This week we we will be taking a lot at defeating or passing spider guard. 

I often times like looking at the defenses before we dive into the attacks so we have a better idea how our partner will react. 

Haven't spent much time with spider guard? Well this will be the perfect week since you'll see the basic position and learn some defense 🕷️

Gi advanced will continue our look at spider guard.

We will be focusing on sweeps when our partner hasn't stood up yet. A typical position if we transition from closed guard to spider guard.

Get those fingers stretched out!

Thomas Rozdzynski the biggest change I foresee is a more universal ruleset. Right now we have IBJJF, EBI, ADCC and local tournaments tend to use some combo of those. The downside to a universal ruleset is people gamifying the rules. We saw it with EBI. People strategized to survive the main time limit to purposely win in overtime. I also wonder if moves or positions would also need to be eliminated or changed (in the ruleset) to make it a more exciting presentation to increase viewership for the Olympic audience? What do you think?

I think a lot would need to be decided before this can happen, like a unified rule set. I know many have suggested this may not be the most ideal way for the sport to grow due to issues that Judo encountered. 

While it would be great to see, with events like ADCC becoming bigger each year and new events like CJI popping up, these may provide an even bigger stage for grappling. Especially since these type of events come around more often than every 4 years, it really helps keep the popularity momentum going!

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!