Photo Credit: Jerrold

One of the nice things about training with Dave is that he also trains MMA fighters.  Personally, I am not a big MMA fan, but the experience it brings him as a coach comes through in his approach to bjj.  He has a strong focus on fighting for top, bailing on bad positions, and in developing a strong wrestling base for when it makes sense.

As an example, we worked side control escapes last night and spent the majority of the evening protecting the head, getting to our knees, and taking the single.  In Dave's words, "when you are on your knees, it's a wrestling match!".  In the past, I have felt very lost from the knees and even remember asking Pedro Sauer one day for some help on that exact position.  So, this class helped a lot.

The main points around the single emphasized getting an angle (ie. not staying square), driving forward, and walking backwards as you take the leg.  I am sure there are many ways to work a single, but this is what we worked last night.

Since my main game from side control is to go to the knees, it was great to spend some time on a high percentage finish from there.  It seems like every class I find something new I need to spend time working on.  My fundamentals have just been lacking, but I can say that I am rounding out the rough edges every class.  I feel I am rolling a bit more relaxed and searching for positions of control actively.

Onward.