I was sick with a cold or something earlier this week. I felt okay, but my nose wouldn’t stop dripping. I’m sure that my training partners appreciate that I stayed home rather than infect them all! Might be the weather, it’s really starting to cool off now.

My “off week” in the 531 progression has stretched into nearly a “off month” I arrived a little early to get some strength work done. I planned on squatting, but I felt pretty good while warming up, so I squatted, pressed, and threw in a few hanging cleans too.

Class was pretty low key. Quick warm up and some flow training with Derrick. Then Tim covered a couple of turtle guard techniques, one sitting out to guard, the other trapping the arm and rolling to be on top. The second one was a nice review, because it’s one that I use often…but usually end up giving up my back. Derrick and I played around with it some and I think we figured out what I’ve been doing wrong.

For the remainder of the class we just rolled. I started off with Dan and did pretty well. It was a nice back and forth five minutes, that included me having a triangle, but loosing it when I needed to adjust to finish. Next up was Jason, who resisted all my attempts to sweep or take his back, while I resisted all of his attempts to pass. Ron and I had a good roll too, with me on the defense most of the time.

I took a round to grab a drink and catch my breath, and Tim and Gina roped me into trying something. Tim was explaining an anti-turtle technique he’s been playing with, so I got to be the turtle for a few explanations.

Last up was Justin, the little wild man. He may only be 14, but he’s tough. I started off a little slow and two seconds later, he’s on top in side control and halfway to arm locking me. I escaped the first one, fought off his triangle transition, and then he re-transitioned into the arm lock again and got me. Our next go was me mostly defending another triangle/armbar combo, and everyone else shouting instructions to Justin. I managed to get out, ended up in turtle, trapped and rolled his arm….right into giving him my back where he bow and arrow choked me. Give him a few years to finish growing and he’s going to be a monster.