Sunday class

Today was the first Sunday class I've made in a few weeks.  As per usual, the warm-ups were a bit on the unusual side, including some leap frogging activities for explosiveness (at least I think that's why we did it).  From there, the pure beginners were split off while those of us with more experience paired off to drill some throwing combinations.

I think it's pretty obvious that I need a lot more work on my kuzushi and foot work.  The first combo we worked on was a transition from a failed Ippon Seionage to a variation of O-soto gari (I think).  It requires a change in direction, rotating back into the opponent's body, hooking the outside leg and driving at a 45 degree angle away from where the support leg should be.  The second one we worked was like a foot sweep/knee push to set up for uchimata. 

Rather than working the combo, I chose to go more into the entry.  I have to remember not to step in too far.  I need to be able to rotate and pull my opponent on to my hip before finishing the throw.  It's a work in progress, but I'll keep at it.

Tuesday Judo class

Despite the past 3 weeks of intensive Max Interval Training via Insanity, I found myself dripping with sweat during warm-ups at the UWO Judo Club.  Truth be told, I was a bit annoyed with myself considering how I had been killing myself specifically to get myself ready for the rigours of judo training.  Since this was the first class of the winter term, they stuck to the basics.

At one point, we were divided into 2 groups: those with more than 3 weeks of (recent) judo experience, and those with more experience.  Despite my yellow belt, I opted to join the brand new beginners.  I probably would have had more fun with the more experienced players, but I needed to get some of these fundamentals drilled into me.  Sensei Antonio had us doing rep after rep of ukemi (break-falls).  I'm not sure how many times I hit the mat, nor am I sure of the exact names of each variation of ukemi, but by the end I was feeling pretty sore.  The raw beginners spent the better part of an hour and 15 minutes on ukemi.

Near the end of the class, we paired up with more experienced players to go through a turnover to attack an opponent's turtle position.  I take my leg closest to my opponent's and step over his back, clamping his torso between my knees as best I can.  I bend over and hook his leg and arm, then proceed to roll over, sending my head underneath my opponent as he starts to get turned.  Depending on the initial grip, I can either finish with a Bow and Arrow choke or with an arm bar.  Interesting stuff, but it felt like a "little guy" move to me.

We finished the class with some light ground grappling (no chokes or locks, though).  My poor partner had no clue he was facing a blue belt in BJJ, so needless to say he suffered quite a bit.  He would have suffered more had I been allowed to use chokes and joint locks, though!  I'm looking forward to Friday night! 

Back After A Prolonged Hiatus

A lot has happened since I last updated this blog.  It's hard to believe I've come so far.  Here's the short version:  In June of 2011, I received my blue belt from Fateh Belkalem and Bruno Fernandes.  In November of 2011, I took my first judo class in over 25 years.

One of my goals for this year is to take better notes on my training sessions, and, as an extension, to update this blog more often.