Training report: Questions and Answers and new Saturday class

This week, we completed out 12 weeks program by having questions  and answers.
It is a great way for students to ask questions and also it gives us a feedback on what is missing in our program.
As you know, it is already difficult to cover everything in our curriculum so 4 times per year, we have a questions and answers to fill that gap.

This week has also been a week full of excitement as we added a new class on Saturday.

We have not taken any new students since June and decided to have a waiting list instead for August.

Since our Tuesday and Thursday classes average 15-20 students, it was a good idea to add an additional class on Saturday in order to take in more members and compensate for the new intake.

The Saturday class is only 1 hour long which is just enough to cover the topic of the fundamental which we teach in the particular week.

Therefore, it is great for the beginners to get that third class to cover the same topic or just catch up in case they missed a class or two.

Saturday class is open to all level and the advanced students can attend and help out the beginners with the fundamentals. It will be a good refresher course for them but they also do their own training on the side as long as they don't disturb the class.

Otherwise, the advanced students can always attend the open mats at Atos.

Now, you might think that one hour is not enough, but we have the great opportunity to jump into the following class which starts at 11 am and is usually taught by Ben: Judo Beginner Class.

You can attend all the Judo classes as it is already included in your club fees.

Traditionally we have 2 promotions per year: June and December.
This week, we broke protocol and promoted Marcio to Blue belt.
 Marcio won silver medal at the National Gi competition.
He usually competes at Master division but he jumped into the adult division and did very well.

We also have another 2 blue belts that did very well but we have to wait until they complete the 2 year minimum period that is an IBJJF requirement.

Buckland Beach BJJ is doing a roll marathon on Saturday 7 October from 10 am to 4 pm.
It is a great way to roll with different people and fund raise for a good cause.
The club will match your donation if you want to attend.

Check out their facebook page and website.
https://bucklandsbeachbjj.co.nz/
https://www.facebook.com/Bucklands-Beach-BJJ-653207931540809/?ref=gs&hc_ref=ARSeMTzFSSa3qYJgbIqpqc0RBZyHrJAPIOF4C_fLss-Uf77QZf7BRnhMbbnjneBKf7E&fref=gs

Topic for the week

NZ Grappler National GI Competition 2017

Laurance got Gold in his blue belt weight category and bronze in the blue belt open.

Garth got silver medal in his blue belt weight category.

Marcio got silver medal in his white belt category.

Dom got bronze in the Juvenile Blue belt category.

TJ got silver in his juvenile white belt category.

Well done.

Laurence won our cash price for $100 for the most submission on the day (5 subs).

Training report: the turtle position and NEW Saturday classes from Saturday 12 August

This week, we covered the turtle position for the fundamentals.

Also, we covered competition rules and drills for the National Gi Competition which will on Saturday 05/08/17.

Next week topic will be questions and answers.

I will also start a BJJ class on Saturdays from 10 am to 11 am at the dojo.

It will starts on Saturday 12 August.

The reason for creating an additional class is simple.

Our Tuesday and Thursday classes are getting full.

Sometimes we are over 20 students on the mats and we have limited space to train.

At the same time, we have 7 people on the waiting list which was started around last June.

So I hope that students will take the opportunity to add an extra day of training.

Also, if they miss out on the week nights training, they can also catch up on Saturday.

I do not really want to call it a beginner class as it is open to all level.

But the topic on Saturday will be the review on the fundamentals of the week.

More advanced student can join to help the white belts or they can just choose to "quietly" drill their techniques on the side.

Of course, anyone is more than welcome to still attend open mats at Atos if they choose to.

I am excited about this new class and I think we are the only club that offer a class taught by a black belt on a Saturday. Most clubs would just have an open mats instead.

Make use of it as I will stop it if the attendance is too low.

The long term goal is increase our numbers of student without overcrowding the mats,

Otherwise, come tomorrow and support your team mate competing.

See you on the mats and thank for the support.

Training report: 1/2 guard sweeps

This week, we covered sweeps from the 1/2 guard.

It is vital position to study as it is last resort before getting your guard passed.

Next week topic will be the turtle position.

I will be teaching the beginner class at the Dojo from 11 am while Ben and the rest of the Judokas from our sister club will be competing at the Auckland Judo Open.

But you can also attend open mats at Atos.

Also this week, we received delivery of our pre ordered t shirts and hoodies.

Please do not forget to sign up for the National Gi competition which is held on Saturday 05 August.

The attendance seems to be dropping a bit so we are looking at opening our doors for potential new students in the month of August.