MMA and me, day 148/149

Finally got to the gym on a Monday, but before I cover yesterday, lets go over what we worked on Thursday.

Boxing was more of what we worked on earlier in the week, with the burst drills starting low-high, working of catches of shots to the body, and ending with changing angles. If you want to check the combos, check out day 147.

Grappling was also more of what we had worked earlier in the week, with one extra choke thrown in, the whizzer choke. From the previous days classes was the clock choke, loop choke, baseball choke, belt grab choke, clock choke #2, and step over loop choke. For more details on these, check days 145, 146, and 147. The whizzer choke is from top control in half guard. You're applying pressure with a same side as half guard under hook, when the bottom person pummels for an under hook of their own. Immediately grab an over hook, also called a whizzer, and with your other hand, pull open the far side of their lapel, and grab it tight with the over hook hand. With the free hand, dig your forearm into the side of their neck, and really apply pressure, while pulling on the lapel until they tap out. Pretty simple, but very effective.

Yesterday in kickboxing, we worked a very cardio heavy class. We started with light jogging and calisthenics, before getting into the meat and potatoes. First was the jumping knee drills, 10 with the right, 10 with the left, 10 with both, 10 with one leg lifted up, then 10 with the other. Three sets of these, then we moved on to three rounds of skippies for three minutes each. Then it was time for Muay Thai knee drills. A round with the left, a round with the right, and lastly, a round of doing what our partner called out, in one, two, or three. We were sweaty, but ready to grapple!

A full hour of grappling, in mini shark tanks! Got tapped plenty, but did a fair amount of my own as well. Felt good to grapple for an extended period for the first time in a while. It also felt good to get into the gym on a Monday for the first time in a month. Thanks Coach Vern, you'll be seeing more of my smiling face for sure!