Don't Let Someone Use You As Their Stepping Stone

I usually train Tues/Thursday nowadays, but this week I had to switch to Mon/Weds this week because of family dinner tomorrow. Anyway, it was a good training night. I got to roll with Prof. Dominic and he didn't tap me 3 times in a roll like the last time I rolled with him. He also complemented me afterwards by saying something along the lines of, "Good job tonight." I think what happened was slowing down and thinking about what moves I'm making instead of going 110% just because I'm rolling with a black belt. I need more days like this.

I'm currently watching "Benson Henderson: Rising Up" presented by UFC. I thinking about Ben Henderson and how hard he trains because of how hard his mom works. Somewhere in the beginning of the show, he says something like: "I'm not going to let someone use me as their stepping stone, they're mine stepping stone!" I found this very powerful and need to think this more when I roll. I also need to remember Marcelo Garcia's quote about giving 100% instead of just 80%.

Smash Pass

Alex showed a Smash Pass from Half Guard he learned from training at Marcelo Garcia's school.

1. From Half Guard (top), underhook your opponent's far arm.
2. Overhook their near arm and keep your head/shoulders tight to theirs.
3. Sprawl out on their bottom leg and slowly pass.

Failed Butterfly Sweep to X-Guard Sweeps

2 Techniques from failed Butterfly Sweep to X-Guard Sweeps.

North South Choke by Marcelo Garcia

Marcelo Garcia talks with Stephan Kesting about how to set up and execute the North South choke.