JKD & BJJ Black Belt

Today I earned my black belt in Jeet Kune Do under my instructor Jack McVicker. Entering "first grade" means both a lot to me and at the same time very little. I'm proud to have reached a level that Jack considers of black belt level in his academy. On the other hand, this is only a mile marker on the infinite journey of martial arts. I am good at doing what I do, but I can still improve manyfold over the level I'm at now. Whether I have one belt or another means very little, I'm still going to train tomorrow whatever the color of my midsection. That being said, I am very honored to be considered worthy and skillful enough to be one of the first black belts in our academy. The journey continues...
In the JKD portion of class we worked opposite leads and set-up the jab. If I'm right lead and my partner is left, I place my lead foot outside to his. When they jab I can cut that angle to deliver my eye or boxing jab.
From here we proceed to working the straight blast-trapping-headbutt knees elbows (HKE). We did this open hand essentially "slap boxing" inflicting pain, entering with the straight blast, adapting to the reference point presented either raising the arms and lop sao pok sao to HKE or the straight arm and then the arm wrench, groin shot, head butt series.
From hubud we worked on tai chi sails. If break this down into the essence of the martial art, dumong (Filipino joint grappling) is the art of pulling where tai chi is the art of pushing.

1. Out of hubud, feed the backhand to enter into lop sao pok sao. Put the back of one hand on the chest, with the palm of the other on top of this hand. Settle weight, use both legs and arms to push. Follow and immediately return to hubud.
   
2. Again out of hubud, pull partner off line, e.g. guide elbow with the same side hand or do an arm drag. Drop in behind partner, so that the anterior surface of your thigh is against the posterior side of his. Arm closest to partner is extended and at a downward angle. Transition from this "horse stance" (I cringe writing these words) to a lunge pushing with hips and shoulder. Follow and immediately return to hubud.

For BJJ today we worked on three takedowns. Basic set-up, with one underhook, put your leg on the centerline of your partner, your posterior to his anterior. Top of head into the side of his head, control far wrist if desired.

1. Use hip bump and underhook to put weight on far leg, reach across and pick ankle.
   
2. Use uchi mata or inside reap of near thigh to unbalance (if he falls great) then slide leg across behind far ankle and pick with your far hand. Slide the reaping leg, over his far thigh and sit through to pass.
   
3. If opponent tries whizzer, use underhook to pop arm up, and secure grip on leg. Put top of head on pectoral line, and circle outside to inside, while "hiking the football" or step to outside, use thigh nearest foot to bump leg up, secure underhook on leg and dump.

I did two gi rounds with Jack and he told me to set-up my shot more, e.g. arm dragging, pressuring, or snapping the head. On the shot itself, I need to settle my weight (head replaces @$$) and then drive forward and upward (that is a 45^o vector from the floor through my opponent. If opponent sprawls, walk the centerline leg up, posting on knee or foot to re-penetrate. Alternatively, rotate leg toward center and cut the far leg, changing the angle.
Jack also referenced the old 90's vale tudo formula: Takedown/pull guard - pass or sweep to side mount - mount - punch. Stabilize each position and then start striking.