Thursday, June 21, 2007

Just a reminder for myself

grip fighting-
-wrist lock break
-palm strike
-clothesline
-use their grip breaks as windows of opportunity to set up takedowns, trips, etc
-aggressiveness UP
-pistol grip is good

arm drag-
-prepare for them to flop on back- control leg and take cross side top
-bait them to grab your sleeve, use their own grip to arm drag them
-combo- take the back to clothesline while pulling their farside hip to yours- RNC

open guard-
-react to hands on knees QUICKLY
-break one side off and attack leg
-sit up if possible

side control-
-pressure strong rib
-"bridge" onto them, sprawl
-attack weak parts of arms with hips
-hip to face
-kill nearside arm with leg, triangle head if it's there

kneebar-
-control heel
-from half guard- top and bottom

foot lock-
-pressure as deep as possible
-grab own gi deep
-outside foot on hip

passing-
-sprawl on their legs

escaping side control-
-gain posture as they begin to pass

arm lock #1
-from right hand in collar
-fake cross choke
-control fabric at elbow
-use collar hold to control head
-hands like holding a pipe, rotate wrist

arm lock#2
-from right hand in collar
-they counter by going under
-left hand under their right arm to control left elbow
-pistol grip, hips up and drag arm across body
-grab shoulder fabric and suck them in
-leg over

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Faster, stronger

I just ran a 6:38 mile!

A few days ago I was at 7:09.

My best ever before today was 6:57.

The sprint program works!

Monday, June 18, 2007

Avoiding burnout

Sometimes this pace is exhausting.

For the past three weeks I've gone to pretty much every possible class.

I also began the sprint program, and am currently halfway through it.

I'm having a great time, though. Right now I'm so focused on improving my conditioning and technique that nothing else really matters to me.

Still, though. Gotta make sure to take time out to rest.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Let's move

I recall when my cousin told me about the importance of learning "how to move" in jiu jitsu.

When I first started training with him, I remember doing countless movement drills- knee on stomach switches, hip switch drills, side control flows, turtle drills, etc. At the time it was redundant and awkward, but now I realize how important it was to my foundation. Because of those early drills and the time spent programming my body movement, picking up new techniques was much easier.

Learning to flow in jiu jitsu is maybe more important than collecting techniques. The majority of the fight might be transitioning between positions and moving to better control points. Learning to flow correctly will increase your ability to progress to a better position or set up opportunities to end the fight.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Back to basics

I've been ruminating.

BJ Penn calls his style of jiu jitsu "advanced basics"- perfecting the most basic moves and taking them to the next level.

Each day in practice, we go over the same positions. Guard, half guard, open guard, side control, mount, etc. Within these positions, there are certain basic movements that will be seen over and over- the hip escape, bridge, sprawl, etc. I find that as I drill positions and get these movements, I become aware of how often I encounter them during live sparring.

A good example is the sprawl motion during the guard pass. I realized that by sprawling my hips forward as I stand and break someone's guard, my guard breaking success rate jumps up many notches. Before I realized this, I would often be hunched over as I stood up in someone's guard, and it would be easier to break me back down or sweep me.

By using this same exact sprawling motion when someone is in my guard, I maximize my body weight and can more easily prevent them from standing. I lift my hips high and straighten my torso, and my entire body weight is transferred from the floor to their legs, making it much harder to deal with.

One small adjustment, and it makes a world of difference.

We've been doing the same drills every single day, but once I gained that small insight it changed everything. I guess it's a greater awareness and sensitivity to the game. It's like I see the whole situation with new eyes.

I liken it to cooking- you can cook the same dish over and over, but over time you develop a sensitivity to how each distinct ingredient and seasoning affects the greater whole. By adding some garlic here, increasing the heat there, using a little less lemon, etc, you eventually begin to master something that you've been working on for years.

Or even as a greater metaphor for life- you can encounter the same problem every day, but until you see it through new eyes and change your perception and approach, you might never be able to surpass what holds you back.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Keep on pushing

I've been training like crazy.

My overall skill level and conditioning has jumped up tremendously in the past month.

The diet has been clean, I've been getting plenty of rest, and I've been training every day- sometimes twice a day.

Currently, I'm on day three of the sprint program again. By the time I finish the program, I'll have a few days rest before the next tournament.

I've gained a bit of muscle weight, but for now I need to stay at the same weight until the end of this month.