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Today we went over a neat little technique from side control. It was nothing too new, just a review, but then a neat little way of getting an inside leg hook underneath your opponent was shown making it a fun exercise because I had never seen this particular way of doing it. Very methodical again.
We also got to train with Trevor Prangley who is going to fight Jeremy Horn this weekend in UFC. Me and John were talking about it and we both think Trveor has what it takes to win. I told John I was going to ask Trevor to send me a "shout out" when he gets interviewed after winning. I didn't even ask.
It was still kind of sureal to see the guy that's going to be fighting the former champion of UFC this weekend.
Muay Thai was great too. We didn't go over anything new, but we did the combos over and over and over in round style. I thought I developed asthma somewhere along the way. I could hardly breath and my chest felt like it was collapsing. It actually hurt that bad. Maybe Im just an old guy out of shape. I will get into shape though. When I do, it's on like Donkey Kong. let me in the ring.
Oh yeah we did do 2, 3, 2. Ill ad that to the combos entry.
BJJ: We went over knee on stomach and how to transition to each side and different variations. It was interesting to see Sensei Derek Cleveland transition back and forth and around and to see how smoothly he could do this. As an instructor I am very judgmental about other instructors. I watch them with grueling eyes to see if they know what they are talking about. I will admit in his game, he is very good at what he does. He is methodical and teaches so that a beginner could learr, but still that a long time ground fighter is not bored. I have found a person that has very good technical skill.
Muay Thai: Muay Thai today was set up for the fighters. We did sets like "rounds" of a UFC fight. We worked combos 1-4 the first 3 minutes, the second three minutes we worked on combos 1-4 in whichever order our partner called it out, then the third three minutes we worked on whatever combos our partner called. (jab, jab, hook etc etc)
I noticed that my kicks are getting pretty darn powerful. I love that Muay Thai has a focus on one kick. Yes, this means that someone could just watch for this one kick, but in all honesty, the combos are set up so nicely that you wouldn't know what hit you. It's weird to me to have a "set" way of doing punches where I am so used to flowing and doing whatever comes natural. This is definately a winner in my book. Not only am I learning a good way to distract and take my opponent, but I am developing speed and power behind these blows making them so
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We worked with Thai Pads and concentrated on power and speed. No new combos, but we worked the heck out of the ones I know.
It was a great class. At the end of class we did 20 minutes of cardio bag training again. I was able to hang without a side ache or feeling of throwing up. I didnt have much power though, so I will work on the stamina until I can keep my power the entire time, then I will be ready to start fighting.
On another note today we practiced on defending ourselves when we are in someones guard. Hips in, head up, back straight, hand on stomach other hand supporting and elbow on inside leg.
Step up on the same side the strong hand is placed, spin and do ankle hook.
I have learned a better way to teach ground fighting.
I usually teach stand up fighting in progression. Meaning that I usually teach a single leg takedown. Then I'll teach how to defend it (guillotine), then I teach how to defend the defense (guillotine).
Usually with ground fighting I do not teach progression, but I have started to. I have been teaching side control for the past few lessons and how to defend from it and how to offend from it. So both parties get a good lessons from it. Then at the end of class I let them go at it from that position and I see if they can put it all together.
Today Kyle did a very good job. When he would mess up I could hear him make sounds, "Ohhrrrr!" I knew why he was making the sounds and he would correct his mistake the second time while going live.
I believe this way is going to make his ground fighting game get even better, and even though we have been learning so fast, the basics can never be left out. So this is going to make everyones fighting improve.
I also taught Kyle some stand up fighting and different combos and how to enter and take advantage of different types of fighters. I think the stand up clicked in him today and he appreciates it more.
I did not go over any small circle or Aikido techniques which makes me feel bad. I keep ;eaving that out and I need to do at least one a day. It's just hard when there's so much to cover.
We did go over some throws though, which makes me feel better.
So I am feeling like I am losing closeness with my woman even more lately. Why because i train so much now. I realize that no matter what, she would schedule around my work, so she'd be at work anyways if I hadnt planned on training, but it still makes me feel bad. I love her so much that this training isnt worth losing her over. I have to talk to her to ask her how she feels about it honestly.
Now that the mushy stuff is out of the way. I taught Ryan some stand-up fighting today, then we spent an hour on the ground. It still seems foreign to him, but that's okay, I know he will catch on one day, and it will all just sort of hit him and he'll be good.
I am going to test him for Yellow Belt. He is ready, and I will test him. Kyle is also being tested on Sunday. If I can get them both here more often, I am sure they will both progress very well.
We worked the normal combos, then we worked on feeling our opponent out.
Jab, jab, cross.
While doing the above combo, we are watching our opponent.
We can tell a lot about how they react. If they shuffle backward running from us, we can do this combo a few times and then at the end, add a powerhouse right kick while angling out to about 30'.
If they clench up and hide, then we can use the Muay Thai grab, knee with right knee, and then swing their head to our right. If the opponent leaves face open, powerhouse kick to the face, if they do not, powerhouse kick to the legs.
So far Muay Thai is the best stand up I have been a part of. I can definately tell why UFC fighters study this style.
I have noticed that the stances are very much different than most styles I have taken. I understand Muay Thai ways more than other arts though. The stances keep their shoulders inline with their hips at all times. You shuffle to move, but never crossing your legs or taking huge steps to get yourself off balance.
I am loving the stamina/cardio it provides. We did bag training at the end and I got s side ache by the time we were done.
We started with one-two-three combo.We did one punch, two punches, three punches, then back up and return and repeat. We did this 10 times.
Then we did two-10 training. In this we did two p[unches back up, four punches back up, etc all the way to ten, then back down again.
Then two kicks, sprawl, two punches (set 1) and did this ten times on each leg.
Then we did one more where we did 1-10 succession kicks. 1, 1-2, 1-3, etc with each leg up to ten kicks.
By the time I was done I was drenched in sweat.
What's the purpose? Our focus is speed and power. So the focus is to develop speed, power, and stamina. It took us 14 minutes to complete this drill but it felt like a lifetime. I love it. I can only hope that this training will all lead me to the Octagon. I definately need more stamina building.
BTW- I was slightly sick today. I still have a little remnance of my cold, (which is why I skipped Fridays class).
Muay Thai is so practical, which is why I love it.
Take care and keep on the road of knowledge.
I am going to make an entry of the Muay Thai combos so I can keep them in memory.
Baylen did very well today. We worked a little with the Bokken today and he seemed to get it pretty fast.
We worked on Series techniques as well. He needs to flow a little better, but he's right on track on where he should be. He learns fast. It's funny to think about how far he has come since day one.
I can put money on Baylen when it comes to beating another yellow belt of another style. He could beat them with ease. Now I am not talking about a sparring match, I'm talking a full out no holds barred match like UFC.
I dont sense him wanting to be an Orange Belt badly which is good. He should just take his time and relax and learn it as it's given him. I want to make sure that when he's an orange belt, he can beat every orange belt out there.
I need to focus more on stand up with him, so I have introduced the Muay Thai combos to him. I know I am no expert in this, but when it comes to a NHB fight, it will help him win.
I want Ryan to get promoted, but he still seems to be lacking on the groundfighting portion. I need to practice the drills for guard and mount more with him and show him other drills to give him a small arsenal to defend himself.
I think Ryan will have better stand up and Baylen will dominate ground. If Kyle ever comes back I am sure Kyle will be in the middle on ground and the low spectrum in stand up. Now this means absolutely nothing. What means everything is if they can utilize their strengths to gain advantages.
Today I taught them some basic drills from side control. I taught them how to keep their opponents hand from gaining bonus head control. I taught them how to manipulate into the guard, I taught them how to turn and pick up for a single leg takedown. Then I taught a knee bar from both positions.
We went in progression and both Baylen and Ryan seemed to catch on very well. I feel as if these is not enough time to concentrate on all aspects. I could spend a few hours on groundfighting alone, or any aspect for that matter. (Judo throws, takedowns, groundfighting, small circle techniques, series, kicking, punching, etc etc)
I have to cover all aspects and I try to cover them all, but it never seems to be enough.
I will do the best I can and learn each and every day that I teach how to become a better teacher.
11-14-2005 11:22 PM 
