DadandZachonRecumbents.com

Today is my 6th month in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes (31 classes, not the best record but it is good for me). What I learned is that I am in a lot better shape physically and cardiovascular wise, which has helped me do a lot of things for my family and around the house for myself.

I started reading the Rickson Gracie book about a week ago. I made it a goal that if I stuck with it for 6 months I would finish this book, Comfort in Darkness: The Invisible Power of Jiu Jitsu. I missed a few classes because of labor day and my schedule conflicting. 

I feel like I am a lot more confident in my ability to defend myself, but obviously there are holes that I need to fill. Like defending against strikes. And take downs. 

They say most people quit around 6 months.

I will be living in the same house and area for a long time, so I will be going to the gym if it is around for many years to come. 

The big thing that is getting in the way of my focus right now is social media and video games. I need to get back on track this week in particular. My right leg has been hurting, from the hip to the knee, both joints hurt and the muscle feels sore sometimes. It was really bad last Thursday and over the weekend but it is a lot better feeling today.

Coach: Allie

Partners: Troy, Ross

Today, we did defense from the bottom when opponent has side control and we started with top guy on modified side control with hip on the ground:

1. Create a frame with the left forearm across their face and under their chin on the clavicle area.
2. Put right hand down at their hip
3. Push them away and twist / bring legs around while rolling them over
4. Get side control with a hook.

A different defense we did:

1. Get frame on their face under chin and push 
2. Get right hand down to their hip area
3. Push and scoot away from them
4. Get closest knee to their body for a frame
5. scoot/shrimp
6. Get closest foot onto their hip
7. Get other knee up to frame

Another:

1. Get frames up same as before
2. Put closest knee to their chest
3. Bring opposite foot to butterfly hook their closest leg
4. Scoot and get the other butterfly hook
5. Push them away with legs and get my head in front of their hips

From these last two you can:

1. Technical stand up by pushing off the opponent
2. Go to closed guard (with the feet on hips not so much the butterfly one)
3. Flip them over and do triangle or arm bar, other submissions.

At the end we sort of rolled a little, Ross was doing really well. He got 2 arm bars and I don’t think he knew how he did it but it worked out and I tapped. One time he got me by just crushing down on me and I tapped and said I have to breathe for a bit. I wanted to be able to get out of bed tomorrow. 

One thing I hit successfully: I successfully got a butterfly hook with my newly acquired flexibility.

One thing that failed: Triangle choke. I just couldn’t finish the choke because I didn’t have the correct form. I could have squeezed and pushed my legs up instead of turning to the side like I was doing.

One thing I will try next class: I will try to stay for a round or two of rolling so I can get some takedown experience.