My first class as a blue/white belt. Didn’t feel any different than one last week, not that I expected it to.

We started off with some takedown practice, which is very needed. I don’t think I’ll ever be “good” at them, but I may be “adequate” eventually. If only I could go back and start wrestling or judo when I was 5!

The lesson was a modification on the 5 positions. It’s more like 3 positions now, eliminating the kesa gatame (scarf hold) position. So side control, north south, side control on the other side.

The transition from there to north/south apparently trips some people up, so it’s been moved to the advanced class. Gina and paired up, and it threw both of us for a loop. We’ve both done the 5 positions hundreds (thousands for her!) of times…so it took some adjusting.

We added in mounting and dismounting, and are going to cover some side control attacks later in the week.

I stuck around for the advanced class, now that I can officially attend it. Similar theme, but with only a quick review of the full 5 positions. And then into the bread cutter choke. From north/south, loop one hand under his arm, grab the collar, switch to a high side control, and drag your other arm to grab his lapel, and choke away. Shane and I drilled away. Then later in the class we briefly did an armlock from this same setup, if your opponent rolls away from you to defend his neck.