No-gi class was pretty fun. A few weeks back, I wrote my top 10 reasons why I prefer to train in a gi. As I said then, that was mostly written tongue in cheek, but I won't deny a bias for the gi. A side effect of writing that, however, is that it really emphasized to me how little experience I have no-gi. As a result, I'm really making an effort to get to class on Tuesdays. I figure, if I can get to class four times each week, one night no-gi, I'm doing okay.
I'll also admit that in my first no-gi class I was a little intimidated... just letting go of something I was so accustomed to was a little daunting. But last night, I was much more comfortable and actually had a good time.
Class started with a relatively intense warmup run by Bing. We did intervals and my arms and chest are definitely feeling it today. In technique, we worked a way to get around half-guard.
Half Guard Pass
The technique was fairly simple.
Starting in my opponent's half guard, I'm going to flatten him out. One way to do this is to walk my legs around in a half circle. It's amazingly effective.
Next step is to pin both of his arms and post my head in his sternum.
Pop up into a tripod position, with my head and feet down.
Shake off his leg.
As soon as I feel my knee clear, I'm going to drive it to the mat directly beside his hip (on my near side of his body)
Get an underhook on the far side.
Secure the nearside arm and then sit through to a scarf hold position.
From here, I was working to side control, concentrating on keeping his nearside arm trapped high between my leg and his head, opening him up for an armbar, a head/arm choke or a few other things.
As I alluded to earlier, I was much more comfortable sparring last night than in my previous class. I still have a lot to learn, but I enjoyed myself and managed a couple of good rolls where I had a few good sweeps and a couple of submissions. I'm really having to think about what I know that doesn't involve grips, and what I keep coming up with are head/arm chokes and armbar setups. Not a bad thing at all, as I'm working on these in gi, as well.
Tonight is kids class, too, so I get to watch my daughter go at it. She's also mentioned possibly wanting to compete in November. Regardless of whether she wants to or not... I'm not sure I'm ready. As stressed as I get competing myself, I can't imagine watching her step out there!
I'll also admit that in my first no-gi class I was a little intimidated... just letting go of something I was so accustomed to was a little daunting. But last night, I was much more comfortable and actually had a good time.
Class started with a relatively intense warmup run by Bing. We did intervals and my arms and chest are definitely feeling it today. In technique, we worked a way to get around half-guard.
Half Guard Pass
The technique was fairly simple.
From here, I was working to side control, concentrating on keeping his nearside arm trapped high between my leg and his head, opening him up for an armbar, a head/arm choke or a few other things.
As I alluded to earlier, I was much more comfortable sparring last night than in my previous class. I still have a lot to learn, but I enjoyed myself and managed a couple of good rolls where I had a few good sweeps and a couple of submissions. I'm really having to think about what I know that doesn't involve grips, and what I keep coming up with are head/arm chokes and armbar setups. Not a bad thing at all, as I'm working on these in gi, as well.
Tonight is kids class, too, so I get to watch my daughter go at it. She's also mentioned possibly wanting to compete in November. Regardless of whether she wants to or not... I'm not sure I'm ready. As stressed as I get competing myself, I can't imagine watching her step out there!