Class 150...

An open-mat session and lots of sparring, where I go tapped all over the place. 

Everyone I sparred with just seemed bigger and stronger and faster and, although I secured and maintained a few dominate positions, I was second-best for most the session. 

One problem I have is that my other martial arts discipline is a self-defence and reactive one. It relies on the opponent making the opening move from standing then me countering it. In BJJ, I need to escape that mindset and go on the offensive from the off or I'm handing my opponent the advantage. 

I've known this for a while and I need to get into attack mode from the off in sparring. I also need to focus on one or two submissions and start drilling them so they become 'go-to' attacks.

On the plus side, I'm sort of OK at defending bad positions. And I was close to nailing two reverse triangles today, too.

Things to remember: Pick a couple of submissions and drill them. The drill them again.

Class 149...

Another open-mat session and a roll with my heavier and stronger white belt friend. This pretty much ended in stalemate, despite me improving my position and trying a few submissions. 

I then rolled with a blue belt friend and got pretty comprehensively ruined, although I did catch a reverse leg triangle from a crucifix at one point. Sadly, I was too tired to finish it.

A fun session. My cardio needs work at the moment, though.

Things to remember: Work on cardio.

Class 148...

Another open mat session and more sparring.

First up was a much heavier white belt and he nailed a submission early on when I got sloppy defending a position, but I was pretty solid for most of our time afterwards and I threatened various chokes and arm locks.

Then I got to spend quite a bit of time rolling no-gi with a solid purple belt. I got pretty comprehensively ruined but I did catch a lucky foot lock from a scramble, then I nearly pulled off a wrist lock from an odd position. 

No-gi remains hard work, though, as there’s no go collar or sleeves to grab onto. It’s good fun, though, so I’ll continue to dabble with it when I get the chance.

Things to remember: Use natural body handles when rolling no-gi.