It’s been a while since I’ve written up my class notes. I’m still training, and I do have a ton of notes, but I’ve been recording them immediately after class with a voice recorder app. The idea is that I could speak my notes while they are fresh in my mind, then go back later and type them up. Great in theory, and it actually works provided I have the time to go back and type. The good news is that stuff isn’t lost–I hope to go back and write them all up and publish.

So hopefully some back-dated notes are coming soon. They really help me to review–so much new information comes in with every class!

Small class last night with a new blue belt (Shawn). We did a pretty typical warmup with some solo drills involved, and then moved into working on the scissor sweep using the opponent’s lapel for some extra leverage. Beginning from full guard…

  • Break posture and hold down with an overhook and an underhook.
  • Use underhook hand to hand the bottom of opponent’s lapel to overhook hand
  • Push legs away for some space, and move underhook hand across face. Hand gi back to this  hand
  • Use overhook hand to grip the sleeve at the wrist
  • Shrimp out extend sleeve grip side leg wide, other knee to the chest with foot on hip
  • Pull-Pull-Chop-Lift
  • Land in mount and keep that lapel. High mount, and come up to foot on non-lapel grip side
  • Thumb in opposite lapel and drop head for choke

A few rounds of rolling, starting with Ed. I’ve been starting on bottom a lot, but Ed’s kung-fu is surging, and I think it’s time I start challenging for the top again. He’s consistently baiting a triangle, and I’m consistently going for it, but he’s getting better about using that as a pass. I need to come up with an answer for that, because he’s getting really good at finishing arm bars with it.

Next was Abraham. This dude is heavy and strong. I made sure I started on top, but it was tough just to stay there. Took me a while, but I ended up getting the hand-up gi choke.

Then Dan, who I haven’t rolled with in a month. Man–he’s really gotten better in that time. He was a millimeter away from finishing a bow and arrow choke, but I held on and was able to at least defend until the bell.

Frank was a little distracted I think, plus a little tired too. I was able to execute the quarter guard escape, which he at least pretended to be surprised with. Had one nice pressure pass, but he’s still Frank and I’m still me at the end of the day. #Submitted

Went another round with Abraham and spent time on the bottom. Lots of pressure, and it wasn’t fun. I was a few seconds away from finishing a triangle using my new appreciation for the details when the bell went off.