1Thumb's Log...

1 Thumb · 11-06-2009, 12:28 PM

Hey Guys, I should have started one sooner, but better late than never right?

As of Today -
Age: 23
Weight: 175
Height: 5'7

I'll do a little quick recap.

Jan 2009-
Weight: 220
Started kickboxing and No GI BJJ, was using Kickboxing as a cardio work out and was really interested in BJJ. My trainer is a blue belt under Joe D'arce, so I knew there was a lot that he did not know, but he knew more than I did.

With the help of my friend, I started doing a good weight lifting routine.
Day A: Deadlift
OverHeadPress
Pull Ups
Abs

Day B: Squat
BentOver Row
Bench Press
Dips
Abs
All 5x5.

Fast forward to May 09-
Competed in my first No GI BJJ Tournament, it was a small class, only 3 of us. I was the lucky one who got the bye and was able to advance to the Finals. I won on points and won the tournament. A bit cheesy as it was only one match, but I enjoyed it none the less.
Video: YouTube - GT

Fast Forward to July 28 2009.
First Day at D'arce BJJ. Since I was training under a blue belt from D'arce, I decided it was time to train at a real BJJ school and chose to go to D'Arce's myself. My former trainer is now my main rolling partner at D'arce's.

Fast Forward to August 30 2009.
Competed in my second BJJ Tournament. It was a submission shootout and had a few differences from other BJJ tournaments. There was no points, only submission, and it was done a round robin format. I tied for first in my bracket, and then lost the tie breaker because of exhaustion.

Fast Forward to September 1 2009.
Received my first Stripe.

Fast Forward to October 18 2009.
Competed in my third BJJ Tournament. It was at the same submission shootout i had already competed in. I lost one match, I went to a draw on my second, and I won my third. You get 1 point for a win, -1 for a lose and 0 for a draw. I finished the bracket with 0 points. I did not advance but had fun.

Fast Forward to October 20 2009.
Received my Second Stripe.

That is pretty much a "from then to now" overview, I will be updating this regularly with things I have learned in class, and my lifting gains.

Starting next week I will be going to D'Arce everyday, and will be lifting less often(I am moving closer to D'Arce, and further from my weight lifting gym). I am going to be taking an MMA and No Gi class on Monday, it is beginners Gi on Tuesday and Thursday and advanced on Wed and Fridays.

As of now:
Day A: Deadlift: 185
OverHeadPress: 95
Pull Ups: body weight, 3x10

Day B: Squat: 225
BentOver Row: 155
Bench Press: 185
Dips: body weight, 3x10

SteveQ · 11-06-2009, 01:19 PM

do you... really only have one thumb?

1 Thumb · 11-06-2009, 02:19 PM

HAHA. I have like 1.5 my left tip is missing. Long story short, something fell on it and ripped it off.

SteveQ · 11-06-2009, 02:25 PM

owww

how have you adapted your bjj? I would think that a limited grip would make you do things a little different?

in any event, welcome to the logs

Freeman102010 · 11-06-2009, 02:34 PM

*one and a half thumbs up*

Welcome Aboard!

1 Thumb · 11-06-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveQ

owww

how have you adapted your bjj? I would think that a limited grip would make you do things a little different?

in any event, welcome to the logs

It happened before i started BJJ, so i've always not had it, wrist control is hard, luckily its on my non dominant hand. Its also hard when i do squats, again the grip.

Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freeman102010

*one and a half thumbs up*

Welcome Aboard!

Thanks.

Lug's Spear · 11-06-2009, 07:41 PM

I am sure everyone mentions this to you at BJJ, but have you heard of JJ Machado? His BJJ is amazing and his one hand is missing a couple fingers.

1 Thumb · 11-09-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug's Spear

I am sure everyone mentions this to you at BJJ, but have you heard of JJ Machado? His BJJ is amazing and his one hand is missing a couple fingers.

Oddly enough, i had no idea who he was until last week when someone brought it up. My thumb isnt that noticeable so unless you try a submission on that arm its not obvious.

11-9-09

Went to D'Arce for MMA and then No Gi BJJ. The MMA class was more of a kickboxing class. I haven't done Kickboxing in a while, and I always love to learn different styles and techniques and tips from different trainers. We went over defending and countering. We ended up doing 4 different drills all working on blocking and countering. At the end of class we did 3 5minute rounds of 50% sparring. I did surprisingly well, as I feel my stand up is my weakest part of my game. At the end of class we did 5 minutes of Muay Thai knees against the wall, I realized at this point how much my cardio has suffered from my relaxed work out regiments. With the Muay Thai drill I ripped off all the skin on my left big toe.

After the MMA class was a No Gi BJJ class and it was great. We went over some controls from scrambles and a sweep. The No Gi class is a 'intermediate/advance' class, so it was great to roll with people on that level.

Tomorrow is beginner Gi class, so I'll have an update tomorrow, as long as I can go with my toe this jacked up.

1 Thumb · 11-11-2009, 01:58 PM

11-10-09

Went to the Beginners Gi Class. It was a good class especially since my toes are still all jacked. We went over a few techniques on how to get back to full guard when your opponent has you in side mount and also half guard. From side mount, it was the basic, pop your hips up walk out and spin in. I need to work on my flexibility, as i can't flex my leg enough in to get full guard, i get more of a half butterfly.
I really liked the half guard technique. I feel comfortable on my back in half guard but I usually try to get the same side under hook of the leg trapped and get on my opposite side. This technique was when the top guy won't allow you to get the underhook. It utilized hipping out and also getting a half butterfly guard, propping the opponent up and sliding to full guard.
After this we did some guard passing, which i am getting more and more comfy with. I really like working off my back and have been working on catching arm bars from different positions.
At the end of class 2 of the white belts got their 4th stripe, one of the white belts got his 1st stripe, and one of the white belts got promoted to blue. I was really happy for him, he works his ass off everyday. It was good to see him run the guantlet in person, as i've only seen it on videos.

After class I rolled a little with another 2 stripe white belt, I got the better of him for the most part, but it was a good work out.

I have "Intermediate/Advance" Gi tonight, look forward to rolling with Blues and Purples.

1 Thumb · 11-12-2009, 01:02 PM

11/11/09

I didn't make it to D'Arce's for the intermediate/advance class. My friend who still trains at the school that I started at, has a grappling match on Friday Night. He asked me to come down to the gym and show him some things that I've been learning, and just roll lightly with him, so as a great friend, i did.

He has to lose about 5 pounds, so he was doing a strength and conditioning class when I got there. After that class we started rolling lightly for 2 minute rounds. We did 6 2minute rounds and then after that we did 2 5minute rounds.

I told him before we started that I have been working on my arm bars from my back as well as from the top, and i caught him in 2 arm bars from my back. I really enjoy going for arm bars in different situations with different size guys.

After we were done, i showed him a couple of flaws that i saw in his game. He is not the most technical, he is a spastic grappler, but he usually ends up in good positions. I showed him how to transfer from guard to side mount rather than keep getting stuck in half guard, and i also showed him a guard pass that should work well for him.

If he texts me later, I will probably work with him tonight, if he does not I will go to D'Arce for the beginner's class.