ATOS HQ (Re-)Grand Opening

ATOS HQ had a Grand Opening ceremony with open mat, food, and fun for the whole family. There was a live band, jumping castle, free acai bowls and tacos.

For more photos of the celebration, check out ATOS HQ's official blog.

ATOS BJJ HQ School Location Moving

ATOS BJJ HQ is moving locations. The last day to train at the old school location was Tuesday, October 27, 2015. The new location opens up November 1, 2015. Here are a couple pictures of the old school.

I think this is called "Mat #1". This mat is where the beginners (white belts) train. No-gi also happens on these mats. I have never trained on Mat #1 because when I switched over to ATOS, I was already a purple belt. I also don't do much no-gi at the moment. :/

This is "Mat #2" (not sure if I switched the numbering). I basically attend the Advanced Gi class and have only trained on these mats. When people from the restaurants near by took cigarette breaks, smoke would come in here and make the quality of air crappy. I hope we don't have that experience at the new school.

Goodbye old ATOS HQ location!

Demian Maia at ATOS

One of the perks of training at ATOS is sometimes we have someone famous drop in and teach a seminar.  Today's guest is UFC's Demain Maia.  His style of jiu jitsu is very old school compared to what's being taught at ATOS, which more of a modern jiu jitsu.  Demian Maia's style reminds me of the non-fancy GB stuff with a touch of fancy and self-defense.

I should really fix and re-tie my gi before photos, this picture makes me look fat.

Class photo taken from atosjiujitsuhq's instagram, I'm in the 2nd row.

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.