Taps 2249 and JJ League Open Mat

Taps: 3. Total: 2249.

Man, need to work on the Half Pass - Marcelo's Smash. Keep getting rolled. Also, check out Keenan's Pass on Oli Geddes.

Keep working Lovato's Side Transition to Mount, need to tuck my leg after after the Mount - so as not get caught in Half.

Also, start thinking about Subs from the Mount.

Keep working:
1. Thorton's Choke series.
2. Lovato's Triple Threat
3. Otavio's armbar
4. Terere's Side to Triangle.

Lil Bro Brown says don't stay flattened in my Half -- shrimp out and get on my side. Need to drill that.

Taps: 2246 and Christmas Day Open Mat

Taps: 10. Total: 2246.

Best Christmas gift -- Black Chris opening up the Academy for Open Mat.

New mantra since getting my Purple -- Don't Beat Up the White Belts. Don't shut them down. Let them work.

Ironic. Now that I CAN beat them, I'm choosing Not to.

Still not getting anywhere with the J. Wayne Half Sweep. Can't get my leg out far enough, and keep getting flattened. Just keep working the Reverse Scissor and the 2on1 Roy Dean Scissor.

More faith in the old school Closed Guard ever since Kron won his MMA debut with an armbar from Closed Guard.

And Blue Mike kept getting threatening the armbar from Guard and I was too busy defending, and got me with the Xande/Flower Sweep (no gi version with the hand dives under my thigh) TWICE.

I'm going back to the Xande Sweep, and review:

1. Side ESC - Lovato
2. Back ESC - Lovato
3. Armbar Break - Luta and Kurt O.
4. Xande Sweep - Lovato and Liera.

Taps: 2236

Taps: 2. Total: 2236.

Tech. 1 - Closed Guard to Lasso, he stands, switch to DLR Sweep.

Tech 2 - Half Guard ... Getting Smashed, create space, push knee away, shrimp, get knee shield in, get underhook, cup bicep to prevent cross face ... lockdown, dive under and lift with lockdown, if he bases, go to Deep Half, go left, left, then sweep to the right.

After class, Black Vince was showing White Jordan some Mount/armbar stuff. I need to work on that.

1. From Mount, get knees under armpits and got High Mount.
2. Armbar -- don't fall back, control the arm, lean FORWARD, then lean to the side and swing leg over. No gap/space between his shoulder and between my legs.

3. From Mount, he turns on his side, protects neck, protects arms ... windshield wiper and knee on belly to side of his back, to make pressure him to open up arms or neck.

** drill that windshield wiper from Mount, too.

Drill:
1. J. Wayne sweep.
2. Anaconda finish.
3. Pass - Cyborg.

Also, advice from Vince about rolling with White Belts -- go easy. let them lead. react to them. no need to shut them down or really submit them.

2234 and Purple Belt

Taps: 4. Total: 2334 ... Blue at Dec. 17, 2011 ... now Purple received Dec. 9, 2014.

Black Vince - showed: 1. frame, and get head outside in North-Side ESC.
2. Side Top, he gets underhook, step over into Mount.
3. Double underhook, wicked Half Pass. Smash, smash.

Black Chris - review of the three DLR sweeps.

Man, purple. Trying to enjoy the moment, not looking back or forward. Stay here. Now.

Review:
1. J. Wayne Half Sweep.
2. MG Smash Half Pass.

3. Side to Mount - Lovato.
4. Side ESC - Lovato.
5. Back ESC - Lovato.

Taps: 2330

Taps: 1. Total: 2330.

Techs. Attacking the Turtle from the Back/Top, Seatbelt, Roll over into Back.
  1. Choke 1.
  2. Choke 2, hand behind the neck.
  3. Bow and Arrow.
  4. Trap the arm, choke or Armbar.

Review:
MG top Half concepts - where he puts elbow in armpit.

Lil Bro Brown came over for dinner and gave me lots to think about.

1. Brabo choke from bottom of Half Guard.
2. check out BJJ Scout's Shin to Shin.
3. Deep Half -- swing the hips all way to other side to stretch and unbalance the guy.
4. Wicked Brushecha lapel choke from Mount.

Taps: 2329

Taps: 4. Total: 2329.

Brown Steve. Half Passes 1 and 2, Lapel grip under his head, and over his head. Knee Cut.
  *start with circling and flattening. (which i learned long long ago, and have forgotten to do lately.)

Work on:

• Tails Sweep (drill the backward roll)
• J. Wayne Sweep (vid below). 
• Flower Sweep (watch for the Armbar off the failed Flower). 

Roy Dean Seminar notes

3 hours, $75. Surprise pizza and beer afterwards. No rolling.

1. Warmup with Footlock finish.
   a. wrap the foot, link hands, shoulder back, elbow high, turn shoulder.

2. Footlock
   a. Outside leg on top, inside leg under, fall on side, arch back.

3. He stands, Open Guard - Double Hooks, double ankle grap.
   a. hold ankles, both hooks open him and he falls into Footlock.

4. DLR Pass, Backstep
   a. right leg forward, right hand grips same side collar, Backstep with left leg.
   b. Sit on his shoulder, scoop up his foot with my left hand, triangle or lock my legs together for the Knee Bar.

4i. He defends by triangling his legs.
   a. grab bottom leg, pull and roll him over.
   b. separate his feet, scoop and Knee Bar.

5. Turtle Turnover to Bow and Arrow.
   a. I'm on left side, right hand over, that side collar grip.
   b. Post left hand on mat, pull with right and sit back.
   c. punch with my right to feed lapel to the left, and it's all set up for Bow and Arrow.

6. Heel Hook, from Open Guard, standing.
   a. left hand on his left side (right hip), right hand on his left leg, just below knee.
   b. step in with left foot in between his legs, left hand cup above his left knee, right arm around his left heel.
   c. Sit down, right foot above, left foot below his leg.

6i. He defends by spinning out.
   a. my bottom pushes through, get against his bottom, leg legs together, so he can't spin out.

7. Half Guard Top - Backstep to Knee Bar.
   a. both hands on the mat on left of him, Back step to the right.
   b. my left leg cuts under his legs, scoop his foot with my left hand for Knee Bar.

8. Half Guard Top 2 - Reverse Sit.
   a. Get Crossface with my left hand; Get my knee up and almost out, control his top knee.
   b. Knee cut to the right, get knee to the mat.
   c. He pushes my knee back into Half, let him and grab that hand/wrist into Kimura grip.
   d. detail: second hand under him, just above elbow and not over his shoulder.
   e. Get Kimura or if he straightens his arm, armlock.

8i. Wrist lock - grab his whole hand and twist from the armlock.

9. Standing wrist lock off  a wrist grab.
   a. he grabs my right wrist with his right hand.
   b. my left hand goes on top of his hand, trapping it, controlling it.
   c. my bottom right hand, circles/swims under and over his wrist.
   d. step into him and down.

9i. Also, my right elbow over his elbow.

10. Side Control Top - he frames on my bicep.
   a. turn away, grab wrist with both hands, turn for straight arm lock.

11. Side Control ESC - with the bicep frame.
   a. left hand frames on his bicep, swing it around to other side of my head as my ...
   b. right hand grabs his pants at knee and walk under and hip switch, hip switch to the left for the sweep.

11i. if i can't get the pants grip, can use my elbow and frame under his leg as i hip switch.
11ii. Or even just get my knee under his leg, too.

12. Closed Guard Scissor Sweep with 2-on-1 Grip Series.
   a. 2-on-1 Grip -- Left hand under his elbow grip, right hand cross grip on same hand.
   b. Scissor sweep, then get close with left leg slides under his head, right leg comes over into Armbar.

12i. if he bases and can't Sweep, then hip the other way and get right leg hook in.
    a. Arm drag with the 2-on-1 grip and Take the Back.

12ii. From Back, scoop arm, knee cut over his neck right into Juji Gatame.

12iii. if he postures up and into me before i can take the back, hang for a sec, get right leg out and Triangle.


[my favorite stuff was the Side Esc and the Closed Guard series. I'm not all that comfortable with the footlocks, and down the line, I want to take a whole seminar on just Footlocks.]

Taps: 2325

Taps: 3. Total: 2325.

Black Chris. DLR Series.

1. I can get cross sleeve grip (my right on his right sleeve).
  a. Sit up and pass that grip from my right to my left, under his right leg.
  b. My right grabs near collar grip, palm down, thumb in.
  c. Pull down for the sweep.

2. Same side sleeve grip.
  a. Pull to the right, my right leg comes off his thigh, and gets under his armpit of that grip side, and push with that leg.
  b. Left hand grabs right ankle.
  c. They should be low or even to the mat. My right leg bends and gets behind his right knee; left hand grabs his belt at the back and pulls as I lift up with my right hook.
  d. Take the Back.

3. Don't have either sleeve grip.
  a. Sit up and grab lapel or belt and around, under his leg to my left hand.
  b. Dive under as my right hand cups around his left thigh and come up for the sweep.

After class, asked Purple John about X Guard - showed me the push/pulling with the legs and getting my hand high, above the knee, on the thigh.
  Sweep 1: Scissoring my legs. Sweep back.
  Sweep 2: Right hand grabs the X'd leg. Sweep forward.
  Sweep 3: Tech stand up.

We talked about the Butterfly Guard entry to X Guard, and he ended up giving me a much-needed refresher on the Butterfly Guard.

1. Underhook - higher the better, better control.
2. Hop - bottom leg, keeping hopping, inching closer and closer to him. Keep hopping til he falls. Don't stop at one or two.
3. Learn to sweep both directions.
4. Double Under - "answer the phone" trap one hand low near the wrist, scissor/hook to finish.

If he stands or bases out, then enter X Guard.

Need to start drilling Butterfly Sweeps - both sides.

Taps: 2322

Taps: 3. Total: 2322.

Black Vince.

1. Back ESC.
  a. Fall away from top choking hand.
  b. Top foot steps forward, bottom leg goes under and gets away from his legs and hooks.
  c. Far hand grabs his knee to prevent him taking Mount.

2. Back ESC - Seatbelt grip breaks.
  a. top hand on top - my thumb between his thumb, other thumb on other side of his hand - pull up.
  b. top hand under - grab that hand with both hands and pull off.

3. Back Attack - two-on-one grip to Bow and Arrow Choke.
  a. Left hand under, Right hand on top -- left hand and right grips his left hand.
  b. Swing right leg to the right and back, keep it upright as I pull him down to the right.
  c. Right leg goes over his right arm, trapping it.
  d. Right arm grabs collar, left hand grabs gi at knee for the Bow and Arrow position.

3A. To Arm Bar.
  a. Right hand over the top grabs his left hand, left hand under grabs my own wrist.
  b. Swing right leg as in the Bow and Arrow, but can't get arm out for the Bow and Arrow.
  c. Keeping Kimura grip, lift my right elbow over his head, and swing my right leg over his had for the Arm Bar.

4. Side Arm Bar to Triangle to Arm Bar.
  a. Can't break the AB links hands defense -- bottom leg comes up toward his head, other leg goes past his leg.
  b. Lock in Triangle, then pull elbow of the non-attacked hand, that will free the hand I'm attacking the AB with.

5. Back Attack - X bar.

Learning:
Deep Half Entries.
X Guard

Watch 3 Mistakes of X Guard.

Taps: 2319

Taps: 5. Total: 2319.

Black Vince - showed the basic 1-2-3 Choke from Back, then showed the same series from Side.

Black Chris - 1. from Closed Guard, if he top guy lifts a leg to stand up, hook it and arm bar the other side. (that's why I never stand without controlling that side arm.)

2. DRL Pass, Leg Drag (step back, step forward).

Trying out X Guard and Deep Half. Getting passed easily during this learning phase.

Review: MG Back Attack (Japan seminar).

Taps: 2314 and Apt Training

Taps: 5. Total: 2314.

Blue Brian showed a nice Triangle setup from Closed Guard. Using knee on his bicep to clear the arm and get that leg over to close up the triangle.

I showed SGI Mount Maintenance, but discovered they didn't know any Mount Escapes, so showed them the 1st week Bridge and Roll Escape and Elbow Escape. They were wowed. I can't believe no one showed them this stuff before.

Working on:
1. Herrida Pass.
2. MG Smash from Half.
3. MG reverse Half.
4. Luta Anaconda from Side.

Taps: 2309

Taps: 2. Total: 2309.

Black Chris - Sneaky Armbar from Side.
1. From tight standard Side Control, move toward his head a little giving him space to get Underhook, and also getting his near arm between my legs.
2. He comes into me and up, goes for the Single Leg.
3. Back step, knee into his armpit and go for armbar.

Focus:
1. Herrida Pass from Closed Guard.
2. Mount ESC (Emily and Leech).

Taps: 2307

Taps: 3. Total: 2307

Black Vince -- Half Guard Knee Cut Counter.
1 Grab the leg/shin and come up on elbow. Bump him forward with my knee on his butt.

Review:
1. Armbar Break
2. Side Clock Choke.
3. Side Anaconda.
4. Herrida Closed Guard Pass.
5. 1/2 Smash Pass.

Next Apt. training:
1. Mount ESC to got with the Mount Top (M. Thornton). Soon as I show the Mount Top, I can't escape anymore.

Taps: 2304

Taps: 6. Total: 2304.

Focus:
Mount Top - SBG Matt Thorton.
Mount ESC. - Saulo.
Half Top - Smash (MG)
Half Top arm in armpit var. (MG)
Back Attack RNC (MG)

Rolling: Blue Brian, standing up and getting a grip on my right leg and swish, X Pass to Side. Quite annoying. Then he does his whole S Mount to Prezel Triangle, but at least provided some resistance and he tapped me with the secondary attack of armbar and not the Triangle as he used to do.

But shouldn't be happy about it. Need to escape his S Mount. Need to escape his Side Control. And not get started on his whole attack sequence.

Sheesh.

Taps: 2298 and Apt training

Taps: 2. Total: 2298.

Blue Brian and I showed the other two Whites a Flower Sweep and Gift Wrap sweep, both from Closed Guards. Then we worked positional drills, Mount/Mount Esc.

My GoTo Armbar Break from Mount.

Work on:
1. Breaking Closed Guard and Passing.
2. Flower Sweep.

Taps: 2296

Taps: 9. Total: 2296.

Advice to new White Belt.
1. Basic Pass.
2. Escapes.
3. Maintenance.

Notes.
1. Side Control Bottom - three hooks/control that top guy can get. 1. Cross face; 2. Far arm underhook; 3. Near knee in the armpit. Let him get no more than one.

2. If he gets one or less, frame against his neck, bridge and shrimp into him and get knee in or far hook into Half Butterfly.

3. Cup the bicep to prevent the cross face.
   a. Counter for the top guy -- staple the bicep with knee.
   b. Counter if he staples the bicep, reach around with the other hand, link hands or grab his foot and come up.

4. He's got no hooks, then bridge and can go either way, knee in or away to the running man/turtle facing him.

5. And if you turtle and he tries to get seatbelt grips or bottom hook in, then flip over him to other side and come up on top of Side.

6. He's got two hooks, cup bicep over the cross face and frame with other hand on his neck. Turn both my knees on the mat away from him and get my butt against his hip. Pull on the bicep/cross face and get him to the right of me. When he pushes back, then Harpoon Roll him over.

7. Clock Choke tweak - twist turn the grip hand.

8. If he blocks the grip, get other grip and around and do choke from other side.

9. Blue Gilles - showed a two on one simple sweep, kicking out the post knee, leg.

10. After Class Special - Blue Brian tapped Purple Jason and Brown Chris asked what it was and so Brian had to show the whole Side Control Bottom Attack Series he learned from Roy Dean when he went up there.
   a. frame against hip with near hand, other hand on the outside of his head. Bridge and bump with that bicep against the side of his head to get room to get knee in.
   b. if he pushes back, then Harpoon Sweep, and if he stops H. Sweep by posting his top hand on the mat ... that starts the whole attack series.
       i. Grab that wrist, put between legs, top leg comes over for wrist lock.
       ii. Push head away, get bottom leg over his face for the Reverse Triangle.
       iii. his other hand is still behind my head from the cross face, can go for straight armlock.
       iv. if he frees that hand to the other side of my head, then Americana.

Rolling notes:
1. Could not finish Spinning Circle Choke.
2. new Brown Chris has a wicked underhook from Half Guard. Could not get him flattened, and could not reverse sit to do Graugart's Half Pass. Need to think about Back Step Pass.
3. vs. Purple Ivan - could not pull off the Arm Drag pull down, but forgot to transition to Single. And could not finish the Single Counter when he had a Single and I ended up in Open Guard which he passed easily.
4. Tapped to Arm Triangle twice. Better start looking at defenses to it.

Taps: 2287 and Sunday Takedowns

Taps: 2. Total: 2287.

1. Armdrag, two on one Sprawl Takedown.

2. Armdrag Sprawl to Single Leg.

3. Anaconda off a N/S Turtle. (getting his elbow across, and diving under).
   a. Even do it as a Takedown.

4. Tweak to the Bow and Arrow -- getting the bottom leg over his bottom shoulder.

5. Counter to Single, Gaeshi throw with hooking with off leg and flipping them over.


Luta Livre. Sweet Pass to a Darce/Anaconda from Side Control - Nicolas Renier.

Taps: 2285 and Apt Training, and new gi

Taps: 4. Total: 2285. 

Drilled: Blue Brian was showing the other White Belts the Basic Side Esc - bridge, scrimp and get knee in, and armlock off of it.

I showed the follow up, Harpoon like sweep over the other way if the guy pushes back into you. Key: elbow frame on the hip to help carry him over.

Bri also showed my his Prezel Triangle again. The basic version and the advanced version. The advanced has more parts to it, but very, very hard to defend.

Worked on my Passing - Cyborg's and also the Smash Half Pass. Fell in love with it when I saw Keenan use it to pass Oli Geddes. I'm not getting all details right but still working on the lower belts. Need to review.

Work on:
Smash Half Pass.
Back take when they Turtle from Side - getting bottom hook in first.
Flower Sweep
Armbar from Closed Guard - Whittier.
Bow and Arrow - Brushecha.

Finally, new gi -- Black Trebela (yeah, never heard of it either), Gene Labell model. Broke it in tonight. Like it so far.

Taps: 2281

Taps: 5. Total: 2281.

Blue Brian wasn't there and Black Chris showed a variation of that Harris Low Pass that he showed me. It starts like a Tozi Pass, but ends like the Harris Pass with Foot Hook, stretch 'em and baseball slide the other leg through for the pass into Kesa and Side Control.

Purple Ivan gave me some tips:
1. Use Torreando Pass. Also, on my Cyborg Over/Under, BE AGGRESSIVE and fast, and drop my shoulder down lower.

2. From Side and Modified Side, get the Seatbelt, then as they turtle, get the BOTTOM HOOK in first, then roll to get the back with hooks.

Funny, he's got the same Facebook feeds as I do because I saw him trying out that Lovato Pass into Darce, and also that Guard Recovery Drill from Cobrinha's kids class.

Keep Watching, Working:
1. Flower Sweep.
2. Spining Circle Choke.
3. Zach Choke.
4. Cyborg Pass.
5. Marcelo Half Smash Pass.

Taps: 2276

Taps: 1. Total: 2276.

Black Vince. Half Guard Top, S Mount to Gift Wrap.
  a. From Half, lift my right knee out and get him turned to my right, and his right hand is around my waist.
  b. Lift left leg up, frame right forearm against his chin, gable grip around his right arm, turn it to the right, and get gift wrap.

Drilling: 10k project.
1. Double Leg entry.
2. Flower Sweep

Review: Spinning Circle Choke ... like a Loop. Could not finish.

Taps: 2275 and Judo Sunday

Taps: 0. Total: 2275.

Did not roll. No free training today. Just Standup techs from Judo Blue.

1. Grip breaks, standard.
2. Grip break, overhand behind the neck.
3. Grip break to two-on-one cross grip, to Ankle tap, Ankle pick.
  a. push down to his opposite foot.
  b. step in and block his far ankle, with near side, grip side.
  c. lean in and ankle pick as he falls.

4.  Also, two on one to a Tomoe Nage.
   a. push to cross side, far foot.
   b. right hand keeps grip on sleeve, left hand goes over his back and grips belt.
   c. small step in with right foot, left foot hooks the far knee.
  d. sit down and lift with the hook foot.

Lesson for the day. Grip breaks, Grip breaks open up the Stand up game.

Also, if I was teaching ... start every class with Standup. Then Ground -- Passing and Guard, then Defenses and Subs.

Stand up -- Double Takedown and Single Takedown. Every Class.

That's someday. When I teach.

Taps: 2275

Taps: 3. Total: 2275.

Black Vince. Turtle series. North-South, pick a side, get head out and sit out.

Black Chris. Gi Choke from Mount.
1. Crossface with left hand, pass gi from right to that left hand.
2. High mount, then knee on belly swivel, the Side Control on other side of gi grip.
3. Right hand on near hip, and start moving North-South for the finish.

Reverse Scissor. Almost got Black Vince with it, but slow to come up. He also tweaked it and said I could go the other way, to the left like the normal Scissor if they heavy to the left. Just push out the right knee.

Also, showed me a Scissor Sweep Counter, where I go with sweep and switch hip and back out of the sweep and come back up.

Deep Half if they get the underhook -- Black Vince: left hand cup under their knee, and if they pull, come up to right; if they pull and put head down, go to the left.

Blue Brian got me all three times with his Triangle from S Mount seabelt. He gets the armbar off of it, too.

On my mind:
1. Flower Sweep.
2. Cicero Lasso Sweep.
3. Rev. Omo against Turtle.
4. Zach Choke.
5. Side Clock.

Taps: 2272

Taps: 8. Total: 2272.

Black Vince. Half Guard Kimura Bottom.
Tech 1.
1. Kimura grip on right side.
2. Shrimp out, left foot out and hook in.
3. Hip switch to left, get both butterfly hooks in.
4. Kimura pull to the left as I use right foot hook to lift and sweep to the left.
5. Finish Kimura.

Tech 2.
1. As i try above tech, he bases and gets heavy to the right and tucks his arm inside.
2. Take left hook out and put foot on mat.
3. Bridge up and kick left leg over and sweep him to the right, and get left leg out as we go over.
4. Finish Kimura.

Finishing Kimura details.
A. If he grips on his stomach, then step over his head with left leg and get him on his side and finish.
B. If he grips on side of his body, then switch to get right hip on mat, lift him on his side and finish.

Black Chris. Basic Double Under Pass.
1. Grip low on his gi on the right side.
2. Left hand on his other knee, and put knee on the mat.
3. Get up to pressure his right leg towards his nose, and shrug off leg and pass.

a. If during the pass, he defends by putting his hand on my hip, then my right leg under his butt, and left leg goes over his down leg and staples.
b. Right hand switches from gi grip to grip on his knee.
c. Back step and pass to the left.

Also, Blue Brian discovered a new move -- S Mount, two on one ... where we usually get stuck hunting for the collar for Bow and Arrow ... he stepped on bicep with the leg that's over, and stepped through, then got Reverse Triangle, came back and switched legs to regular triangle.

Will need to video this next time.

Taps: 2264 and Apt training

Taps: 5. Total: 2264

Just Blue Brian and I. All his White belt buddies could not make it. He had spent 9 days up in Oregon with Roy Dean, taking privates everyday and he had a ton of notes and we drilled a couple of moves.

1. Roy Harris Low Pass.
2. North South Bow Choke.

and a Half Pass, windshield, which he learned from someone else.

I tapped him once and he tapped me five times. A 1:5 ratio, not bad. Usually I never tap him. I Passed with the Cyborg Pass, and got into Side and worked the Clock Choke from Side.

Drill:

• Cyborg Pass
• Ankle Iso Pass.
• Side Clock
• Zach Choke
• M. Thorton Flower

Taps: 2259 and Simi OM

Taps: 11. Total: 2259.

Simi Valley Open Mat.

If I get even a sniff of ego, a tiny bit of evidence that I might be getting better, all I have to do is go to Simi OM, and that will bring me back down to earth. Big Time.

And once again, big White Belts are dangerous. Being thrown around caught in a guillotine, I could have been hurt easily.

Saw Zach and he had a few adjustments/tips for his Zach Choke from Side.
1. Choking hand has to be straight, and touching the mat.
2. Need to clear the near arm. Can bait him by killing his arm with knee in armpit, and he'll bring it back out, and that's when control that wrist/sleeve with the other hand.
3. Then come over to other side, and base with leg and switch hand from his sleeve to over his other side of his face to prevent him turning in.

Purple Sky - grip control. Same side grip, then pass over to cross grip, then adjust the cross grip into a punch grip on the outside, and it's really hard to break. He got a few sweeps on me off of that.

Purple - arm drag: same side sleeve grip, then arm drag. Armbar break - wicked. He's the last guy I rolled with and tapped me 5 times in 3 minutes. Armbar, armbar, D'arce, D'arce, armbar. I have to ask about the armbar break next time I see him. He was rolling with a Brown before me and caught that guy with the same armbar break a couple of times.

He did say, "If you base back, I sweep; If you come forward, I armdrag." Something to keep in mind.

Drill:
Backroll - for armbar escapes.
X-bar - back attack. Getting that far leg under his neck.

Taps: 2248

Taps: 7. Total: 2248.

Black Vince. Half Guard Top. Pop up the knee way up to chest and wiper the other leg for the Pass or Mount. If they goes Lockdown, then forget about legs and control his far arm, and think about Kimura that arm so he'll open the legs.

Half Guard Passes 4.9.
1. Vince's Knee Up.
2. Gordo Back Step.
3. Bottom Leg Control -- M. Thorton.
4. Graugart's Half and Lockdown Counter.

vs. Knee Shield.
5. Avellan's Sprawl Switch
6. Mendes Knee Slice.

Keep working on:
1. Omo ESC - Yip and Robson.
2. Bow and Arrow ESC.

Misc.
Purple Ryan tip -- tilt my head opposite way I want to roll/sweep, to get my head out of the way and have more room for the sweep. ie Harpoon Sweep.

Blue Brian - Getting Underhook tip: elbow down and point, then shoot hand in for the Underhook.

Taps: 2241, Knee Slice Counter

Taps: 6. Total: 2241.

Black Vince - Knee Slice Counter, grab a single, come up to Turtle, and Wrestle Takedown.

Half Guard - get knee in a little, frame on shoulder and come up on the other elbow.

Need: Omo ESC and practice M. Thorton's Half Pass.

Hit Reverse Scissor a couple of times, got caught in three Omos.

Taps: 2235, Z Pass and Flower Sweep

Taps: 3. Total: 2235.

Some basics: Backtake counter to Kimura from Guard; Bait the pass and kimura roll; and some more Side ESC, the common theme is getting the near arm under him.

Still having trouble finishing the Paper Cutter Choke from Side. I going to try the armbar from there.

Nice Half Pass/Z Pass from Matt Thorton. New detail -- focus on killing the bottom leg. Never heard that before. Also, keep him down with my head.

Also, I really like the Flower Sweep, too.

Taps 2232 and more Side Control ESC

Taps: 4. Total: 2232. 

Tried to practice Side Control ESC roll and re-guard. But Black Joel showed his version with the near going under the opponent's belly.

This is the Harpoon Sweep.

Variation.

Both over the head/shoulder.

same tech.

Taps: 2228 and Side Control ESC

Taps: 4. Total: 2228.

Black Vince. Elbow Push Series.

1. Opp. does Bullfighter Pass to Kob, push off elbow and come up on my elbow.

2. Off Half Guard, opp. hand on other side of face to switch base, push off elbow.

Side Control Esc.
*my head at 6 o'clock and my opp. on right, crossfacing my with his left hand, and he clasps his hands together in tight, close pressure Side Control.

Roll/Sweep or Re-Guard.
1. My left hand grips my left thigh gi, trapping his right hand; right hand grabbing his other bicep/shoulder.
2. Shrimp out to my left, bridge and roll him over my left shoulder (7 o'clock) and NOT over the side.

2a. If roll fails, there's space to get my right knee in and Re-Guard.

Turtle Roll down into Side. High Percentage. This has been my goto lately.
1. Grabbing gi at the waist and pull him down at an angle to Side.
2. Or grabbing the gi on other side, and jumping to opposite side and pulling him down into Side.


Review:
1. Ninja Side Choke.
2. Omo ESC.

Side Attacks 14.8

1. to Mount (Gordinho).

2. to Back (Marcelo). 

3. Paper Cutter and there is an armbar off the under collar control. Just need to slide it down to his elbow.

4. Baseball Choke.

  b. Baseball with the gi tail.

5. Brabo

6. Zach Choke

7. Ninja choke

8. Kimura (Lovato).

I think this should keep me busy for awhile.

Turtle Attacks 14.8

1. Gerbi Choke.

2. Back Roll Super Choke (hell choke).

3. Bow and Arrow, Rolling.

4. Bow and Arrow, Step Over. 

5. Turtle Ezekiel.

Much later, Reverse Omoplata. 

Taps: 2224

Taps: 3. Total: 2224.

Black Vince was back. Half Guard Back Step Pass - hug the head, same side, then back step, if he tries to come up, go to Mount. If he doesn't, shrimp back and Pass.

DRL counter, roll to back take.

Sitting vs Standing, knee bar.

Rolling with Purple Ryan -- could not finish the Paper Cutter, transitioned to the Armbar, could not finish. I think I was too high on the arm and not on the elbow.

Purple Alex - could not finish Hell Choke. Stepped over and just all fell apart.

Taps 2221 and Takedowns

Taps: 7. Total: 2221.

Sunday training. Black Joel usually does some self-defense and takedowns. We drilled Single Leg Takedowns. Funny, I'm been thinking Takedowns ...

1. Single Leg
2. Double Leg
3. Ouchi Gari-Tai Otoshi combo

Taps: 2214

Taps: 9. Total: 2214.

No techs today. Just rolling for about an hour and half.

Nice Half Pass from Purple Jason -- Reverse Sit like Graugart's, get knee out, knee down to the mat and backstep Pass.

Been playing around with Deep Half Sweep. Half success, keep coming up in Double Unders.

Watch:
1. Deep Half Entries -- R. Hall.
2. Rocker/Waiter Sweep from Deep Half.
3. KoB ESC.

Deep Half Sweep - Kurt O. notes

** Must, must hide my left under his leg.

1. Roll under for Deep Half, my right hand around his thigh.
2. My knees up to create pocket to slip my left hand under.
3. Right hand gets his right sleeve, feed to my left hand; right hand goes to his belt.
4. Bridge and sweep, windshield for the Pass.

** If I can't hide left hand and he gets the Underhook.
1. Grab my gi at the chest with my left hand, trapping his Underhooking hand.
2. Hook my left hand behind his shin, get my hand behind or as he comes over to other side.
3. Grab his belt with my right hand and come up for the sweep.

Taps: 2205

Taps: 7. Total: 2205. 

Techs - Lasso Guard Series.
1. Lasso to Half Spider and Sit up Knee Tap Takedown.
2. Lasso to Spin Under Omoplata.
3. Lasso to Spin Under Triangle.

4. Side ESC to Darce Choke.

Falling into Omoplatas and Triangles and boosting everyone's ego. Sheesh!

Need to Review:
1. Deep Half Sweep - Kurt. (I end up with double unders. I should come up on Side, I think.)
2. Deep Half to Waiter Sweep.
3. Half Ezekiel - Dennis A.
4. Wrist Trap Armbar.
5. Half Bow and Arrow - Liborio.

Taps: 1198 and Tue. Apt. Training 2

Taps: 3. Total: 1198. 

Only tapping to Blue Brian because the others were White. White Mike tweaked his Mike during warmups. He could only watch.

Drilled the Popovich Pass and Brian drilled the Kid P's Overhook series. Mad at myself for not attempting to use the Pass that I drilled.

Brian caught me in an armbar and I was stuck under there awhile because I was trying the escape holding my elbow. Couldn't escape because he had his legs crossed and I needed to stuff his left between mine. So eventually he broke my grip.

From Closed Guard, he uses the lapel for control a lot, which I was somehow able to neutralize, and his Overhook is dangerous, but we were just drilling that so I was able to wriggle out. Had more success when I stood up and opened his guard before he could get his Closed Guard game going. His Open Guard is tough also, but I was able to get Top Half and work the Graugart Pass from there.

Taps: 1195

Taps: 3. Total: 1195. 

Tech 1 - Lasso to Reverse DLR, sit up and Pass.

Tech 2 - Closed Guard, armdrag to giftwrap and push elbow for sweep.

Tech 3 - Basic Butterfly Sweep.

Tech 4 - Butterfly Pass, control leg and other hand under.

Black Joel keeps getting a Guillotine or sweep off it as I try to pass. Purple Chris keeps getting high Mount, then S Mount into his favorite giftwrap and Bow and Arrow.

Tried the cross grip Helicopter Sweep from Closed Guard - fail.

And Graugart's Half Pass - fail. My right hand gripping his knee gets taken off and I have no base and get swept. Also need to get my foot up near his butt to push his leg down.

BJJ Bookmark - Smash Pass

from JJLab - The Super Smash Pass article and all its vids.

I have here as reference, especially Lil Tony's passing vids and re-direction concepts.

Taps: 1192

Taps: 2. Total: 1192.

Purple Ryan - Turtle Attack to Bow and Arrow (step over and roll); Clock Choke.

Black Chris - back to basics. Love the basics.

1. Armbar ESC inside Guard.
2. Armbar ESC from bottom Mount.
  a. grab my gi and other hand grabs my elbow, hiding my knuckles; b. stuff his leg between mine; c. turn into him, shrimp and get hand under and come come in Double Unders.

3. Triangle ESC - get his knee down on mat, then move perpendicular, getting my hip near his, legs over his head, scissor his head, break his triangle, back step to come up in Side.

Purple Chris showed me a nice chain of Attacks from Mount. He gets me with it all the time. Mount to High Mount-Gift wrap-two on one-feed lapel for one of three chokes and an armbar. Cuz I asked how he gets the lapel, and during the giftwrap, he's got the collar right there, and once he gets it, there's the two chokes plus the Bow and Arrow.

Misc -- man, there's a goldmine of Portuguese Youtube videos.

Advanced Half Guard Pass - L. Lo

God, love this Half Pass. This and Graugart's are my two main Half Guard Passes.

Leandro Lo's Advanced Half Guard Pass.

1. Underhook.
2. Knee on the mat, and flatten him.
3. Backstep, wedge open.
4. Windshield Wiper for the Pass.

Taps: 1190 and the First Nap

Taps: 7. Total: 1190.

Rolling with another Blue, and I'm passing his Half Guard and he's got a Loop Choke, and I pass and we reset as I feel dizzy and lightheaded. I felt that before, but usually after I tap and they let go, I've felt that few times before.

But this time, I felt dizzy and the next thing I know, I'm waking up from a nice nap, a little dream. Strange. First for everything.

Thinking about:

1. Roleta cross grip sweep.
2. Arm Triangle Sweep.
3. Mount Attack - under elbow control.
4. Side to Mount.
5. Terere Triangle.

Taps: 1183 and Tues. Apt. Training

Taps: 3. Total: 1183.

Blue Brian invited me to his Tuesday Apt. Sessions. It was him and three other White Belts. I missed the drilling at the beginning, which was what I was most interested in, but still got a few rolls in.

He's got a 10x10 Dollamar mat, so only two can roll at once. Nice to give Whites a few points of advice.

I still need to get more drills in. Need to get better balance on my Zach Choke, and fine tune my Henry's Gift Wrap Attack from S Mount.

Taps: 1180

Taps: 6. Total: 1180.

Tech 1 - DLR to shin to Sweep.
 a. Sit up and sleeve grip to under his leg; b. bring shin to shin; c. grab far pants grip and roll over.

Tech 2 - Side Control Esc/ Simple
 a. prevent cross face w/ hand on bicep; b. as he goes over my head, get left hand grip his neck collar, my elbow against his armpit; c. scoot down and get him over my belly; d. upa, shrimp out and reGuard.

Tech 3 - Counter to that Side Esc.
 a. don't put hand over his head; b. switch my base and hip; c. circle inside and then get to other side of his head, and work to get to Mount.

Graugart's Half Pass -- need to Back Step as he bridges for the reversal; the couple of times I forgot was when I got swept, but all the other times ... Success.

Reverse Scissor continues to be my money, and I get go to Butterfly Sweep from the same grips. But I forgot I can also do a Loop Choke, if he's not paying attention. I was reminded because I only got the Sweep because Blue was worried and defending the Loop Choke, which I got him with the last time I rolled with him.

So don't forget the Loop.

Taps: 1174

Taps: 10. Total: 1174.

Funny. Black Vince goes over a couple of techs on my mind.

1. Scissor Sweep Armbar.
2. Side to Mount, just like the vid from Gordo.

And Blue Brian agreed to drill more with me. I'm going to pick a couple of techs each. A top tech (Passing) and a Guard tech.

Passing - Pablo tech; Guard - Flower Sweep.

Pretty high percentage with Graugart's Half Pass. I'm only going to use that from now on.

Taps: 1164

Taps: 6. Total: 1164.

Black Vince showed Side Attacks as he turns away. Kimura (knee on his bicep); Kimura to Armbar. Seat Belt and step over, if he blocks, Kimura grip under his neck, Magic grip to Bow and Arrow choke.

Failed: Roleta Cross Grip Sweep.  Want to add to my Closed Guard Attack arsenal.

So far:
1. Reverse Scissor Sweep.
2. Scissor Sweep.
3. Hip Bump.
4. Xande Sweep.

Passing: Keep Elbows in. Keep Elbows in. I'm getting caught in Triangles and Omoplatas a lot.

Taps: 1158

Taps: 5. Total: 1158.

Black Chris showed a Mount Choke - set up like an Ezekiel but use my own gi tail.  Get my head next to his to hide that I'm getting my gi out. Knee on Belly, then Side and then go North-South for the finish.

As usual hard time Passing Purple Phil and even Blue Brian. Brian kept Omoplata-ing me, then Mount and Mount Triangle. Sheet!

Gotta work on my Passing. Phil has I have to work on my balance, that I'm over-committing one way or other as I Pass and my hands are straight out and elbows week. Something else to work on.

Taps: 1153

Taps: 4. Total: 1153.

Techs -- DRL Leg Drag Pass and Lapel Weave Knee Slice Half Pass. 

Purple Arman gave me tip on Half Bottom - get knee in, open my knee, grip his sleeve and get it outside my knee, and square up the other way and face him.

Trouble Passing because I'm losing the GRIP BATTLE. Initiating my Passes BEFORE I've broken their grips. Need to work on that first.

Homework: Deep Half - Kurt O.

And C. Graugart's Lockdown and Half Pass.

Taps: 1149

Taps: 6. Total: 1149.

Homework:

Half Guard - Kesting's Clothesline Sweep and Gordo Old School.
Half Guard Top - Gordo Back Step Pass.

Popovich's Open Pass drill - hand on hip and knee.

Standing 2 on 1 Pass - GGP.

Knee Slice -- keep working it.

Guard Break - S. Sherk. Knee back and then knee in the butt, and twist my body.

Taps: 1143

Taps: 4. Total: 1143.

2 hour open mat. Blue Morgan just killed me. Always gets underhook on me on Half Guard bottom and his Kob is wicked. He should have finished me at least three times but he didn't know about the angle for the Baseball Choke from Side and KoB. Which I told him after the roll.

Lots of Half Guard practice with him. But I think he kept giving me the Scissor Sweep so that he could work on his Half Guard.

Homework: Half Guard Top (Back Step - Scully and Gordo) and Bottom. Knee Slice. Open Passing. Lockdown Counter (Lovato and Christian G.) Zach choke - keep letting turn, either get heavy or take back?

Taps: 1139 and Half Guard Bottom (Kesting)

Taps: 2. Total: 1139. 

Black Chris -- Closed Guard, Overhook series. Choke and Omoplata, and if he tries to posture up from Omo, then Triangle.

Tried to be nice with a new White. I think it was his 2nd or 3rd Class. Let him start on top of Mount. I got Half Guard easily, but then got stuck there as he squeezed and squeezed and I forgot all my Half Guard moves. I got a little relief from Lockdown but couldn't progress from there. Completely forgot about getting Underhook or getting on my side. Felt pretty stupid.

At the same time, it's good to learn these lessons, and that's why I should roll with brand new White belts more often. They are instinctual and will do unorthodox things.

This clothesline Half Guard Sweep is what I should have been doing.
Homework - watch 5 times.

Also, the definitive, 3 combo Half Guard Bottom  moves from the man himself, S. Kesting. Read em and watch em. Especially his Old School and also Gordo's Old School. 

Taps 1137

Taps: 4. Total: 1137.

This summer schedule really messing up my training. Can only train once a week. Either Sat or Sun.

Black Chris showed Armbar from Mount, set up by the cross collar choke threat. Move to S Mount, get my far leg under his armpit ...

If he defends by putting his attacked arm under his other arm, then grab top arm under the lat/elbow and switch to Far Side Armbar.

Nice, basic technique, but you need to get to the Mount and be able to hold the Mount to begin the whole Submission sequence. Also, I'm able to Pass some people's Guard, and get to Side Control a little more, which means I can practice maintaining Side Control and start looking to attack from there. Either a sub or go to Mount.

All about the Position.

Taps: 1133

Taps: 7. Total: 1133. 

Sat. Class - no techs. just line drills.

Getting close to Passing some modern guards with the Murilo Prevent Bicep Ride/Tripod Pass. Need to transition to Over/Under though.

Work on the Zach X-Pass. 1. Hand on hip; 2. other hand on outside pant grip; 3. Kick leg back as I push in with the pants grip and come down on his chest for the Pass.

Blue Mike kept getting me with his Closed Guard Lapel Choke. Same side collar grip, come up and pass that grip behind me and over to his other hand.

Taps 1126 and Simi Open Mat

Taps: 6. Total: 1126. 

Nice to see a couple guys from my school at this Open Mat.

Noticed three different guys try the same Mount Attack ... under elbow control, walk up with hands, then Arm Triangle. They must have learned it recently.

A Purple let me work my attacks. Tried Henry's Gift Wrap to RNC. Could. Not. Finish.

Kind of thinking about some of the Purples at my school that I've come up with ... they're doing a little bit more fancy stuff, Berimbolos and such, but mostly they're techniques are getting tighter AND the biggest difference is their WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION. They are starting to feel a little bit like Black Chris.

Watch Vids.

Deep Half.

Reverse Scissor Sweep + two variations

Really been trying to work this Sweep into my toolbox, and now I have three variations to go with it.

1. Standard Reverse Scissor Sweep, with the regular grips.

2. Push Knee to unbalance.

3. Hook knee, if he lifts that side leg. (Haven't tried this yet).

Having some success with the first two, but need to got to Three, if they lift a leg up or stand up.

Taps: 1120

Taps: 5. Total: 1120.

Black Chris. Review of Lasso Guard to DLR to sweep and Lasso to Invert, then Omoplata.

Having problems, kept getting swept going for the Reverse Sit Half Pass.

Then as I was walking out, saw Blue Angel showing Purple Chris the Reverse Sit Pass:
1. with the lapel grip under the head,
2. then controlling between his legs, grabbing the thigh and shrimping away and pulling the trapped leg out.
3. Top hand pulls in the guy's outside elbow, gets him on his side a little;
4. Then KoB, and that same hand grabs the outside of the lapel, and that elbow comes down on his neck.
5. Turn into a Baseball choke with the lapel, go North-South. Wicked.

And I realized a day later that I have the same grip setup, and can go for the Zach Choke from here, too.

Purple Arman got me with a Hage Choke from bottom as I was passing. I knew it was coming and tried to armbar him, but failed and I was dizzy. A couple more seconds and I would have been out.

Failed miserably with the Nerang Bypass Armbar. They keep pulling their arm out. Plus I've never drilled it and I don't really commit to it, but jumping into it.

Taps: 1115

Taps: 2. Total: 1115.

Black Vince. Top Half Guard Series. vs the Underhook. 3 Chokes.
1. Whizzer and grip collar.
2. Like Brabo, pass Lapel to other hand.
3. If he frames and makes distance, pull arm across, between my leg and come down on it.

Blue Brian is getting so active in his guard and trying all lapel grip over and keeping my posture broken.

Purple Chris. Been awhile since I rolled with him. Loves the Bow and Arrow from the S Mount. He rolled passive and let me attack and then he got bored and reversed and got S Mount but didn't get the Bow and Arrow til he swung me to his favorite side. Then he gift wrapped and trapped my arm and reached under and got his grip and that's all she wrote. Bow and Arrow.

Taps: 1113

Taps: 7. Total: 1113.

Black Vince still on the Half Guard. Bottom -- two on one on the sleeve, preventing the crossface, and if he knee cuts, open and bait him to pass. Switch to one hand and other hand get foot and push him over.

And two Side ESC, if I'm getting crossfaced and smashed, get left hand over his smashing shoulder to alleviate the pressure; get right forearm under his neck, and frame and push, and when he pushes back, Bridge, scissor my legs -- right leg under and flip him over.

Tech 2 -- if the smashing hand comes over other side, then right hand comes under and grabs his far elbow; come up on my left elbow and flip him over.

So on Tues, while rolling with the only woman (two stripe White) in the school, I guess I went a wee bit too hard and there was me trying a studpid BS move with a reverse Triangle and pulling on her lapel, and she got pissed because she couldn't tap. I was very apologetic, and felt horrible and for penance, I watched all 57 minutes of Rener and Eve Torres talking about how to roll with women.

Good news, she came back today, and I got paired with her again, and I rolled a little bit easier like I was rolling with my kids. I keep getting paired with her because I'm the closest in weight to her since I lost at weight.

How much did I lose? Glad that you asked. Since February (two and half months), I've lost 17 lbs.

Saulo's Armbar ESC -- from BJJ Uni book, escape from top side. A lot of success with it. Turn away from him; arm attacked grabs my free wrist; free hand gets under his leg and ideally, gets the ankle (but I've usually get closer to under the knee); then push up with both hands as I sit up.

I have to look up his Triangle ESC. I usually go with Scully leaning tripod, which I need to review right now.

Taps: 1106

Taps: 9. Total: 1106.

Black Vince taught Half Top, Outside Knee Series. Where I can't Knee Cut to the left, so Knee to the mat outside to Right, and that turns him to his side.

Tech 1 - Seat Belt to the Back. Pick up and sit him up, then roll on side and get the second hook in.

Tech. 2 - Step Over Knee cut to right Pass: a. Two on one on his top hand; b. underhook with left hand, and step over with left foot, and knee cut to the right.

Tech 3 - Hugs my waist, keeps his hand on that side. a. lift my left leg up near his head, trapping his arm, almost a shoulder lock; b. underhook with my left hand; c. right elbow pushes down on his face and link my hands, and brings his trapped arm over the right .. and continue on to the pass.

Tech.4 - Can't get Underhook. a. Step over, slide down; b. turn to right, exposing my back; c. get tight on his elbow, control his top knee and shrimp out for the Pass.

Bonus: Getting the right knee free to cut to the right side of Mat. Left hand passes over his head to the other side and link hands. Push down on his leg to lift my right knee up, then cut to the mat.

Coach taught: 1. Lasso/Spider to DLR to Sit up and Lapel grab and roll under Sweep.
Tech 2 - Choke from Back / Modified Bow And Arrow ... same side as choking hand, my leg goes on his hip, other leg across his belly, get on my side ... basic collar choke but with a slight bow and arrow position.

Rolling: Coach got me three times in a row with the same Lapel Baseball Choke. Like the vid below. He had a nice setup, where he gets the first grip, then Kob, and when I moved he got the second grip.

Having a little success with my money Reverse Scissor Sweep, with pushing their knee out before the sweep.

Blue Brian got me with Back Attack under thigh control, called "Cabbage Patch." He got the armbar, but there's a choke and a triangle off the same setup. It's pretty tight where you go under your thigh and grab your own gi.

Taps: 1097

Taps: 2. Total: 1097.

Black Vince. Half Guard Series. 
Gen. 1. Two on one on his wrist to prevent the cross face.
* Butt floss series with Gi tail or belt ... 2. if he goes for a choke, as soon as second hand touches me, BUMP/BUCK with top knee and he'll base with the second hand.

Come up on elbow, on side and reverse.

If he Whizzers, dive under and underhook his thigh and roll him to the left. If he bases, and flattens me, then both feet the mat, bridge and roll him. It's the same bridge/roll movement for the SIDE ESC where you trap the crossface arm and roll him, which I've never been able to pull off.

Black Joel. Sit up Guard Series. With the cross collar grip. The grip breaks on pants.
1. If he tries the grip break on my collar grip, right foot outside his left knee, and come up and he falls.
2. Pull Down.
 a. Pull down to Loop Choke, and swing leg over his shoulder for the finish.
3. Roll over Bow and Arrow -- stand up, step over and grip his pants and roll over and swing him over for the Bow and Arrow.
4. Half Bow -- rather than roll over, stay on side and get my top leg over his shoulder and grab my ankle.

What I'm thinkin:

Marcelo Side ESC 2 and 3.
Shin Sweep
Waiter Sweep.
Deep Half - Kurt.

Still 1095

Taps: 0. Total: 1095.

Really disappointing when I get no taps. A couple people got close but could not finish. A Brown kept switching attacks so I could never really escape.

Black Vince advised against a Staggered Stance because you're telegraphing your Shot. Start square so you in Shoot in from either leg.

Sprawl against a Single Leg Shoot. 1. That side leg back; 2. my hand on his head pushing down; 3. Sprawl other hip.

Purple Rick showed: Hand tap two on one Leg Drag drill. Push in then drag.

Black Chris: Stand in Guard, pinch knees in against his hips, when he opens then go for Over/Under Pass.

Also, another nice Back Step alternative when the guy gets Underhook in Half. He showed it off a Knee Cut Pass, with my leg still stuck. 1. Right hand gets collar grip behind his neck; 2. Left hand pulls on his sleeve and makes sure he doesn't come up on his elbow; 3. Then Back Step to other side; 4. Switch grips from his sleeve to his top knee and push down; 5. Press on his bottom thigh/knee with my left foot to get my leg free for the Pass.

Taps 1095 and JJ League Open Mat

Taps: 7. Total: 1095.

An advanced White had a nice Triangle from Guard setup. He kept threatening it, but couldn't lock it up or finish. But still a nice setup. Cross collar grip and knee/pants grip and he tried the Flower Sweep, but since he didn't have sleeve grip control, I was able to post on that hand, But. I posted to the side and a little behind me, and that gave him the space to shoot his leg over for the Triangle.

Asked Brown Lil bro for a refresher on his Knee Cut Pass. Knew I was missing stuff. My lead leg needs to be really up high near the guy's armpit. Straighten and pop off the DLR hook, then move it up, up, up and really pin the guy. When he hips out, THEN knee cut left, with balance and pressure, and knee cut down not to the side.

Also, need to re-watch the Mendes Knee Cut vid for a few other details I haven't got down yet. But I really do need to commit to it. Half of me is thinking of going the other way, but I really need to sell the Knee Cut first, then go the other way if they defend well.

Taps: 1088 - Simi Open Mat

Taps: 5. Total: 1088. 

Blue Sky was practicing a Simple Takedown, with Single Leg.
1. Standard grips, pulls back to get the guy's right foot forward.
2. Swing/reap/kick with my right foot just under his right ankle (like I'm teeing off on a football).
3. Either he falls or I get his leg up enough to get the Single and takedown from there.

Drill: 
1. Lockdown Counter.
2. Back ESC.

Lovato Jr. Webinar Notes

Just watched the replay of R. Lovato Jr's Webinar he did for his Guard Mastery DVD release. Honestly, I think if I didn't have so many DVDs and other videos on my plate, I would buy it. I still haven't even watched the free Kimura DVD he sent out.

1. Cross Collar grip ... Cross Collar over shoulder Choke.
   a. Get Butterfly hooks and extend him and squeeze for finish.

2. Off the same set up, Collar Drag to Back.
3. Loop Choke.
   a. fails, go for Cross Collar Choke, then Drag.
4. Collar Grip, Butterfly Sweep.
   a. fails, he bases, switch to Cross Collar Choke.

5. Spider Guard Sweep (simple sweep, bit of Scissor with foot on bicep)
   a. fails, get stuck, the A. Triangle.
                                    B. Omoplata, to the right, other direction from sweep. (or if you sweep and he gets right up, then go to Omoplata.)
                       i. Omo details: Lovato gets on his side, KNEE to armpit/shoulder, then swings leg over.

6. Gets Knee Up/Combat Base ... then Spider on one side, DLR on other for the sweep.
      a. or Kimura
      b. DLR, then X hook.

Taps: 1083

Taps: 3. Total: 1083.

Black Vince. Showed Three Rolls.
1. Same Double Guard Pull, Bolo (from Tues.)
2. DLR Top, Roll and Back Take.
3. Half Guard Rolling Attack. (a la R. Hall)

Black Chris. 1. Continuation of the Bolo to the Roussey Roll Armbar.
2. Closed Guard, Lasso and Balloon Sweep.

Bonus: Purple Rick was showing Blue Brian a nice Half Guard Sweep, kind of like the Tails Sweep.
 1. Left hand gets collar grip behind his neck; 2. Right hand dives under and get his left leg/thigh; 3. pendulum with the left leg and come up like in the Tails sweep.

Blue Cesar gave a couple of tips on the Omo game from Closed Guard that he kept getting on me. Get on side, set hip outside, and leg up along the body and to the armpit.

Review: 
1. Back ESC - I get one hook off, but then can't remember the rest.
2. Gift Wrap.
3. Gordo - Old School Sweep.

Taps: 1080 Still

Taps: 0. Total: 1080. 

Black Vince. Top Half Guard Game, and responding to the Underhook. Fits right into what I'm struggling with at the moment. Blue Morgan consistently gets the Underhook and fits it in with the Lockdown. No luck with the Overhook and I've tried D'Arce, but can't quite reach.

Mildly better with the Reverse Sit.

Vince showed a Reverse Sit, then Kimura, and if he underhooks my leg, step over his head and tuck my leg under his head for a tighter Kimura. And a counter Kimura against his Kimura attempt, reaching across his belly and grabbing his top hand.

Work on that Reverse Sit, being heavy on his belly; and Penn Pass the other way.

Also, side note, Vince showed a Turtle Attack Bait, where you reach across and grab his far waist, waiting for his to trap it and roll you, BUT, BUT, control his near leg/knee gi pants and go to the other side that he's trying to roll me and lift his leg and presto ... I have his BACK! Nice.

Nice alternative to my basic, pull him down to Side Control in Turtle Attack.

Black Chris showed a Basic Bolo Sweep from Double Guard Pull. Perhaps time to start looking into the Bolo soon. 1. Cross grip the side I want to roll (ie right); 2. My right leg on the outside of his; 3. my right hand grabs that side ankle; 4. Fall to the right and shoot my head under, roll and take the back.

Need to drill that.

Also, rolling with Blue Brian and one of the few times I had top position, I got into the Gift Wrap from Mount but could not finish. Need to review. Halfway way there, too.

Taps: 1080

Taps: 4. Total: 1080.

Black Joel. Self-Defense ... punch block right hook with left "phone" elbow point; 2.
get in close to double unders; 3. get left leg, deep between his legs, knee in on this thigh, posture break; 4. twist my body and look away for the Takedown.

Then Joel put on gloves and threw punches at us as we tried the takedowns. Just never get that kind of practice. Pretty cool.

Basic Half Guard ... get frames, under his chin and onto his shoulder or collar grip; other hand frames on his bicep; get my knee in.
 * from there, Kimura. 
 ** Defends by grabbing his belt or pants ... open my legs, bait the Pass and Hot Dog Roll Kimura.

Basic Closed Guard series drill.
1. Hip Bump Sweep.
2. Kimura off the failed Hip Bump.
3. Guillotine off the failed Kimura.

I need to drill the timing of the Hip Bump. I think Andreh Anderson showed it, where you keep his Posture broken (either collar grip or no-gi grab behind his head/neck), then when he re-gains Posture ... BAM, then, that's when I go for the Hip Bump.

Random: Rolling with Purple Dan, I realized I'm way too even keeled and mellow. I was on top and then with a little burst, he escaped and kept going with his Aggressive energy. And I realized then that I'm never like that, and I need to be. I need to turn it up sometimes with a Burst of Aggression. To get out of a tough jam or to overcome and stabilize a position.

Well, something else to work on. Need to practice rolling HARD.

Taps 1076

Taps: 2. Total: 1076.

Think people are going easy on me.

Black Chris showed a Guard Pull to Closed Guard and Arm Bar. Left hand gets same side sleeve grip, right hand dives under his legs and grabs opposite leg pants, swivel and break him down for the Arm Bar. Had a hard time getting the angle, hence the momentum to break him down.

My Closed Guard Game is all based on the Reverse Scissor Sweep. I've been playing around with pushing on his knee with my left foot to unbalance the guy before I go for the sweep. Also, need to remember to OPEN my knees to the right for the sweep.

Really need to work on my Passing and Closed Guard and Half Guard and ESCs from all positions.

Taps: 1074

Taps: 3. Total: 1074.

Closed Guard Pass, with the arm wrap underneath. Windshield wipe before the Pass. Variation with the gi wrap around his wrist. Key: move my body over his arm, rather than muscling and moving his hand. Then into the Arm Bar. "Punch the mat" to trap the arm, swing leg over and swivel, sit into the Arm Bar.

Finish: go the opposite direction the thumb is pointing. I only knew to put thumb up, but Black Vince says any direction is ok, long as opposite direction.

Getting closer to finishing the Zach Side Choke. Need to watch and practice a few more times. Side ESC, Mount ESC. Reverse Sit Pass from Half Guard and Darce -- two ways to deal with if I lose the Underhook battle.

Taps: 1043 and Locking it Down

Taps: 2. Total: 1043.

Man, I need no more new techniques, but need to sharpen the ones in my toolbox. Repetition, drill, drill. This is a drill, baby.

Lock it down. Lock the toolbox. Accepting no more tools/techniques. Locking down ... Side ESC, Half Passing, Side Attacks, Closed Guard, Back Attacks, Closed Guard Passing ... lock it and drill it.

Half Guard Passing ... keep losing the Underhook battle. Revisit D'Arce Choke and Back Step Pass (Scully). Review Lockdown Counter.

Taps: 1041

Taps: 5. Total: 1041.

Black Joel taught "Parachute Guard." -- Open Guard, double sleeve control, get my knees inside his arms and flare my knees out. He tries to get pants grip, then go Spider on his biceps or get both legs on his hips and stretch him out. And if he tries to pass, keep the cross grip and push out and shrimp out.

If he stands, Basic Sweep A -- grab left ankle with my right hand; my left foot hooks inside his right foot; pull him in with my left hand grip on his sleeve as I push off his left hip with my right foot.

Basic Sweep B -- if he steps his right foot back and I can't get the hook in, then a) switch feet, left foot replaces the right on his left hip; b) switch hand grips with left hand now grips left sleeve; c) my right foot sweeps his right foot.

Bonus: judo takedown - nice setup with foot tap. My left leg tap/sweep his right foot to set up, then my right leg taps his other leg as I turn the wheel (upper body) for the sweep. Hiza guruma from one leg to the other.

Blue Mike Anz Armbar off an Arm Drag in Closed Guard. He hugs the arm tight, swings leg over and gets the Belly Down Armbar. There's always the usual to the Back off the arm being across the center line.

Efficiency: Discovering the little moments of efficiency in techniques, rather than energy and muscle, you use angles, or footwork. Example 1: Safada -- rather than pull the collar, step back; Ex. 2: Arm Drag -- rather than pull, use hips out of the way as I pull; Ex. 3: Torreanda Pass -- rather than use arm strength to pull down his legs to staple to mat, just step back.

Taps: 1036

Taps: 9. Total: 1036.

Black Chris showed:
1. X-Pass. (drill this). detail: push, then when they push back, back step for the pass.
2. Double leg grab like a Bullfighter but hop straight to Mount. (detail: don't muscle and pull back with arms, just step back...use footwork, then thrust hip forward to get to Mount).
3. Spider Pass: break one grip, then grab same side leg and steer to Kob.
4. Triangle from Closed Guard ... break his posture by grabbing behind his head, then when he tries to regain posture, push one hand in and go for Triangle.

Blue Brian showed a slick Back Attack ... overhook one of his arm, go under my own knee to trap and get that arm out of the way: from here there is: a. Triangle, b. armbar of that arm; c. bow and arrow.

Tried Zach Side Choke. No go. Need to review.

Taps: 1027 and Simi Open Mat

Taps: 10. Total: 1027.

Got tired of forgetting and brought my camera and took some video ... Blue Zach showed me his Choke from Side again, and a Wrestler's Escape from Back; Blue Sky showed me his Knee Cut re-direct. He's also got a super smooth Bullfighter Pass, too, which I'll tape some day.

Black Kenny keeps catching me in a Omoplata, and I roll and he ends up in Mount; Purple Matt kept catching me in X-Guard, same thing that Black Kenny did last time.

Nothing really sticks out right now. Just trying to drill: Closed Guard and Half Guard Sweeps, and get into X-Guard and Deep Half.

Taps: 1017 and the Sit Up Guard Series

Taps: 5. Total: 1017.

Black Joel taught some Stand Up and Sit Up Guard Series.

Gen. -- Clear both grips on my legs/knees.

A. Collar Drag.
  *My right hand on cross collar grip, my right knee up ... he tries to my right, hip out left and collar drag, and take the back.

B. He tries Two-Handed Collar Grip Break, and leans back ...
  *Get my right foot outside his knee, and push across with my collar grip and tip him over, come up in KoB.

C. Collar Drag, Option 2.
  *Come up, like you're going to get both hooks in, switch collar grips, roll over other side into Bow and Arrow Choke; also an Armbar option, too if I can't finish the Bow and Arrow.
   **Bow and Arrow fail, can't roll over and stuck on my side ... A. reach across, under his chin, grab his elbow and bump sweep him into Mount.
        B. Get my leg over his shoulder, and grab that ankle for a choke.

D. Collar Pull Down, where I end up more N/S, not on side like Drag.
 *Loop Choke -- fall to my left, get my right leg over his shoulder/head for the choke.

Taps: 1012

Taps: 4. Total: 1012.

Black Chris showed a S-Mount Loop Choke.

Black Vince showed Half Guard Basics Bottom -- A. knee control, getting my knee in; B. Can't get knee in, get hook in and sweep.

Half Guard Top -- vs. Knee Shield: two on one on his knee and push down, keep smashed with my chest and if I can, hook and trap his ankle, sprawl that side and pass.

Bonus: Vince showed me the counter if they counter Marcelo's side control escape where I push against his elbow, they hold onto to my legs ... I hook their elbow and roll them over.

My two go-to Moves got shut down -- Reverse Scissor and Butterfly Sweep. And I couldn't do anything from Closed Guard, either. Flower Sweep got shut down.

Need to look up:
Esc to Belly down Armbar. Get stuck there a lot.

Taps: 1008

Taps: 8. Total: 1008. 

Black Chris showed Butterfly Sweep with Head Control -- now I know how to do it three way ... 1. Standard with Underhook; 2. Saulo's way with the collar control; 3. Behind head control.

And an Armdrag to the Back, and if he puts a leg up, then get under and roll kind of like the Tails Sweep.

One success -- I was setting up my Reverse Scissor Sweep, got all the grips and was set in place, but Purple Ryan was staying back, stable base and he put a knee up, so I hooked that knee and Butterfly swept him with all my Reverse Scissor set up. Sweet.

Work on.
1. Smash Pass.
2. Henry's gift wrap, attack from mount.
3. Caio back take from the half.
4. Mahalo Pass, esp. the break.
5. 2 on 1 Pass, pinching my legs into his thighs. Never remember to do that.
6.. Roger's standing pass, reach behind for the guard break (T. Dan?). I think Marcelo reaches back, too.

Taps: 999 - Simi Open Mat

Taps: 14. Total: 999.

So Blue Sky, after winning the Baddest Blue Sub only tournament, has gotten much much better. He tapped me 8 times in one roll.

Work on:
1. 2 on 1 Standing Pass - remember to pinch legs. I never do that.
2. Deep Half. Faria.
3. X-Pass and Smash Pass - Open Passes.
4. X-Guard (watch Letitia's app)
5. Finishing Side Control Attacks -- brabo and baseball.
6. Bow and arrow.

Breakdown: Tails Sweep from Half Guard

from Vince's Lost Techniques DVD. It's my favorite and most useful. I need to dig that DVD out and pick a couple more techniques for my Half Guard.

1. Grip at his elbow with left hand, and keeps it stuffed there at my elbow or lower level.
2. Right hand, grip his pants at the knee, or behind it.
3. Shift both my legs, with his trapped leg, to the left, to the mat -- that should bring his head closer to the mat, and this makes his body lighter.
4. My right hand picks his leg up, straightens, then swings it near my head.
5. Do a backwards Roll and he comes with me for the sweep and I end up in Top Half Guard. Sweet.

Next up: Shaolin Sweep. Kind of similar but i think he gets the knees into the guy's belly and rolls him that way.

Breakdown: Fantasma Half Pass and the Criss Cross Pass

I could not train today due to flu. So I might as well breakdown my favorite Half Guard Pass to the right.

David Avellan's Fantasma Pass. 
1. He beats me to the underhook, I need to Whizzer.
2. Flatten him with the Whizzer.
3. Underhook the left side, my head on right side.
4. Step up with the left leg, and bit with the right trapped knee.
5. Left knee cuts right across his chest, pointing in 3 o'clock position, for the pass.

Criss Cross Pass (similar to the Fantasma)

1. Get near underhook, head on the right side.

2. When he gets the far underhook, move down a little.

3. Switch hips, base, push on on his outside knee to the mat.

4. Lift left leg up and cut across his stomach. 

Taps: 985

Taps: 5. Total: 985.

Black Vince taught Half Guard Top, Knee Cut and timing to when he puts hand on my hip and shrimps out. Need to get my knee up, out and jam in high under his elbow, and start the Knee Cut. Otherwise, he's got space to get his top knee in and create separation.

And if I can't get the ankle out, then jam my knee into his chest and redirect to the other way and get almost Mount.

Black Chris taught Closed Guard Armbar to Omoplata, to Kneebar.
1. I have right hand control, and he lifts his left leg up to stand; my right hand scoops under his leg and go for armbar.
2. If he squirms and Hitchhike escapes, then I move with him and get the Omoplata.
3. At the armbar, if the stuffs my top leg between his, then reach under his leg and lie sideway for the kneebar.

Rewatch:
1. Mendes Knee Cut.
2. Fantasma Half Pass.
3. Tails Sweep / Breakdown.