Attacking the Turtle

When your opponent turtles beneath you, you have to try to grab his belt and collar and lift him in order to sink in your hooks.  Stay tight on his back.  If he rolls you, hang on for the ride (tuck your face to prevent injury).
If your opponent stays turtled with you on his back, you can pull him backward.  (I used to fear this move because of the pressure I thought it put on the turtle's knees, but it wasn't back actually.)


112811#198

Self Defense Class

This class began with an armbar drill.

We moved into coverage of several self defense moves.
1.  If someone grabs you around your neck from behind, you may be dragged back a few steps.  Go with it.  Take your leg and move it behind your attacker's leg that corresponds to the arms he's grabbing you with.  Turn your body and bow down.  You will be doing a type of osoto gari.
2.  If someone grabs you around your neck from behind and attempts to pick you up, you will need to grapevine your leg around his.  This will thwart his attempt to slam you, and he will have to put you down.  Take that chance to base out and grab his ankle taking him down.  You have a kneebar there, too.
3.  If someone grabs you from behind around your arms, you will need to shimmy you hips one way (to create space) and, then, the other way this time stepping behind your attacker.  You can, then, cup his knees and take him down.
4.  If someone grabs you from behind under your arms, you can lock up a kimura.

112811#197

S Mount

Class began with elbow-knee escape drills. As bottom attempts the escape, top may transition to S mount.

If you have your opponent in S mount, okuri eri jime is a good finish. Armbar finishes are also common from S mount control.

112811#196

My Last Supper

Last night I over ate again.  I ate late and planned it all around my tv viewing.  These are the things I've got to stop.

The sad thing is, I've eaten so much lately that last night's dinner didn't stand out that much.  (If I would have eaten that way during one of my healthier kicks, I would be sluggish and miserable.)  I really do notice a difference when I eat better foods, but the junk just tastes so good.  :)

Last night needs to be my last supper like that.

Shoulder Walk

This escape walks bottom's shoulder to create space to turn in and reguard.  It looks easy and effective.

I Gots Goals, Son!

With several days of eating what I want when I want and only stopping if I want, I decided to work on some goals for 2012.

1.  I want to compete in at least 3 tournaments.  One of these will be the Michigan Open (which is usually around October).  There are some tournaments happening in Ohio around March and April.  I hope to do a Judo tournament in Lodi in September.

2.   There are 52 weeks in the year; if I train 3 times per week, my total will be 156.  If I train 4 times per, my total would be 208.  I have to think conservatively here and allow for vacations and being busy or sick.  I hope to train a minimum of 160 times in 2012.  That's roughly ever other day.  (I honestly think I can beat this number, but attending 160 classes will be a challenge, so 160 it is.)

3.  I want to attend at least 2 seminars.  One will be a given at my home gym.  I've seen that Royce Gracie conducts seminars in neighboring states.  A true bucket list item would be to attend a seminar featuring da man.  Maybe 2012 will be the year.

4.  I keep thinking of doing 90x or some such program.  I'm not committing to it, but this may be the year I do it.

5.  I expect of myself to train consistently without injury and without injuring anyone.

6.  I also think it would be cool to train while on road.  :)

Robert Follis teaching a nasty armbar setup!

From side control, get your top knee onto bottom's neck area (whew).  An arm will likely come up to defend even if you do this nicely as I likely will.  With bottom's arm up, take it and armbar that mug.