18.104 Sunday Confessions 5029 -- Last session of the 2018, as Three Stripe Brown

Taps: 8. Total: 5029.

104 Sessions for the year. Not bad.

• Purp Karo -- has a good Ghost ESC ... made me go back to it and focus and also just MG Sit up ESC ... that's it. Those two only for maybe the first two months of 2019. 
• Purp IRA -- I. says i'm lazy with my feet. he's right. bring them in closer. 
• II. His Side Top control -- pull up near elbow and cross face with forearm/bicep
• III. Side and Mount -- Hip control. Hip control. Stay tight on the hips. 

BB Tarca

• I. Honeyhole Kneebar, falling forward rather than backstep as normal. still triangle my legs underneath. 
• II. Lasso/Spider series -- 1. Slicer / 2. Omoplata, esp if he puts a knee up to get out of Lasso / 3. Triangle ... Half Spider will open up space and prevent him from Footlocking me, which is a big hazard with playing Lasso. 

Need to play with this. 

But that's it for 2018. Sign out as three stripe Brown. 

18.103 Saturday Breakfast Club 5021

Taps: 3. Total: 5021.

BB Dean teaching ... Side Control Attacks, esp the Paper Cutter Choke and var. without the under collar grip. Also, the gi Ninja choke, clockwise.

some guidelines on my mind:

•  upper belts partner with lower
• let lower belt get more reps in drills
• roll with everyone -- lower, higher, older, younger, bigger, men, women ... 

18.102 Tue Am 5018

Taps: 5. Total: 5018.

BB Chris ... armbar drills, triangle drills and just one Tech
 a. Mount ESC, lift into Butterfly
  ** i suck at this, can't get the lift, using my arms mostly and i have no arm strength, need to get him low over my hips, bridge then lift him, and get my knees under.

WB Carlos who's now a Blue still taps me now and then. Good to roll with and practice my escapes. And he's incorporating stuff that i taught him. ie getting stacked trying to finish armbar, need to roll under ... which he did on me to finish in belly down ... that means that i need TWO escapes ... initial armbar and the roll under.

More Golden Nuggets from BB Vince:

I. Torreando / X pass

II. DLR back take from Knee
 a. deep across DLR hook to other side, off Dlr leg hooks, kicks out for BackTake

III. from Standing / that's where i've usually seen it
 a. if he counters and gets leg back over, continue with Pass, staple bottom leg with my ankle as i pass.

Keep working:
 a. Mount Top -- esp Lizard Walk until i stop getting rolled.

18.101 Sunday Confessions 5013 -- over the 5k Mark / whooo hoo Halfway There, living on a Prayer

Taps: 16. Total: 5013.

xmas came early, rolling twice with Brn Nick and BB Tarca ... they were tapping me like ...

at Sunday Cons -- i have monster Nick and at Home base, I have monster Z. they throw me around like a rag doll and everyone is afraid to roll with them.

Nick tip -- said i have to be heavier on S Mount. had sloppy padlock from Mount. he just pushed me off from my knee/thigh TWICE.

Tarca tips -- Back Attack -- use my Gi tail to open him up / also pull up from the elbow.
 * he also had Closed Guard attacks off the 2on1 and Side Guard
    i. reach across face for SWEEP
    ii. get leg over for ARMBAR
    iii. OMOPLATA is always there.


and need to add OMO to the 92 sequence:
  1. Backtake
  2. Armbar
  3. Triangle
  4. Omoplata

All the purples that showed got promoted and a couple of Browns, too so today, there were only Blacks and Browns. damn!

18.100 Saturday Breakfast Club 4997 -- 100th Sesh for the Year

Taps: 9. Total: 4997.

BB Chris ... from Closed Guard, Double Ankle Sweep

II. Top Flow from Side Control
 a. Side to KoB-double Knee-backstep to Mount-disMount to Side on other side and Repeat.


BB rollcall:

1.  Chris
2. Joel
3. Arman
4. Dean
5. Tobias
6. Jason
7. Z
8. Louis
9. Albert

wow, really? almost double digit BBs on the mat today? 

work on:

•  Mount / Lizard Walk to not get Rolled. Then work subs. 
• 92 double sleeve guard - backtake, armbar, triangle ... and the old man sweep. 

 

18.99 Sunday Confessions 4988

Taps: 8. Total: 4988.

The good -- Darce esc. Mount Top.

The so-so -- no subs from Mount, but was able to stay there for awhile. Side ESC: chain some together.

The bad -- getting passed. my passing. Attacks from Back, grip fighting etc.

• Rat Guard
• Leite
• Telles
• diff path / side esc

18.98 Thur am 4980

Taps: 5. Total: 4980.

BB Chris ... Mount ESC I - Elbow to Step over, trap ankle, to half guard
 a. first saw this from D. Kang and Kesting vid.

Mount ESC II
 a. get my legs between his
 b. bridge and push up on his hips with both my hands, lift him and get my knees under
 c. recover to double unders and Butterfly Guard

  ** didn't have that much luck with the second tech.

Then onto Line Drills and i got to work the Mount Top and wow! that stuff from Thorton is GOLD. yes, i got rolled twice, but my MOUNT is so much better than before. I can stay there a lot longer. Next steps:
 1. work on Lizard walk -- so i don't get rolled.
 2. Troubleshoot to say longer.
 3. work on subs.

Note 1: stayed on BB Vince a lot longer than before, but he eventually got a leg. But he was able to turn ... his advice -- Pipe Choke grip in front, and turn him to get him back to Flattened.
 b. or i was thinking, switch Crossface to other hand so i can turn his face the other way.
 c. last resort, go to S Mount.

Note 2: rolling with BB Steve -- he got my back and got body triangle, and i rolled to that side to trap his ankle, and he immediate opened and threw his legs over for an ARMBAR. damn smoooooooth.

Note 3: BB Vince was showing BB Arman a SINGLE LEG FINISH -- Triangle the leg, than weave the hand between his legs, lean forward for a tackle.

Note 4: rolling with Blue Gunth -- he was working his Half Guard Pass on me -- the tech from last week ... and i gave him three opportunities and he could not Pass. When he switched and grabbed my top leg and went Reverse Half, he lost a lot of pressure on the Crossface with the Brabo grip. So i was able to turn in. I think he needed to grab the Underhook and Transition to KNEE CUT.
  we were shown this but i think he forgot. he was so focused on the one Pass and wedge-getting his foot out.

• Granby recovery
• Rat Guard
• Jailbreak and Ghost and diff Path
• Lasso
• DLR Pass / Lepri Knee Cut off-side
• Pass Over/Under

18.97 Tue Am 4975 2nd & Third Stripes Brown

Taps: 3. Total: 4975.

BB Chris ... Half Guard Sweep ... underhook pass over the lapel ... to Dogfight Sweep.

 * if top guy gets Underhook, make sure to frame, the repummel for the Underhook.

II. Half Top -- bottom guy gets Underhook
 a. reach down across, grip his bottom knee and pull up to flatten, but don't leave arm there long
 b. other hand comes across for Crossface.

BB rollcall:
 1. Chris
 2. Arman
 3. Vince
 4. Morde
 5. Freddie
 6. steve

• ghost
• lasso
• telles / sweeps, getting my leg free as i come up
• rat guard / troubleshooting

Rolling with BB Chris -- he only used Pressure Weight half the time, the other half he was moving and making me defend. That's what gassed me out. 

18.96 Sunday Confessions 4972

Taps: 5. Total: 4972.

Pleasant surprise to see Blue Dae from home academy - felt bad I couldn’t warn him before hand about all the sharks like Brn Nick the smashing bully, I mean that in a nice way n Brn Mike the leglock guy, and of course Purp Ira, with his twisty wrappy lapel controls. He’s slow, technical n methodical.

I’ve forgotten how used to these guys I am, not that it helps me that much. Also, purp Emmanuel — technical too when he eventually got past my Half Guard. He was nice about his submission attempts so he didn’t tap me, but he could have. He squeezed then let go n tried something else, but if he adjusted n then stuck with same, he would have got tap.

Try:

• Rat Guard 
• Lasso Guard 
• Ghost 

18.95 Saturday Breakfast Club 4967

Taps: 10. Total: 4967.

Ten taps bc i rolled with monster BB Z twice. He was going easy on me. I did work on the Thorton Mount, some success, eventually he got under and pushed on my armpits and got out. Need to do better job of swimming out and freeing my arm.

Also, even got to Rat Guard a bit with him. Stuck there for a bit. Not sure about transition. Eventually got sweep to Mount.

random: BB Mike loves the DLR Sweep with pants rather than ankle control Sweep. I open Closed Guard on him and he immediately goes to that. Underhooks my other leg too.

Old Man Sweep -- be more explosive, hip into and around. I could of gotten a couple of more sweeps. And don't forget Flower Sweep fake set up to the Old Man. Didn't try it today.

S Mount Attacks -- Kimura Grip ... Gift Wrap Grip ... switch to Bow and Arrow, open and feed the lapel ... also try Baroplata.

Side ESC:

1. Ghost -- get on side
2. Jailbreak - feed leg in
3. Sit up -- frame on neck

tons of BB in the house:

1. Joel
2. Arman
3. Freddie
4. Simi guy
5. Louis
6. Z
7. Dean
8. Mike

2017 -- 111 Training Sessions.

2018 to date 95. Going to be close to last year. Try to average 100/yr. 

18.94 Sunday Confessions 4957

Taps: 5. Total: 4957.

Thorton LOW Mount stuff works. Damn. the longest i've held a big Purp in Mount for. And i didn't even have Crossface and eventually i made mistake of letting him get his arm across and he was able to get to his side. I recovered, flattended him and got High Mount and Padlock and was about to get the armbar but time expired.

Next time: crossface, threaten fist choke or Ezekiel, gift wrap to Americana.

No go on BB Mike's gift wrap to pillow choke. I must be missing a detail, just could not get my hand deep in to get behind his head for the Finish.

BB Tarca working the Baroplata from Closed Guard and from Turtle -- which was novel.

 from CG - cross grip with my left on his left sleeve, push inward / my right hand underhooks that same hand, reaches across to my far thigh / swing my left hand over his head to other side, on his shoulder / left hand grips his same side triceps / my RIGHT FOOT POSTS ON HIS HIP.

from Turtle - right hand underhhooks near arm / left hand frames, pushes his head away / left leg steps up and over his head to shoulder ... rest same as in CG.

Injury/soreness update: my left side, shoulders elbow still not 100% from the Pec tear, but now my Right Bicep is really sore and was wondering why? i haven't got caught in any armbar on that side. But then realized a few times people were Knee Riding on my bicep as they tried to get the Kimura. Sheesh.

18.93 Sat Breakfast Club 4952

Taps: 2. Total: 4952.

BB Chris ... Open Guard Series.
 a. Opening Closed Guard on my terms ... if he stands, double sleeve grips and double feet on his hips. Roleta Sweep.

** Six places to place my feet: bicep x 2 (Spider); hook behind the knee x 2; on his hips x 2.

on to Tripod Sweep
 1. grab Right ankle with my Left hand, other hand same side sleeve grip
 2. Hook opposite foot with my Right foot
 3. Left foot on his hip, push on hip for sweep
 4. Keep sleeve grip, put both feet in between his legs as i come up.

Random: I looked terrible today. I was trying new things but made lower belts look pretty good. No go with my new Omo-Flower Sweep setup. Even standby Rev Butterfly Sweep didn't go well. Telles Sweep bailed me out a couple of times.

Need to review Paper Cutter Choke Defense. A few people love this, esp BB Dean.


Bonus techs: BB Mike -- Side Mount to turn him on his side / Gift wrap and kimura grip to tight pillow and reach behind his head for Choke.

Rolling with BB Dean -- was going for Capizzi Lock Sweep and resorted to a crappy Lockdown which i could not tap him with or Sweep and eventually he finished Americana on me.

recap:

1. Capizzi Lock
2. Paper Cutter ESC
3. Invert to Recover Guard. Invert. Invert.

18.92 Thur Am 4950

Taps: 8. Total: 4950.

BB Chris ... contd with Top Half Guard.
 added a Straight Armlock, from same position you would go for Kimura.

* rolling with WB Carlos -- got 100% a couple of times, but could not come up on top. Maybe need to got 200%.

** Most of the taps from BB Z, the monster. After rolling with him, i'm not afraid of anyone else. He's like Nick at Sunday Confessions. But bigger and more technical, but Nick is nasty in his own way, like his Chin Crank he likes to do. Worked a Lasso Sweep on him and next time i tried it, he got a footlock on me. Good to know.

*** Thought up a new setup to Flower Sweep ... off of my cross sleeve series that is part of Old Man Sweep, which i got a couple times on WBs today.
 a. Cross Sleeve Grip, Right Leg kicks under armpit to the left to initiate a Omoplata
 b. he'll post his right hand, and recover back to center and to my right and as he does ...
 c. my Left Leg kicks under his armpit and Flower Sweep to the right and he's got no post bc of my Cross Sleeve grip.

Thinking of:

1.  Thorton Low Mount
2. Reilly Top Flow ... Side to Mount

18.91 Tue Am 4942

Taps: 5. Total: 4942.

BB Chris ... contd on with Half Top Passes ...  from Sat.

Pass III ...
 a. same series and sequence ... but get Double Underhooks
 b. Knee Cut to far side.

II. Showed Brabo Choke again.

Bonus techs from BB Vince, who was showing WB Carlos, who is a outlier, who's only getting better and better.
 a. Half Top -- don't have Underhooks? Grab double lapels and put trapped Knee on center of his Belly.
 b. Half Top II -- get knee to other side to Quarter Guard, he'll be on his side so get Crossface, then Underhook on side he's turned to / Crossface hand grabs his Underhooked elbow, and Padlock.
    i. non-trapped leg comes up bent Wedge on is hip, then with Padlock keep scooting up higher on his body, and the pressure will release your leg and you've got MOUNT.

Lastly, i was trying one of Telles' Turtle Sweep ... and reached behind to wrap his arm, but Vince said not to bc he can just pull up on it and he turns me over into Side Control.

Need to review Telles' stuff.

18.90 Sunday Confessions 4937

Taps: 5. Total: 4937.

BB and Brn both working the Lockdown on me. Need to work on Lockdown Passes a little more. Sequence it so if first one doesn't work, then move on to next.

Worked on Top Half Passes from yesterday.

Purp Ira had kind words, said i had Grit. He's been beating my ass for four, 5 years now. still nice guy.

Work on Octo and countering that Kimura they go for from Top Half.

18.89 Sat Breakfast Club and Half Guard Top 4932

Taps: 3. Total: 4932.

BB Chris ... i was just thinking i needed Set Path for Top Half.

I. Half Guard Pass I
 a. he's on his side, near knee to right, Circle to the right to FLATTEN (first saw Saulo doing this and i've forgotten about it)
 b. Crossface and gi grab to mimic Underhook control
 c. other hand grip top knee pants and only then Rev sit AND near knee WEDGED against his help -- this creates leverage, helps free my leg.
 d. scoot back towards his head, stiff arm his knee grip, back step and get my leg free for the PASS.

II. Pass II
 a. if he pushes on my knee with is hand, then there's space for me to get the UNDERHOOK.
 b. knee up and usual Knee Cut.

III. Brabo Choke
 a. as i'm knee cutting, puts frame across my neck ... pass gi grip to the right hand.
 b. pull his framing hand across and stuff between my legs.
 c. come down with my chest on top of his head, pull his neck towards me.

18.88 Sunday Confessions 4929 n Lasso notes

Taps: 6. Total: 4929.

Pain is a great instructor. Tapped a little too late on straight footlock. Now ankle hurts.

Lasso Guard notes

I. Basic Sweep 1
 a. Chamber (deep lasso and flare out)
 b. other leg/knee comes across his belly
 c. dive under, underhook his near thigh, non-lasso side and SWEEP

II. Sweep to Omo
 a. he passes the leg across his belly and gets the Pass
 b. head under and keep going, come out to Omoplata

III. Arman Series I / far side Lasso

IV. Series II
 a. Lifts up far side knee
 b. Hook that

V. Series III
 a. Lifts up Lasso side knee
 b. Hook that

VI. Stands up
 a. back to Basic I Sweep

work on:

• Side esc
• Octo n notes to come soon
• Gordon side to Back / side to Rev Triangle

18.87 Saturday Breakfast Club 4923

Taps: 8. Total: 4923

BB Chris ... Basic Back Chokes ... RNC and Collar Choke

Think i rolled with all the BBs in the house, except for Chris who had to leave.

1. Monster Z -- who tapped me the most.

2. BB Jason Web

3. new BB Ger

4. BB Dean - tapped me a couple of times. he's the smallest, weighs 135, so i know he has to use tech.

What worked:

• Capizzi Lock Sweep once
• Telles / Dogfight Sweep -- but can't come up clean against higher belts, keep getting my leg entangled when i come up. 

Thinking about:

• Octo
• Giggler
• Lasso sweeps
• spinning circle choke

18.86 Sunday Confessions 4915

Taps: 6. Total: 4915

Four of the taps to BB Tarca ... saw him use Bicep Slicer Armbar Break on the Brown before me. And he got me with the same. Need to get under his leg before he comes over to lock in the Slicer.
But i was finally able to escape his Backstep to 411 twice out of three. I rolled out of it. Was able to get my knee free, then my foot.

REview: Counter to Kimura from Half Guard Top.

Got the Lasso Sweeps on Blue Ann, opposite armpit and regular but she stood up so i just underhooked non-Lasso side and swept. Finally, got a Cappizzi Lock Sweep from Half on her, too. Been tryin for awhile now.

* Spinning Choke: Big White B said i should of held it for a couple more seconds.  Keep working it.

Purp K - defended my heelhooks well, got hold of my head and kept close, smash passed.

18.85 Saturday Breakfast Club 4909

Taps: 4. Total: 4909.

BB Arman running the class. He's always got killer warmups being a pro Trainer. After warmups, line drills with all BBs, then all Purps, bc not enough Brns (only three).

Techs -- Lasso Guard Series.

I. Sweep I - reverse Lasso
 a. from Closed Guard, double sleeve control, feet on both hips, open Guard.
 b. get on side hip, get both arms on the outside of my legs, flare open knees
 c. get on side hip, look to right, flare out left leg like i'm going to Lasso under the armpit but ...
 d. Lasso armpit of far side arm, right side.
 e. right foot comes on mat, get perpendicular to the left
 f. lift up with leg in armpit
 g. get the Sweep and go for armbar.

II. Sweep II - reg. Lasso -- if he lifts up left leg (non lasso side)
 a. Release lasso from armpit on left side and hook under his Left leg.
 b. get perpendicular again, Sweep and come up in Side Control

III. Sweep III - reg. Lasso -- if he lifts Lasso side leg.
 a. Hook under that leg and Sweep.

Review:

1. Solo Movements
2. Octo guard
3. Leite guard
4. Telles sweeps
5. Spinning Circle Loop Choke

18.84 Thur Am 4905 - Top Half Guard Masterclass

Taps: 4. Total: 4905.

Top Half Guard - BB Vince

• top 2 Priorities: 1 - lift up RIGHT knee (trapped one); 2 - break cross collar grip

BB Mike - Prezel grip Guiollotine

•  I. Let him have the Underhook, let him come up / frame with left on his neck, right hand Wizzards, brings his head closer
• II. Left hand goes behind his head, prezels with right hand behind the left. 
• III. don't sprawl, but pressure him with him on his side.

** hard to finish, Vince uses it just for control and so he doesn't want to go Underhooking my leg.

Another Finish / NICE Pass -- where i got Negative half, putting my left knee, shin to shin, EXTENDING my right, trapped leg and he will want to open his legs and let me PASS. 

Just nice controls if he comes up or gets too close -- Cow catch'em like underhook and link my hands and sprawl forward. 

* Countering Quarter Guard, can't get leg out -- Cycle through Knee on Center, Knee Cut to Right and Left, eventually he will just let you pass due to pressure. 

Misc Bonus: i rolled with Purp Shane and again got a 100% Sweep and came up on top but stuck -- Vince reminded me to switch to Kimura grip. It's a little awkward bc i have to switch underhooking hands. Then he said to step over into MOUNT. 

Forgot to mention: on Tues when i rolled with BB Gors -- he loves that off side Knee Slide, Knee killer Pass and i was finally had an answer -- turn with him and get the Underhook on other side. Noticed he didn't use that Pass when i rolled with him today. 

18.83 Tue Am 4901

Taps: 4: Total: 4901.

aka BB Tues - every time i looked up, there was another BB in the house.

BB rollcall: Mordecai, Arman, Vince, Steve, Freddie, Gors, and Mike. That's 8 with Chris. Man, 8 freakin' BBs on the mat.

BB Chris -- DLR to Triangle (review)

II. to Armbar if he tries to stand and stack
 a. underhook the leg n get my leg over his face.

Bonus 1: BB Arman showed a Lasso / Spider Sweep
 a. lasso comes over to far side, same side as Spider side and underhooks that leg
 b. Spider leg tips over to the other side

Bonus 2: BB Vince showed a Double Under and Over/Under Counter
 a. Reach over his back, grab belt, get my hooks in n go for a Butterfly Sweep.

Tapped to WB Carlos -- trying the Donkey Kong Triangle ESC -- now realize i stepped up the Wrong foot.

What i thinking about.
 1. Gordon Side to Back Take
 2. Leite Coyote Half Guard game (time to review)
 3. Octopus Guard (time to review)
 4. J. Wayne / Giggler (review)
 5. Lasso n Lasso/Spider Guard

wow, heavy on the Half Guard.

18.82 Saturday Breakfast Club still 4897

Taps: 0. Total: 4897.

Did not challenge myself, didn't roll with the toughest guys in the room. how else to explain 0 taps?

BB Chris .... DLR series

I. DLR pull down Sweep
 a. pass far sleeve under his leg to my left (dlr hand), pull down for sweep

II. DLR to BackTake
 a. he breaks right side sleeve grip, switch to cross sleeve grip on other hand / left hand switches to pants/ankle grip
 b. Right foot presses/pushes under his armpit / Drl leg goes deep and presses behind thigh, turns him, exposes his back
 c. left hand switches from ankle to belt, stiff arm on the cross sleeve grip
 d. foot on armpit goes to behind the thigh, straighten my foot as i pull down on his belt / makes him turn to his Back.

III. DLR to Triangle
 a. off the same side sleeve grip n cross collar with right hand
 b. pull to the right, make him post his hand on the mat
 c. left dlr foot goes to his hip, get right foot out and over his shoulder and grab that ankle with my left hand to lock in the Triangle.

Bonus: BB Mike -- showing Purp Tony a Sleeve n Cross Collar Takedowns from the Knees -- circle to the right away from the cross collar and Knee Tap or X Pass but with those grips and turns him like Steering Wheel and i come up on Side in a Kesa-like position. Interesting. Need to play with some.

Didn't get to practice any Ghost. Rolling with Brown Wolf -- kept going KoB from Side, but then he got mount and i was able to get a foot for Half Guard.

Drill: Ghost.

18.81 Sunday Confessions 4897

Taps: 13. Total:4897

That’s more like it. First slow warmup with Brn Nick the bulldozer, and he knows how tough he is be he said that others say after rolling with him, everyone else is easier. Just frustrating bc he’s got no chink in the armor, just can’t get anything going against him n when I try to pass he grabs an ankle, inverts into Kneebar; I go for heel hook, he gets it quicker one me.

Just no way in, just like BB Tarca, who got me twice with Loop Chokes. Same one that I could never finish with.

Then there’s Blue guy. He usually has a very good Triangle, but he’s been working on Kneebars. He worked slowly, methodically n I tried to turn, twist away but eventually he did get my knee fully extended n got a few taps until I started attacking his foot with Toe holds. Rolled twice with him n he finished about 70% of his kneebar attempts.

That means - look into Kneebar Esc.

Also, footwork on Passes n look into Chaining Passes together.

18.80 Saturday Breakfast club 4884

Taps: 2. Total: 4884.

Packed house, that’s why I love Saturday Breakfast Club. About 35 peeps, the most I’ve seen outside of a seminar.

BB Joel teaching... 3 Spider Passes n Half Weave Pass to Knee Shield.

Spider Pass I
 1. Circle break grip, get two pants grips
 2. Step up one leg, step forward other leg in thrust under his thighs
 3. Push both pants grips to side n Leg Drag

Spider Pass II
 1. Can’t break grips, step up one leg, then other in thrust again
 2. Step over his legs, slide down n Pass into side

Spider Pass III
 1. One handed grip on pants, stiff arm, back step into Pass

Knee shield Pass
 1. Weave top hand, grip bottom leg pants
 2. Sprawl, put shoulder pressure on knee, collapse shield
 3. Break grip on other hand, grip collar to keep him close
 4. Walk or hop to the left for Pass

Funny, I was at my teen’s class just before this n they had guest instructor, BB wife of a famous BJJ guy and she was showing cool Lasso Spider Sweep series n I was thinking I’m going to try this in my classs but then Joel shows all these Spider Passes which countered them. Sheesh

Tried Dom step over triangle from side twice. Failed twice.

Tried Telles one handed kimura twice ... failed twice, but able to transition to regular kimura then Sweep once but it was vs a white belt. Need to review as well as his Sweep from Dogfight n counter to knee cut.

Got old man Sweep once, try to twist more n a litt.le more explosive bump.

Review mount escapes, side Esc n back Esc.

18.79 Thur Am 4882

Taps: 7. Total: 4882.

BB Chris ... Turtle Turnover I
 a. grip grip over his hip, near side
 b. push forward to get room to jump near bent leg over his ankle
 c. pull him over and get the back, keep the stretch with the hook
 d. get both hooks in

Turtle Turnover II - stays tight
 a. reach across his face, get far elbow
 b. other hand reaches behind his butt, grabs far ankle
 c. push my chest into him and turn him over into Rainbow Side Control

Pulled off Old Man Sweep twice / 100% Sweep once.

• need to chain some Passes together
• Side ESC, pin 
• Berbimbolo for fun n Ninja Rolls esp from Side
• Side Attacks
• Mt attacks, Armbar n Choke
• Back ESc

Injury Inventory

1. Left Pecs - still enlarged, but i can do push ups and hang.
2. New: Right Wrist - ganglion cyst (bump)

18.78 Tue Am 4875

Taps: 5. Total: 4875.

Very loose class, no techs, no BB Chris. BB Vince ran it with lots of Line Drills ... Closed Guard, Half Guard and Side Control .

Ended with BB Chris G and we started on our feet. My god, my Takedowns suck. Understandably, since i have never drilled them. But i could have tried Graugart's ARmdrag or Terrere's Safada. But did i? Nooooo, completely blanked. Instead i got taken down once, and he pulled Guard once and i think he passed my Guard the third time.

Shockingly, embarrassingly pathetic.

18.77 Sunday Confessions 4870

Taps: 7. Total: 4870.

All taps to judo Brn Nick ... going easy on me at first with cross crank n chicken wing n body triangle. Like I said haven’t rolled with him for a few weeks so he was going easy, then he was not. Tap, tap, tap ... it comes on fast.

Couple of other people came close but no cigar.

Mind Map do Side Control
 1. Go to MOUNT (map of Mount Attacks to come)
 2. Side to Ryron ARMBAR
 3. Dom TRIANGLE
 4. RyHall Ninja Roll to BACK
 5. Zach gi BASEBALL CHOKE
 6. Kimura Armbar combo (Leech)

 7.KoB ... n all attacks from there

Thoughts on belt color ... a few teammates got promotions n got mt thinking... now that they got their Blue or Purple or Black it doesn’t mean they can automatically kick a lower belts’ butt. They should not expect that. The only sure thing color upgrade means is that if they met their former self with the lower belt, they would win.

Compare yourself to yourself not to others.

18.76 Sunday Confessions 4863

Taps: 3. Total: 4863.

Slow going with the taps.

Going for Heel Hooks once a roll. They think i'm going for Straight Footlock and defending by bringing foot angled forward, still effective bc i can't get under the heel to get a grip.

Back to drawing board with Craig Jones. See if he has an answer. and to Danaher. Controlling the Knee.

18.75 Thur am 4860

Taps: 3. Total: 4860.

BB Chris ... Butterfly Guard Pass I
 a. over the back, collar grip, and pants grip ... Sprawl.

II. Butterfly Pass II
 a. pants grip and Under grip ... sprawl, away from Cross Collar grip.

Asked BB Vince about that Back to Arm Triangle.
 a. as he's escaping ... get underhook on near arm, shoot through and face to face like normal Arm Triangle.
 b. Finish -- grab elbow to elbow.


Closed Guard, off the Side Guard ... getting stuck. Options.
 a. Roger Back Take
 b. Bump and come back with Flower Sweep with underhook
 c. let him come up and Old Man Bump Sweep

18.74 Tue Am 4857

Taps: 4. Total: 4857.

BB Chris ... Tech I - DLR Pull Down Sweep.

also, i want to work in the Tripod Sweep ... off  the DLR, then to foot on hip, foot hook behind knee, hand on ankle.

Battle of the BBs -- Vince showing Arman a cool transition off the Back Attack, losing position, so come up into Arm Triangle.

Rolling with young WB Carlos, who's super good and lots of upper belts scared to roll with him bc he can tap you. He's got good subs. He said, "When i grow up I want ears like yours." Ah shucks.

He tried a Ninja roll at end of our roll and failed. So Vince showed it to him -- from Side Control and from 3/4 Guard.

Rolling with Brn Gerald -- he likes to Knee Cut. Lucky i've been watching Telles and his Counter to it -- Turtle, knee trap and circle push over. Successful with a half the time against him.

And Telles Circle Pass -- vs Open Guard. Worked against BB Steve. New Fav.

Double Sleeve Sequence

After getting the 2on1 on the sleeve and elbow:

1. Kick out his right knee with my left leg, that will expose his back. Back Take.

2. If he squares back ...
 a. Rev. Scissor Sweep
 b. Old Man / Hip Bump

18.73 Sat Breakfast Club 4853

Taps: 3. Total: 4853.

BB Chris ... I. review of Half Guard Half Butterfly Sweep with Lapel.

Been awhile for Saturdays. Family obligations keeping me from the Sat training, which is a shame ... it's the most popular, crowded class.

Failed on a Lasso Sweep, and coincidently saw BB Arman showing it to someone else and i could see where i went wrong ... I didn't Tilt and Scissor Sweep Attempt to the right to get momo to Sweep to left ... i just went for the sweep left and the guy based.

Also, rolling with Arman ... he wanted to start on our feet which was great. I tried a Spinner Takedown. Failed miserably. The other times, he just practiced pulling Guard.

18.72 Sunday Confessions 4850 - yes, i wash my belt, sheesh

Taps: 5. Total: 4850.

Lazy and let people try to choke me from Knee Cut. Let them get their grips. No one could finish, but none of them were BBs.

Caught in a couple of Darce.

*Ghost
** Whitt Armbar ESC.

People ask if i wash my belt and look at me like i'm crazy if i say yes. Look, sweat gets on it. It gets dirty. It's a piece of clothing. I wash dirty clothes. What's so unusual about that?

Why Techs fail?
Because we learn it and drill it. But that's only the first part. We don't ever formally learn how to make it work.

We need to go back and learn Timing, Off-Balancing, Dead zones, Principles/Concepts, Triggers and secret details. That's what makes a tech work.

Concepts like Push/Pull, fake one way, then other, Connecting techs, creating Dilemnas, etc.

18.71 Thur Am 4845

Taps: 2. Total: 4845.

BB Chris ... I. Half Guard Gi Tail grip ... shovel hook, knee tap push sweep.

II. Armbar from Side
 a. top arm control with gi, bottom arm keeps other side hip in check
 b. kill near arm, go N/S ... get him on his side
 c. get up on my toes, back leg behind his head
 d. sit back into Armbar.

*Turtle to ReGuard ... getting the leg outside his and sitting back (source?)

18.70 Tue AM 4843

Taps: 3. Total: 4843.

BB Chris -- I. Triangle ESC
 a. cup the knee, get it down onto the mat
 b. get 45 degree angle, tripod up, and step over his face
 c. get leg behind his head for leverage, that will break his legs open.
 d. back step to other side of Side Control.

II. Armbar ESC (from Spider Web)
 **it's the stuff the leg escape, with one different detail
 a. grab my own gi, reinforce the grip with other hand, over and back of elbow
 b. turn into him, stuff his leg between mine
 c. * here's the difference: make sure my hand goes under his leg, scissor my leg to come up ... into either Double Under or Over/Under Pass

Ghost
Pass, go to?

18.69 Sunday Home base 4840

Taps: 0. Total: 4840.

Confessions cancelled. Went to SSSO, home base, taught by BB Mike.

I. Knee Cut to Brabo Choke ... to Back Step to other side ... to if he Turtles -- Crucifix choke (tuck in my knee to open up his arm, outside foot passes his hand to my other leg, pinch squeeze, control other wrist as i roll forward, in position to Choke.

Rolled with the only other Brown there. Very light. Lots of Whites.

Pulled off Old Man Sweep on Purp Leif. It's a keeper. firmly in Tool box.

18.68 Sunday Confessions 4840

Taps: 2. Total: 4840.

Small crowd, meaning nearly 50% were BBs. 3 BBs, 2 Brns, 2 Purps.

Purp AJ loves the Darce, need to not go for high Underhook, instead wrap his thigh.

Thoughts on Techs vs Principles ... need to approach Principles via Techs, otherwise it doesn't make sense. And you need to learn the tech first, then the principles and the secret sauce details that make it work or not, and that way you learn to adjust and make the tech your own based on your understanding of the principle.

Example: Scissor Sweep from Closed Guard ... need the same side sleeve grip (prevents him from posting on mat, creates dead zone for the sweep to happen); 2 - the lightening/off balance: you can't just muscle the sweep, need to make him light, by bringing him forward or moving myself away, but however i do it, his KNEE needs to be off the mat (that makes him light) ...

same thing on the Giggler Sweep.

18.67 Tues am 4838 and NAP #3

Taps: 5. Total: 4838.

BB Chris ... from Side Control - Brabo Gi Grip to KoB to Baseball Choke.

Line Drills ... Side ESC ... much better vs White Belts. Hope to progress upward to i can escape Blues, etc.

Closed Guard -- love the Old Man Sweep.

Didn't roll with BB Vince or BB Rabbi, but did roll with the rest of the BBs in the house, back to back to back ... Steve, Gors, and Arman.

vs Arman ... i try to stand in Guard and he always Helicopter lifts me and drops me into Triangle and I rolled over into NAP time.

It's a mystical experience and it's the most PLEASANT nap i've ever taken. You got to a different place, a dream space, different consciousness. And when you wake up, you keep trying to remember what it was you were dreaming of because it seemed to pleasant and important. But you can't. At least i can't.

This is the third time, and i can never remember where it was or what i was doing, just that i wanted to remember.

18.66 Sunday Confessions 4833

Taps: 8. Total: 4833.

Was not feeling it this morning. did not wanna go. sore all over, mostly left shoulder. But glad i did.

Poked the BEAR, aka Judo Brn Nick. Almost got a Heel Hook, that pissed him off. Tapped me really quick three times. Then he had my back and a Body Triangle and i had his angles trapped on my side. He wouldn't tap so i let go because i got my message across but he was still pissed. Tapped me really quick a couple more times.

No point in injuring him, just for ego tap.

Review: Half Guard Pass. And Ghost. Grit Triangle.

18.65 Thur Night (off week) 4825

Taps: 6. Total: 4825

BB Chris ... review the two techs from Tues.

6:15pm - 7pm Open mat. No one showed, show BB Chris rolled with me and he went about 20% and i went about 50% and he tapped me only once but he still killed me with Pressure.

7pm class. Start with one of his brutal warmups he busts out now and then.

My mottos: First in, last out. No excuses. 

But if i was to indulge in excuses: don't eat before class, light salad not fully digested, giving me heartburn and making it hard to catch my breath.

All these new White Belts i've never rolled with before because they are part of the night crew. Young tough heavy guys. I should my weight and age as EXCUSES, but i can't.

I saw Tony the Tiger's GF without him in class. Made me add one more list to: You know you're hooked on BJJ list ...

1. You buy a second Gi.
2. You come to classes with your friend/boyfriend the first week or month. Then he can't come, and you decide to come alone anyway.

*Ghost ESC
** Diff. path

18.64 Tue Night (off week) 4819

Taps: 6. Total: 4819.

BB Chris ... Side Control ... armbar with Kimura grip.
 a. bottom arm underhooks his arm, turn him on his side with my chest behind his elbow.
 b. right leg behind his armpit / left leg swings over

II. Side Control ... swing leg over into Triangle.
 a. kill near arm, knee into his armpit, get elbow up on my thigh
 b. bottom arm comes over, elbow to elbow to pin his far arm, that arm palm up, gable grip
 c. swing my leg over to clear the pinned arm (that arm needs to be outside Triangle)
 d. swivel left leg behind his shoulder / left hand grabs my ankle that is swinging over, fall down and lock in the Triangle.

Night training. Off week and family is out of town so ...

Lots of Whites, three blues, two purps and only one other Brown, Brn Michael. He's the one who tapped me. Going to straight footlocks, and i got out of all of them but he transitioned to Kneebars. Got me with armbar from Side and his Closed Guard is very good, 10th P influenced.

omg, i still focused on Side ESC ... Ghost and Different Path (2on1 on Crossface), get on side and either get up or shrimp and get knee in.

and as i'm so focused on Side ESC, now my Back ESC sucks. Just put that on the To Do Next list, along with Mount ESC.

Back Burner: Mount ESC, Back ESC, Top Side, Top Mount.

For Fun: Berimbolo. (go back and look at baby Sky's game ... Berimbolo to Back to Bow n Arrow or Armbar)

18.63 Sunday Confessions 4813

Taps: 7. Total: 4813.

10 min rounds. Saw brutal but effective Half Pass by BB Crane, his forehead pressing into the guy’s chin.

* peek out Darce Esc 50% success rate. Not much luck with Ghost, need to get on my side.

** Leg pummel to get both legs inside to Ashi n heel hook entries, but higher level guys won’t let you do that, so then if they put my leg outside the transition into Berimbolo. Work with what they give you instead of forcing it.

1. Top Side sucks
2. Top Mount sucks
3. Cross sleeeve Flower Sweep... failed but I think I can get it to work, little more angle n right foot post or scissor.

18.62 Thurs Am 4806

Taps: 3. Total: 4806.

BB Chris ...

I. Closed to Open Guard Triangle
 a. right foot on his bicep, Half Spider, shoot that leg through and set up Triangle

II. Closed to Open Guard Omoplata
 a. Left foot on bicep, stretch him out to the left
 b. Right foot shoots through, swings under armpit on other arm, and i sit up to Omoplata.


III. Wolfie shows me a Choke from Spider Web
 a. Bottom arm underhooks his arm and attacks the armbar
 b. Top arm shoots under and Palm Up grips his collar
 c. Release top leg off his face and let him come up a little into a LOOP CHOKE.

Focus: Ghost ESC - review Vids.

Focus 2: Love the Old Man Sweep. And Roger Closed Guard Arm Drag/Centerline to Back.

Focus: 3: Chad Triangle

BB Gors loves the Knee Cut the opposite way vs my Half Guard. Gotta ask BB Vince for a solution since he's the one who showed that Pass.

18.61 Tue Am 4803

Taps: 3. Total: 4803.

BB Chris -- Open Guard Waiter Sweep
 a. start in RDLR, pull in, underhook knee, grip on pants on lead leg / cross collar grip with other hand.
 b. Get outside knee in, double knee pressure on his thigh
 c. sit up into Over/Under pass.

1. Spiderweb to Triangle -- bottom leg weaves through his hands, top leg releases and lets his head get up.

2. Top Side Control sucks! -- but not much i can do about it, kind of in back burner. lots of other parts of my game have higher priority ... will circle back to it later.

3. Armbar Break - Silverado from Spiderweb: Top arm underhooks, bottom hand comes inside his elbow and links my hands and pushes his elbow away. Drill.

Ghost ESC --  deliberate focus ... working ok, needs more practice. Trying to practice on White Belts, but they're Side top is terrible and they are just gifting me the Half Guard, and i don't get a chance to practice Ghosting.

18.60 Sunday Confessions 4800

Taps: 8. Total: 4800.

June 5, 2016 - my first Sunday Confession. 2 years, 2 months.

Firmly in the Toolbox:

1. Reverse Butterfly Sweep
2. 100% Sweep
3. Old man Sweep
4. Octopus half

Keep working - Ghost Esc

Bb Tarca showed Toe hold from Side top ... over top (not cross face); bottom hand grips his outside foot, top hand comes under for kimura grip, reverse kesa for more leverage.

Closed Guard - Centerline Concept

Closed Guard - Goals
 I. Break Posture or
 II. Arm Across Centerline

Center Line - Tactics
 I. Same Side Sleeve Grip
   a. Circle, get outside and stiff arm (G. Grippo)

II. Lapel Grip on Outside
 a. Cross grip, pull across body
  ** Demara Grip -- K. Brown / sets up Armbar, but also High Guard and Triangle!

III. Two on One grip wrist n elbow (92 Double Sleeve)
 a. Hip out to outside the knee

IV. Two on One, top of his wrist (Mullin Wolverine)
 a. Bump bump, hip out

Why do this? What's the Point?
 Leads to:
   1. Side Guard and Back Take
   2. Side Guard and Sweep
   3. Side Guard and Arm Bar

18.59 Sun Confessions 4792

Taps: 6. Total: 4792.

** Ghost -- still getting stuck in N/S ... means i'm not bridging before the move. Also, try swinging both my legs Prior. Left (way i'm going), Right, then go Left.

Instead of starting Rolls in Side, I have been letting people Pass to practice Ghost ... and that's how I got ONE to work off the Pass Transition ...

two weeks of this and 1% improvement.

Keep Ghosting, and if i have time and for fun:

2. Mount Attack
3. Side Ninja Roll
4. Berimbolo.
5. LL Float Pass

18.58 Thur am 4790

Taps: 4. Total: 4790.

BB Chris ... Basic Closed Guard Pass - Standing

  II. Spider Pass A - over into inside grip, elbows in, Torreando.

  III. Spider Pass B - under grip, step up, step over into baseball slide.

BBs -- arman, vince, gors, stevie g, and new BB Freddie po po.

Vince showed Ninja roll from Side ... top leg over his top, then switch to hook with BOTTOM leg, triangle/lockdown and reach for his leg with my other hand; that makes me roll over correct shoulder.

Started most of my rolls at Bottom Side Control ... keep doing it.

Vince tip vs flexible guys getting their legs under my armpit when i'm in Mount -- Seatbelt grip and crossface and my hips pressed down.

18.57 Sunday Confessions 4786

Taps: 6. Total: 4786.

Purp AJ loves the Darce and Guiollotine. 50% escape rate vs him. Brn Nick must have wrestling background along with judo. He rolled out of my 100% Sweep.

Ghost - 980 to go.

18.56 Saturday Breakfast Club 4778

Taps: 8. Total: 4778.

Full house with 25 people, and 6 BB, not including Chris.

BB Chris ... I. DLR Pass with the Leg Drag. II - with the Weave Smash.

List:

1. Ghost ESC -- 1000x with Deep Underhook and Bridge into side of his head
2. Side ESC w/ Underhook to Knees -- 500x.

3. Turtle to Back
4. Chad Flower
5. Chad Triangle set up.

Rolled with half the BBs in the house, other 2 injured, and Mike doesn't really like to roll with me. Rolled with Dean twice. Chris G -- not protecting my neck high enough.

18.55 Sunday Confessions 4769

Taps: 5. Total: 4769

Three of the taps to 250lb White, who has some Catch techs i think. he likes to crank, so i gotta stay on top, if i can, and tap early if he gets on top. Now i know my Kesa ESC doesn't work on him.

Small crew due to World Cup final. No women, no BB. Two Brn, 1 Purp, 3 WB.

Brn Ray showed my a great Back Maintenance Drill ... that he got off a Galvao comp footage.

* From Side, get my leg over and Seatbelt; my back Knee goes high above his head; turn him over to the right and take Back; if he slides my leg off and starts to ESC ... keep Seatbelt, get to my knees and near his head, and turn him to other side and Take Back on that side.

** he also showed my a One Handed Footlock finish, gripping over the foot, looking away and pressing away and my body on mat, trapping his foot.

18.54 Saturday Breakfast Club 4764

Taps: 4. Total 4764.

BB Chris ... Half Guard Lapel Half Butterfly Sweep.
 a. Let him come in with Crossface, cup that hand, that Sweep with the Butterfly Hook.

II. Same set up, if he pummels for Underhook ... Pass lapel to my other hand, Choke with other hand Palm down.

BB Joel ... showing a dead simple TD from knee ... get over the Back Grip and twist him over.

List:

1. Side ESC - Ghost and two and one
2. Pass, foot work, Luta float
3. Paper Cutter Choke ESC ... two, three people tried it on me today.

Blue belts getting excited when they get close to a Sub. Must be careful with all Lower belts.

18.53 Sunday Confessions 4760

Taps: 11. Total: 4760.

Leglocks and footlocker and knee bars and Brown and up equals 11 taps.

BB let me work. He was defensive but not completely shutting me down, which I really appreciated. And he showed me a Sneaky Choke from Spider Web, if they get my Leg over and behind their head on their way to an Escape ... my top hand, close to his head gets Palm Down Choke Grip, like Paper Cutter and at same time my Leg (behind his head) presses up for the CHOKE. Sneaky.

The List:

1. Side ESC - 2 on 1 Recovery and Ghost.
2. Passing / Footwork and X and Bruch no-grip Pass to Right.
3. Passing Luta
4. Covel - Invert Sweep
5. 2 on 1 Series, even Liera and Dom and original guy, Jay Wadsworth and 92 Double Sleeve.
 92 Double Sleeve Series.

18.52 Thur AM 4749

Taps: 6. Total: 4749

Must be a 4th July hangover, not much peeps came to train. Just 4 WB and Blue Shane, Purp Leif, and BB Rabbi. BB Mike showed up later and beat us all up who stayed late, just WB Carlo, and Shane and I.

the List:

1. Side ESC, ghost and other, recover
2. Sab Lapel Closed G
3. Rev Flower Sweep
4. Old Man Sweep

5. Passing / Luta?

18.51 Tue Am 4743

Taps: 3. Total: 4743

BB Chris ... Half Guard Sweep with Lapel Underhook

1. After lapel grip, dive under, hide my head to prevent Crossface
2. Shovel leg, cross leg, outside in TORQUE
3. Get up on my elbow, hide my elbow
4. Come up on Dogfight, pinch my knees together
5. If he doesn't have Whizzard, then take BACK, otherwise start moving behind, behind and he falls over into sweep
6. Consolidate Side by picking up his far knee.


Vince showed me a variation of Octopus Sweep when he saw me stuck there. Outside leg over, then under and hook his leg and take him over. Need to practice this. New to me.

And he was showing Kimura from Side, step over and have his head between my legs and my knee rides his bicep so he can't link hands. Lift my back leg for more leverage.

Ok, so ashamed of the tap by gassing out. Made it to the bell when we were actually rolling for round and a half. Couldn't catch my breath and he was going to the far bell.

New wrinkle to the REV BUTTERFLY SWEEP ... totally discovered new sweep off the SAME grips ... cross sleeve, cross collar -- actually going for Old Man SWEEP, but I was able to get deep, deep collar grip and threatening the choke, but then I blocked with my right foot on mat and my left foot swung under his armpit.

and the REVERSE FLOWER SWEEP is born.

need to test it out some more.

lastly, the LOOP CHOKE -- another one, like the N/S choke that's easy to get to, but just so hard to finish. Like the Guillotine. Need to review the Finish. Along with 10-Finger G.

18.50 Sunday Confessions 4740

Taps: 9. Total: 4740.

Only session of the week. No BBs in the house. Rare.

Purp AJ gets me always with Darce and Arm Triangle. Really quick shooting that arm through against my Underhook.

18.49 Sunday Confessions 4731

Taps: 8. Total: 4731.

Judo Nick as usual demolished me, but nice to see him do it to others. He makes it so easy. Taps me 5, 6 times a roll. Very intimidating, people are very afraid to roll with his, as they should be. Not sure why I keep going back for more. Do I have a masochistic streak? Don’t think so because I don’t enjoy it or derive pleasure from it. Guess it’s a pride, ego thing then, to say I survived and did not quit.

Y sleeve grip works very well, going to be my go-to sleeve break. Saw Xande use it first, but recently saw English bloke from invisible BJJ yt Chan show it.

1. Graugart’s Relaxed Agression, esp for Arm drag takedown.
2. Sab label closed Guard
3. Kesa Esc

18.48 Saturday Breakfast Club 4723

Taps: 3. Total: 4723.

BB Dean teaching because lots of people at a competition.

I - Side Control Pipe Choke var. and a Baseball Choke but with arm stuck in.

Core List to work:

1. Sab Closed Guard
2. Kesa ESC, chain the three together.


side note: Em's women's class, all the White belts crossing their ankles during Back Attack. Big no-no.
 Also, new detail on the Back to Kimura grip armbar ... leg traps the arm before it comes over the face. Prevents the hand from linking and defending the armbar.

Just work on Core list for a month or two at a time.

18.47 Sunday Confession Father's Day Beat Down 4720

Taps: 2. Total: 4720.

Both taps to Blue, 4 stripes. He has good Triangle, Omoplata set ups.

Also, new Brn Takai. Nice guy, and just when I think I have a sweep he leads me straight into a Foot Lock set up.

Reviewed: Saulo Triangle ESC -- TRAPPED ARM SIDE, knee comes up, blocks the hip, twist.

Turtle ESC -- being too static, passive, GRANBY asap.

18.46 Saturday Breakfast Club 4718

Taps: 7. Total: 4718.

Most of those taps to BB Z. He is one tough SoB, and technical too.

Purp Eddie giving me fits, not being able to completely escape ... his transition game is getting better so I get armbar escape to Half and he takes my back, etc.

Work on Back ESC and Guard Retention.

18.45 Sunday Confessions 4711

Taps: 5. Total: 4711.

Keep going in wrong direction on Darce escape. Go under.

Had a hard time with Big, Heavy White George. Shouldn't let him get such head start. Frame, frame frame.

Better luck with Armbar Breaks. Keep working it.

18.44 Sunday Confessions 4706 - 2 Yr Anniversary!!

Taps: 6. Total: 4706. (1st Confession - June 5, 2016)

Not much to report. Just been pondering the toughest guys I roll with.

Sundays -- Brn Judo Nick -- he's heavy, strong and super technical. He's got great balance and fast footlocks. He kills my Half Guard game with his weight and balance.

Home base -- Purp Morgan and BB Z.

There's other lower belts who give me fits but these guys are scary good. Most dread rolling with them. I do, too but I make myself do it because it's good for my JJ game, kind of like JJ broccoli.

18.43 Saturday Breakfast Club 4700

Taps: 0. Total: 4700.

Late, missed warmups and tech. Came right in the middle of Closed Guard/Pass line drills. Winner stays down.

BBs averaging 6 a class: Jason, Dean, Albert, Mike, Simi guy, Z.

BB Albert is the smilin Assassin. He's so nice. Smile on his face as he destroys me with his wicked technique. Picked his brain and he dropped lots of gems my way.

Lots of concepts rather than techs. Dealing with big, strong guys.

I. Limb concept, separate it away from body, makes them weaker.

II. vs Combat Base -- control sleeve, block same side, see where they are balanced and where their weight is and Sweep to dead zone.

III. vs Pass, control sleeve/frame, keep it scoot/shrimp to Recover Guard.

IV. Closed Guard, get his arm across center line and Side Guard, but stuck ... drop my leg, let him come over and that gives me space to take the BACK.

V. vs Double wrapping/hugging my legs when they Pass -- kind of sitting Uchimata sweep them over same side.

VI. Passing Concept -- get them on their Back and remove their Hooks before Passing.

Work on:

• Sit Up Flower Sweep - Albert S
• revisit Tanquino Sweep -- outside leg wraps, takes out his leg. 
• Back ESC
• Side ESC
• new wrinkle to Octopus Sweep - when they try to Crossface, that's Trigger to Hip Bump Sweep. 

18.42 Sunday Confessions 4700

Taps: 8. Total: 4700.

Saturday, Sunday training ... that's going to be my training routine til next month, when I can get off this 9-6 work schedule and get in some weekday, Tue/Thurs rotations in.

Left shoulder/Pecs still messed up. Wonder if it's permanent.

Tried to help a white belt (wife of Brn Jack) with her Knee Cut Pass ... she was doing everything right. Took me awhile to figure it out ... I kept coming up and getting the Single Leg on her and getting on top.

1. She wasn't keeping me flat with the cross collar grip. 2. She wasn't pulling on me sleeve enough to get my elbow off the mat.

Focus:

1. Side ESC
2. Back ESC
3. Guard Rec / Retention
4. Closed Guard

18.41 Saturday Breakfast Club 4692

Taps: 8. Total: 4692.

BB Arman running the class to packed house of 25 or so. Must be bc of the holiday weekend.

Tech I -- Half Spider Guard Triangle.
 a. non-Spider left leg gets Chin to chin and kicks it out, and he goes forward, loses posture and I shoot in the Triangle.

BB roll call: 1. Arman; 2. Joel; 3. Jason; 4. Chris G.; 5. Albert; 6. Mike; 7. Simi guy; 8. Z.

Work on:
 1. Back ESC
 2. Side ESC - basic bridge and also hip roll.
 3. Guard Recovery / Retention.

Getting better and better with Old Man Sweep. Work on Tension and Timing. Pull so he pulls back, that's the Trigger for Tech.

Z is now a BB since I last him. Been kicking my ass for 6, 7 years now. One tough mother. lots of peeps scare to roll with him. He brought more of his Serbian buddies, two Brown and Blue. One of the Brown was showing a Lapel Omoplata, and lots of BBs in the house were paying attention. Thought there were no new Techs around, but this one I have not seen before.

Close Guard Lapel over the Ankle Omoplata. And can Sweep either direction, but he went mostly to the side of the Lapel.

Also, a Side ESC: lapel under my thigh and triangle my legs, rock and sweep. Good thing I got video. I'll never remember it.

Hanging out in the "Deep End" of the pool. That's where the "Sharks" hang. You know what they say: You swim with Sharks, you get bit. If you survive, you become one of the Sharks.

18.40 Sunday Confessions 4684

Taps: 11. Total: 4684.

Need to work on: HONEYHOLE counters. delve deeply into it.

also, Falcon, Side ESC - basic and hip roll.

on the offensive side - Back Control, Attacks.

and Turtle Juji.

18.39 Saturday Breakfast Club 4673

Taps: 7. Total: 4673.

Big class. About 20-25 peeps.

BB in the house: Albert, Dean, Jason, Arman, Luis, and Chris.

BB Chris ... basic Standing Closed Guard Break and Pass. Working with BB Albert: need to get elbow inside and could not stand. He kept pulling me in.

One tap to Darce, one escape. a little more work to get percentage above 50. Tuck in, peep under side of the choking hand?

Didn't get to work any Falcon Guard.

Work the Hip Roll Side ESC ... control bottom hand, 2on1? then roll?

Old Man Sweep, got one. Keep working it. esp the Timing. Pull and let him pull back.

Bonus: Arman showing Pass v Lasso Spider ... sprawl, shoulder down on lasso side, elbow up to create space, duck under the leg, knee on thigh, can pass to left or come back around to the right.

18.38 Sunday Confession 4646

Taps:7. Total: 4646.

Back to Confession. Low turnout due to Mother’s Day.

Caught by Darce twice, second time further into escape, might have to try hopping over to other side.

Trying to practice heel hook entries, getting finish once in 4, 5 tries. Nice to see the same defenses over n over so I can overcome them.

High mount, lock in position over their elbows, then S mount to arm bar.
Practice hip roll n controlling their bottom sleeve.

18.37 Sat Breakfast Club 4639

Taps: 9. Total: 4639.

BB Chris ... Turtle Roll under Turnover (Thurs).

 II. Turtle Turnover to Back, same grip as above but shin on ankle.

Work on:

Old Man Sweep
Canto Choke

Bonus: BB Gors ... learned from BB Magic Mike ... Side Control to trap leg ... same setup as Ninja Roll to Back but instead ... put push his frame to get Arm Triangle-like grip, and go up, knee near his head to roll to Back Take. Not as fancy.

Saw an White Belt ... with his notebook at end of training. Warms the heart.

Rolled with every BB in the house, except BB Joel. BB Dean, Chris, Albert, Goes, Magic.

18.36 Thur Am 4630

Taps: 1. Total: 4630.

I'm BACK! Four weeks out with the partially-torn Pec muscle. Still sore, though.

BB Chris -- Turtle Turnover 1
 a. Cross face to far elbow, and back far ankle -- Push over into Side Control.

Turnover 2
 a. Near gi tail to far hand over his hip; b. scoot back near his feet; 3. roll under and drag the gi tail, come up in Side Control.

Bonus Tech, from Magic BB Mike:

 I. Cross Face, Reverse Sit to Counter Lockdown, push on pants grip, and pull leg out.

 II. Half Guard, near side Ninja Roll to the Back: square him up, roll over same side.

Work on:
 1. Side to KoB, Rev KoB to Back Step Mount. (Once in Mount, work the High, S Mount Armbar).
 2. Hip Roll Side ESC

also rolling with Blue Dae - working on some Heel Hooks. No go. His defenses better than my set ups. I didn't control his knee and i didn't get my other leg under.

18.35 Thur Am 4629

Taps: 6. Total: 4629.

Injury: Shoulder sore, pec still swollen. Train or not to Train? Doc or no Doc? Body at 50%.

BB Chris ... Basic Closed Guard Hip Bump Sweep, to Kimura and Guillotine.

BB rollcall: Mike, Vince, Chris G., Steve G. ... man there's been an average Four BBs at every training these days.

2nd Hour HL - got to roll with Simi Visitor Bre, a Purple, who repped the US at the World Grappling Championships. I think she got Gold or Silver. Started on our feet.

Also, got in a couple of nogi rolls with Wolfie and Blue guy.

18.34 Tues Am 4623

Taps: 10. Total: 4623.

BB Chris ... no techs, just line drills, right into Sparring. Awesome class.

BB rollcall: Steve G, Mike, Joel, Rabbi, and Chris G.

Well, now my Top Side Control SUCKS -- granted the line drills had 3 BBs in row. Still. If i was on bottom, my Side ESC would have sucked. Good to know my entire Side Game is in the toilet. Back to drawing board.

Speaking of which, rolling with White Carlo ... he got me with Choke from Back again. Need to keep working that. Good feedback. Holes and leaks all over my game.

Purp Morgan asked so I showed him my Signature Rev Butterfly Sweep and the Giggler ... Both Half Guard techs, but linked to Sean Roberts. He's got to be the YOUNGEST OG in BJJ.

From Closed Guard ... linking the Rev Butterfly Sweep to Pulling on Cross Sleeve to Side Guard or Back Take, if he pulls his arm back, go with and Bump Sweep (Old Man Sweep) ... got it today on Rabbi.

18.33 Sunday Confessions 4613

Taps: 7. Total: 4613.

Good to be back on Mat. Even at 40-50%. Tapped early on my left arm/shoulder side.

My most asked tech — Reverse Butterfly Sweep. I get every one with it at least once, then they ask what it was.

Working Ashi entries ... and it’s true, it is helping with my footlock defense.

18.32 Sat Breakfast Club 4606 + Injury

Taps: 4. Total: 4606 + Injury

BB Chris ... I came in late, saw only the Rev Butterfly Sweep off the Failed Scissor, using the Over the Back grip.

Brn Z -- played with the Ashi a bit, entries pretty good, course can't Finish. That's next. He peeled off my leg and I went to Outside Ashi. Progressing.

Purp Paul ... he's always had a good, FAST armbar ... and now getting even better. Saw him get the same armbar on Blue Shane ... he gets it on my but tightened and twists pretty hard on my SHOULDER and I tap too late and now I have a pretty intense Muscle Strain.

It was almost like a Omoplata. Bunch of guys asking if I'm alright. They've got this mistaken notion, perception that I'm TOUGH or that I never get injured. They've never really seen me STOP during a roll before. or after a tap. Weird.

There was my Sunday training, and we'll see how long this will keep me out.

18.31 Thur Am 4602

Taps: 3. Total: 4603.

BB Chris ... I. Sitting Guard, Cross Collar Guard to Omoplata (arman detail of falling to side)
 a. tuck leg under his armpit, scoot back

II. If he straightens arm ... lay back, straight Arm lock.

III. Omo ESC with footlock / grab toes, put foot behind my neck.

BB Rollcall - Arman, Rabbi, Mike, Vince.

No women today. A shame.

Bonus: BB Mike showing a sweet sequence ... Double Under Kneecut, Step high to trap near arm in Rainbow on his side, to Back Take, Back Control (fall to choking hand side) with foot on hip, then to Body Triangle, and RNC.

Love the 100% Sweep.

During line drills ... i was trying to open Closed Guard in big Blue ... couldn't get posture, so i was going for a cheeky Ezekiel from inside Closed Guard, but he blocked, so i switched to Tozi Pass, but i didn't have the underhook, just the headlock from when i was going for Ez. Knew it wouldn't work, couldn't bail out of it.

18.30 Tue Am 4599

Taps: 6. Total: 4599.

BB Chris ... Double Under Butterfly ... to X Guard Sweep to KoB, Armbar.

BB rollcall: Mike, Rabbi, Chris G., Steve G.

Also, good to see 4 Women on the mats. Can't remember the last time i've seen that many. Hope they keep coming back. 

One of the taps to a White one Stripe: i got cocky and let him get too deep with his grips while he had my back. He had good Back Control.

BB Chris G. did ask if I've been taking Privates. So that was nice. I've never taken a Private. Guess the extra session at Sunday Confession is paying off?

Working in -- Ashi game and the Marte Posture Break.

My god, my Side ESC still SUCKS and now i've got another hole -- Back ESC. Back to the LAB.

18.29 Sunday Confessions 4593

Taps: 4. Total: 4593.

Got Giggler on Purp Shane three times. And got out of D'Arce twice.

Working in Leg Locks into my game. Just entries at the moment. Finishing will come later. Something I learned about Leg Lock submissions and it applies to other submissions, too -- need to control before the finish.

ie Leg Locks -- need to lock up the knee, and the foot is just dangling and helpless to the finish. But if I go straight to the Leglock and grab his foot, it lowers the chance of finishing.

Same goes for Armlocks -- just grabbing the arm will NOT work, but if I lock up the shoulder and elbow and get to S Mount, then his arms are just dangling, helpless to the Finish. f

Purp Ira is just so good at Side ESC and Guard Recovery. Need to incorporate his moves into my game.

18.28 Sunday Confessions 4589

Taps: 10. Total: 4589.

Love these 8 min rounds.

Brn Nic got me about 6 or 7 times: his heel hooks and knee bars are very quick. Not much time to escape.

Got my FIRST HEEL HOOK ... after watching the Bootleg Vids of Danaher's tech.

Hierarchy of Footlocks
1. Standard Ashi
2. Outside Ashi
3. Inside Santaku.

Need to transfer my notes off the Bootlegs onto here.

Purp Ira -- says to go to N/S Choke from Side. Keep attacking in Side otherwise he will escape. He and Nic have very good Side ESC, good swivel movement. I need to get that good at Side ESC ... they escape at will.

18.27 Thur A.M. 4579

Taps: 10. Total: 4579, and inching toward the halfway mark.

BB Chris ... Half Guard Knee Shield Pass
 1. Weave between the leg, cup bottom leg.
 2. Push down, collapse the Knee Shield down with my other hand, then Sprawl.
 3. Grip far collar grip to keep him close.
 4. Turn hip in to put more pressure and break open his legs.
 5. Step in, then into him to put chest pressure and flatten. (Vince tip: got to 3/4 N/S.)

II. Half Guard vs Underhook, go for Kimura
 1. Pressure and flatten

III. Half Guard Top, counter Kimura with Kimura
 1. Straighten my arm, get over his elbow
 2. Switch base, pressure and flatten.

BBs in the House: Chris, Vince, the Rabbi, Arman, Grossi.

I rolled with all except the Rabbi. But he did show me a Triangle Escape -- free hand comes across and PUNCHES the mat, next to the guy's ear.

Rolled 3x with Brn Z -- what a monster, and the worse thing is lately he's moving light a small person. He berimbolo'd me twice. Last tap was to Body Triangle. I had his leg trapped, just needed to get onto that side, but he was pulling on my elbow on the same side to keep me square and flat and i had to tap to his SQUEEZE.

Keep seeking the toughest guys, maybe some of it will rub off on me.

Out.

18.26 Tue Am 4569

Taps: 7. Total: 4569.

BB Chris ... Review from Saturday -- Mount to High Mount ... S Mount, dismount to Side, bring that leg over his elbow and Rainbow Crossface, Gi tail into Brabo Choke from Side Control.

also, the Double under counter from Mount.

* Side Control ESC, J Thomas
* 10 Finger Guillotine

Seek out the toughest guys on the mat. Respect them, but do not fear them. Some day you will be one of them.

BBs in the House: Vince, Mordecai, Arman, Gors. 

18.25 Sunday Confessions 4562

Taps: 9. Total: 4562.

Less rolls, more taps. At least rolled with the 3 toughest guys - BB Tarca, Brn Nik and Purp Ira.

Purp Ira tip -- Frame with FOREARM on the neck on Side ESC and shrimp, grip material on the shoulder so they can't just shuck and set up Arm Triangle.

Injury Inventory:

1. Left Elbow -- and now wrist, too. Elbow has been sore for a month now -- tendinitis or Tennis Elbow or something.

2. Floating rib again, but mild. Not as bad as last time, same side, too.

18.24 Saturday Breakfast Club 4553

Taps: 6. Total: 4553.

Back to our regular training program. This damn flu cost me three training sessions week before last.

BB Chris ... I. Mount to S Mount Armbar.

II. He gets double under on the S Mount ... counter and maintain by double collar grip and bail into Side Control.

Motto: No Excuses.

Rolling with Purp David ... the Spider Guy ... strong grip and lots of feet pushing on my crooks and my arms and legs. Puzzle I haven't figured out yet. Might need to get a Leg Lock game to open him up a bit.

Takedowns:

1. Kata guruma/fireman carry
2. Arm drag Slide
3. Ankle Pick

18.23 Monday A.M Changeup 4547

Taps: 2. Total: 4547.

Can't make it to the Regular Tues AM this week, thought i catch a Monday A.M.

BB Arman ... teaching drills and Closed Guard Cross Collar-Sleeve n Shoulder Kick to Omo and Triangle and Open Guard Lasso Spider to Triangle and Omo.

Moderate success with 92 Double Sleeve ... try foot on shoulder and go for Triangle and Omo, and also a Knee Push Sweep and lastly, Swing all the way over for K Sweep.

Keep drilling: Side ESC.

Working: Side Darce.

18.22 Sunday Confessions 4545

Taps: 4. Total: 4545.

Wow, 10 rolls today. Last roll with Purple visitor from Armenia. Talking with him afterwards, he said they have big school but no coach. They all teach each other. Just made me appreciate my instructor n that I have access to so many BB, n even Browns.

Speaking of which, saw Brn David showing a cool n simple Turtle Esc/Reversal - bring my near leg up n behind him, just behind his butt, n same side hand rainbows under his armpit and sweep, come up in Side n rainbow hell control, where I have arm n elbow trapped like in an arm triangle.

Side Esc
Side attacks... a. Darce b. Kimura to Ezekiel c. Far Armbar d. Basic mount

18.21 Sat Breakfast Club 4541

Taps: 5. Total: 4541.

BB Chris ... Kob Escape ... frame on both knees, bridge up, hip away twice and get to Half Guard.

Of course it doesn't work very well against Brn Z ... who has a monster KoB, even my leg trap one does not work on him.

Still searching, still working on finding the Go-To Side ESC.

Also, focus on Hauteur Closed Guard.

18.20 Sunday Confessions 4536

Taps: 5. Total: 4536.

Rolling with Brn Nick. Heavy dude, good base. Loves the Kimura. Might be time to revisit a Kimura Defense. He usually yanks on the Kimura, but today he changed it up a bit -- he was in a Straight Foot Lock position but finished with Ankle Lock/Slicer; 2. He had an Ezekiel from Mount and finished with a Suffocating/Smothering Choke where he put his Gi over my Mouth and Nose so I could not breathe.

Another two principles to add:

1. Seek out the Heaviest, most Technical guys -- home gym, it's gotta be Brn Z. At Sunday, it's Brn Nick.

2. Be the last guy on the mat.

3. Not about winning and losing and beating up the other guy. It's about movement and perfecting the technique, although perfection impossible, I can try to get close.

4. Count my taps to 10,000.

5. Put myself in uncomfortable positions.

18.19 Sat Breakfast Club 4531

Taps: 6. Total: 4531.

Breakfast Club has just been packed lately. Thirty people almost.

BB Arman ... Spider Double feet on biceps to Single X Sweep to Straight Footlock.
 a. leave right foot on his bicep, left foot circles to break grip on pants.
 b. left foot on mat between his legs, right foot to the right and pull so that he takes a step and I'm right underneath him.
 c. left leg Single X, right leg under his butt and also hooking behind the same leg as Single X.
 d. Left hand hugging around that foot and grabbing my gi at chest /
 e. Pinch my knees together, and to left to bring him down and go into Straight Footlock.

II. he pushes off the Single X, Transition to X and BackTake
 a. stretch him out, pass front leg over my face to other side, and Crab BackTake.

Purp Leif -- gotten really good at Closed Guard and got me again with that 2-on-1 Sweep, but also had a nice setup ... left hand grabs Cross Collar grip and when my right hand came over the top to deal with it - that's when he got a good 2-on-1 (esp on wrist and elbow), then he just John Wayne swept me to my right. Very effortless and efficient. Need to ask him about it next time I see him.

BB Joel -- gave me top position but then he just flicked me as if I as an insignificant mosquito on a rhino. Shaking my head.

Brn Z -- he's back and smashing me as before. He's been kicking my ask for 6 years and while I'm progressed, so has he, just enough to stay ahead of me.

18.18 Tue Am 4526

Taps: 1. Total 4526.

BB Chris ... Side to Mount
 1. Hand over, Reverse Kesa, Swing leg over.
 2. If he lifts leg up, push toward the way Knee is pointing.

Side to N/S and Armbar
 a. if he puts his over my shoulder, hand over, Kesa to kill the near arm, step over scooping that killed elbow with as i go to N/S
 b. Armbar.

BB Vince gave me lots of insanely good DETAILS to this:
 a. from Side Top, if his near arm is framing on my hip, LENGTHEN my leg straight out, and drop hip down on his hand; my other knee is still bent pressed against his hip.
 b. if he presses and Hip escapes, then Kesa and scoop under near arm / otherwise go to 3/4 N/S to stay heavy on that shoulder and hand over and secure that FAR Arm.
 c. from N/S get him on his side facing to the Right as I SQUAT down for Armbar.

He had tips for me for Bottom Side -- frame on near hip, and Hip ESC, Hip ESC, and when tries to get into Kesa, bring bottom knee in. Here, top guy needs to Step over or go to KoB.

New Black Gors was in the house, along with BB Vince, Arman, Steve G and Mordecai.

10,000 taps - K. Owen
Impassable Guard at Brown - DeBlass
Be in Uncomfortable Positions -- unknown, can't remember.

18.17 Sunday Confessions 4525

Taps: 2. Total: 4525.

Old rogue showed up. Not invited but heard about us from someone. But but but, he had not belt. Come on, what's up with that. The old Sandbagger. He had a Rickson patch though. Thought he was a White, but he got better and better and showed more of his game as he rolled.

So yeah, mats don't lie. He was at least a Purple, I think. A few guys wouldn't roll with him. He did tap Purple AD. I rolled with him twice. He had me in a few bad positions, could have tapped me if he went hardcore, which he didn't.

On one hand, the Core Guiding Principle has been Keith Owen's 10,000 taps.

Now I add another: DeBlass says, a Brown Belt must have an IMPASSABLE GUARD. So that's what I'm going to be working on. His is more in Impassable Half Guard.

Lasso Guard -- Brn Nick showed a Lasso to Waiter Sweep and if he tries to pass away from Lasso and come down, Lasso Invert to Sweep to Omo.

My Definitive Go-To HALF GUARD Top Routes 2018 version

At Half Guard / Top

1. Lepri Knee Cut / (my choice) Far Side

2. Rodolfo Smash / MG Smash - both end in Mount and S Mount Armbar or Mount Triangle / Passes to Near Side.

3. Lo Wiper - fancy footwork

4. Danaher / Far Knee Cut - near side Underhook, head on opposite side, push his knee down, Cut with left leg over his thigh.

5. Lockdown Pass - Hug or put leg under his.

6. vs Knee Shield - pick up and go other way or use Lepri above.

Focus on these. they are enough. Later, maybe add a D'Arce or Kimura.

18.15 Sunday Confessions 4519

Taps: 4. Total: 4519.

Brn Judo Nick gave me some good Side ESC tips. After smashing me.
 * Depending on where my top hand position is at start of esc -- IF at Shoulder n Under his neck, then Bridge/Bump, GET the UNDERHOOK and SHUCK hard and way up so he's gets very above me, and come up to my knees.

Success:
1. 100% Sweep
2. Relson Knee Trap KoB esc.

Homework:
1. 100x - Covel bridge off the left foot to get into Invert Sweep.
2. Underhook Side ESC

18.14 Sat Breakie Club 4515

Taps: 3. Total: 4515.

BB Joel ... i'm half hour late to Sat because Em is training at Legacy Women's class.

Still struggling with Side ESC and getting the Covel Invert Sweep.

Better luck with 100% Sweep.

18.13 Thur Am 4512

Taps: 2. Total: 4512.

BB Vince ... Back Attack Drills
 I. Back to Mount
  a. he elbow escapes to Half Guard, Seatbelt grip again and roll over to Back again.

 II. Sneaky RNC setup
 a. Seatbelt grip, but underhook hand grips choking top very high, exposing hand and wrist.
 b. Guy defending will grab top choking hand but only the wrist is available so he will grab that.
 c. Open choking hand, palm away and Gable grip with other hand. Pull in and that will create almost a wristlock on his hand, and peel his hand away.
 d. same side, underhook hand grips his hand at the edge, leaving top choking hand a clear path to the RNC.

Bonus: S Mount Attack ... when he's tight and can't get Seatbelt. Get a Seatbelt Grip OVER his top elbow, get my back knee up high near his head. Make almost a pillow for his head, as i shoot that leg straight and out and CROSS my feet over his shoulder. The top arm should be loose now for ARMBAR.

*Still NO Luck with the Covel Invert Sweep ... i will keep at it.

** Got 100% vs Brown Gors. Remember: Bridge and Sweep AWAY from grip.

Kob ESC -- Grab OUTSIDE of my own leg.

!! Bad habit .. stop settling into bad positions and laying there and catching breath. MOVE, SCRAMBLE. sheesh.

18.12 Tues. AM 4510

Taps: 3. Total: 4510.

BB Chris ... Back Esc Series
 I. If they cross ankles ... same side foot comes over theirs for Footlock.

 II. Fall Away from Choking hand ...
  a. clear hooks, control top leg and scoot back and come up in Side.

 III. Scoot Down ...
  a. Kick and clear one hook, turn into the other hook.

This month is Closed Guard focus:
 1. Covel - Black Magic
 2. Roger
 3. Ouano
 4. Hauteur

This is the BJJ life:
 1. Train.
 2. Shower/wash gi
 3. Take notes/study vids
 4. Pack gi
 5. REPEAT.

18.11 Sunday Confessions 4507

Taps: 4. Total: 4507

B.B. Tarca ... KoB attack/choke
1. From KoB, get deep cross collar grip, if he turns in, other hand comes over for X choke.
 2. If turns away, drop my elbow under his chin/neck, reach under his head n grab my other bicep for modified Ezekiel.
Or feed grip to other hand n transition to Bow n Arrow.

Purple Ira... tip on Armbar Esc.. hide top arm that’s being attacked n as he peels the other hand, get my elbow to Mat n escape.

He also has a good frame/posture for Side Esc... prayer position n elbows in, framing, not lettin me get low or on top of him.

18.10 Sat Breakfast Club 4503

Taps: 5. Total: 4303.

BB Chris ... Closed Guard to OPen to Half Spider - Triangle
 a. double wrist grips, open guard, feet on both hips, shrimp, knee in, flare knee out, same on other side.
 b. right leg Spider feet on bicep, left on mat like i'm going for Scissor Sweep, shoot bicep feet over and lock in Triangle.

 II. Wrist lock from the Triangle.
 a. he defends ... scoop under his arm, bridge and get his elbow on my centerline
 b. reach and grab my own bicep, other hand reaches for all his fingers, for Wrist lock.

BB Dean Loop Series
 I. from Closed Guard ... left hand Cross Collar Grip, sit up like going for Hip Bump
   a. Left hand reaches over his neck, try to loop under the Cross Collar grip.
   b. Left foot on hip to get angle and torque.
II. Can also Sweep to Mount, if he defends with Chin Down. Steering wheel it for Sweep.

BB Dean ... also showed Renzo's Turtle Armbar.
 a. from N/S Turtle, underhook his arm with right arm, same side and lift up.
 b. bring Right leg up, Left knee goes over his back and neck, connect my right hand to my left knee
 c. Turn over onto my left shoulder and turn him over into Armbar.

work: Side ESC ... prevent Crossface / get two-on1 on that arm. Don't let go.

Need to sacrifice the Sat Breakfast Club so Em can go to Kids class, following the Women's class. Tough bc Sat is so killer, but it's not a sacrifice if it was easy. And this is my life long gift to my girl.

18.9 Sunday Confessions 4498

Taps: 11. Total: 4498.

That's more like it. Double digit taps. Judo brown and leglock brown joon got the majority of those taps.

My leglock defense is very basic and i can get by most people unless they are a specialist like joon.

In other areas, i need a Back Attack route. Let's try Back-Armbar and Back-Bow and Arrow.

Side Route ... Side to KoB-Rev KoB-Backstep Mount-S Mount Armbar.

18.8 Sat Breakfast Club 4487

Taps: 4. Total: 4487.

B.B. Arman ....

Two Worm Guard gi tail sweeps off dlr, pants grip
 1. Off the far lapel
 2, off the near lapel...
  a. Pass under to my right, then back to left hand on other side of his thigh
  b. Reach for his back, cup back of his foot to prevent back step
  c. Let go gi grip, reach for pants above butt, boring him down
  d. Footwork to get under his foot n come up in leg grab

Lots of steps, but hard to counter. Good thing I gots video of it after class.

Big showing today ... about 25 peeps.

Bonus: purp Eddie showing showing nice start of roll Armbar off knee ... he has same side collar grip, I get that sleeve with same side hand; other hand posts behind on Mat to get elevated; opposite knee goes across his hip, presses him back as other leg comes over his head for Armbar

II Purple Paul... nice drill ... side to KoB to Underhook top hand n swing around to far Side Armbar..

Also keep working my side route ... side to KoB to Reverse KoB to Back step Mount.

18.7 Thur Am 4483

Taps: 4. Total: 4483

BB Chris

I. Review of Side ESC to Triangle/Armbar from Tues.

II. Ezekiel Choke from the Back.

BB Vince ... Closed Guard Omo Sweep and Armbar
 I. he lifts leg, under hook and grab over it that same side hand.
   a. get leg over and threaten armbar on other arm.
   b. he pulls arm out, two-on-1 on the first arm, swing left leg over and back to the left/mat and Omoplata Sweep.
   c. come up and sit on his bicep.

  II. He counters and puts hand on my leg that wants to come over.
   a. Scoop that arm under and by the elbow and Armbar.

a little better at preventing crossface on Half and not letting Purp Morgan get too settled in High Mount.

a little better with BB Steve ... not defending 100% of the time, maybe 90%. That's progress. As Marcelo says, ABA ... Always be Attacking.

Shotgun grip Hip Bump, working on Blues and lower. And there's pathway to back.

18.6 Tue Am 4479

Taps: 4. Total: 4479.

BB Chris ...

I. Drill: Armbar from Closed Guard
 a. same side sleeve pistol grip, cross hand comes under and ...

II. Drill: Side Control
 a. Pass to Side, he turns in, elbow in and backstep to other Side Control, lift up top Elbow.

III. Side ESC, variation on Basic
 a. Bridge, shrimp away, back in with bottom knee across stomach.
 b. Shrimp back, get leg over his head on his hip on other side, get bottom leg out, into Triangle-Armbar.

IV. Kesa ESC
 a. turn and get close and under him
 b. bridge and get his head to the mat
 c. Roll him the other way.

BB Vince ... Shotgun grip to Side Guard ... getting the elbow across centerline, Side Guard to Flower Sweep ... made it look so easy. Need to try that.
 a. Hip up, then hip out, dropping his elbow on the other side.
 b. Lock legs into Side Guard. Series of attacks from there.

Lazy. That's all i could think about as I was smashed again under Half by Heavy White, need to Lockdown and Whip Up.

And bring back the Clothesline Sweep from Half, bridge up with OUTSIDE leg, and kick/roll over.

And letting Purp Morgan get High Mount. Elbows in, scoot down. He had a good High Mount, one hand on my waist to prevent my whipping around for my usual ESC from there.

Lazy, and Not in Competition Shape! and I don't have Go-To Takedown!! I was helping Blue Michael, who i guess is competing sometime soon and I didn't have a Takedown and I COULD NOT go hard for very long.

Bring Back -- Graugart's ARMDRAG Single.

18.5 Sunday Confessions 4475

Taps: 4. Total: 4475.

Blue Bob: Able to string together a couple things from Shotgun grip ... Backtake, and Hip Bump fail to Backtake Fail to Hip Bump.

BB Steve: took the Back, whoo hoo. Progress.

Brn Judo/wrestler guy: making progress but also he had just rolled with BB Crane, so he was gassed and not able muscle me as usual, so i was able to do better against him.

Working the Collar Tie Guard Recovery ... this next few months on Guard Recovery and Guard Retention.

Also, Trucking and Side Esc as usual.

18.4 Sunday Confessions 4471

Taps: 2. Total: 4471.

These piddling 2 tap sessions has got to stop. Need to roll with more tough purples, browns and all the blacks that will roll.

Rolled with that heavy, judo-like brown from new year's day, with the ego and aggressive game. he tried to finish the kimura on me again and kept yanking like last time. not today my friend. he eventually finished with paper cutter, but hey, it wasn't the kimura. and he's muscling the kimura.

felt like i could of rolled a couple more times, and seemed like we finished earlier than usual but recounting all my rolls, there was quite a few, but i was also giving back to the community -- rolled with a few all the women ... 2 Whites and 2 Blues.

Roll 1: brown Ray ... warm up.
2: Blue Boxer girl
3. Purp Ira
4. Heavy White Girl
5. Flexible Blue girl
6. Judo Brown
7. BB Tarca
8. Random Purp
9. Old man Purp Alan

Wow 9 rolls - they weren't all 6 min rounds, because we started some after the bell. maybe a more than half were.

Purp Ira -- always good tip -- Elbow/Knee connection in Side ESC. Elbow/Knee close that space, otherwise he'll take it and flatten me.

He was showing a lot of kool Gi Tail Series stuff, esp from Closed Guard. Gotta pick his brain about it next time, incl that Gi Tail/Knee turn ESC.

18.3 Sat Breakfast Club 4469

Taps: 2. Total: 4469.

BB Chris ... Half Guard Lockdown Series.
 I. Lockdown Sweep
 II. Bases out - Electric Chair Sub
 III. Doesn't tap ... pass leg over, and take the Back.

DLR Pass ... Basic that Brown Wolf showed me ... back step, stuff the leg between my legs to get into Headquarters, get my lead elbow inside his knee, almost leg drag, fold, smash, sprawl to Pass.

drilled ... DLR Pass - flashy/fancy ... from Shin Gorilla ... Backstep, hook his leg and Ninja Roll to the Back.

I love the Basic stuff but i need to mix in the flashy, fancy because they're more FUN and unexpected.

Working on Collar Tie Guard Recovery.

New Year White Belts ... i so want to tell them to TAKE A PICTURE of themselves in their first week. In their awkward, ill-fitting gis, their roly-poly bodies. Because if they stick it out and they get their first stripe 6 months in, or 8 months in or a year in, and they take a picture, they need something to compare it to. And they're going to see such a dramatic difference.

But no one remembers to take that picture, including me. and i sorely wish that i had.

Rolling with Purp David ... tall, flexible guy who always gives me a tough time. And afterwards, i said i had no tips for him, keep doing what you're doing and he asked me how to break Armbar defense and finish, because he had me there couple of times and i escaped. And i showed him the Silverado.

Which means next time i roll with him, i need to DRILL Hitchhiker 50x each side and Ryron's Rollover ESC for that arm control.

18.2 Thur AM 4467 - Promotion - One Stripe on Brown / Journey Recap

Taps: 2. Total: 4467 - both taps to BB.

BB Chris - I. RDLR Pass ... he's got Cross Collar Grip and Pants grip
 a. ignore his grips, Left hand outside knee pants grip; Right hand same side collar grip (hand shake grip);
 b. wriggle foot to get space from his pants grip, switch grip to thumb in/palm down grip on other collar; Big Back Step, come down on his shoulder and on the pants grip.
 c. Left hand underhooks his top leg, scoot back towards his head, kick with free leg to free trapped on and Pass to Side.

II. Counter to above Pass.
 a. When he back steps, bring elbows close, frame against his back.
 b. Lockdown his leg / my right leg over his leg, left leg over my right, and under his leg to hook.
 c. he's stuck and he will try to step back over, and when he does, come up with him, reach over and grip his Lat /  release Lockdown with Left leg, pull away with Right Hook, creating space to get Left leg hook in.
 d. left hand pulls in his left wrist in, pressure down with my hips to flatten him, reach in for RNC finish.

Rolling with BB Steve, almost got the Shotgun Scissor Sweep on him. Just thinking about all the options off the Shotgun Grip ... 1. BackTake; 2. Triangle; 3. Omoplata; 4. Scissor Sweep; 5. Butterfly Sweep; 6. Hip Bump Sweep.

New Year, a new stripes and the flow of New White Belts, and most will be gone by end of the month. A shame. If they just stick it out for 6 months ... they will be thinner and have more confidence.

Jan, 2011 -- Started with SS Sherman Oaks / White Belt, One Stripe.
Feb 2011 -- White Belt, Two Stripes
May 2011 -- White Belt, Three Stripes
July 2011 -- White, Fourth Stripe

Dec. 2011 -- Blue
June 2012 -- Blue, One Stripe
July 2013 -- Blue, Two Stripes
Jan 2014 -- Blue, Third Stripe

Dec 2014 -- PURPLE
April 2016 -- Purple, One Stripe
Nov 2016 -- Purple, Two Stripes

Mar 2017 -- BROWN
Jan 2018 -- Brown, One Stripe

Looking back, from 2011-2015, I trained about 80 times a year, but in 2016 and 2017, a little over a 100. Hope i can increase that in 2018.

18.1 Legacy New Year Open Mat 4465

Taps: 4, Total: 4465.

First session of 2018. This year tighten up my routes.

Routes ... If they Turtle, then Seatbelt to Tonon Roll to Back.

Back attack route ... Seatbelt to Armbar

Mount Attack ... I. Cross Choke to S Mount Armbar / II. Akins Gift Wrap to Back RNC

100% .. post leg and bridge off that side, been letting his head pop out n I lose everything.


on FB ... saw NicG's fav sweep from Closed Guard and funny how it dovetails into what i've been trying to do ... mainly the 92 Double Sleeve grip which he calls, "Shotgun Grip." and if he pulls back than go into the Hip Bump Sweep with the Pistol grip - which i first saw Webster do on my ages ago. Strange how it all comes around and it's connected.