First competitive training session

We had our first competitive training session today. This is a much harder and more intense session than what regular (recreational) players would experience. The whole session lasted three hours. 

Since it was the first ever practice, we began with a briefing on how the elite training system will work. The training will be structured, starting with grip-fighting practice, followed by newaza technique training, followed by tachi-waza technique training, followed by drills (newaza & tachi-waza), followed by randori. In between, during rest breaks, there will be clips for them to watch on TV.

The players began with grip fighting practice. They learned how secure a grip and break a grip (lapel and sleeve), then they learned how to impose and break away form a high grip situation.

First training is arm-trap roll, a common and pretty basic technique that's somehow still seen even at high-level competition.

This is how it ends up looking like after you've done the roll. It's a remarkably secure hold.

The players try it out. Doing the roll was easy. Securing and holding down their partners proved a bit harder for some.

Next, they learn koshi-jime, the most common strangle in modern competition today.

One of the players actually passes out during practice but he was all right. It's not uncommon during competition practice to see this happen.

The players take a break and watch an interview clip featuring US World Champion Jimmy Pedro.

The players try yoko-sutemi or side takedown. It's a very popular throw, especially amongst European players.

It's kind of like kata-guruma except it's done to the side and does not involve any leg grab.

The session can't possibly end without some randori. Although the players were tired from over two hours of training, they still gave it their all during randori.

We end the evening's session with a circular bow. Everybody was exhausted but delighted at the first elite training practice for the club.