Another big class yesterday. The school is growing so fast!
We worked on strategies and techniques from guard that will help when a wrestler is stalling. You know, when someone’s in your closed guard and they’re tired or maybe don’t want to worry about passing. They’ve got their head buried in your sternum, and are either pinning your hips to the mat or maybe are blocking your arms.
The gist of the drills, and the overriding principle that Coach seemed to emphasize was to think about what you have free, rather than on what’s trapped. If he’s pinning my hips, that means my arms are free to push on his head and create room to shrimp out and get something going. If he’s pinning my arms, then my hips are free to shrimp out. Either way, the idea is that if I’m trapped under a guy who’s stalling, for whatever reason, it becomes up to me to push the action. In a match, this might mean the difference between a lame 2-0 loss if you’re taken down by a good wrestler and then just held there because he’s worried about trying to pass guard.
We then did a guard passing drill where one guy gets into any sort of guard position they want, and you try to pass. Then we sparred. I did pretty well. Nothing spectacular, although I’m happy to have passed Josh’s guard once (and got swept once, too).
I felt really good after class, and am looking forward to class tomorrow night. As an aside, I went and had a 1 hour massage at the Everest Massage School (formerly Ashmead). I am a huge fan of massage, and can’t believe it’s been months since my last one. I’m going to go back to trying to get one monthly, and am totally sold on continuing at the clinic. The price ($30/hour) is very reasonable, the massages are consistently good and I don’t get any of the fru-fru stuff that, quite frankly, makes me uncomfortable.
I’ve always wondered about what a person could do when pinned, and the other is stalling. I’ve seen this happen many times to others, and it just seems that everything just stops still at that point.
Massages.. I’d like to experience one, one of these days. I bet you that it’s worth the price.
I think BJJ would trigger my fear of suffocation…but it looks like so much fun!
Massages are absolutely not a luxury. Every serious martial artist (every athlete for that matter) should receive one on a regular basis. I’m glad to hear you’re thinking of doing just that, especially since BJJ really twists you up (pun intended). Of course I’m biased since I am a massage therapist…I get one every other week and if I didn’t I would probably fall apart! It’s good you found a respectable place to go. Massage schools are great places to get a massage since the price is usually low and the students aim to please. Keep it up!
I think I’d find it awkward getting a massage. I’ve have always hated being touched by anyone who isn’t my gf. Hence why I’ll back off if a friend tries to hug me, and I really don’t like that kiss on the cheek thing to say goodbye (despite having a Turkish background, where it happens all the damn time). But for some reason, I have no problem rolling around on the ground with sweaty girls and guys. Maybe its about intention or something? Confusing. ;p
somaserious: I’m actually somewhat claustrophobic (although not as bad as my mom!) and would tap out from pressure when I first started. It’s something you get over in time.
As for massage, I couldn’t agree more, and the school has been terrific!
Slideyfoot: You’d be surprised. When I first went, I just decided to go for it. I think that the BJJ did help me as it’s difficult to get on the mat with “personal space issues.”
That said, our issues, quirks and idiosyncracies are what make us unique! Embrace them, even if they are inherently contradictory!