Classes 146 & 147...

First up was a mixed class on defending the seated guard against a standing opponent, while the standing man had to pass the guard of a seated opponent. 

I wasn't brilliant at either, but I did OK in sparring and I caught two opponents in a reverse kimura from a turtle set-up, then nearly lasted a full six-minute round against a solid blue belt. I spent of my time defending against the latter but I did OK. I'm also feeling more comfortable in sparring, too, and that's good! 

Second up was an open mat session and I had another lengthy battle defending myself against another solid blue belt, then I spotted a friend working on some kicks and punches and I offered myself as a MMA sparring opponent. 

I'd never done MMA before and my kicking and punching was decent enough, but I struggled in the transitional phases between striking, clinching and going to ground. But I guess this is the skill and I was probably over-thinking things as well. It was exhausting but fun and great for cardio work. 

Things to remember: Action, reaction, then your action on guard passing.

Class 145...

A mixed class and some work on takedowns from standing, with a single leg, a double leg, and a back take with a foot tap, all of which start from the same standing position of a collar and sleeve grab. 

Single leg: Face the opposition with each having a collar and sleeve grab; two hands grab the collar grab and rip it off and stuff it down between the opponent's legs; drop down a level and, keeping the opponent's stripped arm trapped, take the left leg; then drive forward for a single leg takedown.

Foot tap: Face the opposition with each having a collar and sleeve grab; but the opponent is stiff-arming you to prevent any inward movement or grip stripping; duck under the stiff arm and take the back; then your right foot steps against his right foot and you drop to the side taking the opponent over with you.

Double leg: Face the opposition with each having a collar and sleeve grab; but the opponent is stiff-arming you to prevent any inward movement or grip stripping; duck under the stiff arm and, at the same time, pull the opponent down with the collar grip; drop down a level and, keeping the opponent down using the collar grip, reach and grab his furthest ankle, then drive forward for a double leg takedown.

We did some specific sparring, then normal sparring. I did OK at this and am starting to feel relatively comfortable again, even if I'm some way away from competency.

Things to remember: Collapsing posture with collar grip and going under stiff arm to take opponent's back.

Class 144...

A mixed class and my second of the week. The key point taught today was a control grip from on top in side mount.

The key detail was passing the hand near the head under the collar of the man on the bottom's gi, then using that grip to force the blade of the arm into the side of his face and drop your weight to apply shoulder pressure to pin the shoulder. The other hand controls the opponent's gi trousers so whenever he tries to turn into you, you flatten him back out.

The escape positions from this for the man on the bottom are to either prise the arm on the collar up so it can be attacked and you have space to escape, or to reverse turn and go to turtle.

I did OK in sparring and threatened a few submissions, but I'm still some way off the pace. It's good to be back, though.

Things to remember: Control grip from side control.

Class 143...

My first class of the new year and an early-morning class at that. And I was pretty worried about going back, fearing my muscle memory would be shot, my techniques would suck and my cardio would be awful. 

All the above fears were, of course, totally justified and my sparring was way off the pace of the mediocre but resilient white belt level it had crawled to towards the end of last year. It was fab to be back, though, particularly with visiting black belt and multiple world champion Michelle Nicolini taking the class. 

We worked on two techniques during the class. Both positions were from full guard.

Leg Triangle: 
Man on top postured up in closed guard of man on bottom; man on bottom collapses posture of man on top y grabbing back of elbows and using legs to move him forward; man on bottom wraps the opponent's right arm with left and confirms the grip by holding onto his own gi collar to secure the collapsed opponent; man on bottom opens his guard and hip escapes onto his right hip; this creates space for the man on the bottom to bring his right leg through and throw it over the shoulder of the man on top to set up a leg triangle.

Single Hook Sweep 

Man on top postured up in closed guard of man on bottom; man on bottom collapses posture of man on top by grabbing back of elbows and using legs to move him forward; man on bottom wraps the opponent's right arm with left and confirms the grip by holding onto his own gi collar to secure the collapsed opponent; man on bottom opens his guard and hip escapes onto his right hip; this creates space for the man on the bottom to bring his right leg through and throw it over the shoulder of the man on top to set up a leg triangle; man on top blocks this movement so man on bottom instead moves up and inserts his right foot as a hook, then lifts the opponent with the hook and sweeps him to his right. 

Things to remember: triangle set-up, plus hook sweep.