Advanced gi is going to be starting a great spider guard block! 

Plenty of drilling this week and an intro to sweeps. If you haven't spent much time with spider guard this block and especially Wednesday will really get you up to speed!

I often train late at night so washing right away isn't always possible, so pulling them out of the bag and hanging is a must! Can't keep them balled up in the bag 🤢

Every time I wash I throw half to a full cup of vinegar into the wash beside the detergent. Supposedly helps kill bacteria that causes smells. The vinegar smell goes away. I've seen lively debates between putting it into the bleach and fabric soften dispensers so I welcome input there. 

Equally important is making sure you hang them after they are done. Bonus if you can hang them outside. UV light helps kill more of the odor causing bacteria. And with certain gis gives them that rough sandpaper feel your partner will love!

Don't forget your gym bag. If you can't wash it out, at least spray the inside down with something like a Lysol disinfecting spray. You spent the time to wash the gi, no reason to toss it back into a nasty bag.

New method of washing is also in the works, that might be a separate post.

Advanced gi will be wrapping up our closed guard block and taking a look at failed triangle traps. 

Both arms in, both arms out, is it really a failure or opportunity? 

If you want wrist locks, I hear Wednesday nights at 8pm at ROL might fit this desire!

My biggest requirement is cleanliness. I you walk into somewhere and can tell it is dirty etc., it is hard to be engaged and you can't learn if you catch some type of skin infection and are off the mats. 

Aside from that I think the people both instructors and students really make the gym over all. You have to find somewhere that matches what you want or you won't be happy. If you just want to learn and have fun, going somewhere driven by competition will not ultimately be a great fit, and the opposite is true. Having similar aged training partners too! 

One of the biggest things I have come to appreciate is somewhere that encourages you to be yourself and make things your own. I think this applies to both teaching and learning. The more we are encouraged to explore our interests and find those in the gym that want to explore them too the more fun you'll have, the more positively challenged you'll be and the more you enjoy and be engaged.

Advanced GI will be a good one this week. Let's make our partner uncomfortable while we open their closed guard, then let's attack the legs.

Maybe it's because ADCC was this weekend, but the time seems right to target some legs!

Have I ever hit a baseball bat choke on you when you thought you were safe? 

Come learn one of my favorite set ups in advanced gi this week as we look at some closed guard chokes. 

It's hard finding people who want to drill sometimes, but this because very interesting as techniques become more complex. I feel like with the more complex techniques a lot of exploration and growth can occur as it leads you down a different path sometimes. But I agree with Gary Pond sparring with intent always seems engaging!

Advanced gi will focus on using the gi as an offensive weapon.

If you haven't had anyone trap and really lock in your arm with your own gi, you are in for a treat!

I think anytime during childhood would have been awesome. However, I sort of feel I found it at the perfect time. If life turned out relatively the same, I think it would have derailed training at some point. However, what would like look like now if I started say at 12 years old? Butterfly effect! 🦋