What I won't be doing is showing a technique like you usually see on youtube, hopefully it will be more of an idea or concept I have been working on, mainly my own views on a given situation, that view may be right or may be wrong I don't really care....it's my viewpoint.

45 years old today. Senior 3.

I have been training about 7 years now and shall start trying to articulate my accumulated knowledge. I hope to start putting some things on youtube which may be of interest to other bjj'ers.

I only really started this blog for my own benefit, but now I think it would be good to expand it a little as bjj is so complex that seeing it from other peoples perspective can help with your own development.

I am trying to get a class organised in St. ives at the moment. If it comes off I am going to try and blog more reguarly as a kind of diary of starting a class.

My friend and long time training partner Mark will assist.

Water under the bridge

A lot of water has passed under bridge since my last post.

My neck has improved, after about 6 months the pain eased away, there is reduced mobility and i have no feeling in the top of my left hand but apart from that things are a lot better.

I have been training reguarly 3 or four times a week and at the end of 2010 I was awarded my brown belt by Raphy and Marcus Tulio a 2nd degree black belt under De La Riva. I did not really think at the time that I deserved it or was ready, If fact I felt happy at purple. But I got jumped at a class at that was that.

I competed a couple of times at brown adult to gauge how the level compared to purple. Make one mistake and you are toast was my conclusion.I then traveled to the European championships at the end of Jan 2011.

I am in two minds about competing I feel I should be trying to open my game up and experiment in the pressure cooker that is competition.On the other hand it is about winning and you should play your a game.Which is how my euros panned out really.

first and only match in my weight category I tried to stay loose and fluid, jumped open guard and tried to work a sweep to go top. Ended up getting passed and the guy clung on getting a couple of penalties. Got to half guard and was so desperate to score ended up getting choked.

Was very upset and thought for the absolute just stick to my A game. Which worked well and I ended up with gold after winning two. So on balance it was ok.

Back two the hard work now. 2011 is the year of the sweep !!

training 29/08/09

Pretty much rolled for the whole session as we are getting ready for the Bristol open.

Did round robins with Raphy and andy for about 20 mins solid. Then had the pleasure of rolling with two white belts at or above the 100 kilo mark was totally knackered after for another 30 mins.

I have been developing a closed guard attack to the back by passing the opponents gi under their arm pit and working my way to the back. I worked on Raphy till I got his back but re wriggled out and tapped me for my troubles (twice).

No new techniques just trying to work my game.

My back has been a bit sore this week after the exerctions of last weeks training. But it is still an improvment on what it was like a month or so ago.

not many at training today. We did a closed guard attack sequence. If you can get your opponents arm accros his body you set up to attack the arm bar. if he postures up work the same side lapel out and wrap his arm. He will not like this and posture up, then feed the lapel round the front of his neck and hit the sweep to mount and finish. If his steps his leg up to retain his balance. under hook his ankle pull his leg straight lay accross his. leg for the sweep to mount.

As a side note the only real defense is to cross your other arm over to his collar as if you were attempting a choke and free the arm. Easier said then done.

Training 1/8/09

Today we tidied up the brabo gi choke from half gward top. Also a rather nasty choke called the nutcracker.

Had 4x 6 min rolls. pain level at the end 6 out of 10