16/04/2018 - Kirsty on Priit Turtle

Class #970
Artemis BJJ (MYGYM Bristol), Kirsty Wynne, Bristol, UK - 15/04/2018

I don't normally get to train on Mondays now as I have carved that out as an evening to spend with my partner, but as she was busy this evening anyway, I took the opportunity to experience a fundamental class taught by Kirsty. I'm very glad I did, as it was excellent. Ever since I managed to tempt Kirsty onto the instructor team, I've been getting rapturous feedback from students. It is well justified, judging by tonight. In the course of about 10 minutes, I understood more about turtle defence then I did after 12 hours with Priit. That goes to show what a difference teaching styles make, when one happens to fit you well: brilliant stuff, Kirsty! :D

A post shared by Can (Jun) (@slideyfoot) on Apr 16, 2018 at 6:29pm PDT

She began her class with a series of drills, to get you used to the motions in Priit Turtle. First, sit on the ground with your legs stretched in front of you. Curl in your right leg, so that the foot is by your left thigh. Then curl back your left leg, so that your foot is pointing behind you (so, sort of like a hurdlers stretch). Bring your head to the mat in front of your right leg. Use that balance to switch your legs, rotating them in the other direction to previously, returning to your starting position. Repeat on the other side.

Next, start in the Priit Turtle position, with your head, toes and knees on the mat, elbows tucked back. Straight your right leg, then fall towards your left leg. You're now back into a similar position from the previous drill, so can again rotate your legs in order to end up in that seated position with your legs outstretched (which Priit calls the 'passive turtle', or more evocatively, the 'panda').

A post shared by Can (Jun) (@slideyfoot) on Apr 16, 2018 at 6:34pm PDT

In order to defend from here, you need to stay active with your arms defending, stopping them getting a seatbelt, as well as using your elbows to dislodge any attempt to get a hook with their leg. If they swing a leg high enough, to try and circumvent your arms, bring both arms underneath their leg. Lean forwards and base on your head, then turn over their leg. As you do, pin that leg with your trailing shin, staying tight to their leg. Windscreen wiper your other leg over the top. Bring your inside hand through, so that you can put your first on the mat by their hip. This is to stop them bringing their knee through as you move around to side control.

A post shared by Can (Jun) (@slideyfoot) on Apr 16, 2018 at 6:42pm PDT

You could potentially bring your arm under, in order to get to something like that headquarters passing position I talked about with Paulina a few weeks ago. However, as Kirsty pointed out, that could leave you at risk of a triangle from underneath side control, because your head is low enough that with a small push, then can pop over your arm with their leg. A safer option is to get your arm in front to bodylock instead, which has the added advantage of preventing them from being able to escape their hip in that direction. This means you've blocked off both hips, making the pass much easier.

Great class, I hope I can make it down to more Monday sessions with Kirsty.

A post shared by Can (Jun) (@slideyfoot) on Apr 16, 2018 at 6:52pm PDT

Gi Review - Elite Sports 'Ultra Light' (Guest Review by Kirsty W)

[I don't tend to review gis myself very much any more, unless they are something special (I have a loooot of gis, plus it takes me a long time to review anything, so I won't make that commitment unless it's something like a bamboo gi or unusual in some other interesting respect). Fortunately, I have students who are interested in doing a review in exchange for a gi, so when I was sent one from Elite, I passed it on to my student Kirsty. She wore this gi regularly to training for several months: her review is below, plus pictures.]

Short Review: This gi is comfortable, durable and well-reinforced, with triple stitching on seams. I washed it on 30 degrees and it suffered minimal shrinkage. It also boasts anti-odour and anti-microbial treatment, and dries quicker than standard Tatami gis. It's 100% cotton and costs $69.99.

The design is mostly plain with branding on the shoulders and hips. So plenty of space for patches. And it comes with a free white belt. I'd recommend it for a first gi and for travelling and training.

Though to call it 'ultra light' is a bit of a stretch (especially compared to something like the BJJ Globetrotter travel gi or GIMONO gis, for example), it is certainly lighter than some other entry level gis (like the Tatami Nova).

Full Review: The top is comparatively light at 400gsm pearl weave cotton (but still considerably heavier than a truly ultralight gi, such as the 265gsm adidas Response) and allows for easy movement. I did not have any problems with the gi getting damaged during washing or training. The gi top air dries slightly faster than my other gis (which are all Tatami).

The trousers are 400gsm rip stop cotton with reinforced knees. They are a lot lighter than standard cotton gi pants and dry within a couple of hours (given sensible weather). The drawstring is aesthetically pleasing but is quite slippery so comes undone a bit easier than a standard drawstring. This could be replaced with a different drawstring but I have not found it too annoying so I've kept the same one.

The trousers, despite being lightweight, have survived training and the washing machine with no damage. The ripstop fabric is slightly rougher than standard cotton gi pants so could be scratchy if worn without spats by someone with sensitive skin. There is also rashguard lining on the inside of the jacket, by the yoke of the neck.

Both the trousers and the top have triple stitching on all outer seams and reinforcement on slits, armpits, knees and crotch. The inner lining on the wrists is soft and not scratchy. Elite Sports recommends that the gi be washed in cold water and air dried. I wash all my gis at 30 degrees and this one has been fine, with minimal shrinkage.

The legs have shortened less than standard cotton gi pants when subjected to similar washing and drying conditions. I have not tried tumble drying. The manufacturers claim that the fabric has anti-bacterial treatment, and the gi does indeed seem to be missing the slightly musty smell that lingers on other gis even when they've been washed.

The gi can be bought for $69.99, making it my cheapest gi, but also the one I use the most as it offers the most ease of movement and dries the quickest. I would recommend this gi as a first BJJ gi. It also rolls up the smallest out of all my gis (they are all A2 size) so fits the best into a rucksack, although I don't yet have a superlight gi like Can's. ;)