Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Marcos Torregrosa
Marcos took over the teaching duties today. We worked a few version of an open guard pass. They were all started from standing, controlling the pantlegs or one leg and one lapel. They were complex. So complex in fact that I'm not even going to try to write it all down. sigh. Maybe I'll get some vid next week.
Rolls were ok since I have no gas. Rolled with Jamei and Marcos and managed to survive both. Both of them got out of my closed guard by standing up. I hate that.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
2009-05-30 BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio Werneck
Man I've been lagging making these posts. I've only been in maybe three times last month. sad sad sad. I can feel my motivation increasing a little bit. People are really gearing up for worlds right now and it's hard not too get swept up in it.
We didn't do techniques today. Instead Cassio put us in groups of three trying to keep in the same belt level. Then we went top - bottom - out, side control, closed guard and open guard respectively. We did each position twice through so everyone got to enjoy both positions with all three training partners. It absolutely kicked my ass. Then we had two ten min rolling sessions, I sat out the first and rolled with Brennan the second. He's getting better all the time.
It was good to be on the mat.
Man I've been lagging making these posts. I've only been in maybe three times last month. sad sad sad. I can feel my motivation increasing a little bit. People are really gearing up for worlds right now and it's hard not too get swept up in it.
We didn't do techniques today. Instead Cassio put us in groups of three trying to keep in the same belt level. Then we went top - bottom - out, side control, closed guard and open guard respectively. We did each position twice through so everyone got to enjoy both positions with all three training partners. It absolutely kicked my ass. Then we had two ten min rolling sessions, I sat out the first and rolled with Brennan the second. He's getting better all the time.
It was good to be on the mat.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
2009-04-29 BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio Werneck
Big class tonight. Tons of people. It's been a while since I've posted, but that's because it's been equally long since I trained. It was good to get out on the mat again.
Cassio taught some seated guard sweeps. The first started out like the classic seated guard sweep. Under hook to grab the belt, but instead of pinching the over hook arm you fall to that side and under hook the leg while you elevate your hook and spin your head underneath your opponent. You end up coming out the back. Finish out by grabbing the belt and using it as a handle taking their back.
The second was also starting from the seated guard, except cross sleeve grip. drive the arm across to the floor as you grip their belt with the opposite hand and get your head in front. Keeping them tight you are going to quickly underhook the leg, elevate and sweep them over yourself. Sorry no video, I forgot everything.
The rols were good, just trying to get back into it it feels like. rolled with big Al. He always moves around so effortlessly. I end up feeling like a white belt.
Good times.
Big class tonight. Tons of people. It's been a while since I've posted, but that's because it's been equally long since I trained. It was good to get out on the mat again.
Cassio taught some seated guard sweeps. The first started out like the classic seated guard sweep. Under hook to grab the belt, but instead of pinching the over hook arm you fall to that side and under hook the leg while you elevate your hook and spin your head underneath your opponent. You end up coming out the back. Finish out by grabbing the belt and using it as a handle taking their back.
The second was also starting from the seated guard, except cross sleeve grip. drive the arm across to the floor as you grip their belt with the opposite hand and get your head in front. Keeping them tight you are going to quickly underhook the leg, elevate and sweep them over yourself. Sorry no video, I forgot everything.
The rols were good, just trying to get back into it it feels like. rolled with big Al. He always moves around so effortlessly. I end up feeling like a white belt.
Good times.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
2009-04-11 and 15 BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio Werneck
So I haven't been able to train as much as I'd like since Livvy showed up. I'm suprisingly ok with it, other than the times I do make it out on the mat and get my ass handed to me. That's not as ok. But since it seems to be all about mat time and I'm not putting in my due then I get what I earn, or reap what I sow or whatever.
I'm posting the technique from the class on the 11th. Some great techniques from the closed guard.
Rolling on the 11th I've completely forgotten about. Great argument for making these posts in a timely manner. Tonight's Rolls were good and bad. The first was with a white belt that needed to keep his elbows in more. I tried to remind him but I remember feeling somehow more secure on bottom when I was holding the guy. My second roll was with John, the younger one. He was all over me, I really don't know how I got out of there with out getting tapped. He did a good job staying on top and just attacking over and over. His knee across pass was really keeping me from getting closed guard. I like rolling much more when I can get closed guard ;)
So I haven't been able to train as much as I'd like since Livvy showed up. I'm suprisingly ok with it, other than the times I do make it out on the mat and get my ass handed to me. That's not as ok. But since it seems to be all about mat time and I'm not putting in my due then I get what I earn, or reap what I sow or whatever.
I'm posting the technique from the class on the 11th. Some great techniques from the closed guard.
Rolling on the 11th I've completely forgotten about. Great argument for making these posts in a timely manner. Tonight's Rolls were good and bad. The first was with a white belt that needed to keep his elbows in more. I tried to remind him but I remember feeling somehow more secure on bottom when I was holding the guy. My second roll was with John, the younger one. He was all over me, I really don't know how I got out of there with out getting tapped. He did a good job staying on top and just attacking over and over. His knee across pass was really keeping me from getting closed guard. I like rolling much more when I can get closed guard ;)
Saturday, March 28, 2009
2009-03-28 Sat AM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio Werneck
Interesting class today. The format normally is Cassio teaches a two or three related techniques and we drill them. The techniques are usually very distinct, like an arm bar from closed guard, step one, step two, step three, etc. Today was slightly different.
Cassio discussed standing in closed guard. Rather than show a few multi step techniques he broke down the situation itself. That maintaining your posture is key. that it canot be enough to counter what your opponent is doing, but rather use every grip break, every defensive move as an opportunity to improve your position BEYOND being in someones closed guard.
Your opponent gets a deep collar grip, you maintain your posture, put both hands on their wrist push down hard and clear the grip. Then use it as an opportunity to improve your position.
Your opponent gets the grip and initiates the cross collar choke. reach over their arms and grab their lapels. Using which ever arm they have on top you stand up and drive your fist and their collar across their throat walking to that same side. You won't likely get a tap here, but you will likely get them to pop open. Just make sure you get your arm out.
Finally an interesting answer to getting your amr caught across your body. You punch in hard with your knee on the same side as your trapped arm. this freezes their hips. Now pull your arm out.
Rolled:
rolled three 5 or 6? min rounds
Jaime, rest, Brian, Michael, rest
Jaime was really defending hte pass well, I kept getting close but just as I was about to get around he pushed me off and replaced. Not cool :D. Eventually I ended up in his closed guard and, as usual, he pulled his very effective olaplata. I managed to get out but ended up getting caught by an a reverse bar to arm bar. It was nice.
Brian was all over me as well. I left my arm a dangling and he went for a very well done arm bar from side control.
Michael is a younger kid he was really getting after me. He kept leaving his elbows out so I kept reminding him not too. I know I talk more than most while rolling with the lower belts, I just really remember feeling lost back then.
Interesting class today. The format normally is Cassio teaches a two or three related techniques and we drill them. The techniques are usually very distinct, like an arm bar from closed guard, step one, step two, step three, etc. Today was slightly different.
Cassio discussed standing in closed guard. Rather than show a few multi step techniques he broke down the situation itself. That maintaining your posture is key. that it canot be enough to counter what your opponent is doing, but rather use every grip break, every defensive move as an opportunity to improve your position BEYOND being in someones closed guard.
Your opponent gets a deep collar grip, you maintain your posture, put both hands on their wrist push down hard and clear the grip. Then use it as an opportunity to improve your position.
Your opponent gets the grip and initiates the cross collar choke. reach over their arms and grab their lapels. Using which ever arm they have on top you stand up and drive your fist and their collar across their throat walking to that same side. You won't likely get a tap here, but you will likely get them to pop open. Just make sure you get your arm out.
Finally an interesting answer to getting your amr caught across your body. You punch in hard with your knee on the same side as your trapped arm. this freezes their hips. Now pull your arm out.
Rolled:
rolled three 5 or 6? min rounds
Jaime, rest, Brian, Michael, rest
Jaime was really defending hte pass well, I kept getting close but just as I was about to get around he pushed me off and replaced. Not cool :D. Eventually I ended up in his closed guard and, as usual, he pulled his very effective olaplata. I managed to get out but ended up getting caught by an a reverse bar to arm bar. It was nice.
Brian was all over me as well. I left my arm a dangling and he went for a very well done arm bar from side control.
Michael is a younger kid he was really getting after me. He kept leaving his elbows out so I kept reminding him not too. I know I talk more than most while rolling with the lower belts, I just really remember feeling lost back then.
Friday, March 27, 2009
2009-03-27 Wed PM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio Werneck
I think this fatherhood thing is going to put a cramp in my bjj study for a bit. Guess it's a good thing I'm not in a hurry.
So after covering some solid closed guard work last week it's guard breaking / passing this week. Two different versions of how to stand up in closed guard were covered. One of the key things were the grips. Not getting to high with your hands, Keeping a good base, if you reach back to push the knee down doing it after switching your far hand to the belt so you don't get caught.
Rolled:
rolled four 5 or 6? min rounds
Nick, Mark, Rest, Dan, Rest, Nick
It was good rolling with Nick. He was very active, you could tell he had wrestled. He was very open to learning the basic stuff I tried to throw his way (keeping your arms in, posture, things like that)
Rolling with Mark was interesting. I nearly got that De la Riva sweep I've been working on, everything but finishing on top. After that it was all me trying to get an attack in from closed guard. I threatened a few times but his defense held. Also tried recording the workout for the first time. Interesting watching my roll after the fact.
Watching film of Dan cutting therough my open guard is interesting, unless you blink cuzz then you'll miss hte pass. I gotta figure out something for that.
Finally Nck was the only guy that wanted to roll again (my gi was clean, I swear!)
Guard Stand ups (I need to edit this down)
I think this fatherhood thing is going to put a cramp in my bjj study for a bit. Guess it's a good thing I'm not in a hurry.
So after covering some solid closed guard work last week it's guard breaking / passing this week. Two different versions of how to stand up in closed guard were covered. One of the key things were the grips. Not getting to high with your hands, Keeping a good base, if you reach back to push the knee down doing it after switching your far hand to the belt so you don't get caught.
Rolled:
rolled four 5 or 6? min rounds
Nick, Mark, Rest, Dan, Rest, Nick
It was good rolling with Nick. He was very active, you could tell he had wrestled. He was very open to learning the basic stuff I tried to throw his way (keeping your arms in, posture, things like that)
Rolling with Mark was interesting. I nearly got that De la Riva sweep I've been working on, everything but finishing on top. After that it was all me trying to get an attack in from closed guard. I threatened a few times but his defense held. Also tried recording the workout for the first time. Interesting watching my roll after the fact.
Watching film of Dan cutting therough my open guard is interesting, unless you blink cuzz then you'll miss hte pass. I gotta figure out something for that.
Finally Nck was the only guy that wanted to roll again (my gi was clean, I swear!)
Guard Stand ups (I need to edit this down)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
2009-03-18 Wed PM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio Werneck
Wow, what a few weeks it's been. We had our first baby a few weeks ago. The experience was pretty amazing. Needless to say I did not get a lot of training in for a few weeks, two to be precise. I did get in last Sat and Mon, but unfortunately I neglected to make posts. Bad Rob.
Tonight Cassio taught was two passes, both ending in subs, on a stacked opponent.
The first pas was off the double inside knee grip, drive them back over their shoulders, and while on your feet pinch their hips with your knees. You have a surprising amount of control from there. Now grip their same side sleeve around the triceps then reach across with the other hand and grab that same arm around the fore arm. stand up and pull up hard both your grips on their one arm. place your shin in their armpit, grab the nearside leg, step the leg over, and finish the arm bar.
The second pass was from double underhooks gripping the belt. sit up and stack them. Now things get interesting. grip their same side wrist. pull it towards you and behind their back. at the same time drive your other arm across their torso and pass to that side. you should have side control with your leg side arm gripping their far side arm behind their back. now lift their torso up and put your knee behind their back. reaching between their nearside arm and their head (reach your head side arm down and pass the arm off to the new grip. this may be very difficult depending on your opponents shoulder flexibility. With your newly freed hand secure their far side elbow to their torso and pull them into guard. finally reach that same arm over their head going two on one pulling their stuck arm up towards their head for the tap. um, yeah. If you read all that I'm amazed.
Rolled:
rolled three 6 or 7(?) min rounds
newer wb that i used to train at Tom's with, rest, Jordan, rest, John
Unfortunately I wasn't able to complete the first roll. I proceeded to tear the guys gi off. It already had a huge tear on the side but since most of my game is tugging on their arms... sorry about that! The last minute or so Richard jumped in
My roll with Jordan was ok. His two a day training regime is really paying off. I don't know how his body stands it. He pulled off a very sneaky pass while i was turtled up where he faked the click choke and then drove across to collapse the knee.
John was all over me. He passes my open guard like nothing. It kinda sucks. I think I need to move my hips a bit more lift my knee up vs. the knee across pass.
Wow, what a few weeks it's been. We had our first baby a few weeks ago. The experience was pretty amazing. Needless to say I did not get a lot of training in for a few weeks, two to be precise. I did get in last Sat and Mon, but unfortunately I neglected to make posts. Bad Rob.
Tonight Cassio taught was two passes, both ending in subs, on a stacked opponent.
The first pas was off the double inside knee grip, drive them back over their shoulders, and while on your feet pinch their hips with your knees. You have a surprising amount of control from there. Now grip their same side sleeve around the triceps then reach across with the other hand and grab that same arm around the fore arm. stand up and pull up hard both your grips on their one arm. place your shin in their armpit, grab the nearside leg, step the leg over, and finish the arm bar.
The second pass was from double underhooks gripping the belt. sit up and stack them. Now things get interesting. grip their same side wrist. pull it towards you and behind their back. at the same time drive your other arm across their torso and pass to that side. you should have side control with your leg side arm gripping their far side arm behind their back. now lift their torso up and put your knee behind their back. reaching between their nearside arm and their head (reach your head side arm down and pass the arm off to the new grip. this may be very difficult depending on your opponents shoulder flexibility. With your newly freed hand secure their far side elbow to their torso and pull them into guard. finally reach that same arm over their head going two on one pulling their stuck arm up towards their head for the tap. um, yeah. If you read all that I'm amazed.
Rolled:
rolled three 6 or 7(?) min rounds
newer wb that i used to train at Tom's with, rest, Jordan, rest, John
Unfortunately I wasn't able to complete the first roll. I proceeded to tear the guys gi off. It already had a huge tear on the side but since most of my game is tugging on their arms... sorry about that! The last minute or so Richard jumped in
My roll with Jordan was ok. His two a day training regime is really paying off. I don't know how his body stands it. He pulled off a very sneaky pass while i was turtled up where he faked the click choke and then drove across to collapse the knee.
John was all over me. He passes my open guard like nothing. It kinda sucks. I think I need to move my hips a bit more lift my knee up vs. the knee across pass.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
2009-02-25 Wed PM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio Werneck
Worked more reactions to people turtling. This time we covered the arm between the legs attacks.
Opponent is on their left side rolling towards you to turtle. You keep good pressure as they roll and slide their near side arm between your legs as they come to their knees. Their arm should be bent towards their feet. With your hps pressing down you straighten out their arm across the back of your calf. Their wrist should be on the back of your leg. From here you can left your left hip slightly and get the tap. Totally a finesse and feel move. I used to really struggle with this one, and still do to my right side. If they happen to bend their arm forward you can turn your body forward a bit, grab their wrist and pull it up for the shoulder lock. You could also pass their hand to your other leg by sliding your calf beneath the other.
The second technique was a response to someone protecting their arm by grabbing their belt. Little bit acrobatic. Once they have come up to their knees and grabbed their belt (their arm wrapped around your leg). You should be parallel to them. Take your arm nearest to them and drive it down and across their body. Then roll over that same shoulder. They MUST follow your roll or their going to seriously jack up their shoulder. That arm you stuck through is now very important as it will be preventing them from coming up and over you. Finally from here sit up in a sort of a reverse omaplata.
Rolled:
rolled three 8 or 9(?) min rounds
(wb that always calls me sir, punk ;) ), rest, rest, Brian, John
Rolling was good. Was able to switch to DLR guard when Brian and John stood up in my guard. Swept with varying degree of success. I really need to figure out how to recover guard when John passes. I didn't recover once.
Worked more reactions to people turtling. This time we covered the arm between the legs attacks.
Opponent is on their left side rolling towards you to turtle. You keep good pressure as they roll and slide their near side arm between your legs as they come to their knees. Their arm should be bent towards their feet. With your hps pressing down you straighten out their arm across the back of your calf. Their wrist should be on the back of your leg. From here you can left your left hip slightly and get the tap. Totally a finesse and feel move. I used to really struggle with this one, and still do to my right side. If they happen to bend their arm forward you can turn your body forward a bit, grab their wrist and pull it up for the shoulder lock. You could also pass their hand to your other leg by sliding your calf beneath the other.
The second technique was a response to someone protecting their arm by grabbing their belt. Little bit acrobatic. Once they have come up to their knees and grabbed their belt (their arm wrapped around your leg). You should be parallel to them. Take your arm nearest to them and drive it down and across their body. Then roll over that same shoulder. They MUST follow your roll or their going to seriously jack up their shoulder. That arm you stuck through is now very important as it will be preventing them from coming up and over you. Finally from here sit up in a sort of a reverse omaplata.
Rolled:
rolled three 8 or 9(?) min rounds
(wb that always calls me sir, punk ;) ), rest, rest, Brian, John
Rolling was good. Was able to switch to DLR guard when Brian and John stood up in my guard. Swept with varying degree of success. I really need to figure out how to recover guard when John passes. I didn't recover once.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
2009-02-23 Mon PM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio Werneck
Worked some responses to the turtle. In in things to do when your opponent decides he's about to get passed or that he's sick of being under your half guard and he goes to all fours.
This is a favourite technique of mine, turtling up that is. Getting my hips around has always been a problem for me, the knees just don't want to come up. I've gotten better at it but still it's not good. I usually end up turtling up to avoid the pass.
With that in mind it was good to see things from the other side. The first was just a discussion of body position and how to move, keeping your pressure on the hip / lower back and not on the upper back and attacking the far side to put a hook in.
The fun stuff started next. He showed a choke where as you opponent begins to roll towards you to turtle you reach under their top arm with your near arm (like your going to go for a whizzer) and grab the NEAR SIDE collar. As they continue to roll over reach around their head (front head lock style) with your other arm and hand that lapel off. Get a deep grip.
now dive your head 'into the hole' as you slide your now free arm behind their head. roll them over if you need to, just be sure to keep the arm. Nasty choke.
Rolled:
rolled four 8 or 9(?) min rounds
Mike (? bb), Dustin, rest, tony, Dan (brb)
The first roll was pretty good. I felt under control but kinda stiff, like I was muscling things. The second was with a new guy I haven't seen before. I sat out for seated guard, he grabbed one ankle and damn near slid me across the floor. He didnt really need to 'pass' my guard much since this put my head about next to his hips. Um, little strong. I felt like I pulled guard out of survival mode, controlled things mostly. A few more months and he'll be a real pain in the ass to roll with. I heard he wrestled in college. Yep, thats gonna be fun stuff.
My roll with tony was good, I tried that high closed / knee pinch guard again and managed to catch him just before he backed out. That was nice. I tried some of the spider guard he's been pulling on me for years now. He passed it pretty handedly and then discussed what I did wrong. That was even nicer.
I was really trying to keep my defense together vs. Dan. It was crazy how when I focused on keeping my elbows in and tight and not opening up, he really seemed to get slowed down. Then as soon as i lost focus on that type of tight defense I'd get caught. I really need to be thinking that all the time till it gets automatic.
Worked some responses to the turtle. In in things to do when your opponent decides he's about to get passed or that he's sick of being under your half guard and he goes to all fours.
This is a favourite technique of mine, turtling up that is. Getting my hips around has always been a problem for me, the knees just don't want to come up. I've gotten better at it but still it's not good. I usually end up turtling up to avoid the pass.
With that in mind it was good to see things from the other side. The first was just a discussion of body position and how to move, keeping your pressure on the hip / lower back and not on the upper back and attacking the far side to put a hook in.
The fun stuff started next. He showed a choke where as you opponent begins to roll towards you to turtle you reach under their top arm with your near arm (like your going to go for a whizzer) and grab the NEAR SIDE collar. As they continue to roll over reach around their head (front head lock style) with your other arm and hand that lapel off. Get a deep grip.
now dive your head 'into the hole' as you slide your now free arm behind their head. roll them over if you need to, just be sure to keep the arm. Nasty choke.
Rolled:
rolled four 8 or 9(?) min rounds
Mike (? bb), Dustin, rest, tony, Dan (brb)
The first roll was pretty good. I felt under control but kinda stiff, like I was muscling things. The second was with a new guy I haven't seen before. I sat out for seated guard, he grabbed one ankle and damn near slid me across the floor. He didnt really need to 'pass' my guard much since this put my head about next to his hips. Um, little strong. I felt like I pulled guard out of survival mode, controlled things mostly. A few more months and he'll be a real pain in the ass to roll with. I heard he wrestled in college. Yep, thats gonna be fun stuff.
My roll with tony was good, I tried that high closed / knee pinch guard again and managed to catch him just before he backed out. That was nice. I tried some of the spider guard he's been pulling on me for years now. He passed it pretty handedly and then discussed what I did wrong. That was even nicer.
I was really trying to keep my defense together vs. Dan. It was crazy how when I focused on keeping my elbows in and tight and not opening up, he really seemed to get slowed down. Then as soon as i lost focus on that type of tight defense I'd get caught. I really need to be thinking that all the time till it gets automatic.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
2009-02-21 Sat AM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio Werneck
Worked some nice kimura attacks and attack response counters from the bottom today. After drilling the standard kimura form the bottom we got into the techniques proper.
The first was good basic information about just being in half guard. Keeping your edge. Defending your upper body from anyone grabbing your lapel or arm. Keeping your body extended away from your opponent. Keeping your knee up and across their body. It's so easy to get away from these core things sometimes.
We worked attacking the kimura while fighting that grip then he had the top guy defend the attack by burying the hand inside his own leg. The response was pretty simple. Let go your grip and post up on your bottom elbow, keeping your over hooked arm in place. Then hip over hard like a sitting up sweep. It was nice. Now if they post their leg out to counter the sweep just go back to the kimura since they've effectivly removed their hiding place.
Now rather than hiding their arm they could posture up. I see this in the more advanced guys I roll with. the response to this counter was interesting, and kinda difficult for me. As they posture up you swing your outside leg over their head and plant your foot on their near side hip, then attack the kimura and if they straighten out their arm maintain control of the wrist and finish with a NASTY shoulder lock / arm bar.
I was able to try some of these in our rolling sessons, not all that successfully but I tried them ;)
Rolled:
rolled four 9(?) min rounds
Dan (bb), Mike (teen), Marcos, rest (last round damnit)
It's been a while since I rolled with Dan and I have a few years mat experience on him. He's put in a lot more time lately, really slimmed down, and his game has really improved. He attacked me once with the kimura attack we reviewed in class that day, I postured up and I could feel his hip coming up. I limp armed out luckily or I don't thin it was going to go well for me soon. He also just about ran around once forcing me to go turtle to prevent side control. His choke attempt wasnt bad but I didnt feel like I was in danger. So imagine my surprise when he suddenly let go. He thought I had tapped when it was the guys behind us. I appreciated his caution. I did pull some closed guard with some success. Attacked the arm bar as he was getting up. Couldnt get my leg over the head so I tried something new from here and did that tight head and shoulder clamp Cassio teaches once in a while. he was pretty stuck there with his elbow buried deep. I grabbed his hand and pused it laterally outwards and caught him with the shoulder lock. I'm going to try that head / shoulder vice from there more often.
The roll with Mike was good. It gave me a bit of a rest and also let me give him a bit of help. I try to keep it too the simple stuff I know I'm getting right; elbows in, posture, stuff like that. there was a pretty big size difference and he worked pretty hard.
Then there was Marcos. That was a traffic accident. Since he's not feeling gracious enough to let me pull closed guard anymore I have to try to keep him at bay with my open guard. Not so much. He did counter my back attack in an interesting way that I asked him about after class. He turtled up briefly and I attacked trying to get my near side hook in. He proceeded to do a half shoulder rol, then sit his hips out and come over the top. I've seen this before in Telles's turtle guard video and I've even done it before but it was a trip to have it happen in real time and I didn't even recognize what was going on. Strange how the mental camera doesn't work right sometimes.
Worked some nice kimura attacks and attack response counters from the bottom today. After drilling the standard kimura form the bottom we got into the techniques proper.
The first was good basic information about just being in half guard. Keeping your edge. Defending your upper body from anyone grabbing your lapel or arm. Keeping your body extended away from your opponent. Keeping your knee up and across their body. It's so easy to get away from these core things sometimes.
We worked attacking the kimura while fighting that grip then he had the top guy defend the attack by burying the hand inside his own leg. The response was pretty simple. Let go your grip and post up on your bottom elbow, keeping your over hooked arm in place. Then hip over hard like a sitting up sweep. It was nice. Now if they post their leg out to counter the sweep just go back to the kimura since they've effectivly removed their hiding place.
Now rather than hiding their arm they could posture up. I see this in the more advanced guys I roll with. the response to this counter was interesting, and kinda difficult for me. As they posture up you swing your outside leg over their head and plant your foot on their near side hip, then attack the kimura and if they straighten out their arm maintain control of the wrist and finish with a NASTY shoulder lock / arm bar.
I was able to try some of these in our rolling sessons, not all that successfully but I tried them ;)
Rolled:
rolled four 9(?) min rounds
Dan (bb), Mike (teen), Marcos, rest (last round damnit)
It's been a while since I rolled with Dan and I have a few years mat experience on him. He's put in a lot more time lately, really slimmed down, and his game has really improved. He attacked me once with the kimura attack we reviewed in class that day, I postured up and I could feel his hip coming up. I limp armed out luckily or I don't thin it was going to go well for me soon. He also just about ran around once forcing me to go turtle to prevent side control. His choke attempt wasnt bad but I didnt feel like I was in danger. So imagine my surprise when he suddenly let go. He thought I had tapped when it was the guys behind us. I appreciated his caution. I did pull some closed guard with some success. Attacked the arm bar as he was getting up. Couldnt get my leg over the head so I tried something new from here and did that tight head and shoulder clamp Cassio teaches once in a while. he was pretty stuck there with his elbow buried deep. I grabbed his hand and pused it laterally outwards and caught him with the shoulder lock. I'm going to try that head / shoulder vice from there more often.
The roll with Mike was good. It gave me a bit of a rest and also let me give him a bit of help. I try to keep it too the simple stuff I know I'm getting right; elbows in, posture, stuff like that. there was a pretty big size difference and he worked pretty hard.
Then there was Marcos. That was a traffic accident. Since he's not feeling gracious enough to let me pull closed guard anymore I have to try to keep him at bay with my open guard. Not so much. He did counter my back attack in an interesting way that I asked him about after class. He turtled up briefly and I attacked trying to get my near side hook in. He proceeded to do a half shoulder rol, then sit his hips out and come over the top. I've seen this before in Telles's turtle guard video and I've even done it before but it was a trip to have it happen in real time and I didn't even recognize what was going on. Strange how the mental camera doesn't work right sometimes.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
2009-02-18 Wed PM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio Werneck
Late to class tonight, damn day job! Came in at the end of warm ups. I always feel kinda vulnerable when I start drilling or rolling without warm ups. Like I'm one stuped move from injury.
We're working some kimura attacks tonight, from the top while in half guard specifically. This counterpoints very nicely to some of the deep half guard sweeps we learned in the last few weeks.
The firt technique was from half guard facing the legs, your opponent has an underhook on your arm closest to the legs. This is a pretty standard technique, slide the hand up the arm. secure the kimura. The part that was different from me was the response to the inevitable death grip your partner gets on their belt. You post off your elbow/forearm and head, sliding your body out a bit. this should make room for our leg to get over their head. once hear reposition them into a vertical position. then apply the standard 'sitting on their head' kimura.
The second was a little more acrobatic. We started from a knee across pass position but rather than driving the knee through you change directions. Grabbing the kimura as you roll over your shoulder. If your driving your right knee through you would attack their exposed left arm and then dive over their arm and across your left shoulder. if they sit up you just us it to pivot yourself around for the armbar. was easier than it looked.
Rolled:
rolled four 8 min rounds
DJ, rest, Toby, rest, Dan(?,wb), Adrian
My rolls with DJ and a white belt named Dan(I think that's his name, I really need to work on the name thing). Good rolls, Dan moved around and attacked a lot. He suprised me with an omaplata. If I didn't have 40+ lbs on him I might have been in some real trouble. I've been trying to give people more pointers while we roll. Especially the white belts. I hope it doesn't come across poorly. I really don't wanna be that guy that talks all the time or seems to think he knows it all. I feel like nothing could be farther from the truth. I do remember a lot of the things I wish I knew when I was a white belt so I try to get some of those things across.
My rolls with Toby and Adrian were both pretty frustrating. Not that I expect a bunch of success against either of them. It's just that I seem to fall into the same patterns. I try some seated or foot on hip open guard, trying to pull closed guard. I get passed pretty easily. I then get handled on the way to getting submitted. I made Toby change attacks a few times but could never get back to a real guard replace. And I couldn't get an inch of space on Adrian.
Maybe it's time to forgo to closed guard focus and spend more time NOT getting passed.
Late to class tonight, damn day job! Came in at the end of warm ups. I always feel kinda vulnerable when I start drilling or rolling without warm ups. Like I'm one stuped move from injury.
We're working some kimura attacks tonight, from the top while in half guard specifically. This counterpoints very nicely to some of the deep half guard sweeps we learned in the last few weeks.
The firt technique was from half guard facing the legs, your opponent has an underhook on your arm closest to the legs. This is a pretty standard technique, slide the hand up the arm. secure the kimura. The part that was different from me was the response to the inevitable death grip your partner gets on their belt. You post off your elbow/forearm and head, sliding your body out a bit. this should make room for our leg to get over their head. once hear reposition them into a vertical position. then apply the standard 'sitting on their head' kimura.
The second was a little more acrobatic. We started from a knee across pass position but rather than driving the knee through you change directions. Grabbing the kimura as you roll over your shoulder. If your driving your right knee through you would attack their exposed left arm and then dive over their arm and across your left shoulder. if they sit up you just us it to pivot yourself around for the armbar. was easier than it looked.
Rolled:
rolled four 8 min rounds
DJ, rest, Toby, rest, Dan(?,wb), Adrian
My rolls with DJ and a white belt named Dan(I think that's his name, I really need to work on the name thing). Good rolls, Dan moved around and attacked a lot. He suprised me with an omaplata. If I didn't have 40+ lbs on him I might have been in some real trouble. I've been trying to give people more pointers while we roll. Especially the white belts. I hope it doesn't come across poorly. I really don't wanna be that guy that talks all the time or seems to think he knows it all. I feel like nothing could be farther from the truth. I do remember a lot of the things I wish I knew when I was a white belt so I try to get some of those things across.
My rolls with Toby and Adrian were both pretty frustrating. Not that I expect a bunch of success against either of them. It's just that I seem to fall into the same patterns. I try some seated or foot on hip open guard, trying to pull closed guard. I get passed pretty easily. I then get handled on the way to getting submitted. I made Toby change attacks a few times but could never get back to a real guard replace. And I couldn't get an inch of space on Adrian.
Maybe it's time to forgo to closed guard focus and spend more time NOT getting passed.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
2009-02-14 Sat AM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio Werneck
Still fighting off the head cold, but it's good to be back regardless.
Today it was two techniques from the rare and elusive De la Riva guard. I havnt seen this one drilled in a bit so it was great to see it again. It feels like it's just starting to make a little sense finally.
The first sweep was from the De la Riva guard with a shallow hook and a cross sleeve grip. By shallow hook I mean that the leg twined around your opponents (your rear leg) hooks into their thigh and not all the way across to their far hip. Now here's where it gets crazy. If your gripping their right ankle with your left arm your going to drive them back a bit with your feet, sit up, and roll over your shoulders to your left (their rear). When doing so you'll keep your left leg straight and it will in turn thread around their right leg and sweep them. You need to follow through and come out on top. I think thats about the best I can do in text.
The second wa a little less acrobatic. Ok, it was a lot less. This time you get the deep De la Riva, with the same side sleeve grip. now getting this deep you should be up and on your shoulder. Now when you come back down flat pull that opposite sleeve and they should be halfway down. proceed to come up smashing their thigh down with your leg and finish the pass. Pretty effective I think.
Rolled:
rolled three 8 min rounds
Chad, rest, Dan, rest, Marcos
Started with Chad (xfit). Rolling with Chad is usually good, and it was this time. Even though he's coming off knee surgery it's still a challenge keeping up I talked with him before the session about not being comfortable turning the corner from a knee across pass or leg smash pass and guess where I spen all my time on top. Funny that. He kept giving me just enough rope to work with and then when I finally did get around he took advantage of a kimura I left out there dangling around. That will teach me. I really need to remember to keep that arm hidden when I pass.
The Dan roll was pretty standard. I kept trying to pull closed guard and he kept having none of it. Then he proceeds to pass my feeble open guard. I need to get better there. I tried the "double pump" seated guard pass from Christin Graugart's blog. Got me over one leg but not completly passed. I'll have to give it a little more work.
Marcos just straight smashed me. I couldn't get closed guard so I basically had very little. I managed to make a few escapes but I felt that it was just out of one frying pan and into another fire. Good times. I did try the cross grip De la Riva sweep outlined above and actually got him over to his side for a second, but I think I was so shocked that I just st there on my butt and never even came up to finishes the pass. And by the time I realized what happened he had his base back.
Still fighting off the head cold, but it's good to be back regardless.
Today it was two techniques from the rare and elusive De la Riva guard. I havnt seen this one drilled in a bit so it was great to see it again. It feels like it's just starting to make a little sense finally.
The first sweep was from the De la Riva guard with a shallow hook and a cross sleeve grip. By shallow hook I mean that the leg twined around your opponents (your rear leg) hooks into their thigh and not all the way across to their far hip. Now here's where it gets crazy. If your gripping their right ankle with your left arm your going to drive them back a bit with your feet, sit up, and roll over your shoulders to your left (their rear). When doing so you'll keep your left leg straight and it will in turn thread around their right leg and sweep them. You need to follow through and come out on top. I think thats about the best I can do in text.
The second wa a little less acrobatic. Ok, it was a lot less. This time you get the deep De la Riva, with the same side sleeve grip. now getting this deep you should be up and on your shoulder. Now when you come back down flat pull that opposite sleeve and they should be halfway down. proceed to come up smashing their thigh down with your leg and finish the pass. Pretty effective I think.
Rolled:
rolled three 8 min rounds
Chad, rest, Dan, rest, Marcos
Started with Chad (xfit). Rolling with Chad is usually good, and it was this time. Even though he's coming off knee surgery it's still a challenge keeping up I talked with him before the session about not being comfortable turning the corner from a knee across pass or leg smash pass and guess where I spen all my time on top. Funny that. He kept giving me just enough rope to work with and then when I finally did get around he took advantage of a kimura I left out there dangling around. That will teach me. I really need to remember to keep that arm hidden when I pass.
The Dan roll was pretty standard. I kept trying to pull closed guard and he kept having none of it. Then he proceeds to pass my feeble open guard. I need to get better there. I tried the "double pump" seated guard pass from Christin Graugart's blog. Got me over one leg but not completly passed. I'll have to give it a little more work.
Marcos just straight smashed me. I couldn't get closed guard so I basically had very little. I managed to make a few escapes but I felt that it was just out of one frying pan and into another fire. Good times. I did try the cross grip De la Riva sweep outlined above and actually got him over to his side for a second, but I think I was so shocked that I just st there on my butt and never even came up to finishes the pass. And by the time I realized what happened he had his base back.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
head colds are crap
Just started feeling sick last night, came on for real today. Enough that you know it's there but not enough to stay home from work. You know that kinda sick. You feel bad but not bad enough. I was really looking forward to training tonight.
I always hate this problem. Do you power through it and train but then risk getting the rest of the school sick? It's not like I'm a runner and can just go out there with the plague and not affect a soul. You roll with someone you are all over them. Since I don't do this professionally, I'd hate to knock anyone out for a week that was training 'for real'.
Still feels like I'm wussing out tho.
I always hate this problem. Do you power through it and train but then risk getting the rest of the school sick? It's not like I'm a runner and can just go out there with the plague and not affect a soul. You roll with someone you are all over them. Since I don't do this professionally, I'd hate to knock anyone out for a week that was training 'for real'.
Still feels like I'm wussing out tho.
Monday, February 9, 2009
2009-02-09 Mon PM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio
Cassio continued his half guard lessons tonight with more sweeps from the bottom.
The first was a counter to your opponent driving his leg across. You know that position you get in where your on your side and only have his ankle gripped between your legs. So from there he discussed not allowing the guy on top to get control of your upper body, especially no under hook, but also no lapel grips. He gets a hold of your top half and your as good as passed. So here was the sweep. Lying as described above and on your right side. You hide your right arm under your own right thigh. Deep down there. You take your left arm and get a grip behind his right leg. Now give a good bump with your knee, pushing your opponent forward, and roll under your opponent and out the back.
The second was the situation where the opponent has not yet passed the knee and you're going to try and under hook his leg. So againyour in half guard on your right side. you ball up tight and reach out with your right arm to underhook his leg. Your left arm gets a nice deep underhook on the far side. now ducking in deep underneth him bump him up and over you ans you slide down. You should end up on your back with his right leg stretching down between your legs. Now swing your knees back and forth a bit to get some momentum and then spin up (to your right, towards his front side, not his back) to your knees and work hte pass from there. I like this one a lot actually.
Rolled:
rolled four 8(?) min rounds
Johnathan, rest, Mike, rest, Brian, Brennan
I felt pretty good tonight, maybe for the first time like an actual purple belt. I was able to move around ok, I strung together some attacks, and saw a few things coming. I've heard it before that you have to grow into each belt you get. That has been the truth on this belt.
Johnathan was a good roll. I started pulling guard right away and was able to attack that left arm just like i like. I got him off balance and shot the leg over for the arm bar. I thought it was pretty tight and he still wasn't tapping. I mean his arm was fully extended, he tried rolling through and we just ended up face down. He gave a little 'ouch' and I took that as a tap and let go. I can't begrudge the guy for not tapping sooner. It's almost a complement really, I know there are guys i roll with that I know won't take my arm off if I go to long. It was either that or he was being bull headed ;) Later he passed me and was really attacking hard. He ended up on top working for an armbar. I was hiding as much as I could trying not to let him have the arm or get the leg over my head. Just as it felt like he was about to give my arm a good jerk to get it free the buzzer rang. We both started laughing. One of those I knew that he knew etc moments. I'm sure he'll look to collect next time we roll.
After a bit of a rest I rolled with Mike. The baddest ass french historian on the planet ;) It was interesting for a while, I pulled guard (again), but sine he damn near tore off his shoulder a few months ago he was not at full speed. I was able to mount some decent attacks from closed guard but it ended up like it seems to so often do with him, side control -> mount -> kimura. He even tried his usual sweep after letting me get around to side but as his arm gave out half way he only managed t drop me on his face. By all accounts it didn't feel too good.
Brian always gives me troubles. His long arms make it harder for me to break his posture in my closed guard. We battled there a long time, he stood up a few times even, and made a great pass at the end of the round.
Brennan was last. I worked the big guy closed guard, basically seeing how many ways i can try to get under his arms ant take his back. Good times. I gave him some pointers on keeping his posture and not letting me have his arm. It'll be interesting to see if he absorbed any of it next time.
Cassio continued his half guard lessons tonight with more sweeps from the bottom.
The first was a counter to your opponent driving his leg across. You know that position you get in where your on your side and only have his ankle gripped between your legs. So from there he discussed not allowing the guy on top to get control of your upper body, especially no under hook, but also no lapel grips. He gets a hold of your top half and your as good as passed. So here was the sweep. Lying as described above and on your right side. You hide your right arm under your own right thigh. Deep down there. You take your left arm and get a grip behind his right leg. Now give a good bump with your knee, pushing your opponent forward, and roll under your opponent and out the back.
The second was the situation where the opponent has not yet passed the knee and you're going to try and under hook his leg. So againyour in half guard on your right side. you ball up tight and reach out with your right arm to underhook his leg. Your left arm gets a nice deep underhook on the far side. now ducking in deep underneth him bump him up and over you ans you slide down. You should end up on your back with his right leg stretching down between your legs. Now swing your knees back and forth a bit to get some momentum and then spin up (to your right, towards his front side, not his back) to your knees and work hte pass from there. I like this one a lot actually.
Rolled:
rolled four 8(?) min rounds
Johnathan, rest, Mike, rest, Brian, Brennan
I felt pretty good tonight, maybe for the first time like an actual purple belt. I was able to move around ok, I strung together some attacks, and saw a few things coming. I've heard it before that you have to grow into each belt you get. That has been the truth on this belt.
Johnathan was a good roll. I started pulling guard right away and was able to attack that left arm just like i like. I got him off balance and shot the leg over for the arm bar. I thought it was pretty tight and he still wasn't tapping. I mean his arm was fully extended, he tried rolling through and we just ended up face down. He gave a little 'ouch' and I took that as a tap and let go. I can't begrudge the guy for not tapping sooner. It's almost a complement really, I know there are guys i roll with that I know won't take my arm off if I go to long. It was either that or he was being bull headed ;) Later he passed me and was really attacking hard. He ended up on top working for an armbar. I was hiding as much as I could trying not to let him have the arm or get the leg over my head. Just as it felt like he was about to give my arm a good jerk to get it free the buzzer rang. We both started laughing. One of those I knew that he knew etc moments. I'm sure he'll look to collect next time we roll.
After a bit of a rest I rolled with Mike. The baddest ass french historian on the planet ;) It was interesting for a while, I pulled guard (again), but sine he damn near tore off his shoulder a few months ago he was not at full speed. I was able to mount some decent attacks from closed guard but it ended up like it seems to so often do with him, side control -> mount -> kimura. He even tried his usual sweep after letting me get around to side but as his arm gave out half way he only managed t drop me on his face. By all accounts it didn't feel too good.
Brian always gives me troubles. His long arms make it harder for me to break his posture in my closed guard. We battled there a long time, he stood up a few times even, and made a great pass at the end of the round.
Brennan was last. I worked the big guy closed guard, basically seeing how many ways i can try to get under his arms ant take his back. Good times. I gave him some pointers on keeping his posture and not letting me have his arm. It'll be interesting to see if he absorbed any of it next time.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
2009-02-07 Sat AM BJJ and Judo Grand Opening clinic
Capital City BJJ - Sacramento CA - Marcos
Something a little different today. Marcos Torregrosa held his (hopefully) annual Jiu-Jitsu and Judo clinic for the grand opening of his new school. It was a very good event overall. Lot's of sharing and a very good vibe.
First the facilities, The place is tucked back in a small industrial park. The training area is quite big, holding both a large zebra mat and another separate wresting mat. Even with all that mat space there was not enough space for all the attendees. There were a few lines of chairs, and even a few couches for the spectators to hang out and watch. All very comfortable. My only real issue with the facility was that it was pretty chilly in the big room, but once we all got moving things warmed up a bit.
Seeing as the school holds both BJJ and Judo classes it made sense that the days events were split up into three parts, a BJJ class, a Judo class, and a pot luck. Marcos taught the BJJ lessons, Brent Goodall (primarily) and some other excellent black belts from Team Sacramento Judo taught the Judo lessons, and a whole bunch of people brought some great eats.
As there were both BJJ players and Judoka present it only made sense that the techniques covered would be applicable for both practitioners. It was explained to us that people will often lay face down and cover up once a throw has occured in Judo. So Marcos covered a few back attacks. The first involved getting the hook in on the near side and then rolling to the back, freezing your opponents hip with your hook and getting the choke from the back. The second was a continuation of the first if the opponent closes the hole for the hook they open the clock grip on the collar. Once you've gotten the grip you next move as if your putting your opposite hook in but 'T' off rather than stay parallel and roll through and at the same time grab their near leg, completing the 'T' positioning. You should have a very strong choke here. the third was again another variation of the 2nd, rather than driving your hook inthe gap between the opponents arm and leg you drive it inbetween their far side shoulder and head. if they don't immediatly tab from the insta-choke you'll end up in a ifty side triangle sorta position, wth about 15 ways to finish on the arm. All good stuff.
I rolled three times after the technique. My first roll was with a white belt that was pretty new to bjj. He had a great attitude and I tried to share with him a bunch of the things I wish I had known in my first few months. My third roll was with a very athletic Judoka that was game enough to give something new a try, not always na easy thing to get out of your comfort zone. He had some amazing balance, even from his knees. I'd go for sweeps that he would feel coming and just float out of. Then there were other things that were completely new to him like posturing in guard. My second roll was with Marcos. I did have some success keeping him in my closed guard and mounting a few attacks from there. Any time I was starting to really threaten He'd jerk out hard and break my grips. Maybe a nicely timed sit up sweep would work there. Once he did pass it was pretty much business as usual, him passing my last minute half guard, some crushing side mount and then some submissions. Good times!
The Judo was great. Again given our audience they taught techniques that were bjj applicable. My favorite was the Sumi-Gaeshi. The setup was very wrestling like, reminded me of a russian arm bar. The other thing I learned from the Judo session was that my Judo is terrible. I know it's been about 15 years since I did any Judo but I felt like a drunken hippo out there. Maybe once these bruises heal I'll try some more Judo again.
Finally the potluck. I'll just say the ceviche was off the charts.
Thanks to everyone that was there it was a great time meeting new people and I look forward to doing it again next year.
Something a little different today. Marcos Torregrosa held his (hopefully) annual Jiu-Jitsu and Judo clinic for the grand opening of his new school. It was a very good event overall. Lot's of sharing and a very good vibe.
First the facilities, The place is tucked back in a small industrial park. The training area is quite big, holding both a large zebra mat and another separate wresting mat. Even with all that mat space there was not enough space for all the attendees. There were a few lines of chairs, and even a few couches for the spectators to hang out and watch. All very comfortable. My only real issue with the facility was that it was pretty chilly in the big room, but once we all got moving things warmed up a bit.
Seeing as the school holds both BJJ and Judo classes it made sense that the days events were split up into three parts, a BJJ class, a Judo class, and a pot luck. Marcos taught the BJJ lessons, Brent Goodall (primarily) and some other excellent black belts from Team Sacramento Judo taught the Judo lessons, and a whole bunch of people brought some great eats.
As there were both BJJ players and Judoka present it only made sense that the techniques covered would be applicable for both practitioners. It was explained to us that people will often lay face down and cover up once a throw has occured in Judo. So Marcos covered a few back attacks. The first involved getting the hook in on the near side and then rolling to the back, freezing your opponents hip with your hook and getting the choke from the back. The second was a continuation of the first if the opponent closes the hole for the hook they open the clock grip on the collar. Once you've gotten the grip you next move as if your putting your opposite hook in but 'T' off rather than stay parallel and roll through and at the same time grab their near leg, completing the 'T' positioning. You should have a very strong choke here. the third was again another variation of the 2nd, rather than driving your hook inthe gap between the opponents arm and leg you drive it inbetween their far side shoulder and head. if they don't immediatly tab from the insta-choke you'll end up in a ifty side triangle sorta position, wth about 15 ways to finish on the arm. All good stuff.
I rolled three times after the technique. My first roll was with a white belt that was pretty new to bjj. He had a great attitude and I tried to share with him a bunch of the things I wish I had known in my first few months. My third roll was with a very athletic Judoka that was game enough to give something new a try, not always na easy thing to get out of your comfort zone. He had some amazing balance, even from his knees. I'd go for sweeps that he would feel coming and just float out of. Then there were other things that were completely new to him like posturing in guard. My second roll was with Marcos. I did have some success keeping him in my closed guard and mounting a few attacks from there. Any time I was starting to really threaten He'd jerk out hard and break my grips. Maybe a nicely timed sit up sweep would work there. Once he did pass it was pretty much business as usual, him passing my last minute half guard, some crushing side mount and then some submissions. Good times!
The Judo was great. Again given our audience they taught techniques that were bjj applicable. My favorite was the Sumi-Gaeshi. The setup was very wrestling like, reminded me of a russian arm bar. The other thing I learned from the Judo session was that my Judo is terrible. I know it's been about 15 years since I did any Judo but I felt like a drunken hippo out there. Maybe once these bruises heal I'll try some more Judo again.
Finally the potluck. I'll just say the ceviche was off the charts.
Thanks to everyone that was there it was a great time meeting new people and I look forward to doing it again next year.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
2009-02-04 Wed PM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Cassio
Cassio and Hilza are back from their month long vacation on the beaches of Brazil (just a little jealous). It's good to have them back. It's interesting how the vibe of the place is different depending on who is there, especially on who is instructing. Don't get me wrong I have not had a problem with any of the classes or the instructors. I just find it fascinating.
The techniques tonight were I could have used last week, I love it when I see a technique a week or two late. It was two sweeps from half guard where your opponent is facing your feet and you have both arms out.
You have your opponent's right leg locked in half guard. He has his left hip on the ground and he is facing your feet. You have both your arms free (not pinned beneath your opponent, no underhook, etc). Now the sweep. you pull out their right lapel, choking up on it tight. You should have the lapel in your fist and your pinky and for arm against their back, your going to need this barrier to keep space between you and them. Now with that tight grip in your left arm, post up on your right elbow, slide your hips out some to allow you to pull out your right leg and swing it around their back, and finally slip your left hook into place. Sounds way more complicated than it is. Maybe I'll get a video up sometime.
The second technique was the same as the last, with one main dfference. Rather than starting with half guard on your opponents right leg, now you have his left leg trapped and hes sitting on his left hip, facing your feet.the rest is the same, the grip, lifting up your hips, and slide around for the back.
Rolled:
rolled three 8 min(?) rounds
John, rest, Al, rest, Jack
Rolling with John (purple belt) was quite different today. We've kinda come up together, but he's always been a bit better. He normally catches me a few times and maintains control most of the match. It was almost the opposite tonight. I felt pretty offensive all the time. I know he's competing this weekend, I wonder if he's cutting weight right now.
Al is a brown belt and has that rolling style where he kills you and never seems to even be trying. I was able to move around more than I have in the past against him. Tried a new approach to working my open guard in over his knee when he was one knee up. as long as he kept his elbow pinned to his knee he kept me out. it was an interesting back and forth for a bit, and on the positive side he wasn't trying to pass me while I was trying to work my leg in. He passed and mounted me a few time, caught me as well, so some things havn't changed.
Finally Jack. Jack is a HUGE brown belt. Like 6' 6"ish. But not fat guy big, just big. I tell myself every time that I won't pull guard and I end up pulling guard, I getcaught in half and he smashes me as he passes. it was so hard this time I thought my spine was gonna have an issue. Later on I did manage to pull guard, and I just could not break his posture. He'd stand up and I'd work open guard for a while and he'd end up passing again. Rolling with guys that size can be a real pain in the ass.
Cassio and Hilza are back from their month long vacation on the beaches of Brazil (just a little jealous). It's good to have them back. It's interesting how the vibe of the place is different depending on who is there, especially on who is instructing. Don't get me wrong I have not had a problem with any of the classes or the instructors. I just find it fascinating.
The techniques tonight were I could have used last week, I love it when I see a technique a week or two late. It was two sweeps from half guard where your opponent is facing your feet and you have both arms out.
You have your opponent's right leg locked in half guard. He has his left hip on the ground and he is facing your feet. You have both your arms free (not pinned beneath your opponent, no underhook, etc). Now the sweep. you pull out their right lapel, choking up on it tight. You should have the lapel in your fist and your pinky and for arm against their back, your going to need this barrier to keep space between you and them. Now with that tight grip in your left arm, post up on your right elbow, slide your hips out some to allow you to pull out your right leg and swing it around their back, and finally slip your left hook into place. Sounds way more complicated than it is. Maybe I'll get a video up sometime.
The second technique was the same as the last, with one main dfference. Rather than starting with half guard on your opponents right leg, now you have his left leg trapped and hes sitting on his left hip, facing your feet.the rest is the same, the grip, lifting up your hips, and slide around for the back.
Rolled:
rolled three 8 min(?) rounds
John, rest, Al, rest, Jack
Rolling with John (purple belt) was quite different today. We've kinda come up together, but he's always been a bit better. He normally catches me a few times and maintains control most of the match. It was almost the opposite tonight. I felt pretty offensive all the time. I know he's competing this weekend, I wonder if he's cutting weight right now.
Al is a brown belt and has that rolling style where he kills you and never seems to even be trying. I was able to move around more than I have in the past against him. Tried a new approach to working my open guard in over his knee when he was one knee up. as long as he kept his elbow pinned to his knee he kept me out. it was an interesting back and forth for a bit, and on the positive side he wasn't trying to pass me while I was trying to work my leg in. He passed and mounted me a few time, caught me as well, so some things havn't changed.
Finally Jack. Jack is a HUGE brown belt. Like 6' 6"ish. But not fat guy big, just big. I tell myself every time that I won't pull guard and I end up pulling guard, I getcaught in half and he smashes me as he passes. it was so hard this time I thought my spine was gonna have an issue. Later on I did manage to pull guard, and I just could not break his posture. He'd stand up and I'd work open guard for a while and he'd end up passing again. Rolling with guys that size can be a real pain in the ass.
Monday, February 2, 2009
2009-01-24 Monday PM
Normally I'd be telling you all about tonight's training but alas tonight it is not to be. As today is my wife's birthday I decided to take her out to dinner (Bobo's cafe in Folsom, great food)
It's nice to take a break one in a while.
It's nice to take a break one in a while.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
2009-02-01 Sat AM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJJ - Sacramento CA - Dan
Smaller class today than recent Saturdays, lot of white and blue belts at the tourny in Lodi. I guess that means Lodi actually has buildings...
Worked a few closed guard techniques, I loved it. First was the basic cross collar to arm bar attack. The second was a nifty Brabo choke from closed guard.
For the first technique you start in closed guard. open the lapel with one hand and get a nice deep grip with the other, your last knuckle should be around the shoulder blade. For the sake of this discussion lets say your using your left hand to grip the collar. Your opponent is understandibly not very happy with this grip. To help loosen the pressure some they reach in with their left arm placing it over your elbow and pushing down to release some of the pressure. Now you need to do two things at once. Help their right arm a little farther across their body with your free hand and put your right knee on their hip, pinching pretty hard, to keep that elbow trapped. Now finally kicking your left leg up and to your right, trying to lean your opponent that direction. From here you either work the other hand in for a top of the shoulder grip for the cross collar choke or you kick your leg over their head for the arm bar, you can even go bck and forth. It's kinda fun actually.
Second was the Brabo choke. This one as a little more perplexing. It's weird how some techniques just don't fit right. Starting from the closed guard again with the same deep cross collar grip this time the opponent is going to defend their arm with their same side arm. In this case their right arm. Now you attack that arm by grabbing the sleeve or elbow and driving it across their body, down to your right hip basically and at the same time plant your left foot on their hip to block their arm from returning to a safer spot. Now that the arm is across, you sit up a bit, grab them over the back with your free arm, and do a crunch pulling them into you. Sposed to mash their right side carotid with their shoulder and their left with your deep grip. I could ony get it a few times. I'm blaming it on Mark's nonexistent delts, nothing to do with any lack of skill on my part..... ;)
Rolled:
Somehow (all the resting maybe) only rolled two 8 min rounds
rest, Jordan, rest, ?,
The roll with Jordan was good. He's always a struggle. He dove in for an early deep half guard, something I don't remmeber seeing from him before. I ended up going reverse halfguard and passing. I don't know I could reproduce it though. It would have been much smoother if I was more limber. I still could not sweep or sub him from my closed guard. He's got a strong base.
Also rolled with a white belt that I hate to admit I've never caught his name. Besides the experience gap I also had at least 30 or 40 lbs on him. I just tried to share with him as many little tips as I could in the 8 minutes we rolled. Stuff that you sometimes just never get 'taught' in a class. where to be and where not to be with your hands in someone's guard and why, where to put your arms when your in someone's side control and why you shouldn't try to just keep benching the guy off you, stuff like that. I try to keep it as brief as possible so we can both feel like we worked. Sometimes I don't think I do this enough with the new guys.
Smaller class today than recent Saturdays, lot of white and blue belts at the tourny in Lodi. I guess that means Lodi actually has buildings...
Worked a few closed guard techniques, I loved it. First was the basic cross collar to arm bar attack. The second was a nifty Brabo choke from closed guard.
For the first technique you start in closed guard. open the lapel with one hand and get a nice deep grip with the other, your last knuckle should be around the shoulder blade. For the sake of this discussion lets say your using your left hand to grip the collar. Your opponent is understandibly not very happy with this grip. To help loosen the pressure some they reach in with their left arm placing it over your elbow and pushing down to release some of the pressure. Now you need to do two things at once. Help their right arm a little farther across their body with your free hand and put your right knee on their hip, pinching pretty hard, to keep that elbow trapped. Now finally kicking your left leg up and to your right, trying to lean your opponent that direction. From here you either work the other hand in for a top of the shoulder grip for the cross collar choke or you kick your leg over their head for the arm bar, you can even go bck and forth. It's kinda fun actually.
Second was the Brabo choke. This one as a little more perplexing. It's weird how some techniques just don't fit right. Starting from the closed guard again with the same deep cross collar grip this time the opponent is going to defend their arm with their same side arm. In this case their right arm. Now you attack that arm by grabbing the sleeve or elbow and driving it across their body, down to your right hip basically and at the same time plant your left foot on their hip to block their arm from returning to a safer spot. Now that the arm is across, you sit up a bit, grab them over the back with your free arm, and do a crunch pulling them into you. Sposed to mash their right side carotid with their shoulder and their left with your deep grip. I could ony get it a few times. I'm blaming it on Mark's nonexistent delts, nothing to do with any lack of skill on my part..... ;)
Rolled:
Somehow (all the resting maybe) only rolled two 8 min rounds
rest, Jordan, rest, ?,
The roll with Jordan was good. He's always a struggle. He dove in for an early deep half guard, something I don't remmeber seeing from him before. I ended up going reverse halfguard and passing. I don't know I could reproduce it though. It would have been much smoother if I was more limber. I still could not sweep or sub him from my closed guard. He's got a strong base.
Also rolled with a white belt that I hate to admit I've never caught his name. Besides the experience gap I also had at least 30 or 40 lbs on him. I just tried to share with him as many little tips as I could in the 8 minutes we rolled. Stuff that you sometimes just never get 'taught' in a class. where to be and where not to be with your hands in someone's guard and why, where to put your arms when your in someone's side control and why you shouldn't try to just keep benching the guy off you, stuff like that. I try to keep it as brief as possible so we can both feel like we worked. Sometimes I don't think I do this enough with the new guys.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
2009-01-28 Wed PM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJ - Sacramento CA - Adrian
Apparently tonight was open guard night. We worked a number of techniques all from the same starting pass.
Starting Pass:
Partner in on their back, feet on your hips. You have an inside grip on their pants at the knees. you sprawl your legs out, driving one of your opponents legs down flat, locking your arm. The other hand goes underneath and around your opponents thigh, your shoulder should be driving into their hamstring. The arm that's driving into the leg should be pretty tight, wrapped around the leg, holding a belt if desired. Keep the other arm locked straight at all times. you will most likely have your hips and shoulders level or lowered on the side that driving into the hamstring. maintaining that straight arm switch your hips and shoulders, driving your 'non-hamstring' shoulder into your opponents torso. You will likely be stradling your opponents pinned leg. step over it or hip switch past it. Keeping the pressure on (i.e. stay the hell off your knees) you can let go of the under hooked leg and reach down and exchange grips on the pinned leg. now finish by moving into a tight side control. Ta da!
The first variation involves your partner getting their pinned leg free as you are trying to go around. They then drive their knee across preventing you from passing. Easy enough, being VERY wary of the kimura, you block their knee with your hand nearest their head, then continue to alk around past the knee. keep your elbow tight to your body to avoid the dreaded kimura.
The next variation was a submission. The opponent get the knee across, and rather than forcing the knee through and passing you go to one knee, pinching his foot against your thigh and torso. Now there were two finishing moves. under hook just the heel and get a heel hook (not ok for general training btw, house rules) or underhook the whole ankle and spin around driving your knee over their thigh/hip and lay back for the knee bar.
Rolled:
Passing only start over on pass, sweep or submit.
Groups of 3. One person on bottom for 8 minutes, other two people switch out every 2 minutes. After 8 minutes switch out the bottom guy.
Jim, John, and myself.
I went first and was pretty tired by the end of it. John was passing my open guard like nothing. I need to get more flexible and keep my feet in front i think. more hip movement.
Apparently tonight was open guard night. We worked a number of techniques all from the same starting pass.
Starting Pass:
Partner in on their back, feet on your hips. You have an inside grip on their pants at the knees. you sprawl your legs out, driving one of your opponents legs down flat, locking your arm. The other hand goes underneath and around your opponents thigh, your shoulder should be driving into their hamstring. The arm that's driving into the leg should be pretty tight, wrapped around the leg, holding a belt if desired. Keep the other arm locked straight at all times. you will most likely have your hips and shoulders level or lowered on the side that driving into the hamstring. maintaining that straight arm switch your hips and shoulders, driving your 'non-hamstring' shoulder into your opponents torso. You will likely be stradling your opponents pinned leg. step over it or hip switch past it. Keeping the pressure on (i.e. stay the hell off your knees) you can let go of the under hooked leg and reach down and exchange grips on the pinned leg. now finish by moving into a tight side control. Ta da!
The first variation involves your partner getting their pinned leg free as you are trying to go around. They then drive their knee across preventing you from passing. Easy enough, being VERY wary of the kimura, you block their knee with your hand nearest their head, then continue to alk around past the knee. keep your elbow tight to your body to avoid the dreaded kimura.
The next variation was a submission. The opponent get the knee across, and rather than forcing the knee through and passing you go to one knee, pinching his foot against your thigh and torso. Now there were two finishing moves. under hook just the heel and get a heel hook (not ok for general training btw, house rules) or underhook the whole ankle and spin around driving your knee over their thigh/hip and lay back for the knee bar.
Rolled:
Passing only start over on pass, sweep or submit.
Groups of 3. One person on bottom for 8 minutes, other two people switch out every 2 minutes. After 8 minutes switch out the bottom guy.
Jim, John, and myself.
I went first and was pretty tired by the end of it. John was passing my open guard like nothing. I need to get more flexible and keep my feet in front i think. more hip movement.
Monday, January 26, 2009
2009-01-26 Monday PM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJ - Sacramento CA - Richard
Richard covered the kitchen sink tonight. Was a bunch of odd (cheep?) techniques. First it was a sweep off the leg catch. Standard stuff guy puts his leg up for a round house, you catch it (overhook? ouch), grab the opposite label with your free hand, step in and sweep.
Second technique told me the first was just a positional warm up. now this technique is for the guy with his leg caught. With your near side arm you need to reach inside your caught leg and grab the other guys sleeve. Now with your free hand you bend over and grab his pants around the knee. now keeping your trapped leg knee flexed out drop to your untrapped side and roll the guy over you. worked good but I donno if i'd ever try it real time.
Next it was time for the 'cheep' subs, and i don't mean subway. the first was a choke from mount, closed guard, or knee on stomach. You grip the collar with both hands just around the ears, fingers in and thumbs out. Now just put your fists into their neck and bring your elbows together. ouch. i could see someone panicking and getting out but you might catch someone unaware. If nothing else they are sure as hell gonna open something up.
The next was very similar. this time mounted for sure grab a little lower on the collar with both hands. same grip. now you should be able to pply our fist directly to the throat (more trache than carotid this one) and givin that all your weight is smashing down on them they could be screwed pretty quick like.
Lastly in this bjj potpourri was a nice transition to mount from side control. From side control with a cross face grab the far side lapel with the free hand and pass it beneath the shoulder and hand it to the cross face hand. Good and tight. Now with your free hand reach beneath their legs and grab the pants of hte far side leg at the knee. They are pretty stuck now. Next drive your leg side knee up their belly and across to mount. While doing so be sure to pull up with both hands, mucho uncomfortable. if you can't snake you leg through the hole to mount cuzz you got long shins or something then just be sure to smash the near side leg down with your passing leg as you go to prevent the half guard.
Rolled 3, 6 or 7 min rounds
Rest - Eddie - Rest - Nicole - Jordan
Rolls were good. The closed guard was keeping Eddie pretty stuck. I need to open up more and move my hips.
Nicole has gotten a lot better. It's always interesting trying to move more and pressure less when rolling with the girls.
Jordan was as usual. I pulled closed guard could not get the arm bar or a sweep, he couldnt get out. I opened up to get a kimura and he tried the reverse, i let go and he passed. Then it was him all over me. I need to open and replace more.
Richard covered the kitchen sink tonight. Was a bunch of odd (cheep?) techniques. First it was a sweep off the leg catch. Standard stuff guy puts his leg up for a round house, you catch it (overhook? ouch), grab the opposite label with your free hand, step in and sweep.
Second technique told me the first was just a positional warm up. now this technique is for the guy with his leg caught. With your near side arm you need to reach inside your caught leg and grab the other guys sleeve. Now with your free hand you bend over and grab his pants around the knee. now keeping your trapped leg knee flexed out drop to your untrapped side and roll the guy over you. worked good but I donno if i'd ever try it real time.
Next it was time for the 'cheep' subs, and i don't mean subway. the first was a choke from mount, closed guard, or knee on stomach. You grip the collar with both hands just around the ears, fingers in and thumbs out. Now just put your fists into their neck and bring your elbows together. ouch. i could see someone panicking and getting out but you might catch someone unaware. If nothing else they are sure as hell gonna open something up.
The next was very similar. this time mounted for sure grab a little lower on the collar with both hands. same grip. now you should be able to pply our fist directly to the throat (more trache than carotid this one) and givin that all your weight is smashing down on them they could be screwed pretty quick like.
Lastly in this bjj potpourri was a nice transition to mount from side control. From side control with a cross face grab the far side lapel with the free hand and pass it beneath the shoulder and hand it to the cross face hand. Good and tight. Now with your free hand reach beneath their legs and grab the pants of hte far side leg at the knee. They are pretty stuck now. Next drive your leg side knee up their belly and across to mount. While doing so be sure to pull up with both hands, mucho uncomfortable. if you can't snake you leg through the hole to mount cuzz you got long shins or something then just be sure to smash the near side leg down with your passing leg as you go to prevent the half guard.
Rolled 3, 6 or 7 min rounds
Rest - Eddie - Rest - Nicole - Jordan
Rolls were good. The closed guard was keeping Eddie pretty stuck. I need to open up more and move my hips.
Nicole has gotten a lot better. It's always interesting trying to move more and pressure less when rolling with the girls.
Jordan was as usual. I pulled closed guard could not get the arm bar or a sweep, he couldnt get out. I opened up to get a kimura and he tried the reverse, i let go and he passed. Then it was him all over me. I need to open and replace more.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
2009-01-24 Saturday AM BJJ Class
Cassio Werneck BJ - Sacramento CA - Dan
Good sized class today. A lot of people in attendance, even with Cassio and Hilza still gone on vacation.
Dan showed the same series that he covered on Wednesday. Three submissions from side control using the gi bottom to trap the opponents far side arm.
From side control with a deep cross face your opponent has their far hand up and in your neck trying to make space. Get the cross face deep enough that you grip the far shoulder. Now you pull the opponents far side lapel out of their belt. Now instead of wrapping the lapel bottom up behind their arm and shoulder you take it up and over their far side arm, aiming for the spot half way between the elbow and the wrist and pass the lapel end to your other hand. Now their far arm is pinned pretty tight to their body. Suks for them. Now it's just a matter of reaching in with the available hand and grabbing that lapel in a baseball grip. Go knee on stomach at the same time. To finish the choke be sure that you are NOT pulling the arm up that is behind their head, instead drop the sholder that is away from their head towards their stomach and try to connect your elbows. basically a baseball choke.
Second step is just funny mean. to get the previous technique you need to thread your far side are under their chin to get the baseball grip. Well, one way for they to prevent you from doing that very thing is to make a fist with the pinned arm and cram it up against their own neck, effectively barring you from getting the grip you need. Well don't give up that grip just yet. With their arm pinned and their fist place against their own throat you just reach up with the far arm and grab their elbow. Then apply pressure inline with their arm and fist, effectivly pressing their fist right into their carotid artery. Make sure you don't start telling them to "stop punching themselves" that just wouldn't be nice...
The last version is the response to them getting their arm out. Your still in side control and now your holding their lapel bottom with the hand behind their head. There should be a loop of lapel where their arm used to be. Keep holding that loop, and take your other hand and slide it into it, your hand should be pointing towards their head, not away from it. Keep sliding your hand up until the blade of your hand is conveniently resting against their carotid artery. Now scissor your arms together and you'll have one tapping partner.
Rolled 3, 6 or 7 min rounds
Rest - Ceasar - Damien - Rest - Brennan
Rolling felt ok today. Caught Ceasar for the first time. Tried working from my closed guard as usual. I was not having much luck sweeping or attacking. We ended up back to neutral. I tried passing and he turtled up. I scrambled to his back and managed to sink a grip on his far side collar. I only had one hook in and thought he might get out. After that he proceeded to smash my guard and move from kimura to armbar. Good technical submissions. I was pretty stuck. Later he passed me again and got me in side control. I have never had pressure from side control like that before. I now know why it was called 100 kilo position. I was getting a little panicky. Much suckage.
Rolling with Damien was good. He's been gone a long time it's great to see him back in. He fought off a tringle I had sunk pretty deep. I'm still not ver comfortable with that, I always feel like the guy can just pull out.
I havn't rolled with Brennan in months. I had to be much more careful. He removed the uber easy holes. And with him being so frikin huge I make a mistake and I'm stacked on my head. Always fun.
Good sized class today. A lot of people in attendance, even with Cassio and Hilza still gone on vacation.
Dan showed the same series that he covered on Wednesday. Three submissions from side control using the gi bottom to trap the opponents far side arm.
From side control with a deep cross face your opponent has their far hand up and in your neck trying to make space. Get the cross face deep enough that you grip the far shoulder. Now you pull the opponents far side lapel out of their belt. Now instead of wrapping the lapel bottom up behind their arm and shoulder you take it up and over their far side arm, aiming for the spot half way between the elbow and the wrist and pass the lapel end to your other hand. Now their far arm is pinned pretty tight to their body. Suks for them. Now it's just a matter of reaching in with the available hand and grabbing that lapel in a baseball grip. Go knee on stomach at the same time. To finish the choke be sure that you are NOT pulling the arm up that is behind their head, instead drop the sholder that is away from their head towards their stomach and try to connect your elbows. basically a baseball choke.
Second step is just funny mean. to get the previous technique you need to thread your far side are under their chin to get the baseball grip. Well, one way for they to prevent you from doing that very thing is to make a fist with the pinned arm and cram it up against their own neck, effectively barring you from getting the grip you need. Well don't give up that grip just yet. With their arm pinned and their fist place against their own throat you just reach up with the far arm and grab their elbow. Then apply pressure inline with their arm and fist, effectivly pressing their fist right into their carotid artery. Make sure you don't start telling them to "stop punching themselves" that just wouldn't be nice...
The last version is the response to them getting their arm out. Your still in side control and now your holding their lapel bottom with the hand behind their head. There should be a loop of lapel where their arm used to be. Keep holding that loop, and take your other hand and slide it into it, your hand should be pointing towards their head, not away from it. Keep sliding your hand up until the blade of your hand is conveniently resting against their carotid artery. Now scissor your arms together and you'll have one tapping partner.
Rolled 3, 6 or 7 min rounds
Rest - Ceasar - Damien - Rest - Brennan
Rolling felt ok today. Caught Ceasar for the first time. Tried working from my closed guard as usual. I was not having much luck sweeping or attacking. We ended up back to neutral. I tried passing and he turtled up. I scrambled to his back and managed to sink a grip on his far side collar. I only had one hook in and thought he might get out. After that he proceeded to smash my guard and move from kimura to armbar. Good technical submissions. I was pretty stuck. Later he passed me again and got me in side control. I have never had pressure from side control like that before. I now know why it was called 100 kilo position. I was getting a little panicky. Much suckage.
Rolling with Damien was good. He's been gone a long time it's great to see him back in. He fought off a tringle I had sunk pretty deep. I'm still not ver comfortable with that, I always feel like the guy can just pull out.
I havn't rolled with Brennan in months. I had to be much more careful. He removed the uber easy holes. And with him being so frikin huge I make a mistake and I'm stacked on my head. Always fun.
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