7-14-2007
I competed in the US Grappling tournament in Richmond last Saturday. See the
The Internet Coaching Thread for the discussion on the forum. This was an awesome tournament twice as big as my last competition. It had some very high level competition. I only won 1 match the day (went 1-3), but I learned a lot and will correct my mistakes to place or win next year.
Here are my match videos. I did blue belt in gi and advanced in no-gi even though I should have done intermediate in no-gi. I just want the experience. I'd like some feedback if you can spot some of my mistakes and help me correct them.
- First no-gi match video - I beat a new purple belt from Charlottesville BJJ by a score of 12-0 in no-gi. I used up too much energy in this match because I didn't establish my positions well enough.
- Second no-gi match video - I got triangled by Dave Jacobs in 40 seconds. After I sprawled on him, I was going to try for a choke, but changed my mind after I felt he would know it. So I spun to get his back but didn't have enough pressure, I think, and he rolled me into his triangle choke.
- Third no-gi match video - I got triangled again by the first guy's instructor (another purple). I tried fighting it, but fought it in the wrong way.
- My only blue belt match video - I lost by advantages again. I got confused when he gripped under my armpits and was too scared to open my guard. I have to conquer my fear and work on my grip breaking and hip mobility.
The day before, I rolled lightly with Tony Passos - the first time I ever got to roll with a black belt. Dave was the second black belt I ever rolled with and the first time against one. Let me tell you, they are smooth, lightening fast, and precise! Moves which I have to think, they seem to have as instinct. This tells me I have to drill more and keep better posture.
My performance at the US Grappling tournament was horrible. I should have been better but I was too timid and too sloppy. I decided 1 week earlier to enter, so I should have worked on my cardio more and cut to 149.9 (I weighed in at 154 with my cloths on and without cutting at all). For my next tournament in September I will have to work on that and my strength too.
Overall, I think I have to work on:
- Avoiding half guard, and keeping good posture in half guard. My half guard is very unusual and didn't work in these cases, though it works against other people in my divisions. I got to figure out why and how to improve it. I also got to learn to fight with advantages.
- Hip mobility, and open guard. I got to learn more and not be afraid of opening my guard. This gives me the initiative - any time someone has open guard I thing the person who waits usually looses.
- Posture in guard. Something is making it easy for me to be triangled. I got to see what that is.
- Back control. Just polish it so I can hold and submit from it better.
Some pictures of the day can be seen here.