9/12/11

 By: Tortuga
Today's post will go a little differently, usually I'll take the time to post about everything that happens during a training session, but thanks to the magic of a wonderful machine called a "camera" I get to be lazy and just show you what happened! You'll find the videos at the end of this post.  Now where was I? Ah yes, the day starts off with the usual jog and stretch, only today we skip the line drills and go straight into drilling techniques.  Rivera has us partner up and drill the guard break at 50%.  We go at it for 10 minutes before he calls us back in and shows us a different way to break the guard, it's a simplified version of the last where you place both your hands (palm down) on your partners thighs grab the pant material and use it for leverage as you bring your elbows inside, and dig them into your partners legs.  From there follow the same steps as the first guard break (knee on crack, turn hips away, bring knee up to stop opponent from regaining guard).  After this Rivera shows us an effective guard pass that blends in perfectly with the guard break.  After breaking your partners guard bring your knee up as I mentioned earlier, then stand up. After this switch your grips from the thigh to the knee.  From there control both legs, keeping them together, then pin them to the left on the mat and simultaneously step to the right side, drop your lead leg onto your knee and drop your shoulder into your partners gut (never letting go of your grips).  Once your shoulder touches down release your the grip of your right hand from his pants and wrap your right arm around his head while positioning yourself into side control.  Then were off to drilling it for another 10 minutes.  Were paired up again and this time were told to partner up and  drill the guard break, pass, and guard regain sequence.  Had a fun time with the bro drilling this over and over, though I did notice we would "subconsciously" move closer to a girly that the lil bro had a crush on.  He may have had some fun giving the goo goo eyes to the little lady but I'm sure I brought him back to a training mentality when the side control escape drills started!  I've never noticed how hard it is to escape side control on someone who isn't looking for submissions..


Well the class ends after this, but were told that we have 20 minutes before we have to go so of course we hit the mats running in anticipation for the rolls ahead!  I got 2 hard rolls with Emmanuel "Macaco" Silva, and Michael "D'arce Vader" Moore. As promised here are the vids..enjoy!

[Note: The second video gets cut off early and was finished by mike via triangle]

9/8/11

By: Tortuga
Another day goes by with more training to report on.  Today's class marked the return of our teammate and my little brother.  He'd missed a couple days with some family issues, but he's back now and ready to train.  So today's class is just as big, if not bigger, than the first, and most have there gi's in tow as they step into they gym so to say that I was excited is an understatement.  We may just get a few rolls out of today, but first, the warm up!

Rivera starts us off with a long jog around the mat.  As we run we alternate between different stretches and workouts for about 20 minutes until everyone's covered with a sheen of sweat.  By then Rivera stops the torture and sits us down for some neck stretches and push ups.  Then it's off for our line drills, the class lines up in six rows as we start with hip escapes.  Some of our teammates forgot how to do them so Rivera demonstrates them for us once more.  Then were off to shrimping!  The rest of the drills go smoothly so our instructor sits us down to begin the technique portion of class.  He starts us off with a basic guard break.  Posture up with your butt touching your heals, and your knees spread in a wide base similar to a pyramid.  Then place your left hand on your opponents chest, with the same hand grip both the lapels tightly, then with your right hand grip his pants in the thigh area and bring both of your elbows to the inside of your opponents thighs.  From there, position your left knee on the crack of the buttocks then reposition your right knee so as to regain your original pyramid shape.  Keep your left arm stiff, and use it to keep your opponents hips pinned down then turn your hip towards the right while at the same time pushing your elbows into there thigh and driving your left knee like a stake.  Once the guard is broken we were shown to bring one knee up into a combat base to keep your partner from regaining guard.  Basic stuff, but essential for any grappler.  We partnered up and drilled it for awhile then went on to situational drills.  With the top mans job to break the guard and the man on bottom working to stop him.  I was paired with my bro as usual and we stalemated for the most part, though we figured out some nifty tidbits to help with keeping your guard closed.  As he brings is knee to your butt you can alleviate the pressure by scooting your hips up on top of his knee.  15 mins of that and Rivera calls us back in and has us drill our hip escapes next.  We drill for a good long time and before we know it times up and class is over.  Guess were not rolling till next week...or are we...

I manage to sneak in a roll with Macaco, though sadly I don't remember what happened exactly, but fear not!  I'll review my notes (when I find them in this mess) and update this post later..sorry!

9/5/11

By: Tortuga
So I'm a day or so late on posting this but what the heck.  I have the distinct pleasure of writing this up while on a bus headed for the center of Los Angeles while blasting My Chemical Romance soooo yay for me.  Any way, yesterdays practice felt great and was WAY overdue (was off the mats with an infection).  We had a couple of familiar faces in the class, but for the most part a lot of new people.  So our instructor Rivera starts us off with our usual warm up, a light jog with some calisthenics thrown in to loosen us up, then some stretching.  It was a very relaxed atmosphere and it felt great to get back on the mats.  Since we had so many new people today Rivera decided to show everyone some basic break fall techniques, which basically consists of you dropping backwards, and rolling onto your shoulders while simultaneously giving the mat a good smack with your palms (and yes it is as fun as it sounds).  Then on to single leg break falls, which did not go quite as smoothly.  Apparently dropping yourself while balancing on one leg is not a comfortable motion for most, go figure.  After that little fiasco we went on to hip escapes, and understandably the newcomers struggled a bit to pick up the motions right away, but after a couple tries most were shrimping like champs.  Then came the reverse hip escapes, and everything went to hell!  Shoulder rolls came next, and surprisingly everyone picked up on the movements right away.  Even had a couple of roll races break out (sorry e-man but you owe me a quarter, I smoked you).  Reverse rolls came and went with little problems and I'm happy to report that most were really enjoying themselves.  I even caught myself messing around with a training partner (every time I would drop for a hip escape he'd throw a knee to my chin) and I must say it looked pretty darn convincing.  Today was strictly a beginners warm up day so Rivera ended the class there with a little speech about bringing in your gi's for next weeks class.  But of course were rebels, so we decide to get a few rolls in.  

It's me and Emmanuel (e-man) first, I start in his half guard, starting to work to pass by using my usual method.  I drop my hips sideways, and press my lower hip to his.  I then pass my bottom arm over his head to secure him then bring the knee that's trapped in half guard up like a spike and then proceed to slice said knee inward towards the mount.  As space is created I shoot my hand in between and use it as a lever to pry his half guard open.  I eventually get the pass into side control and transition  into north/south looking for either the kimura or armbar, but e-man does a good job of hipping out and getting into a sprawl position.  He then grabs the single leg and looks for the take down, and I intend to lock him up in a crucifix position, but it's sloppy and I end up draped on his shoulders staring right at his arm and I swear it's begging me to grab it for a kimura, so I happily oblige.  I go to lock up from back side control but he postures and instead I switch my hips, throw my left knee over his shoulder, and switch to the arm bar instead.  I'm inverted by now, so I decide to grab his pant leg and flip him over my shoulder, from there it's elementary as I stick my foot on his bicep to break his grip, then crank this way and that till he taps.  After ward we slap hands and chock it up to good times.  Good to be back!!  Then it's time for round two!!  

I start in guard this time working my hips looking for his arm but he pulls it out in time to avoid any damage.  So instead I chain my attack into the triangle, e-man's shoulder gets locked up and he decides to roll through till he ends up on his back.  Now I'm on top with the triangle still in place, but for some reason I begin looking for an americana then think better of it and control the shin that's still across the back of his neck, and roll back onto my back simultaneously locking up the triangle and getting the tap from Ol' E-man.  Two rolls, and two taps, and I'm feeling pretty good so of course I've got to be grounded back to Earth, and my doom comes in the form of Michael "D'arce Vader" Moore!!  Good friend, sith..I mean blue belt, and destroyer of  all that is white belt.  Time for a whooping! 

Big Mike starts with an open guard, I do my best to shuck his legs aside and pass but it's not happening so I settle for half guard.  From there I work the same pass as earlier, I prop up my knee and slice, then when Mike loosens his guard I dropped my hip and swing my top leg over into side control.  He then proceeds to regain guard and sweep me.  Now I'm working from the bottom in half guard, Mike works from the top and I can feel the d'arces coming so I do my best impersonation of a deep half guard I shoot my head through his leg and pop out the back door.  There's a scramble and I wind up on top, working to take Vader's back (note: He's allowing me to work, and get positions, I'm not a bad ass, though I like to tell myself I am sometimes lol).  So I get one hook in and he turns into me, I try to mount but he blocks my knee and regains half guard, then sweeps me with "The Force", and from there it's a systematic breakdown of my defenses as he passes my guard and locks me in a crucifix then slaps on an americana.  The force is strong with this one.  

So this marks the end of a good session and some short but fun rolls.  I'd just like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the sparring with both e-man and Mike.  It just goes to show you that sometimes your the hammer and sometimes your the nail :)