Cora's tournament from today 7/13/13

[Cora Sek]

She'll probably have to up her clench game Bruce. I'm the smallest one in our gym and it's taken awhile, but with Sean's help and constant rolling with bigger stronger people, I'm getting the hang of it. I believe the same about defense. I think the best thing for her to do is to roll with someone that can muscle her a little bit and has some weight on her. That way when she competes it's nothing new.

Tori: those are all that she have to push her at the gym. She have 11 and 12 yr old boys that are in the 100 lbs range. They muscle their way through her all day long. She would put up a good fight, but at the end, their power is just too much for her. One of her friend just turn 12 and she is 5'6" and 120 lbs. The kids around her size doesn't put up much of a fight anymore. So she falls in between both groups. Yeah we will need to work on the clench game for sure. Since these 12 yr old boys are so fast and strong, need to put them in quicksand. So what are some of the techniques you use to control these stronger opponents?

[Greg W]

Love that no-gi final. She should always compete in this division!! Great Job Cora.

[John Mejia]

Love that no-gi final. She should always compete in this division!! Great Job Cora.

I agree! Cora has done some great things against the 9 and 10yr old boys, but the older ones are tougher. Tell her to trust her Jiu Jitsu, and it'll start paying off against the bigger guys. As long as her technique is very tight and really sharp, she should be able to hold those boys down. She's gotten a taste of what the heavier division is, and I wouldn't be suprised if the next time she went in this division she would walk away with a 1st or 2nd place medal. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK CORA!!!!

[Cora Sek]

I agree! Cora has done some great things against the 9 and 10yr old boys, but the older ones are tougher. Tell her to trust her Jiu Jitsu, and it'll start paying off against the bigger guys. As long as her technique is very tight and really sharp, she should be able to hold those boys down. She's gotten a taste of what the heavier division is, and I wouldn't be suprised if the next time she went in this division she would walk away with a 1st or 2nd place medal. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK CORA!!!!

John: I understand what you are saying and agree 110%. But Cora is down because she wanted that elusive NAGA belt. She's been seeing the other girls her age and size posting pictures with 10 NAGA belts and here she trains hard and yet to even get one. So being a 10 yr old, that kind of disappointing. I always have to remind her that she's the best 10 yr old girl in Texas and that is a huge state and her division is full of tough boys everywhere she goes. And that there isn't any other 10 year old girl out there that are holding it down against 12 yr old boys like she is doing. So with that pep talk, still didn't help. She's kind of down.

[Eddie Bravo]

There is a big difference between 10 and 12 years of age especially when it's boys she's facing. Although she got over powered her defense looked ALOT better. You are right Bruce, keep working her defense. And I'm not sure the best way to improve a 10 year old girl's strength but whatever is the best way focus on that. :-)

[Cora Sek]

Thank you master Eddie. We have been focusing on defense because I know more and more she will face these older and stronger boys so we have to be prepare for it until she get strong enough to control them and do any submission. Also this tournament is horrible, started late, very hot, over crowded which translate to Cora not playing her best game. She and I think that she can do a lot better. It just wasn't her day. But yes we will be drilling a lot more escapes and preventative defense.

[Chad Clark]

Looking good Cora! Keep it up girl!

[bobby rivers]

Yall made the right decision. It does suck not winning when you're used to it, but in a very short time(3years?) everything is going to even out for her and she'll have a proper division. Then it's gonna be like benchin 150 when she's been used to 250. Look at these tournaments as resistance training, stay patient and keep yalls eye on the overall goal. Belts will not be elusive for Cora. Trust that.

I was impressed with her composure in guard and her guard breaking. Def improvements. Double bicep control then tripod or gaining then maintaining posture then stand. Then when you stand it's more like surfing or a handstand than just standing. Positioning and balance. Perfect hand/grip placement with tight elbows will add to her power in many positions. She isn't far off, but cm's make all the difference. I truly believe she can win that division. Just keep doin what you're doin. Which is phenomenal.

Oh and LEG DRAGS. 10,000 of them. Focus on the footwork. Wish I woulda knew this the first year.

[Cora Sek]

bobby: Leg drags? we found this a week ago and been drilling it everyday..

[Cora Sek]

Here is a guard break we been working on also.