Tuesday, we worked on the half guard from the bottom. It was a good class. At the end of class, Professor Pedro brought to the attention of the class that if we missed a lesson or didn’t get it, the lessons will repeat in other classes during the week. That is good to know. In the future, I may take the same class three times in the same week if I think it is important enough. We did work on hand position from the side to the guard but not as much as I would have liked. I am looking for a solution for my weak guard. Everytime I had someone in the guard during sparring, I get passed. I would like to improve my guard. So, what makes a good guard? What should I look out for? How do I stop a pass? The focus of my sparring is purely defense. I don’t care if I submit anyone at this point. Right after Tuesdays class, I started feeling the effects of the flu.
This week, I ran into my friend that brought me to Gracie Jiu Jitsu. He had stopped training about seven months ago because of a shoulder injury, which needed surgery. It is a fact, injuries are going to happen during your study of jiu jitsu, and sometimes outside of jiu jitsu, a car accident for example. The question will be how are you going to handle your injury and will you come back? Injuries should always be avoid while sparring; however, I am thankful to the guy that injuried my shoulder which was in the advanced grappling class. I hated yoga before. My wife would try to get me to go for the last ten years, and I wouldn’t. That all changed with my shoulder injury. I became a believer of Iyengar Yoga when my shoulder became healed. Yoga also helped in fixing my back. I had terrible posture and now not so bad. I do jiu jitsu three times a week and yoga two times. I am able to let go of anger and forgive without expecting any apology.
When you practice jiu jitsu you have to play SMART! Follow some self rules.
1) Tap..Tap often. Jiu Jitsu is a mind game not a power game.
2) Don’t go full speed unless you talk it out with your sparring parnter. Note, some students want full speed.
3) Beware the dojo drifter. A guy you never seen before wearing a rented gi with white belt who is there for sparring only.
4) Choose your partner before class starts. Someone you know is good.
5) Warm up with a few push ups and do light stretching before class, a must. Coming in cold is just asking for trouble.
journeyjjbluebelt 
For my guard, I have been trying to stay active. Palm up in the collar for a choke. Using my legs and hands to constantly keep the opponent off balance. Waiting for him to put one leg up for the elevator sweep. Ultimately, I do not try to hard. If he passes my guard, oh well. I keep it playful. I wait for them to pass and then I go to my frustrating turtle position and I may even let the opponent take my back to try my defenses. Even give up my arm to defend. I am trying to get to the top by giving myself up, not by forcing myself to the top.
Thanks for your clarity of the guard. Patience, timing, not using strength, defense.