🥋 Training Notes - Monday, February 17, 2025

Session: Mount Attacks & Transitions

🔄 Mount to S-Mount to Back Take

Today's focus was on maintaining control in mount and transitioning to high-percentage submissions.

🔹 Key Details:
- From mount, work to bring the opponent’s arms above their head to limit their defensive options.
- Slide into S-Mount for better control and angle on submissions.
- Armbar option: If they don’t turn, secure the arm and finish cleanly.
- If they turn, lock the head, apply shoulder pressure to prevent them from escaping back to center.
- Kimura/Gift Wrap: Use their reaction to set up control, then transition by moving the knee close to their head (as in S-Mount).
- Back Take: If they continue turning, fall back and secure the back position for a strong finish.

💡 Takeaway:
Focus on step-by-step control—don’t rush submissions, but build them through pressure and calculated movement.

🥋 Training Notes - Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Session: Guard Sweeps & Kimura Setups

🔄 Full Guard Sweeps & Kimura Finish

The session started with drilling three essential sweeps:
- Flower Sweep – Hook under the leg and punch across.
- Scissor Sweep – Open guard, block their base, and cut through.
- Hip Bump Sweep – Sit up explosively and drive forward.

🔹 Key Focus: Kimura setup off the Hip Bump
- Fake or commit to the Hip Bump to force a defensive reaction.
- As they base, reach far in and pull their arm close to their body—minimizing escape options.
- Hips out (Ebi) without losing arm control, keeping their elbow tight to their torso.
- From there, secure the Kimura grip and finish with controlled pressure.

💡 Takeaway:
Using the Hip Bump to create a reaction makes the Kimura easier to secure. Stay tight and methodical—position before submission! 🔥

🥋 Training Notes - Sunday, February 23, 2025

Session: Open Mat - Energia Nijmegen

🔄 Sparring with Different Skill Levels

Visited an old training buddy from my school—great to reconnect and roll with people bringing different skill sets.

🔹 Key Moments:
- Had a solid roll with a similar-level opponent, managing to secure both sweeps and submissions.
- Rolling with my old training buddy was fun, but I couldn’t keep up—he’s clearly kept training and got the best of me this time.
- Finished the session with a more skilled opponent. It was a low-medium intensity roll where I found some good positions, but realistically, I had no real chance—still, it was an enjoyable and educational roll.

💡 Takeaway:
It was refreshing to test my skills against different styles and reconnect with old friends. A reminder of how important it is to keep showing up and staying sharp.