In the few minutes between classes, as most people are getting on the mat and doing some stretching or socializing, I always head over to the corner and do some visualization work. A bit of breathing exercises, some mental preparation, and then I replay 3 or 4 of my personal highlight reel moments.

As I was doing this last night, I surveyed the class, and realized, that I was going to be the highest ranking student, so I got to lead the warm up. Did some laps, then the Circle of Death. I think it’s only the second or third time that I’ve been the top ranked guy in class.

I also got to be the demonstration dummy for Damian. Lesson was escaping the back, into a deep half sweep, into a powerful half guard pass where you have one leg stuffed and one underhooked. It was pretty uncomfortable being on the receiving end.

And, since I was the ranking student, I got to teach lesson one to a new girl. It’s been a while since I’ve taught, and I wasn’t 100% on what exactly lesson one was, so I stumbled a bit, but got through about half of it before Damian rotated me out for someone else so I could get some reps of the lesson in.

For rounds, we were in a group of 4: Matt, John, Paul and I. 3 minutes on top, then 3 minutes on bottom, starting the position of the day. Did well with Matt, getting a half guard to the back to a mounted arm triangle. Did okay with John and Paul too. Plenty of activity and movement on everyone’s part.