Coming together

Sorry it's been a few weeks since the last post. Much has happened, so let me get started.

Did I tap Dusty this past week? Yes. Did I almost get Seth this week? Perhaps. Has my body asked me over and over again since those instances why I did it? Yes, yes and more yes. My chin looks like someone took a cheese grater to it, my eye is puffed and scuffed, my nose is cut, my knee is soupy, I think I have turf toe and I have bruises in places I have never touched before. But, friends, the glory of knowing that I tapped Dusty and made Seth so nervous with my intense pressure that ne needed to take out his insecurities on me made it all worth it.

Just to clarify, Dusty allowed me to get side mount and get my grip in for bow and arrow. He did think that he could escape, but he couldn't, so I give myself 1/2 star out of a possible 5. The beating that then ensued was like no other. I demanded he call out his submissions before we continued to roll and for the first time I had someone go "around the world" on me (I'm not sure it's the first time Dusty has gone around the world on someone, but after looking it up on urban dictionary I must clarify that we are talking about that term solely in the Jiu-jitsu sense). Dusty did the following, in a row, left wrist lock, left arm bar, left shoulder lock, choke, right shoulder lock, right arm bar and finally right wrist lock. It was fun and we all learned something.

I have also been using some of my new tools and had a lot of success with submissions, got a few cross collar chokes. I drilled a bit this week too, mostly passing the guard. From my prior tournament experience, I know that my opponent will pull me to guard and I need to be able to get out. I didn't do that very well the last time, so I know that is something I need to work on before FTW August 27th. I have changed my game a bit in that I am being much more aggressive in my approach so that I don't end up on defense right away all the time. It has helped me immensely to get top position instead of trying to escape bottom and turtle. Although I will say that I feel like my defense when rolling with white belts and blue belts at my level or below is fairly inpenetrable. I don't necessarily want to play a defensive game, but I find that I can lose a bunch of points for a couple minutes and then turn it and attack. Not a good game plan typically, but it helps continue to build my defenses.

I was impressed with Selmo this weekend as well. He and I rolled for a while and just flowed. He showed me some things that I was missing and helped me think about adjusting my positions as my opponent adjusts. The purple belt has softened him and is making him a teacher instead of a smasher (maybe it's just that he wants me to tap Wes, ha, ha...).

Thank you to Steve for recognizing my renewed dedication to Jiu-jitsu. Since I started this blog I think I have progressed more than I have in the prior year. That dedication and commitment paid off when I was awarded two stripes last week. It means a great deal to me and gives me much pride to know that you all see that in me as well. I feel like there is more pressure now that I have gotten the stripes. Now I know why Seth has gotten so mean since he got his purple belt!

This week I'm off until Wednesday because I have out of town guests, but my focus this week is the following:

1. Drill passing the guard
2. Get top position and not hang out in defensive positions
3. Transitions to double attack grip
4. Conditioning

Now go train Jiu-jitsu...