Summer is truly over and Fall is bringing cooler nights which are much easier to train in. Some of my team mates are preparing for NOGI worlds so everyone is rallied around them to help them train hard and prepare. I am blessed to have such great training partners. You can't help but improve when you have training partners that really help you sharpen your game.

Over the last few months Toronto BJJ has been represented at ADCC's, PAN AM's, Rio Masters and with some local and international tournaments set to take place before the end of this year the training is always pretty intense.

Recently I have been, as always, balancing work and training but fortunately I am maintaining 4-5 classes a week. I have been only doing GI classes but have felt some areas of my game develop over the last 6 months. Mostly with passing guard and working side control. The Baseball bat choke has become one of my favourite submissions from the top. When I am in guard it's usually playing open/De La Riva and a goal from both top and bottom has been to get to the back to get a collar choke. But on the other hand I have been dealing with a recurring sprained thumb injury and last weekend I got a good knee in the face with ripped my nostril open. Oh, good times.

I've also put on 10lbs this year (not muscle). If you have been following the blog for a while you may recall I used to do alot for strength training but for the last year I have decided to focus on my technique instead of getting strong. My intentions are to start back in the new year with a strength program as I feel a little 'soft' now. I have weighed in for my last few tournaments on the heavy side of lightweight. I am in denial my mega metabolism is slowing down! But at 34 it would not surprise me.

Still trying to keep up with all the young guns too. It's always a good test to train with the guys who are in their teens or early twenties as they possess much more energy than I do.  I figure that if I can hang with the guys who are training 2 times a day then I'm still on the right path.

Also since September I am back assisting with the Kids BJJ Program on Saturdays. This is another gift from God. I retired as a Scout leader this summer to be still involved with a youth program is something I really desired. Working with kids that are as young as 4 and 5 is new for me but I have great people to learn from with Professor Eduardo and Coach Mikey leading the class. Both guys have great skills. Obviously there is a different energy at kids class than the adult class...

It's no secret that one day I would like to run my own academy and this is the first opportunity that I have to be involved in teaching. The kids do an extended warm up and sometimes play some games. These games have a base in Jiu Jitsu. They are usually tag games that involve take downs and team work. When they learn a technique they work specific the same as the adults. Although I haven't seen them rolling yet (not sure if they do that) I have seen them doing quite alot of take downs.

You can't be shy as a kids instructor. You have to be part of the gang and jump in and become a part of their class. It's my first step on the ladder and I am going to try my best to be a good coach for them. It's such a great honour to be apart of their development. Even if they do attack me with 'booger fingers'.

Thanks for stopping by...hope your training is going well and look for more regular updates to happen once again...I've missed being here.