What’s up everybody? I was wondering when you step onto the mat for a sparring session, what’s your mindset? Survival and defense? Hunting submissions? Working on specific positions, methods? Or just rolling and reacting? Or something entirely different? 

For me, I’ve confronted this question every time. Survival, has been my default at all costs. I’ve found when attacking I get submitted or put into bad positions. So I work on my control. My intention is to roll to my partners body type. Take space away or give it. Get on their back or their side or attack where they’re not defending. I’m mostly defense and maintain base.

Besides those and many other thoughts I have a plethora of things I’m working on. Besides making it fun and not staying in my head.

Above all, after I step off the mat like I stepped onto it. I acknowledge that I am very fortunate to be doing this hard thing at my age. OSSS. 

What is your favorite guard to play and why? 

For me it is half guard which has a bunch of sub-sets within half guard itself.  My game can stay close to the same between No-Gi or Gi and I don't lose a large subset of my game immediately without the grips.  It doesn't matter how large my opponent is, I can always wrap my legs around 1 of their legs.   It can slow the game down which is needed when going against good athletes.  Many more.

Also my class is starting up today, Monday 2/23 for No-Gi Study and we will be working on bottom half guard for those interested!

Do you consider Jiu Jitsu a Martial Art or a sport?

If rules are meant to be broken, what jiujitsu rules do you like to break?

I don’t mind giving up my back. It is easier to escape than side control and I can attack you with arm locks and wrist locks if I can control your elbow. 

Weekly question guys 

What’s a Jiu Jitsu myth that drives you crazy?

If you could instant obtain a high skill level in any position, which would you pick and why? 

I'd take half guard. It's one of those positions that just doesn't stick with me so I'd love to no longer have to learn it and focus on other positions or moves. 

I am currently on a work trip which has inspired this question, when you are out of town for work or for fun, do you find a place to train? 

I personally do not but that’s only due to the lack of free time. I would love to be able to get a class in while away. I’m curious how many savages we have that make the time and the effort to bring their Gi and attend a class. 

Question that comes to mind for all those with a ROLtv account. What is you favorite seminar?

One of the ones that had one of the biggest impacts: Jeff Serafin https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2022-11-19-jeff-serafin?category_id=89230&utm_source=product&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=content_share&utm_term=1965357&utm_content=copy

I might be biased but this one seems pretty cool https://rolacademy.tv/programs/2023-09-30-russ-usauskas-workshop?category_id=89230&utm_source=product&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=content_share&utm_term=2617366&utm_content=copy

What is one win you had in the past week? Big or small, on or off the mats.

I think motivation and confidence can really dip when we stop seeing or recognizing the little improvements we are making in our lives or on the mats. 

Hi everybody. I was wondering where does your jiu jitsu come from? Live training, classes, seminars, You Tube, or high level matches, UFC etc.? Or a combo?

For me, it’s teaching, mat time, ROL-TV, and You Tube.

The mats push me to improve, but teaching it is what really makes it stick. It forces me to explain it, feel it, internalize it. You Tube is a point of reference for me. Sometimes I find something new, other times I don’t. But either way, it shows me where I’m at in my jiu-jitsu.

Here’s to a healthy new year on the matts.