Sun 73 / 20 / Last session of 2023

 Taps: 0. Total: 20. 

End year with 73 sessions. Last year was: 32. 

More than doubled my sessions from 2022. Hope i can keep this up. Or change up with other gym visits. 

Two other BBs working on Open Passes, no grips.

1. Left hand on knee, right hand on hip, Head into the chest/under chin or hip

2. Move to the right, as you push the knee that way / wiper clear the from inside to out. 

Forgot about this old school pass. lov it. 

Trying:

• Lasso Sweep / 
• Half Passes
• Shin to shin lift to SLX sweep / YT
• Armbar from Side w bicep trap

Sun 72 / 20 Xmas Eve roll

Taps: 6. Total: 20.

Xmas Eve roll. 

Try to get to Dominant position, mainly Passes and Sweeps. Then try to maintain, and cook em, then Submit. 

With women, smaller lower belts ... Catch and Release. Don't smash. Try to flow roll. 

BB Jack ... Lasso Sweep tip -- get deep, get my feet on his back. more power, leverage on the basic Lasso Sweep, w/ off foot comes across hip around 7 o clock. 

Working on: / most from Half Guard

• John Wayne Sweep
• Bear Trap / Ham Sando
• Capizzi Leg Trap

from Side Control top

• Capizzi Lock 
• Tainan Armbar

others

• Shoulder Crunch
• Choi Bar
• RDLR / Kiss of Dragon

Sun 71 / 14

Taps: 5. Total: 14.

Bhasar Tip 1: Bottom N/S -- grip hips, bait arm, push to escape. 

Tip 2: Drill KoB-Rev KoB/ shoulder, around the world. 

Speaking of Bhasar, for a Brown he's very technical n a total Bjj nerd. i can him poring over instructionals all week. and he's one of the nicest Bullies, always smashing me. reminds me very much of Purp Ira, who i haven't seen a quite awhile. 

Sun 70 / 9

Taps: 1. Total: 9. 

Got kicked off mats early for comp training class run by BB Uday. Got me fired up and motivated watching his class. He's such a drill sarg, almost had me jumping into the warm ups and then running out to a competition. Almost. 

Keep working:

• Penn Half Pass
• Penn/Joslin HQ Leg Weave Pass
• RDLR - total fails on the entry so far. 

Go back review:

• Gift wrap Armbar / TeachMe Grapp

Since my speech about taps and with the BB promo, got a big target on my back. Looks like a BB is more attractive scalp than brown. Like beating a higher rated chess player. 

Got up my game. 

Thu Nooner 69 / 8 n Life as BB

Taps: 3. Total: 8.

First tap to lower belt / Blue, that scrappy young guy, maybe competes, maybe has wrestling background. Glad i got that out of the way. 

Also all the other established BBs seeking me out to roll. Guess they figure they don't have to hold anything back now that i'm same color belt. ha ha. n they get to tap a BB. 

Also, the custom of calling BBs "professor." Weird to hear people calling me that. 

Purp woman asked if it felt any different. I said, "no." Feels the same as before. 

Start sketchbook of techs. maybe might stick in my head better if i sketch it, along with taking notes. 

Review

• Side Mount ESC without getting Bow n Arrow choked. (akins)
• Back ESC / (akins)
• RDLR
• 1/2 Pass / Penn
• 1/2 Pass / Joslin version of Penn

Sun 68 / 1st day as Black belt , and the instruction manual/ 5

Reset the tap counter

Taps: 5. Total: 5. 

Course Tim got in first with 3 -- all toeholds. 

work on:

• RDLR
• Passing / sousa, wiltse
• 
  

something they don't tell you: with the Belt, there is no instruction manual included. so you have to figure it out for yourself the main question:

What kind of Black Belt do I want to be?

By the Numbers

•  5887 taps
• 56, one month from 57 years old
• 13 years
• 2 Cauliflower ears
• 1 shoulder surgery

Belts - Lineage Matters

 Got my White to Brown from Chris Lisciando. 

His lineage:

• Gastao Gracie Jr > Carlos Gracie Jr -> Machado Bros > Renato Magno > Chris Lisciandro

Black Belt from Prof. Alberto Crane

• Maeda > Carlos Gracie Sr > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr > Vinicius Magalhaes > Alberto Crane 

5887 - it happened / DEC 2, 2023 -- BLACK BELT

For 13 years, i've been ducking the promotion ceremony, but Prof Crane says be there Sat, 1:30pm, bring a white gi.  How could i say no?

Starts 1:40pm. There's about 150-175 people on the mat, another 40 peeps of friends and family watching on the sidelines. 

There now schools in four locations, but most were from Burbank and Pasadena.

Starts with Green belt (the kids' Black belt) and there's four of those. 

There are 37 Black Belts standing on stage with Prof. Crane. Five female BBs. 

Then a ton of Blue belt promotions. 

2:15pm - Purple belt promotions. 

Old guy blue who kills me every time gets promoted to Purp and i learn his name (Milosz) for the first time. 

2:30pm - starts the Brown belt promos. 

Reminds me of the Oscars. Very long. Call their name, take their old belt off, tie the new belt on, shake hands, etc. Multipied by each promotion. 

2:40pm - the Blacks. BBs get to give a speech. There were 10 of us new ones. 

I'm telling myself, "don't get emotional, don't cry." Then i think about Jerry McGuire movie and he cried. Stay classy, stay dignified. 

There were a few new BBs who did cry. I did give a speech based on "5887 taps", and now the counter is reset to "0."

Three current BBs got a stripe. 

Group pictures with all the BBs, then a group pic with everyone. 

Ended at 4pm. 

I could have shown up at 2:30pm. Wonder if the newly promoted Blue, purps stayed to the end, or if they left early like Evie's Garri Dance Recitals. Leave when your kid is done. 

Are all BBs required to attend, whether they are getting promoted or not? Saw BB Shark Mike there. He didn't get promoted, as did not most of the BBs there. 

And i sat next to the Brown belt who gave me his extra Brown belt bc he was sick of seeing my old Killer Bee Brown that had faded to gray and was fooling all the people into thinking i was a White belt. 

And I have FOUR brown belts, including one he gave me and that i'm been wearing for the last couple of years.

I wanted to ask him, "Do you want your belt back?"

He didn't get promoted. He didn't say much to me. Same for Shark Mike. Oh well. Lots of others did, who i barely knew. So i'm good. 

What i forgot to say:

• Chase skills, not belts
• Chase good people and experiences, not belts
• Tapping is not a bad thing; it's feedback, info loop; embrace it, listen to what it's trying to teach you.
• Chase basics plus flashy, fun techs.
• I've never turned down a request for a roll, esp from lower belts (unless i was injured or had to be somewhere)
• Don't compare yourself to others; only compare to your former self. 
• i was worried there would be a written test for Black Belt

Thu Nooner 67 / 5887

Taps: 1. Total: 5887.

Techs -- Spider Pass / step back ... side toreando

Spider Lasso Pass / knee cut non-lasso ... collapse lasso, smash down as a shield guard

Pass, pass pass - Sousa Pass. 

Mount choke first, then padlock armlock. 

Thu Nooner 66 / 5886

Taps: 4. Total: 5886.

Tech 1 - Over/Under Butterfly Pass

* transition to two one one grip at end

Tech 2 - Knee bar off the Over/Under Pass

Review:

• Akins Back ESC -- bottom leg / after the kick stand
• Cradle Pass / Braulio
• Sousa pass
• Falcon Guard
• Clamp Guard

Sun 65 / 5882

Taps: 2. Total: 5882. 

Passing passing / sousa two on one / 

Overhooks / Falcon Guard / Choi Bar ...

BB with the crunch armbar ... and he loves the Butterfly Sweep, and i rolled with him and saw he hooks under the knee ... Sticky hook ... easy effortless sweep ... especially with overhook. 

Thu Nooner 64 / 5880 / Fundamentals / Brown Belt fading

Taps: 3. Total: 5880.

Fundamentals 2. 

* Hip Toss

* Turtle Turnover / collar pull

* Turtle Turnover / Tonon Roll

* Turtle / Clock Choke / hip pressure var. / not walking clockwise'

• Passes
• Crucifix
• Roger / Pass of Doom / first movement?

if i had to do it all over again ... once i turned Brown, i would start all over with:

• Self Defense
• Takedowns
• Basic Esc
• Passes
• Sweeps
• Subs

In that order. 

I'm kind of doing that now, but not in that order. and not that much self-defense. 

Sun 63 / 5877 / 18 BBs

Taps: 3. Total: 5877.

18 BBs new record. 

* Sousa two on one Pass, working well, a couple of tweaks, if they frame on my shoulder?

* Single Leg X Pass??? once i peel off outside leg, BB Wade kept other leg in with his knee. Off balanced me with it. 

* Penn Half Pass

* Roger Mount Choke

* Padlock Armbar

* Choi Bar

* Five finger Guiollotine / n front Guillotine 

BB with the Shoulder Crunch armbar. He's got a smooth Butterfly Guard, can sweep with Sleeve grip. 

Sun 62 / 5874 / weight 138.5 record / 17 BBs

Taps: 3. Total: 5874. 

1. Drill Triangle / which side leg across the back of neck?

2. 1/2 Guard Recovery / blue belt gets me whizzer and pushes away / need to Re-Guard to Closed Guard

3. Sousa two on one pass -- when other leg comes over / catch it and smash down or Go under to other side. other than than, it actually worked pretty well for me today. 

4. S Mount ESC -- Akins review / drill

Weight after training today: 138.5 lb -- lowest ever. new record. 

Also 17 BBs in the house, new record.

Thu Nooner 61 / Funda 1 / 5871

Taps: 1. Total: 5871.

Prof Joey Fundamental Class / 16 week Curriulum.

• Double Leg
• CPR Armbar from Mount
• from Mount / Americana Threat, he turns to defend / Armbar
• from Mount / two on one on wrist to mat / he turns to defend / Giftwrap to Backtake. 

Double Leg

1. Slap both hands down
2. Level change
3. Knee pentration step
4. Back leg outside and up
5. Grab both legs behind knee
6. Head under his armpit / push head at angle

Sousa Pass

Half Pass

Arm Saddle / Choi Bar

K Guard?

Sun 60 / 5870

Taps: 4. Total: 5870.

1. from Half / Giggler-John Wayne 
2. Reverse Scissor / Butterfly
3. Reverse Pendulum, then Omoplata?
4. Five Finger Guillotine
5. Crucifix finish / Lachlan / also from Turtle drill
6. Sousa two on one Pass

Brn Belt leglocks -- three of taps to him, who's been working his leglock game. he's progressing since couple of weeks ago when i defended all his first attacks. now he's moved on to his secondary and third attacks. got me with two toeholds and a kneebar. 

Wed Nooner 59 / 5866

Taps: 5. Total: 5866.

Tech 1 -- Cross Collar push / drag ... push into ankle pick when he pulls back / if he doesn't pull back i have the drag. 

Tech 2 - he stands / kick on far knee, use same leg to scoop under near leg to come up. 

Getting caught in Rear Triangle / Leg scissors alot. 

Passing passing passing. Sousa Pass. BJ Penn Half Pass, too. 

Drill Turtle attacks - 1.Helicopter choke / 2. Crucifix roll. 

Arm saddle.     

Sun 58 / 13 BBs in house / 5861

Taps: 4. Total: 5861.

• Passing passing passing. Wiltse. Two on one leg pin, circle walk. 
• Turtle to Crucifix
• Mount ESC
• Back ESC
• Arm Saddle / Choi Bar
• Lockdown Pass

 

Thu Nooner 57 / 5857

Taps: 1. Total: 5857.

Tech 1 -- Shoulder Crunch Butterfly Sweep

Tech 2 - Butterfly Guard Pass.

•  Double unders / gable grip / pin one leg and over the knee and around.

thinking about:

• Passing / Sousa Pass (ankle n knee pin walk around), Wiltse Knee Slice / Jthomas one leg pin walk around
• Choi Bar / Arm Saddle
• Akins basics / mount esc / back esc / side esc
• 50/50 attacks
• Bolo fun

Sun 56: 5856

Taps: 7. Total: 5856.

Started trying Arm Saddle. Fail. They keep pulling their arm out. I'm not keeping my elbow up and tight?

Passing. Passing. Passing. drill. 

Brn Bashar got a Ankle Pick Takedown on me at the end. sweet move. need to add to my toolbox.

• Match lead foot. Same side collar grip. Pull down, level change with my elbow pointing down (adds power), pick lead foot for take down. 
• with nogi -- with collar tie. 
• Drill: split squat down, switching legs. 

BB says to me my brown belt looks lighter each time he sees me. i say that's the goal. to turn back into a White Belt. towards that end, learned Akins's Elbow Esc from mount and a Armbar ESC.

Need to go and learn his Back ESC. 

Sun 55: 5849

Taps: 4. Total: 5849.

BB Kris showing a nice Half Guard Scissor Sweep advanced, where you expect him to post the initial sweep, then follow up t he sweep to complete it.

* Scissor, then when he posts, he is light and leaned over, we come up and tackle or knee tap to finish sweep.

** Scissor, come up and pull in his foot or push out the post foot. 

Hard to defend the second sweep attempt. 

Work:

• Passing / got the wrong side Underhook on the Knee Cut.
• BJ Penn half pass ... forgot the second part / switch head position and push down on his knee. Review vid. 

Drill: 

• Crucifix from Turtle

Thu Nooner 54 / 5845

Taps: 5. Total: 5845.

Tech 1 n 2: Butterfly Sweep / Shoulder Crunch Sweep

• Get underneath
• Crunch / trap his wrist w my cheek and shoulder ... if he pulls away, Arm bar
• if he presses forward, sweep towards the crunch side. 

Close Guard passing positional drills ... i love positional drills. man, i sucked at this. can't believe how badly i need to review Closed Guard Passing. 

And passing in general. Keep drillin' Wiltse Cut. Pop up too. 

Oh, and ran into Purp Sean from old days at StreetSports. He lives near by, just getting back into it again. 

Sun 53: 5840 /thoughts

Taps: 7. Total: 5840. 

Finally, pulled off Backwards Roll Sweep off the Octopus ... the third attack in the system: 1. Front, right sweep; 2. Pull leg out and Back Take; 3. Pull him on top of you and Backwards Roll Sweep. 

First time and on a BB at that. 

Drill: 

• Passing
• ESC / mount / back / side / armbar spiderweb
• Bolo
• Arm saddle
• shoulder crunch sweep. 

Thoughts

• Skill development not winning rolls
• don't compare with others / compare with former self
• don't think belt colors
• roll w toughest guys in the room
• Finest swords made w heat and hammered. 
• i've never said no to a roll / unless injured or short on time
• have FUN ... fundamental techs but also FUN techs / flashy impractical ones too ... keep it fun. 

Sun 52: 5833

Taps: 5. Total: 5833.

BB Tarca showed up again. good to see him. rolled w him and he dominated but did not sub me. he didn't have enough pressure to make me move again to open up any sub opportunities for him. didn't get a chance to catch up with him, too busy hunting the next roll. as they say, "Rolls before Bros."

Brown belt showing me leglocks he has been learning from Gordon Ryan vids. Pretty sick details, resting his leg on top of my thigh to keep his heel off mat and exposed. 

BB woman got me in a couple of toeholds. foot sore. 

Having luck with kimura grip to leg over into roll into Spiderweb, finished some not all armbars. 

Wiprogress .

• Capizzi Lock aka kimura grip from side flows into wrist lock n shoulder crunch?
• Gordon Shouldner Crunch Sweep
• Bolo -- missing the last step, grabbing his leg w other hand pulling his leg and also stomping and flipping his leg with my leg.
• Wiltse Knee Cut. 

Nooner 51: 5828 / guest instructor Pete the Greek

Taps: 1. Total: 5828. 

Pete the Greek -- I'm a big fan of his. and he taught, what eles? wristlocks ... he's known for his "wristlock the world" dvd. 

I. Wristlock from Closed Guard, when they post on your chest, belt or collar grip.

 a. break their posture, flair out their elbow and two hands on elbow and pull in

II. from Closed Guard, overhook, let them get most of their hand out, except at end, trap their wrist on my chest, and finish the same

III. from Standing, they grip collar

 a. wrap my gi, same side as their grip, pass over to other hand, then back to original hand

 b. step outside their leg, flare their elbow, duck under the elbow

Meeting Pete, it made my day. Got a pic. BBJ idols i have met.

• royce gracie
• sean roberts
• roy dean
• tom de blass
• pete the greek

Sun 50: 5827

Taps: 5. Total: 5827.

Good tip from BB Kris ... i don't have enough top side pressure in Side, and i leave too much space for him to roll out of it. I need to get chest into his shoulder, on his back and pressure in. 

Rolled 3 or four times w Brn Bhasar. Still haven't solved his Lockdown yet, but halfway there, living on prayer. He also has strong sleeve grips which i eventually solved by not pulling and circling more. 

Drillin

• Cradle 1/2 Pass
• Lasso
• Omoplata
• Mount / cross choke 
• S Mount Armbar

"if you forget about the belt, the belt will arrive." -- ryron gracie.

Sun 49 / 5822

Taps: 2. Total: 5822. 

Return to BB Tarca. He didn't dominate as much as he usually. Let me try to pass, and he eventually swept me and kept me pinned in Half Guard. But his pressure wasn't as suffocating as usual. Meaning i could hang out and not have to move or escape. Before, pressure was so heavy and painful i had to move and open up subs for him. This time, not so much. 

A few Cheap Tricks taps with Aoki Lock. Hard to see when you set it up with regular Straight Ankle Lock, it slips out and you lock in the Aoki. 

Review / Drill

• Lockdown ESC
• Passing
• RDLR ... to backtake
• Lasso Sweeps
• Armdrags

Got two compliments on my newish Vital Genearl gi. Made popular by Jon Thomas. I got white, but the black is pretty sick, too. 

Peeps were so dazzled, they didn't see me pass them. 

Lil bro handed me down a bunch of gis, so it was awhile before i actually bought some for myself. 

In order of purchase:

 1. Kuai -- expensive, lightweight. Good travel gi. Too big, and peeps wrap me with my own gi and choke me. Not good. Can't get rid of strange smell. 

2. Fuji - good budget buy, meaning cheap. Good quality. Once again wrong size. Too big top. Pants right size. People think i did judo bc Fuji is judo brand. 

3. Flow - best fit. My favorite, the Navy. Waiting for Gray forever since it's the only color i don't own. Not cheap, but not expensive either. right in the middle 

4. Vital / coveted this since seeing it on Jon Thomas YT channel. Cool design. Just a tad on big side for me. Would have gotten the Black, but i already own a bunch of Black gis. 

5. Flow - finally got the Grey, just a tad big. Weird since i got the same size as the Navy, but maybe it will shrink a little. Or maybe bc it's didn't model. 

Nooner 48 / Em 9th / 5820

Taps: 1. Total: 5820.

BB Marco ... taught again. 

Tech 1 - same as last Thur class -- Half Guard Coyote Pushover Sweep. 

* i need to push and angle Counter Clockwise, i think. 

Tech 2 - Roll Under from above. 

Man, i really need some Top Side Attacks. pathetic. maybe KoB, or just go to Mount and attack from there. 

n got lazy, only tried one Pass. bad. need to keep attempting the pass. don;'t be lazy, homes. 

Sun 47: 5819

Taps: 4. Total: 5819.

Half Attacks ... off the money cross sleeve / cross collar

1. Rev Butterfly Sweep
2. Rev Scissor Sweep
3. John Wayne Sweep / same direction
4. Hip Bump off just the cross sleeve grip

Drill:

1. Lasso Sweeps
2. Crucifix entries
3. Gator Roll Pass
4. Silverado Break

BB ray was showing a cool over back grip (Georgian?), half butterfly, other hand under thigh grip (like Flower Sweep) into sweep. Looked like a good counter to Body Lock Pass, which i think he was using against BB Uday, who loves the Body Lock Pass. 

But also good is the regular Closed Guard, under leg gip Flower Sweep. 

Nooner 46 / Em 8th / 5815

Taps: 5. Total: 5815.

Back from two-week vacay. 

BB Marco teaching.

Tech 1 - Half Guard Coyote Push over Sweep

1. from low to High Knee Shield, come up and replace knee with underhook. Feed chest lapel to Underhook hand.

2. Switch feet, outside hooks his leg and pull back into Coyote ankle torque. 

3. Come up into DogFight. Free leg posts out n on the mat to get higher and more leverage. 

4. Spear my head just under his chin, push him over into Sweep. 

Tech 2 - Back Take. 

from 3. Come off the post leg, push his knee with that foot as i pull on lapel. He falls, twists in front and i have the Back. 

*** Need attacks from Side. Or think about Mount. 

Passing, Passing, Passing. 

Nooner 45 / Em 7th / 5810

Taps: 1. Total: 5810.

Tech I -- Knee Shield Pass, Knee Cut, pulling sleeve, pushing collar grip, go right, open his knee up, back other way to Knee cut. 

Tech II - Knee Shield Pass, folding, wiper leg, hop to that side. 

White Belt killing me w a top side Half, Power Nelson a la Gordon. 

Thinking: Baret Crucifix, off Turtle entry but he does it from everywhere. 

Sun 44: 5809

Taps: 6. Total: 5809.

Back in the day, BB Wade and i were always the last ones off the mat. He's still there but me, not so much. So i decided to stay much longer than i have been. 

Rolled three times w Brn Bhasar, and twice w BB Tim. 

also, now mentioning that to Wade, he says he was coming back from injury and was only training that once a week and had to get as many rolls in as he could, that's why he was on the mat so long. 

Passing -- need to combo Pass / chain Passes together, esp vs higher belts. Add Gator Roll Pass? 

Lasso Sweeps. Meregali Sweep. 

Heisen Sweep. 

Nooner 43: 5803

Taps: 4. Total: 5803. 

Tech 1 -- Smash Pass from HQ into Mount (a la Dope Mount)

* how did he know i was thinking about HQ. 

Tech 2 - vs DLR, into HQ, Ninja Roll to the Back. 

Big heavy BB -- he lets me take his back just so he can trap just one of my ankle hooks and Ankle locks me when i don't even have my second hook in. He did that TWICE. 

Didn't get any Bolo attempts. Or even the Merengali Lasso Sweep. 

Sun Confess OM 42 / 5799

Taps: 3. Total: 5799. 

Was starting to that cocky a little lately, good to get HUMBLED. Need more humble lessons. 

* Bolo fails again, but i should try to come up on top then.

** Bashar says keep moving my hips, n he is right. i get lazy n gassed n start to react n defend instead of attacking, initiating n being on the offensive n passing etc. as Hauteur says be on top, stay on top, pass to get on top etc. 

*** Merengali Lasso Sweep love it. Drill it. 

Review: Danaher Half Pass / JThomas-Laclan -- Passing Knee Shield.  

Buzzsaw -- Wiltse. 

***** Coyote Lever Sweep vs pressure passer / grip over the back? 

Nooner: 41 / still 5796

Taps: 0. Total: still 5796. 

Tech -- Closed Guard Cross Sleeve fake hip bump into Omoplata ... if he STANDS, roll back into STAR sweep. 

Gassing bc i'm not Breathing or holding my breath. Breathe. Damn it. Breathe. 

What is up with 0 taps?? Not right. Not picking tough enough guys to roll. don't be such a p$%$ssy. Pick tough and cocky Blues or newly insecure BBs. Need to beef up the taps numbers. 

Drilled a couple of REV SEOI with Anya's younger boy. Love the REV SEOI or aka Korean Seoi. 

Tried the Bolo once. Failed but not as badly as last attempt. That's progress, no?

After class, saw a couple of Tech's that that i liked.

1. Prof Joey was showing, from Half Guard, a Scissor Sweep attempt into the Shaolin Sweep. 

2. Loop choke but with a PALM Down grip. Haven't seen that before. 

My BJJ History / update

Early 30s, in the early 2000s, I started in a small gym in Beverly Hills, same gym at Bas Rutten was training his MMA. Got two stripes on my White before i got injured, then life ... marriage, mortgage, moved to the Valley. 

Ten years later, i start back up in Burbank in a tiny gym, owned by a Black Belt who was never there but the day classes where taught by Jack the Purple belt. Usually it was just him and me, sometimes one other young pretty boy wannabe actor, also a White belt with less experience than me. This was summer of 2010.

Jan 2011 - finally asked by Brown Belt lil bro for Bjj school recc and he said he heard good things about Street Sports Sherman Oaks. That's where i've been for majority of my training.

Dec 2011 -- Blue belt.

Dec 2014 -- Purple.

Mar 2017 - Brown. 

Apr 2023 -- two more stripes on top of four Brown at Legacy. 

Sun Confession 40 / 5796

Taps: 3. Total: 5796.

If i had a dollar for every time someone asked me when i'm getting my black belt ... once and for all, i'm never getting my BB. I'm a brown ronin, not affiliated with any school, so there's no one who can promote me. 

Tried to Bolo, failed miserably. Understandable, as i just started drilling it. Just put it in the drilling notebook. 

Also tried Running Man Side ESC, failed. 

All three taps to BB Uday, who said i've improved since four years ago when he first started rolling with me. Didn't realize it's been that long. 

Rolled twice w BB Tim, who's about the same size n weight but his top pressure is much much heavier, and he usually let's me pass and works on his defense, which is very good. i can never get anything on him and usually just squirms or squirts out and recovers guard or gets top position. But i do incorporate some of his defensive techs and has made my defenses better. 

Keep drilling:

Pass Pass Pass -- Wiltse. Headquarters w JT n Lovato. Jthomas. 

Kill Knee Shield. 

nooner 39 / em 5 / 5793

Taps: 4. Total: 5793. 

Tech 1 - Cross sleeve / collar grip / cross sleeve side foot on armpit. push away into Omoplata, if they roll into Armbar.

Thinking about:

• Waiter Sweep / jake Mackensie
• Sky Pass
• Buzzsaw / Wiltse
• Headquarters / JTorres / Lovato Jr

Fav. Armbar ESC -- notes. drill drill drill. 

Sun Phenom OM 38 / 5789

Taps: 3. Total: 5789.

BB Tarca's new place in Mission Hills, with Northridge just to the West, Sylmar to the North and Sun Valley and Panorama City to the South. Actually only a 15 min drive from my house. 

Small Open Mat (about 7 or 8 total) including one other guy from Legacy Sunday Confession OM, the one handed Purple.     

One other BB besides Tarca, who had a good passing footwork, that danced all over me, Backstepping into Mount, etc. Need to add that to my game. 

Only Tarca's second 8am OM, still trying to get it off the ground. Glad i went. Need to roll with more new people, peeps who don't ask when i'm going to get my Black. 

Nooner 37: still 5786 / Em Funda 3, total 4th class

Taps: 0. Total: st ill 5786.

Tech .. collar drag, sleeve drag, review from last Wed. 

No taps bc rolling w lower belts, working on defense. Not really escaping, just stalling. that's why i gotta work on escapes. 

Passing. Passing. Passing. 

Half Guard Attacks

Sun 36: 5786 / start date Summer 2010

Taps: 3. Total: 5786.

Keep being aggressive. Pass, pass. 

Half Pass. Danaher.

Knee shield Pass. JThomas. 

Side Control Attacks. Or just mount. Mount Attacks. JSL S Mount Armbar. 

*And if another person asks how long i've been training, my answer:

each stripe on my Brown is 2 years (8 years total), add two years to each cauli ear (4 years), add one for bonus. Total: 13 years. Start date -- Summer 2010. 

Nogi 10am / Em Nogi 1 / 5783

Taps: 1. Total: 5783. 

Prof Joey - Snap downs to Guillotines / Anaconda from Turtle n Darce.

Em is really getting into it. Curious of Nogi. This is also my first nogi class ever. I think that confused a few guys, who thought i was a White belt. 

Drills are the vegetables of Bjj. Gotta do em. They will pay dividends. Bare minimum 100 reps to be able to hit techs during a roll. 

Wiltse aggressiveness -- paying off. keep the pressure on. keep attacking. 

Em is happiest i've seen him in a long time. even getting a notebook just for bjj to take notes. wow. 

Damn toeholds. My foot is sore. keep getting caught in them. 

Nooner 34: Em Funda 2 / 5782

Taps: 1. Total: 5782. 

Tech 1 ... builds on from lasg Wed class / reap sweep and if they stand, roll under Sweep. 

*** 3/4 Juji Armbar Break, still having trouble finishing it. 

Doing better standing up, being aggressive, going for the Pass. 

Leg Lock defense, review. Too focused on working on the Aoki Lock finish. Not getting it in time. 

Nooner 33: 5781 / plus Em Funda 1

Taps: 2. Total: 5781.

Em's Fundamentals Class: 1.

My class: Tech 1

Same side sleeve grip, push across, come up and scoop up his leg for sweep. Sweep w crook of my knee for more power. 

Tech 2 -- he resists, let go of sleeve grip, go over and grip over this hip on far side / roll under Sweep. 

Working thru Pillars of Bjj.

1. Stay on Top / work on Passes. Don't be lazy and stay on bottom. That way lies trouble. 

Sun 32: 5779

Taps: 8. Total: 5779.

Aoki Lock ... need to put my elbow grip side inside my knee / make space by pushing with my leg and scooting back. 

BB Tim tip on toeholds ... need to bend the knee first. 

Getting stuck on top Side Control ... work on getting to Mount safely. Side to Mount. 

Nooner 31: 5771

Taps: 2. Total: 5771.

Tech 1 - Closed Guard, grip break to Overhook, threaten punch choke, to Omoplata. 

Both taps to Purps. Heel hook and reg Armbar trying to break Closed Guard. Need to review basics. 

Also, first half of first Roll on the offensive. Then last two rolls on defense bc gassed out. Need to work on Back ESC, not tapping but just hanging out and surviving. Vs higher belts, can't hang out. Need to survive then escape. 

Aoki lock ... messed it up. Grip of off hand and also leg position.

Malachi half sweep ... was i supposed to prevent him from grabbing against my waist?

Sun 30: 5769

Taps: 7. Total: 5769. 

Lockdown Pass (Laclan) -- only got 70% of it and brute passed Bhasar, who uses it the Lockdown the most. What i forgot -- lift trapped leg up and use off leg to press/wedge on his bottom leg to free my leg.

Review: Lockdown Pass vid. 

Bhasar showed: 

Brabo control from Half Guard bottom ... never thought of doing it from Half, seen it from Closed Guard. He says it's more powerful and has more control from Half. Need to add to my toolbox. 

Drill Passing -- Shin Trap? 

Nooner 29: 5762

Taps: 2. Total: 5762.

BB Uday subbing in for Prof Crane. 

Techs -- 4 Omoplata ESC

1. Roll in and Under

2. Roll over aka Guard Recovery

3. Hop over

4. Flatten near leg, other knee under his butt / turn him

Drill

• Turtle Juji turn
• Juji 3/4 finish
• Ffion Tarik finish

Can't finish Leglocks / Heel hooks bc: i don't have control of his knee n don't control his upper body distance. 

Sun 28: 5760

Taps: 3. Total: 5760.

Review: 

• Juji finish: Gordon n Glick. 
• Laclan Lockdown Pass
• Ffion Tarikoplata ... finish. Only been able to finish once, a couple of weeks ago. Get to the Kimura top position lots of times, can't get Kimura or the Tarikoplata finish. 

Start:

• Deep Half entries, esp when i'm getting smashed on my side. Jake? Glover? Ryan Hall?

Wiltse Pass - mild success w lower belts. Keep drilling, feel i could be much better. Keep drillin

Sun 27: 5757

Taps: 9. Total: 5757. 

* Passes w Wiltse / w Underhook. 

** Half Guard attacks / kimura sweeps ... omoplata? if they base back?

*** N/S attacks 

**** Side Attack ... Zach Choke w lapel. Got that today. Need to go back to it again. 

Thinking about: Fishnet Reverse Lockdown from Half. 

Nooner 26: 5748

Taps: 2. Total: 5748.

Tech 1 - Half Pass ... crush knee to other way / Knee Cut back - Tarca loved to use this. 

Tech 2 - Knee cut then Brabo choke / get underhook and feed lapel out at same time. 

Both taps by White belt. Need to work on defense. Man, one step forward two back or some weeks just back and back and back. 

Keep working Passes. And getting to mount from Side. 

Sun 25: 5746

Taps: 2. Total: 5746.

3/4 Juji almost there. Could not get finish. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Akyo4raSk&t=121s

• 10k reps of Wiltse Knee Cut.
• Aoki lock when i get a chance. 

Nooner 24: 5744

Taps: 3. Total: 5744.  

Tech 1 -- Lasso Spider Pass

 * Collapse the lasso / into Knee shield / heavy pressure on top of the knee

Tech 2 - Lasso Spider into Ankle Lock

 * Sit down / lasso side grab for straight ankle lock / press on his armpit w my inside foot, then bring that foot onto his hip to keep him distant ... 

Wiltse Knee Cut ... this month's focus. 

Sun 23: 5741

Taps: 6. Total: 5741.

Lower belts smashing the hell out of me. One hand Brown - how is he always getting passed my Half Guard?

Drill Passes

1. Wiltse Cut

2. Sky 

3. Pop up

Canon ball grip

notes: Firas 3 x Octopus Guard

Sun 22: 5735

Taps: 1. Total: 5735.

BB Tim let me work Back Attacks. Cannonball Grip needs work.

Passing, needs work. 

Mount Attacks, needs work. Get to high Mount. Get under the elbows. Threaten choke to bring their elbows up. 

Work in some X guard, Lasso too. 

Sun 21: 5734

Taps: 3. Total: 5734.

15 BBs in session. Been awhile since i had to really defend leglocks n heel hooks. Didn't roll on any. 

Need to open their knees, get my knee out. n Stand up. A couple of knee bar attempts too. 

• 3/4 Juji from spiderweb
• Cannonball to Bow n Arrow from Back
• passes / Pop up blast knee; Wiltse Knee cut; Sky Cut

Nooner 20: 5731 / Brown 6 stripes / Magic Dust of techs / Nooner n Sunday History

Taps: 1. Total: 5731. 

Tech -- Single Leg X to X Guard options

1. Single Leg twist knock down to Ankle Lock
2. SLX to X Guard: Crab Ride Back take.
3. SLX to X guard: Tech Stand Up, takedown
4. SLX to X guard: Bottom leg comes up to armpit / twist knock down

Two of my stripes came off and i'm wasn't fussed enough to replace them. Then Prof. Crane gives me one stripe, then another. He knows i'm four stripe Brown, but wanted to acknowledge my dedication? he knows i'm not about the stripes and belt color. 

Turns out ayndrea, who's a BB now and works the front desk, told him that she was a White belt when she first saw me. Now's she's a BB. 

i didn't think it would mean much but somehow it does. it's the first stripes i've gotten from Prof Crane. If it comes off, i'm going to save them. he's good people. 

Met him in May 2016, n when i started to come to Sunday Masters Open Mat. 

Jan 2023 when i started coming to his Nooner Adv Class. 

Rickson and Henry Akins call in Invisible JJ. Some call it effortless. i call it Magic Dust. 

I'm going to start a list on it. 

1. Half Guard Top. You want to flatten the bottom guy, get both shoulders to the mat. The hard way -- push his shoulders down. Easy way -- walk to the right, get your knee to the right ... he will follow n get flat.

2. Closed Guard Bottom -- you want to break his posture. Instead of pulling him down, get up n even go for Hip Bump Sweep, he will have to defend n push me down, thereby breaking his posture for me. 

3. Double Leg set up ... snap down, when he comes up, shoot in for Double.

4. Single Leg set up ... go for one leg, when he pulls that back the other leg is in front for the Single. 

Got a couple of Pop Up Pass. Keep working it.

Cross Choke from Mount ... killer details from Roger n Keenan. 

Roger -- start w High Mount, his elbows on top of my knees/thighs. Stabilize, get ready for bump. 

Keenan -- second hand / elbow inside to prevent the neck defense. More Paper Cutter motion for finish. 

Sun 19: 5730

Taps: 5: Total: 5730. 

Tapped to Rev Triangle, an couple of arm bars ... good feedback loop / work on esc -- rev triangles or any triangles try to get both hands in or out ... non-trapped hand to my chest and thru ... 

Couldn't finish any top positions i got in ... keep working Roger's Cross choke from Mount / and armbar.

Aoki Lock

Passes

ESC ... from side and back. 

Got swept from Half Top ... need to anticipate and back step out of it to Pass. 

Nooner 18: 5725

Taps: 3. Total: 5725.

Tech .. Single X to X guard

var 1 - Crab Ride, Back Take

1. stretch w X guard, need to underhook his lead foot, but heavy n on the mat so ...
2. my off left off hand on back of his knee, pull twist down so his knee comes forward n onto to my chest like he's doing KoB ... that makes his lead foot light n space there for me to get under his foot n grab his pants leg on other side
3. off hand comes under too, grabs my other wrist in kimura grip -- that helps pass his leg over my head n to the other side
4. if he's turned, n there's space, get my left knee behind his knee for Crab Ride Back Take.

var 2  -- Knock Down to leg drag/folding pass

1. got the leg to the other side, my left (same side) arm overhooks his foot
2. my right hand cups just above his knee, pulls/twists back to right n knocks him down
3. my left foot which has been underhooking his knee, butterfly hook lifts high
4. I scoot in close so he can't scrimp n make space
5. my left hand grips his collar and comes up in leg drag / folding pass.

var 3 - Tech Stand up

1. got his leg to other side, underhook that leg
2. my bottom leg posts on his thigh and pushes to stretch him out
3. as i come up on lift his leg up into Tech Stand Up n knock him down

** killer detail ... var 1 n 2, CUPPING the KNEE ... 

on my mind:

• Aoki Lock / heel hook var
• Pop up Pass
• Surfer Pass
• Side ESC
• Butterfly Sweep -- Wardinski Game
• Roger cross choke from mount / coupled w armbar from mount

Gen. reminder -- don't get so frustrated i can't finish BBs. Good info, good feedback. means i'm doing something wrong. back to drawing board, back to the lab. Means if i ever do finish on a BB, then it will work on most peeps.

Sun 17: 5722

Taps: 6. Total: 5722.

New guy Brown using Surfing Pass, which i've forgotten about. looks cool and he passed some of the lower belts that i've had trouble with. might add to my toolbox.

Keep at it: Passing ... Wiltse, Sky, Pop up X, Killer Hip? 

Milton N/S armbar. 

Bhasar got me with Paper Cutter; he had a variation of pushing my head with his elbow after he got the initial underarm, collar grip on me. I really need to prevent that second top choking grip. 

He also got BB Wade the the old Bear Half Sweep from the Lost Tech dvd ... i've forgotten all about it. Need to add that, too. He also suggested i check out Eddie Bravo's Half Guard system.

BB Monica ... she kept escaping my foot attacks by getting her knee out instead of defending her foot, like most people. I forgot once i lose knee control i can't finish the foot lock. She did that three times. I need to use that. 

Sun 16: 5716

Taps: 7. Total: 5716.

Rolled twice w Brn Bhasar and BB Wade. 

Bhasar and Big Blue technical guy got me with Reverse Triangles or Triangles from Back and flashback to old days with Brian and i never did figure out how to get out of them back then as now. 

Got Mount a couple of times, could not finish cross choke. Help me Roger Gracie. That's your sig money move. Although defending guy told me that he was just concentrating on straightening my arms and not letting me bend my elbows to finish. 

Side ESC and Turtles -- need to improve against higher belts. 

on my mind:

• Tarikoplata
• Bow n Arrow choke
• Baret Crucifix

Nooner 15; 5709

Taps: 2. Total: 5709.

Tech. -- Single Leg X, X then sweep back onto his butt, into Straight Ankle Lock. 

Always had trouble with the finish on the Ankle Lock, little better success with Gokor one-hand belly down finish. 

Something to work on: upper body control of distance with my feet; middle control of his knee by pinching my knees / only then work on the ankle finish. 

Rolled with big, heavy white belt ... locked in triangle, could not finish, could not adjust, angled the wrong way. 

Sun 14: 5707

Taps: 4. Total: 5707.

Passes ... Sky Pass / Wiltse Cut ... work in Jump Pass.

Side top attack

• Kimura grip to Rev Triangle and Tarikoplata
• Spiderweb to Glover Triangle

Bashar ... tip / black belt details for Close Guard Omoplata / NO hands!

1. push his elbow away from center line with my knee

2. bite back of his back / head with my feet

3. scrape over his back, over his head for Omo. 

Nooner 13: 5703

Taps: 4. Total: 5703. 

Tech ... var. of Omoplata from Closed Guard.

 * Cross Sleeve, come up to do Hip Bump ... if he pushes me back down, that exposes/lifts his left leg ... i can underhook that leg ... 

** go into Omoplata seq ... foot on his armpit ... pass grip over to the underhook hand ... roll him over ... into Armbar.

Work: 

• passes ... Sky and Wiltse Cut ... lots of people grabbing my left ankle. Take the underhook. Goto Cut. 
• Shalolin Sweep, since i'm getting that cross sleeve grip. 
• Twister Side Roll
• Back ESC
• Bow n Arrow / 
• Back Attacks / RNC 

Sun 12: 5699

Taps: 8. Total: 5699.

Sky Pass working well, even though i'm not precise with it. Keep drillin it. 

Octopus - Firas / take notes. 

Bashar side top Kimura to Reverse Triangle ... he got me with it again and finally got the finer details because i was getting there too and not being able to finish. 

Details: 

• push in with chest to get him on his side so he can't get flat again before getting Kimura grip.
• top leg swings way over and get NEXT to his hip. 
• have him roll and roll with him facing his feet / then i will be in position to lock in Reverse Triangle
• if necessary, switch Kimura grips so i can use top hand to adjust Triangle, grab my bottom foot and cinch it in.

In fact, getting lots of good positions and not being able to finish. That's next step.

Nooner 11: still 5691.

Taps: 0. 5691.

Techs ... omoplata roll outs x 3. 

Omoplata vs standing ... clamp X on their knee, takedown backward on their butts.

Work:

• 93 sleeve grip ... to High Guard / to hip bump sweep / flower sweep
• Lasso
• half fundamentals / don't get smashed
• passing: sky pass n wiltse cut 

Sun 10: 5691

Taps: 4. Total: 5691.

• Half Guard still getting smashed. Frames and space. 
• Sky Pass, keep working it, progressing along. 
• Wiltse Knee Cut ... work it in. 
• Half Sweeps / Huni roll / Roger sweep ... all involve backwards roll, which i'm having hard time generating enough momentum to do with just my core
• Lasso Guard
• High Guard / Triangle

Wed nooner, 9 session ytd: 5687

Taps: 3. Total: 5687.

Tech -- Long Step Pass. 

Live rolls, 3 min Line ... got in about 8 or 9 rolls. 

BB got me with sneaky footlock / toe hold when i had his back. Baited me of course. Perhaps could of gotten out of it but would have had to put extra stress on my wonky left knee. So i just tapped. 

Work: 

• Sky Pass
• Wiltse Cut Pass
• Huni backwards roll sweep

Sun 8th session, year to date: 5684

Taps: 4. Total: 5684.

BB Jack always shuts down all my Closed Guard attacks, even my Reverse Butterfly ... need to come up with something else. 

Getting smashed in Half.

Didn't try any Lasso Guard.

 

More:

• DLR shut sleeve under their legs sweep. 
• Huni Half Roll sweep

Wed nooner 4: 5680

Rolls 5, Taps: 4. Total: 5680.

Tech ... Closed Guard Omoplata.

1. Cross Sleeve Hip Bump ... he defends by lifting his leg.

2. Grab under the leg, put my foot in his armpit to create space to set up Omoplata.

3. He rolls to defend, Back Step roll over and come up in Omoplata on other side.

3a. If he stands up, Roll over and Sweep him backwards in Star Waiter Sweep. 

Sun 3: 5676

Rolls 9. Taps: 1. Total: 5676.

Half Pass. 

Lasso Guard Sweeps.

Crucifix. 

Attacks from Side. 

Wed nooner 3; still 5675

Taps: 0. Still 5675.

2 techs, nothing of note. A few rolls afterwards. 7 BBs, plus two instructor BBs. 

I usually the highest non-BB, with my four stripes on Brown. 

on my mind list:

• Lasso Guard
• Crucifix
• Triangle
• High Guard
• ESC Back

Wed nooner 2: 5675

Taps: 0. Total: still 5675.

Tech 1 ... Closed Guard ... High Guard to choke / armbar

1. Deep cross collar grip

2. shove elbow in / lock in High Guard ...

Tech 2 ... same w Brabo Gi grip

Tech 2a ... sit up into Butterfly and Sweep

Work: 

• Half Passing
• Esc ... Back / Mount
• Esc getting smashed in Half
• Closed G -- Triangle
• Lasso G sweeps

Sun 2: 5675

Taps: 1. Total: 5675.

BB Wade ... Ezekiel from Mount. Esc w swinging my legs back and forth.

Work:

• Half Guard Sweep ... Roger Roll Over n Faria Floss Sweep. 
• Pritt Defensive? 
• Lasso Guard

Wed 1: 5674

Taps: 3. Total: 5674.

Dr. says exercise more, so i added a midweek class at Legacy. Nooner on a Wednesday. Saw lots of peeps from Sunday OM: BB Kris, BB Alan, BB Steve B, even ole BB Shark Mike from Street Sports, who got me with all three taps. 

Tech of Day: Half Guard sweep ... counter if they Back STep ... Butterfly hook with outside foot / i usually shovel torque w that foot, but instead go under with Hook. And can take the Back if they come back or if they don't, I can keep going and come up on top. 

Sun 1: 5671 New Year

Taps: 2. Total: 5671.

First roll of New Year, 2023.

Brwn Brown ... Back of head tap tip to get cross collar grip deeper for choke. 

Half guard needs more refinement.

Half Pass. 

10p BB ... got the wicked half Butterfly hook that is very effective. Wade does the same thing. 

Keep working the Passes, the Half Guard game ... Back esc? 

Could not finish the Triangle on locked in Brn girl married to BB Uday.