Update

Well I've been out with a Staph infection, so I haven't trained in about a week or so. It's hard not training, and I looked so awful I haven't really left the house until this past weekend. I'm typing this on no sleep, so it may be a bit confused. You have been warned.

I had been focusing on my guard game quite a bit, and I felt like I was making progress there. I had neglected the passing game though, and it showed when I went to the NY Open. My opponent immediately pulled guard, and I missed several opportunities to pass, and eventually got triangle choked. So when Regis came out the next week I did a private on passing, which helped. The next week I did another private with Brian on the same thing, which really helped cement everything. I noticed a definite improvement almost immediately.

We didn't really cover anything new, just went over the details of the cross knee pass, with some variations. We also covered a butterfly guard pass that Regis often uses. These details, while occasionally tedious (not really, inside joke), are what makes techniques work against a good, resisting opponent. I don't think you're going to get these details off of a DVD set or from the internets.

With Regis I covered a variation of the knee cross where the opponent is on his side with his top knee against your hip. You need to drive your knee to the ground and post your foot closer to his head. You can smash his knee and pass, which is what I have been doing. The butterfly guard pass is one that I have done before, but didn't have a lot of confidence in. Regis forced me to open my legs much further apart on the pass, which helps alot. We also worked on the timing of it, another big issue to get a technique to work.

One thing I've noticed from watching a lot of Marcelo videos during my layoff is how quick he is t to make grips. Zak is the same way. He gets the grips he wants while you're still thinking about what you're going to do. Definitely have to work on this.

So I had been training really well up until my Staph. I went to class to observe last night, and since I rarely sit trains out I enjoyed the opportunity to watch my friends train. I was particularly impressed at how Brian, even though injured, still trains with the biggest and toughest guy in the room, and basically "houses" him without any effort. There's no dodging anyone or making excuses for himself.

In addition to regular training I have been lifting in an attempt to get into some semblance of an astetically pleasing shape. That stopped when I had Staph, but I was back the last couple of days. I've lost some muscle but not too much strength so it should come back quickly if I eat right.

I'll probably train again Tuesday, and I can't wait.