A full week off! Last Wednesday, I started having a little “twinge” in my left lower back, the same place that I’ve injured before. Eeek. Just a little one, but I try to be very sensitive to what my body tells me. I couldn’t think of anything specific that I did that was unusual or particularly hard. But still felt it was prudent to relax and rest for a bit and see what happens. Plus the holiday weekend threw my normal schedule for a loop. I’m happy to say that it appears to have cleared up. It was just a little tender yesterday, and I thought that going to class, taking it light and easy, and just moving around some would be beneficial. And it appears I was right. I feel fine this morning.

Class last night was the introduction of two new “101” sequences. Extended drills that we use for warming up and developing and smoothing our movement. RADAR is aptly named. One partner starts standing, the other on their side. The top guy moves from one side, to the head, to the other side, while the bottom guy transitions to a plank, and then proper side control position. Top guy moves back the other way, while the transitions are done in reverse. Then the top guy comes into improper side control hand position, bottom guy hip escapes to guard, sweeps. Reset to the standing position, complete that cycle, top guy comes into proper side control. Bottom guy escapes, threads the needle, and does the tripod take down. Then the roles reverse.

Wrestling 101 was developed by Jeremy, our stud wrestler. One guy starts in turtle, the other has double underhooks with his hands clasped. Bottom guy stands up, arching his back and keeping his hips forward, shoulders back, and pressure on the top guy. Break the grip by rolling the wrist back, and then “putting it in your back pocket”, pivot and clear his other arm with a slice of your other arm. Shoot in for a single leg take down, and finish it. Swap rolls.

We spent the entire class drilling these two. I was paired up with Ron, who was happy to take it slow, and put up with both my tenderness, and clumsiness at learning these new routines.