tallgeese

6/20 Drilled baseball bat choke from bottom of half guard. Over hook from guard to collar choke. Looping choke with collar. 30 min free roll. 30 min free roll no gi

I don't think anyone's personal version of the arts is, or should be, specifically "pure" if you're looking to maximize combat effectiveness. Granted, if you're training for a different reason, one built around preserving a tradition for example, then one might be able to argue a "pure" version of an art. For the rest of us, who are taking tools out of the box and using them when it's needed, pure is going to have a loose definition at best. Even if you're using the same tactics from the same art as another individual, and even if you're both solely training in a single art, each of you will look slightly different due to body type, attributes, mindset, ect. That's even before we look at the multiple variables that the environment and situation in which our two hypothetical fighters use said skill in. Rather than overall skill sets, I'm more likely to cite where a tactic came from than what kind of stylist I am.

brickshooter, off topic a bit, do you happen to have a link to that study? I'm not doubting the number a bit, but I'd like the citation for work reasons. If you're aware of where I can get it, it would save me a bunch of time hunting for it. Thanks.

Interesting: http://www.graciemag.com/2012/06/exclusive-ibjj-pro-league-with-15000-payout-to-black-belts-in-december/ I guess we'll have to see how, and if, it develops beyond the single event.

It sounds like he's a good fit by what you said. He's qualified, plays well with others, and keeps up with what you're doing. It sounds like an easy choice to me. If he brings a good energy to class and you all have a mutual exchange of ideas it seems like a great opportunity.

6/18 Drilled cross collar chokes and variants. Again, I am forced to admit that after years of rolling, I don't know all that much after all. 35 min free roll 15 min free roll no gi working with fighter for upcoming bout.

I agree with just about everyone here, you can and if you fall in love with an art, will, spend the rest of your life doing it. Even if you move into something else, you'll take those tools and those experiences with you and they will flavor everything you do from then on. Also, just because you've been training with someone for 15 years does not mean that your the only one improving. They've been training as well, and likely will be able to further mold you as you go. There are reasons to move around bit. One is cross training, of which I'm a huge proponent. If you have a need that your current system, which you like already, doesn't have an answer for, then go and get it. Add it to your pattern. Nothing wrong with that. Also, over time, your reasons for training might change or compartmentalize. It's okay to explore those avenues as well. But these changes aren't based on "I've learned everything to know in this art". They are based on conscious choices about what different arts offer your martial journey.

Here's an interesting interview with Dan Gable (who really probably doesn't need any introduction) where he talks briefly about wrestling and it's growing relationship with MMA. The MMA specific bits are near the end of the clip: http://bestofbjj.com/content/2012/06/18/dan-gable-mma-and-wrestling-should-work-together-more/ He's a fascinating guy and if you get the chance, Sam Sheridan interviews him for his book, Fighter's Mind. Excellent stuff.

Do you happen to have video, Justice? I'd given how vastly different your art is from most of us I'd love to have a visual on what you're talking about.

Welcome aboard KF! I look forward to hearing your view on things given your outlook on the arts.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

I've found that most guys willing to show up and dress out are usually pretty good people. I'll chat about what we do and invite them to join in. I've never really had a problem with that aspect of it.

My base art had a school patch and an organization patch, each on one of the lapels. In BJJ, things are much more free form and there is really no specific way to do things in any of the gyms I've been in. Typically, there's a school patch and maybe an organization patch. One will usually be smaller and the other larger. As to location, the back is popular for large logos, as is the upper leg. Smaller logos can go about anywhere, off the lapels, legs, shoulders, ect.

Welcome aboard!

Nice job!

I'm of the same mind as myataschool, sharp, but I really think the color on the color going only part way to the hem is a bit jarring. Still, nice effort. Will the collar match the rank of each competitor? sensei8, coming out of BJJ, it's nice when there is a minimum of advertising on the outside of the gi I swear, there are companies out there that can't stop putting their logo on your gi until you have no space left for any patches of your own.

Good work!

6/16 Drilled side to knee in position. Far side arm bar. Far side arm to kimura. Finished with baseball bat choke from knee in. 15 min side mount v. escape 30 min free roll.

I agree. It's a tool, the idea is to match the tool (linear or circular) to a need. Some application will demand one or the other for effectiveness. Further, it depends on what I'm looking to do, control-wise, to the other individual. If I want him to double over so that I can better effect head control, a linear attack low is better. If I want him to turn away and thus be less efficient at hitting me with HIS linear strikes, I might deploy a hook punch (circular) to get that body presentation. The most powerful technique, shadowspawn, IMO is the one that accomplishes whatever it is I want done to his body. It goes to control, not just the amount of pressure I can generate with x weapon.

6/15 am: cop specific ground fighting. Worked weapons retention from bottom in dynamic setting. pm: Drilled guard passing. Double unders, over under, and knee slide. 15 min roll guard v. pass. 45 min free roll.

Weave is really preference. Although lighter weights can be nice for summer training, I've always liked a heavier double or gold weave. As to brand, my go-to brand is Atama. I've had a couple of variants in double weave and now I have their gold weave and it's really quality for value. OTM always does good product for the value as well. My favorite jacket is a Lucky, but their price is obnoxious and their pants have had issues with quality control in the past. however, if you find a second hand jacket I'd strongly recommend them.

I've honestly never failed a test, when I had them, just because my instructors never tested until they knew you were ready to pass. Of course, you had to meet standards before you'd be offered the test. There was never a set testing schedule. BJJ is much easier. No testing where I've trained at all. Coach thinks your ready, it the next stripe or belt. Love it. This also minimized any testing fees or such.

6/14 Day of cop focused ground fighting. pm: chest/tris abs 2 mile run

I agree with MP, I think a lot of forward thinking places are using them. Literally every school I've seen focused on sd has incorporated them. This is one of those areas where, even if you don't train MT for MT's sake, picking up up this weapon thru cross training is imperative. It's accessible, can fit into just about anyone's fighting pattern, and is likely easier to learn than many kicks in other arts.

As someone said earlier, it's a chance to train intensively for a short period out of your normal training operations. So far, most everyone seems to have dealt with the "in-style" camp, where it's an in depth look at the aspects of a style you're familiar with. Another version, and one I've been lucky enough to be part of on a few occasions is a broader spectrum approach. This is when an organization brings in people, or taps people within that organization, to teach blocks of instruction on aspects of combat arts they are particularly proficient with. So, you might get someone in to teach knife work, another to do guns, yet another to teach sticks, someone to grapple or show judo, ect. I even got to go to one where a high ranking iaido guy came in to teach. I was too young to really appreciate this, but I'd sure like that chance again. This really gives you a chance to do a couple of things: 1) you can get a look at what else is out there, this helps you determine if there is an aspect of your response pattern that has a hole in it. 2) it gives you different energies and feels to work against, making you a more prepared fighter. Just a slightly different, and very helpful, version of the camp concept.