[Frodo]

04-05-06

Ran on the elliptical with intervals of high/low incline. Every once in a while I sprinted for a few minutes. Data recorded:

• Time: 33 minutes
• Distance: 3.89 miles
• Energy Used: 469.2 (kilo) calories
• Average Heart Rate: 161 beats/minute
• Maximum Heart Rate: 184 beats/minute

That is a small HR improvement since 3-16-2006, and I hope to be able to do 4 miles total eventually. I like running before practice since being tired forces me to improve my technique. However, my friend says I should run for a longer period of time at a slower pace (so my HR is less) in order to lose weight quicker. I also know my numbers aren't that impressive, but they are impressive for me!

...

Immediately went to TKD practice, but I arrived a few minutes late. We did kicks in the air up the mat:

• side kicks
• axe kicks (I forget if I did these or not - I was tired yesterday!)
• fast roundhouses

I guess I missed the first part. Then we did a bag drill, where we would kick the bag twice before switching lines. We were all confused, and I only got this far before we quit that for a sec:

• side kick station
• roundhouse station

We then just stayed in our own line and kicked the bag in 5 quick-kick sets for one leg then doing 5 nire for the other leg before returning to the line. Then we did these for a while before starting on forms; I have to work on memorizing the second and third after Cicho Pumse. Then we did kicking-a-person drills with those huge-ass chest pads:

• Move back away from an axe kick, counter with a roundhouse
• Move back away from a roundhouse, counter with a roundhouse

Then Master Kim came in. We wore our pads for the rest of practice. We first did more forms, the same kicking-a-person drills, and finally some sparring. I have to work on reacting faster, keeping good form while fighting, and my combos.

After practice we did some grappling. I taught Timmy some americana drills after rolling. I wanted to go with this big dude when his partner got hurt. However, he didn't want to roll. I was a little pissed I didn't get a good grappling match today, since that is my primary martial art.

This isn't the first time he declined a challenge at practice, and I won't ask him again. I don't understand this - I never turned down anyone who wanted to spar unless I was seriously injured. We rolled once a long time ago, and I beat him up then. However, I feel he would have more of an advantage now since (1) I am lighter (2) we both have been practicing judo but (3) his brown-belt experience in JJJ should give him a heads up on my 11 months of BJJ. I figure he is scared of me, or he thinks I'm unworthy. We are both entering the judo tourney on Saturday and I'll use this as motivation.

Injury update: Got my headgear. I love it! I would sleep wearing my headgear if it wasn't in my locker. (Seriously...) However, my ear swoll up the day before a little more before I got it. Oh well... My toe hurts when I kick with my "good" foot and use it for support; however, it doesn't hurt when I kick with the "bad" foot. Odd.

True2KungFu logged our TKD practice too. He got promoted to red belt today. Congrats to him!

[Frodo]

4-6-2006

Feeling a little tired today. Went to Judo Class (the real one) for a change. Heard that the intermural shiai was canceled. First thing after stretching was breakfalling. This time I wore headgear so I could it easier; although, I still favor my pinky too much. I feel they do the sitting ukemi too fast. I think I am getting better at rolling ukemi, but I still need lots of practice. Then we did walking drills (2 sets each):

• Okuriashi Harai - timing is key
• Ippon Seoinage - straight back; straight feet; don't get too low
• Tai Otoshi - it is like front stance; get your ankle by there ankle to trip, not up by the knees

Next we practiced uchi mata again. Remember to twist all the way. I still have to practice this move. In fact, I need lots and lots and lots and lots of practice for everything. Finally for katamewaza we learned Okuri Eri Jime with a different finish than the BJJ way:

• From standing (kneeling) behind him. Make space to finish. You want to be pressuring above him.
• From turtle, put only one hook in. Once choke is secure, pull him over you to the other side so that you have "half back mount." You are not directly behind him, but off to one side.

Next was randori. I made lots of errors. One thing I have to work on is grip control. Master Eugene showed me this individually, then again as a group in the following JJ class...

...

Immediately following, I went to the normal Jiu-Jitsu Class (really judo). After the same warmup and ukemi, we did more walking drills (2 sets each):

• Osoto Gari - remember to keep close
• Ippon Seoinage

Next we went over grip control. First was stance: If you are right handed, then right foot is slightly ahead of left foot. Then when someone grips my collar (either behind or in front), I don't like that. So I grip as high as I can (but not a pistol grip, which is illegal in Judo) with same side hand (as grip). Other hand sandwiches beneath it to secure the hold. Then I step back with my left leg while yanking downward and pushing with my top hand (with the grip). Now with his grip broken, and since I have control of that arm, there are a few things I can do:

• Shiai Osoto Gari
• Uchi Mata
• Ouchi Gari (push with collar hand, then pull when he steps forward)

Remember to move to my left, not my right (which gives opponent advantage). Keep his arm down, and use my grip to move him to my will. Then we went over breaking the guard using the knee in tailbone technique and near leg guard pass.

Finally we did ground rolling, then standing randori, then I did some extra randori afterward with Nate. Congrats to Nate on being promoted to brown belt!

...

Went to the Panther Grappling Club. Three people showed up. Went over the first lockflow from combat submission wrestling. Then armbars:

• armbar from mount (video)
• 6-point armbar from guard (video)

Next we practiced passing the guard with the "leg drive" guard pass. Also went over getting a gift wrap then finishing with a cobra choke. Feeling really tired, so I didn't roll.

...

Went to the CMU Grappling Club. It was gi-day, and as always, practice was logged by Drew. We went over:

• double ankle grab sweep when the top guy stands up from closed guard.
• defending that sweep by shoving your hips forward the moment he opens his legs
• defending that sweep by getting back on top after he knocks you down.
• passing by hugging around the chest
  • if he puts his knee across your stomach like the scissor sweep, drop your hips
  • if he tries to hook his foot in like he's taking your back, lift your hips up.
• passing with leg on shoulder.

I didn't do that well when rolling today. I was super tired, but that's no excuse. True champions learn to win despite being tired.

[True2KungFu]

awsome work and awsome log. I talked to master eugene yesterday and he said like only 12 people signed up for the tourny, which is kinda pathetic considering the amount of people takin judo. Oh well. Continue kicking ass.

[farmboy]

I love that you link the techniques. That's awesome, man. Great log.

I travel down to Pittsburgh for work, sometimes. Maybe I could stop by your school if I go down there?

[Frodo]

Farmboy, thanks. I have to link to the techniques, or I might forget them! If you come down to the Burgh, you can visit our club for free. Other places may charge or you might have problems getting in if you aren't a student. Here is where I train normally:

1. Sunday 11-12:30 PM: Panther Grappling Club
2. Sunday 1-2:30 PM: Ultimate Fighting and Fitness
3. Sunday 3-5 PM: Pitt Taekwondo Club
   
   
4. Monday 7-9 PM: Pitt BJJ Club
   
   
5. Tuesday 2:30-3:30 PM: Jiu Jitsu Class at Pitt (really Judo)
6. Tuesday 6:30-8:00 PM: Panther Grappling Club
7. Tuesday 8:00-10:00 PM: CMU Grappling Club
   
   
8. Wednesday 7-8:15 PM: Steel City Martial Arts (half the time)
9. Wednesday 7-9 PM: Pitt Taekwondo Club (other half the time)
   
   
10. Thursday 2:30-3:30 PM: Jiu Jitsu Class at Pitt (really Judo)
11. Thursday 6:30-8:00 PM: Panther Grappling Club
12. Thursday 8:00-10:00 PM: CMU Grappling Club
    
    
13. Friday 7-9 PM: Pitt BJJ Club
    
    
14. Saturday 11:30-12:45 PM: Steel City Martial Arts
15. Saturday 2-4 PM: CMU Grappling Club
16. Saturday 5-6:30 PM: Ultimate Fighting and Fitness

And yes: I have a tendency to overtrain. Therefore, my schedule is often a little different than the theoretical ideal. Feel free to come down if you are in town.

[Frodo]

T2KF, your log is very insightful and informative for me too! The judo shiai cancellation sucks, so I'm going to take Master Eugene's advice: I will go to the night judo class and beat them up.

[Frodo]

Training with a broken toe.

[farmboy]

That's awesome. I'll keep an eye on my schedule and let you know if I'm ever coming that way.

[Frodo]

4-7-2006

Went to the Pitt BJJ Club. I forgot my gi so I borrowed Geoff's spare kimono. For Nagewaza, we went over:

• uchi mata
• harai goshi
• Discussion of uchi mata vs. harai goshi. Remember that you spin more for harai goshi.
• uchi mata counter:
  1. drive into his leg before he lifts it
  2. spin off it - remain close to body
  3. square up

We did other throws, but I forgot them. I realize that I want to go over:

• Te Guruma
• Tani Otoshi

For katamewaza, we went over kesa gatame escapes. BTW, here is another good kesa escape.

Then we did some randori matches. These were not traditional judo rules. Instead you could only win either by 2 ippon or submission. Japanese numbers are weird! (See here, here, here, and here.) I guess that would be nihon?

[Frodo]

4-8-2006

Went to the CMU Grappling Club today. Drew logged practice today as usual. We covered:

• Taking opponent down as he punches you.
  • Crazy monkey defense
  • Parry jabs with our elbows
  • Lower level under crosses and shoot
  • Randy says it works against a n00b, but not well against a 1337 H3X0R.
• Low mount with grapevines
  • One arm around his head (holding position).
  • Shoulder of Justice: put your shoulder on their face to make them look away from you.
  • Other arm underhooks his arm and crawls it up over his head to arm triangle. Make sure his arm is under his chin!
• On bottom of grapevined mount
  • kick your leg straight up to free one grapevine and drop your leg straight flat on the ground so he can't rehook it.
  • You can do the leglock on bottom by putting your trapped foot on your free knee, walking your free knee up, and grabbing his foot with both hands. It doesn't always work to tap them, but today both Jimmy and Randy were able to put the leglock on me (Drew, not me), and then roll me over when I resisted the leglock.
• On top, when he frees one grapevine
  • Put your weight on the side where his leg is free, and with your grapevine leg, kick your leg straight and grab his foot and do a leglock on him.
  • Check out Gomi ripping up some mofo's knee with this move at about 1:00. He does it from the side instead of from mount but it's basically the same thing. Notice he's trying to pull the guy's head to his foot.
• High mount
  • Setup: From low mount with hooks, put your fist on his neck so he grabs your arms, clearing a path to slide your knees up to high mount.
  • Armbar from high mount
  • Gift wrap from high mount to cobra choke (pro wrestling has a few moves that actually work).
  • Gift wrap from high mount to take the back

Then rolled for a while. Headgear rocks. My judo is improving a little bit, and I did a little better today. However, I still relax a little too much. At the end I went over a little bit of Muay Thai with the two new MTers (not including Randy). But not enough to really know what I'm doing.