Judo adventures 2.48

[yuuago]

Attending: Me, M, M2, Ja, L, H, C, A, Ed, aaand another person whose name I don't recall. Sensei instructing and Ri assisting (he's a brown belt who shows up very occasionally).

Today was groundwork. He showed us a turnover and hold called the "Sasha position"; it's very complicated. Not sure how to describe it.

Basically, when your opponent is in turtle, you get your left hand under their arm to grab high on their left lapel, and sneak your right foot in past their right arm down close to their right leg - the idea is actually that they will grab it. Then you go in under their right arm and out between their left shoulder and head to grip up as far up the shoulder as you can. You use this leverage to fall back and roll, bringing them with you; they'll simultaneously trap your leg. Anyway, you end up on top and they're on their back. You then go on your toes, putting your rear in the air and using your head as leverage - this'll get your knee out from the grip, and then you can slip the rest of the foot out. And from there you're essentially in a pin.

It's very complicated and it looks ridiculous, but apparently it's effective in competition.

We also did some 4-minute rounds of randori. Did one with H, who kicked my ass. One with A, ditto. And then one with Ed, who seemed to enjoy himself. It was only his second class, so I'm glad he seems to like it so far. :D

For the rest of June, it'll be Tuesday and Thursday classes. Then for July and August, it'll be similar. The two summer months are not part of the regular season, so it'll require extra fees for it. We didn't have to pay last year 'cause we were just doing unofficial classes in F's garage. This year, gotta pay up, alas. D will be instructing the summer classes, IIRC. Looking forward to it.