Joker's Training Journal

JKD warmed up with the oblique kick, shuffle kick, and Thai kick progression. Then we worked some low line kicking interception off boxing.
BJJ started with jumping to the guard:

Basic jumping to the guard

Using a staggered stance, jump the rear leg first then the the front leg (as if throwing a jumping kick). This is the fastest way to get the jumping guard while simultaneously setting up the mechanics for a flying armbar or triangle. Grip is on the lapel and elbow, establish kazushi (unbalancing) by shaking or with a quick forward snap. I have been jumping with both feet rather than this interval leap, so this was corrected today (learning point #1)

Jumping to the guard to ozeki kiel (s.p.)

From the guard (partner standing), hook one arm around neck, catching the inside of the other. Drive the free fist into the neck, "underneath" the rear hooking arm.

Jumping to the guard to double underhooks

From the guard (partner standing), pummel arms inside to double underhooks, release guard and set up takedown, e.g. hug the waist and break, inside/outside leg reap, etc.

Jumping to the guard to arm bar

After jumping to guard, partner collapses forward, arms outstretched. Immediately pivot, barring the arm you are controlling with the sleeve. You can use the hip to pivot, but speed and fluidity are maximized when you swing the leg over the head freely. Alternatively, hook the opposite leg (with lapel control hand), to ease into arm bar. Tilt over to floor.

Jumping to the guard to handstand sweep

After you jump to the guard, partner again collapses, create arm underhook (elbow at ankle), other hand reaches back and palm pushes on floor. Lock the leg and sweep 45^o over posteriorly over the locked leg. Use the arch of the body aided by the "handstand" against the controlled foot.

Jumping to the guard to star sweep

If the handstand sweep fails because your partner steps back with free foot, do a reverse roll over the shoulder hooking the leg and stand up. Lift the leg and takedown.

Jumping to the guard to reverse arm bar

After jumping to the guard, partner tries to push on your knee. Underhook this arm and cup elbow, your partner's arm should be caught in the crook of your elbow. Roll same side knee over partner's triceps and lock arm.

Reverse arm bar from standing

1. Partner controls same side lapel, get "over control" on lapel and apply downward pressure with elbow.
   
2. Loosen kimono neck lapel with free hand
   
3. As you step back with gripped side bring elbow down and through
   
4. Cup elbow, catching their wrist in the crux of your elbow, simultaneously step back with other foot.

Following practice Jeff and I did a 35 minute grappling round, with continual bursts. Jack watched and coached, following that Jack worked passing the guard with me. General notes:

• Compress the open guard grabbing the thighs, deny your opponent the extension and strength of their legs.
  
• In the spider guard use the extension of the guard to unbalance your opponent.
  
• I need to increase the texture of my grappling rather than continuously rolling. When superior position is reached, I'm to eager to switch up rather than just working from the position I've attained.
  
• Start passing immediately, trying to get to half-guard, rather than hanging out in guard and allowing submission attempts.

Interestingly all these points reinforce things that I thought about in the full and half position blog. I just don't do them. He also showed me some tactics from this position:

Basic position

Control sleeve with shin inside elbow and opposite hand controlling same side pant. Other leg is across belt line. Do not move.

If they stall out...

Kick with shin, forcing the post on the free hand. Then use shin on elbow to "cast like a fishing rod" over your same side shoulder, loading on legs. Then dump forward and come to knee on stomach.

If they pry your hand off the pant leg...

Control their sleeve on this side and reestablish open guard. Look for triangle. If they hug legs, lift elbow and spin for oma plata.

If they retreat...

Sit up and arm drag, use free hand to push forward, insert leg between their legs. Go immediately to back if possible, otherwise use a Marcello grip to roll on side and take back.

We also talked about passing guard, I need to work on

• Placing underhooks as needed
  
• Driving with my head on the chest and up into the chin
  
• Head control is more important then leg control, I need to reach all the way through to my partner's shoulder

Thus learning points #2 through #1056.
It was funny as Jack was explaining these things I must have looked put off or confused, but I really was just tired. I said as much, I love to learn new things and to have a competitor and teacher of such high level available and willing to show me how to improve is great. In martial arts as in life, we should always be learning new things from our teachers, students, friends, families, victories, failures, successes, mistakes, books, magazines, the internet and (rarely) television. What's the worst that can happen by being exposed to new concepts and ideas, I'll contemplate it and determine whether it improves some aspect of me and make me become a better person? So thanks Jack for spending the time to help me.
It was sparring day in Goshin Jitsu, so we started with shadow boxing and then did many rounds of timing. We split the class so that the MMA fighters could work off the walls. Meanwhile Joe started rounds with several of the others only to re-break his hand. The non-sparring guys then did a 2-on-1 two minute round of "knee play" after that we covered some aspects of leverage in the clinch, turning your partner, space, and head control:

• Turning your partner: the simplest thing to do is from plum step up with one foot and then half turn by stepping away with the other.
• "Pecker-to-pecker": Knees have to have an open space between you and your partner to be effective. Thus if your partner has plum/head control, "duck walk" your hips to theirs and then hug.
  
• Creating space: Use the plum head control as a pivot point, driving your forearms and elbows into their clavicles as you simultaneously drive your hips back to open the space for knees. It's sort of like praying mantis kung fu meets a strip club...
  
• Removing the plum: My personal favorites are to either (a) swim my hands through the midline and establishing your own plum, and (b) pushing your opponent's head sideways but placing your palm on their jaw.

We then went to Potbelly's and ate with Steve "Rainmaker" Turnberry, Black Belt of Romance.