A Transitional Period in my Life

I had to switch BJJ schools because GBSD closed down.  I really loved training with the people at GBSD: Alby, Brian, Justin, Ryan, and Thuy just to name a few.  I will truly miss my GB family.

Today, Nov. 7, 2014, I officially signed up at ATOS, one of the best and most competitive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools in the world.  The cost is more than I would like, but being able to train with some of the best in the world really appeals to me. Iron sharpens iron.

My Fiancée's Classmate is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

So it turns out that my fiancee's classmate is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Fabio Santos! Caleb Queern was nice enough to invite me to drop by Monday for open mat. This is the same Celab that runs the Fightworks Podcast! I was able to get in a few rolls with him and a couple of brown belts.

Troubleshooting Side Control

If opponent sticks their arm between my side control, go to mount. -Justin

Torreando Counter with Arm Drag or Rollover Sweep

Torreando Counter with Arm Drag or Rollover Sweep with Jeff Glover

Detail on Seatbelt Grip From Behind

Brazilian black belt Alex gave me an Brian a tip last night for Seatbelt Grip from behind. The arm that is under your opponent's armpit grips on top of the hand/arm that is over your opponent's shoulder. The reason is that your opponent will likely push off your top gripping hand, in which case you can continue your hand/arm above their shoulder for a choke. This tip was like a light bulb moment.

In class yesterday, Justin went over the following:

• Fireman's Carry (Throw)
• Bow and Arrow Choke (without foot over opponent's shoulder)
• Bow and Arrow Choke with shin to back of opponent's head.
• Brazilian black belt Alex showed a modified Bow and Arrow Choke where you remove your leg from underneath your opponent but without putting your foot on your opponent's shoulder. The key is to remove your leg as you're laying your opponent down.

Farewell To One Of Our Coaches

Lately, I haven't really been training too much because my left hamstring is injured. I also can't believe how long it has lasted and how it affects other parts of my body like my ankle and back. But when I found out that Alex Cone. was leaving San Diego, I had to throw on my gi and be there for his last couple days.

I first met Alex in 2010, when I was a white belt and he was a purple belt. Back in the day he was teaching Sunday classes. Those Sunday classes were the bomb! I remember those days, it would be me, Alex Cone (purple belt), Terence Mooney (purple belt), and Brian Leslie (white belt). I learned so much from those guys in that one day. It was basically my Q&A session of the week, and to clean up anything I didn't understand taught that week or troubleshoot problems I was having. The bonus was back then Alex was teaching some advance moves during those Sundays. I took those secret Sunday moves and used it on guys the following week. I made so much progress as a white belt because of Alex Sundays.

Now I'm a purple belt and Alex is a brown belt. I have learned a lot of my moves from Alex. What I have been learning lately from him are:

• the mental aspect of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• be aggressive during rolls
• don't be afraid to try new things even if they don't work, just keep trying different things
• grips! He said my game would be SO MUCH BETTER if I have the right grips

I hope one day in the future to roll with Alex. He'll probably be a black belt next time I see him, maybe I'll be one too.

Purple Belt!

After being choked unconscience, one black eye, a sprain shoulder, numerous knees to the nose and mouth, I am a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. BJJ is a puzzle I'm still working on solving and looking to improve at it day by day: cardio, conditioning, and technique.

Observations From Yesterday's Class

Need to work on improving my guard:

• Prevent Toreando Pass
• Prevent Leg Drag Pass
• Don't butterfly (double leg hook) a standing opponent. They can just hop over it and mount you.
• Don't be on your back for butterfly guard. Kick your opponent and sit up. Worst comes to worst, retain guard.

Dangling limbs:

• Even from bottom side. Watch out for the Kimura.

Feed LA Seminar At Gracie Barra Mission Viejo

Wayne, his cousin, and I attended this seminar.

Budo Jake taught techniques from turtle position:

• Crucifix from top of turtle
• RNC-crucifix from top of turle

AJ Agazarm taught techniques from half-guard:

• Tripod to side control from top of half
• Tripod to reverse side control from top of half
• Tripod to reverse side control to knee-on-belly to arm-bar (top of half)

Kayron Gracie taught techniques from guard:

• Breaking the straight arm collar grip to wrapping their arm (key elements include: bending opponent's wrist and using your leg to bring them in for the wrap)
• Wrapping their arm to triangle
• Kimura when opponent is defending their arm in the triangle choke. Switch folding legs to alternate triangle, then bridge and frame their defending arm. The bridge makes room for you to sneak in your second arm.

Pic or it didn't happen :P

4th Stripe Blue

Still wearing my mouthpiece for this photo...