Fundamentals 26 in class.

I'm not sure why this class is called Fundamentals anymore. The stuff I'm doing is getting further and further from the idea every time. Today was a recap and progression from last weeks work.

From Short Base Side control, to knee ride, to mount - then -
- Our partner performs a basic bridging escape, before we establish our base.
- Our partner performs an advanced bridging escape, putting us on their hooks and then performs a basic hook sweep.
- We encourage our opponent to cover up and roll to his belly, then get his hands and knees under him so we can choke him out with a RNC
- We smother our opponent and allow them to push us away by extending their arms. We secure the arm for a basic arm bar from mount.
- As a variation, our opponent doesn't push us away when we smother them, so we control their arm/wrist. Push their hand to the floor on the opposite side and spin through for the basic arm bar.

I then demonstrated how that would work from the Knee ride position, when our partner does nothing. We claim the hand/wrist on our side and force it to the floor opposite and step through for the arm bar. Not fundamentals but certainly relevant to the rest of the class content.

Something else different today, I encouraged everyone to roll for 5 minutes at the end of class. No subs just moving from position to position to get a feel of the flow. Seemed to work well and feedback was good. :)

A big problem is the transition from Fundamentals to the real classes. I say the "Real classes" because that’s what I see them as. Fundamentals classes are for learning skills to help you in your grappling, which is the whole idea of BJJ. But the step up to Monday and Wednesday is just too big and daunting for most of the newer students.

I think the 45/45 split will start Monday of next week 31/01/2005. So from then everyone who has done a few of the "Fundamentals" classes can come to the first 45 (8pm-8.45), which will be skills and drills. Followed by an optional 45 (8.45 - 9.30) of rolling. Note this is all designed to get more people on the mat more times and I encourage everyone to at least give it a try!

Big class today, again a few new people and a lot of the new members coming back for more, great to see. It was also very cool to see Toby and Melissa and their baby girl. Nice to finally meet her after almost a year. :)