The less you seem to know.


So in the last two weeks ive started to take more Fundamentals 2 classes which inlude at least 15 min of live rolling. Ive ben rolling at open mat off and on for about a month.


What ive learned is I still dont know shit. Im getting tapped left and right by blue belts, purple belts, and white belts. Getting tapped isnt actually that frustrating. The frustrating part is not really knowing waht to do in different positions.

Sometimes i feel like either in guard or on top im just grabbing at things just to grab without a clear plan. Other times I finally earn a decent position but then get swept.


What they dont tell you in Fun 1 when youre drilling technique is how hard every inch is to earn in a live roll. Why did I think if i could get a knee slide that itd be easy for me to get into side control? NOPE.

Get the knee through and my opponent will just keep chasing me back into a guard, start over.

My strength right now is i can stay pretty calm in bad situations but I think I need to show more urgency and use my explosiveness more. Ive been holding back a bit so to not spazz, but Im going to try something new next class and see how it goes.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

classes under my belt, and I need to take a week off of live rolling due to getting my head spiked into the mat by another white belt who happens to be a former judoka of 8 years.

Last class I attended in my last roll of the night, I went for a single-leg takedown and, since Bernardo was teaching and has emphasized driving with the legs, I decided to drive with the legs. The problem was, my inner Paul did not remind me to keep my head inside on the torso on the takedown instead of outside under the arm, where I can be spiked. Just now getting full mobility in my neck back a week later.

Anyway, other than that, I have been getting decent positions, but have still not gotten my first submission. I think one dude tapped but when I let go and said "tap?" he was like "NO!". LOL

I have been subbed a decent amount and it does not mess with my ego at all. Only when I feel like a sub is done with too much force does it bother me.

All in all progress has been very slow, but steady.

Hoping to get at least a couple of fundamental technique classes in this week, maybe sit out any back rolls in the warmups lol.

Also, from IBJJF NY Summer Open - Matheus Diniz vs. Gilbert Burns Nogi Black Belt Open Class Final. Sick fight bro.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRHhmGzpKDo&feature=youtu.be

I didnt watch the match yet.

Yea I think I may have caught one guy in a submission but it was from a positional roll. Im not even counting times Ive tapped. I dont care. I can tap with a smile and get back at it.

Like I said my main thing is just getting better and figuring things out. Right now I feel like im making the same mistakes and I dont quite know how to fix them.

Wish I could videotape my rolls and get some coaching critique on them

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

after physically kind of bullying for a long stretch, getting picked up and slammed like that I'm sure had him dialing back a little out of caution

same guy that you dominate at one point can turn around and dominate you, going to your other point about how you roll and with whom.

one week I got everything I wanted on one guy, and the next he was styling on me. I admit I was conserving energy in the beginning cause Bernardo is wild for putting 6 minutes on the clock wtf, and that towards the end I was able to get what I wanted, but it just goes to show, just because time has progressed, doesn't mean your performance on any given day will be better, until you really accumulate months and months of rolling. (this sounds like asshole shit coming from a jive turkey beginner)

anyway I read "Zen Jiu Jitsu White to Blue" by Oliver Staark. He says if you keep getting caught with something, or if you are proficient at a move and then lose proficiency, you are most likely missing a detail, and to go back and drill, or ask a coach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZXuq9zpqts

She kinda had her hands ready there and it didnt look as full force as yours but I saw this video and thought of you instantly lol.


P.S. this is a dope event in Socal: they get people from all over to do jiujitsu in the park They go to different parks in the area and have one of tehse days.

https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/3e5zjn/im_proud_to_be_a_part_of_the_bjj_community_in_la/

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

that chick could keep rolling. I pretended I was good but Bernardo could tell I wasn't.

damn that event looks awesome though. I think practicing in a non-gym environment would be very freeing.

how those kids got better escapes than us though bro?

they just fly around everywhere

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

Felt that maybe I did 10% better using a couple things I saw on videos.
When I stand up to break guard, my opponent keepsusing their elow to hook onto my achilles and not give me space to pass. I have to be conscious of that sweep


If im in guard sitting back with good posture, wtf do i do next?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg1c9e7Ya88

I cnat jst sit up in good posture all day

What are some of your favorite passes from here?

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

Well I had one Saturday but that was against a girl who started the same time as me and is 100 lbs.

Yesterday I caught a white belt who has a couple stripes. I passed his guard, got to side control, got to full mount used my right arm to bait some fake shit like the Brabo I dont even really know how to do behind his neck,

Then pounced on his arm and locked it up in a Americana. Slowly pulled elbow in, kept the hand down and applied pressure up.

That was a good feeling.


What is the escape from that americana from mount? It may be my go to submission so I want to know the counter. My guess is it takes some strengt so I may not be able to do it to a guy who is bigger/stronger like Trey?

I mean if I get a solid mount and im really controlling their hips they cant move anywhere and then its 2 on 1 + gravity and bodyweight on one arm.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>What is the escape from that americana from mount? It may be
>my go to submission so I want to know the counter. My guess is
>it takes some strengt so I may not be able to do it to a guy
>who is bigger/stronger like Trey?
>
>I mean if I get a solid mount and im really controlling their
>hips they cant move anywhere and then its 2 on 1 + gravity and
>bodyweight on one arm.


At your level, most common escape you will come across is to straighten the arm. Problem for the defender is this opens them up to the straight armlock. So it's best to learn the Americana/straight armlock/Kimura series so you can bounce from one to the other as the move their arm to defend.

Higher level people will bridge to get on their side to take away your control of their arm, or to sweep you into guard on bottom.

Even higher level people won't allow you to get their arm.

FYI, Americana in mount can be tricky. You'll be fine with it for now, but as you attempt it on higher level people you will find you'll need a lot more technique than strength. It is easier to execute in side mount and half guard.

so bridge into the shoulder of the arm thats being locked up?

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

If you go away, you shoulder lock yourself.

If they step over your leg and trap, that sets up the sweep.

I am looking to double up and do a no gi with live rolling followed by a technique only gi class, just because I can get the most out of one of 2 days per week currently in my plan like that.

Given so little experience with the slow, technical nature of gi, is it too soon to start no-gi? I have heard no gi informs gi and vice versa but just wanted a more experienced opinion

Not too soon. They go hand in hand, while being two different entities. Doing one makes you better at the other. Never listen to people who say gi BJJ isn't practical.


>Given so little experience with the slow, technical nature of
>gi, is it too soon to start no-gi? I have heard no gi informs
>gi and vice versa but just wanted a more experienced opinion



No-gi isn't slower, it's faster pace. No grips on a gi makes things go much quicker. Sweatiness frequently makes it less technical from a defensive perspective.

I wouldn't call no-gi more or less technical than gi, but I do think a person's attributes play a bigger role.

which is much more slow and technical by nature (hence better for beginners)

so to jump into no-gi which looks so fast in comparison from what I've seen seems like it could be bad for developing 'fundamentals'

Going to start no-gi next thursday then, thanks!

Good luck. I see your point, but there's no point in delaying no-gi.

Based on what you've said in the past, I suspect you might end up preferring no-gi in the end.

I loved it, mostly based on it seeming to be utilitarian, straightforward and based on limbs rather than grips.

Watched Advanced 2 No-gi after my class, where Gianni went through a revolving door of other students in a take-down challenge for like 15 minutes straight, then did late night Gi with Marcos.

Hope to continue this every Thursday

i dont think its anything serious but in fun 1 today we were practicing a collar choke my partner posted to his elbow and got it tight quick over my throat i instantly tapped but it almost felt like a slight pop in my throat and now its sore when I like swallow or turn it towards the side that got caught.

its kinda right next to my adams apple (slightly left) I can breathe fine. Swallowing doesnt hurt just almost feels like a small lump there.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

my jkd instructor had us practice reacting against a RNC. my neck was really sore the next day in the way you described. It gets better every day but it takes up to a week.

nust so much jiujitsu it's going to be a long event

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

All I see on sale are tickets to the actual event on Studio 540.

How much is this thing dude?

if you signed up last night 20% off

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

You're right though, it will be long.

Once Murilo dropped I kind of lost interest.

Mostly looking forward to Miyao v. Tonon. That shit will be crazy.

he co-taught the class. He showed us technique and watched us drill technique. It was a long 2 he class with his famous warmup for 30 min, 45 minutes of tech and then 45 minutes of rolling.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

I love Ralph's style. Equal parts aggression and technique. There's so little footage of him doing straight jits, not MMA. Really the best footage I've seen is when he rolled against Budo Jake, who he beat like a 6 year old.

edit: I should also say whenever I see a Ralph brown or black belt I definitely stop and pay attention.


How was the warmup?

>I love Ralph's style. Equal parts aggression and technique.
>There's so little footage of him doing straight jits, not MMA.
> Really the best footage I've seen is when he rolled against
>Budo Jake, who he beat like a 6 year old.

Kurt basically runs the place. He answers the phone, runs front desk, teaches.



>
>edit: I should also say whenever I see a Ralph brown or black
>belt I definitely stop and pay attention.
>

They definitely emphasize pressure and using your body at the gym.

>
>How was the warmup?
It was tough. At Marcelo we joke about Sunday Advanced 1 warmup run by Marcos as one of the tougher ones. This was like that on steroids.

I missed the first 5-10 minutes because I was filling out the waiver
but it was a full 30 min (if not more of everything)
Running, shrimp drills, inside outs, wrestling drills, partner work, general calisthenics: pushups, situps, burpees.
The best thing about the warmup is SF weather is great for it. Doing that shit in NY would suck balls.

The most taxing part was running then having to sprawl whenever they called for it.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0eqqoX520Y

eh....

that was just too short and was perfect for Lennon vs Glover. Lennon got the early points for the takedown and then that was it. He was pressuring and passed jeff's guard a couple times but seemingly wasnt trying much in terms of submissions--just being heavy and passing.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

You guys got any interesting updates? Or at least good MGA stories to share?

I saw Marcelo in that Studio 540 promo. Keenan seemed to handle Marcelo fairly easily in their round. To be frank, it looked like he might've been holding back a bit out of respect.

I sort of became an assistant instructor. Again, it's a small academy, but I teach now when our instructor is out of town, which seems to be happening more or less every 1.5 months.

so great timing on this post

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

going light, but I didn't think it was a manhandling like a couple of MG's rolls I've seen. They always say he doesn't have an ego about getting tapped, and I believe it

I have been going to 3 classes a week basically, and have been making slow but steady progress. Getting my ass absolutely handed to me in nogi. Like tapped 5 - 6 times in a round type of shit. On the other hand I have transferred some of those asswhoopings into doing better in gi. Less apprehensions about rolling with higher belts also.

As far as Polaris 2, it seems like legs are the new thing, doesn't it? Not only with Tonon / Imanari headlining, but with Gianni and Barlow, Cummings and Bodycomb attacking the legs a great deal. Seems like something you HAVE to learn now to be successful, similar to how a lot of guys are working on wrestling to improve their jiujitsu

I really liked the Nakamura vs. Shaolin and the Agazarm vs. Strauss match-ups.

>going light, but I didn't think it was a manhandling like a
>couple of MG's rolls I've seen. They always say he doesn't
>have an ego about getting tapped, and I believe it


I'm sure he's fine with being submitted. I've seen him submitted numerous times both in normal training and competition. My comment wasn't a slight towards Marcelo, but more an observation about how good Keenan is getting.

Father Time catches up to us all, even Marcelo. : )



>
>I have been going to 3 classes a week basically, and have been
>making slow but steady progress.


You must be digging it. I remember your initial plan was 1x/week.


Getting my ass absolutely
>handed to me in nogi. Like tapped 5 - 6 times in a round type
>of shit. On the other hand I have transferred some of those
>asswhoopings into doing better in gi. Less apprehensions about
>rolling with higher belts also.
>



That's typical.

Rolling with higher belts will undoubtedly make you get better and help you see your mistakes faster, and to learn what works and what doesn't.



>As far as Polaris 2, it seems like legs are the new thing,
>doesn't it? Not only with Tonon / Imanari headlining, but with
>Gianni and Barlow, Cummings and Bodycomb attacking the legs a
>great deal. Seems like something you HAVE to learn now to be
>successful, similar to how a lot of guys are working on
>wrestling to improve their jiujitsu
>
>I really liked the Nakamura vs. Shaolin and the Agazarm vs.
>Strauss match-ups.
>
>


I haven't watched it. In no-gi, the leglock game is definitely the trend right now. I mean, leg locks aren't new, let's be clear. But they are being used with higher frequency for sure. I think they will stay popular for a while, but there is always some BJJ trend. I've seen a few in just my short time training. As people get more experience defending them, the sport will evolve, and it's possible their popularity will fade and folks will move on to something else. That's the nature of BJJ.

I will say, I enjoy training leglocks and using them in sparring, but holy shit is it boring to watch in competition for more than a minute or so.

My initial plan was to work in it with my regular routine, but it quickly has kind of become my routine. It's come with some weight loss, and some definite conditioning. Doing two Fundamental 2 classes, nogi and gi, last tuesday just left me so tired I could barely stand up afterwards. It's not cardio, it's not 'core', it's a totally different thing (i guess atp energy?). By the last roll I was so tired I was getting spazzed on by a smaller dude and just leaning my weight on him to use the least amount of energy possible. I hate to imagine if I rolled with the 230lber first. I am trying Onnit Shroom Tech and it definitely improved my energy level. The problem is the hour and a half class between the two classes I take kind of winds the body down.

We learned a leg lock from John Satava one of Marcelo's first black belts and I broke it out against a more seasoned guy in nogi and it really threw him off. He was much more careful than he needed to be for the rest of the roll. I'm sure he's teaching it to us white belts because it's become more important to know how to apply and defend on a higher level, so it trickles down.

The private with Paul Shawn mentioned above that we took with two other dudes was outstanding. He's an incredible teacher.

>My initial plan was to work in it with my regular routine,
>but it quickly has kind of become my routine. It's come with
>some weight loss, and some definite conditioning. Doing two
>Fundamental 2 classes, nogi and gi, last tuesday just left me
>so tired I could barely stand up afterwards. It's not cardio,
>it's not 'core', it's a totally different thing (i guess atp
>energy?).


I don't know what ATP is, but I agree. I played football when I was young, and lifted consistently from ages 14-30, when I finally gave up the lifting. That and BJJ was too much. At the time I was also doing MMA and kickboxing, which I quit about the same time.

My workout now is BJJ and yoga with sporadic other stuff like biking and kettle bell work. It's plenty. The yoga and BJJ wears me out enough.




By the last roll I was so tired I was getting
>spazzed on by a smaller dude and just leaning my weight on him
>to use the least amount of energy possible. I hate to imagine
>if I rolled with the 230lber first. I am trying Onnit Shroom
>Tech and it definitely improved my energy level. The problem
>is the hour and a half class between the two classes I take
>kind of winds the body down.
>
>We learned a leg lock from John Satava one of Marcelo's first
>black belts and I broke it out against a more seasoned guy in
>nogi and it really threw him off.


Which leglock did he show you?


He was much more careful
>than he needed to be for the rest of the roll. I'm sure he's
>teaching it to us white belts because it's become more
>important to know how to apply and defend on a higher level,
>so it trickles down.
>
>The private with Paul Shawn mentioned above that we took with
>two other dudes was outstanding. He's an incredible teacher.
>



Did Paul have a lesson already planned or did he ask what y'all wanted to work on? Out of curiosity, how much does he charge?

It's what the nutritionist / trainers will talk about as far as the energy you have available to you for training before a workout can start having a negative affect

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/galanis9.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adenosine_triphosphate

And I'm the same, I played football and have weightlifted regularly for years. Just going back to the gym today after taking last week off. Marcelo is starting to offer a yoga class on Thursdays now. A lot of people are talking about taking it actually.

The leglock john showed us was pretty straightforward, while you are standing as if to pass oppenent's open guard, the foot is wrapped under the arm so that toes are being 'crunched' while you step forward, sit, and lean over your elbow onto your shoulder.

We had a lesson plan more or less agreed on. Paul charged 2 bills because we plan to make it a recurring thing, which is not bad to split 4 ways. But otherwise it would be 250.

>
>The leglock john showed us was pretty straightforward, while
>you are standing as if to pass oppenent's open guard, the foot
>is wrapped under the arm so that toes are being 'crunched'
>while you step forward, sit, and lean over your elbow onto
>your shoulder.



Trying to visualize, sounds kind of like an ankle lock/estima lock sort of thing. What ever it is, it sounds cool, and like it would make passing a lot easier bc the opponent would be wary of their feet.


>
>We had a lesson plan more or less agreed on. Paul charged 2
>bills because we plan to make it a recurring thing, which is
>not bad to split 4 ways. But otherwise it would be 250.



$250? Cot damn. I always wonder how much the well-known and respected guys charge for private lessons. I wonder if he is regularly doing privates. I mean, that's a G for 4 hours.

I don't roll or perform martial arts, but staying well hydrated helps with overall cardio when I workout. I don't know how large you are, but I'm 6'1, about 210-220 lbs and I try to drink roughly 100 ounces of water a good two or three hours before I workout so I don't get too gassed during my workouts. I had to chime in since I saw you mention the Shroom Tech sport. While I don't doubt that it works, I personally am anti pre-workout supplements since they can become a crutch if you have to depend on them for getting through workouts. If you already are well hydrated, then feel free to ignore what I'm offering as advice.

"Sean sparks like John Starks, nah, Sean ball like John Wall" - Rest In Power Forever Sean Price.

I only tried Shroom Tech because I double up two days back to back so wednesday I'll do JKD and then BJJ, and wednesday I'll do BJJ, sit around for my next class, then BJJ again. So usually one of those days I'll take the Shroom Tech. There are plenty of workouts where I don't take anything. Also for lifting I was taking NO-Xplode and am now taking Assault for my long lifting days. To be honest I don't notice a pronounced difference when I don't take the preworkouts provided I am rested. The issue is I am so often not well rested on workout days lol.

would be great to add another place i can get beat up at in addition to the boxing gym. builds character

you're just picking it up for the first time?

Also agreed on getting hit in the face lol

never done any type of grappling before

So many good schools in LA which school are you near if you don't mind me asking

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

i'm near a Gracie Barra which i'm assuming is a chain/franchise and a local spot called NW Jiu Jitsu Academy

Looks like NW JJ is run by a 3rd degree Machado black belt. With Gracie Barra you know what you are going to get, as it's part of a large network and lineage worldwide, but the other one might be more laid back with just as much benefit to training there.

Also I dont know if inoulse would agree but i wouldnt describe Gracie Barra as a chain. I mean it is in some sense of teh word but when I think chain it usually has negative connotation of cheapness and low quality.

Which Gracie Barra are you near?

It looks liek this place is also close to one of teh Gracie Barra's

http://www.mabjj.com/default.asp

But I dont know seattle that well

Try checking them all out and seeing which one you like best

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>Also I dont know if inoulse would agree but i wouldnt
>describe Gracie Barra as a chain. I mean it is in some sense
>of teh word but when I think chain it usually has negative
>connotation of cheapness and low quality.
>




Right. In BJJ, there are teams, also called affiliations, that are worldwide. I imagine Gracie Barra might be the biggest one.

I trained at a Gracie Barra for a month once while I was out of town. It was great. Friendly people, plenty of talent. Maybe 8 or so black belts, one female. Plenty of MMA fighters.

I don't know GB's history but I think one reason they have a weird rep is their attendance tracking. Everyone has a card, and it gets marked when they attend class. I believe attendance is the main reason for kid's promotions and adult promotion to blue belt.

BJJ guys tend to dislike structure and rules, so this is one complaint I've heard in the past about GB from outsiders.

just feeling like im not improving. But today I rolled with a couple week old white belt (who had come back to bjj after a few years off where he trained for a couple months) and easily passed his guard and then had his back most the roll. I was able to put him in a body triangle that he told me crushed him.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

i keep forgetting to tune in but I love that guy.

TLI must've been a fun place at one point with all the guys they had there

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

It's ridiculous he's basically doing the same thing Imanari was doing a decade ago, and these guys still aren't prepared for it. His stand up still doesn't look good, he'll definitely have to get to the fight to the ground. Seems like he's going to be the next Damian Maia.

I've always thought Hall was way overrated. He's never won anything major at the black belt level. All his success was in smaller stuff like Grappler's Quest or when he was a purple/brown.

>It's ridiculous he's basically doing the same thing Imanari
>was doing a decade ago, and these guys still aren't prepared
>for it. His stand up still doesn't look good, he'll
>definitely have to get to the fight to the ground. Seems like
>he's going to be the next Damian Maia.
>

I disagree with his standup not looking good. It looks competent. It's not like Royce Gracie or og Maia where it was just a rush to pull guard ASAP. Or even early jacare that was powerful but not technical.

He's able to defend strikes he just doesn't have a lot of power but he just needs to stay dangerous enough and in range to use his bjj. But yea old school Maia wouldn't even engage in the feet he'd just fall into guard.



>I've always thought Hall was way overrated. He's never won
>anything major at the black belt level. All his success was
>in smaller stuff like Grappler's Quest or when he was a
>purple/brown.

I'll defer to you here. I think like Keenan people like hall because of his personality

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>>It's ridiculous he's basically doing the same thing Imanari
>>was doing a decade ago, and these guys still aren't prepared
>>for it. His stand up still doesn't look good, he'll
>>definitely have to get to the fight to the ground. Seems
>like
>>he's going to be the next Damian Maia.
>>
>
>I disagree with his standup not looking good. It looks
>competent. It's not like Royce Gracie or og Maia where it was
>just a rush to pull guard ASAP. Or even early jacare that was
>powerful but not technical.



Looking competent on TUF and looking competent in the UFC are 2 totally different animals. To me, his stand up looks like stalling until he sees opportunity for a takedown or to pull guard. There's no real threat to his standup.



>
>He's able to defend strikes he just doesn't have a lot of
>power but he just needs to stay dangerous enough and in range
>to use his bjj. But yea old school Maia wouldn't even engage
>in the feet he'd just fall into guard.
>
>
>
>>I've always thought Hall was way overrated. He's never won
>>anything major at the black belt level. All his success was
>>in smaller stuff like Grappler's Quest or when he was a
>>purple/brown.
>
>I'll defer to you here. I think like Keenan people like hall
>because of his personality
>



To an extent Keenan is in the same boat - people like his personality and its fairly easy to reach them through social media. Also, being American doesn't hurt.

But Keenan's done far better than Hall at the major tourneys already. He's won golds (and silvers) at Pans and World No-Gis at black belt. This year he got bronze at Gi World's in Absolute. To the best of my recollection, the only thing Ryan has done on that level was a ADCC bronze, which he got lucky with. He was eliminated the second round, but then there were two injuries so he got to come back and compete for third place against Jeff Glover which he won. However, Keenan also has couple of bronzes at ADCC.

Also, if we look back, Keenan was the first competitor ever to accomplish the BJJ grand slam, and he did while having to go against tough guys like the Miyaos.

I'm not the biggest Keenan fan. I don't try to emulate his style much at all, and I don't care about his personality. But there's no arguing his BJJ accomplishments far surpass Ryan's.

Welp he looked unimpressive vs the dude who I think will win it all

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

then once he went for the leg and submitted the first guy it clicked. He is a beast and he seemed competant on his feet. He wasnt scared to stand and trade in the pocket. He could go far in this competition.

November 8th, 2005 The greatest night in the history of GD!

Some slow weird feints was it. Second fight he threw some shots, but it all looked very labored to me.

but the second fight he stayed in the pocket when he threw. He exchanged a couple of times. They might not have had much on them and might have been telegraphed but he stood in there and threw. We all know how bad Maia was when he first got into the UFC. Shit Werdum fought for a long long time with laughable stand up. All of a sudden he puts it together and goes and wins a belt. Hall definitely has promise.

November 8th, 2005 The greatest night in the history of GD!

We all know how bad Maia was when he first got into
>the UFC. Shit Werdum fought for a long long time with
>laughable stand up. All of a sudden he puts it together and
>goes and wins a belt. Hall definitely has promise.



The big issue is Hall's age. He's already 30. Give him a great striking coach to work with for a few years, and he's 32-33. He could definitely be a late bloomer like Werdum and Maia, but I think those guys are the exceptions.

>We all know how bad Maia was when he first got into
>>the UFC. Shit Werdum fought for a long long time with
>>laughable stand up. All of a sudden he puts it together and
>>goes and wins a belt. Hall definitely has promise.
>
>
>
>The big issue is Hall's age. He's already 30. Give him a
>great striking coach to work with for a few years, and he's
>32-33. He could definitely be a late bloomer like Werdum and
>Maia, but I think those guys are the exceptions.


Which is why I think his standup is competent now.
I think he's built a nice buzz in his first few fights. R/mma was going pretty nuts for him and they generally don't like bjj guys. People like his game, his personality, his turrets matter of fact cockiness. He may end up in the UFC even if he doesn't win.

I don't know if he'll ever be champ. He'd probably have to fight at 145 or 155 and he all know the cardio beasts that exist there.

It seems like his jiujitsu- especially with his advanced leg lock game will be good for mma and he'd be a tough fight for anyone.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

He may end up in the UFC even if he
>doesn't win.


Agreed.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_pRkYUxw4K0&feature=youtu.be

I mean Marcelo isn't in fighting shape and old and giving up weight. I thought he looked great but Keenan trains with galvao regularly whose in shape, legendary and bigger

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>I mean Marcelo isn't in fighting shape and old and giving up
>weight.


I doubt there is much of a weight difference. Keenan said he's at about 190 now. I'd say him and Marcelo are probably about the same weight.

Isn't Marcelo like 31-32? Not that old. He's definitely not in competition shape like Keenan though.


I thought he looked great but Keenan trains with
>galvao regularly whose in shape, legendary and bigger



Galvao isn't that big. He looks huge because of his physique but he's not. He used to be in the same weight class as Marcelo, but he moved up one as he's gotten older.

rolled 4 times after class

Was able to stay in dominant position against a guy who usually out rolls me,
Went back to back and fought a guy I dominated earlier this week- but he might've beat me.
Then I rolled against a random 14 yr old polish kid who moved to ny just to train (wtf where they do that at?)

I was able to tap him with an Ezekiel and a knew choke from guard Marcos taught us.
I fElt kinda bad but I know in 10 yrs hell more than pay me back.

I re watched lots of technique video yesterday so this was good.
I tried to focus on really making a connection (c) Henry Akins...and consciously doing things instead of reacting and felt good.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>rolled 4 times after class


How many rounds do you average? I feel like it takes me 3-4 to get warmed up some days, but then some days my age hits me and 4 solid rounds is enough.


>
>Was able to stay in dominant position against a guy who
>usually out rolls me,
>Went back to back and fought a guy I dominated earlier this
>week- but he might've beat me.




I'm sure you know by now it's hard to gauge improvements against people you consistently roll with. Generally, you and your cohort that start around the same time will improve together at roughly the same rate. It's easier to notice your improvement with higher belts (are you giving them trouble? are they submitting you less often?) and newer/lower belts (are you able to control the direction of the match? see what they are looking to do and manipulate that how you want?)

I've had entire 6+ month lengths of time where I would think I wasn't getting better. Then you see a spike and things start to click again. It's typical. Sounds like you're on the upswing.



>Then I rolled against a random 14 yr old polish kid who moved
>to ny just to train (wtf where they do that at?)


Huh? Is he not in school? I'm assuming he is a white belt based on you submitting him. I've never heard of a white belt moving, especially long distance, for training. Shoot, I might have traded places with him the way this upcoming election is looking.


>
>I was able to tap him with an Ezekiel and a knew choke from
>guard Marcos taught us.
>I fElt kinda bad but I know in 10 yrs hell more than pay me
>back.
>
>I re watched lots of technique video yesterday so this was
>good.
>I tried to focus on really making a connection (c) Henry
>Akins...and consciously doing things instead of reacting and
>felt good.


I've never heard this quote but I like it. I tried to stress this to the guys during the couple of classes I taught last week. It's important to be fast and move, but there has to be control and technique, otherwise it's just flailing around.

weeks ago

The Polish kid I mean

He must have prior training because they wouldn't let him roll so early otherwise.

Anyway, shame on you Shawn

SHAME ON YOU

I get to say "hey I once tapped that kid"

I read about Dillon Danis when he started at around the same age. Couldnt even do a pushup and would get tapped left and right.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>>rolled 4 times after class
>
>
>How many rounds do you average? I feel like it takes me 3-4
>to get warmed up some days, but then some days my age hits me
>and 4 solid rounds is enough.
>


In the classes I can take we get 30 min max. Sometimes rolls are 6-7 minutes sometimes just 3. When I was training at a checkmat gym in LA they rolled like 8 rounds. Id be gassed as fuck lol

On avg at Marcelos right now its 3-4.


>
>>
>>Was able to stay in dominant position against a guy who
>>usually out rolls me,
>>Went back to back and fought a guy I dominated earlier this
>>week- but he might've beat me.
>
>
>
>
>I'm sure you know by now it's hard to gauge improvements
>against people you consistently roll with. Generally, you and
>your cohort that start around the same time will improve
>together at roughly the same rate. It's easier to notice your
>improvement with higher belts (are you giving them trouble?
>are they submitting you less often?) and newer/lower belts
>(are you able to control the direction of the match? see what
>they are looking to do and manipulate that how you want?)
>

One of the reasons I was so disappointed was because I felt my cohort was progressing faster than I was. I havent gotten a chanc eto roll with them this past week - but today I rolled with 3 other white guys at various levels and held my own in all the rolls.

Im really trying to be more conscious when I roll and stay connected. Be wary of grips I make and give (early on I was not sure what to do and left arms around too much).
T- since Pauls private i havent been swept when standing up to pass guard. That little trick of turning your knee in has been super helpful.


>I've had entire 6+ month lengths of time where I would think I
>wasn't getting better. Then you see a spike and things start
>to click again. It's typical. Sounds like you're on the
>upswing.

Yea sure Ill go back "down" again but just have to remember this.


>
>
>>Then I rolled against a random 14 yr old polish kid who
>moved
>>to ny just to train (wtf where they do that at?)
>
>
>Huh? Is he not in school? I'm assuming he is a white belt
>based on you submitting him. I've never heard of a white belt
>moving, especially long distance, for training. Shoot, I
>might have traded places with him the way this upcoming
>election is looking.
>

Yea im not sure. Maybe hes some super rich kid.

>
>>
>>I was able to tap him with an Ezekiel and a knew choke from
>>guard Marcos taught us.
>>I fElt kinda bad but I know in 10 yrs hell more than pay me
>>back.
>>
>>I re watched lots of technique video yesterday so this was
>>good.
>>I tried to focus on really making a connection (c) Henry
>>Akins...and consciously doing things instead of reacting and
>>felt good.
>
>
>I've never heard this quote but I like it. I tried to stress
>this to the guys during the couple of classes I taught last
>week. It's important to be fast and move, but there has to be
>control and technique, otherwise it's just flailing around.

I dont know if this is the same connection youre talking about but this is a
good video series on Connection that Akins showed. I think ive posted before:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Ly2Xtjj7A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhsdKOXE8rM


Theres a couple more videos in the series like Side control and guard that talk about making connection to your opponent

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

I feel like when I get my fingers deep in my sleeve I have les spurchase to get my hand accross the throat/ I should be sliding the sleeve down my forearm to get more purchase, right?


Do you know the name of the choke Marcos taught last week? One thing at Marcelos is they dont teach the names of a lot of techniques

So essentially there are 2 variations, but in the first variation you ill describe it with which hand i use:
1) open the lapel with either hand
2) get a deep cross collar on the lapel with right hand
3) work to break posture
4) as soon as you break posture you kind of simultaneously rotate your fright orarm and elbow so your forearm is accross thier throat
5) you reach the left arm around their head and grab your right elbow
6) You start to hip out to the right if you cant get the choke just from grabbing and appying pressure over your elbow and that gets the tap.


The other version may be more practical but similar approach with 1-2 modifications

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>I feel like when I get my fingers deep in my sleeve I have
>les spurchase to get my hand accross the throat/ I should be
>sliding the sleeve down my forearm to get more purchase,
>right?
>



You may want to try changing the angle of your mount to slide the hand across the neck. Also, instead of having the top hand vertical to come across the neck, try rotating it sideways to slide it across, then turn it vertical. Hopefully, I'm understanding your question.

Here is a good video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-KCxVQFMOU

I've also seen some other good videos from Lovato and Keenan on the Ezekiel on YouTube.

edit: I assumed you meant Ezekiel from mount, rather than the back, because the hand issue shouldn't be as much of a problem.


>
>Do you know the name of the choke Marcos taught last week? One
>thing at Marcelos is they dont teach the names of a lot of
>techniques



My instructor generally doesn't say technique names either, unless it's something common, e.g. Americana, triangle, etc


>
>So essentially there are 2 variations, but in the first
>variation you ill describe it with which hand i use:
> 1) open the lapel with either hand
>2) get a deep cross collar on the lapel with right hand
>3) work to break posture
>4) as soon as you break posture you kind of simultaneously
>rotate your fright orarm and elbow so your forearm is accross
>thier throat
>5) you reach the left arm around their head and grab your
>right elbow
>6) You start to hip out to the right if you cant get the choke
>just from grabbing and appying pressure over your elbow and
>that gets the tap.
>


I haven't practiced this, but based on what I am visualizing this sounds like maybe it is the ninja choke or something similar.


>
>The other version may be more practical but similar approach
>with 1-2 modifications

>>I feel like when I get my fingers deep in my sleeve I have
>>les spurchase to get my hand accross the throat/ I should
>be
>>sliding the sleeve down my forearm to get more purchase,
>>right?
>>
>
>
>
>You may want to try changing the angle of your mount to slide
>the hand across the neck. Also, instead of having the top
>hand vertical to come across the neck, try rotating it
>sideways to slide it across, then turn it vertical.
>Hopefully, I'm understanding your question.
>
>Here is a good video:
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-KCxVQFMOU
>
>I've also seen some other good videos from Lovato and Keenan
>on the Ezekiel on YouTube.
>
>edit: I assumed you meant Ezekiel from mount, rather than the
>back, because the hand issue shouldn't be as much of a
>problem.
>



Yes ezekiel from mount. I watched Rogers video but his was more about the setup to get it and not the details to finish




>
>>
>>Do you know the name of the choke Marcos taught last week?
>One
>>thing at Marcelos is they dont teach the names of a lot of
>>techniques
>
>
>
>My instructor generally doesn't say technique names either,
>unless it's something common, e.g. Americana, triangle, etc
>
>
>>
>>So essentially there are 2 variations, but in the first
>>variation you ill describe it with which hand i use:
>> 1) open the lapel with either hand
>>2) get a deep cross collar on the lapel with right hand
>>3) work to break posture
>>4) as soon as you break posture you kind of simultaneously
>>rotate your fright orarm and elbow so your forearm is
>accross
>>thier throat
>>5) you reach the left arm around their head and grab your
>>right elbow
>>6) You start to hip out to the right if you cant get the
>choke
>>just from grabbing and appying pressure over your elbow and
>>that gets the tap.
>>
>
>
>I haven't practiced this, but based on what I am visualizing
>this sounds like maybe it is the ninja choke or something
>similar.
>
>
>>
>>The other version may be more practical but similar approach
>>with 1-2 modifications



Another nice day of rolling today. Again focusing on staying connected to my opponent to get extra leverage.

Caught a guy in that choke I described above. Looking at videos I dont think its a Ninja Choke,

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

Although I've never seen it done with grabbing the elbow. Rather swimming the hand through and pushing the elbow up while rotating.

edit: If it is a loop choke, those are everywhere, and they have many variations.

Re: the ezekiel, without seeing it I'm not sure. I don't really understand what you are describing.

>Although I've never seen it done with grabbing the elbow.
>Rather swimming the hand through and pushing the elbow up
>while rotating.
>
>edit: If it is a loop choke, those are everywhere, and they
>have many variations.
>
>Re: the ezekiel, without seeing it I'm not sure. I don't
>really understand what you are describing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D98nirvc2s

Sinilar except in his example he passes the right arm over the head, I keep my right arm wrapped around the neck and go to my left elbow.

The setup Marcos taught is also different

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

https://youtu.be/1h9JOC9IzZs?t=42s

I tend to think of loop chokes as more of a category of chokes rather than a single one bc there are so many ways to do them.

>In the classes I can take we get 30 min max. Sometimes rolls
>are 6-7 minutes sometimes just 3. When I was training at a
>checkmat gym in LA they rolled like 8 rounds. Id be gassed as
>fuck lol
>
>On avg at Marcelos right now its 3-4.

Yep. I've noticed Jon's classes have way more positional sparring and then rolling which makes them tougher. Also you forgot to mention the Advanced 2 classes for blue belts and up which are an hour and a half go way more rounds than 3-4.

>One of the reasons I was so disappointed was because I felt my
>cohort was progressing faster than I was. I havent gotten a
>chanc eto roll with them this past week - but today I rolled
>with 3 other white guys at various levels and held my own in
>all the rolls.

Not sure if you meant white guys or white belts. The only color I see is belt bro, and in nogi, I don't see color at all LOL. Had 3 good rolls in nogi yesterday, one with Jeff and two with other AZN dudes. I did well positionally for the first two and then the last roll, the AZN dude just was crafty, wiry, and strong. Got caught in a crucifix, then a kimura in garbage time. Dude on the side I was drilling with (he's a white belt coach smh) was like "SMASH HIM!" but I notice I am too nice and don't like to use my weight advantage (part of that is also so I use technique more). I let go a couple of chokes too on the first guy to continue the flow rather than focus on the sub. I think I gotta stop doing that? I donno maybe it depends on how the guy is rolling.

Also the guy a couple weeks back that tapped me like 5-6 times I found out trained with Uriah Hall and taps purples pretty normally. Because he never does gi he never got a blue, which means in nogi he is stuck in the kiddie pool feasting. Kind of made me feel a little bit better.


>Im really trying to be more conscious when I roll and stay
>connected. Be wary of grips I make and give (early on I was
>not sure what to do and left arms around too much).
>T- since Pauls private i havent been swept when standing up to
>pass guard. That little trick of turning your knee in has been
>super helpful.

I could not open Jeff's closed guard. He is strong as you know and alternates between attacking the arm and the leg from the closed guard, which he makes very effective. And the last AZN dude swept me as I stood up to break his closed guard. Totally forgot about the knee thing. I need to review and repeat a lot on those finer points Paul had. Not gonna lie it was a little difficult applying them to nogi.

>>In the classes I can take we get 30 min max. Sometimes
>rolls
>>are 6-7 minutes sometimes just 3. When I was training at a
>>checkmat gym in LA they rolled like 8 rounds. Id be gassed
>as
>>fuck lol
>>
>>On avg at Marcelos right now its 3-4.
>
>Yep. I've noticed Jon's classes have way more positional
>sparring and then rolling which makes them tougher. Also you
>forgot to mention the Advanced 2 classes for blue belts and up
>which are an hour and a half go way more rounds than 3-4.
>
>>One of the reasons I was so disappointed was because I felt
>my
>>cohort was progressing faster than I was. I havent gotten a
>>chanc eto roll with them this past week - but today I rolled
>>with 3 other white guys at various levels and held my own in
>>all the rolls.
>
>Not sure if you meant white guys or white belts. The only
>color I see is belt bro, and in nogi, I don't see color at all
>LOL. Had 3 good rolls in nogi yesterday, one with Jeff and
>two with other AZN dudes. I did well positionally for the
>first two and then the last roll, the AZN dude just was
>crafty, wiry, and strong. Got caught in a crucifix, then a
>kimura in garbage time. Dude on the side I was drilling with
>(he's a white belt coach smh) was like "SMASH HIM!" but I
>notice I am too nice and don't like to use my weight advantage
>(part of that is also so I use technique more). I let go a
>couple of chokes too on the first guy to continue the flow
>rather than focus on the sub. I think I gotta stop doing that?
>I donno maybe it depends on how the guy is rolling.
>
>Also the guy a couple weeks back that tapped me like 5-6 times
>I found out trained with Uriah Hall and taps purples pretty
>normally. Because he never does gi he never got a blue, which
>means in nogi he is stuck in the kiddie pool feasting. Kind of
>made me feel a little bit better.
>
>
>>Im really trying to be more conscious when I roll and stay
>>connected. Be wary of grips I make and give (early on I was
>>not sure what to do and left arms around too much).
>>T- since Pauls private i havent been swept when standing up
>to
>>pass guard. That little trick of turning your knee in has
>been
>>super helpful.
>
>I could not open Jeff's closed guard. He is strong as you know
>and alternates between attacking the arm and the leg from the
>closed guard, which he makes very effective. And the last AZN
>dude swept me as I stood up to break his closed guard. Totally
>forgot about the knee thing. I need to review and repeat a lot
>on those finer points Paul had. Not gonna lie it was a little
>difficult applying them to nogi.
>
>

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>I dont know if this is the same connection youre talking about
>but this is a
>good video series on Connection that Akins showed. I think ive
>posted before:
>
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Ly2Xtjj7A
>
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhsdKOXE8rM
>
>
>Theres a couple more videos in the series like Side control
>and guard that talk about making connection to your opponent
>


I'll have to save this for later to watch all this. I watched about 5 minutes. Looks great.

I play with this idea from open guard to prevent people from passing. I use a grip on the collar to create a push/pull that controls the opponents movement. It works really well.

Go to advanced 1 class and get smashed back to smitherines. All the stuff I tried to pull off I couldn't even get near.

I think I might have even gone out momentarily from a baseball choke- such an interesting feeling.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

havent seen inpulse post in awhile at all.

I had a rough november for training but got back on 3-4 days a week the last 2 weeks.

Progressing, but slowly.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

pulled some weird muscle in my ass / side / back leaning to put plates on the bar for dead lift

felt that shit pop and still did my 3 sets OSSSSSSSSSS

but being that it's a muscle that hurts when I move while in bed, I think it's not good to roll with it

So looks like the 4 weeks on, 1 week off for minor injury pattern is real

That Jean Jacques Machado Grappler's Handbook so far is the truth

Also I enjoyed Jiu-Jitsu On the Brain by Mark 'West Side' Johnson

In gi I'm pretty much using my weight and strength to nullify whitebelts who train more often's superior technical game, and learning to avoid the traps small / wiry guys were getting me with so often in the past when I use too much arm / upper body for control. Also Russians going hard for the RNC for entire rounds are still stifled with zen-like calm.

Getting killed in nogi. Visitors to MGA always want to roll with me in nogi. They don't know how green I am but if I can enhance their BJJ tourism by feeding them turkey neck, I will oblige for the betterment of the art.