NEW PURPLE BELT!
Huge congrats to Jon Correa on earning his Purple Belt. Jon is consistent, hard working, creative, positive, and has been a student of Jiu-Jitsu for a long time. On top of his skill and work ethic, he takes something off the mats that means a whole lot more than smashing and choking people; and he brings that same spirit onto the mats with him to share with others. For so many of us, Jiu-Jitsu provides an outlet, a community, a sense of meaning and purpose; and I think Jon really embodies the holistic nature of Jiu-Jitsu, deriving positive benefits from it’s myriad aspects beyond just the physical sport.
Jon is an invaluable asset to everyone who has had the opportunity to share the mats with him, and we’re all lucky to be his teammate. I’m really honored to be able to put that belt around his waist and recognize the work he has put in. Thank you, Jon, and congrats!
DRIFTLESS GRAPPLING SERIES
This last weekend our very own Brown Belt Andrew Birnhak and White Belt Tom Parmer competed up in La Crosse at Driftless Grappling Series 3. Andrew was able to submit two of his opponents but was ultimately stopped by Madison’s own Kain Rizzo of Capital City BJJ – a very nice, but incredibly tough and experienced Black Belt. Tom lost a tough and really close match in overtime (by two seconds!).
Regardless of any outcome, I’m always really proud to see you all going out there and competing and representing Sanctuary Jiu-Jitsu Academy and your own Jiu-Jitsu. Seeing everyone develop their own styles and implement them on the competition stage is very exciting, and just incredible to see. So congrats to Andrew and Tom, I’m really proud of both of you … now keep training and on to the next one!
THE TIME IS NOW!
THIS WEEK! – on Friday, August 11th at 6:00 P.M. – Matt Morin of Freeform Jiu-Jitsu will be teaching a Double Sleeve Guard Clinic. Matt was kind and generous enough to offer to teach this clinic on a donation basis. All donations will go to the Dane County Humane Society (DCHS). This clinic is completely free to all Sanctuary and Freeform members, with a donation encouraged (you can donate as little as $5!) but not required. Non-members will be required to make a $25 minimum donation to the DCHS. Sanctuary will be matching up to $500 in donations.
We would really like to pack the mats for these events and show some love to the instructors who are coming out to share their Jiu-Jitsu with us.
For this clinic, you will need to register beforehand here. Again, if you are a member, a donation is not required but registering for the clinic is! If you are signed up, have yet to make a donation, and would like to: you can make that donation here.
I really hope to see all of you there!
Fundamentals: this last week we finished up our Open Guard and Standing curriculum study. On Monday we learned the X Pass from Open Guard, on Wednesday we drilled the Collar Drag Takedown and Sweep from the Seated Guard, and on Friday we studied the Hook Sweep from the Seated Guard and transitioning to X from our partners Defense.
Advanced: in our Advanced Class on Monday, Coach Ryan taught an armlock variation from Half Guard. Ryan is exceptional with his armlocks from just about every position, so he’s the perfect person to teach this class! On Wednesday we reviewed some Single Leg X passes that we have been studying on-and-off in our No Gi classes. This next week we will continue studying and drilling these passes.
No Gi: this week in No Gi on Tuesday coach Chaney reviewed some of the Front Headlock chokes we covered in the last week and on Thursday he took us through a variety of drills and techniques on how to return our partner to the mat safely and effectively.
Thanks to Coaches Ryan, Karen, Masha, and Chaney for covering my classes while I was recovering from a mild cold!
We continued our focus on open guard this week by practicing grip breaks, working a couple variations of the X Pass, and learning a Butterfly sweep. We also worked strategy and movement by playing some energetic rounds of toe tag.
Too much emphasis on winning or losing can be a barrier to learning and to enjoyment of the game. We discussed the importance of being a good sport, emphasizing learning over winning, and being supportive of our team.