Pacing myself or relaxing was the biggest and earliest concept and mindset shift I've ever had. Early on a white belt I started noticing the guys who had just received blue belts before I started seemed on such a different level. With some reflection, I noticed they were relaxed, not spazzy, and had a solid pace. I still find this to hold true and even use it as a strategy. Sometimes I will go with someone younger and stronger who still tries to go 100mph. I let them work as hard as they want while staying in strong defensive positions and after 4 minutes they become gassed, then I go to work. 

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Advance gi will continue focusing on straight ankle locks. This week we will be placing our focus on defense.This well help us see where our attacks can break down and the challenges we need to over come to hit solid attacks!

I try to be proactive to allow me to pick how I am going to escape and lead them to my desired end point. However, if I'm really letting my partner work, I'll be more reactive responding to whatever they give me.

Without the white belt you can't get any of the others!

I feel like each belt has had parts that make it the best.

However, I think blue belt was a lot of fun especially because you start to know some stuff but the expectations are still somewhat lower until you approach the end of your blue belt. 

Thomas Rozdzynski I also feel like it speeds things up and aid in retention since you are seeing the whole picture. 

I have 2 to share

Don't just focus on the move or attacks from the position. If you look for the escapes/defense it'll make you so much better. You will know both what you can do wrong and what the other person is going to try to do. 

If you plan to be in the for the long haul, listen to your support at home. Especially in the beginning it's very easy to become totally consumed. Sometimes training 3 days vs your regular 4 make life at home easier. You need to remember, its a marathon, not a sprint. Even though we may love it, there is a balance that can be hard to find. 

Advance gi is going back to what is a very popular topic, leg locks. Perfect transition from the last 2 weeks of intermediate classes.

We will be reintroducing the single leg x, ashi, or ashi garami position and all of the possibilities that will develop.

Plenty of new details and refinements since the last time we explored this position and topic.

Wait, you like the baseball bat choke???? 😂🤣

Definitely don't want to miss Mike's details here!