Went to good group class this morning where we went over the Uchi Mata as well as a standing guard pass.
The standing guard pass had the following sequence:
1. Start in partners closed guard with posture established.
2. Right hand holding their lapels with a stiff arm and left hand holding onto his pants at the level of his right hip with left elbow at his right thigh.
3. Step the right foot forward so it is standing near his trunk.
4. Then step the left foot up and establish good posture.
5. Use palms of hands then to push his hips down and at same time open my hips to my left side breaking his guard.
6. He then establishes spider guard with his feet on my biceps and his hands grabbing onto my sleeves.
7. I first try the torreando, which he counters, then I use both my hands to cup his respective calves while charging forward stacking his hips.
8. I sit my butt down on his hips keeping my weight on hip. My hips are forward (maintaining gluteal activation) creating space for my left hand to reach behind both his calves and cup his left knee.
9. Then swing my left leg out while maintaining top pressure on him and end in cross face side control on top.
During the group training session I have to admit that while I managed to catch a few submissions, I got caught in a few submissions myself. It was a slight blow to my ego that I was caught by upper level white belts, but I’m letting this go. Since my blue belt is still relatively new, I think I’m closer to a higher level white belt than an actual seasoned blue. And these guys were more athletic than me.
While I was fatigued from my training at MG’s and the fact that I’m no longer ketotic and so was running on fumes in terms of glycogen, my conditioning still leaves much to be desired. Hopefully my starting up with Cross fit will help to address this.
On the topic of getting caught by lower ranked guys…while it still gets to me a little, it doesn’t bother me as much as it did in the past. It’s all part of the journey and it’s a long road. The most important lesson to learn in BJJ as in any other skill is to leave the ego at the door. It only serves to hinder your progression. It’s a lesson I’m learning… very slowly.. and need to relearn every once in a while.
I think this is something that it’d be worthwhile for me to flesh out in a post on it’s own. I’ll add this to my mental checklist of things to write about.