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.

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.