WTF?!

Went to class today and paid my monthly dues to Wilson Junior, one of the blackbelts who teaches here. Immediately got changed but was a little early so I watched Atilla's class. Got a nod from one of the students ( I think he remembers me from last week). He was one of those who does striking as well as grappling. As the others trickle in, I noticed only one other without a gi, so I assumed another newbie like me. Dickie Martin started off the class with his brand of warm up and it was a killer! I think I pulled /sprained my left adductor muscle on my left leg during the warm up, which made the warm up a bit harder. Maybe I was more unfit than I thought but then aren't warm ups meant to "warm up" your muscles to training temperature to avoid/reduce injury and/or "muscle shock"? Maybe I need to "warm up" before the actual warm up...

The techniques section started off where my training left off, which was side control. Sort of gravitated towards the other newbie, who shall remain unnamed for the duration of this post, who I found out was a first-timer. Practiced the techniques and he seemed to be an OK training partner - but I was mistaken. I sat out the first sparring session because it was an odd-numbered class but in the second sparring session ( I believe it was called "positional sparring" as we were meant to do the techniques with resistance from the opponent , Dickie paired me off with him, and I thought, "Great! Let me see if I could drill in the techniques better."

As soon as the sparring started, this guy came on to me full on! All he wanted to do was to choke me with all his might! No technique, just cranking my neck. Tsk tsk...I didn't want to use my strength against this and tried to relax so I could think through the escape and positioning but this guy just kept on cranking my neck! It wasn't even a proper choke as the arm wasn't sunk in. I just tapped so we could start again but as soon as we restarted, the guy charged at me again! In my last class, I had the opportunity to spar with Simon (BB) and Jasper (WB) who contained their abilities to submit me to a minimum as they knew they were way ahead of me skills-wise. But this guy was different! Maybe he was still on a high from watching UFC 102 last Saturday and was eager to show his "Skillz". I was really trying hard to restrain myself and go full on with this guy but on the third restart, Dickie asked me to sit it out. He was paired with a white belt and I saw that he was on the business end of the tap this time.

The class ended on a high note, though. During the hand shakes, one of the guys told me that I looked like BJ Penn and that maybe I was as good as him, to my amusement. Little did he know how farthest from his comment were my skills.

As we were changing from our training gear, I overheard Vince ask this guy how old was he and he replied, "15".

That explains a lot.

------------------

Here's what we've learned today. The names could be different from what they are properly called but I'll try to describe the techniques through their names.

Side Control to Knee on Belly
Knee on Belly to Knee on Chest
Knee on Belly to Arm Bar
Knee on Belly to Arm Bar (Stiff arm)
Baseball Choke
Knee on Belly Escape
Knee on Belly Escape with Ankle Sweep

Ross Training

Found this training site sometime ago, RossTraining , on the web, by Ross Enamait,  and has detailed supplementary exercises for conditioning and strength training. I found this as a very good alternative to going to a traditional weight-lifting gym to build up muscles, as it focuses on functional strength and the improvement of conditioning, especially those involved in combat sports. I remember getting confused looks from some gym-goers when I try to "functionalise" my resistance training during my escrima days.

Some articles in this website were published sometime ago (ca. 2004), but in my opinion, are still very relevant. There was even a testimonial by John Hackleman, Chuck Lidell's trainer at the Pit, testifying it's effectiveness. I believe further explanations of the training principles and exercises are in his book, Never Gymless, and other products, but I think the web articles could give you a glimpse of this type of training. This is not by any means a newfangled thing, as I've seen other fighters do this type of training, but this supplements traditional weight lifting and treadmill running, but obviously not techniques training.

I liked the sandbag-construction article, and have made one. Went to a military surplus shop and got a sea bag, then off to Homebase and Sainsbury's to get some sand and self-sealing bags. I previously used the sandbag exercises to improve my conditioning in my escrima days, but now have found the exercises more functional with regards to BJJ.

Let's hope this pays dividends on the mats. ;)

First class

Went to Carlson's in Hammersmith last night as planned. As I was an hour early, I met Atilla Varga of the legendary Hungarian Thaifight Team and resident Muay Thai instructor,and was very accommodating. He offered me to stay and watch them train but decided to go to Tesco instead as I was feeling a bit hungry and wanted to make sure I had enough fuel to last me through the class.

When I came back I met VinceMachado, who was doing reception duties. Very funny guy and kept me and a fellow student entertained until the class started. There was initial talk that Wilson Junior was going to teach the basics class and Simon Hayes the next but when the class started, it was Simon at the front. Simon has excellent teaching skills - breaks down the technique into stages so it becomes easier to understand. I know this for a fact as I teach how to physically manage violent and aggressive clients to staff where I work. The techniques were also taught in a way that it flowed together.

There was a lot of time to practice the techniques, which allowed students to put into practice what they've seen - and drilling it so eventually it becomes second nature (muscle memory). I paired up with another first timer, Ben, and proceeded to practice. It appeared that although it was his first session in BJJ, he seemed to move in a manner who has been involved with other martial arts (which was verified when we chatted after class). I guess we were doing well during practice because Simon saw no cause to come over and correct us - except this one time when he came over to tell me to use the side of my head to tighten my squeeze on a submission choke from guard.

During sparring, I got to spar with the main man himself - only because I wasn't paired with anyone. I can't remember how many times I had to tap (LOL). I remember reading somewhere that when you're a BJJ white belt, the main goal during sparring is to SURVIVE. Whether all white belts subscribe to this or not,  that certainly was what I was trying to do when I was sparring with Simon. I fared a little bit better in the next sparring session as I was paired up with Jasper, a white belt with a black band. I still tapped a couple of times, but I appeared to be surviving better, as I was trying a few submissions of my own - very poorly executed, though. Jasper was kind enough to give me a few pointers during the session and afterwards complimented ( I think) me by saying I'm a fighter. I really hope that was a compliment and not a polite way of saying that I'm a spaz.

Afterwards, we all lined up and after hand shakes all over, the class ended.

It was a good class and they're a nice bunch. The club's very homey and accommodating. My only gripe is there didn't appear to be a shower room so I had to jump into the shower to get sanitised as soon as I got home before I could kiss my wife and daughter.

------------------

Here are the techniques that we've learned yesterday:
Passing the Guard to Side Control
Side Control to Mount
Cross Choke from Mount
Choke from Full Guard
Cross Choke from Full Guard
Reversal from Full Guard to Top Position

Counting down the days

Really stoked about going this Monday. Posted a thread several days ago to "feel" out the BJJ crowd and was pleasantly surprised about the post turnout. Got my old bag, looking for my old cup - probably have to buy a mouthguard as I didn't have any reason to have one in my escrima days as I used to compete in full armour. I will have to contend to wearing tshirts and board shorts until I could afford a decent gi, although Simon said they stock some nice Faixa Ruas.

Big shout to my wife for managing to swap shifts so I can go for this Monday's class.

'Til then.