Rickson Gracie Rolling

Some footage of the legendary Rickson Gracie rolling at a seminar.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ( Sparring With A Girl )

Well this post may sound a little sexist so I want to warn any female readers out there and apologize in advance for my ignorance. So, last night I had to spar with one of the girls in our class. I didn't think I would have much of an issue with it, but I did. I didn't want to but I found myself compelled not to submit when she got me a triangle choke that I would have submitted to if it was one of the guys that caught me. I worked very hard to try to get a submission on her once I passed her guard but couldn't get one completed. I fought the full 5 minutes with her without either one of us completing a submission. I didn't want to act like it was a big deal but deep down inside I didn't want to lose to a girl as sad as that sounds. I guess I have some growing up to do. At least we both got in some good intense training. I hope in the future I can let me ego lighten up a little an stay cognizant of the fact that we are both there to help each other get better not to win or lose. Unfortunately it easier said than done or I wouldn't be writing this post.

Video

This is the commercial for the gym where I train that has been bringing in quite a few new guys, which is great cause I'm no longer the worst guy there.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Technique Class

Well the inundation of new students to the school has continued due to the commercials continuing to run. Which is great but there have been more frequent injuries due to new students pairing up with other new students. Last night we had a kid get his knee hurt pretty bad when a new guy sat down on the inside of his knee. I was also training with a new guy and he couldn't relax. I tried to tell him to relax a little but he was so jumpy and wanted to do every move with as much strength and speed as he could. Therfore he ended up busting his lip on my elbow when he was trying the leg on shoulder guard pass. I tried to show him how much more effective the move was by taking your time and using leverage properly but he just dint get it I guess. It could also be that im a really bad teacher which I'm sure is part of it since I also don't really know what I'm doing. I just hope the classes don't get too much bigger, 45 guys on the mats gets pretty crowded.

Effective Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training Methods From BJJ.org

Allow me to share with you my personal perspective on effective training methods. This perspective, I believe, will guide you along a path to becoming a more efficient grappler. It will also help you to discover what areas of training need the most attention in your training regimen.

There are three specific areas of training that will help you become a better grappler:

1. technical knowledge,
2. the development of physical and mental attributes, and
3. the use of strategy.

Technical knowledge

Technical knowledge begins with the student learning a series of physical movements called techniques. Once these movements have been learned, the student should practice them until he/she can do them in their sleep. The student should try to reach a level where he/she can reflexively respond to a specific stimuli and perform the technique without thought. Next, a student must learn how to put the basic techniques together into a series of movements called combinations. These combinations will teach the student how to flow from technique to another when they encounter resistance. Resistance will guide them into the next area of training, the development of physical and mental attributes.

Attributes

Attributes are those qualities that fuel the techniques. Physical attributes, like speed, power, explosiveness, balance, coordination, timing, sensitivity endurance and accuracy are the qualities that give life and vibrancy to techniques. Mental attributes, like focus, concentration, determination, the will to survive, and pain tolerance give extra added fuel to the physical attributes. Developing attributes is an extremely important and necessary component of training for the serious martial art student. Why? Because technical knowledge without the aid and assistance of physical and mental attributes is useless. Physical movements without the added fuel of speed, power, timing, accuracy or explosiveness are nothing more than a series of flowery dance movements. Developing these physical and mental qualities is more important than the accumulation of technical knowledge. Once technical knowledge has been combined with the development of physical and mental attributes, the student can begin to focus on the use of strategy.

Strategy

Strategy can be defined as "a careful plan or method." It is the choosing of a specific set of tactics that will enable the student to accomplish their desired goal in an efficient and effective manner. The strategy they choose will depend upon the unique set of circumstances that have presented themselves. It will also depend on the amount of technical information the student has, as well as which attributes the student and his opponent possess.


So, "Where do I start?" you might ask? Well, you start by learning and practicing the mechanics of a specific technique. Next, you put some techniques together into two and three technique combinations. Next, you spar with it, and then finally, you review it. Here's an example of what I mean: let's start with the mechanics of a triangle and an arm lock. There are eight separate components of a triangle. There are seven separate components of an arm lock. To realistically put these two techniques together into an effective combination (while sparring) would require you to manipulate about fifteen different components within a short period of time (less than two seconds). Plus, you would have to set the first technique up by leading your opponent into it from a superior position. (As you can see, this is not an easy task to accomplish. Especially the first time you try it. This is why it is so important to master the mechanics of one technique before moving on to another one.) So, as you can see, this is a lengthy process. However, it is obtainable.

Once you can perform a technique reflexively where you no longer have to think about it, you can then move on to developing the specific attributes required to make that technique work.

Once you gain a handle on the mechanics and the attributes, you can then focus your efforts on developing a variety of strategies to set the technique up on a variety of opponent's. For example, how would you set up the technique on a bigger and stronger person? How would you set up the technique on a more experienced person? How do you set up the technique on an opponent who is faster than you are?

Do you see how strategies are dependent upon the physical and mental attribute and technical knowledge you possess? Do you see how technical knowledge and attributes lay a foundation for strategy?

Start this new journey of yours by first identifying your weaknesses. Once you've done that, attack those weaknesses like a wild chicken on crack! Get rid of those weaknesses so that you can one day look back on them and say, "I remember when..." Find something that you're not good at and work hard to become good at it!

In closing, let me leave you with these words of wisdom: Everything of value will come through great efforts on your part!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Technique Class

Well lets get started...Technique class Friday was the best yet. There was only 6 or 7 students Friday so we really got some great individual attention that really helped out my game. We worked on combinations and sensitivity to selecting which combo to use. It was great because until Friday I only saw moves in isolation. I got to improve my scissor sweep dramatically by getting some guidance on the small details I was missing to take my sweep from a 40% success move to a 60% success move which for me is huge. I still need to make all of the new details flow naturally without thought before I get it to a fully functional level but it was big step forward.