JujitsuBlog.com

Lethwei

Energized

On Thursday, I finally did the wise thing and made a doctor's appointment after a month of waiting for my sinus infection to clear. The doc loaded me up with antibiotics and said I'd be feeling better in a few days. Now if I'd just gone to see him three weeks ago instead of getting on the DayQuil/NyQuil express. Judgment isn't always my strong suit.

Thursday class was relatively small with Sensei, Sempai Matt, Mega Chris, Osoto Gary and I. Sempai Matt led the warm-ups and added a couple new exercises. One of them reminded me of being a flipped-over turtle trying to right itself. Sensei demonstrated how this postion could be used to work on defended from the ground. We also did another new exercise where we rolled back, raised our legs and hips toward the ceiling and then came up into a kneeling stance on the way back.

Sensei segued into a drill where we tried to defend against a standing opponent by blocking with our legs and arms. Osoto Gary and I were matched up for this exercise. One of us took the downed postion while the other attempted to pass into guard. I like these competitive practice pieces.

We spent the next chunk of class practicing a range of Osoto Gari variations including:

• Osoto Gari
• Punch - Osoto Gari
• Front Choke - Osoto Gari
• Rear Strangle - Osoto Gari
• Club - Osoto Gari
• Pistol Rear - Osoto Gari
• Lapel Grab - Osoto Gari
• Rear Choke - Osoto Gari

The last of these was a new addition and was another 'hands-free' fall that the blue belt chart has a few of. Nothing like hurtling toward the mat figuring out how you're going to break your fall. I found myself doing many of the Osoto Gari techniques without thinking hard. it was very much muscle memory. I just focused on tightening up where I felt gaps in my techniques.

I had a good roll with both Osoto Gary and Mega Chris. Chris caught me on a ridiculous choke early on but I fared better afterwards despite still feeling the effects of my sickness. I was most happy with an Ouchi Gari and an Ippon Seoi had I was able to complete versus Osoto Gary.

Warm-ups for Saturday's class were led by Sempai Ryan with the 'highlight' being three hundred crunches. He apologized for lapsing into some type of 'ab coma' about halfway through.

I spent most of the class working on blue belt weapon defenses with Big Dave. These techniques included:

• Club - Kote Maki Tori: Feedback from Sensei was to slow this technique down. Going too fast actually made it more difficult as the opponent's body couldn't keep up.
• Knife Throat Rear - Ippon Seoi: Big Dave complimented my throw as being without 'muscling' but, in all honestly, doing an Ippon is easier on Big Dave because my center of gravity is so much lower than his naturally.
• Knife Stab - Kote Mawashi: This worked out fairly well despite Big Dave being so much taller than me. I think I have the wrist bend correct and that helps force the opponent to the ground.
• Pistol Rear - Hiji Gatame: This worked far better for me once Sensei correct my initial step. He had me make this lots deeper. This meant the move was far more fluid and didn't require any mid-technique shuffling for proper position.
• Pistol Side Head - Osoto Gari: This was a tough one for me because the technique depends on torquing the pistol hand to help unbalance the opponent. Big Dave helped me correct this by getting me to turn my body toward him versus trying to complete this while in mid-turn.
• Pistol Front Head - Waki Gatame: I struggled with the finish on this while Big Dave used his nearly 300 pounds and a goalie slide to really stress my shoulder. Sensei corrected my technique by ensuring I had the waki gatame before sliding into the finish. Initially, I thought the waki gatame was locked before the slide.

Big Dave and I also decided to end all our weapon defense techniques with a retrieval of the weapon and then an attack on the assaulter. We felt this would ensure we completed the end of the move and didn't get lazy with the finish.

For Randori, I drew Big Dave, Sempai Steve and Sempai Ryan. I didn't fared too well but I didn't really care on this day. It was the first day in a month that I felt energized and healthy. I volunteered to get right back onto the mats and got in plenty of time. I'll hope to fare better on another day but, on this day, I was just happy to feeling really able.

Sensei Says "Get In Shape (Or Else)" - Part Nine

Anyone who has been at the Kobukai hombu for a while knows how physically challenging summer is. We run - alot - streets, hills, forest trails. There is no AC in our dojo - so 80 degrees outside is 90 degrees inside. Many of you have 'visited the bushes' to relieve your stomach of the extra food your body didn't really need anyway. Overheated heads are soaked under garden hoses. Even the pool is no relief - just more physical torture. So...it is my advice that you join me in getting shape for the summer with this very simple plan - starting now. I offer (and highly suggest) my 12-week plan of fitness preparation. Each week, I will suggest a change. These changes are cumulative over the twelve weeks. Eat or do whatever you wish on one day of the week. Come May, it will be obvious who has taken the suggestion - and who hasn't.

Week Nine - March 29th - April 4th

• No eating after 8 PM.
• No beer. 
• No soda.
• No pasta.
• Only fruit and protein drink for breakfast.
• Red meat only two times per week.
• All other flesh foods only the size of a deck of cards.
• No white bread including croissants, cake, cupcakes, white bread, muffins and rolls.
• No elevators.
• Park your car as far away in your work parking lot as reasonably possible.
• Weight train three times per week. 10-15 repetitions per set.
• Before 9 AM, three 20-minute cardio sessions of non-martial arts class-related cardio per week.
• Shadow box for 10 minutes after your cardio workouts. 
• Beginning in week eight, replace two of your cardio sessions with a run. 

Hajime...

Why Isn't My Uchi Mata Like These?

Black And (A Little) Blue

I think I've reached a burn out period today. A lingering sinus infection/cold hasn't stopped me from training three times a week but it has me worn down. I have a scheduling conflict with tomorrow's class and I'm thinking that might just be a good thing. I'll give myself a little pat on the back for getting to most of the classes throughout the cold winter and consider this miss a needed pause. On the other side, I finally feel like the blue belt chart is starting to sink in and will hope to be back in class on Thursday as to not lose too much momentum. 

With that, I'll try to provide a brief recap of last Thursday and Saturday's classes. 

I went to Thursday's class feeling like crap and the workout led by Sempai Jake (formerly known as 'Jake the Sadist') didn't do much to help my spirits. He wasn't having us do anything too crazy but the squat thrusts with a push-up added which made me think about getting into my car and driving away. I barely made my way through the set and the rest of the routine before we started working on techniques. 

Sempai Jake was my partner to begin the class and we worked on blue belt jujitsu. Overall, I don't feel like there's anything on this section of the chart that's difficult for me physically. It's really a matter of repetitions and fine tuning. Actually, the worst part of these techniques is being uke. There are a few tough throws including a couple where your arms are wrapped up. After class, I thanked Sempai Jake for being uke for so many of my reps. It's very admirable for these black belts to subject themselves to these dangerous landings after spending years attaining their rank. 

I then moved to nage practice with Sempai Steve. As a judo and jujitsu black belt, he has not only skill in the basic techniques but many variations he's come up with to suit his style and to vary his attack. He really had me tighten up my hip positioning on Harai Goshi but there was little he could do to help my Uchi Mata. This is going to be my toughest throw on the chart. 

For randori, I drew Oz 'The Wizard', Sempai Steve and Sempai Jake. Now it's no real shame to lose to an undefeated MMA fighter and two black belts but I do like to take some pride in being a 'tough out'. On this particular night, I sucked. I had no energy. I had no pizzazz. I was a boring and easy to handle opponent. Possibly my worst night of newaza in recent memory. 

Sensei wasn't in class this night which meant that Sempai Matt was leading us. At the end of class, he delivered a long speech to us directed primarily at Special Ed. Sempai spoke about his love for Kobukai and what he expected from those priviledged enough to train within the walls of the hombu. He was very clear in what he felt was necessary of someone choosing this path. It was a good reminder for someone like myself and a clear message to Special Ed. 

On Saturday, I walked into a dojo that had only black belts beside myself. Along with Sensei, we had Sempai Jake, Sempai Ryan and Sempai Steve. We warmed up by doing some light newaza. Just enough to break a sweat and get a feel for rolling around. I went with Sempai Ryan (who was experimenting on BJJ stuff) and Sempai Steve (who was treating me with kid gloves). 

I spent the bulk of the class training with Sempai Steve on blue belt jujutsu and weapon defense. Since we'd done jujutsu the previous class, the techniques felt fairly comfortable. Sempai worked on tightening up my grips and footwork, teaching me some variations (e.g., kneeling versus standing) and showing me how to make the uke's landing easier or harder (depending on the desired result). 

We ended class working through the weapon defenses. Again, I felt like I was starting to grasp the basics and that there's nothing on the chart that's beyond me physically. It's really a matter of concentrating on the particulars and making the techniques crisp and fluid. 

I'll be back to class on Thursday with three days of rest and looking forward to keeping my training momentum going. Be well. 

Sensei Says "Get In Shape (Or Else)" - Part Eight

Anyone who has been at the Kobukai hombu for a while knows how physically challenging summer is. We run - alot - streets, hills, forest trails. There is no AC in our dojo - so 80 degrees outside is 90 degrees inside. Many of you have 'visited the bushes' to relieve your stomach of the extra food your body didn't really need anyway. Overheated heads are soaked under garden hoses. Even the pool is no relief - just more physical torture. So...it is my advice that you join me in getting shape for the summer with this very simple plan - starting now. I offer (and highly suggest) my 12-week plan of fitness preparation. Each week, I will suggest a change. These changes are cumulative over the twelve weeks. Eat or do whatever you wish on one day of the week. Come May, it will be obvious who has taken the suggestion - and who hasn't.

Week Eight - March 22nd - March 28th

• No eating after 8 PM.
• No beer. 
• No soda.
• No pasta.
• Only fruit and protein drink for breakfast.
• Red meat only two times per week.
• All other flesh foods only the size of a deck of cards.
• No white bread including croissants, cake, cupcakes, white bread, muffins and rolls.
• No elevators.
• Park your car as far away in your work parking lot as reasonably possible.
• Weight train three times per week. 10-15 repetitions per set.
• Before 9 AM, three 20-minute cardio sessions of non-martial arts class-related cardio per week.
• Beginning in week eight, replace two of your cardio sessions with a run. 

Hajime...

Heel Hooks And Clock Chokes Anyone?

Despite not being able to get over a lingering sinus infection-type nastiness, I have been continuing to get in my classes. Then again, it's very possible that being so persistent about getting to class versus taking a couple off has allowed this illness to keep a hold on me. I'm either tough-minded or foolish. It's a gray area. 

Saturday's class was again black belt top-heavy and I was paired with fellow blue belt Joelbow. We spent the bulk of the class working on a variety of ankle locks and heel hooks. Sensei worked us through all types of variations and transitions. I liked one version that came off of an opponent standing in your guard but I thought the most interesting was from defensive half-guard. On this technique, you used your trapped leg to push the opponent toward you while also using your arms to grip and push the oppoent to the side. This movement would allow you to almost spin the opponent into a heel hook position. 

We ended class with 'takedown-only' randori. In other words, you would just work for a throw and then get back up for another round without any grappling. I matched up with first Sempai Jake and the Sempai Ryan. I fared decently although I was certainly too defensive in my posture. I attempted plenty of throws but with a low percentage of success. On the plus side, I was aggressive in initiating attempts. On the down side, I didn't commit fully to the attempts which caused many of them to fall short. 

Yesterday's class was the first black belt-less class we've had in some time. We're extremely fortunate to have a group of black belts that regularly attend class but, on this night, instruction was left to brown belt Mega Chris. He did a very nice job of leading us through class and mixed in plenty of push-ups throughout. Based on the good soreness in my push-ups muscles, I'm guessing we did 200 or more last night. 

It was a radori-free night spent first on a variety of chokes before Mega Chris separated Joelbow, Big Dave and I to practice some blue belt newaza. How big is Big Dave? I thought my ribs might break just from the pressure of his weight when he was holding me in kesa. Plus we got to practice knee on stomach with the big guy. It's a good thing he's a very reasonable dude.

Absent writing anything profound, I thought I'd include a few links I recently ran across while surfing:

• Proaction over Reaction - ConceptualBJJ.com
• Newaza World Tournament - Murasaki BJJ
• Ben Tilsen, 90 - Pearl Harbor survivor and jujitsu lover 
• Krossface Killer - Age 13 
• 10 Quick Tips for White Belts - aesopian.com 

Sensei Says "Get In Shape (Or Else)" - Part Seven

Anyone who has been at the Kobukai hombu for a while knows how physically challenging summer is. We run - alot - streets, hills, forest trails. There is no AC in our dojo - so 80 degrees outside is 90 degrees inside. Many of you have 'visited the bushes' to relieve your stomach of the extra food your body didn't really need anyway. Overheated heads are soaked under garden hoses. Even the pool is no relief - just more physical torture. So...it is my advice that you join me in getting shape for the summer with this very simple plan - starting now. I offer (and highly suggest) my 12-week plan of fitness preparation. Each week, I will suggest a change. These changes are cumulative over the twelve weeks. Eat or do whatever you wish on one day of the week. Come May, it will be obvious who has taken the suggestion - and who hasn't.

Week Seven - March 15th - March 21st

• No eating after 8 PM.
• No beer. 
• No soda.
• No pasta.
• Only fruit and protein drink for breakfast.
• Red meat only two times per week.
• All other flesh foods only the size of a deck of cards.
• No white bread including croissants, cake, cupcakes, white bread, muffins and rolls.
• No elevators.
• Park your car as far away in your work parking lot as reasonably possible.
• Weight train three times per week. 10-15 repetitions per set.
• Before 9 AM, three 20-minute cardio sessions of non-martial arts class-related cardio per week.

Hajime...

Blood In The Cage

I recently finished reading 'Blood In The Cage: Mixed Martial Arts, Pat Miletich, and the Furious Rise of the UFC'. Even thought I follow the UFC closely, the book provided an excellent background on the rise of the sport but the best part is the life story of the eventual founder of Miletich Fighting Systems. The author, Sports Illustrated's L. Jon Wertheim, comments that the popularity of MMA may be due to the straightforward nature of the sport. While football, hockey, baseball, soccer and most all other sports are aggressive, they mask this hostility beneath rules and the idea that tackling and checking are somehow different than a double leg takedown. MMA is straightforward. Even more so than boxing which is limited in its attacks. The assortment of attack options in the one-on-one competition of MMA make it stand apart from all other sports. 

This is also what differentiates my jujitsu school. We're not a jiu-jitsu school alone but we learn newaza. We're not a judo school alone but we learn nage. We're not a boxing or muay thai school alone but we learn atemi. We're not a aikido school alone but we learn aikijitsu. We're not a H2H school alone but we learn weapons defense. We're a jujitsu school and our cirriculum is diverse. 

Every once in a while in martial arts training, you get a gift. Sometimes it's a seminar and sometimes it's a private lesson. Thursday class turned into both without notice. While Tuesday's class was a typical size, only Mega Chris and I showed up on Thursday. Sickness, injuries and other commitments kept the other guys away. Sensei then treated Mega Chris and I to a class full of aikijitsu. This wasn't the aiki that we typically practice but, well, 'mega' aikijitsu. Whole series of aiki flowed together into crazy, joint-alternating, body-flipping madness. I'm pretty sure that aiki is not the favorite thing for many of the students but, damn, it is cool and extremely effective. It absolutely teaches you that a good yank on a pinky finger or turn of the wrist can be as effective as a punch in the nose. Maybe more so. 

Mega and I spent the last 20 minutes of class rolling continously. On this night, we had a very active fight. We were both working hard while adjusting to each other's attacks and defenses. Sensei stood by and coached each of alternately. We're not easy pickings for each other and we're more likely to gas than submit. 

I've said it before but going to class always presents something new and, on Thursday night, Mega and I got a gift of aikijitsu gold. 

Busyness

Things have stayed very busy and I haven't had a chance to do a write-up. I'm going to attempt a short one tonight before heading off to sleep. 

Saturday's class mix was interesting. Joelbow and I were the only non-black belts in class. After getting some gi-choke lessons from Sempai Ryan, the blackbelts moved to one side of the dojo while Joelbow and I spent the rest of class working through the weapon defense on the white, yellow and blue belt charts. 

Last night, I spent the majority of class working on blue belt weapon defense techniques with Big Dave (who sent my airborne on a couple of the techniques). As Big Dave commented rightly, I'm going to be all set if I can make the techniques work with him. 

Now a couple classes full of weapon techniques might seem unusual to those that take a version of BJJ that's more sport-oriented. Looking at the news of the 15 people gunned down in Germany and the ten gunned down in Alabama, I'm happy to have spent the time learning more or honing my skills.