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%.

Master Nelson Monteiro

Master Nelson Monteiro came and taught the Wednesday's all-levels class at Gracie Barra San Diego. It was the largest class I've seen since I started here. Master Nelson usually teaches at Gracie Barra Encinitas, which I have visited once with Wayne when they had a seminar. At the end of class, we took a group photo. I also couldn't help but take a photo with the legend himself.

Bull Fighter Pass Defense

Preventing bullfighter pass



 Defending a standing guard pass

Seminar with AJ Agazarm at Gracie Barra Mission Viejo

Wayne and I went to an AJ Agazarm seminar at Gracie Barra Mission Viejo. Here are his notes:

• Defense to single leg-over hook (half wizer and wrist control. 
• Loop choke from sprawl-feed cross collar, weave wizer hand to back of head, tuck head roll to superman.
• Single leg takedown- wrist control, step if needed to shoot for front leg clamp leg with knees, foot sweep.
• Sweet spot, step over back leg bend over leg clamp leg with chest, flare knee to feed collar to hand pop up, drive forward
• sweet spot-guy kicks out leg break down pull back up, Thai clench drive forward.
• Open guard pass-grab belt with same side arm with knee in middle, grab knee from underside switch to top grip, kick trap leg out go into side control, grab back neck lapel after letting go of knee.
• Baseball bat-elbow pressure, trap arm on ground windshield wiper it to keep trapped and choke.

3rd Stripe Blue

Just went back to class after about a month off due to my right AC joint/shoulder injury. It was awesome to see Jay back training too. My shoulder is a tiny bit sore after training but it feels great to roll again. Totally forgot to take a promotion picture with Dominic but oh well... I'm not really a photogenic person so I just took a picture of my belt instead! ;)

PS. I need to work on preventing guard passes, it was easily passed several times tonight.

Sprained Right A-C Joint

My right shoulder was really hurting and I had my chiropractor check it out. He says that I have a sprained Right A-C Joint, with possibility of fracture (need to rule out with x-ray). However, he doesn't believe that it's a fracture therefore x-ray was not done, and that I should let the shoulder heal for about 3 weeks before continuing BJJ.

I'm pretty disappointed because I know anytime I take time off the mats my BJJ starts to suffer. I'm also frustrated knowing that I can't train for so long.

I'm looking for any advice, suggestions, or strategies to help me maintain if not improve my BJJ while having an injured shoulder?

Tips from Alby

• If you cross your legs wrong in half guard, you can get kneebar-ed. If the outside leg is straight, your opponent can grab it roll over and finish with a kneebar. Therefore, you have to prevent your outside leg from being straight and tuck the ankle into the other leg.
• Triangles are everywhere. He got me in the inverted triangle twice!

More small tips

Put your forearm on your thigh to prevent your opponent's leg from touching your hip, if their leg can touch your hip then they're closer to retaining guard.

Advice from Alex

Don't waste energy defending (being passive), keep attacking, it's the same amount of energy but it keeps your opponent's weight off you.

For the leg that needs to shoot up for a triangle, PIN IT DOWN! Overhook like Sam showed and pin the leg down so your opponent doesn't kick it up for the triangle.

Passing Concepts

General De La Riva Guard Passing Concepts:

1. Unlock opponent's DLR leg hook.
2. Free ankle from opponent's.
3. Control opponent's legs to pass.

Standing DLR Pass (Starting grips = opponent's lapel and opponent's pants leg. Make sure for the lapel grip, your elbow is on top of your knee): 

1. Unlock opponent's DLR leg hook.
2. Pass opponent's pushing leg through and in between your leg.
3. Kick out your leg from opponent's ankle hook.
4. Kick out and pass your leg while maintaining control of opponent's pants leg into knee on belly.

Kneeling DLR Pass (Starting grips are the same as the Standing Pass):

1. Unlock opponent's DLR leg hook.
2. Kneel down to unhook your opponent's ankle hook.
3. Stand and kick out and pass your leg while maintaining control of opponent's pants leg into knee on belly. *NOTE* When passing here, the lapel grip changes into a fist pressure to prevent your opponent from moving.

(Sam's) Smash DLR Pass(Starting grips are the same as the Standing Pass):

1. Unlock opponent's DLR leg hook.
2. Pass opponent's pushing leg through and then smash down on it, overhooking the passing with a pants grip, while underhooking the opposite leg.
3. When ready control the pants grip and hop over.

General Spider Guard Passing:

1. Tuck your elbows to your stomach.

 Side Control Spider Guard Pass:

1. Tuck your elbows to your stomach.
2. Under grip the pants legs (maintain high posture).
3. Obtain a sleeve grip (this will dictate the passing side).
4. Under grip the pants leg o the sleeve grip side.
5. Step to side of the passing hips.
6. Yank and stretch out opponent into knee on belly.

Step Over Spider Guard Pass:

1. Tuck your elbows to your stomach.
2. Under grip the pants legs (maintain high posture).
3. Hip into your opponent and sit on their hips.
4. Step over your opponent and now you will be laying on their hips.
5. Underhook opponent's arm (to prevent them from taking their back).
6. Then pressure and pass into side.