Cornhusker State Games 2011: BJJ

Not as successful of an outing for the BJJ event. First and foremost, the tournament was poorly run. Very poorly run. The most egregious example being that I was told I was done, given a medal and then, after I left, I was supposed to have more matches.

I fought outside of my weight class, for some reason, so I didn't get to enjoy fighting at the lower weight.

It was, overall, a terrible tournament experience.

All that said, I came away learning a few things.

1. Lose more weight. I need to be solid in my weight class and I've easily passed my original goal of 216. I'm at 207 now. That's reasonably close to the next lower weight class and even the one below that is within reach. I'd like to compete with someone that simply isn't that much bigger than me, so that even if I'm stuck on the bottom, I can move.

2. Work take downs. They are getting there, but need to be better.

3. Work half guard. I keep getting stuck there and need "go to" options.

Cornhusker State Games 2011, Judo

I had a good time at the tournament today. The most important thing is that I didn't notice my rib at all. It didn't hinder my movement or cause me any issues at all. That's good to know for next week, my first BJJ tournament at blue belt.

I won today, so that's also great. I showed up, weighed in, and then found out that I was facing a judo black belt. Needless to say, being only a judo yellow belt, I felt some apprehension.

That being said, I did what I needed to do to be in a good position, not get thrown and ended up with the victory. I was attempting something we've been working on, which is to fake a foot sweep and then step through for an osoto gari. It worked well, allowing me to close the distance and to be in position for the throw, but he attempted to sacrifice reverse my position and landed squarely on his back. Though the call came late, it was an ippon victory and I'll take it.

Back in the Saddle!

After my blue belt test, I had some healing up to do. I was very excited to be able to come back to training for a seminar with black belt Sidney Silva.

We focused on attacking the back from various positions and I learned a lot about how I've been losing that position after I take the time to get into it. As always, it's minor differences between winning and losing a position.

For instance, taking the back from half guard has always been problematic for me, because I always felt too easily pushed over and thwarted in the process. In just a matter of minutes, Silva showed how we come up backwards, crossing our legs instead of threading a leg through and creating a much stronger base before we even try to come up to the back. That minor difference made something that felt impossible to me before seem very easy today.

I got to do two difference sessions with him, including some rolling time which is always a treat. I'm learning to be more relaxed when rolling with upper belts and to just work the game I always do to see how he breaks it down (which is always does, easily).

I highly recommend getting him for a seminar if you can.

My ribs are better. Not great, but better. I was able to roll, but not with any real power or explosiveness....which is a good thing. I've always tried to avoid relying on muscle, but you use it sometimes without really intending to....it's just natural. With my movement limited by the injury, I'm missing a lot of opportunities and haven't to be more patient. I can't wait to be 100% again.