BJJ Community: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to You

Joel enjoying choking me a little too much for my liking!


Sitting at Starbucks with my morning coffee and books for my pre-work study session, all I can think about is that today will be my last BJJ (gi) session for 2010.



Sorry did someone say "walkies"?!


While I really look forward to returning to beautiful Mama Africa, seeing my wonderful extended family, running on the beach with the dogs every morning and sun-downer drinks at the top of sand dunes I can't deny that I will miss rolling at the Labs.


The view at the top is always sweet!

Yes Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is amazing, beautiful and wonderful but who we train with makes such a huge difference. I will miss those wonderful people who wrench my arms and legs and squeeze my neck more than the chokes, sweeps and armbars.


Graeme is thinking "Hmm...so if that's not your thumb?!"

Dr Lam giving it some Buddha Power!


I will not review this past year in terms of grappling skills nor set silly goals for the coming one. All I ever wanted is right there on those cold mats. All I could ever achieve is to step onto them every week and all I will remember is the smiles and handshakes of my friends.



So I like turtle necks. Bite me!

All I want for Xmas is a half decent guard!




Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings here and commenting on them both here and on Facebook, Twitter and email. Georgette, Allie, Slidey...too many names not to forget a few.



A huge thank you to all of those crazy creative types who participated in the Crazy-Ass BJJ Gi Design Competition and to Meerkatsu for involving me in it and to Tatami Fightwear for sponsoring the event. Gareth tells me the winning gi is going to be every bit as amazing as expected. I can't wait!


Zzmash my fren!



The year was an exciting and at times turbulent ride for us at the Labs. One moment we were out on our arses and the next we were all huddled together under one roof, on a small mat, surrounded by wooden swords and kettlebells. Today, we are proud members of Fighting Fit, Manchester's Top Mixed Martial Arts facility. Thank you Ian, Martyn and Jay for having the heart, vision and drive to make this a reality. My love, respect and gratitude to you all.



Lab Rats!! Lab Rats!!






Finally my sincere gratitude to all the wonderful and generous black belts we have had contact with and trained with this year: Mr Steve Campbell, Mr Italo Ferreira and of course Mr Eddie Kone and the rest of my extended family at EKBJJ and EKBJJ-North. I look forward to what 2011 will bring us all.



Ed and Liam could never agree on how to wrap the gi jacket!


Have a wonderful Christmas and an amazing New Year.


To Infinity and Beyond. But first, bring on 2011



Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Interview: Rorion Gracie

Very Important Podcast: Interview with none other than Rorion Gracie.

The Fightworks Podcast last episode for the year is with Grandmaster Helio Gracie's eldest son, the man who brought Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to the world outside of Brazil, and the only man to look cool infront of a digital waterfall: Rorion Gracie. Don't Miss It!!



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BJJ Tips: Base and Posture inside the Guard

It is fair to say that having good base and posture when inside the guard is one of the most important, if not the most important details or "concepts" for survival within and progressively opening and, eventually, passing the guard.

"there is never a reason to look at your partner inside the guard"

Where do I get the right to prioritize and label what does and doesn't crack the top priorities? I have a simple formula which I’m happy to update:

If everyone does it, it’s done right at the start and the consequences of ignoring it are dire then chances are it’s pretty important.

As a Part Time Grappler I always seek to find the most basic adjustments because they have a habit of giving me the most Return On Investment (ROI) and let’s be honest, with training only 3-4 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Grappling sessions per week, that’s all I can afford to focus on. Here are my ideas on the Base and Posture inside the guard.

Base:
1. Knees wide apart but feet close.
2. Sit your butt down.
3. Stay alive and monitor your partner's hip movement and other attempts to circle around you.

Posture:
1. Look at the ceiling. Literally, not figuratively.
2. Create a straight arm* (elbow pointing down, not out) frame against their chest.
3. Stay alive and monitor your partner’s grips and other attempts to break you down.

There are many other ways to play Base and Posture inside the closed guard and I use some of them every now and again but the above is what I do 90% of the time.



Here’s my Return On Investment (ROI):

Base:
1. They can’t sweep, reverse or topple me easily.
2. I stay connected to them and keep a low centre of gravity
3. They can’t take my back nor set up attacks easily.

Posture:
1. They can’t establish head / neck control easily
2. They can’t sit up into me for a hip-bump sweep easily
3. They can’t get set easily and I can set up my own next step (opening their guard)

As you can see, this means I’m relatively safe and ready to progress while they are 2-3 steps behind.

"I wonder what distracted Thomas so he left his elbow dangling like that?"

*Cane Prevost does a much better job than me at explaining his take on Base and Posture in the guard. I say his take because there are a couple tiny differences in the outwardly expression of the concepts but if you look closely you'll see that his version gives him the same ROI mine does, it's just done slightly differently. Funnily enough, someone commented on his blog with a link to a Saulo clip which looks a bit more like what I (badly) seem to emulate.

BJJ DVD: Alexandre "Xande" Ribeiro Releases BJJ DVD Set!


This is Amazing News!

2 time absolute BJJ World Champion (Black Belt Level)
4 time Heavy Weight BJJ World Champion (Black Belt Level)
2 time ADCC Champion (Read more about Xande on Wikipedia)

Mr Xande Ribeiro talks to Caleb of the Fightworks Podcast and share his vision for the upcoming set of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu DVDs.

This is the set we've all been waiting for. If you don't own and watch (on a regular basis) the 3 sets released by the legendary Saulo Ribeiro (Xande's older brother), not to mention the amazing encyclopedic book that is Jiu-jitsu University then you are truely cutting your BJJ / Grappling short. I can't wait to see what Xande has put together.

Here is one of many Highlight Reels of the Ribeiro Brothers:




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BJJ Tips: Nova Uniao Black Belt Robson Moura Advises White and Brown Belts

Caleb and Dan of the Fightworks Podcast have been busy lately and not able to produce the weekly Brazilian Jiu Jitsu show. In my search to update my BJJ / Grappling / martial arts knowledge, I've been looking around iTunes for audio material to listen to while I'm on the train to and from work but also to serve as background to my 5-a-week gym visits. I was lucky enough to stumble upon a number of interviews with none less than 7 time world BJJ champion and Nova Uniao black belt Mr Robson Moura.





In the first podcast, Robson talks about, amongst other topics, what he feels BJJ white and brown belts should be focusing their training on respectively. Not every successful competitor makes for a good teacher but I must say judging by Robson's responses I'm very impressed.

Understanding BJJ: Linking Grappling Techniques

“See Construction”

Please read the above phrase 5 times in your head.

Now please read it again 3 times loud enough for you to hear your own voice (but not necessary loud enough to alarm innocent bystanders, or sitters)

What does it mean?

Do you want me to help you a little? OK, I will put it in a sentence that has Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Grappling / MMA context:

“As a BJJ athlete, I have travelled the world to see construction!”

I’m sure most of you fine; intelligent people have figured this out by now. If you haven’t, it’s not your fault. It’s a trick. Pesky me!

Now read this:

“As a BJJ athlete, I have travelled the world to seek instruction!”

“See Construction”
“Seek Instruction”

It’s an easy mistake-a to make-a.

Now take that and think about all the moves you’re struggling to make work in BJJ / Grappling. Have a think about that flower sweep you just can’t pull off or the armbar that people seem to escape at will. After you’ve examined it properly and ensured all the technical details are adhered to (and you still can’t make it work) then start thinking about the set-up or the move you do just before.

1. Are you breaking their posture before entering your technique?
2. Are they stationary or are they in motion, generating momentum that you can perhaps use?
3. If you’re linking two or more BJJ manoeuvres, is it very obvious that the first one is just a fake? My Karate sensei always stressed that the first move should always carry enough of a threat to warrant their reaction.

Before initiating the flower sweep, break their posture then release so they posture up and raise their centre of gravity.

If you can’t keep the arm in place to armbar, attack with a deep; threatening palm-up palm-down cross choke and watch them chase you with that arm trying to block the choke.

Basically, if you can’t see the construction, you should seek some instruction.



Here is Gracie Humaita black belt Mr Raphael Lovato Jr. talking you thru the Flower Sweep. Watch and learn from the best!



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