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.