6:15-6:30p: Solo drills. Worked front rolls, left and right side. I never did left side before. Felt so awkward. I started slow and did it they way Professor Matthias showed us at Saturday's class. Got it down. Tried to do right side (the side I thought I had down). Still wrong. Turns out I was stepping forward with my left leg before the roll and not completing the roll properly. I tried with the right leg first and I felt like it was my first class. Awkward. Need to work on it. Then I drilled side control survival posture to escapes. Saulo Ribeiro style.
6:30-6:45p: Another classmate, Chad, no-stripe white belt who has been around a bit longer than me but trains inconsistently, asked me if he wanted a partner to work the escapes. SURE! He took side control and I worked the escape. Not much (if any) success. Chad is about my age and probably close to my weight, although a few inches shorter.
6:45-7p: Chris, a 17-yr old 4-stripe white belt (probably 6'2" or so and 175lbs) who took first in the state championships this year, asked if Chad or I wanted roll. Chad chose to save his energy for class. I had to leave early, so why not? I don't think I'd ever rolled with him before. First roll lasted about 30 secs. We started from knees (my idea) and he triangled me pronto. Said he got lucky, but I had horrible posture and he did some judo stuff on me. Found out today he's a brown belt in judo. Nice. Surely an advantage. Second roll was much better. I had his back for a while and tried to go for some chokes, but his defense was solid. Released and we ended up rolling back and forth. He must have submitted me again, but I don't recall how. The third roll started with him in my guard. He spent a good amount of time trying to pass, but eventually did. I stopped the roll after he passed. Class was about to start and I needed to get ready. Enjoyed rolling with the "kid."
7-7:10p: Cliff notes version of warm-ups / standard drills. Coach Tran led and most everyone had been rolling for 30-45 mins or so before class (including him) so he went through the routine fairly quickly. I was worthless. Gassed. Completed maybe 50% of the push-ups from knees. What's wrong with me?
7:10-7:25p: Pass the guard. Got swept by a blue belt. Managed to catch Chad in a Kimura while trying to pass half-guard. Chad had me so locked up, I couldn't figure out how to get my knee through his thighs to complete the pass. I noticed he left his left arm exposed and as soon as I locked it in I heard him groan. He knew what was coming. Not sure if I'm supposed to submit from half-guard since the drill is to pass the guard, but submission is a form of passing guard right? ;-) Also triangled 14-yr old prodigy David. I tried the first time we faced off, but he escaped and passed. Second time he went for the same thing, but I managed to shoot it right and lock it in. David has submitted me at least a dozen times the past couple months and I never came close to submitting him. As I said, he's 14, a 4-stripe white belt (not interested in the kid belts) and has been doing this about a year now. He probably weighs 140lbs or so. Yet he's managed to own me for the past two months. Felt good to finally catch him. He's a great kid and has an extremely bright future. So humble and teachable. He will go far.
7:25-7:45p: Pass the guard drills, but from stand-up / open guard. Bottom guy has both hands in belt. Top guy has one hand in belt. I think this was a better drill for the bottom guy trying to maintain and recover guard. Then we spent 5 mins or so passing guard with hands. Tiring. That's an understatement. I was gassed.
9-11:30p: Left class early to get back to the hotel and get ready for the Dropkick Murphy's show at the New Orleans House of Blues. Great show. Ran into a guy from Gracie JJ of Pensacola (wearing the shirt). He'd only been training 9 mos, but as an older guy like me, we had a good chat about the sport. I am glad to part of the community.
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