Nothing Special to Report

Our school didn't have class yesterday and there is no class today because of Easter. When Guybson made the announcement at the end of class on Thurs. I felt very deflated. I know I should be excited that this means I have more time to study but I was so disappointed. I have a lot of tax reading to do and I am really behind in Financial Institutions. Well I'll be studying all day today and all day tomorrow.

I went to both No-gi and traditional BJJ class. We always have these awesome wresting coaches there for the no-gi classes. One of them works with the Cornell wrestling team and Coach Mills, is really good but I'm not sure about his background, I do know that he was on the Olympic team in the 80's. I don't know that much about wrestling but through doing martial arts over the last 9 years or so, I can tell when someone knows what they are talking about.

Anyway, he had us work on counters to single leg and high crotch takedown attempts. I also learned the difference between the two the other night. I don't know if I am remembering this correctly but a single leg is when the person has their head on the inside, on the person's midsection, and a high crotch takedown is when the head is on the outside of the body. The mechanics are very similar between the two and they each have their own advantages.

I had to work with the hugest guy there. When we initially started he and I looked at each other and then both looked around the room and everyone else was pared up already. Then I said "well this doesn't make much sense does it" and he just kind of blankly stared at me. Come to find out a little bit later, when he spoke for the first time, that english is not his first language. Ha ha so I'm thinking he didn't even know what I was saying earlier. Anyway, he was a really good partner to work with. He doesn't seem like he has done wrestling or JJ before but he was really good at controlling his body, he didn't throw me around like a rag doll, even though he easily could have. He obviously lifts weight because he was so huge, like at least 6 ft. tall and buff as hell, maybe 230. I'm not sure, when they are that big I am really bad at guessing their weight.

I ended up rolling with him for the situational rolling exercises we did at the end of the class. When we were about to start I was a little scared but this was probably the best experience I have had rolling with a huge guy. Well maybe except with a few of the guys I rolled with from Kansas City, but they were all more experienced. Anyway, I got pretty winded and tired during the rolling so I was pleased about that.

The BJJ class was pretty normal. We worked on the an escape set up to a sub. We were escaping the position where the person who was in your guard ends up with your legs over their shoulders and they are controlling you by holding your belt and usually they can just throw your legs off to the side and take side control. Anyway, guys do that to me a lot so it was helpful.

We rolled 3 rounds but I sat the last round out because I think I bruised my one of the bones by my elbow and I smacked it on someone's knee or shin or something. It was hurting so I didn't want to make it hurt even more. Being in pain during the hour and a half drive home, especially when I'm by myself, is no fun. I'll be glad when Noe gets back :-)