Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Monday, October 28

Monday's class was big againWow! This might actually become the new class size!  After warm-up, we drilled two ways to do a basic double leg.  The first required too much strength to be an effective takedown for smaller people (like me), so I personally preferred the second.  We then proceeded to drill a basic triangle from guard and a guard pass.  I always appreciate working on guard passes in class because it seems that that is one of the weakest parts of my game.  I usually have about as much trouble breaking the guard open as passing it.  For some reason, I tend to gravitate towards standing guard breaks and passes (which is what we drilled tonight).  I'm honestly not sure why though, because whenever I spend much time in the guard, my legs get exhausted just holding up the extra weight.  Then they feel about as useful as limp noodles.

Sadly, I didn't get much rolling in tonight.  Five rounds total, but I had to sit out two in a row due to lack of training partner.  Two rolls with newer(ish) white belts and one good roll with Caleb to finish up.

One of the Tang Soo Do guys from Hebron was trying class for the first time last night.  He seemed to really enjoy it.  I think I'll wait awhile to roll with him though and see how hard he goes.  (He's a little scary to spar with since he's stronger than he realizes and is still learning control.  Just being cautious here.)

Preparing for a tournament this weekend.  Of course, this would be the one week that I just can't be at class Tuesday night.  Oh well.  I'm planning on calling the organizers Friday to make sure there are some other girls signed up for my division.  My luck, I would show up and have no one to compete against.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Tuesday, October 22

Since Caleb was cross-training with a master instructor, class didn't start until eight last night as opposed to the usual seven thirty.  Most everyone showed up normal time to warm-up and work some drills.  I decided to take advantage of the time to attend at least half of the Christmas demo practice at my Tang Soo Do school. (Oh my goodness.  I can't believe Christmas is close enough for me to type!)  I ended up arriving to class just a few minutes before Caleb.

Obviously, we didn't have as much time as usual for drilling, so we mainly focused on one collar choke.  It was actually one that I don't think I have done before, or if I have, it was a little different.  It was a good choke for little people like me because it required no strength to complete.  We also briefly practiced the arm bar from said choke.

Lots of rolling to finish up.  With the tournaments and blue belt test coming up, 3-stripe white belts and up started standing.  I haven't practiced stand-up in months, so I was a little anxious to see how I did.  Somehow, my brain switched gears and allowed me to look like I actually knew what I was doing.  However, it took a lot of will power to prevent myself from reverting back to a high Tang Soo Do fighting stance.

I rolled with the white belt wrestler again tonight.  It would seem he is still learning how this whole jiu-jitsu thing works.  I look forward to the day when he realizes that once my arms are out of the triangle, squeezing my head as hard as possible will not cause me to tap; it'll just annoy me. (Or make me teeny bit mad. RAWR!!!)

Sore in multiple places today.  Thankful for a bit of rest.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

I'm an Orange Belt!!!!

Arrived a little late to class last night, but just in time to get promoted!  I had a sneaky suspicion going in since Caleb tested me on a few things last week and Mom came in behind me instead of leaving to run errands.  When he pulled out the tape, I thought he might just be giving out stripes, but after Jarod got a stripe on his belt, Caleb sent me to one side of the mat and everyone else to the other.  Uh oh.  This could be...(Bad? Fun?)..interesting.   He dropped my orange belt at the far side of the mat.  "Okay.  You have to butt-scoot all the way to the belt if you want it."  And by that, he meant the one where you pick up your hands and feet and waddle on your hips.  It took just long enough to get a good burning sensation in my legs and abs.  The belt is not my actual orange belt (it's on back-order), but it was really cool to see a new color around my waist.  Looks like we'll be seeing a lot more color here shortly as we have two guys ready to test for blue around December, and two more sometime in the spring.

Anyway, moving on to class.  Tonight was bigger than normal; eight students plus Caleb!  Paired up with Jarod to work a spider guard entry, a sweep, and a basic triangle.  Four rounds of rolling after that.  Jarod and I rolled a bit lighter than normal since his calf cramped up pretty badly during drilling.  Rolling with Caleb was awesome as usual.  For the last minute he said he would go full purple belt.  Heehee.  It was pretty funny/awesome how quickly he submitted me.

On the ride home, I noticed the beautiful calluses that have begun to form on the top knuckle of each of my fingers.  It seems they get a little tougher every time we work spider guard or something similar.  I might need to start taping them up again.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Monday, October 7

Felt really good last night!  Quick warm-up and straight into drilling.  We are working guard passes this week for the most part, so obviously we drilled one.  The particular pass we were doing, however, involved driving your elbow into your opponent's sternum, which caused a bunch of partner-switching to avoid awkwardness.  Caleb also had us work on a new transition from the kimura from the top.  If they defend by grabbing their other hand, you bring both legs to their back and roll them to a position where you can complete it from the bottom of guard.  I think I might have been missing a step in the middle as when I rolled, I always felt like I was smashing my face against the mat.  Either way, I made it successfully from point A to point B.

I had a really good night of rolling.  We went five rounds, which is a little longer than we usually have time for.  For once, I actually felt like I was getting somewhere in my rolls.  My guard passing needs a lot of work, but I think my defense is getting stronger.  Plus, I even managed to get in a few good submission chains!  I feel like my rolls are starting to flow more, like I finally know enough to figure out what my position is and what my options are.  It's a good feeling.

Normally, I would have had class again tonight.  However, today was my sister's birthday (Happy Birthday Bella!), so we went out to dinner instead.  I have to admit, it felt pretty strange to be eating frozen yogurt while class was going on.  I'll be back next week though.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Tuesday, October 1

Small class last night.  Quick warm up, then we went straight into drilling.  The theme for the next two weeks is guard: closed this week and open next week.  I paired up with Jarod and we drilled a pass to the back, a basic arm bar, and a lapel choke.  For some reason, my body is convinced that my legs should cross when doing this arm bar.  I'm not sure how I let that slip for so long.  I really liked the choke.  Now if I can only remember it...

I rolled five rounds, including two with Jarod and one with the new kid.  I was excited about rolling with Jarod because the last time we rolled was last winter and he destroyed me.  He took the summer off and before that was out with a hip injury, so I haven't had a chance to work with him again.  Plus, he's my size, and it's kind of nice to have someone smaller to roll with. 

Rolling with the new kid, I finally understood what other BJJ bloggers mean when they talk about wrestlers coming in and trying to pin you.  I probably took his back four times.  Plus he kept leaving his arms out giving me arm bars galore.  I think he'll learn pretty quick though, because by the end our round he was at least keeping his elbows in.

Overall good class last night.  A little sore all over today.  My wrist is mostly better; still doesn't appreciate pushups though.  (In case you are wondering, I got swept during drilling Monday and was not expecting it so, of course, I stuck my arms out to catch myself.  Dumb, I know.  I sprained my right wrist last summer though, so it's a bit more sensitive than the left.)  Also, I would not be surprised if my nose is bruised tomorrow.  During our first round, Jarod went for an arm bar and raked his leg across my face in the process. When I woke up this morning one side of the base was red, and it's a little sore to the touch.  I'll keep you posted.

Lastly, great news from Monday morning! *said sarcastically* I need full braces!  Blech.  Looks like I'll be learning to roll with a mouthpiece in.