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Friday didn’t work out so well for training for me. No one else showed up for class at 6:30a. So coach showed me an inside de la riva sweep and told me to come back later and he would play with me a bit. Didn’t work out though because I got called in to work – so no roll time on Friday.

Today (Saturday), I usually don’t train at all – just work 2-9. But there is open mat sparring starting at 11:30 so I figured I may as well pop in and see if I could find some action.

I arrived early to warm up – then walked over to a guy I hadn’t met yet and asked him if he was up to roll. He said “sure!” Then went and put on his black belt. I instantly became very happy!

We rolled around pretty non-stop for about 20 mins. He showed me a ghost armbar setup that is pretty slick, and in general he kept me moving the whole time. He ended the roll with a kneebar and then told me I did really well.

I then got to play with two of the purple belts. One of them was actually my size! So we had fun working technique. He said that us little people have to be about speed and technique since we don’t have a whole ton of mass to throw around.

I think I’ll start going to roll on saturdays before work from now on. It looks like mainly upper level belts just coming in without a timer – just having fun. I think I could learn a lot from this – plus I like that it was about the fun.

I rolled a bit at the 11:30 class and one of my teachers came over and chastised me for just sitting back and being complacent in someone’s guard. I tried to use the rib excuse and he “pished” at me and told me I was fine. So within 10 seconds I got out of mount, took back, and then very shortly had the tap.

I admit I was a bit irritated at first. But when I got home I started thinking about it. It has been 5 weeks – and I should be healed enough at this point that it can take a good roll.

So honestly, I think I’m just scared to push myself again. I need to push through this – even if it terrifies me. If I don’t, I’ll just be a hum drum Jiu Jitsu practicer.

So, I decided that I would join my first 5pm sparring class since I got broken. This is coach’s toughest class – non-stop rolling. If we are too slow changing partners, it’s pushups on his count while screaming “I’m a champion!”

I did all right in a few rolls, and got smashed in a few rolls. Got yelled at by coach for not tapping to a kimura when I should have. Tapped a few times to kob on that right side (just to be safe).

All in all, did all right – and feel pretty good about it. I’m a little sore on that right side, but it’s a muscle kind of sore. It’s probably weak from being babied for over a month.

I went out and ate like a starving vagrant, then came back for class at 7:15. I was pretty gassed still – didn’t have much left in me physically. But I have to push myself to prove to my brain that I still can.

Anyhow, on a slightly different note: coach informed me that we’re gonna have to work on my half guard technique because it “sucks”. I was also chastised for not using my spider guard. “Whom the coach loveth he chasteneth.” – was feeling the love tonight!

So lots to work on! Gotta retrain my brain and body at the same time. Good thing I like a challenge!

Whew! It has been an interesting week so far! Monday started out rather bummerish. Didn’t get to roll at 6:30 and nearly had my head twisted off by a new kid at 11:30. We have some mma fights coming up in June so the guys are spending most of the time doing non-stop no gi at 10. Let’s just say I’m too small to play with them.

However, my schedule worked out to where I was able to get a private lesson with coach at 3:30. He asked what I want to work on. The holes I see so far, are that I suck at takedowns, and working from closed guard. Also, rolling with one of the black belts at 10, he paused and told me “sweep! Before I settle!” And I suddenly realized I know squat about sweeps.

Yea, I’ve got a lot to work on; but a lifetime to do so!

Anyhow, I’m avoiding takedowns – still babying that rib – so we worked on closed guard attacks and sweeps. Sequence is as follows:

#1 sweep

Scissor sweep

If their base is good, try to kick their leg out from under them to sweep.

Bring top leg up, over their arm and push into their chest/neck while pulling their collar. When they move their arm to counter, snap into triangle.

If they try to posture up and move around, lasso the arm and sweep into kob.

If they post and prevent lasso sweep, granby under into omnoplata.

If you feel you’re losing it, open guard and play some spider to maintain control.
Coach says he always has a sequence from every position, and he checks them off one by one.

My last massage of the night cancelled, so I was able to make it for the 7 pm class. Twas much funner than the morning go!

More turtle maneuvering drills (that’s this week’s position). Then we sparred. There were 3 of us girls so coach had us swapping out with each other. One of the girls is doing an mma fight in June so coach had us beating on her pretty well. I was focusing on staying relaxed and found it was so much easier to roll. I think I even closed my eyes a few times! Good times!

I did have a stupid moment. Had that triangle setup that coach showed me earlier, but I was pinning her sleeve so she couldn’t pull her arm out to give me the triangle. Yea, I felt like a dunce!

I’ve been thinking of skipping the intro gi class on mon and wed. Every injury I’ve had so far has been in that class – with all the big new guys who know no control. Asked coach about it. He said he wants me to be more picky who I roll with – and stay away from new guys until I’m at least a purple belt. If it means I have to sit out, he told me to do it. There’s always gonna be another roll time.

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Tuesday morning was low key. Just watched the guys roll at 10 then did class at 11:30. Rolled a couple of rounds – did okay when I didn’t let guys smash me.

Went back a bit early and checked in with one of my buds. He’s a big ole ufc fighter turned trainer. I go to him for advice on weight training and nutrition (and for REALLY big hugs!). He put me on a weight routine that has really helped with my shoulder stability! He is always after me to be careful who I train with as well.

Class was really small. Myself and two blue belts. Coach told them to let me drill what he taught me the day before, then they could spar a bit. He left us to it.

One dude was totally cool – I’ve worked with him quite a bit and learn a lot. Other dude went spastic on me while I was trying to drill. Tossing me around and wristlocking me pretty aggressively. After a few mins I walked off the mat and told them to have at it. I watched for a bit and he wasn’t being a spazz to the other guy – so I guess he just doesn’t know how to chill and train with a girl. So I’m adding him to my list of people to avoid training with.

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Wednesday (today) was pretty low key. At 6:30 it was just myself, another white belt, and coach. We spent the whole hour drilling one move from turtle. Knee up to hip and spin out to guard. Pretty basic – and I will probably be doing it in my sleep tonight. He didn’t let us spar because of size difference.

Watched the guys pummel each other again at 10 – need someone my size to show up already!

At 11:30 – I decided to join the intro class after pairing up beforehand with the lone blue belt I’ve rolled with before.

First, we drilled an armbar from back control. It’s not something to use in place of a choke, since it puts you off the back. But it’s useful as a surprise in the last 10 seconds of a fight.

Next we flattened the turtle. And chicken winged each other’s arms. I think the guy I was with was enjoying this move a little TOO much. He kept snickering about how wrong he felt doing it to me.

Next, instead of just flattening the turtle, learned a cool choke that we couldn’t figure out what to name.

On the person’s back with your hooks in, go for an over the shoulder choke with your right arm.

They grab your arm and move from the right, to the left side of their neck – preventing the gi grab.

Shoot your right arm deep to come out under their right armpit.

Right hook goes deep, trapping leg, while left hooks swings off – and you sit on your butt on the mat to their right side.

Left hand grabs right hand and apply choke.

Anyhow, it was fun – although I’m starting to think the guy I was paired with has a bit of interest in me beyond bjj. For the sake of reducing awkwardness – I may add him to my list of people to not spar with. Which makes me sad because he’s a good technical fighter. Ah well.

Tomorrow is gonna be a good day!

Just gotta say: so good to be back rolling again!

We had two blue belt tests yesterday (yay Nate and Turtle!) It’s not like belts tests at my old TKD school I went to as a kid. Coach gives you promotions as you earn them in application (sparring, competition, etc) – the test is a rite of passage more than an actual graded test.

First off, it’s 20 minutes in the shark tank. Everyone takes turns attacking the initiate, not giving them a second of rest. Fresh partner every couple minutes. (We almost had some vomit this time!) Phase 2 is the whipping. The victim, er, team mate gets on their hands and knees while everyone removes their belts. The black belts each get 5 licks first, then everyone joins in as promotee crawls from one end of the mat to the other and then back. Bonus points if they squeal. Belts are then awarded and everyone crowds around to play “count the welts”.

Adding this to my “things to look forward to” list.

I’m feeling lazy and not wanting to list techniques step by step anymore. If anything exceptionally awesome and cool pops up I’ll list it.

Got to roll hard last night! Felt so good! I did 3 rounds and a think I’m definitely better than before. Coach said I was “really moving good out there”. I can’t take pressure on that right side yet, but I make sure I roll with guys who have enough control to stay off it.

In class this morning (6:30a), it was just me and a new guy. Twas his first class – so coach let me kinda teach a bit. Showed him how to shrimp, and escape to belly. Then worked with him on cross choke from knee on belly. Listens well and catches on quickly – he’s gonna do well!

I’ll be heading back to train some more in an hour. Coach is gonna give me a private lesson on Friday after 6:30a class. Yay!

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I took it easy for the rest of training today. Did a couple rolls at 10, a round of grip fighting, then chilled until 11:30 class. I ended up sitting out of 11:30 though since the class was drilling takedowns and full guard/back escapes – two things I’m still avoiding. I used the time to do my strength training stuff. Those hanging leg raises suck!

That’s it for today! Tomorrow I’m hitting it harder. I don’t want to over-do it and reinjure myself so I’m trying to be smart and reign myself in.

Well I finally got a good roll in at 10 today! I wasn’t rusty at all – and it’s actually easier to roll than to drill. With drilling I can work around the rib since I know what movements and positions I can and cannot do. I got tapped once, and avoided many more subs. Not bad since I was going against a purple belt instructor!

I did pay for that roll with an amazing black eye. See picture below! It turned purple almost instantly and has been darkening all day. I’m actually surprised I’ve made it this long without facial bruises… Can’t wait to see how it looks tomorrow!

The position of the week is knee on belly. So at 6:30a class, we went over achieving kob, and then an armbar from kob. For the kob from side control on their right side:

Maintain head control by applying pressure across their face with your left shoulder.

Use your right hand to feed the bravo to your left.

While holding the bravo, place your right hand on their left hip and do a push up, sliding your left knee onto their upper chest by their chin.

Plant your right knee in their belly, posting the left foot back to keep the hips open and based. Maintain bravo grip.

Extra points for pulling with the bravo while grinding the knee in!

Armbar from this position if they try to push you off with their right hand:

Grab their sleeve with your right hand and pull their arm up and under your right arm.

Release the bravo grip and post your left hand back while your left leg swings over their head and knee slides off to their right side.

Apply armbar like you know how to by now

I already shared 10a class happenings, so on to 11:30a

Learned a new take down that I can’t put into words properly. And also two back escapes that I couldn’t practice due to rib pressure. Oh well – maybe next time!

Tomorrow I don’t work so I’ll be hitting competition team training at 10a, then advanced gi at 11:30a. 5p is our tough roll class – not quite healed enough for that yet, but I’ll go to watch (and heckle!). No-gi is at 6 – may join that one. Then we have another advanced gi class at 7:15, with extended sparring until 8:30/45ish.

Yay!!!

Coach let me roll around with one of our brown belts Tuesday evening – just to move around and see how it felt. Nothing hurt so he said he’ll let me do some light rolling next week. “No setbacks” is what my orders are.

I felt a little rusty, but by the end of class last night I was feeling much better! Coach taught us the move that he won his gold round with. It’s a really simple way to get both your hooks in (points!) When they are really curling up their top leg to guard. Starting attacking their turtle from their right side:

Always keep pressure on them and try for a choke, but if they defend their neck well, just grab the back of their collar.

Put your left foot above and between their feet (you can pull their butt up using their belt if you need to).

Right knee shoots into their side.

Roll them backwards at an angle (turtle is weak at angles). As you roll, your left foot peels their right shin away and you slide your right hook in and lock it down.

First order of business, secure a grip on their upper body. I use a seatbelt grip.

They then curl their left leg up to prevent you from getting the second hook in. So…

Plant your left foot on top of your right, stretch them out using full extension, then quickly slip your hook in.

Listen to them curse you under their breath.

Continuing with the choke:

Leave the hook in just long enough to get your points, then take it out, locking down their bottom (right) leg.

I already have my seatbelt grip over their right shoulder, so it’s easy to switch to collar grips now.

Right hand grips the left collar as deep as possible. Left hand grabs the right collar.

Figure 4 legs and come up on right elbow. Use jerky motions to pull your right elbow back, and pull your left arm straight toward their groin.

Listen as their cursing turns to gurgles

It was a pretty slick move! I found a blue belt my size to work with and he told me he looks forward to rolling with me when I’m good to go.

Looking forward to Monday morning!

Oh yea, I got a picture of my rib x-ray yesterday. Arrow points to the crack right on the 11th rib. I managed to skip the most commonly broken 10th rib and went straight for the floater.

So far so good this week! I’ve been going to class, doing warm ups, and some drills. Thankfully this week we are drilling turtle attacks so no takedowns.

Really been hitting this clock choke to bow and arrow transition – it’s pretty sweet. If attacking turtle from their right side:

Keep weight heavy on their low back so you can feel if they shift their weight.

Pummel your left hand under their left arm and grab their collar, pulling it tight and keeping your elbow high to prevent them from grabbing it.

Right hand slides between their hand and neck (like you’re shaking their hand), to grab the left collar.

Left hand releases their collar and drops down to grab their left forearm, pinning it to the floor.

Slide your hips forward to the back of their head, with the left leg leading.

Put your head on the mat to the left of their head and walk your feet in a circle – leading with the left.
If they feel this coming and try to roll onto their back – rolling into you (if they roll the other way gives you their back):

As you feel them roll, maintain your right hand collar grip and scoot back, shooting your knee up inside your right elbow – behind their neck.

Left hand grabs their left pant leg and you sit out and pull with arms for the choke.

You can also bounce back and forth if they keep rolling. Eventually they’ll mess up.

I was evaluated by a sports doctor/chiro yesterday. I asked for a head to toe eval so I could know what I need to work on for injury prevention. Results:
Overall in really good condition. Nerves, muscles, joints – all excellent.
Normal ROM in upper body. Extremely hypermobile from the waist down.
Textbook deep squat form.
Strengthen traps and rhomboids to correct forward shoulder rotation.
Main Problem:
My lower abdominals and glutes are too weak so my low back is over compensating, which will eventually lead to back injury.

So synopsis is that I’m adding to my weight routine:
Hanging Leg Raises
Dead Lifts
Weighted Squats
Bent Rows

As far as my rib goes – I was told the rule of thumb is: “if it hurts, don’t do it”. I told the doc I hope to be back to 100 percent by the end of the month and he thinks I can totally do that.

My goal is to hit up NAGA in Memphis on June 9th. That gives me enough time to heal up and get some good training in. Gonna kick some butt!

Okay, biggest news: my coach just won gold at Pan Ams! So awesome! He just dominated – made the other black belts in his division look like newbies!

At NAGA I was barely able to refrain from competing. Almost everyone from my team placed – with a whole lot of first places being called out. I’m sure we got ourselves a team award.

I got to scope out my competition, and I’m gonna tear them up at NAGA Memphis in June. I had a team mate in that category and she took home gold in no gi, and silver in gi. We determined that for June, she’s gonna drop to featherweight and let me handle lightweight. We’d rather not try to kill one another when we can just spread out.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow! I get to rejoin class! I’m now able to do pull ups and handstands without any pain/pulling. I’ll go easy and see how it feels.