3.3.08 #31

Advanced class with Rob

I don't usually go to the advanced class, but I would like to start going on Mondays so I can make it home in time for dinner (and the beginner class on Monday nights are packed). Strolling into class late I wasn't sure what to expect, Rob had us start by drilling. Guy on bottom could not escape, only defend. Guy on top took mount. I was paired up with Ferret. I wasn't able to do anything for my 5 minutes on top, but it was good experience to at least apply head pressure and try. After 5 minutes we switched and Ferret took mount. This was not fun. Ferret immediately went in to his patened move of suffocation - which I hate. I was able to wait him out and fight for some breathes then Ferret went into baseball choke and ezekiel chokes and I did everything I could to keep from tapping. I was so happy when Rob called for a stop and partner switch. I moved over to Justin P. That was not any rest let me tell you. I spent my 5 minutes bugging him as best I could but couldn't get anywhere. I was pretty tired by the time we switched, but I don't think it mattered much. I was tapping to Justin's s mount arm bar within the first minute, so I was back on top for the remainder of the 5 minutes. I was able to pry Justin's arm up once or twice but couldn't really do anything. I was trying to run the karate-chop grip to arm bar last night. Justin was nice enough to show an arm bar from gift wrap which ended our drilling time.

Rob's move of the night was a different set up for the arm bar. This arm bar move was designed for someone who maybe a little stronger and/or bigger then you are. You smashed the head with the left arm under your opponents head and use your right arm to base out. As you move your arm out you use that momentum to pick your opponents head up off the ground and then swing your right leg out straight. The key to this move is you can't sit here for very long at all, you are extremely vunerable to hip escape to your right side at this point. So as soon as your opponents head is off the ground, put your right hand in position on the head, curl your right foot around (like s mount arm bar) and then turn your left hand over your opponents head with your forearm touching his forehead and then bring your left hip into him and inch around until your left knee is passed his head. At this point step over, move your right hand, keep your left hand pulling your opponent tight into you avoiding any space as you go for the arm bar. Slice your right hand across the inside of your opponents elbow lay back and then remove your right hand - arm bar.

After a couple of other different chokes and set ups, Rob called open mat. Tonight, I rolled with Matt for about 5 minutes. I did better with him then I did last time. I have a hard time dealing with his strength. I tapped a couple of minutes in to a knee bar from side control. I tapped a second time to a lat choke. I wasn't able to maintain any good positions with him tonight. He dominated the entire 5 minutes. I was never able to establish side control or pass his guard very clean. So lots of things to work on this week.