Tap #8

Class #15: I just can't win: Frustrated with rolling with higher belts, but when I roll with lower Whites, it was just not that satisfying beating up on them. I just can't win.

This class, neither White Patrick or Blue Scott was there. They are the closest in skills to me; that's why they like to roll with me, I guess. Instead, there were two lower Whites.

Class notes: We worked on Pulling Guard and going to Palm up/down chokes and Palm up/up chokes from the Guard.

Details: Pulling Guard - right side, same collar grip, other hand, under elbow sleeve grip; big right step, PAST HIS KNEE; curl my other knee as I fall back and close Guard.

on the choke: swivel to right, get deep, deep, cross collar grip (my ELBOW DOWN, AGAINST HIS CHEST); swivel the other way and grip over shoulder, try to connect my hands.

Rolling: so rolling with the lower Whites, they pull Guard because we just worked on that. I easily pass by wrapping both their legs, side, then mount; same deal with the other White who's a virgin (this being his first class). When I get top mount, he defends the chokes well and I get ready to sit down and for the arm bar when time expires and I let out a loud, "Ahhhh mann" of disappointment.

Well at least with the lower Whites, I can track my progress.

With Purple Jack: I'm going to keep track of sweeps now because Jack sweeps me about four times in every roll: goes like this, sweep; we reset. Sweep. Repeat. He says he's going to sweep, then does. He's got long legs, and gets his hooks in; or he controls my sleeves and kicks out a knee. I have to constantly defend the hooks and the sleeve control at the same time; also watch my base and posture - keeping it not too high or too low.

Even so, he gets me in a Brabo choke, i think, from Side but my fingers are trapped and I tap before he can finish the sub because my fingers are smashed as they are and I don't want to injure them any worse. Tap #8 and total sweeps #12.

Also, I've been thinking of trying my "game" plan: so I'll pull and break posture and hold tight like I'm gonna Rubber Guard (if i was flexible enough); hold on to left sleeve; when he pulls back, go for the Hip Bump Sweep, which I've never been able to pull off yet.

I think it'll work for Blues and lower. We'll see. But I've got to start developing my "game" as Roy Dean says.