Blue belt 1 stripe reflection

So I think at this point in my Brazilian jiujitsu life, I've come to realize something about where I am as a 1 stripe blue belt. For the longest time, I've always relied on the same basic moves to get past guards or to sweep from under half guard (aka toriano(spelling?) pass and underhook to take the back). These used to be my bread and butter, especially against high white belts and even some lower level blue belts. They would never fight for the underhook, or if they did give it up, they would never counter it with a whizzer or change their base. Its at the point where I can now probably win or have an advantage over a 85% of the white belts out there, win or have an advantage against 25% of the blue belts, be about even for 50% of the other blue belts, and get COMPLETELY dominated by the other 25% of the blue belts. I think its at a point where I need to vary my game, to focus on a position and really learn it to be able to handle all situations. This includes facing a white belt but also against more advanced blue belts. I think I've learned that the point isn't to do the same thing if its not working, but to learn now moves. I'm currently in a situation where I am trying to learn how to be more effective in my half guard. People have mentioned that I get the underhook and that I tend to get on my hips pretty well, so what am I doing wrong? Some people say that I shouldn't just sit there, since I apparently don't move enough. I should focus on pushing them in one direction or another, perhaps shrugging them upwards while flaring my shoulder, or to shrimp under them and push on their hip, or even to push against them and shrimp away. These are pretty basic things I should be trying to do, and if I force them off their base enough, I might be able to rely on the sweeps that I've been doing before (underhook, friendship sweep, or go to guard).

Fighting for a sweep from half guard

One thing I'm trying to practice more of is how to sweep better from half guard. I used to be able to either sweep by taking underhook and taking someones back, but people have become more aware of this as blue belts constantly stop me from doing this. I can sometimes get the deep half guard and get on top that way, but every once and a while I will get in really big trouble from there as a blue belt will just sit back and really shut me down and/or pull me into a triangle. I need to start thinking more about other moves. I need to focus on trying to create space, to bump and push them and to create a little wiggle room. I need to think about moving myself instead of moving them to escape. Moves like the friendship sweep, moves where i bridge and pull on their hip if they're based funny. Or just something as simple as trying to shrimp away from them so I can get my leg hooked inside so i can pull them towards me and roll them over. Of course, I can always try going to guard as well.

Better Base = Lower Hips

One thing I would like to make note of, is that when I first came back to rolling I noticed that I would fight to escape and get on top, only to be swept fairly consistently. What the heck is wrong with my base? One thing I have been told to do more is to keep my hips lower. I of course try my best to really focus my weight from my chest to their chest, but that isn't enough. I also need to focus on keeping my hips connected to the ground and really force my weight downwards. My hips should not be over them, they should not pushing into them, but they should be driving down towards the ground and as low as they are. I'm hoping this will help me not get swept so much when in side control!

One year after surgery

Its been about a year since surgery. Although honestly I've been back to jiujitsu and rolling since January (or roughly 9 months after surgery). I have to say it was worth the wait. At first, there was a lot of stretching and being hesitant for some moves as I wasn't sure about my shoulder still. But as time went on, I've noticed that my shoulder is pretty good. Its not 100%, but its certainly close. I am excited and happy to be rolling/drilling again! I'll try and post thoughts on jiujitsu again and things I would like to remember or revelations that I might have to remind myself of the things I do here.