING WITH NICK

Thursday, 26 April 2012

Nick and I trained for about 1 1/2 hours on Thursday.  It was just a grappling session where we were able to work our respective games against each other.  I learned a few things that Nick uses to defend himself against me and will work on incorporating them into my personal game.

SATURDAY, 21 APRIL 2012

There were a number of people at BJJ.  Greg was in Dallas for the US nationals, and Sensei Berlin canceled, so judo went out the door.  Ethan's friend, Paul, who last showed up 3 months to the day, came in and I beat on him for quite a while.  I wonder if he will be back since he "trains MMA at the YMCA."  Nick's younger brother came in.  Nick taught him some basics, and Nick and I rolled with him for a bit.  I wonder if he will attend since he did not get a real butt-kicking.

To my surprise, John from Fernandina came in, and we taught some judo.  Well, I cycled people to work with him since I am not a real judoka.  I must admit that he was rather pushy about the judo.

SATURDAY, 14 APRIL 2012

There was nothing too exciting in BJJ or judo on Saturday night.

I taught a couple of sweeps and a set up for a triangle choke from the spider guard.

In judo, we had a new student (John from Fernandina) attend. Since it is a 120 mile round trip, I doubt that he will return; I hope I am wrong. We went over tai-otoshi and footsweeps.

ASHI-WAZA

SATURDAY, 7 APRIL 2012

Tonight, it was me, Greg, Nick, and Jacqui. We worked on foot-sweeps tonight while helping Greg get ready for the US Nationals in a couple of weeks.

It was a very technical practice. These techniques are hard. I do think, though, once they are mastered, life against other BJJ guys will be extremely easy.

4-STRIPE BROWN BELT

Charles promoted me to 4-stripe brown belt on Good Friday, 6 April 2012. I then got worked over by a few of his black belts and lost via the same submission three times (loop choke). Perhaps I will learn how to stop that in the next few months.

Thanks to Tony Tizzano, David Gatke, and Nyantu Bolo for exposing such a weakness.

So, apparently, I will be one of the next people promoted by Charles. I need to work on, well, everything.