Tuesday, August 21, 2007

issues

-passing the open guard- posture and main passes? defending against de la riva- foot grab?
-kimura from half guard top? wtf, setups and defenses.

gotta work on these. likely have to change my guard passing! needs to work better against higher level people! speed? timing? pressure? lots of things to consider.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

heated

This past Saturday I nearly got in an altercation on the mat.

I've never rolled angry before, but I got set off during a session.

This new white belt that's fond of heelhooks, kneebars, neck cranks, and other injurious moves had been rubbing me the wrong way ever since he came. He does crazy, out of control moves that could easily injure someone, and I had a feeling that he was going to piss me off one day.

Anyways, this past practice, he got me in a crucifix and drove his weight down on the back of my neck, forcing my chin to my chest. I tapped and went into incredible hulk mode. I passed his guard and JUMPED onto knee on stomach and then moved to mount and shouldered him in the face, driving my weight down on his head and ripping his head to the side. My intensity level went up 500%, and it was clear that I was no longer the relaxed and calm jiu jitsu player that I normally am. I grabbed my own sleeve and PUNCHED him in the throat for an ezekiel choke (with the knuckles, not the fist). He started gurgling and murmuring "NOOO" in between gags. A lot of people stopped what they were doing to see what the hell was going on.

He somehow upa'ed me into my guard and began headbutting me in the face. I responded by chinning him in the eyesocket and decided to just hold him there until time expired, as I felt that if I had done anything more it would have resulted in punches thrown.

Not sure how I feel about it, but I feel like I was somewhat justified in being upset because of the neck crank. Maybe I should've controlled myself more, but everything just drove me over the edge.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

mundials

So, Mundials is in two days.

I have sort of been working up to this point, but now that it's here I'm not sure that I'm going to even compete.

Maybe it's a mixture of burnout, lack of confidence, and overall stress, but I don't think I'm going to be competing anymore unless I have some crazy revelation tomorrow.

Sort of disappointed, but at the same time I have too many things going on in my life right now to worry about a tournament.

There's no doubt that I am much better than I was a few months ago, but I just don't feel that "eye of the tiger" presently.

Monday, August 6, 2007

progress

"Progress comes
To those who
Train and train;
Reliance on secret techniques
Will get you nowhere"

-Morihei Ueshiba, The Art of Peace