My first time late to a BJJ class. I hate walking into class late — it means I don’t get the full training that I should be. And let’s face it: I’m paying a very pretty penny. I’ve got no right to waste minutes of training time. Much as I hate push-ups, I almost wished the instructor would make me do some as penance for my tardiness. Almost.
After the usual warm up, we trained hip throws. I paid special attention to make sure I avoided my mistake mentioned in my previous post. This was followed by double-legs. Must make a mental note to inquire about the appropriate location for the head when turning the corner. Do you press your neck and head into the hip, or posture up, driving your shoulder into his armpit? If the latter, should you turn your head toward or away from your opponent?
Class went from takedowns to specific training in the guard. My partner was good at switching to turtle when close to being swept, but I managed to take the back once. Have to research some defenses for spider guard as well. Found myself in it quite a bit, mostly flopping my arms around trying to straighten them out. If my opponent knew some more moves from the position, I would have been in big trouble.
Guard training was followed by technique drill. We worked on restoring guard from bottom side-control. Frame out on the upper shoulder, forearm across the neck, and on the upper hip. Escape the hips, then fold the bottom leg and slip it in under opponent’s belly. Square back to the mat, looping trapped foot out to replace guard. A pretty basic defense, but one I’ve been having a lot of trouble with in the gi. This escape used to work wonders for me with no-gi. I don’t know if it’s the extra friction or something else, but in gi I just can’t seem to pull it off.
As one would expect, a side-mount technique was followed by side-mount specific training. A little more forgiving, however, as attaining mount was not grounds for resetting (attaining half-guard was, though). Almost took the back at one point. Realized it was a lost cause and dove for an arm bar on the opposite side. Came close to landing it, but got my leg tangled somehow and lost the submission. Was about to turn into an omoplatta attempt, but time was called. Also locked in a guillotine from guard with head and arm inside. That was a first — I’ve always done guillotines without the arm.
Muscle on my right shoulder blade is really sore, but I can’t take class Friday, so forget resting tomorrow. Class tomorrow night and Thursday, hopefully.
Weight after class today: 190.4 lbs. Not bad, considering all that pasta I had for lunch. Really hoping the scale at the gym is accurate, though. Went to the doctor last week and weighed in around 195. If the scale really is off by 5 lbs., I’m going to get a real ugly surprise at GQ weigh-ins.