Class 306...

Today was my second BJJ class since returning from injury (or 'ninja-ry' as the Missus calls it) and it was another open mat.

I rolled with a couple of very good blue belts and had a roll with a purple belt who's also very good. I am still a way off the pace, but I didn't disgrace myself either and I nearly hit a couple of nice wrist locks and a reverse triangle choke from bottom side control.

At the end of the class, a white belt sought some advice on what to do if he was getting smashed on the bottom in half guard. I suggested a couple of things, such as getting a frame in place on the throat and hip of the opponent to relieve pressure, then recover guard.

I then feared that I wasn't really qualified to give advice, so I asked a purple belt to help out. He offered the same advice, which made me realise I maybe have learnt some key lessons somewhere along the way. Then the purple belt also showed a few sweeps from bottom position when the frame is in place.

I end up in half guard bottom a lot, so it was good to see what somebody better does.

Things to remember: establish frame on bottom in half guard; use back attack from knee and also learn hook and roll sweep.

Class 305...

It's been a largely frustrating past three months on the martial arts training front. I've kept in touch with some form of light hapkido training and I've also done some boxing and some sparring drills, but BJJ has been a non-starter. A dodgy fall at hapkido saw a neck and shoulder injury, then another incident saw me tear some intercostal muscles. 

This meant I also missed a hapkido grading I was aiming to attend, which would have put me a step closer to my second dan grading, and it also meant a chance to compete at BJJ was not happening. 

This week, however, I have finally completed the triumvirate of hapkido, boxing and BJJ, and my body doesn't seem to be in too much agony, This is hopeful as it suggests I'll be back in full training mode within a few weeks as long as I don't do anything too stupid or push my body to quickly. 

At BJJ, I also did some no-gi with a very helpful and lightning fast no-gi competitor. If I end up not working in London next year, I'll be moving my BJJ training to a gym nearer home. I am also planning on doing no-gi instead of gi for a while, so it was good to have a chance to do some of it.