Hi, I’m starting a new daily blogging challenge to begin solidifying the learning that I’m doing while training jiu jitsu. Every day I will be doing a recap of what was done in class, what I liked & didn’t like, how my rolling (freeform fighting) went afterwards, and my overarching takeaways from that day.

What I did,

On Tuesday May 22nd

Today it was a smaller class, and the instruction was very simple. Essentially focusing on moving from half-guard to “Z-guard”–a variation where you’re connected with your top knee pushing out into the leg tendon.

I wish I could find a picture online, but alas there are none easily available.

After learning more about it, and actively practicing it, I have come to understand that it’s more so a “holding” position. It hurts for the individual that you are inflicting it upon, but it’s not one that you want to stay in. An attacker can’t get you, but you also can’t attack while you’re extended away. Additionally, it’s relatively easily passed. It wasn’t my favorite today–but I believe stalling is not a bad thing in many scenarios, and it’s a good option to add to my toolkit.

On the note of getting out of it, we also worked on moving from Z-guard to a Kimura. This can be done by grabbing the arm as the individual in your guard is turning their body around your knee, to pass.

Rolling

I’ve just gotten back from a 2-week vacation and this has been my second returning class. So it’s safe to say that I have been easily gassed out, and I also feel as though I’m getting slightly sick–or maybe suffering from allergies as my throat and ears feel very deeply stuffed up. I just don’t feel good, and rolling has been a great way to feel even weaker.

First Match

I first chose to go with someone I don’t normally go with today on purpose. He’s been training longer than me, maybe between 6-12mo. Skill-wise I believe that it would be a much more fair fight if it wasn’t for strength–which is my main takeaway from class today.

I couldn’t do much. I could stall and give him a bit of a hard time to do whatever he was working towards, but as strong as he was, there was not much I could do. I lost every round.

My biggest takeaway was the consideration of strength vs. technique. Jiu jitsu is meant for the smaller person, and I know it’s possible, but it’s a long journey to get there–that’s for sure! Anything I tried was null against someone that could, easily, just hold me down.

Second Match

After I went with a higher belt that I always roll with. I knew that I wasn’t going to win, it’s not even a question, when I roll with this individual he allows me to work things and practice while giving me good resistance.

My biggest takeaway from this roll was to not stop moving. A natural response to feeling defeated, but a bad habit to develop.

Conclusion of May 21st

In this class I took away the need to focus on leverage and technique over strength. I am not weak by any means, but due to my size compared to the men in the gym, I am reminded often that I am the most (physically) weak in the room. This is not a new topic, but I am interested in focusing on this more intentionally.