01/28 Mikey Swafford Seminar

On the 28th, I got the opportunity to join the Triton MMA gym here in Woodstock for a seminar given by Mikey Swafford, a BJJ black belt with extensive time on the mat with the Gracie family. The gym's owner, Mike Budnik kindly extended the invitation and it was well worth the time. 

One of the things that constantly blows me away about BJJ is the technical detail.  One of the hallmarks of a good instructor is his ability to show you details of moves you've used for years and make them better.  Mikey defiantly did this with a huge emphasis on being comfortable on the mat no matter your position.

The list of things we went over sounds simple: defending the side mount, defending the back mount, escaping from scarf, but the idea behind each was broken down into such functional components it was hard not to be impressed.  Also, he took on the concept of "connection" as Rickson Grace talks about it.  It was an eye opener to say the least.

Thanks again, guys.  Here are some stills from the seminar:

 

Here's me, Mikey Swafford (left) and Mike Budnik (right):

I've been focusing on the material this week during open mat and it's been very beneficial.  On the docket for later this week is doing a video of the notes I took after the seminar.  I'll get it up for everyone later in the week.

Playing Jiu Jitsu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viMcYniZmM8&feature=fvsr

Honestly, 'nuff said.

Day Off

Back to training today after a day off yesterday.  I can't tell you how good it felt to NOT get on a mat for the day, or push weights, or get on the treadmill.  But more importantly, getting some food with a bit of grease and to many carbs was equally as important.

Be sure with the run up to the tournament that you're not pushing too hard for too long each week. Get some down time, get some bad food here and there while cutting down.  On a last note for our crew, based on what I've found while working up for tournaments before, make sure you're getting  plenty of rest.  Like good night's sleeps, not the rushed few hours you're used to after staying up on a game console for too long.

Rest is just as important function of training up as adding training days. 

2011 Robson Seminar

For those not on the list, here is the group photo from December's Robson seminar:

Now, given the amount of information amassed during that I ran home and after scribbling notes, I got he chance to shoot this bit of video that is essentially my notes.  It's far from textbook, but for those there maybe it will jog your own memory.  It's been helpful for me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCHOZHcANcI

Those you you there will note I do not even attempt to show the mechanics of the arm bar.  There's a reason for that.  I'm far too incompetent to even pretend to pull that off.  For those down south, particularly Bryan, this is the series I was working over the holidays.  

Lastly, here's us having fun with the final pic from the seminar:

Rules Update Delayed

The rumors of rules changes abound for the IBJJF:

http://graciemagworlds.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/ibjjf-announces-new-rules-for-2012/

However, as of this morning, there is still no official word on the IBJJF website.  I know that this does not shock anyone.  If we're lucky, they'll get around to posting the 2012 changes about the time the Mayan calendar expires.  The persistent think I kept hearing was that the organization was going to mandate membership down to brown and perhaps purple this year.   If you've looked into this process, you know it's a train wreck.  Still, I can't imagine that they've waited this long with tournaments coming up to alter the process that much, so in this let's work under the "no news is good news" paradigm.

On another note, the Tuesday nite extracurricular session at my place is a go.  Sounds like it Ron and Alan so far.  Everyone feel free despite the distance.     

Weight Check

Okay, so after two weeks of slowing starting the diet work up to the IBJJF, I checked in yesterday at 174 with training gear on.  Not bad considering how badly I behaved over the holidays and tipped up to 182.  So, as for now I'll be shooting for the lightweight division.  Once registration opens I'll do a check to confirm that that's going to work before signing on the dotted line.

So, how is everyone else?  Where are you now and what's the target?

Here's a couple of articles I found out of my near obsessive need to read and research that might be helpful.
Weight cutting:

http://www.grapplearts.com/How-to-Cut-Weight.html

And general tournament strategy prep:

http://www.squidoo.com/preparing-for-a-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-tournament

 

Back to BJJ

Not a training related note here, at least not for the IBJJF, but this is a great clip to debrief:

More than any other real world video I've seen, this sets the stage for my argument about why anyone out of a pure striking art should also train in grappling.  This might be the worst side control ever established by mankind, yet he manages to hold a cop down who continues to throw ineffective strikes to his attacker.


There's a lot to take out of this video if you're a cop.  If you're a martial artist that also holds true.