Sensei Krista and Trevor were at class tonight. After breakfalls, I ran through the principles of balance and breaking balance. I explained that in order to perform technique properly and most effectively that uke's balance must be broken first. I used the batons to illustrate the direction that tori needs to take uke to break their balance and we worked on breaking balance in the 8 different directions. Emphasized the line between the ears and hips and when the ears are off the hips balance is compromised. Also showed how getting uke onto the balls or heels of their feet is an indication that balance has been compromised.

We then reviewed some yellow belt hold escapes, but emphasized finishing with a hip throw and after throw. Trevor seemed to be a little bit discouraged/frustrated as he really had the movements down last week but was struggling a bit this week. I told him not to worry; perfecting the hip throw takes a LONG time and that I was being overly fussy about his technique to make sure that he doesn't develop any bad habits now that he will have to unlearn down the road.

Sensei Mariedke finished off with the double knee pickup (sidewalk slam). This was the perfect takedown to illustrate the principles of breaking balance as you want to make sure that uke is on his heels and leaning forward so his ears are off the hips.

Tonight was another fun class to give some of the novices a taste of what's to come.

Tonight I worked on some of the more sporting aspects of jiu jitsu: shooting and takedowns. We worked on the basic entrance to the shoot and practiced distancing so you end up in the proper position for the takedown. From this position we worked 4 takedowns: a single leg ankle-thigh, a double knee pick-up with your shoulder in uke's abdomen emphasising your forward momentum to aid in the takedown and following through to end up in a full mount.

The next takedown was a cross between a sidewalk slam and a takedown to the rear: Enter the shoot as usual, but instead of entering the takedown from the #1 position, you pivot such that you end up with your right knee to the outside of uke's right foot and your left leg with knee bent @ 90 degree behind uke's right leg. Your left hand passes in front of uke's right leg and hooks behind uke's left knee. this arm pops uke's left knee and leg up and you rotate your hips forward and push your left thigh into the back of uke's right knee. Uke will fall backwards over your thigh. You must keep your right hand up to protect your face because uke's right leg has a tendency to pop upwards.

The last takedown had the same entrance as the previous one except your right arm hooks behind uke's right knee and bends as if you were doing a bicep curl. your left hand reaches up and grabs uke's left lapel. in one smooth motion, you pull uke down and back with your left hand while scooping up uke's right knee to get uke on his back with his leg hooked. From this position you are in a type of side control. You reach up with your right hand while still keeping the leg hooked and reach for uke's right lapel. From here, you can apply a scissor gi-choke.

After working on these four techniques, Kyle and I worked on hip throws and comparing and contrasting our different styles of throwing: I grab around the waist/lower back while Kyle bends his elbow @ 90 degrees so the palm is placed between the shoulder blades.

I also finished reading Sensei Lori's book, Weapons of Opportunity. It brought back a lot of feel-good memories from my training in Ottawa and made me feel very nostalgic and energized when I was training tonight. I hope that feeling stays for a LONG time to come.