Class 396...

A Gi class with a few different bits and pieces. These included some work on single and double legs. The take-home from this was the idea of using a push on the opponent to get him stepping one leg forward to ace it easier to attack the single.

We then did some work on the knee shield half guard position, which went like this:

Knee Shield Half Guard Kimura: You are on the bottom in knee shield half guard loosely controlling the sleeve of the arm you are targeting to attack with the kimura; collapse the knee shield to disrupt the base of the opponent, pull his arm towards you and fish over his shoulder to connect the kimura lock. 

Sweeping Option from Knee Shield Half Guard Kimura: if the opponent buries the arm to protect against the kimura, then use the kimura to pull the opponent op top, then sweep him over and come up on top of him, keeping the kimura lock connected. 

Knee Shield Half Guard Reverse Kimura: You are on the bottom in knee shield half guard loosely controlling the sleeve of the arm you are targeting to attack with the kimura; collapse the knee shield to disrupt the base of the opponent; opposition sleeve control securing the wrist of the opponent; drive your nearest arm under the arm of the opponent to connect the reverse kimura; options from here include wrist lock, elevator sweep or scissor sweep. 

Hook Sweep from Knee Shield Half Guard: You are on the bottom in knee shield half guard loosely controlling the sleeve of the arm you are targeting to attack with the kimura; switch the knee shield inside so your foot is hooked under the thigh of the opponent; pull the sleeve of the opponent and use the hook to elevate him to sweep.

Escape from Body Lock Triangle No.1: Move opponent onto the side of the body lock triangle; fish for one leg, the reinforce it with the other and attack the fit lock.

Escape from Body Lock Triangle No.2: Connect knee and elbow again the top leg of the body triangle; then kick leg out against leg of opponent and sideways elbow against leg of opponent, creating two forces working against the leg in opposite direction; then scramble for position.

Sparring was good. I more than held my own against everyone I rolled with. I hot two or three wrist locks when my opponent had their elbows against the mat. 

Things to remember: Kimura position and sweep from half guard; reverse kimura sequence.

Classes 394-395...

First up a time class with attacks from full guard.

Securing Open Guard Control: You have your opponent in full guard, secure double sleeve control, open guard, hip escape out and place one leg on hip down side of opponent and hip escape out on the other side to set the other foot on the hip of the opponent. Opponents cannot attack forward or move forward as you have control.

From here you can attack for leg triangles and omoplatas. You can also set up scissor sweeps.

Sparring was fine and I did OK. I feel like I'm getting to be OK again.

Next up was a No Gi class drilling full guard and the favoured overhook position. The set-up went like this: 

Full Guard Overhook with Leg Over Opponent's Head: Establish full guard with an overlook on one arm, hip escape out to one side and move into half guard side by swinging leg in crook of opponent's neck position and omoplata attack position. Can also attack for triangle from here.

I was one of the in-the-middle people at king of the guard and I switched between full guard and half guard. Sparring was fun and I hit a couple of omoplatas and rear naked chokes. I really grafted and went for as many rolls as possible and specifically targeted senior belts along the way. 

A Gi class and some work on catching the leg triangle drill from guard by securing sleeve control on the wrists of the opponent in guard, the keeping one and stuffing the other.

We then did some back take work from guard by arm dragging one of the opponent's arms from guard and forcing t to the side, then attacking for back by grabbing the tricep of the opponent and pulling yourself up onto his back.

There's also the sweeping option.

Pendulum Sweep: Secure sleeve control on one of the opponent's wrists with a same side grip, shoot other hand under leg of opponent or grab leg of gi pants, open guard and sit up and rock back and 90 degrees to the side, Leg under armpit of opponent kicks him over and grip n pants leg lifts leg up, other leg chops under base of opponent and cuts under base of opponent.

Sparring was ace. I held my own against two purple belts and two blue belts, then I stayed later with three senior belts and worked on compression lock from guard, a passing wrist locks when opponent secures his hand on your body and the waterfall wristlock.

Things to remember: keep persevering with half guard and use full guard and overhook attack position; keep working on sweeps.

Classes 391-393

A No Gi class and some work on Kimura attacks. 

Kimura from Full Guard: Collapse opponent so he puts arms an arm on the floor; connect hands together and attack for the kimura; fall back to slight angle on opponent and apply lock. 

Kimura from Half Guard Bottom: Collapse opponent using knee shield in half guard so he puts arms on the floor; connect hands together and attack for the kimura; fall back to slight angle on opponent and apply lock. 

Kimura from Open Guard: attack for kimura and use locking position to run round outside of opponent; then use kimura grip grip to force back take. 

Reverse Kimura: shoot opposite arm through and connect like Rear Naked Choke. 

Sparring was OK. I fell for some dumb stuff against a good white belt, but that was just lack of recent mat time. I was OK against junior belts and two senior belts. I am also experimenting with Greco-Roman Wrestling Lateral Drop and I am also trying to work out the No Gi Baseball Choke from Half Guard Bottom. 

A BJJ gi class where we worked on the following sequence: 

Leg Triangle from Full Guard: opponent hides arm so use Tee Pee to tap opponent by connecting legs behind opponent, then connecting hands behind knees and squeezing together.

We then worked on the flow drill involving the Armbar, Omoplata and Leg Triangle from Guard. 

Sparring was OK. I am playing with the Greco-Roman Lateral Drop and the No Gi Baseball Choke. 

Another gi class and some work on takedowns. The main one of these involved a snap down, a back take and a backwards lateral drop. 

Snap Down, Back Take and Backwards Lateral Drop: Start in a collar and arm tie, snap down the head of the opponent; when they come up, raise the arm and duck under and round for back take; then lateral back drop by moving your head away from the side where you are blocking the foot. 

We also worked on a Ten Finger Choke from a deep leg grab against an opponent in open guard when you are standing: when opponent wraps around leg; drive knee forward to create tension; then pull knee back to create space to insert choking fingers and drop chest or head on head of opponent to create pressure. 

We also worked on the Ezekiel Choke from full mount and guard. I use this all the time, but we also worked on the other choke I am experimenting with at the moment, too. 

Baseball Bat Choke from Full Guard Bottom Gi Grip Variation: You have opponent in full closed guard; grip opponent's gi and bring it under his armpit and pass it around the neck; then using the gi to baseball bat choke from there by opening the guard and tempting the opponent to move out of your guard and into a position himself where he will effectively choke himself. 

Sparring was fine. I got caught in a leg triangle when I wasn't watching my Ps and Qs, then I did ok against everyone else. But it was my first class back for two weeks so that was OK.

Grading News...

I attended the annual grading at my new BJJ school and I got a couple more stripes on my blue belt to make me a three-stripe blue belt. I'm pretty pleased with this as I feel like I've made genuine progress there this year: I now train in no-gi; I did OK when I competed in both gi and no-gi in the summer; and I'm certainly better than I was 12 months ago. 

The school also encourages students to test themselves in competition, which means that quite a lot of my fellow grapplers have that battle-hardened edge. This is good because it keeps everyone sharp and on their mettle when we are rolling in class. 

Four of my friends also got promoted from white to blue and pretty much everyone else got additional stripes for their endeavours. The two main teachers at the school also got their black belts, which was a great moment. 

When I left London Fight Factory at the end of last year, I genuinely worried that I wouldn't find a place where I felt as comfortable and welcome. It really was like saying goodbye to a family. So I feel genuinely blessed to have found One Jiu Jitsu in Guildford. They've made me welcome, worked with my skill limitations and helped a 50-year-old have the confidence to compete again. 

I'm aiming to move up a gear next year in terms of training and, with a competition already entered in February, I have a good reason to up my game. 

Classes 389-390...

Two classes in quick succession. First up was a No Gi class in which we worked on the following.

Leg Triangle Set-ups: This was full guard and involved securing wrist control, then stuffing one hand and keeping the other, then trapping the secured arm and attacking for the triangle.

Granby Roll to Leg Triangle: Escape from side control by framing up and coming to turtle, then Granby Roll for Leg Triangle.

Sparring was OK. I was murdered by higher belts but I was OK everywhere else. 

I am also experimenting with Greco-Roman Wrestling Lateral Drop. This goes like this:

Greco-Roman Wrestling Lateral Drop: Stand facing opponent with one collar tie with the hand gripping the back of the neck and an overkook on the other side once the opponent has secured an underhook. Use overtook hand and connect it to the wrist on the collar tie hand. Step out so you are at 90 degrees from the opponent and use frame and stance to apply pressure. Outside foot steps in and you turn into the side of the overlook and use the overhook control to drop the opponent to the floor.

Next up was a Gi class where we worked on some very similar concepts.

Granby Roll to Leg Triangle: Escape from side control by framing up and coming to turtle, then Granby Roll for Leg Triangle.

Turtle to Granby Roll to Side Control: Trap arm, escape hips out 90 degrees and roll away and underhook arm at same time, then come up and drive weight onto opponent and come to side control.

Turtle to Escape Back Control: Slump far down and ensure opponent does not put foot hooks in when in back control, then turn into opponent, drive forward and knee tap to secure side control.

Sparring was OK. I was murdered by higher belts but I was OK everywhere else.

Classes 387-388...

First up was a No Gi class working on transitional guards. 

We worked on: 

De La Riva to Tripod Sweep Position

Tripod Sweep to X Guard

X Guard to Tripod Sweep Position

Tripod Sweep Position to De La Riva 

We also got a Back-take from De La Riva where the opponent back steps. This involves inserting both hooks and grabbing opponent at waist, pulling him down and extending hooks and pulling him into back mount, securing seatbelt position and attacking for chokes.

Sparring was OK. I feel like I'm getting something back. I hit a couple of people with head and arm chokes from full guard. Playing King of Open Guard I was OK, too.

Next up was a Gi Class working on a positional reverse and an attack sequence. 

This went something like this: 

Turtle to Granby Roll to Full Closed Guard

Establish same side sleeve and collar grips, 

Open guard, shrimp out with foot on side of opponent's hip opposite to grips

Other knee comes up to knee shield

Scissor sweep and come up to full mount

Extend out using foot on hip and use knee shield leg to attack bicep of opponent's arm, then close for leg triangle

Also Granby roll from turtle into leg triangle

Helpful hint when tightening triangle and using underhook, go palm to palm to attack straight armbar. 

It was a decent class and I feel like my sparring is not as awful as it was a month or so ago.

Classes 385-386...

A No Gi class which included: 

Man in bottom full guard getting double wrist control, then stuffing one arm of the opponent into his chest and attacking for Leg Triangles. 

Escape from Flattened Out on Bottom in Half Guard: Secure leg of opponent in half guard, then block hip and frame other arm under chin of opponent. Create space by extending frame, then insert knee shield and stretch back into defensive position. 

From here, fight for underhook and attack back or collapse knee shield to secure underhook and attack back. 

Drill went from squashed on bottom in half guard, to recovering knee shield, to attacking back for chokes. 

Sparring was odd. I feel as though I am getting worse. Maybe I am just plateauing a bit. I think things will improve with greater attendance once the pool season is done. 

I need to keep working side control escapes and attacks. And shin-on-shin guard, too. 

Next up was a Gi Class in which we worked on transitional guards. These included: 

Shin on Shin to De La Riva 

De La Riva to Cross Guard 

Single X to X Guard, then sweep with arm on shoulder; or pass arm through and over head and back take 

Single X leglock 

We also had an introduction to the saddle position. 

Sparring was OK. I need to work on my inside foot pummelling.

Classes 383-384...

First up was a No Gi class in which we worked on triangle set-ups from full guard. The sequence went something like this: 

Leg Triangle set-up as man in full guard gets sleeve control and stuffs one arm to set up attack.

Opponent defends his arm by hiding it once Leg Triangle is on.

One possible answer is to bring hips up and drag arm of opponent back across to attack.

Other possible answer is Teepee.

Other possible answer is to switch triangle by holding head of opponent to prevent his escape, then swap legs, then attacking for straight arm bar, kimura or wrist lock

We also then worked on attacking Leg Triangle from a threatened Hip Bump Sweep into a Guillotine into a Leg Triangle. We also attacked a Leg Triangle from Mount. 

A good class working on essential basics.

Next up was Gi class on Transitional Guards. The real revelation here was the shin-on-shin guard and how to employ this guards at the point when you opponent puts his foot inside your guard to attack for a pass.

Shin on Shin Guard: opponent foot pummels with one leg in your open guard, underhook leg of standing opponent, bring outside leg back in and go shin to shin, in gi grab lapel and pass to hand underhooking leg. In No Gi, try to establish wrist control.

Sweeping options from here involve rolling back and elevating leg. 

De la Riva: if open guard is getting passed, secure ankle control on one side, insert De la Riva hook, secure a cross grip on the sleeve of the opponent and extend with other leg to topple opponent. 

Options from here: come up into base and start to pass,

We also did one work on Single X and X Guard.

Shin-on-shin Guard is something I will definitely incorporate as it is the phase I often lose opponents in if they pass my open guard. 

Classes 381-382...

First up, a No Gi class in which we worked on our favoured guillotine routine from an arm and collar tie-up. This went something like this:

Ten-finger Choke from Arm and Collar Tie: Bring own outside arm on opponent’s arm in, push opponent’s head down and cover back of opponent's head with chest; cup hands together under neck of opponent, close blades of wrists around head of opponent to limit his escape opportunities; do arm curl to raise finger guillotine on neck of opponent, then push down chest. 

High Arm Guillotine From Arm and Collar Tie: Bring own outside arm on opponent’s arm in, push head of opponent under your armpit, slide opposite arm under neck of opponent, connect hands and throw the other arm over shoulder of opponent. 

Hand in Guillotine From Arm and Collar Tie: Bring own outside arm on opponent’s arm in, push head of opponent under your armpit, slide opposite arm under neck of opponent, connect hands and throw other arm over shoulder of opponent. If this does not work, swim arm under armpit of opponent, then sprawl and drop down, then attack for Darce Choke.

Darce Choke from Top Position on Turtled Opponent following Arm in Guillotine: Move to side and keep body weight pressure on opponent; shoot arm under armpit of opponent through to opposite side so it waves at you; gable grip own hands together so knife blade of your top arm applies pressure to the back of the opponent’s neck; use this grip to then come to top side; shoot arm through under opponent and swap positions; grab own bicep and rest hand on back of opponent to aid control; squeeze for tap. 

I’m still quite rusty on Darce Chokes but I am starting to under stand them a bit more. I am trying to hit them a little bit now, too! 

We then did some work on setting up a Guillotine from Full Guard but baiting a Hip Bump Sweep, then using the armpit over shoulder position to attack for a guillotine. 

Sparring was OK but I am ore playing than properly sparring at the moment. I seem to have lost my confidence and fearlessness a bit. I got ruined by a senior belt, but I hit a lockdown position. I am also still persevering with Half Guard Knee Shield. 

The second class was BJJ Gi affair and we worked on some basic Armbar, Omoplata and Leg Triangle attacks from Full Guard.

The real revelation at this class was attacking for the leg over the neck of the opponent and arm trap control position. For future notes I will call this the Ovrehook Kick Neck Position. This is a good position from me as it comes from an overhook position and this is one of my go-to positions. 

To attack for this position from Full Guard is simple. Body hug the opponent and pull him backwards, when he uses his arms to base back up, chicken wing his arms and secure an overhook and hip out to the side. This gives options for an Omoplata attack but it also allows you to send your bely button to the floor as you swing you top leg over the back of the opponent and place it in the small of his neck at the side. From here,  there are options for kimuras, straight armbars inverted armbars and wristlocks. 

The same mechanics also work from Bottom Side Control and Butterfly Guard. 

I have to get with this system as it gives me attacking options from one of my favoured positions and it is an excellent way to develop my side control game and my butterfly game. 

Class 380...

Another class in quick succession. Today was a BJJ Gi dinnertime class in which we focused on the leg drag pass from one of the previous No Gi classes.

This went something like this: 

Opponent is seated with his feet on your hips as you stand: leg drag pass, drop down and pin opponent’s knee to floor; secure head control and drop down into passing position

From here, the options are:

In side control, place your hand inside the opponent’s hip to prevent him Turtling then Granby Rolling to recover guard; this buys you time to insert a hook as he rolls and attack for back control. 

From Turtle position with hook inserted, you angle out and rest your upper body on the back of your opponent; you hold the other foot of the opponent, and place your foot on the floor near the grasped foot; then roll back and kick own foot against other foot to attack for calf slicer. 

Or roll back for back attack. This position is called The Truck and is part of the Eighth Planet System.  

We also did an escape from rear mount in which we defended the hooks and hipped out and turned back in to face the opponent. 

Sparring was OK but I was still well off the pace. I am getting some semblance of positional defence back, though. 

Classes 378-379...

A No Gi BJJ class in which we focused on using a wresting sequence to secure top control in both No Gi and MMA. This went something like this: 

Top Control Position: 

Opponent is on his back and has his feet on your hips; choose one of the opponent’s legs and leg drag to the opposite side of your body, keeping your nearest hand on his foot and your furthest hand on the inside of his knee; drop down and use knee slice position to pin his non-dragged leg to the floor; secure head control and apply shoulder pressure. 

Then options are:

Passing into side control

Moving one knee over and then the other knee to secure mount

Moving to rear mount

Placing elbow in hip of opponent and allowing opponent to turtle and inserting hook and attacking for back control with seatbelt

Next up was a BJJ Gi Beginners Class and we did a sequence involving a Hip Bump Sweep from Full Guard and A Bride and Roll Escape. We then did another sequence involving attacking for an Armbar from full guard, then the opponent defending the amrbar by pulling his arm out and attacking for a Leg Triangle. 

Sparring was OK. I still felt massively off the pace and I got caught a couple of times by a decent white belt. But I also hit a couple of Leg Triangles, Omoplatas, Scissor Sweeps and Chokes. 

Classes 376-377...

First up was a Wrestling Class working on Single Leg Takedowns. 

I remain pretty poor at these, but I am starting to get better at the step sequence, which goes as follows: 

Touch opposite shoulder of opponent

Drop down to change level 

Step to side of opponent and underhook leg and connect hands together 

Trap leg of opponent between your legs 

Posture up and ensure head is against side of opponent to avoid guillotine 

Move round and drag leg and use head to batter opponent down 

Secure control position

We then added a back take and a backwards lateral drop into this sequence. My sparring was OK but not brilliant. I am way off the pace at the moment. 

Next up was a No Gi BJJ Class in which we worked on escapes bottom side control. 

Escape from Bottom Side Control: Man on bottom secures underhook on neck block side; come to knees to face opponent; knee tap opponent to push him over; secure side control with arm under head of opponent. 

We then worked on a finish from this position. 

Head and Arm Choke from Top Side: arm under head pins across throat of opponent, then swoops round and catches arm and swoops under and traps arm of opponent, then sets up arm triangle. 

We then did some King of the Guard. I am still relying on Closed Guard too much but I had some success with operating from Half Guard with back takes using an underhook. 

I continue to be off the pace at sparring, but I hit a couple of decent throws from standing. 

Classes 374-375...

My first BJJ classes back after a two-week holiday and a three-week lay off due to new job, and we did some work on Butterfly Guard. 

This went something like this: 

Defence Against Butterfly Guard: Opponent has butterfly guard, so body lock the opponent with double underhooks and push him backwards; keep body lock tight and head driving into opponent; underhook head of opponent; step over butterfly guard to move into side control; connect hands together and keep pressure on opponent. 

If the opponent gives his back up, drop hooks in and get seat belt control. 

If the opponent turns away and gets up on his elbow, secure the Khabib grip and flatten opponent out. 

We then played King of the Guard for a while and I did OK defending the position and OK attacking open guard, too. 

Sparring was fine but I was a bit off the pace. I am starting to use omoplatas and head and arm chokes more, too. 

Next up was a beginners BJJ Gi class in which we did some basic techniques, kicking off with a quite cool movement drill to aid re-guarding. 

Up first was a class on setting up armbars from closed guard, with particular emphasis  on the initial two-on-one grip and cross grip to pin the arm of the opponent that is being attacked. We then added the pull the arm out defence and the move to omoplata and the leg triangle drill.

We then did a sequence on the Kimura from Half Guard on Top: Attack for kimura from top; if opponent stops kimura by grabbing belt, swap hands, then switch hips to full guard; push your elbow to your knee to break grip of opponent, then pull his arm out and attack kimura.

Specific sparring was OK. I am starting to place myself in guard to practice escaping the position. I also need to add Scissor Sweep and Hip Bump Sweep to my offensive arsenal.

Classes 371-373...

Three classes in quick succession.

First up was a Gi Class in which we went through the transitions between different types of guard and we drilled moving through them. The hand initial hand grips began with a cross collar grip and same side sleeve control. The guards were:

Butterfly Guard to Half Guard to Full Closed Guard to Double Wrist Control in Open Guard to Butterfly Guard to De La Riva Guard to Single X Guard to X Guard.

We then played with a few techniques from these:

Butterfly Guard and Arm Drag to Back Take

Half Guard and Knee Shield Collapse to Back Take

Full Guard and Push Arm and Own Arm Under Leg Sweep

De La Riva Leg Kick Out Untrapped Leg Spin Under and Behind Grab Belt and Back Take

Sparring was mainly positional. I am asking to start in people's guards to encourage me to posture and pressure and break correctly. This is inspired by my failure to watch my Ps and Qs at the recent competition.

The MMA Class focused on drills to move on and off the cage wall. These were:

Turn opponent round on cage using under/over control and pulling overhook down to elevate undertook side and spin opponent.

Jab and overhand right combination to set up attack for single leg.

Defend single leg by framing back, stepping out and coming back with knee in face of opponent.

Defend single leg by guillotine.

Defend single leg by kimura and kimura sweep using leg on as hook to toss.

In the next gi class, we worked on moving from butterfly to half guard to full guard to half guard to butterfly. We used a cross collar and same side sleeve control to do this. 

Triangle from Guard:left hand has cross collar grip and right hand has wrist control; open guard and shrimp out to right foot on hip and bring left knee in for knee shield,; kick knee shield out and use knee to rest on arm of opponent; then kick the arm out and close triangle.

To Finish Triangle:If the opponent postures up, unhook triangle and swap foot position so feet hook under one another, then bring opponent back down and lock up triangle.

Tee Pee:If opponent hides choking arm, kick legs into loose guard and finger grip hands behind your own legs, then extend legs for tap.

If he hides arm, you can also switch triangle and attack his other arm for an armlock. 

If he defends by bringing his arm in, you can save his arm across and attack both arms. 

Sparring was fine. I gassed a little bit and I got tapped by the senior belts. I nearly hit a nice omoplata, though

Classes 369-370...

First up was a No Gi class. We worked on the following:

Ten-finger Choke from Arm and Collar Tie: Bring outside arm in, push head down and cover back of opponent's head with chest, cup hands together under neck of opponent, close blades of wrists around head of opponent to limit his escape opportunities, do arm curl to raise finger guillotine on neck of opponent, then push down chest. 

Guillotine From Arm and Collar Tie: Bring outside hand in, push head of opponent under your armpit, slide opposite arm under neck of opponent, connect hands and throw the other arm over shoulder of opponent. 

Hand in Guillotine From Arm and Collar Tie: Bring outside hand in, push head of opponent under your armpit, slide opposite arm under neck of opponent, connect hands and throw other arm over shoulder of opponent. If this does not work, swim arm under armpit of opponent, then sprawl and drop down, then attack for darce or anaconda choke. 

Side Control Escape: Frame on bottom and turn away from opponent, then Granby Roll back to secure guard. 

Guard Retention and Escape Drills: I was OK at guard retention, but I sucked at guard escape. 

The second class was a Gi class and we worked on the importance of securing the undertook to escape when on the bottom in side control. 

Side Control Underhook Escape and Knee Tap: When on bottom, use frame under neck of opponent to create space, insert neck hand to undertook, switch hips and come to knees, then knee tap for sweep. 

Side Control Underhook Escape and Roll Opponent: When on bottom, use frame under neck of opponent to create space, insert neck hand to undertook, walk hips away from line of opponent in scarf hold, join hands and rock opponent over. 

Competition Time...

Since taking redundancy, I've trained consistently hard at my new BJJ gym in Guildford. I've probably trained more consistently here in the last six months than at any other point in my martial arts life. It obviously helps that the pressures of work are not interfering, but it's just been an absolute blast to put the hours in. 

Most of the belts my level and above pretty comprehensively murder me at the gym, and several of the white belts are rapidly improving and catching me in submissions, too. But BJJ remains an utter joy. You can't have an ego doing it. You've just got to continue rolling and learning. I've also been doing No Gi for about six months, too, which is faster and has different handles to get to grips with. 

I've had such a good time here that I decided I'd compete again, so I entered the Brighton Open in the No Gi, Gi Absolutes and Gi categories. I had no idea what to expect in the No Gi, but I felt I had a decent chance in the Gi category if I was fighting in my age bracket. 

Up first was the No Gi. I fought a muscled opponent 15 years younger and quickly got full guard. I defended the position and tried a couple of attack and sweeps. I got an advantage point up and I scraped the win. There were only two of us the category so I got Gold. An unexpected win.

I then had a six-hour wait until I fought in the Absolutes in Gi. I again got full guard early and I tried a couple of sweeps and attacks. But after five minutes, the match was pointless so it went to a referee's decision. I lost this, but I was sort of happy enough. Even though I was exhausted.

I then had ten minutes until my Gi fight in my age category. I was feeling OK about this, but it didn't go to plan. I got the opponent in my guard, then I just made daft mistake after daft mistake. I'd been very disciplined in my previous fights, but I lost that mental discipline in this fight. I have no complaints about losing. He was better than me on the day. That was easy to see. I'm just annoyed I screwed up and I made life difficult for myself.

But competition is always tough. However, I had two good fight performances out of three. Next time out, my discipline and game plan will be getter and my gas tank will be better because I'll drop the Absolutes and just compete in two events. 

The best thing about the whole day, though, was the level of support I got from my fellow team-mates. It was contagious and I certainly returned the favour when they were fighting. Everyone I saw fight from the gym tried their nuts off and there were notable successes and some impressive performances for quite a few people. But even the ones who didn't medal went out and tested themselves and they'll be better for it. 

A rising tide floats all ships. And improving standards and the greater fighting experience everyone gathered at this event will hopefully mean all our ships are on the move.

Classes 367-368...

A gi class working on the Single X position, where we worked on the Single X Sweep into a leg lock. This went something like this:

Single X Sweep into Leg Lock: drive under hips of standing opponent, with additional information on finishing the leg lock using the shotgun and allowing the opponent to part escape his foot to tighten the lock.

Defence in gi: grab collar of opponent, shove leg through and put boot on, escape trapped knee, come to mount, attack for triangle if possible

X Guard: kick out with foot on hip, bring outside leg onto other leg of opponent, drop other leg to bottom of leg of opponent, stretch opponent out and sweep, attack for leg lick, use hook to sweep opponent' over, then leg lock

Sparring OK. Wrist locks OK, hit a couple of triangles, trying to pass guard standing. 

A second class, this time with no gi. 

Ten-finger Choke from Arm and Collar Tie: bring outside arm in, push head down and cover back of opponent's head with chest, cup hands together under neck of opponent, close blades of wrists around head of opponent to limit his escape opportunitie, do arm curl to raise finger guillotine on neck of opponent, then push down chest.

Guillotine from Arm and Collar Tie: bring outside hand in, push head of opponent under your armpit, slide opposite arm under neck of opponent, connect hands and throw othe arm over shoulder of opponent.

Hand in Guillotine from Arm and Collar Tie: bring outside hand in, push head of opponent under your armpit, slide opposite arm under neck of opponent, connect hands and throw othe arm over shoulder of opponent. If this does not work,swim arm under armpit of opponent, then sprawl and drop down, then atrack for darce choke or anaconda choke.

Side Control Escape from Bottom: frame on bottom and turn away from opponent, then granby roll back to secure guard.

Guard retention and escape drills: I was OK at guard retention but I sucked at guard escape.

Classes 365-366...

Another two classes in quick succession, kicking off with a gi class. 

Recover Half Guard from Bottom Side: block hip with one hand, frame under neck with other, shrimp to side, insert knee, secure half guard, then shrimp other way to secure full guard. 

Recover Half Guard from Bottom Side: block hip with one hand, frame under neck with other, shrimp to side, insert knee then shrimp and insert other knee. 

Escape Bottom Side Control: create frame under neck of opponent, block hip, use arm under neck to secure underhook, switch hips and come to knees, drive opponent and use knee tap to topple him over.

Use underhook to swim under arm and push arm of opponent under throat, then apply head and arm choke

We then did an MMA class and worked on some stand-up grappling drills. 

Plum Clinch Basics: blades of arms driving into neck of opponent, hands clinched on top of head not on neck. 

Plum Clinch Escape No.1: lead leg side extend arm across face of opponent and secure shoulder, lock in frame to create space, shuck him off, deliver right cross. 

Plum Clinch Escape No.2: Opponent secures weak plum clinch, go inside his arms to secure inside control. 

Plum Clinch Escape No.3: 50/50 tie-up, bring outside hand inside, tighten overhook, pull overhook down and lift other arm of opponent up and spin into space of elevated to take back

Take Back from Wrestling Tie-up No.1: Clamp down on overhook, move hand under elbow of opponent, clamp down on overhook and push up elbow of other arm, spin round to take back. 

Guillotine from Wrestling Tie-up No.2: bring hand in, push head of opponent down, slide forearm under neck of opponent, connect other hand, and go high with clamping arm over shoulder of opponent. 

10-finger Choke from Wrestling Tie-up No.3: Push head of opponent down, put own chest on back of opponent's head, thumb tip to thumb tip under neck of opponent, close arms, action to choke is like a bicep curl and your chest pushes head of opponent down.

Take Back from Initial Grab by Opponent No.1: outside block to bat grabbing hand away, opposite hand comes inside same arm to pull it inside, then take back.

Take Back from Initial Grab by Opponent No.2: pat grabbing hand down, opposite hand comes inside same arm to pull it inside, then take back.

Classes 362-364...

Three classes in quick succession, kicking off with a gi class. 

We worked on strategies for getting out of an opponent's guard. The key take-home points here were:

Strip grip of opponent and stuff hand to one side.

Step up on leg on side of trapped arm. 

Push leg down to break guard of opponent.

Options then are:

Drop into combat base and use staple pass.

Stay standing, leg drag to side, move into side control.

Drop into combat base and use double unders pass.

Sparring was fine. I mainly rolled with white belts and played with half guard and knee shield.

Next up was an MMA class and we worked on short punch combinations, with a few roundhouse leg kicks to wreck the knee and thigh of an opponent. 

One combination we worked on involved to step out on jab, then deliver the right and the hook, then deliver roundhouse kick with the space created by the step-out.

We also did a couple of drills to secure free leg shots. These went something like this: 

Throw two punches and step back, opponent follows and you kick opponent as he moves.

Throw punches and step forward and push opponent back, he moves back and throw kick.

Finally, we did a No Gi class working on strategies for escaping half guard bottom.

Flattened in half guard, block knee, frame under neck, create space and get onto side, insert knee, then go into full guard or butterfly guard.

Transition drill between half guard bottom to butterfly sweep and butterfly to knee shield and back attack.

Sparring was OK. I am a bit off the pace.