Fueled By Fear - Dev's BJJ Blog

Don't Teach More Than You Have Time To Practice

2011-07-17T20:35:00.000-04:30

So the past few practices have been planned with an attempt to make everything relate to the other stuff, and to create a flow. Soon we might actually tie it together. :)

As I mentioned, we started with the guard. I don't think that's a particularly bad place to start. We began by explaining the principles of the sport, and what I consider to be the priorities: namely, defending yourself, controlling your opponent with your legs, positional dominance, and trying to end the fight.

I've tried to stay cognizant of what frustrated me when I didn't know anything... Basically that I didn't know anything. My focus is, and has been, defensive in nature. My game is defensive. My demeanor is defensive. I don't go out there trying to overwhelm my opponent, I look to defend myself and capitalize on him making openings when he tries to overwhelm me. It's MY perspective, and I know a lot of people disagree completely with it.

Well, of course the people training with me here don't have the luxury of other perspectives right now, so, being cognizant of my own limitations and proclivities, I've tried to look at the positions as both offensive and defensive. So I taught basic defensive principles from the guard, but a couple lessons ago we did a basic sit-up sweep (or "white belt killer", depending on who taught it to you).

Naturally, I taught it backwards, because I was overthinking my lack of anything offensive. So I taught the kimura attack first, then came back and said "and this actually comes from the basic movement of the sit-up sweep." Oops. Oh well.

But they got it. Of course they did.

So my thought going into practice today was how all this stuff relates. I decided we'd focus on the mount (top and bottom) for the next few lessons. What I INTENDED to do was crawl through a sequence of escapes, sweeps, controls, and attacks from mount. My brain was definitely going overtime, and I tried cramming in too much today, despite every warning I've given myself about teaching more than one technique per class.

So today we started by reviewing the upa-and-roll escape, because my intent was to do some position sparring from mount later, and I wanted them to have some defense as well. Then we reviewed the sit-up sweep. So far, so good.

Then we discussed mount control. I took it straight from the Gracie Bullyproof videos and explained it in 3 pieces: wide base with your arms, leg hooks (or grapevining), and hip pressure. They all got these principles very quickly, and I think we'll do some more position sparring from here next time, not to finish, just to maintain mount.

I should have stopped there. But I was excited about teaching an attack, so cruised into an Americana from mount. We had hit on this in a previous class with one of the three people there today, so it was a little bit of a review for her, and the two guys picked it up quickly.

In my excitement, I decided to press forward with a SECOND attack from mount instead of getting into sparring. Mistake on my part. Not a horrible one, by any means, but still something I will fix for future classes. Anyway, we started learning a basic arm bar from mount. I guess I never realized how many moving parts that damn technique has. It was much tougher than I expected to teach, and much tougher than I expected to learn, especially since I don't have anyone in the class that has done this stuff before.

So, suffice to say, when I had to take off, they were just starting to get the idea of the movement. I was not thrilled with myself today, because I tried to teach more than I should have, and I KNEW better. And worst of all, I had to sacrifice sparring because I was an idiot.

Well. It won't happen again. I guess I can't make that promise entirely, but I will do my damnedest to make sure that I only teach one technique per class (for the time being), and to always leave time for sparring, because I consider that to be the most important part of the class.

I Think I Talk Too Much

2011-07-06T21:47:00.009-04:30

Tonight was a fantastic practice. Had two people show, one of the girls and a different guy, who had had some martial arts training in sort of a composite, MMA style.

Same warmups as usual, into upas and hip escapes, upas with a roll... These movements that I have taken for granted for so long, I am now really seeing the importance of them, and how they translate into application. I suppose it's always kind of made sense to me, but now that I am having them perform the movements, I constantly find myself reflecting on how it applies to an actual situation or technique, because if it doesn't have that practical application, I can't figure out a reason to teach it.

Did a little position sparring from closed guard, as before, so that the guy could see some of what we were talking about. I remember being in the position of only having one thing I knew how to do, so that was all I did, but I don't remember white belts being there at my other schools, so I am constantly reevaluating what I want to say with the context of what tools I know they have.

And I think I talk too much. Sure, anyone who's read this blog for awhile knows I got in a little trouble by talking too much, but in this case I actually found myself getting irritated with myself for interrupting the flow by pointing stuff out.

My dilemma is that I want so badly to reinforce the concepts that they are putting to use. Base. Leverage. Control of center of gravity. Push-pull. When there's a natural pause in the roll, I make a point of mentioning the good thing they did, then try to quickly keep it going. I don't want to mess up the momentum, but I absolutely want them to realize what is going on.

I know from my own experience that it will take about 6 months before anything more than one or two solid concepts will stick. But damned if I'm not going to point out stuff like that.... I watched tonight as two beginners sparred, the girl on the bottom. The guy on top knows how to do a really solid stack pass, and one thing I mentioned early on was getting a cross grip all the way to the collar to prevent the turtle. Once he's got that in, he's got the pass pretty well locked.

So he was working to stack pass, and the girl was defending well. So well, in fact, that he couldn't get past her legs. When he moved one, she would cross and defend with the other until she could get her normal open guard back. He'd stack the leg again, she'd hip out instinctively, and get her legs back between them again. He stayed calm, maintained his base, and when he couldn't get the collar grip, he gripped her sleeve under the leg, which trapped her arm. That ultimately led to him succeeding in the pass.

But what I saw was two people with a combined total of four jiu jitsu classes EVER utilizing concepts instinctively that it took me more than a year to learn. In fact, the idea of crossing your legs over to cover while you reestablished guard? I had to take two private lessons at about the year and a half point to finally grasp that. And I'm STILL working on different ways to modify passes when you're stuck.

I have always maintained I am a slow learner, but tonight's class really inspired me. I am excited for the progression I am already seeing, and I think they are also excited.

So we did an actual technique tonight, the scissor sweep. Aside from the ever-famous 93 Guard sweep, I think this is really my favorite sweep, with all of its modifications, including the still-incredible-to-me reverse scissor sweep. That will come, though.

The reason I thought it would be good tonight is because we have talked every time about controlling your opponent's center of gravity, and the concept of taking out two legs from the table, as well as a little of the push-pull concept. This sweep requires all of that to be successful. Plus, it doesn't require abnormal amounts of flexibility. :)

And it showed. Once they put the pieces together, they both nailed the sweep, and we showed the knee-push variation, which works well for me against bigger opponents.

After that, did another round robin of position sparring, and capped it off with a discussion of how points work in relation to improving your position. All in all, for me, it was a fantastic night, and one that really reinforced my decision to offer this class.

Hip Escapes And More Closed Guard

2011-06-21T20:00:00.001-04:30

Last night went well. Had two people show, the two girls. Started with the same warmups, some light calisthenics, then into drills -

Anoche pasó bien. Llegaron las dos chicas. Comenzamos con exercisios para calentar, y entonces hacemos la practica:

- Forward/backward rolls. Better than the first day, still working on the technique a little to clear the head. It is amazing what you take for granted in an established jiu jitsu class.

- Rollos para frente y atras. Mejor que el primer día, todavía practicando la técnica para evitar la cabeza. Es impresionante lo que asumes en una clase de jiu jitsu estabelecida.

- Upa. No problems here.

- Upa. No hay problemas.

- Upa-and-turn. Talked about the application of this to the upa-and-roll escape from mount that we did last class (I am really intent on connecting and reinforcing lessons at this stage). This took a little work, but after a couple gos, they had it.

- Upa y girar. Hablamos sobre la aplicación de esto para le escapa de upa-y-rollo del monte que hacemos la última clase (tengo la intención de conectar y reforzar las lecciones ahorita). Este requerió un poco de trabajo, pero después de practicar, lo entendieron.

- Hip escape. The major lesson for the day. I started off by having one of them just sit next to me, as though she were in side control. For me, this is important in that you can see WHY you would need to do a hip escape. I demo'd it, and they were both like "ohhhhhhhhh." Quick realization, which was cool.

- Escapa de caderas. La lección primária por el día. Comencé por tener alguna de ellas sentarse al lado mí, como asumir control del lado. A mi, esto es bien importante porque puedes ver PORQUE tería hacer una escapa de caderas. Yo lo mostré, y ellas dijeron "ohhhhhhh." muy rápido para entender, chevere.

Then the hard part - actually doing them. We started with planting one foot and using that, but I also showed them the two-foot version, and it quickly became apparent that the two-foot version was going to work better for both of them.

Entonces, la parte difícil- hacerlos. Comenzamos de poner un pie a la tatame y usar esto, pero también yo las mostré la versión con dos pies, y muy rapidamente yo entendí que la versión con dos pies iba a funcionar mejor para ambas ellas.

I remember learning how to do a hip escape, and it didn't make a damn bit of sense at first. So we did a couple few, then I had them alternate sitting on one side of the other person so they had that reference point of moving themselves away from their opponent.

Recuerdo aprendiendo hacer una escapa de caderas, y no entendí nada. Entonces, hacemos unas, y entonces dijé para hacerlos con una chica sentandose al lado de la otra para tener el punto de referencia de moverse fuera de su oponente.

Then worked in the finish of getting your bottom knee back in between you and your opponent.

Entonces añadimos el proceso de poner tu rodilla entre tú y tu oponente.

Then worked backwards and started with the upa to create space, then do a hip escape. Demo'd a couple times by putting pressure on top from side control and having them go slowly through the upa, then escaping the hips. I've always found (when I can remember to do it) that if you do the upa first it makes SO much more of a difference in getting your hips out.

Entonces comenzamos con la upa para criar espácio, y después hacer una escapa de caderas. Mostré algunas veces por poner presión encima de control del lado y hacer muy despácio la upa y la escapa de caderas. Siempre he entendido (cuando recuerdo hacerlo) que hacer la upa primera ayuda TANTO en escapar las caderas.

To finish up the class, we talked again about the closed guard and its purpose, then about the goal of improving your position (i.e. passing the guard, in this case). Then we did some basic position sparring from closed guard, again tying it back to the first lesson. The goal was simply to pass the guard (from top), and to prevent the other person from passing (from bottom).

Para terminar la clase, hablamos otra vez sobre la guardia cerrada y el objeto de esta posición, y sobre la meta de majorar tu posición (pasar la guardia). Entonces luchamos de posición de guardia cerrada, otra vez conectando para la primera lección. La meta era solamente pasar la guardia (de encima) y prevenirlo (de abajo).

It went well, they both really enjoyed the position sparring, and we all got a couple rolls in that way. Overall, a VERY successful lesson, smiles all around on the way out because they really seemed to understand what some of the goals were.

Pasó bien, ellas disfrutaron mucho la lucha de posición, y hacemos unos rollos. En todo, una lección MUY exitosa, sonrisas por todos porque me pareció que ellas entendieron un poco sobre las metas. Chevere.

Huh? Where Am I?

2011-06-17T20:44:00.001-04:30

I'm still not entirely sure what happened. One day, I was flitting around South America on a true vision quest, the next day I wake up, and almost six months has gone by.

Todavia no estoy seguro que pasó. Un dia, estaba caminando sobre America Sul, y el proximo dia me levanto, y ya ha pasado casi seis meses.

I'm not going to try to explain the mass chaos that has been my life and mental state with regard to jiu jitsu over the past few months. It would take way too long, and it's so boring even I don't care.

No voy a tratar a explicar el caos que ha sido mi visa e estado mental con respecto a jiu jitsu en las ultimas meses. Tomaría demasiado tiempo, y es tan aburrido que no ME importa.

In any event, I am now in Caracas, Venezuela. Of course, I came down here with just an ipad, thinking "I don't need a damn computer." Sure you don't, idiot. I case you didn't know, there is no way to plug a wired connection into an ipad. You need wireless. So I was essentially screwed the first month.

Pero... Ya estoy en Caracas, Venezuela. Por supuesto, yo llegué con solo un ipad, pensando "no necesito un coño computador." Seguro que no, idiota. En caso que no sepas, no hay una manera poner una coneccion de cable en un ipad. Necesitas wi-fi. Entonces yo era casi jodido ("fudido" para mi hermanita Kike) el primer mes.

But I solved the problem, and now at least I have internet, until my furniture arrives.

Pero resolvé el problema, y ahorita tengo por lo menos el internet, hasta que mis muebles lleguen.

Finding jiu jitsu places in South America, as I have mentioned on numerous occasions, is a pain in the buttocks. And it's the same in Caracas. It's similar to Costa Rica in that there's no actual addresses, you just kinda have to know where you're going. And the roads are SO easy to figure out, too. It's like a plate of spaghetti, seriously.

Encontrar academias de jiu jitsu en America Sul, como he mencionado en varios ocasiones, es dolor del culo. Y es igual en Caracas. Es similar a Costa Rica en que no hay dirreciones, solo tienes que saber adonde vas. Y las calles son TAN faciles para conocer, tambien. Es como un plato de spaghetti, en serio.

But I did some searching, and did find a couple places that aren't too far. The problem is that I don't have a car. And let's face it, Caracas is not a place you can just wander around, especially at night.

Pero busque un poco, y encontré algunas academias que no están tan lejos. El problema es que no tengo un carro. Y en verdad, Caracas no es un lugar donde que puedas caminar, especialmente por la noche.

So I decided to volunteer to teach a basic class at a small gym close to here.

Entonces, oferecí a enseñar una clase basica a un pequeño ginasio cerca de aqui.

I held my first class tonight. 3 people showed up! The gym is not huge, but there's 8 5x10 mats that you can put together, enough for basically 4 people to roll at the same time. That's all we needed. One guy, BIG guy, has done a little MMA stuff so knew basic concepts and positions, and he's got a really good base in addition to being strong. One girl who's super athletic but has never done jiu jitsu. And one girl who's done stuff in the past but hasn't worked out for a while. So we had a good mix.

Enseñe mi primera clase esta noche! 3 personas llegaron! El ginasio no es grande pero hay 8 tatames que se puede poner conjunto, bastante para que 4 personas luchen al mismo tiempo. Y es todo que necesitamos. Un hombre, GRANDE, hizo un poco de MMA y sabia conceptos y posiciones basicos, y tiene una base muy buena y es bien fuerte. Una chica que es muy atletica pero nunca ha hecho jiu jitsu. Y una chica que ha hecho cosas en el pasado pero no ha hecho exercisios en algun tiempo. Entonces fue una buena mistura.

Did some warmup stuff, and focused on forward/backward rolls first and the idea of turning your head to protect your neck. It is remarkable that some people can only do one side! Then did some upas, of course. Didn't do hip escapes yet, because we spent a good deal of time on rolls (Daniel Thomas always said that if you don't do hip escapes, it's not technically jiu jitsu class... Maybe my first REAL class will be Monday :) ).

Hacemos algo para calentar, y tuvimos el focus de rolls a frente y atras, y la idea de girar la cabeza para proteger su cuello. Es interesante que algunas personas solo pueden hacer un lado! Y hacemos upas, por supuesto. Ya no hacemos escapas de caderas, porque pasamos mucho tiempo en rolls (Daniel Thomas siempre dijo que si no hace escapas de caderas, no es tecnicalmente clase de jiu jitsu... Quizas mi primera clase VERDADERA va a estar el lunes :) ).

Then we talked about the concept of the guard. Demonstrated closed guard, then had them work with it, just playing around to see why it's so effective. Switched partners all around so they could see the effects of size.

Entonces hablamos sobre el concepto de la guardia. Mostré guardia cerrada, y ellos trabajaron con ella, jugando para ver los efectos de tamaño .

Then taught the most basic of basic techniques, the upa-and-roll. They liked that, no surprise, because it always demonstrates the effectiveness of technique versus size and strength.

Entonces enseñé la técnica más basica, la upa-y-gira. Ellos les gusta, no fue sorpresa, porque siempre mostra la eficaz de técnica contra tamaño y fuerza.

I had a fantastic time. It felt RIGHT to be on the mat again. And, in fairness, it's probably right that I am in a group of absolute beginners, for the amount of knowledge I've lost. ;)

Tuve un tiempo fantastico. Me sentí CORECTO para estar en la tatame de nuevo. Y, en verdad, es probablamente corecto que estoy en un grupo de iniciantes, por la montón de conocimiento que yo perdí. ;)

So I hope this turns out to be a good thing. I'm no professor. That title is reserved for the true heroes, like Leo Torres, Christian Grimaldo, Daniel Thomas, Beto Carmona, Victor Vásquez, Sebastian Muñoz, (your instructor here). Hell, I'm six months removed from being a noob purple belt who still can't do a proper arm bar from guard. But I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. We will see, won't we?

Entonces, espero que esto es una cosa buena. No soy profesor. Este título es reservado por los heroes verdaderos, como Leo Torres, Christian Grimaldo, Daniel Thomas, Beto Carmona, Victor Vásquez, Sebastian Muñoz, (tu professor aca). Coño, hace seis meses de ser un cinturón morado que todavía no puede hacer corectamente una palanca de brazo de la guardia. Pero yo creo que todo sucede por un razón. Vamos a ver, no?

It's Hard To Say Goodbye

2011-02-11T06:20:00.000-04:30

I have delayed writing this for a while now. I suppose, thinking about it, it’s been fairly obvious it’s coming, and I knew it would come to this point even when I started the blog almost 2 ½ years ago.

Yo he retrasado escribir esto. Pensando en ello, ha sido bastante obvio que llega, y yo sabía iba a llegar cuando empecé el blog hasta casi 2 ½ años.

But it still sucks to end it.

Pero todavía no me gusta ponerlo a fin.

For a lot of different reasons – most of them not personal in any way – it’s time to shut down Fueled By Fear officially. I’ll keep it up for a little while longer so I can reminisce before turning out the lights.

Por varios razones – a mayoría no personales – es la hora de terminar Motivado Por Miedo oficialmente. Lo continuaré un poco más para que yo pueda recordar antes de que yo apague las luces.

Not to worry, I’m not stopping jits, just the blog.

No se preocupen, no voy a parar jiu jitsu, solamente el blog.

This has been an absolutely crazy adventure for me. The best part of this entire experience has been the friends I’ve made – you know who you are. ☺ I’ll continue to lurk on your blogs, so don’t worry about that.

Ha sido una aventura incredible para mi. La mejor parte de esta experiencia ha sido los amigos que yo conocí – Uds saben quienes son. ☺ Continuaré a leer sus blogs, no se preocupen sobre esto.

I don’t like drawing things out, so I’ll just say this: thank you to everyone for the support, the comments, the criticism, the fun, and most of all, the friendship. I’ll see you on the mat.

No me gusta prolongar las cosas, entonces les digo esto: muchisimas gracias a todos por el apoyo, los comentarios, el criticismo, el divertido, y más que todo, la amistad. Nos vemos en la tatame.

Muito obrigado a todos.

Dev

New Black Eagle Design

2011-01-27T07:22:00.001-04:30

Hey guys,

Sorry it's been so long. I'll explain in my next post.

I just got the super-secret (well, not anymore) next-gen designs from Black Eagle for their version 2 Predator gis... they look slick, and it sounds like some SERIOUS work went into the update. Check this out:

1. Ultra light, ultra strong ripstop trousers.

2. Ultra Light Pearl Weave jacket.

3. Extra lines of stitching on re-enforced lapel with ripstop overlay.

4. Ripstop trimming to sleeve cuffs and jacket trim.

5. New patch designs and Predator embroideries.

6. Sanforized - Guaranteed never to shrink out of fit. Dev's take: I am REALLY curious to see how this works. Trust me when I say I'll be abusing the crap out of my washer and dryer!

7. Mercerised - Increases the strength of the fibres and further protects from shrinkage.

8. Additional loops on trousers for greater comfort fit. AWESOME!!!

9. Improved Competition cut, and fully IBJJF legal.

Steve said they should drop in March, so go check out Black Eagle's website and look for the preorder link!

The Importance of Managing Perception

2011-01-11T20:19:00.000-04:30

First off, I apologize for not posting more regularly. Moving, starting a new class and a new career field... Suffice to say, it's been kind of crazy. Not to mention the fact that I am still trying to adjust after having been gone from my family for 6 months.

The short version is that, after getting here and trying a couple places, I took a month and a half off. I have placed jiu jitsu before just about everything in my life for the past 2 years, including my family, and I made the decision to put them first. I have to say, I got my inspiration from a person much stronger and braver than me.

It was a good break, although I nearly drank and ate myself to death over the Christmas holiday.

Anyway, a couple weeks ago, I signed up again and starting going to 50/50 BJJ, which is still a lifelong dream for me. I can only manage once or twice a week right now, which is why I haven't posted much about it - I'm still getting back into things, and quite honestly, I'm fairly embarrassed about where I'm at.

But that's neither here nor there. The other day I went to an open mat and learned more than I have in any other jiu jitsu lesson I can think of. I learned the importance of perception.

When I roll, I typically say stuff out loud. Usually it's "dammit", or "well, that was stupid" or something along those lines. It's not intended for anyone but me. I'm a complete retard most of the time, and I get really frustrated when I do stuff when I know better. I am never talking to my opponent - it's to me. Half the time, I'm not overly aware that I'm doing it.

So the other day, I was rolling with a guy and for everything that I did, I had some stupid remark along those lines. Most people just overlook my inane comments and proceed to crush me, but - and I finally realized it after a couple rolls - this was really getting under this guy's skin, and he was pretty pissed about it.

We talked after the roll, and he was really cool about explaining to me that despite every good intention I may have had, I came off like an asshole. He didn't know me from anyone, and he didn't know I wasn't talking to him. And really, it didn't matter what I said - I was seriously interrupting his flow of the roll, which is totally uncool.

It's one thing if you're rolling with someone you know and who knows you - you can joke around or make stupid comments as much a you can both tolerate. But especially when you're at a new school, keep your damn mouth shut until you know how people roll, and give them a chance to get to know you.

So, ultimately, I have to apologize yet again. I came across as someone that I try very hard not to be, and it was completely my fault. I hope that it doesn't impact any relationships I have yet to form at the school, and you can be damn certain that it won't happen again.

P.S. Another, separate, apology to my Spanish-speaking audience. I will continue to translate my posts, but for several reasons, I wasn't able to do this one tonight. I hope you guys understand. I'll try to make sure it doesn't happen again. Un abrazo para Uds.

Guest Blogging at UD

2011-01-01T15:03:00.000-04:30

Hey guys - I got asked by Tom over at Unintelligent Defense to provide some jiu jitsu perspective on major MMA events, so I'll be guesting over there on occasion. I haven't done much MMA stuff on this blog, for good reason - I don't know shit about it. But I like the challenge of analyzing the jits aspects of MMA fights, and I think the first one turned out pretty good:

My analysis of the Josh Thomson - Tatsuya Kawajiri fight at DREAM Dynamite! 2010, 2 days ago.

Anyway, my presence aside, UD is a frigging hilarious site and those guys have some superb analysis of pro MMA stuff. Check it out!

Gracie Bullyproof - Review (Part 2)

2011-01-01T10:58:00.000-04:30

Sorry it took this long to get to the second part of this review. Holidays got in the way.

For the second part, I want to talk specifically about the Gracie Games. When kids start the Bullyproof series, they start with the Gracie Games, which are 10 activities that incorporate one or more BJJ techniques. They're basically designed so that the kids can play with their parents and learn a technique without actually knowing they're learning something.

And it's pretty slick.

Sure, it's a little gimmicky - most of the activities are named after animals - "crazy horse" for back control, "crocodile control" for side control, etc. Some of them work better than others, but I suppose it adds to the "game" aspect versus learning a technique.

But I can tell you unequivocally that after just 6 lessons, my son had a FAR better grasp of techniques like back control and mount control than he did with straight-up kids lessons. And he continues to improve with every lesson.

The part the I really like is that the entire 10-game series is progressive. Each lesson has 3 levels. Level 1 is the basic technique. Using the first lesson, "Spider Kid" as an example, level 1 is basic mount control and establishing a base side-to-side with your arms. Level 2 involves "swimming" your arms to reestablish a holddown when someone pushes up against your chest. Level 3 is the combination of the two.

Here's the published level 1 video of "Crazy Horse."

The real trick is that - as most of us know anyway - all of these techniques flow together. So you do Spider Kid. Great. The next lesson is "Shark Bite," which involves the "upa-and-roll" escape from being mounted. So the level 3 drill uses this escape from being mounted to transition into mounting your opponent, and immediately establishing a base (i.e. Spider Kid).

Going further, Crocodile Control level 3 starts with "Tackle The Giant," which is a basic double-leg takedown. You go from there to pass the legs into side control (Crocodile Control), then make your move to mount, but your opponent pushes you off and mounts you. You upa-and-roll (Shark Bite) into mount and keep your base (Spider Kid) or stay on top while your opponent moves (Bulldozer) and then take his back when he gives it (Crazy Horse). It's pretty awesome, and it provides a review of all the techniques leading up to it.

For those of us who have already been just rolling around with our kids "playing" jiu jitsu, this format is a little more regimented, but it provides a fantastic curriculum from which to work. My son has really got some slick scrambles, and looks to grab the straight armbar from mount (Spider Kid) when I press up, and from back control (Crazy Horse), because it's one of the techniques he's already got down.

But the kids don't need ANY experience whatsoever to play these games, and neither do the adults. This is just fun stuff.

The third part of this review will discuss the "Junior Combatives" section of the series.

Gracie Bullyproof - Review (Part 1)

2010-12-20T09:35:00.000-04:30

Gracie Bullyproof Review, Part 1

My Background: I am a purple belt. I have been training for just over 2 years. I began my training and received my blue belt from Daniel Thomas in Monterey, CA. I received my purple belt from Leandro Torres and Christian Grimaldo in Lima, Peru in September 2010. As a point of reference for this review, I assisted with a kids' jiu jitsu class in Monterey for about 6 months as a blue belt.

This review is based on my experience. After watching the videos, I actually wish I could contrast the following review with what I'd think as an inexperienced parent, but I can’t really do that.

Also, for the record, this review is as objective as they come. I am under no obligation to the Gracies to promote, validate, or even enjoy this series of disks. When they sent me the disks, I was simply asked to provide an unbiased review. Any fawning or effusive exaggeration is my opinion entirely.

This review will be conducted in 3 parts. The first part will deal solely with the Parent Preparation Disk and the website. The second part will discuss the "Gracie Games." And the third part will discuss the "Junior Combatives" part of the series.

BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT:

Since we’ve started Bullyproof, my 7-year-old son begs me to do jiu jitsu with him. We are bonding, and he’s learning solid BJJ techniques because of this series.

OVERVIEW

The Gracie Bullyproof series was developed by Ryron Gracie (5th degree black belt and son of Grand Master Rorion Gracie) and Rener Gracie (4th degree black belt, also Rorion's son) to "empower your child with the verbal strategies to stand up to bullies with unshakable confidence, and a series of non-violent self-defense techniques to keep them safe if they are physically attacked." From my perspective, it works backward from the Gracie Combatives concept and makes the techniques applicable and fun for kids. Starting as young as 3 or 4, these games - and the successive techniques - are intended to provide a base of knowledge from which kids can gain strength, confidence, and awareness.

Here's a clip about the series in the news.

I don't claim to know a thing about bullying in schools. It's big news these days, but I have no experience whatsoever. I wasn't bullied, nor did I do any bullying.

I have no rational or statistical basis for saying this, but on a personal level, I subscribe to the idea that bullies pick on weaker people. If you show some self-confidence, bullies tend to leave you alone and go for the easier target. With that in mind, I think that Bullyproof - and any other form of discipline and physical fitness - has the ability to give a child some self-confidence. And that’s what the Gracies claim is the main point of this series.

The series begins with a disk devoted to Parent Preparation, which I will cover in this first review. It then has 10 "Gracie Games," which orient the kids to some basic techniques through games (as an example, they teach the "upa-and-roll" escape from mount in a game called "Shark Bite"). The third and final part of the series is the "Junior Combatives," which is the majority of the existing Gracie Combatives series, minus a couple techniques that require a little more control.

PARENT PREPARATION: WATCH THIS IF YOU EVER ASPIRE TO TEACH KIDS (YOUR OWN INCLUDED)

I'm totally serious: ANYONE WHO TEACHES A CHILDREN'S JIU JITSU CLASS SHOULD WATCH THIS VIDEO. Not even the rest of the series if you don't want to. But definitely the Parent Preparation Disk.

The idea of Parent Preparation is pretty basic - that you may have some parents who have experience with jiu jitsu (probably the majority, in my uneducated opinion), but you'll have a bunch that don't. I think the series is probably a tiny bit more effective if you have a parent who's got some jits experience, but you don't NEED it.

Ryron and Rener do a fantastic job of explaining the vagaries of what they're trying to teach so that even if you don't quite understand the reason, you can still do the techniques right. And you’ll see in the later reviews that they go out of their way to explain some safety points to parents who’ve never had their wrists jacked when someone rolls on top of it doing an upa-and-roll.

FUN

Ryron and Rener make the point that above all else, jiu jitsu is a lifestyle. It’s one that they, obviously, were born into, but it’s one that you can start your child on the path toward easily enough. The key to this entire series is to make it fun. It shouldn’t be a training regimen, it shouldn’t be set up as a Cobra Kai school in your basement. It shouldn’t be punishment. And you shouldn’t use it as punishment (by taking it away). You just do the course with your kid and keep it fun.

Additionally, they discuss the idea of challenging your child over the course of several years in doing these games.

For me, there were two emphases in the first disk that supersede everything else in this regard. These concepts are more child psychology than jits, but that’s okay.

EXPECT NOTHING – PRAISE EVERYTHING

The concept of having no expectations SOUNDS easy, but in reality it’s tough. Who DOESN’T want their kid to succeed, to be the next Cobrinha, the next Ryan Hall, the next (name your favorite jits superhero)? And really, who DOESN’T want to make sure their kid has the confidence to not get beat up at school?

So when you’re doing these techniques, it’s tough to not get frustrated that your kid isn’t picking it up quickly, or that they’re having difficulty understanding something. If you can contain yourself, though, your child benefits. Because you don’t get upset when they don’t get it quite right – you didn’t expect anything to begin with. Anything they do, therefore, has to be positive, right?

And when they do it right (with some correction, which I’ll talk about in a minute), you praise them for it. This is basic psychology, almost Pavlovian in nature. It’s human nature to continue to do the things you get positive reinforcement for. Not only that, it stays FUN.

Like I said, this SOUNDS easy. It’s not. Which is why Ryron and Rener emphasize the hell out of it.

TRANSFER TEACHING – MY FAVORITE PART

I’m not kidding when I say the concept of transfer teaching is my favorite part of this disk. The Gracies use what they call the “perfect correction.” The idea is that when your child is doing a move, they don’t necessarily get it right. You (gently) physically move their arm/leg/body to the correct position, then say “perfect!” You didn’t say anything about them being wrong (even though they were), you only said something about them being correct.

This is as simple as they come, but it’s a way of thinking that I personally had never considered. I’m no child educator (or an educator in any sense, really), but my wife is a Special Education teacher, and she said this is how she corrects her Special Education kids. Aren’t I the idiot here?

My point is that this isn’t a new concept, but based on my own experience, I’d have to say it’s pretty foreign to most parents. And it shouldn’t be.

DOES IT WORK?

Georgette recently wrote a snippet about her own forthcoming review of Bullyproof. In the comments, there were some musings about whether or not any trained academic specialists have commented on the effectiveness of the Gracies’ teaching methods. I’ve done some searching online, and I can’t find much.

Slidey also made the point that it’s dangerous to follow the “well, it worked for my half-brother’s cousin’s stepsister’s roommate on his father’s side” argument. I agree. Just because it works for my kid, and even though I think it SEEMS effective, is that enough?

Here’s what I can offer. As a purple belt in BJJ, I can tell you that after ONE lesson (Spiderkid), my 7-year-old son has a better crossface and mount retention than most adults I’ve rolled with. The techniques are sound, and teaching method is at least as effective (if not much more effective) than most of the kids’ classes I’ve seen or helped with.

My wife, who has a degree in Education, says that the educational principles used in the videos are sound, and proven.

MY ONLY COMPLAINT

If I'm being completely honest, about the only complaint I have about the first disk is that the guys tend to beat a subject to death. The Parent Preparation disk is, in fairness, about 30 minutes of SUPERB information crammed into about 75 minutes. It's excellent, and it's absolutely worth your time to watch the entire thing. Just realize you're going to hear every point several times. But let's be realistic - if that's the worst thing I can say about these videos, they have to be pretty impressive.

THE WEBSITE

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the excellent website that accompanies the Bullyproof Series, graciekids.com. Just like the video series is an extension of the Gracie Combatives set, the graciekids website is an extension of the Gracie Combatives website as well.

After signing up (free), you register your child (first name and basic information only, which I appreciated) and then you can start inputting the classes you do with them. It automatically tracks your progress and lets you know when it’s appropriate to give them stripes or when they should test for a new belt.

Additionally, they’ve got a few (not all) of the Bullyproof classes online. And it’s all free. From what I can tell, they make their money from the initial DVD sale ($100 for 10 disks) and then there’s a testing fee for new belts. But aside from that the curriculum is basically free.

The website is simple and easy to use, even for a web neophyte like me. But in case you’re even worse off than I am, they’ve done a tutorial on Youtube on how to use the site:

Guided Tour of graciekids.com, part 1:

Guided Tour of graciekids.com, part 2:

BOTTOM LINE:

1) If you have a child between the ages of 3 and 10, and you want a jiu jitsu-based activity to do together, BUY THIS SERIES.

2) If you are going to teach, or are teaching, a kids’ class at your academy, I ABSOLUTELY recommend you watch the Parent Preparation disk.

3) This series is more effective if you have a parent with some jiu jitsu experience. But you don't NEED it.

Parts 2 and 3 of this review will be coming soon, but I wanted to get this out before Christmas. Sorry it was so late – I hope they have express shipping.

Nothing Much

2010-12-11T06:21:00.000-04:30

I've had equal parts nothing and craploads of stuff going on lately, so I haven't posted anything. I have two in the works, including a review of the Gracie Bullyproof series (short version: it's AWESOME).

He tenido partes iguales de mucho y nada ultimamente, y es porque no he escrito nada. Estoy trabajando en 2 posts, incluyendo una revision del series Gracie Bullyproof (version corta: MUY BUENA).

So there's more to come. Just wanted to let you know I'm still here. Sorta. :)

Entonces, hay mas que venga. Solo queria decir que todavia estoy aqui. Casi. :)

In the meantime, here's a kickass video of Felipe Costa training and fighting. Just watch the first minute and you'll be hooked. I promise.

En el interin, aca es un video chevere de Felipe Costa entrenando y luchando. Solo necesitas mirar el primer minuto y vas a estar adicto. Te prometo.

Ryan Hall Is Staring At Me

2010-12-05T22:31:00.000-04:30

So I joined 50/50 BJJ Friday. You guys knew it was going to happen. I can't be in Washington DC and NOT take advantage of this opportunity to train with literally some of the best BJJ guys in the world.

Me uní 50/50 BJJ el viernes. Uds. sabían que iba a pasar. No puedo estar en Washington DC y NO aprovecharme de esta oportunidad de entrenar con, literalmente, algunos de los mejores chicos BJJ en el mundo.

There was ridiculous talent on the mat - Ryan taught, and another black belt, Jake Mackenzie, was also there. Seph Smith, the insanely awesome brown belt who teaches the morning classes, was also there, as was Gianni Grippo, a visiting super duper purple belt. And there were a host of other animals out there as well.

Había talento ridículo en el tatame - Ryan enseño, y otro cinturón negro, Jake Mackenzie, también estaba allí. Seph Smith, el cinturón marron increíble que enseña las clases por la mañana, también estaba allí, al igual que Gianni Grippo, un cinturón morado impresionante que está visitando. Y había muchos otros animales por ahí también.

So practice was good in some ways, and a serious wake-up call in others. We did a progression from a simple standing walkaround pass to knee-on-belly, to the windshield-wiper switching sides, to switching sides by going around the head, to looking for the armbar. We worked some of the techniques, but the wakeup call for me was when Ryan said to take them all and just flow through them.

Práctica fue buena en algunos aspectos, y una llamada de atención en los demás. Hicimos una progresión de una pasa simple para rodilla-en-vientre, para una cambia de lado como limpiaparabrisas, para cambiar de lado al ir alrededor de la cabeza, para buscar la palanca de brazo. Trabajamos algunas de las técnicas, pero la llamada de atención para mi fue cuando Ryan nos dijo tomar todas las técnicas y usarlas para "flow."

I love flow rolling, but I'm not all that accustomed to it, to be perfectly honest. So I was REALLY not flowing well. And I had never used the around-the-head transition to switch sides from KOB. So I asked Ryan to explain it for me, and I felt horribly embarrassed for asking. Honestly, it felt like something I should know as a purple belt, and I didn't. Ryan didn't act like I was a retard, even though I felt like one, and helped me work through it.

Me encanta flow rolling, pero no estoy muy acostumbrado, para decir honestamente. Por eso, yo no estaba fluyendo muy bien. Y nunca he usado la transición alrededor de la cabeza para cambiar el lado de rodilla-en-vientre. Entonces yo pregunté a Ryan explicarmela, y me sentí avergonzado por preguntar. En verded, me pareció como algo yo debería haber sabido como un cinturón morado, y no sabía. Ryan no me pareció que el sabía que yo era un retardo, a pesar de que me sentí como uno, y el me ayudó con la técnica.

I just don't want to be THAT guy - the purple belt that comes in, and everyone looks at each other and goes "where the hell did THAT guy get his belt?" I want to represent the schools I've been at well, and while I don't think I let anyone down, I certainly didn't have anyone scrambling to find out where I got my mystical abilities from.

Yo no quiero ser ese hombre - el cinturón morado que entra, y todo el mundo mira el uno al otro y dice "donde diablos ESE hombre recibió su cinturón?" Yo quiero representar las academias en que yo entrenaba muy bien, y mientras no creo que yo decepcioné a alguien, no he visto a nadie en busca de donde recebí mis habilidades místicas.

So in between sequences, Ryan would explain some minor detail, or the next part of the sequence. And I swear to you, whenever he was saying "now, some of you may not have seen this bit before," or "a couple of you guys are missing some details," he was staring at me. I'm sure some of it was self-imposed stress, although I know for a fact he HAD to have been talking to me for at least one or two of the pointers. :)

Entre las secuencias, Ryan nos explicaba alguna detalla, o la siguiente parte de la secuencia. Y les lo juro, cada vez que el decía "algunos de Uds no han visto este anteriormente," o "unos de Uds faltan algunos detalles," él me estaba mirando. Estoy seguro que un parte es estrés auto-impuesta, aunque sé que él TENIA que haber estado hablando a mí por lo menos uno o dos de los punteros. :)

And he had the visiting guys give their takes as well. Jake taught a really cool step-through open guard pass right into knee-on-belly that was a perfect start to the whole sequence we were working, and Ryan had Gianni show his take on the armbar from knee-on-belly as well, with a cool twist thrown in.

Y él preguntó que los visitantes deron sus perspecitovs también. Jake enseñó una pasa chevere que utiliza un paso a través de las piernas directamente para rodilla-en-vientre que era un comienzo perfecto para la secuencia entera, y Ryan pedió a Gianni para mostrar su perspectivo en la palanca de brazo de rodilla-en-vientre también, con un punto extra.

Anyway, we did the class, then Ryan switched what would have been a specialist class to an hour of sparring, since there was a plethora of awesomeness on the mat. And I failed to take serious advantage of it. Which is not to say that I didn't get some great rolls in, I just didn't roll with most of the visiting talent. I did get a chance to roll with Seph, who just manhandled me. I tried a couple of the tricks I've picked up along the way, and he saw them coming a mile off. I knew what he was doing in return, I just couldn't stop it. Is recognition the first step to countering?

Entonces, hicimos la clase, y después Ryan cambió lo que habría sido una clase de especialización para una hora de luchar, porque había una gran cantidad de habilidades en la tatame. Y yo no me aproveché. Pero no quiero decir que no luché mucho, yo simplemente no luché con la mayoria de los visitantes. Luché con Seph, que me dió una palisa. Yo intenté algunos de los trucos que yo he aprendido, y él los reconoció muy rapido. Yo sabía lo que él iba a hacer, pero no podría pararlo. Es el reconocimiento el primero paso de contrarrestar?

Had some great rolls with fellow purple belts - I actually felt like I held my own against a couple guys my own size - they swept me, I swept them, about even. There's a gigantic purple, Rory, who just destroyed me, though. I have been thinking about that roll specifically. I knew what he was going to do, and I didn't do much to stop him - he just prevented me from getting set up in my normal game, by using a ton of top pressure.

Había algunos luchas buenas con otros cinturones morados - me sentí como yo defendí OK en contra de algunos chicos de mi propio tamaño - ellos me rasparon, yo les raspé, más o menos igual. Hay un cinturón morado gigante, Rory, que me destruyó. He estado pensando sobre esa lucha en particular. Yo sabía lo que iba a hacer, y yo no hizo mucho para detenerlo - él sólo me impidió conseguir establecer en mi juego normal, por usar de una tonelada de presión superior.

My roll with Seph was the most enlightening, though. He had NUMEROUS opportunities to throttle me, and he had so much control with his movement. I could tell when he gave up a finishing move to let me continue to work (which was a lot), and I definitely didn't show him any amazing game.

Mi lucha con Seph era la más interesante. El tenía muchas oportunidades para darme una palisa, y él tenía tanto control con su movimiento. Yo podría reconocer cuando él me permitió continuar (mucho), y yo definitivamente no le mostré un juego impresionante.

Sure, I've got tons of excuses. But really, I know it's going to take a couple weeks for my body to adjust to the move and the absence of jits, and also for me to adjust to the style of teaching, and the style of game these guys are playing. And honestly, I maintain that I need some time to grow into this belt. My consolation is that I felt just as pathetic when I started in Peru, and after a couple weeks I was able to adjust, so...

Claro, yo tengo muchas excusas. Pero en verdad, yo sé que va a tener unas semanas para acostumbrar mi cuerpo al viaje y la falta de jiu jitsu, y también para acostumbrarme al estilo de enseñar, y el estilo del juego de eses hombres. Y en verdad, mantengo que yo tengo que crecer en este cinturón. Mi consolación es que yo me sentí tanto patético como cuando yo comencé en Perú, y después de unas semanas me acostumbré...

But I'm positive I found the right school. POSITIVE. My wife told me Friday how much she appreciated the fact that I was willing to train somewhere else in order to spend more time with my family, but at the end of the day, she said she couldn't let me train anywhere else, knowing the quality of jiu jitsu being taught and practiced at 50/50.

Pero estoy positivo que descubré la escuela corecta. POSITIVO. Mi esposa me dijó el viernes lo mucho que ella apreció el facto que yo estaba dispuesto para entrenar en otra academía para pasar mas tiempo con mi familia, pero al fin del día, ella me dijó que ella no podría dejarme entrenar en cualquier otro lugar, con respecto a la calidad de jiu jitsu a 50/50.

So I'm here. Hopefully I'll be able to take advantage of my time here. I'll damn sure make it happen in the next couple weeks. Once I start work in January, we'll see what happens then. But I'm going to enjoy it now. And hopefully I'll manage the steep learning curve.

Entonces, estoy aquí. Con suerte, voy a aprovechar el tiempo aca. Con certeza en las proximas semanas. Cuando comienzo a trabajar en enero, vamos a ver. Pero voy a disfrutarlo ahorita. Y con suerte, yo voy a poder a aprender un poco.

Choices and Priorities

2010-11-30T16:47:00.000-04:30

Before I got here, and doing some research, it looks to me like the greater Washington DC area is seriously saturated for jiu jitsu. You've got Ryan Hall, Yamasaki, several Gracie name schools, several Lloyd Irvin schools... there's a bunch. But I live in Alexandria, and when you're talking driving distance...especially at rush hour...ugh. Even Arlington, 9 miles away, seems like an eternity.

Antes de llegar aquí yo hice un poco de investigación, y a mí me pareció que la mayor área de Washington DC está muy saturada de jiu jitsu. Tienes Ryan Hall, Yamasaki, varias escuelas nombre Gracie, varias escuelas de Lloyd Irvin ... hay un montón. Pero vivo en Alejandría, y cuando estamos discutindo la distancia en coche... especialmente con mucho tráfico... ugh. Arlington, a 9 millas de distancia, parece una eternidad

Most of my problem is scheduling. If it were just me, that'd be one thing. But I'm only a third of the issue. My wife is interested in trying jits. Awesome - except she'd be in a basic class, whereas I'd be (inappropriately, in my opinion) in an advanced class. Which are at different times. And my 7-year-old son wants to do jits. And there's NEVER kids classes at the same time as adult classes.

La mayor parte de mi problema es la programación. Si fuera solamente yo, eso sería una cosa. Pero yo soy sólo un tercio de la cuestión. Mi mujer está interesada en tratar jiu jitsu. Impresionante - excepto que ella estaría en una clase de iniciantes, mientras que yo estaría (inapropiada, en mi opinión) en una clase avanzada. Que están en diferentes horas. Y mi hijo de 7 años de edad, quiere hacer jiu jitsu también. Y NUNCA hay clases para niños al mismo tiempo como clases para adultos.

So, while in terms of professional jiu jitsu training I'd LOVE to tell you that I'd shank someone in the prison shower to go train at Fifty/50, the truth of the matter is that my professional jiu jitsu development comes in second place to making sure we as a family don't spend 5 hours in the gym three nights a week. Because that's not sustainable. My kid loves jits, but he's not staying up till 10 on a school night to watch me get my ass beat in the advanced class. Sorry, can't do it.

Así, mientras con respecto de entrenamiento profesional de jiu jitsu, me encantaría decirte que yo apuñalaría a alguien en la ducha de la cárcel para ir a entrenar en Cincuenta/50, la verdad del asunto es que mi desarrollo profesional de jiu jitsu ocupa la segunda posición lugar atrás de asegurarse de que nosotros como familia no pasar 5 horas en el gimnasio tres veces por semana. Porque no es sostenible. Mi hijo adora jiu jitsu, pero no se queda en el ginasio hasta 10 con escuela la próxima semana para mirarme receibir una palisa en la clase avanzada. Lo siento, no puedo hacerlo.

So in addition to proximity, I have to find a school that offers what we want - an all-levels class, a basic class, and a kids' class. And they have to be at reasonable times (even more ideal would be simultaneous, but how realistic is that?), and they have to be reasonably priced, because I have not won the lottery just yet.

Además de la proximidad, tengo que encontrar una escuela que ofrece lo que queremos - una clase de todos los niveles, una clase basica, y una clase para niños. Y tienen que estar en horas razonables (y más ideal serían simultáneas, pero ¿cómo realista es eso?), y tienen que ser un precio razonable, porque no he ganado la lotería por el momento.

So. What are my options? Well, Fifty/50 is still only 9 miles away. They offer basic, advanced, and kids classes. But they're spread out during the night, so if we did all three in one night we'd seriously spend about 5 hours there. There MAY be a way to work through the logistics of it, but it won't be every night. I finally trained there yesterday morning, and I'll tell you all about it in my next post.

Así. ¿Cuáles son mis opciones? Bueno, Cincuenta/50 queda sólo 9 kilómetros de distancia. Ofrecen básicas, avanzadas y clases de niños. Pero están separadas durante la noche, así que si lo hicimos los tres en una noche seriamente pasaría cerca de 5 horas allí. Puede ser una manera que funcione la logística de la misma, pero no va a ser todas las noches. Yo finalmente entrene allá ayer de la manana, y yo voy a decirles todo en mi próximo post.

The next closest option is Capital MMA, which I'll get to shortly. Lloyd Irvin has some excellent schools here as well, including an affiliate, BETA, where Elyse trains and has invited me to come down. I'd love to, but being in downtown DC, I honestly can't get there on a regular basis. So it'd be part-time.

La opción más cerca es Capital MMA, que voy a discutir en un momento. Lloyd Irvin tiene algunas excelentes escuelas aquí también, incluyendo un afiliado, BETA, en donde Elyse trene y me ha invitado a venir abajo. Me encantaría, pero estando en el centro de DC, yo honestamente no puede llegar de forma regular. Entonces, estaría a tiempo parcial.

There's a Royler Gracie affiliate up near Arlington as well, called the Fighter's Garage. They've got Krav Maga, which my wife loves. So I'd love to check it out, but they don't have kids' classes. Rrr.

Hay un afiliado Royler Gracie cerca de Arlington, así, llamado Garage del Luchador. Tienen Krav Maga, que mi mujer le encanta. Así que me gustaría probarlo, pero no tienen clases para los niños.

At some point I'll have to make a choice. And right now I'm not even working, which makes this even more ridiculous that I can't find a school to train at regularly. That'll get fixed this week, though.

En algún momento voy a tener que tomar una decisión. Y ahora no estoy trabajando, lo que hace esto aún más ridículo que no puedo encontrar una escuela para entrenar en forma regular. Eso voy a arreglar esta semana…

So, back to one option: Capital MMA. After an interesting comment on my other post, I did a little web research and found the forum discussion about Capital. It's kinda tough to distinguish fact from fiction, although there is one person commenting there under the name "capitalmma" who seems to represent the school.

Volver a una opción: Capital MMA. Después de un comentario interesante en mi otro post, hice una pequeña investigación de la internet y descubrí el foro de debate sobre Capital. Es un poco difícil distinguir la realidad de la ficción, aunque hay una persona en la discussion que usa el nombre "capitalmma" que parece representar a la escuela.

Now, let me say this. Aside from the fact that I have this blog, and I do cruise around sites liked bloodyelbow quite a bit, I don't tend to hang out on forum sites much. Maybe that makes me a bad blogger, I don't know. But when people refer me to specific discussions, I tend to find neat and interesting things. At any rate, most of the time when people say stuff like "but that was on jiujitsuforums.com last week!" I smile and shrug. I just don't hang out there. I'm sorry.

Ahora, déjenme decir esto. Aparte del facto que tengo este blog, y yo voy a los sitios como bloodyelbow bastante, no paso tiempo en los sitios del foro mucho. Tal vez eso me hace un mal blogger, no sé. Pero cuando la gente me refiero a las negociaciones específicas, yo encuentro cosas interesantes. En cualquier caso, la mayoría de las veces cuando la gente dice cosas como "pero eso estaba en jiujitsuforums.com la semana pasada!" Sonrío y me encojo de hombros. Simplemente no me queda allí. Lo siento.

So anyway, here's what I find interesting. Capital MMA is a Royce Gracie affiliate school. That is not an insignificant name in the world of jiu jitsu, as we all know. But (according to the forum) they have had - I don't know about present times - adult classes taught by purple belts, blue belts, and even a 4-stripe white belt.

Así, esto es lo que me parece interesante. Capital MMA es una escuela afiliada de Royce Gracie. Eso no es un nombre insignificante en el mundo de jiu jitsu, como todos sabemos. Pero (según el foro) que han tenido - yo no sé sobre ahora - clases para adultos enseñadas por cinturones morados, cinturones azules, y un cinturón blanco de 4 bandas.

I'm not going to leap to judgment. I don't know this to be the case right now, but I'll tell you what - I intend to find out. I'm going to take my free week of training and see what's going on. And I'll tell you guys all about it.

No voy a saltar a una conclusión. No sé que este es el caso ahora, pero te diré - tengo la intención de buscarla. Voy a tomar mi semana grátis de formación y ver lo que está pasando. Y voy a contarles a ustedes todo sobre ella.

So here's a couple assumptions, going into it:

Aquí están algunos supuestos, al inicio:

- Royce Gracie put his name on this school. He's in all the pictures on the website, and they get a bunch of visiting Gracies as well. This is an approved, authorized school to be able to throw the name around.

- Royce Gracie puso su nombre en esta escuela. Está en todas las fotos en el sitio web, y visitan un montón de Gracies también. Este es un escuela aprobada y autorizada para usar este nombre.

- According to the IBJJF website, you can instruct at a school as less than a black belt. Which means that if the lead instructor is a purple belt or whatever and he's got a black belt that oversees the instruction in some way, then he can still technically be legit.

- Según el sitio web IBJJF, puede enseñar en una escuela como menos que un cinturón negro. Lo que significa es si el instructor primero es un cinturón morado o lo que sea y que tiene un cinturón negro que supervisa la instrucción de alguna manera, entonces todavía puede ser de legítima.

Here's a couple of my own thoughts (since I'm a cynic at heart):

Y aquí son algunos de mis propios pensamientos (porque soy un cínico):

- I am okay with blue belt assistant instructors, and even teaching kids' classes. You should know enough of the basics by the time you get your blue that you can talk me through a scissor sweep or a kimura.

- Yo estoy bien con instructores asistentes de cinturón azúl, e como instructores de clases de los niños. Debes saber lo suficiente de los fundamentos por el momento de recibir el azul que me pueda hablar a través de una raspada de tijera o una kimura.

- On the other hand, I'm not okay with a white belt teaching anything officially, 4 stripes or none. You have to have SOME credibility for your program.

- Al otro lado, no estoy bien con un cinturón blanco para enseñar nada oficialmente, 4 rayas o ninguno. Tienes que tener ALGO de credibilidad de su programa.

- I am a new purple belt. I think I have a very mediocre grasp of the basics, I have a couple sexy moves I saw on youtube that have worked pretty well for me despite not getting all the details right, and I still have gigantic holes in my game that I won't realize until I get crushed in my first tournament at this belt. I would not be comfortable with me teaching an adult class. Could I do it? Sure. But there's a reason we expect brown and black belts to teach our classes - they actually know what they're doing. I hope someday I get to the point where I have sufficient grasp of some of these techniques to teach them. But right now I don't. And neither does a white belt.

- Soy un nuevo cinturón morado. Creo que tengo un conocimiento muy mediocre de los fundamentos, tengo algunos movimientos cheveres que he visto en youtube que han trabajado muy bien para mí a pesar de no hacer todos los detalles correctamente, y todavía tengo huecos giantes en mi juego que no voy a entender hasta que recibe una palisa en mi primer torneo en esta cinta. No sería cómodo conmigo enseñando una clase de adultos. ¿Podría hacerlo yo? Claro. Pero hay una razón que esperamos cinturones marrónes y negros para enseñar a las clases - que realmente saben lo que están haciendo. Espero que algún día llego al punto en que yo tengo la comprensión suficiente de algunas de estas técnicas para enseñar. Pero ahora no lo hago. Y tampoco un cinturón blanco.

So despite my own doubts, I'm going to check it out with an open mind. If there's a purple belt teaching, rock on. Will I learn the intricacies of the second generation of 50/50 guard transitions? Probably not. But I bet I still get some hella good sparring going on.

A pesar de mis propias dudas, voy a probarlo con una mente abierta. Si hay un instructor de cinturón morado, sigue no más. Voy a aprender las complejidades de la segunda generación de las transiciones guardia 50/50? Probablemente no. Pero todavía puedo tener buena sparring allá.

And the other consideration is my own goals. I'll be in the DC area for 9 months or so. Let's face it - I'm not on the "professional" track here. I'm a 35-year-old purple belt. I will not be on the cover of Gracie magazine anytime soon. So my NEED to train with the highest-level guys in this sport is slightly overshadowed by the realities of schedule and family.

Y la otra consideración es mis propias metas. Voy a estar en el área de DC durante 9 meses o menos. Y podemos estar honestos aquí - yo no estoy en la tema "profesional" aquí. Soy un cinturón morado de 35 años de edad. No voy a estar en la portada de la revista Gracie pronto. Así que mi necesidad de entrenar con los chicos de más alto nivel en este deporte es un poco ensombrecida por la realidad de lo previsto y la familia.

And I have to tell you - my wife and I sat down and did a bunch of research before coming to the conclusion that our reality is that I can either train with Ryan Hall and Seph Smith at Fifty/50 for more money, more time away from my family (did I mention I just got back from six months in South America away from them?), a longer commute, and later nights, or I can go down the road to Capital MMA, train with some whites, blues, and purples, get some good rolling in, learn a couple things but probably not to the extent that I would at Fifty/50.

Y tengo que decirles - a mi esposa y yo nos sentamos e hicimos un montón de investigación antes de llegar a la conclusión de que nuestra realidad es que yo puedo entrenar con Ryan Hall y Seph Smith en Cincuenta/50 por más dinero, más tiempo lejos de mi familia (¿mencioné acabo de regresar de seis meses en América Latina lejos de ellos?), un viaje más largo, y más tarde las noches, o puedo ir más cerca a Capital MMA, entrenar con algunos blancos, azules y morados, aprender algunas cosas, pero probablemente no hasta el punto que yo fuera en Cincuenta/50.

Sounds like a reasonable solution, right? After all of this, you would think she'd be down with me rolling a couple nights a week, and spending some time at home. But she knows how much this means to me - and she knows I have a man-crush on Ryan Hall. So she told me to not decide too soon on a school - she told me to try them all out, and not miss an opportunity to train with these schools just because I should spend more time with my family. This is an opportunity for family time, yes, but it's also an opportunity for some amazing jits.

Me parece una solución razonable, ¿no? Después de todo esto, se podría pensar que ella estaría bien que yo entrene una o dos noches por semana y pase algún tiempo en casa. Pero ella sabe cuanto que esto significa para mí - y ella sabe que me encanta las tecnicas de Ryan Hall. Entonces ella me dijo que no se deciden muy pronto en una escuela - ella me dijo tratar a todos, y no perder una oportunidad de entrenar con estas escuelas sólo porque debe pasar más tiempo con mi familia. Esta es una oportunidad para pasar el tiempo con familia, sí, pero también es una oportunidad para jiu jitsu incredible también.

What do you say to that? I need to come up with some priorities in terms of jits specifically - am I trying to take this belt to the next level, compete a bunch, and try to stay on this "fast track," whatever that is? Or am I trying to just get some rolling in, maintain what I have, and wait until the next phase to really push forward?

¿Qué dices a eso? Tengo que decidir a algunas prioridades para jiu jitsu específicamente - estoy tratando de aprovechar esta cinta al siguiente nivel, competir en un montón, y tratar de mantenerme en esta "tema rápida”? O estoy tratando de entrenar, mantener lo que tengo, y esperar hasta la siguiente fase para impulsar realmente el futuro?

I don't know.

No sé.

Right now, it looks like I may just be a jiu jitsu vagabond, training a little here, a little there. And really, that might be all right.

En este momento, parece que yo tal vez podría ser un vagabundo jiu jitsu, entrenando un poco aquí, un poco allá. Y en verdad, que podría estar bien.

Robson Moura Webinar

2010-11-28T11:01:00.001-04:30

You guys know I love Robson Moura. I'm damn near fanatical about my admiration. Much of my game is based around stuff I've learned from his DVDs.

So imagine my surprise when I got an email from the Robson Moura Association asking if I could help them get the word out for a web-based seminar that Robson is doing on December 11. It sounds like a pretty cool event, and I'm totally in on it.

And, for the record, I get nothing from this. No free seminar, no t-shirt, no nada. I think what Robson Moura has done with both his DVDs, and now with this webinar, for the greater community, is awesome, and I'm glad to help get the word out.

So we'll see you guys online on December 11!

-------------------------

PRESS RELEASE:

Robson Moura, one of the most recognized and respected competitors in
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, continues to innovate and raise the bar by providing
an online seminar for his fans around the world. This event, on December
11th, will give BJJ students everywhere a unique opportunity to train
along with Robson as he teaches... a two hour seminar, specifically
designed for the online experience. All BJJ enthusiasts are encouraged to
join this first of many online training events from the Robson Moura Nova
Uniao Jiu JItsu Association, this one focusing on gi techniques.

Delivered in streaming video through www.robsonmoura.com, for only $19.95
attendees will be able to participate in 2 hours of training with Robson
and his Association students. Attendees will be able to watch the seminar
online on their internet connected computers or online TV’s, and practice
the techniques along with the students of the seminar. This will be an
interactive online seminar, allowing students to submit questions online
that will be shared with Robson, to help shape the training. At the end of
the seminar, Robson will also take questions from the online audience on
specific technique questions.

For more information on the seminar, please see this video -
http://www.vimeo.com/16942914 or go to www.robsonmoura.com to sign up now!

Robson Moura, a 7x World Champion, 8X Rio De Janiero Champion, is an
active competitor who loves teaching and sharing his love of Brazilian Jiu
Jitsu with others. Based out of Martial Arts Advantage in Tampa, Florida,
Robson travels across North America, Brazil and the UK, giving regular
seminars and private lessons to all levels of students. Don’t miss this
opportunity to train along with the competitor who was named the #2 of the
top 10 BJJ fighters of all time!

For information on bringing Robson to your school for a seminar, please
contact us through www.robsonmoura.com, and checkout his Association Fan
page at www.facebook.com/RMNUBJJ.

Online Seminar Robson Moura
December 11, 2010 – 11am CST

What Kind Of Self-Respecting...

2010-11-27T13:41:00.000-04:30

Confessions of a jiu jitsu addict, part 3287293...

Confesiones de un adicto de jiu jitsu, parte 3287293…

This morning we all got up with the intention of doing some jiu jitsu today. I've been calling and calling to Capital BJJ, the Royce Gracie affiliate here in Alexandria.

Esta mañana, nos levantamos con la intención de hacer jiu jitsu ho y día. He llamado mucho a Capital BJJ, el afiliado de Royce Gracie aca en Alexandria.

On Saturday mornings, they have a kids class at 10, a yoga class at the same time, and an all-levels class at 12. PERFECT for a jiu jitsu family looking to start a program. And a well-deserved break from unpacking boxes, not to mention a much-needed bout of ass-kicking after more than 3 weeks of doing nothing but moving and drinking heavily.

Los sábados en la mañana ellos tienen una clase de niños a las 10, una clase de yoga al mismo tiempo, y una clase de jiu jitsu por todos los niveles a las 12. PERFECTO para una família de jiu jitsu que quiere comenzar una programa. Y un descanso bien merecido de desempaquetar cajas, y una paliza bien necesaria después de 3 semanas de hacer nada excepto mudarnos y tomar mucho.

Unfortunately, I haven't gotten anyone on the phone for the past few days - I've been trying since Tuesday. Anyway, while of course they'd be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, and Friday because it's the day after, what sort of self-respecting jiu jitsu gym doesn't have a "HEY FATTY" workout right after Thanksgiving?

Desafortunadamente, nadie ha contestado el teléfono los últimos días – he estado tratando desde el martes. Por supuesto, ellos estarían fechados el jueves por Día de Gracias, y el viernes porque es el día después… que tipo de ginasio que se precie no tiene una clase de “OI GORDITO” inmediatamente después de Día de Gracias?

Maybe we were just lucky in Monterey - Coach always came in Friday night after Thanksgiving.

Quisas estabamos con suerte en Monterey – el professor siempre tenía clases el viernes después de Día de Gracias.

But really, it's my own fault. I have eaten way too much and drunk way too much, and I feel like shit for it. Monday I'm there. No more excuses - I've got gis, gear, and a fat ass to get back in shape.

Pero en la verdad, es mi culpa. He comido demasiado y he tomado demasiado, y me siento como mierda por eso. El lunes yo voy. No más escusas – yo tengo mis kimonos, mis cosas, y una bunda gorda para arreglar.

Finally in DC

2010-11-18T20:04:00.000-04:30

Well, I'm here. It's been a trip with more or less constant motion, and even now, we're staying with some friends while we wait for our furniture to get here.

Pues, estoy aca. Ha sido un viaje con movimiento constante, y todavía estamos quedandonos con amigos mientras esperamos para la llegada de nuestros muebles.

Oh yeah, I packed my gis in our household goods. Which get here Monday. So.

También, yo puse mis kimonos en nuestras muebles enviados. Que llegan aca el lunes. Entonces.

In the meantime, I've done some homework, and the two academies I'm most likely to spend some time at, in no particular order:

Mientras tanto, he hecho algunas tareas, y las academias en que yo estoy mas probable de pasar tiempo:

Ryan Hall's 50/50 BJJ in Arlington

La academía de Ryan Hall, 50/50 BJJ, en Arlington

Royce Gracie's Capital BJJ in Alexandria

La academía de Royca Gracie, Capital BJJ, en Alexandria

The number one consideration is proximity - I would love to check out Lloyd Irvin's place, or the Yamasaki Academy, or any of the zillion awesome places here. But with the school schedule I know I'm going to have, it's got to be semi-close to my place. That's not to say I'm not going to do some visiting to other schools, but I can't pay visiting fees for my entire time, right?

La primera consideración es proximidad - me encantería probar la academía de Lloyd Irvin, o de Yamasaki, o alguna de las cosas cheveres aca. Pero con el horario de escuela que yo sé yo voy a tener, necesito que la escuela quede casi cerca de mi casa. Por supuesto, yo voy a visitar otras academias, pero no puedo pagar el impuesto de visitar por todo mi tiempo aca, verdad?

At any rate, 2 weeks of not doing jits and eating and drinking whatever I feel like has taken its toll - I'm already feeling flabby and pathetic.

Entonces, 2 semanas de no hacer jiu jitsu y comer y tomar lo que quiero ha resultado en pereza - ya me siento gordo y patético.

Instead of THIS guy

En vez de ESTE muchacho

I feel like THIS guy.

Me siento como ESTE muchacho.

Monday I'm GOING to a class, dammit.

El lunes yo VOY a una clase, carajo.

Moving

2010-11-13T17:28:00.000-04:30

Sorry I haven't posted recently. I got back from Peru about 2 weeks ago, and haven't stopped moving since. Had exactly 3 days to pack our stuff in California, and we're currently driving cross-country to DC. Once I get there, I should have more time to reflect... more soon.

Disculpame porque no escribía recentemente. Regresé de Peru hace 2 semanas, y no he parado mudando. Tuvimos exactamente 3 dias para arreglar nuestras cosas en California, y ahorita estamos manejando al otro lado del país a Washington DC. Cuando llego allá, teneré más tiempo para reflejar... escribiré más pronto.

My Last Lesson Wasn't Even At Practice

2010-10-30T03:59:00.000-04:30

Mi Última Lección No Fue En Práctica

For two days, I went outside of Lima to a town in the jungle for some work-related stuff. Yesterday we went out to lunch there, and I think that's where it started. After lunch I wasn't feeling great. On the flight back to Lima I felt worse, and by the time I got back to my place, I felt terrible.

Por dos dias, fui afuera de Lima a una ciudad en la selva para trabajar. Ayer almorzamos allá, y creo que es donde lo comenzó. Despues de almuerzo me sentí un poco mal. En el vuelo para regresar a Lima me sentí pior, y en la hora en que yo regresé a mi departamento, me sentí terrible.

When I got up this morning, it wasn't any better - my stomach was in knots. I spent the entire day alternating between sleeping on the couch in a sweat and throwing up. It was awesome.

Cuando me levanté esta mañana, no estaba mejor - mi estómago se revolvía. Pasé todo el día alternando entre dormiendo en la sofaen un sudor y vomitando. Que chevere.

Even if I couldn't roll, I wasn't going to miss my last practice here in Lima. The Sniper Family truly adopted me, and there is no possible way to repay their kindness. I got there around 5, hung out till around 7, and went back to my place, still feeling horrible.

Aunque no podría practicar, no iba a perder mi última práctica aca en Lima. La Familia Sniper verdaderamente me adoptó, y no hay manera posible de pagar su amistad. Llegué allá a las 5, me quedé hasta 7, y regresé a mi departamento, todavía sentindome horrible.

Later tonight I met up with some of the guys at the gym, and we went and met most of the rest of the Sniper Family for my going-away party, which I also couldn't miss, no matter how badly I felt.

Más tarde esta noche nos reunimos al ginasio, y nos fuimos para reunir con la mayoria de la Familia Sniper por mi fiesta de despedir, la que tampoco no podía perder, no importa lo mal que me sentía.

And I am SO glad I made it. Just about everyone was there, and I was able to express my gratitude to everyone individually.

Y estoy MUY contento que yo fui. Casi todo el mundo estaba allí, y tuve la oportunidad de expresar mi gratitud a cada uno individualmente.

Just before we left the party, Leo called everyone together and made a really nice speech about my time here, how I got here as a no-stripe blue belt. Just prior to my leaving the first time in June, he and Christian stuck 2 stripes on my belt, and I took that momentum to Brazil, and brought gold home. This time, they promoted me to purple belt, and as such, they're sending me off into the big world. :)

Antes de salir de la fiesta, Leo hizo una oración muy buena sobre mi tiempo aca, como yo llegue aca como un cinturón azul sin danes (rayas). Antes de salir la primera vez, él y Christian pegaron dos rayas en mi cinturón, y llevé ese momento a Brasil, y trajé el oro a la Familia. Esta vez, ellos me promotieron a cinturón morado, y como eso, ellos me mandan para el mundo gigante. :)

But for me, the most humbling part of what Leo said was when he explained that I completely changed his attitude about Americans. I guess the last gringo that showed up down here was really aggressive, and hurt some of the younger guys with some hard submissions, and that got everyone upset, particularly Leo. Since I've been here, Leo said his opinion has changed entirely (I don't have the heart to tell him the only reason I haven't been hurting people with submissions is because I don't KNOW any submissions ;) ).

Pero para mi, el parte más humilde de lo que Leo dijó era cuando él explicó que yo cambié completamente su actitud sobre Americanos. Aparentamente, el último gringo que llegó aca era muy agresivo, y lastimó algunos de los muchachos jovenes con submissiones, que se enojó todo el mundo, particularmente Leo. Desde que yo llegué, Leo dijó que su opinion ha cambiado entiramente (no tengo el corazón para decirle que la única razón que no estoy lastimando muchachos con submisiones es porque no SÉ ningunas submisiones ;) ).

Then Christian said some really nice things as well, and one thing he said really struck home for me. He said that he knows I have a family at home, and it's tough being away from them. Everyone at Sniper went out of their way to provide that support network that a family constitutes, which is why I really feel it's not a cliché - this IS a family here.

Entonces Christian dijó cosas muy buenas también, y una cosa él dijó me emocionó mucho. Él dijó que él sabe que yo tengo una familia a casa, y es muy difícil para estar lejos de ellos. Toda la gente aca en Sniper me dio la red de apoyo que constituya un familia, y esto es la razón que yo creo no es un cliché - esto ES una familia aqui.

I've been honored and humbled to be a part of the Sniper Family, and I can't express enough my gratitude and appreciation for everything they've given me.

He sido honrado y humillado para ser una parte de la Familia Sniper, y no puedo expresar bastante mi gratitud y aprecio para todo que ellos me daron.

Black Belts On The Mat

2010-10-28T00:43:00.000-04:30

CINTURONES NEGROS EN LA TATAME

One thing that I've enjoyed is the ability to roll consistently - virtually every day, in fact - with black belts. It's tough to appreciate when you've got such a unique opportunity, but I don't think most people realize that it's not common - particularly in most schools in the US - to have more than one black belt on the mat during class. Not only that, not all instructors roll with their students regularly, which to me seems kind of a shame.

Una cosa que yo he disfrutado es la capacidad para luchar consistentatmente - case todos los dias, en verdad - con cinturones negros. Es difícil para apreciarlo cuando tienes una oportunidad tan única, pero creo que la mayoria de personas no realiza que no es común - particularmente en las academias de los Estados Unidos - tener mas de un cinturón negro en la tatame durante clase. No sólo eso, no todos los profesores luchan con sus estudiantes regularmente, que - para mi - es una pena.

I've been fortunate in every place that I've trained (consistently) to have professors who not only rolled with the students, but were continually learning themselves. I hate to say it, but I've heard of, and visited, schools where this was not the case.

He estado fortunado en todos los lugares en que yo he entrenado (consistentamente) tener profesores que no sólo luchaban con los estudiantes, pero estaban aprendiendo ellos mismos. Que pena para decir, pero yo he escuchado sobre, y he visitado, academias donde eso no era la situación.

My first school - my home - was Zeus BJJ in Monterey, CA. Coach Daniel Thomas is a multiple-time world champion, and at 50+ (*ahem*) years of age, still not only competes, but rolls (and routinely handles) students on the mat every day, no matter the belt level.

Mi primera academía - mi hogar - era Zeus BJJ, en Monterey, California. Profesor Daniel Thomas es un campeón mundial muchas veces, y a pesar de tener más de 50 (*ahem*) años, todavía no sólo compete, pero lucha (y rutinariamente da palisas) con estudiantes en la tatame todos los dias, sin importa el cinturón.

And when you're visiting, they tend to call you out and see what you've got. James Foster at Foster BJJ in Seattle rolled with me when I was a spazzy white belt, and again when I came back as a blue belt. This was my benchmark for visiting other BJJ academies, and I am happy to say that pretty much all other schools (no matter the country) have met this standard.

Y cuando estás visitando, ellos te desafian para ver lo que tienes. James Foster at Foster BJJ en Seattle luchó conmigo cuando yo era un cinturón blanco muy loco, y otra vez cuando yo regresé como cinturón azul. Esto era mi punto de referencia para visitar otras academias, y estoy feliz para decir que casi todas las academias que he visitado (sin importa el país) han cumplido con esta norma.

Sebastian Muñoz at Gracie Buenos Aires was the same way; in fact, while waiting for class one day he randomly pulled me onto the mat and I warmed up by flow rolling with a black belt. How often does THAT happen?

Sebastian Muñoz en Gracie Buenos Aires era de la misma manera; en verdad, cuando yo estaba esperando para clase un día él me jaló en la tatame y yo calienté por flow rolling con un cinturón negro. Con que frequencia ocurre ESTO?

Beto Carmona at Academia Morada Do Sol in Rio - my Brazilian family - routinely kicked my ass, deliberately pushing me in preparation for the Master/Senior Worlds.

Beto Carmona na Academia Morado Do Sol no Rio - a minha familia Brasileira - rotineiramente me deu uma porrada, deliberadamente me desafiando para me preparar pra as Mundiais Mestre/Senior.

Sensei Victor Vásquez at Real Fighting Club in Santiago also made sure to roll with the visiting gringo every time I went to practice there, and intentionally gave me some time with him on the mat.

Sensei Victor Vásquez en Real Fighting Club en Santiago también luchaba con el gringo visitante todas las veces que yo practique allá, y intencionalmente me deu tiempo en la tatame con el.

And I can't say enough about Sniper Fight Sports here in Lima. Leandro Torres and Christian Grimaldo - and all the Sniper family - have truly adopted me (like a retarded kid)... hell, they even felt sorry enough for me to give me a purple belt. :) And they are on the mat every day, sparring with their students.

Yo no puedo decir bastante sobre Sniper Fight Sports aca en Lima. Leandro Torres y Christian Grimaldo - y toda la familia Sniper - me ha adoptado (como un niño retardado)... carajo, ellos se sientan tan lástima por mí que me daron un cinturón morado. :) Y ellos estan en la tatame todos los dias, luchando con sus estudiantes.

FAMILIA SNIPER... OSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

But ALL of these black belts are on the mat every day, and they're not just teaching techniques, they're applying them in practice, and letting their students apply them. Because practice is how we learn.

Pero TODOS estos cinturones negros están en la tatame todos los dias, y ellos no están sólo enseñando técnicas, ellos están aplicandolas en práctica, y dejando que sus estudiantes apliquenlas. Porque práctica es la manera en que aprendimos.

I can't thank all of these professors enough for their hospitality, their support, their technical prowess, and their friendship. This has been one crazy adventure so far. And it's only just begun.

No puedo agadecer estes profesores bastante por su hospitalidad, su apoyo, su destreza técnica, y su amistad. Esto ya ha sido una aventura loca. Y sólo ha comenzado.

It's The Little Things

2010-10-26T23:44:00.000-04:30

So in the past few practices I've had some minor successes, and it's occurred to me more than a few times that this is how we progress: little by little. There's no instant mastery of anything; we just have to keep getting on the mat and keep getting beat by the same moves over and over until we finally register a counter in our overloaded brains.

En las ultimas practicas he tenido algunos pequeños éxitos, y so me occurió mas de una vez que esto es la forma en que progresamos: poco a poco. No hay dominio instantánea de nada; tenemos que seguir practicando y seguir perdiendo por los mismos movimientos cada vez hasta que realicemos una contra en nuestros mentes sobrecargados.

These videos don't represent awesome rolls - in fact, in virtually all of them, I get crushed in other parts of the session. My point here is to recognize and appreciate the small victories, which, when combined, will ideally lead to success in the larger picture of a full match or even a full tournament.

Estes videos no representan luchas buenas - en verdad, en casi todos, yo recibo palisas en otros partes de la sesión. Mi punto aqui es para reconocer y apreciar las victorias pequeñas, que, en combinación, pueden resultar en éxito en una lucha entera o en un torneo.

Success #1: Cobrinha Takedown

I don't know what else to call this, since I learned it almost 2 years ago at a Cobrinha seminar when I was a brand new white belt. It starts with a same-side collar grip (let's assume your left hand), and you immediately drop down like you're trying to pull X-Guard or deep half. You end up in a modified X-Guard, with your right foot hooked behind his right knee, left foot pushing on the same knee. Your right arm holds his left leg to your right shoulder. Now push with your legs, and maintain your left foot on his knee. You can let go of his collar now. Use your left elbow/arm to start standing, and stand up with your right foot first. Once you're up, you have his leg on your shoulder. Easy.

No sé como se llama este movimiento, porque yo lo aprendí hace 2 años en un seminario de Cobrinha cuando yo tenía mi cinturón blanco. Comienza con una agarra al mismo lado (imagina que estas usando tu mano izquierda), y imediatamente bajate como estas intentando a jalar X-guard o media guardia profundo (deep half). Resulta en una X-guard modificada, con tu pie derecho enganchado atrás de su rodilla derecha, tu pie izquierda empujando a la misma rodilla. Tu brazo derecho asegura su pierna izquierda a tu ombro derecho. Ahora empuja con tus piernas, y mantenga tu pie izquierda en su rodilla. Puedes delar su collar ahora. Usa tu codo/brazo izquierda para comenzar pararte, y parate con tu pie derecho primero. Cuando estas parando, tienes su pierna en tu ombro. Fácil.

This is a success for me because I've never had anything other than really bad guard pulls. I'm not a wrestler or a judo guy, and I'm so worried about other parts of my game that I haven't taken the time to really improve my takedowns. So to FINALLY take a technique that I thought was pretty sexy at the time and bring it into my game is a pretty cool realization.

Es un éxito para mi porque nunca he tenido algo excepto jalas para guardia MUY malas. No soy un luchador or experto de judo, y estoy tan preocupado de otros partes de mi juego que no he practicado o majorado mis takedowns. Entonces, tener FINALMENTE una técnica que yo pensé que fue buenissimo y traerla en mi juego es bien chevere.

Success #2: Reverse Half Guard Counter

Many moons ago, I wrote a post about reverse half guard, where Coach Thomas showed us a few variations for a position that I didn't think I'd see for at least 10 years. One very strong way to defend this position on the bottom (against someone that knows what they're doing) is using your outside leg to underhook the trapped leg. It's counterintuitive, because you're opening up your legs, which is generally bad. In this case, though, biology generally prevents your opponent from raising that leg above yours, and if he does, you can roll him.

Hace mucho tiempo, escribí un post sobre media guardia inversa, donde Coach Thomas nos mostró unas variaciones de una posición que no pensé que iba a ver por menos que 10 años. Una manera muy fuerte para defender esta posición de abajo (contra alguien que sabe lo que está haciendo) es usar tu pierna afuera para enganchar debajo la pierna atrapada. Es contrario a la intuición, porque estás abriendo tus piernas, que es generalmente mal. En este caso, biología previene que tu oponente levante su pierna sobre tuya, y si el puede, tu puedes girarlo.

In my video, it's a pretty ugly sweep, but the success for me was recognizing the position and reacting correctly, which is something that I haven't ever really done with this position.

En mi video, es una raspada bien fea, pero para mi, el éxito fue reconocer la posición y reaccionar corectamente, que es algo que nunca he hecho con esta posición.

Success #3: De La Riva Counter

Taz has a ridiculously good De La Riva guard, and he uses it ALL the time. And I've never come up with a good way to stop it. The other week both Leo and Taz showed us a rolling method to counter De La Riva. This is not that move. :) HOWEVER!

Taz tiene una guardia De La Riva muy buena, y el la usa TODO el tiempo. Y nunca he descubrido una buena manera para contrarrestarla. Unas semanas atrás, ambos Leo y Taz nos mostraron un método para rollarse para contrarrestar De La Riva. Esto no es ese movimiento. :) PERO!

The first part of that move is a huge backstep into reverse half guard, to get past your opponent's knees. There's more to it, of course, but the success for me was - again - recognizing a bad position for me, realizing I knew how to get past it, and making that movement. In this case, it got me back to full guard, which is STILL much better for me than being in DLR.

La primera parte de ese movimiento es un grande paso atrás para media guardia inversa, para pasar la rodilla de tu oponente. Hay mas hacer, por supuesto, pero el éxito para mi era - otra vez - reconocer una mala posición, realizar que yo sabía como pasarla, y hacer ese movimiento. En este caso, lo me retornó para guardia, que es TODAVIA mejor para mi de estar en De La Riva.

SUCCESS! In 20-second increments. :)

Éxitos! En incrementos de 20 segundos. :)

FUN VIDEOS

VIDEOS DIVERTIDOS

And now you can see the full videos of the sparring sessions. I added music just because I happen to like music.

Y ahora puedes mirar los videos completos de las sesiones de luchar. Agregue música porque me gusta música. No hay otra razón.

First, I went with Taz. And he crushed me. He's got so many transitions to take the back... ugh. I guess that'll have to be my next defensive focus. :) And yes, there are a LOT of stupid things I did in this spar.

Primero, luché con Taz. Y me deo una palisa. El tiene tanta transiciones para tomar la espalda...ugh. Creo que eso va a ser mi próximo emfasis de defensa. :) Y si, hay MUCHAS cosas estupidas que yo hice en esta lucha.

Then went with Leo. And he crushed me. He uses those damn butterfly hooks so effectively - I know they're coming, I know they're there, and I still can't - or don't - do anything to stop it. And that damn flower sweep!!! Ugh...

Despues luché con Leo. Y me deo una palisa. El usa esos pinches ganchos de mariposa tan efectivamente - yo sé que ellos estan viniendo. Yo sé que ellos estan allá, y todavía no puedo hacer - o no hago - algo para prevenirlo. Y la raspada de flor - carajo! Ugh.

Tony De Souza At The Gym Tonight

2010-10-26T00:34:00.000-04:30

I don't really have much else to say. Tony is a super nice guy, and it SUCKS that I have to miss his seminar Wednesday.

No tengo mucho mas para decir. Tony en un muchacho muy bueno, y estoy desapontado que yo tengo que perder su seminario el miercoles.

Working on more posts, editing some more video. Give me a day or two.

Estoy trabajando en mas oraciones, editando mas video. Dame un o dos dias.

Gi Review: Submission Fight Company Pearl Weave

2010-10-23T14:15:00.000-04:30

About The Company

Submission FC was created by Shakib Nassiri, who trains under Jean-Jacques Machado. They currently offer a small variety of gis (pearl and gold weaves in either white or blue), belts, and t-shirts. They also sell gi trousers separately, which I am a huge advocate of.

They're in the middle of retooling their gi line, so the pearl weave (lightweight) will be slightly different than the one I'm reviewing, and they're adding ripstop trousers to the pearl weave and rope drawstrings to all models, which most people are pretty excited about these days.

In the future, they will be expanding their line to include kids' gis, as well as some other new products they're keeping hush-hush about right now. Although Shakib did send me a picture of their license plate frame...

Additionally, they sponsor several MMA fighters, including UFC fighters Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stephens and Tomasz Drwal.

Customer Service

Shakib contacted me directly to review his gi, and has been very responsive to my email inquiries. He even sent the gi down here to Peru just so I could get the review up on the net, which I thought was great.

The website, submissionfc.com, is simple and easy to navigate. No problems there.

First Impressions

This is pretty much a no-frills gi. It's designed to be sturdy but lightweight, and to break under the $100 barrier, which it does well.

For bling, there's one big patch on the chest, and 2 circular patches on the arms. It's not overly distracting, and while there's no super-bling like contrast stitching, it's fairly tasteful.

My uncalibrated bathroom scale puts this gi at exactly 4 lbs, which is surprising to me, given how light it FEELS. And I confirmed with Shakib that I am NOT a complete idiot - the official weight is 3 lbs 11 oz, which is fantastic. That pushes superlight categories, in fact. At that weight it would be very reasonable to use for tournaments. My main question would be how well it holds up in daily use.

Sizing

I am 5’9”, 180 lbs, normally an A2 (husky fit). I asked Shakib to send me an A2, and it fits perfectly out of the box.

After one wash (cold water, hang dry) there's just a little shrinkage. If you like to wash your gis in hot water or machine dry them, I'd recommend you go up a size.

Jacket

This pearl weave is definitely lighter than most other gi tops out there, but I didn't get the impression that it wouldn't hold up under some punishment (unlike the pants).

The patches certainly aren't over the top, which I like. In my humble opinion, I would probably cut off the chest patch, but that's just me. I think the sleeve patches are fine for a minimalist gi.

The jacket has the standard reinforcement in the armpits and skirt seams.

And the sleeves have a small strip of material at the cuff.

The sleeves aren't noticeably larger or smaller than other gis. Maybe not as tapered as a Koral, but it's definitely a jiu jitsu gi as opposed to a modified judo gi.

The skirt is about the same length as most other gis (here's a comparison pick with my Black Eagle gold weave and a Koral single weave).

Trousers

The trousers are as no-frills as you can get. Aside from the small label, there's no patches or insignia anywhere. There are two belt loops, spaced more toward the outside of the hips, but what I found was these are actually the important ones - I had no issues with the waist cord sliding up, which is a personal pet peeve.

The A2 trousers were a little snug on me, but I've got a bit of a bunda. If you're skinny, I'd go with standard sizing - for me, I'd probably get A3 trousers next time.

My big issue with the trousers is that they felt almost TOO light. They didn't tear during the first practice or anything, but the canvas is extremely light, and I would constantly be worried about hearing that ripping sound. I don't have any factual basis for saying this - Shakib assured me that he's been using his current SubmissionFC gi for over a year with no problems in the pants. I'm using my own experience to say that - both as a guy who relies on knee grips for my game (and, as such, have ripped my fair share of gis far sturdier than this), and as a guy who's had my share of gi pants ripped - these pants don't feel like they'd last a long time. But for the price, you can get another pair of trousers pretty cheaply.

As mentioned, the pants will change dramatically with the next gi run - ripstop fabric, which should cut the weight even more (although I have to say I personally despise ripstop material in general), and rope waistband.

Field Testing

I rolled in this gi and found it to be exactly what I thought: a decent, no-frills gi. It's not uncomfortable, it didn't fall apart, and I didn't have any real issues with it.

Honestly, there's nothing inherently good or bad about the Submission FC gi. It's a decently sturdy, lightweight gi designed to attract the under-$100 crowd, and I think it's got plenty of merit in that department.

It doesn't have the styling or bling of what I think most people would consider for a competition gi, but if you're a no-frills kind of person, this is definitely light enough for tournament use.

The only thing is I don't know that I would pick this as a daily use gi - it just doesn't feel sturdy enough, particularly in the pants.

Price

Here's where this gi makes itself known: at $75, this beats out just about every other gi out there, and stands in the same rough price bracket as Padilla and Razorback, although a quick google check shows that the Submission gi beats even those for price.

AND.... Check THIS out: if you order a gi from SubmissionFC before Jan 1, 2011 you can use the checkout code "devbjj" and get an extra 5% off!

Bottom Line

At the end of the day, this is a decent entry-level gi, as far as I can tell. It's the best price I've found for a gi recently, and you get just what you need out of a gi, with no additional baggage.

Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by Submission FC. This review is as objective as I can make it.

Leg Lock Exhibition

2010-10-21T23:04:00.000-04:30

Four things happened at jits last night.

Cuatro cosas sucedieron en práctica anoche.

Flow Rolling:

First, I sparred with Taz (Christian), our second black belt, who's got a ridiculous De La Riva guard. He injured his knee recently, so last night we ended up doing some AWESOME flow rolling, more just sweep for sweep (maybe 3 of his to 1 of mine, at any rate) than "attacking." I always learn so much from rolling with him, but last night was just FUN. Sure, I did a bunch of stupid crap, and that damn butterfly that Leo and Taz both do ALWAYS trips me up, but I like just seeing where the roll takes you.

Primero, yo luché con Taz (Christian), nuestro segundo cinturón negro, que tiene una guardia De La Riva ridiculosa. El lastimó su rodilla recentemente, entonces anoche hicemos flow rolling CHEVERE, más como raspa por raspa (tal vez 3 de él para 1 de mí, pero...) de "atacar." Yo siempre apriendo mucho de luchar con él, pero anoche fue DIVERTIDO. Claro, yo hice muchas cosas estupidas, y la pinche mariposa que ambos Leo y Taz hacen SIEMPRE me raspa, pero me encanta descubriendo donde te lleva la lucha.

Seeing The Progression:

Ver La Progresión:

Second, I sparred with Cabezón, and I got to see the genuine progression he's experienced in just a couple months since I started training here. He's a big, strong guy, and initially he used what he had, and tended to muscle people around. Now, however, he's got some technique to back that strength up. I tested him a little last night, left my arms in place just a little too long, that sort of thing, and he capitalized every time. In one specific example, he began working for an arm drag setup to an arm bar. I wouldn't let him have it easily and kept my arm back, so he bailed on it and tried something else. Then a couple seconds later when I put my arm back in, he went after it again and secured it. I resisted a bit, to see what he'd do, and he stayed calm, kept pressure on until I slacked, and then he finished it. Really solid technique, and it felt great to me to know that I gave him enough pressure to make him work for it, but I wasn't out there to just kick his ass and feel good about myself because I can beat up on a white belt.

Segundo, yo luché con Cabezón, y yo podría ver le progresión real que él ha realizado en pocos meses desde yo comencé entrenar aca. Él es grande y fuerte, y inicialmente él usó lo que tenía, y usó su fuerza para avanzar. Ahora, él tiene alguna técnica para fortalecer su fuerza. Yo le pruebé un poco anoche, dejé mis brazos en un lugar un poco demasiado, y él se aprovechó cada vez. En un ejemplo especifico, él comenzó a trabajar para una palanca de brazo. No le permití facilmente y protegí mi brazo, y él lo abandonó y intentó algo diferente. Unos segundos mas tarde cuando yo reemplacé mi brazo, él lo atacó y lo aseguró. Yo resistí un poco, para ver su reacción, y él mantenió su calma, seguió la presión, y terminó la palanca. Técnica muy fuerte, y me sentí muy bien para saber que yo le di bastante presión para que él tuvo que trabajar, pero yo no estaba allá para darle una palisa y sentirme bien porque yo puedo ganar un cinturón blanco.

After seeing him work, I wanted to try some stuff, and I've been obsessing over the "side guard" idea, so I stuck an overhook on him, secured it with his gi, then started working my hips out to side guard. He wasn't having any of it, so I turned it into sort of a "Plan B"-ish sweep (for you 10th Planet fans), lifting on the opposite knee.

Después de verle trabajar, yo quería intentar algunas cosas también, y he estado obsesionando sobre la idea de "guardia de lado," y yo puse un gancho encima de su brazo, lo aseguré con su kimono, y comencé a mover mis caderas afuera a guardia de lado. El no me permitió, entonces yo lo cambié en una raspa como "Plan B" (de Decima Planeta), levantando la otra rodilla.

New Moves

Movimientos Nuevos

Third, I got to work some of my own techniques. Next spar was with Augusto, who's a slick blue belt. I didn't feel too bad about going a bit tougher with him (blue), and I pulled off a move I've wanted to work on: that slick reverse scissor sweep I had a couple posts ago when I was whining about being a purple belt.

Tercera, yo trabajé algunas de mis proprias tecnicas. Próxima lucha fue con Augusto, que es un cinturón azul bueno. No me sentí mal para luchar un poco mas fuerte con él (azul), y yo hice un movimiento en que estoy trabajando: esa raspa de reverse scissor sweep yo puse unos posts atrás cuando estaba gimoteando sobre sendo un cinturón morado.

Here's the interesting part: I was thinking that given the direction you're going, you could actually tag that sweep from half guard, or a Z-guard setup. So that's what I tried, and it WORKED! Slid to Z-guard, cross-grip on his right hand, collar grip with my left, and up and over, sliding out my right leg. GOT to keep working on that.

Aca es el parte interesante: Estaba pensando que con la dirección que vas a ir, podrias hacerla de media guardia, o Z-guard. Entonces, es lo que yo intenté, y FUNCIONÓ! Entré a Z-guard, agarré su manga a través, agarré su collar con mi mano izquierda, y le raspé, sacando mi pierna derecha. TENGO QUE seguir trabajando con eso.

Another "move of the day" from awhile back was a kickass sweep that Taz showed us from sort of a half-guard spider-93 setup. You'll see it. Anyway, you get one spider hook in from bottom half guard, and then basically just dump the guy on his side, using your other hand to lift the knee. It's PERFECT for my bottom game, and I have used this all over the place.

Un otro "movimiento del día" de unas semanas atrás era una raspa buena que Taz nos mostró de la posición de casi media guardia-araña. Vas a verla. Tienes un gancho de araña de media guardia abajo, y entonces basicamente volcas el muchacho en su lado, usando tu otro mano para levantar la rodilla. Es PERFECTO para mi juego de abajo, y la he usado mucho.

Leg Lock Exhibition

Exibición de Palancas de Pierna

Basic psychology says (through the Law of Primacy) that the first and last things you experience in a given period will be remembered more. So it's fairly unfortunate that I volunteered for a leg lock exhibition, put on by my buddy Erickson.

Psicología basica dice (por la Ley de Primacía) que la primera y la última cosa que experimentas en un periodo definido va a ser recordado más. Pues, es desafortunado que yo me ofrecí para una exibición de palancas de piernas, hecho por mi amigo Erickson.

Erickson is ridiculously good, and got his purple the same day I did. I will tell you straight up that I am not on the same level as him. If we take out leg attacks, I think we more or less cancel each other out, although he's got some other tricks up his sleeve, too. In fact, he taught me the pull-through armbar from open guard (which I am still working on), which is a trick I now recognize that Dylan used to do a bunch in Monterey.

Erickson es buenisimo, y recebí su cinturón morado el mismo día que yo. Te digo honestamente que yo no estoy en el mismo nivel que él. Excluindo atacas de pierna, creo que nosotros mas o menos nos cancelamos, pero él tiene mas trucos, también. En verdad, el me enseñó una palanca de brazo de guardia abierta (de que todavia estoy trabajando), que es un movimiento que yo reconozco ahora como uno de los trucos de Dylan en Monterey.

At any rate, he just HANDLED me last night. Mostly through leg attacks, but for fuck's sake - I know he's going to go for them, and I didn't do a thing to protect myself. It was pretty demoralizing. I wanted to give back my purple belt and start over. :)

De todas maneras, él me dio una palisa anoche. La mayoría de atacas de pierna, pero carajo - yo sé lo que él va a hacer, y no hice nada para protegerme. Era muy desmoralizadoso (es una palabra?). Yo quería devolver mi cinturón morado y comenzar de nuevo. :)

So... those nights happen. Thankfully, in writing this, I am able to look back and say that, despite getting thrashed by Erickson, last night was really a good practice. I feel good about being able to say I think I was a pretty good training partner last night.

Entonces... estas nochas suceden. Gracias a dios, mientras de escribir esto, puedo mirar hacia atrás y decir que, apenas de mi palisa de Erickson, anoche fue una práctica buena. Me siento bien sobre la capacidad a decir que pienso yo estaba un compañero de entrenemiento bueno.

Haven't Been Myself Lately

2010-10-19T12:30:00.000-04:30

Not quite sure what's been happening the past couple weeks, but I've been all over the place mentally. Part of it is knowing that this crazy 6-month journey is coming to an end in less than 2 weeks (oh shit!), and the other part is probably just my brain trying to reconcile this whole adventure - travel, language, culture, separation... oh yeah, and jits too.

No estoy seguro lo que esta pasando las ultimas semanas, pero he estado un poco confundido. Parte es saber que este viaje loco de 6 meses termina en menos que 2 semanas (mierda!) y el otro parte es probablamente mi mente intentando a reconciliar esta aventura - viajar, idioma, cultura, separación... oh, jiu jitsu también.

I haven't completely lost my focus, but it's definitely affected my jits training. Schedule, among other things, has prevented me from practicing as often as I would like to - returning from a 6-month trip only to move across the country a week later necessitates some nightmarish administrivia, which has been kicking my ass more than the white belts at Sniper typically do. :)

No perdí completamente mi focus, pero con certeza ha afectado mi entrenamiento. Horario, y otras cosas, me ha prevenido de practicar tan a menudo como me gustaría - regresar de un viaje de 6 meses y mudarse al otro lado del país una semana despues requiere administración de mierda, que me ha estado dando una palisa más que los cinturones blancos en Sniper. :)

Add to that a host of injuries from which I am still not completely recovered (broken toes don't tend to heal if you keep training with them), and you basically get inconsistency at best. For which I am disappointed in myself.

Agregar un montón de heridas las de que todavia no he recuperado completamente (dedos de pie rotos no curanse si tú sigas entrenando con ellos), y tienes inconsequencia en el caso mejor. Por que estoy desapontado en mí mismo.

This isn't intended to be a post to beat myself up, though. On the contrary, after accomplishing that successfully (thank you very much), I've come to the conclusion yet again that IT'S NOT ABOUT THE DESTINATION, IT'S ABOUT THE JOURNEY.

Pero, no intento usar este post para castigarme. Al contrario, después de realizar esto con éxito (muchas gracias por eso), llegue al conclusión otra vez que NO ES SOBRE LA DESTINACIÓN, ES SOBRE EL VIAJE.

Which this picture illustrates PERFECTLY.

Que este imagen mostra PERFECTAMENTE.

Despite continuing to try to find short- and intermediate-term goals for myself in this sport, and focusing on positions or moves, my focus right now is on enjoying the sport for what it is, to help other people learn more than myself, and to try to spread the enjoyment of what we have. Hugging my inner hippie, I suppose.

A pesar de seguir de buscar metas de corto y medio plazo para mí mismo en este deporte, y concentrando en posiciónes o movimientos, mi emfasis ahorita es disfrutar el deporte por lo que es, para ayudar otras personas aprender más que yo aprendo, y intentar a proliferar el disfrute de lo que tenemos. Abrazando my hippie adentro, supuesto.

I've already strayed from my list of goals I outlined in my 2-year anniversary post. But during class I have lately been trying to do the technique of the day, or at a minimum A technique of the day (might have been yesterday's, or even a month ago, as long as it's still something "new" for me... we were working a technique from "side guard" the other day and I started playing with the "puppet master" variation that Sensei Vasquez showed us in Chile).

Ya me he alejé de la lista de metas yo creé en mi post de aniversario de 2 años. Pero durante clase estoy intentado a hacer la técnica del día, o como mínimo UNA técnica del día (tal vez la de ayer, o la de una practica un mes antes, mientras que sigue siendo algo nuevo para mi... estuvimos haciendo una técnica de "guardia al lado" hace unos dias, y comencé jugando con la variación de "puppet master" que Sensei Vásquez nos mostró en Chile).

I'm focusing a lot on letting my training partners work their techniques, too, which is not always something I've been good at. John Will recently wrote a fantastic post about the difference between crushing someone because you can, and learning to use the space you allow to happen. It really felt to me like the next step conceptually. I've been able to get the idea of "winning" out of my head for practice much of the time, but one true measure of control of a fight is when you KNOW you are allowing the space to occur. Particularly with the lower belts, I'm trying to work on my own sense of "control vs crush," to give them space without losing control of the situation.

Estoy concentrando mucho en permitindo que mis compañeros de entrenamiento hagan sus tecnicas, que es algo en que no siempre he estado bueno. John Will escribió recentamente un post fantástico sobre la diferencia entre aplastando alguien por que tú puedes, y aprendiendo a usar el espácio que tú permites a sucede. Me parece mucho el siguiente paso conceptualmente. He podrado eliminar la idea de "ganar" para práctica mucho del tiempo, pero una medida verdadera de control de una lucha es cuando SABES estas permitindo el espacio a suceder. Particularmente con los cinturones bajos, estoy intentando a trabajar con mi proprio sentido de "control vs aplastar," para darles espacio sin perder control de la situación.

The other thing I've been able to do is see the development of everyone else around me. I'm working on a separate post about the tournament, but Sniper participated in a tournament this past weekend at GymDo here in Lima, and the turnout was incredible. The level of jiu jitsu displayed by white and blue belts was phenomenal, and I know that it's due very specifically to the training they're getting at their academies, and the people they are practicing with. I want to continue to be someone that a training partner can rely on to help them develop their skills and their game.

La otra cosa que he podrado hacer es ver el desarollo de todos los muchachos. Estoy escribiendo un otro post sobre el torneo, pero Sniper participó en un torneo el fin de semana pasado en GymDo aca en Lima, y la participación era increible. El nivel de jiu jitsu demostrado por los cinturones blancos y azules era fenomenal, y yo sé que es por causa del entrenamiento ellos estan recibiendo en sus academias, y la gente con que ellos estan practicando. Yo quiero seguir a ser alguien en que un compañero de entrenamiento puede confiar para ayudarle desarollar sus técnicas y su juego.

Rickson Figured Out My Game...YEARS Ago (Or My Conclusion That I Still Don't Know Anything)

2010-10-11T15:46:00.000-04:30

So I've always known I'm a little slower than most people, and it generally takes me awhile to catch up to where people are at. :)

Yo siempre he sabido que soy un poco más despácio que la mayoria de la gente, y generalmente necesito un poco más tiempo para llegar al mismo punto. :)

I don't generally hang out on forum sites, although I do confess that I'll troll around on jiujitsuforums.com on occasion. Aside from posting my gi reviews, though, I don't generally say anything unless I happen upon something that strikes a chord.

No generalmente quedarme en sitios de foros, aunque confieso que visito jiujitsuforums.com ocasionalmente. Aparte de poner mis revistas de kimonos, no generalmente digo nada a menos que haya algo interesante.

That said, I was trying to find information on Reila Gracie's book "Carlos Gracie: Creator Of A Dynasty," which as of right now is still only available in Portuguese. Even so, I can't find a damn copy of it, so if anyone knows where to get one, PLEASE let me know!

Entonces, yo estaba tratando buscar información sobre el libro de Reila Gracie, "Carlos Gracie: O Criador De Uma Dinastia," que es solamente disponible en Portugues. Aún así, no puedo encontrar una copia, entonces si alguien sabe donde yo puedo encontrarlo, POR FAVOR me avisa!

At any rate, I was plugging through my usual haphazard searching, when I came across a forum thread in Sherdog called simply "Rickson Gracie FAQ." It is AMAZING. I spent about 3 hours of my afternoon (worth every second, in my humble opinion) reading through about 70 pages of information. Go read. I'll wait.

Bien. Estaba buscando como normal cuando encontré un foro se llama "Rickson Gracie FAQ." Es INCREÍBLE. Yo pasé casi 3 horas de mi tarde (completamente vale la pena, en mi opinion) leyendo más de 70 paginas de información. Ve alla y lea. Yo espero.

It is truly astonishing stuff - not just about Rickson, but about the whole Gracie family, the offshoots, the feuds, the controversies... there's no agenda, just tons of anecdotes and information.

Es una cosa asombrosa - no solamente sobre Rickson, pero sobre la familia Gracie entera, los retoños, los feudos, las controversias... no hay agenda, solo muchas anécdotas y información.

Plus, if there's anyone else as geeked-out as I am about this stuff, there's a GREAT breakout of the different schools spawned by the original Gracie academies.

También, si hay alguien como interesado que yo, hay una BUENA explicación de las academias diferentes creadas por las academias originales de los Gracies.

So there I was, reading all about this stuff, when I came across a description of my thought process for a fight. And here, I thought I was just crazy. :)

Yo estaba allá, leyendo, cuando encontré una descripción de mis pensamientos sobre la lucha. Yo pensé que yo estaba loco. :)

First off, here's a Rickson quote (that I have not corroborated, but that fits in nicely with my argument, so hell with it...)

Primero, aqui es una oración de Rickson (que yo no he corroborado, pero se junta bien con mi argumento, entonces...)

"I believe intelligence and fear are very close together. Guys who say they are not afraid of anything, they are stupid. They are silly to me...I am afraid of everything"

"Yo creo que inteligencia y miedo son muy cercas. Muchachos que dicen que no tienen miedo de nada son estupidos. Ellos son tontos... Yo tengo miedo de todo."

Particularly after my long-winded post a couple days ago about how everything about this sport scares the everloving shit out of me, I feel a little vindicated. :)

Particularmente después de mi oracion largo algunos dias atras sobre que todo en este deporte me da miedo, me siento un poco vindicado. :)

The essential point, though, that I took away was the idea of a "zero point." Rickson explains it in the movie Choke:

El punto esencial que yo llevé es la idea de un "punto cero." Rickson lo explica en la pelicula Choke:

Here's how I take that. Me. Dev. No one else.

Aqui es como YO interpreto. Yo. Dev. Nadie más.

The idea being that - in the vein of his father, Helio - the point is first to avoid a fight. If that's not possible, the second point is to defend yourself so that your opponent cannot beat you. The third point is to stop the fight. So this "zero point," in my view, is your defensive position, where you prepare yourself to take advantage of mistakes your opponent makes.

La idea es - como explicó su papá, Helio - el primero punto es para evitar una lucha. Si no es posible, el segundo punto es para defenderse para que tu oponente no pueda ganarte. El tercer punto es para parar la lucha. Entonces, este "punto cero," en mi punto de vista, es tu posición defensiva, donde te preparas para aprovechar de los errores de tu oponente.

I think we all do this instinctively, even moreso in practice. When you roll with black belts in particular, they generally let you do stuff and then pounce when you extend too far or make a mistake.

Creo que todos nosotros lo hacemos instinctivamente, y más en practica. Cuando luchas con cinturones negros, ellos generalmente te dejan hacer algo y saltan cuando te extendes demasiado o haces un error.

For me, this is essential to my game. I am not an aggressive person, much less an aggressive player. I don't enjoy the yelling and screaming and animosity that some people thrive on. I MUCH prefer to slow things down, control the action, and set up my positions and wait for the the opportunity to "not be relaxed."

Para mi, es esencial para mi juego. No soy una persona agresiva, ni un jugador agresivo. No disfruto los gritos o chillidos o animosidad en que algunas personas medran. Yo prefiero MUCHO despaciar la lucha, controlar la acción, preparar mis posiciones, y esperar para la oportunidad de "no estar relajado."

Most important is his concept of "connection," upon which he bases his "Invisible Jiu Jitsu" seminars today. I'll tell you right now, I don't have near the talent, experience, or intelligence to make this concept work correctly all the time, or even most of the time.

El concepto más importante es de "conexión," que él usa para la fundación de sus seminarios sobre "Jiu Jitsu Invisible" hoy en dia. Te digo ahorita, no tengo ni el talento, la experiencia, ni inteligencia para hacer este concepto corectamente todo el tiempo, ni siquiera la mayoría de tiempo.

But my point here is that I finally found what I've been basically TRYING to do all along. Now I just have a principle guiding me. ;)

Pero mi punto aca es que yo finalmente descubrí lo que he estado TRATANDO hacer todo el tiempo. Ahora yo tengo un principio para guiarme. ;)

Why Tournaments Are Important

2010-10-07T00:33:00.000-04:30

In a comment at the bottom of my last post, SkinnyD asked a question that I've struggled to find the answer to.

En un comentario al fin de mi ultima oracion, SkinnyD preguntó sobre una tema para que he buscado la solución.

Dev, how much do you feel competition added to your rather speedy advancement to purple?

Dev, piensas que competición ha ayudado tu progresión a cinturón mojado?

So, in the nature of a good blogger, I decided I would simply start writing down my thoughts, ramble a bit, maybe tapdance, hem and haw, equivocate a little, and eventually come to the conclusion that I don't have a good answer. :)

Entonces, como un buen blogger, yo decidí para comenzar escribir mis pensamientos, divagar un poco, quisas zapatear, usar unos equívocos, e eventualmente llegar a la conclusión que no tengo ninguna idea. :)

First things first. I don't know if I had a speedy advancement or not. I've never been in this as a belt-hunter. I want to do the best I can in a given challenge, and that happens every time I step on the mat.

Primeramente, no sé si yo tuve una progresión rapida o no. No he hecho esta deporte para cazar cinturones. Yo quiero hacer el mejor que yo puedo en un desafío, e esto sucede cada vez yo entro la tatame.

I started doing this stuff because I thought I was a fairly tough guy, but I knew I had no technical skills. I learned in one lesson that I was NOT a fairly tough guy, and that it scared the shit out of me when someone else was trying to attack me and do some sort of damage. So I continued doing it BECAUSE I was scared. I wanted to know that no matter how scared I was of the other guy, that I had enough technical ability to protect myself. Thus came the title "Fueled By Fear."

Yo comencé este deporte por que yo pensaba que era un muchacho duro, pero sabia que no tenia técnica. Yo aprendí en UNA lección que no era un muchacho duro, y tenia mucho miedo cuando alguien me atacó para herirme. Yo seguí a hacerlo PORQUE tenia miedo. Yo queria saber que a despecho del miedo, yo tenia bastante habilidad técnica para protegerme. De esto llega el título "Motivado Por Miedo."

Of course, there's a point at which someone overcomes your defenses, but the longer you do this stuff, and the more you practice, the better you become at stopping the other person from trying to do what he's doing. Sometimes that means attacking, and submitting, him. Other times - the focus of Master Hélio Gracie - it's simply outlasting him. Either way, the reason I do this sport is so that, in some weird psychological sense, I don't have to be afraid anymore.

Por supuesto, hay un punto en que alguien va a pasar tu defensa, pero el mas tiempo que haces este deporte, y el mas que practicas, el mejor puedes retrasar la otra persona de hacer la cosa que está tratando hacer. As veces esto significa atacarle, y someterle. Otras veces - el focus de Maestro Hélio Gracie - es solamente para durar más que el. Cualquier manera, la razón yo hago este deporte es para que, en algun sentimiento psicológico, no tenga que tener miedo.

Now, I'm not hugging my inner child or anything here, I just want to provide some perspective.

No quiero abrazar mi niño interior, yo simplesmente queria proveer alguno perspectivo.

The reason I do tournaments is not to bring home the bling, as it were. It's to challenge myself. I have less fear now of stepping on the mat at practice than I did when I started. It's not gone, but it's contained.

La razón que yo hago torneos no es para ganar medallas. Es para desafiarme. Yo tengo menos miedo ahora para entrar la tatame a practica que yo tenia antes. No se fue completamente, pero está contenido.

But stepping on the mat at a tournament is entirely different. It's scary as fuck. Because that guy wants to kick your ass. He wants to win. And chances are very good he's better than you. So how do I manage that? All of my senses heighten, my stomach churns, time slows down, I want to throw up and pee on myself.

Pero entrar la tatame en el torneo es enteramente diferente. Es espantoso de mierda. Porque tu oponente quiere darte una paliza. El quiere ganar. Y probablamente el es mejor que ti. Entonces, como puedo controlar mis emociones? Todos mis sentidos aumentan, mi estomago se revuelve, tiempo retrasa, y yo quiero vomitar y orinarme.

But as soon as the fight hits the floor, it becomes practice. I've been here before. Leo tried that same move on me last week... John let me pass, but baited me into a... Elias jumped right over that... and you think of all the things that you've experienced, and how you told yourself you'd never let that happen again. And you don't let it happen. MOST of the time. As Steve told me, in any tournament, only half of the guys who enter will go on to the next round. Sometimes that means you. Sometimes it doesn't.

Pero tan pronto como una lucha llegue al piso, me parece práctica. He estado aqui antes. Leo trató el mismo movimiento la semana pasada... Juan me dejó pasar, pero yo tragué el anzuelo y... Elias saltó sobre... y piensas sobre todas las cosas que has hecho, y como te dijiste que nunca lo iba a suceder otra vez. Y no lo permites a suceder. A MAYORIA del tiempo. Como Steve me dijó, en cualquier torneo, solamente medio de los competidores van a avanzar al próximo partido. As veces incluye tú. As veces no.

I look at tournaments as worst-case scenarios - EVERYONE is amped up, EVERYONE wants to do well. So it's like practice, except WAY more intense. So in the middle of all that, how do I control that anxiety, that fear? For me, the answer is generally that I don't. :) However, my solution has simply been to do MORE tournaments. So I know how my body is going to react when the adrenaline is flowing 1000% more, and I can't let that guy get my collar/sleeve/leg and see where it goes - I have to do everything I've ever learned to not let him get into an advantageous position. It's the practical application of everything we do in training.

Considero los torneos como los peores escenarios. TODO EL MUNDO está animado. TODO EL MUNDO quiere ganar. Es como práctica, excepto MUCHO más intenso. Y adentro de esto, como controlo mi ansiedad, mi miedo? Para mi, generalmente no puedo. :) Pero, mi solución es para hacer MAS torneos. Para que yo entienda como mi cuerpo va a reaccionar cuando hay 1000% más adrenalina, y no puedo dejar este muchacho agarrar mi cuello/manga/pierna y esperar - tengo que hacer todo que he aprendido para prevenir que el obtenga una posición de ventaja. Es la aplicación practical de todo hacemos en entrenamiento.

Is it a "real" fight? No, of course not. That's the best part. I'm not going to die. But I can put myself in a very high-stress situation and see how I perform. The first time I did that (2009 Pans) I won a fight through sheer adrenaline and lost my second fight through sheer exhaustion. I spent everything in the first fight because I didn't know how to control that fear.

Es una lucha "real"? No, por supuesto no. Es la mejor parte. No voy a morir. Pero yo puedo colocarme en una situación con mucho estres y ver como yo ejecuto. La primera vez lo hice (2009 Pans), yo gané una lucha por adrenalina y perdí mi segunda lucha por agotamiento. Yo gasté todo en la primera lucha porque no sabia como controlar el miedo.

I've learned SO much about that control over the past 2 years BECAUSE of doing tournaments. I don't know if it's a lot or a little, but like I said, I've entered 15 tournaments over the past 2 years - some huge, some medium, some tiny. But that fear never goes away. So you have to learn how to pace yourself, how to economize and control your strength and your aggression.

He aprendido TANTO como el control en los dos años después PORQUE he hecho torneos. No sé si es mucho o no, pero yo competí en 15 torneos en los últimos dos años - algunos grandes, algunos pequeños. El miedo nunca desaparece. Tienes que aprender como estabelecer el paso, como economizar y controlar tu fuerza y tu agresión.

That's MY take on it.

Es MI punto de vista.

Do you get to see new techniques? Absolutely. But that's not what I personally take away from tournaments. I take the EXPERIENCE, and I try to break that down into definable self-control issues that I can continue to improve. Of COURSE I can look back and say "well, if I'd have done THIS when he got to side control..." And I do. But the larger lessons are conceptual for me.

Puedes ver nuevas técnicas? Absolutamente. Pero no es lo que yo llevo personalmente de torneos. Yo llevo la EXPERIENCIA, y trato a dividirla entre resultados de auto-disciplina que yo puedo mejorar. POR SUPUESTO yo puedo revisar y decir "si yo hubiera hecho ESTO cuando el avanzó a cien kilos..." Y yo hago. Pero las lecciónes mas grandes son conceptuales para mi.

And on the technical side, I don't WANT to be a purple belt. I KNOW what purple belts can do, and are supposed to be able to do, and I cannot do them. Seriously - has everyone seen this video?

Y en el lado técnico, no QUIERO ser un cinturón morado. Yo SÉ las cosas que deben poder hacer cinturones morados, y yo no puedo hacerlas. En serio - todo el mundo ha visto este video?

That is a PURPLE belt. Now, I know he didn't invent this move. But still. Are you kidding me?! Mark Massey is another guy I like watching in youtube clips, and he started posting them as a purple.

Es un cinturón MORADO. Por supuesto, yo sé el no inventó este movimiento. Pero, todavia. Me jodes?! Mark Massey en un otro profesor que me gusta mirar en youtube videos, y el comenzó a ponerlos en la red cuando estaba cinturón morado.

But that is stuff that just comes, I think. Techniques are there. I know what works for me, and how I like to play. MY game is slow, controlling, with LOTS of setup time. I also tend to use leg extension to create space (i.e. spider guard, puppet master, etc), and I'm going more and more to working underneath (X-guard, deep half). But that's ME.

Pero estas cosas vienen, creo. Hay técnicas, yo sé que funciona para mi, y como yo lucho. MI juego es despacio, con control, con MUCHO tiempo para estabelecer la posición. También yo uso extensión de piernas para crear espacio (guardia de araña, guardia de maniquí, etc), y estoy haciendo más debajo (X-guard, deep half). Pero es YO.

As far as my progression, like I said, I'll be the first to tell you I don't think I'm at the purple belt level. But I think I can generally STOP purple belts from doing purple belt shit to me in a given situation. Not all the time, not every move, but generally. Does that make me a purple belt? I don't know. It's still pretty surreal.

Por mi progresión, voy a ser la primera para decir no estoy en la nivel de cinturón morado. Pero creo que - generalmente - yo puedo OBSTRUIR cinturones morados de hacer mierda de cinturones morados en cualquier situación. No todas las veces, no todos los movimientos, pero generalmente. Me hace un cinturón morado? No sé. Todavia es bien surreal.

Getting back to the question, since I've managed to completely avoid it up to this point... Has doing tournaments helped my progression? I'd have to say yes, unequivocally. My ability to see things happening and control them or execute them has increased with every tournament I've done.

Para volver a la pregunta, porque estaba evitandola... Me ha ayudado torneos con mi progresión? Inequívocamente, si. Mi habilidad para ver cosas pasando y controlarlas o ejecutarlas ha aumentado con cada torneo.

I said before it's all about the experience. Are tournaments necessary to progress in BJJ? Absolutely not. But are they PART of BJJ? Absolutely. And I'm trying to get everything I can out of this adventure before I'm unable to do it anymore. And that means getting past my fear and competing, regardless of the outcome.

Yo hice que es sobre la experiencia. Son torneos son necesarios para progresar en BJJ? Absolutamente no. Pero son PARTE de BJJ? Absolutamente si. Y yo estoy tratando a hacer todo que yo puedo en esta aventura antes de que yo no pueda. Y este significa conquistar mi miedo y competir, a pesar de los resultados.

2 Years And Counting

2010-10-03T18:39:00.000-04:30

Well, that was fast. :) You know, the brain is a funny thing. I just couldn't stay away.

First, when I published my last post (about taking some time off), the sense of relief was immediate, I'm not going to lie. I know for a fact all the pressure to write was self-imposed, and I think I just needed to confirm to myself that I didn't have to do it. Thank you to all of you for your awesome comments, here, by email, and on facebook.

Never mind the fact that it's been less than a week. :) Anyway, as soon as I did that, my brain started functioning normally again. I realized that it's been almost exactly two years since I started training jits. Not to mention I just got my purple belt, which is still fantastically surreal.

And I guess the anniversary got me thinking about what I've learned and accomplished over the past two years.

Most bloggers have done anniversary posts. Steve has a couple great ones (year 1 is still my favorite), and Dolph did one in 2009 that really got me thinking about the technical aspects. And I did one at the one year point, right after receiving my blue. I've since made a separate page above that compiles a bunch of what I think are really good Reflections: "recap" or "anniversary" posts.

So because I am always one to succumb to peer pressure and follow a crowd, I figured I'd do my two-year anniversary post. Ah, but what to write about? Have I actually learned anything over the past two years?

I earned my blue belt right about this time last year, and that same week competed in the US Open. That was an eye-opener. Since then I've competed in 8 more tournaments (including 3 no gi tournaments) this past year, and because of better luck than good management, brought home 11 medals. As much as my defining moment was winning gold in Brazil, I'd have to say the event that really turned me around was at this year's Pans, where I got crushed in the first round of weight brackets, but came back to take 3rd in the absolute. I learned SO much about myself that day, and about how much having someone there to support you means.

Technically, my game has advanced fairly significantly. I went from being a white belt/baby blue with an okay spider guard and not much more to having what I consider to be a decent guard in general. It's certainly not impenetrable, but I'm comfortable there, which I think is key. I can play open or closed, with one leg or two. My top game is still lacking, but I'll get to that.

But what have I REALLY learned this year?

- Friends and family are everything. I could not have done anything without the support of my wife, my son, and my friends, which includes all of you blogosphere maniacs. There is no quantifiable way to explain how much it means to have someone shouting for you on the side of the mat, or to get an email or post on a blog that says how much they appreciate one thing you said.

- There is a universal language of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This is the most accepting, welcoming community I have ever been a part of. No matter where I went, which country I was in, whether or not I spoke the language well, poorly, or not at all, I was welcomed in virtually every gym with open arms and treated like a member of the family. I have no horror stories of being shunned because of my BJJ heritage. No one asked me who gave me my belts. No one kept any mystical secrets from me. They just trained.

- It's all about the experience. Name your cliché: it's not the destination, it's the journey... whatever. I don't want to win all the tournaments I enter. I don't want to become a black belt. I don't want this to be easy. What I WANT is to enjoy myself every day I do this sport. I want to enjoy the challenge, the success, the failure, the relationships, and the idea that I learn every time I step onto the mat. I never want to be so concerned with "winning" that I forget to have fun.

People overthink the experience so much - "I don't know if I'm going to enter this tournament, because...[I'm not ready, I don't think I'll win, I'm overweight, name your excuse]." I have been extremely fortunate to compete in a bunch of crazy tournaments in places I never thought I'd compete, against people I had no right to be on the mat with. Thank GOD I wasn't concerned about WINNING.

When else will I have a chance to fight a brown belt in a no gi match in Chile? When else will I have the opportunity to represent my gym - my FAMILY - at an 8-man tournament in Peru? When else will I be able to support awesome local tournaments in Santa Cruz and Lake Tahoe? Quit hemming and hawing and making excuses, and just go do it. It's not about the tournament, it's about experiencing as much as you can in this world of jiu jitsu.

Go train at another school, or roll in a friend's garage or studio.

Add an extra day when you go to Disneyland or Disney World this year, and find a gym in LA or Florida to roll at.

Go find a no gi tournament to enter, don't wear a rash guard, and see if YOU look like a sasquatch attacking a stray camper.

On your lifelong dream of going to Macchu Picchu, take an afternoon and train with Sniper in Lima, and tell them you know me and see what that gets you, aside from a beatdown. :)

Just do SOMEthing to make yourself, and the rest of us, better. Because we all get better when someone new trains with us.

Sorry about the rant. That just came out before I could stop it.

Anyway, my plan for the next year is fairly simple.

- Keep going. I'm going to move from California to DC, and I'm going to find places to train when, and where, I can. I am open to ALL recommendations and invitations - already had one guy invite me up to Maryland, which I plan on doing.

- Work on my retarded side. We all have it. My old coach, Daniel Thomas, espouses drilling your techniques just on one side, and having your other side catch up later, because we never get enough drills in anyway, so you might as well be good on one side and crap on the other than be mediocre on both sides. I absolutely agree, but I understand why people think the other way. Whatever the case, you still have a retarded side, I guarantee it. If you want to beat me, just pass to my left. :) My plan this year is to work on that.

- Work on my top game. I have spent 2 years now developing a guard game. It's not incredible, it's no Pe De Pano. But for what it is, I'm proud of it. On the other hand, my top game has suffered as a result. So it's time to fix that. I'm going to start playing the top game and see what happens.

- Try to use the Technique Of The Day. That one lesson from Beto Carmona in Brazil will stay with me the rest of my time in this sport. We are taught techniques for a reason, and you get nothing out of it if you don't ever try to use it during sparring. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't, but you have to at least attempt it.

And that's that. On to year 3.

Also, apologies now. I was going to translate this post into Spanish, but I've got a million other things going on today, that takes WAY longer than writing in English, and I want to publish this. I'll get back to translating into crappy Spanish with my next post. :)

Is It Time?

2010-09-29T23:24:00.000-04:30

I have a serious love/hate relationship going on with my blog. I love doing it, I do.

There's the part about putting a lot of effort into something, and seeing the finished result. I think we all like that.

Originally I thought the blog would be a good idea to help me remember techniques, and it was good for that – still is. I'm sort of a variable learner - mostly tactile, but it helps when I write stuff down after seeing it or doing it.

And the most important thing that has come from this adventure is the people I have met and grown to know through this blog. Many, many people I genuinely consider friends, despite the fact that I haven't even met them in person. I'm not going to list names, because I'll inevitably forget someone. :)

I like putting up pictures and videos from competitions and practices, and having other people give me commentary. Because I suck at this game, and so many of you are SO good, and I value the advice and commentary SO much. My game has advanced so much because of your advice.

But I have to be honest, right now there are other times when this blog just feels like work. I put so much pressure on myself to come back to the computer and write something for the day. It's gotten to the point where it's almost ominous. I get back to my room and I see my computer staring at me like in a Stephen King movie. It's consuming me. And I don’t like that feeling, not for the least reason because I am a procrastinator by nature. Steve wrote me an email a while back that explained that when your passion starts feeling like work, it’s time to take a break. I wonder if now isn’t that time.

I LOVE doing jiu jitsu – for a while I was really having a tough time with it. But I’m having a great time now, and I want to enjoy that for what it is, and not have this additional self-inflicted pressure where I HAVE to post on everything, and put up pictures and videos. I'll still plug pics and stuff onto youtube and facebook.

I'll be back. I'm finishing up my time here in Peru, I'm hopefully going to compete in the Peru BJJ National Championships next month. And when I get back to the states, I'm moving to Washington DC. I don't know where I'm going to train - it'll depend in large part on where we live. But that may be the right time to come back. For now I need to focus on some things away from the blog. I hope you don't write me off because of it.

And I'll still be around - my email is devbjj@gmail.com if anyone wants to write. I'm on youtube (where I put all my vids) under "pfdr17," and my facebook name is "Juan Blanco." Don't ask. :)

And not to worry. Nothing has changed. I'm still scared shitless when I step on the mat, I'll still happily give out a checklist on the ways to beat me to anyone interested, and I'm still not even remotely afraid to pee on myself if it will help me get out of an asskicking. :)

Thanks again to everyone for their support, and thank you for understanding why I need to do this.

Peru Top Fighters 2010

2010-09-27T17:55:00.000-04:30

Sunday the Sniper family competed in Peru Top Fighters 2010, which was a no-gi tournament held in Lima, Peru. I'll do a review for The Fightworks Podcast, so I won't belabor the details of the tournament itself, aside from some background.

El domingo La Familia Sniper competió en Peru Top Fighters 2010, que era un torneo no-gi en Lima, Peru. Voy a escibir un artículo para The Fightworks Podcast, entonces no hablaré sobre los detalles del torneo aqui, excepto alguna información basica.

4 local schools fielded 2 fighters each. Blue or purple belts, between 82 and 87 kg. IBJJF no-gi blue belt rules.

4 escuelas locales enviaron 2 luchadores cada. Cinturónes azules o morados, entre 82 y 87 kg. Reglas de IBJJF "no-gi."

For some reason unbeknownst to me, Christian and Leo decided that I was going to be one of those 2 fighters for Sniper. In case I haven't mentioned it, no-gi is NOT my area of expertise. In reality, it scares the shit out of me. There's nothing to grab onto!

Por una razón que no entiendo, Christian y Leo decidieron que YO era un de los luchadores para representar Sniper. Yo no sé NADA sobre no-gi. En verdad, tengo mucho miedo desto. No hay nada para agarrar!

On the other hand, I feel sort of like the BJJ version of "the guy that will try anything." You know him, the guy that people try to find stupid crap to eat, or whatever. Well, if I know about a jiu jitsu competition that I can enter, I'll pretty much do it, even if I don't know what I'm getting myself into. :)

Al otro lado, me siento como la versión de BJJ del muchacho que le gusta probar todo. Sabes, tentas descubrir comida estupida para que el coma, o cualquier. Entonces, si yo escucho sobre una competición de jiu jitsu en que yo puedo entrar, voy a hacerlo, aunque no entiendo lo que es!

Which is what happened. As it turned out, the tournament was more than just BJJ. There were demos of tae kwon do, capoeira, and judo as well.

Y es lo que pasó. El torneo era más de solo BJJ. Había demonstraciónes de tae kwon do, capoeira, y judo también.

With an 8-man bracket, my buddy Erickson (also promoted to purple belt Saturday!) and I were in opposite halves. He was up in the third fight, and destroyed his opponent with an ankle lock in about 2 minutes. He's got some sick leg attacks.

Con una llave de 8 hombres, mi amigo Erickson (recibió su cinturón morado el sabado también!) y yo estuvimos en lados opuestos. El luchó tercera, y destruió su oponente con una palanca de tobillo en casi 2 minutos. El tiene buenissimos ataques de pierna.

I was up next. Conveniently, I had watched a little bit of Marcelo's 3rd series (no gi) on takedowns, and what I got from him was to not worry about the clinch, worry about controlling the arms. I used that in the fight, and it gave me a HUGE amount of confidence realizing that I knew at least ONE thing about fighting no gi. :)

Yo estuve próximo. Convenientemente, he mirado un poco del video de Marcelo 3ra series (no gi) sobre takedowns, y entendi para no preocuparme sobre el agarro, y preocuparme con controlar los brazos. Yo lo use en la lucha, y me deo un monton de confianza para saber que yo sabia al menos que UNA cosa sobre luchar no gi. :)

My fight went great, quite honestly, although I was having a hell of a time holding my opponent in one spot until I snuck into mount. From there I worked around into an s-mount arm bar, which turned over, and I got the tap. Which is also crazy, because I don't know how to DO arm bars! :)

Mi lucha siguió bueno, aunque tuve un tiempo duro para controlar mi oponente hasta que yo assumí posición montada. Desde allá yo trabajé en s-mount, y seguré una palanca de brazo. Que es LOCO, porque no sé como hacer palancas de brazo!

Erickson's second fight was a little tougher, but he still disposed of his opponent with a triangle in about 4 minutes. AWESOME.

La segunda lucha de Erickson fue un poco más duro, pero el todavía dispuso de su oponente con un triangulo en casi 4 minutos. CHEVERE.

My second fight was tough as hell. I pulled guard after he missed a takedown attempt, and found out that he was strong as holy crap, and had a great base. I tried a bunch of times to work under for deep half or x-guard, and he was controlling my head really well. He also NEARLY passed my guard, but I turtled out just in time, apparently, and he got an advantage. I ended up sweeping him and spent the remainder of the match trying to get out of his guard. Super talented guy, and I barely squeaked by. Not my best showing.

Mi segunda lucha fue bien duro. Yo jalé guardia después de una tentativa de takedown, y descubrí que el era fuerte como mierda, y tenía un base bueno. Yo tenté muchas veces para mudar a deep half guard o x-guard, pero el controló mi cabeza bien. El también casi pasó mi guardia, pero yo hice tortuga antes de el ganó puntos, aparentemente, y el ganó una ventaja. Yo le raspé, y pasé la duración de la lucha tentando a escapar su guardia. Un muchacho muy talentoso, y yo ganó aspenas.

With Erickson and I in the finals, I immediately conceded the gold to him, because the whole point was for Sniper to win. Which meant that I pocketed $50 and he took home $100!!! Hell to the yeah!

Con Erickson y yo en el final, yo inmediatamente concedí el oro para el, porque la idea fue que La Familia Sniper gane. Que significó que yo ganó $50 y el ganó $100!!!!!

Congratulations to the champ!

Felicitaciónes al campeón!!!

Faixa...

2010-09-25T18:48:00.001-04:30

Sniper Fight Sports held their annual promotion ceremony today. Black belts Leandro Torres and Christian Grimaldo promoted more than 20 people, including 3 brown belts!

Sniper Fight Sports tuvo su ceremonia anual de promociones hoy dia. Cinturones negros Leandro Torres y Christian Grimaldo daron promociones para mas de 20 muchachos, incluindo 3 cinturones marrones!

We started with a warmup...

Comenzamos con calientamiento...

and then a short jungle fight!

y despues un pequeño lucha de selva!

Fudido

Roxa

The Detritus Of Belt Promotions

El Detrito De Promociones

Two Complete Idiots

Dos Idiotas Completas

A Gaggle Of Idiots

Una Manada De Idiotas

You Can't Take That Guy ANYwhere

No Puedes Traer Ese Niño En Ninguna Parte

The Gauntlet: Blues ran once. Purples down and back. Browns down and back twice. Ugh.

Correr Baquetas: Azules corrieron una vez. Morados ida y vuelta. Marrones ida y vuelta dos veces. Ugh.

What an awesome day. Congratulations to all the promotees!

Que chevere! Felicitaciones a todos los que reciben promociones!

Brutal [Traducido en Español abajo]

2010-09-25T09:57:00.000-04:30

I apologize - this week has been kind of all over the place for me, and as a result, I've been slacking on the blog.

But one thing I am going to do is start translating the blogs (español abajo). Reason being, I'm supposed to be here learning Spanish, and a bunch of guys from Argentina, Chile, and Peru are reading these. I apologize up front, because this is ME translating, and I know it won't be perfect. But, as they say, you get what you pay for. :)

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This week was the week of the Jungle Fight, and I got beat up pretty good on Monday and Wednesday.

Monday was notable, if only for the fact that I got choked so hard near the end of practice that my throat hurt for 3 days. Wonderful.

But Wednesday was the killer.

First hour was pretty standard stuff, and I rolled nice and light with some lower belts. It was a good warmup.

Then we did the jungle fights for second hour.

Holy shit. It was great – I felt good, I had plenty of gas, but it was TOUGH. Because me and Erickson are fighting on Sunday, Christian said that we could stay in up to 6 times (instead of the usual 3), and that little difference made it just a little tougher. I held my own pretty good with the gi on – had some good sweeps and passes, even against some higher belts.

Here's a pretty normal thing for me to do:

More standard stuff:

And even more appropriately, this is what usually happens right after that:

Erickson did way better than I did, not surprisingly.

Early on, though, during one of the spars, I caught a shin to the back of the head, which knocked me completely senseless. I understand why that’s illegal in the UFC. I was DOWN, my arms were shaking... I wasn’t unconscious, but I definitely couldn’t see straight for about 5 minutes.

Recovered from that, and after a couple more spars I was exiting the mat after someone scored on me, and the guys next to me were scrambling all over the place. I took a shin to my shin, which is about the most painful thing I’ve experienced in a while. I do jits specifically because I don’t want to deal with pain like that. Again - DOWN. I could feel the bruise forming instantly.

Recovered (sort of), and the third hour (which I stayed for) was no gi (which I NEED to practice). First thing that happened was I think I rebroke that one toe on my right foot that’s been bugging me since Chile. Just caught it funny on the mat. Oh well.

And by this time my right forearm was KILLING me – I could barely grip anything, but I figured I don’t need grips quite as much with no gi, so I kept on. About 45 minutes in, though, it was completely done, and I basically hung out in the line until one final spar, and then we ended.

Just a brutal practice, and I felt like I was in a car wreck. I walked out of the gym like a zombie (couldn't extend my left foot because of the shin kick, my right foot hurt because of the toe, and my right arm was just dangling). Ugh.

Friday was much better. Christian had told us not to practice, but there was no way I could make it to practice on Thursday with the way my body was feeling, so I went in, just for an hour, and rolled really light. Christian told me I was only allowed to do Jiu Jitsu Chess, and I made that work.

There were only 7 other guys - Italo, a really technical purple, and a few white belts. So I went really slow for all my spars, and didn't let myself get any grips, because I won't have those in the no-gi tournament on Sunday. I focused on working different attacks and sweeps in every roll, and I got a couple things working, including a shoulder-lock arm bar from a modified rubber guard entry,

the "side guard" that Sensei Victor showed us in Chile, and a couple deep half/X-guard sweep setups, as well as the leg-lock guard from the Kenny Florian seminar.

I only did an hour, and didn't even get hurt, which was sort of a novelty this week.

Saturday is the promotion ceremony for Sniper, so I'll be there to take pictures and stuff.

And Sunday is the no-gi tournament: "Peru Top Fighters 2010." For the BJJ part, it's 16 guys, only blue or purple belts, 82-87 kg. IBJJF no-gi blue belt rules, which means no crazy footlocks! Hell to the yeah!

I'll post more about both those things later this weekend.

-----EN ESPAÑOL------

Lo siento - esta semana ha sido muy confundido para mi, y por eso, falta el blog. Pero voy a comenzar a traducir mis blogs. Porque estoy aquí para aprender y practicar español, y mis amigos de Argentina, Chile, y Peru leen esto. Sin embargo, antes de comenzar voy a disculparme desto - esto soy YO traducindo, y yo sé no es perfecto. Pero, como ellos dicen, recibes lo que pagas. :)

----------

Esta semana fue la semana de La Selva, y yo recebí muchas palizas el lunes y miércoles.

Monday fue notable, si solamente por el facto que yo estuve estrangulado tan duro al fin de practica que mi cuello todavía me duele. Chevere.

Pero Miércoles fue terrible.

La primera hora fue normal, y yo rodó (es la palabra correcta?) lentamente con algunos cinturónes bajos. Un buen calentón.

Entonces hicemos las luchas de la selva por la segunda hora. Puta madre - fue excelente. Me sentí bien, y tuve mucho aguante, pero fue bien DURO. Porque Erickson y yo estamos luchando el domingo, Christian nos dijó para quedarnos en la tatame 6 vezes (en lugar de 3, que es usuál), y esta pequeña diferencia lo hace más difícil. Yo pienso que hice bien con el kimono - tuve algunas raspadas y pasas, aunque contra cinturónes altos.

Durante unas de las luchas, yo recebí una espinilla atrás de mi cabeza, que me dejó casi inconsciente. Entiendo porque eso es ilegal en el UFC. No estuve inconsciente, pero no podría ver corectamente por 5 minutos.

Después de recobrar, yo estaba saliendo la tatame, y los muchachos al lado estuvieron luchando como maniacas. Yo recebí una espinilla a mi espinilla, que es la cosa casi más dolorosa yo he hacido en alguno tiempo. Yo hago BJJ especificamente porque yo odio el dolor como eso. :) Yo podría sentir el magullón inmediatamente.

Recubré (casi), y la tercera hora (en que yo me quedé) fue sin kimono (que yo NECESITO practicar). Primeramente, yo quebré (por la segunda vez) el dedo de pie que ha estado me molestando desde Chile. Lo torcí en la tatame.

Y en ese momento, mi antebrazo derecho me lastimaba mucho - no podría agarrar nada, pero yo pensé que no necesito agarras tanto en submisión, entonces... Después de 45 minutos, ya estuvo muerte, y yo me escondí en la fila antes de una lucha final, y terminamos.

Fue una practica brutal, y me sentí como tuve un choque. Salí el ginasio caminando como un zombie - no podría extender mi pie izquierda por causa de la espinilla, mi pie derecha me lastimó por causa del dedo de pie quebrado, y mi brazo derecha colgó. Mierda.

Viernes fue mucho mejor. Christian nos dijó para no practicar, pero no practique el jueves con mi cuerpo fudido (para Kike). Entonces, yo fui, solamente por una hora, y practique muy lento. Christian me dijó para hacer solamente Ajedrez de Jiu Jitsu.

Había solamente 7 otros muchachos - Italo, un cinturón morado muy técnico, y algunos blancos. Yo fui muy lentamente por todas mis luchas, y no usé agarras, porque el domingo no voy a tener agarras sin kimono.

Trabajé con ataques y raspadas diferentes en todas las luchas, y funcionaron algunas técnicas, como un llave-de-ombro palanca de brazo por una entrada de rubber guard, la "guardia al lado" que nos mostró Sensei Victor en Chile, entradas por deep half guard/X-guard, y la "guardia de palanca de pierna" por Kenny Florian.

Hice solamente una hora, y no me lastimé!

El sábado es la ceremonia de promoción de Sniper, y yo voy para tirar fotos y apoiar los muchachos.

Y el domingo es la competición de submision: "Peru Top Fighters 2010." Por el parte BJJ, hay 16 muchachos, solo cinturónes azules o morados, 82-87 kg. Reglas de IBJJF "no gi" para cinturón azul, que significa no palancas de pie locas! Chevere!

Voy a escribir sobre estas cosas mas tarde este fin de semana.

Kenny Florian Seminar - Lima, Peru

2010-09-23T13:42:00.000-04:30

Caleb at The Fightworks Podcast published my review of last weekend´s Kenny Florian seminar, so I won´t rewrite it here. But here are some additional pictures!

Gi Review: Reinforcement Pro Series Gold Weave

2010-09-19T13:12:00.000-04:30

About The Company

Jitsushop, run by Brett Gill, is a company out of New Zealand that sells martial arts equipment. He has mainly targeted the Australasian market, but is looking to expand into the US and Latin American regions. The Reinforcement line of gis is brand new, something that Brett developed after seeing a gap in the existing gi market.

Website

The website, jitsushop.com, is easy to navigate, and there’s gigantic ads on the front page indicating FREE SHIPPING (if you spend US$400, which ends up being 3 gis or more).

Customer Service

Brett is a fantastically friendly guy, and has always been quick to respond to email queries. He is determined to get some exposure for this gi, and the second it became available, shipped it out to me. All told, once he told me it was available, I had it in my grubby little hands in less than a week.

First Impressions

The second I touched the Pro Series Gold Weave, I knew it was something different. The gold weave material isn’t the same as other gis.

This is a lot softer and pliable. It felt almost stretchy. At first I wasn’t sure if that was going to be a good thing, but it felt great to wear. My other concern was that such a soft material was going to retain water, although it didn't turn out to be a huge problem.

And then there's the trousers.

They have the "stretchy crotch," nylon that allows for all kinds of crazy flexibility.

I'll be honest - I ordered a Shoyoroll a while back because they started out by doing this. I'm still not sure what I think, but it's a nifty trick. And I truthfully have no idea if it's within IBJJF guidelines, although after scouring the rules I can't find anything prohibiting it (it's the same color, after all).

As far as bling, it's tastefully patched (as opposed to embroidered) on the front and shoulders.

I do like the butt patch - nothing wrong with a little sense of humor in gi-making.

Sizing

I am 5’9”, 180 lbs, normally an A2 (husky fit). I asked Brett to send me an A3, since typically A2s fit great right out of the package, then shrink a bit. The A3 was predictably big on me (both jacket and trousers), but I was able to size it down appropriately with a cold wash and some hot dryer time.

Before washing:

Interestingly, it did not shrink nearly as quickly as I thought it was going to, another point in favor. Ordinarily I have to check the gi every 10-15 minutes in the dryer, but that got pointless quick. Even after a full dryer cycle, the top had shrunk just enough, to what I'd call A2.5.

Jacket

Like I said, the jacket is made of a very soft, pliable "gold" weave that feels great on first wear, and does not toughen up after washing, which was a huge relief. After having a couple Korals that turned into cardboard when you air dry them, I was happy to try this one out.

The patches, as mentioned, are tasteful - there's one on each shoulder, and your requisite lapel patch (rectangular, which I like there).

On the back in between the shoulder blades, there's a small rectangular patch as well).

The jacket is reinforced (no pun intended) in all the right places: lapel seams and armpits. Despite the name, there doesn't seem to be an excess of material - it's shored up where it needs to be.

Sleeves as well.

One thing is that the sleeves are definitely wider than your standard tapered-sleeve Koral or Keiko Raça, or even a standard-sleeved Black Eagle. The Reinforcement has more of a judo feel to the sleeves. They're not gigantic by any means, and definitely help when working some ezekiel action.

And the skirt is longer than most gis I've tried (which is curious, as the website says "short skirt"). Part of that may have been due to the slightly larger size, but I don't think so. It'll be a little tougher to get out of the belt, but it gives you some extra material for some game with your own lapels.

Trousers

The trousers - crotch aside - are pretty standard, with minimalist patching (one small one on the front, and the butt patch) and a gi material drawstring, as opposed to the new corded ones. There are four belt loops, which I think is great.

"Hey dude, nice crotch!"

I don't think most people run around checking out other jitsuka crotches, but as soon as you hit the mat, you're going to get some comments. It doesn't look out of place or anything, but there just aren't a whole lot of gis out there with spandex covering the cup.

Field Testing

Gi material: As predicted, the gi top was a pleasure to roll in, being as soft as it is. It was a little big, and the skirt is a bit long, so it took a little getting used to after rolling in Black Eagle and Koral stuff. The top didn't become overly saturated with moisture, although - as with any gi - it was noticeable afterward.

The soft material did tend to stretch a little bit (not terribly) when it got wet. I have yet to decide what I really think of that - it didn't affect the gi's performance, really; and it's not permanent, as far as I can tell - it shrunk right back up after a wash.

Stretchy crotch: I like it. I tend to use a fair amount of hip flexibility in my game, and while I've never had a pair of gi trousers that made me WISH for a stretchy crotch, there was a noticeable difference - a lack of restricted movement - in my ability to work in open guard. I don't think it's a vital attribute for a pair of trousers, but I do like it.

Trouser cord: This waistband is no different than any other gi (it's gi material, not the new cords), but I'll be damned if I couldn't loosen it right after practice. I'm not a huge fan of the corded waistbands, but this one just got all KINDS of stuck. Again, it's happened with other gis as well, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it.

Cleanliness: This is a white gi (at least the one I got). It looks great out of the box, but it's going to get dirty. And this gi in particular seemed to attract dirt - I need to give it a couple more washings before I can say for certain that it keeps smudges or doesn't, but these are the risks you take with a white gi.

Price

The website lists this gi at US$160.65, which is comparable to any higher-level gi out there (a quick check of jiujitsuprogear shows Korals around $175, and Keiko Raças at around $140).

The killer is the shipping - from New Zealand to California, it'd be US$30 or so. It's not terrible - cheapest JJPG shipping is $14, and that's IN California. But it does add $15 or so to your order. However, if you're going to get one of these gis, I think it's worth your money and effort to go in on 3 of them for free shipping.

Bottom Line

The Reinforcement Pro Series Gold Weave is a pretty impressive first effort from a new gi company, and I definitely think it holds its own against other gis in the same price range, such as Koral or Keiko Raça. Quite honestly, I'd definitely rather wear a Reinforcement than either one of those big names - it's WAY more comfortable.

Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by Jitsushop. This review is as objective as I can make it.

Jungle Fight

2010-09-18T14:06:00.000-04:30

"Jungle fight" is the term Christian used for the sparring we've been doing the past few practices. 3 pairs start standing, and whoever scores the first point (takedown, sweep, submission) stays on the mat. You can stay for up to 3 wins, then you let someone else go. Everyone else lines up on the wall, and the second one match finishes, you run out and attack.

It's a fast-paced practice, but it's not a free-for-all. And the only break you get it when you're waiting on the wall. But it's generally not very long.

But last night I didn't listen to the rules. Before practice, Christian said that we were going for one hour, nonstop, to help guys prepare for a tough tournament coming up. Get your water beforehand. If you leave the mat, you can't come back on until after the hour is up.

I didn't understand when he said that (my Spanish is better, but still not ideal), and so about halfway through I ran off to grab a quick drink of water. And he told me I had to sit out until the end of the hour. I thought he was joking, but once he explained it again, I had no problem sitting out and watching.

In my own defense, Christian speaks REALLY fast Spanish, but that's not an excuse. There are rules, and they need to be in place for a reason. And honestly, sitting and watching gave me a perspective I wouldn't have otherwise had. I got to watch Leo and Christian, the two black belts, go at it for point supremacy. The ease with which they both spun through positions that give me hell (deep half guard, for example) was awesome to watch, and the flow from one spot to another was so fluid.

And I got to rest my arm, which has been really bugging me since we did those stupid hand-thingys on Monday. :)

On another note, Christian signed me up for a no-gi tournament on the 26th. Here we go again. :)

Cabezón And Johnny Bravo

2010-09-15T23:40:00.000-04:30

Tonight was a good night. Someone - I think it was Christian - started calling me Johnny Bravo before class even started. By the time sparring started, everyone was using it. I never presumed I would get a nickname, much less that. Oh well.

So there's another guy, Jose, who's slightly less fortunate. His nickname is "Cabezón," which means "big head." So when Leo was pairing us up for sparring tonight, he said "Cabezón, you go with Johnny Bravo." Everyone got a pretty good laugh out of that, including me.

Tonight was almost identical to Monday's class - we had an hour of regular lessons. Leo taught a collar choke from guard that I'd seen a while back at the Cobrinha seminar: get a cross grip on your opponent's sleeve, and break his grip using a figure-four on your own arm.

Take the cross-grip arm and swing it behind your head, and get a full overhook on the arm with your free arm. Reaching underneath, grab your opponent's collar. Now you have an overhook into a sort of cross-collar setup, and you can grab the other collar or just the shoulder, and finish the choke. Sexy.

Here's the overhook control. You can figure out the choke pretty easily.

Had 30 minutes or so of sparring, including my time with Cabezón, and felt pretty good for most of it. Had a fun roll with Pablo, a purple belt who I outweigh by about 20 lbs. He swept me, I swept him - it was totally back and forth. He's got a fight coming up, and he asked me to roll with him when we're both there to help him train, which made me feel pretty good.

The second class was same as Monday - warmups (incuding those damn hand-thingys), then 45 minutes of "first-point-stays" from standing. Again a bunch of purples and both black belts on the mat. I did WAY better tonight - Christian gave me a collar grip and I actually stuck the Cobrinha X-guard pull to sweep, which felt fantastic. He punished me for it later, of course, but for just a split second things were clicking.

The last 10 minutes were full sparring from standing, and that's when Christian just kicked my ass. He's got a ridiculous De La Riva guard, and for the life of me I can't do a damn thing once he locks it in. I need to start working a top game against that. Anyway, he swept me, passed my guard, and locked in a Monson choke, of all things.

I told Leo I'd be back on Friday - he asked why not tomorrow. I told him "I'm old, and my body needs to recover." Honestly. I envy all you guys out there that can train a couple days in a row, because I just can't. I'm sorry. I'm not seriously making any "old guy" references, because there are plenty of people older than me who train WAY more than me (no names to protect the guilty).

At any rate, I feel like I've been in a car wreck, which is generally a sign of a good practice.

Looking forward to Friday's practice. Really, though, I felt WAY better than I did Monday - hopefully that means I'm getting accustomed to the punishment.

Well, THAT Was Embarrassing

2010-09-15T08:27:00.000-04:30

I am back in Peru, and it felt like Old Home Week at Sniper.

Naturally, as always seems to happen, I just didn't live up to my own hype. :)

A couple of the guys (Black belt Christian, and purple belts Herman and Italo) recently went to Brazil to train with the Mendes Brothers. Of all the things they brought back, one was this goddamn exercise where all you do is open and close your hands a bunch - arms out front, over your head, out to the side. Over and over. I have to tell you, my forearms are killing me right now. I am confident that after a couple weeks of doing it, I'll be able to rip a phone book in half, but right now I can barely hold my toothbrush.

The first practice went well. Leo showed a basic side control to knee-on-belly to armbar transition. We drilled that a bit, then right into sparring.

Had some fantastic rolls - went with my buddy Mario, and that was totally back-and-forth, then with Herman, who I hadn't rolled with before, but is completely awesome. I stuck the 93 shoulder roll sweep, although he got his licks in as well.

It really just felt like I was home. But I was already tired.

Then came the second practice. Christian led the warmups, and we did (I'm just estimating) about a ZILLION of those damn hand-things.

He then explained that they're preparing two guys for some fights coming up, and he was going to crush their cardio. So we did an awesome sort of "position" sparring. Only two pairs on the mat, starting from standing. First point stays. And that's it. The entire practice.

I LOVE position sparring - you know that. And this was even better, because it had the "feel" of a tournament match. It was great, I thought, because we don't tend to work much standup. That wasn't really the focus, though - Christian and Leo were walking around the whole time just pushing the pace "pass, sweep, work" and you really just went balls-out to get your point. By then you're smoked, and the next guy is running at you to tackle you and get you off the mat.

It didn't help matters for me that there were like 6 purple belts on the mat. That said, Christian said afterward that that was part of the point - you don't think about what belt that guy is, you just go after him.

It was frigging hard. I did okay for one or two gos, but I gassed completely. And when I gas, I do stupid crap, so tweaked my neck a little doing a rollover sweep. It was okay after a couple minutes, but today it's bugging me. Rrr.

Anyway, I was so tired before we even finished, I felt like a big pile of crap. I even apologized to Leo for my poor showing. I thought some time off in Costa Rica would do me some good, but it destroyed my cardio.

I should be back to "normal" in a week or so, but I don't want to feel like that ever again. :)

How I See 93 Guard

2010-09-11T17:58:00.000-04:30

I've been writing so much about this 93 stuff that I thought it might be useful to put in words and pictures my progression on the bottom. I don't know if it matters, quite honestly - if anyone wants the 3-step procedure to destroy my game, just email me.

93 Guard is a variation on the "Z Guard" as defined by Stephan Kesting. My personal take is that it's the same idea, with the upper knee a little higher - I like having my instep in the armpit. Additionally, in a gi, it almost necessitates having a grip on the inside of your opponent's knee with your bottom hand.

Robson Moura is the only person I'm aware of who's done an instructional focusing on this specific position. It's on his second series of DVDs (Fusion 2), the first disk. Here's a good review of what the DVD provides. I found, personally, that the first 6 or 7 sections, where he describes the position and tells you deliberately how to maintain it against all of its pitfalls, that was the most valuable part.

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In the meantime, this is where I'm at from bottom half guard. I'm going to try to get a knee up between you and me. Once I do that, I'm going to grab your knee on the inside and not let go. It's either going to piss you off and make you focus on it, or it's going to give me the handle I need to sweep you.

One issue I have is that I play 93 guard on my right hip. But my closed guard game (i.e. scissor sweeps, etc) tends to aim to my left, which essentially means that I have to pick one side and just go for it. If I could relearn 93 guard to go onto my left hip, I could utilize the same collar grip for damn near everything.

In general, I get destroyed by guys who are successful in getting their leg unhooked from my bottom leg. I am working on the counter to that (see third video), but it's slow.

So here we go. Right now, this instant, this is my 93 guard game in 3 short videos. It's defensive but active, and as long as I can keep my hips back from yours, I generally don't get crushed.

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93 Scissor Sweep

This first sweep is my #1, go-to, favorite, highest percentage sweep from bottom half guard in any variation. It's handy because a lot of people don't see it coming - it is counterintuitive in that I have to come all the way across your body to make it happen, but by the time you realize that my having your sleeve is bad, I'm usually up on a shoulder.

Most of the time, when it doesn't work, it's because I screwed up - I didn't come up high enough, or my leg was in the wrong spot, or I wasn't channeling my inner Robson Moura. Either way, you can base against this sweep enough to stop it from being instantly successful.

93 Shoulder Roll Sweep

Ever since discovering this alternative, it's rapidly becoming a quick transition from the same hand position as the first sweep. The coolest part about this one, from my novice perspective, is that you don't need to get it exactly right. If you get the arm around, you pretty much control the center of gravity, and that - as I've harped on repeatedly - is conceptually what I try and do from everywhere.

93 Knee Pull Sweep

This is my most recent addition, and I like it a lot, because I tend to use the "get the legs out and tackle" approach if I'm given any space on the bottom.

-------------

So there you have it. Like I said, my 93 game is by no means perfect, or even solid, yet, but it has so many options and outs that it works very well for me.

Funny

2010-09-10T16:51:00.000-04:30

I can't help but repost these. These are my two absolutely favorite articles about fighting sports ever written. I PROMISE you will laugh.

The Top 8 "Oh Shit" Moments in MMA

The Top 6 Least Sportsmanlike Moments in MMA

How Many Have YOU Done?

2010-09-09T10:59:00.000-04:30

Found a link to a link, and ended up at the Graciemag site (imagine that).

100 Things To Do Before Reaching Black Belt

This article is awesome. And it got me thinking how many I can check off already from my short two years doing this stuff. Suffice to say, I've got a ways to go. But of course, I've got lots of time.

That said, I've got #59 down: Get used to discomfort. :)

What about you?

I DID Learn Something! [with video]

2010-09-07T21:27:00.000-04:30

I have been thinking about whether or not I’m learning anything on this fantastic jiu jitsu adventure I’m on. I mean, I’ve spent 4 months already traveling Latin America, and I’ve had incredible opportunities to train with incredible people everywhere I’ve been.

But have I really learned anything? I don’t feel like my game has improved or changed much since I left California. Do I see anything I didn’t see before? Am I moving better? Faster? Slower? More efficiently? I can’t tell.

So Sunday when I was sparring with Gene, Vince happened to record the whole 5-minute episode. And watching it back, I saw some awesome stuff.

First, I saw how Gene’s game has improved. He’s an armbar monster, which you’ll see momentarily.

But in terms of my own development, I saw at least three specific moves that I’ve been introduced to over the past four months. I’ve talked about them all in previous posts, but in most cases it’s tough to find videos of something I don’t even know the “official” name for. Now I can show you guys!

Part 1: Opportunity
So here we’re starting off. Gene’s on me in a flash, but I get the hip out and wait for him. And I am looking to use a concept I’ve talked about quite a bit, that of controlling your opponent’s center of gravity. I KNOW I have it, and as soon as he gets the foot out of my half guard, he’s sitting on me. Which means I can swing him backward. In a match, he gets an advantage, I think, for “passing” without holding it for 3 seconds. And because it’s not from my half guard, I don’t get points. But I didn’t get passed, and now I’m on top. In side control, no less.

Another thing to watch is that slick little setup for a leg-only arm bar that Gene sets up. I didn’t realize what he was doing until it started getting tight, and I had to abandon what I was doing to move around so I didn’t have to tap. VERY nice.

Part 2: Arm Bar
I TOLD you he was an armbar monster. If you don’t believe me, watch this. He slides underneath, then rotates all the way over my arm to get the tap. It was like a spider monkey. Very slick.

Part 3: Spider/93 Sweep
I was in Lima, struggling to make my spider guard work, when Christian, one of the two black belts there, went through a series of sweeps based off of a half spider/half 93 guard setup: left foot in the elbow with a sleeve grip (spider), and the right leg tucked behind his right knee (93). There’s a whole bunch of options from here, but this is the simplest AND the most effective.

You control his posture with that foot in the sleeve, but he’s got some stability forward and backward. What is tough to stop is sideways movement, so you bring your spidered foot down and to your left at the same time as lifting on the other leg with your right hand (you can use a knee grip or a flower sweep kind of thing). It’s awesome, and I’ve used it several times since picking it up in Lima.

Part 4: Black Belt Pass
When I came back to Monterey in August, I met Luke, who’s a long-time purple belt. He crushed me with what he called the “black belt pass.” I tried describing it, but had no video. But when Gene stuck me in half guard, I finally got my arm free and backed up so I could get into this pass. Thanks, Luke! He also showed me the counter for it, which I used immediately thereafter, and which has been hugely successful for me.

Part 5: Black Belt Arm Bar
When I went to train at Carlson Gracie Academy in Rio, I got all kinds of great technique, including the double-under-defense Americana. I got there early and waited while two private lessons were being finished. In one, a black belt was getting a private from another black belt, and they were working a bunch of transitions from kesa gatame side control into mount and north-south.

In this move, you walk over the head into north-south, and bring his trapped arm with you. Once you’re there, his arm is extended out to your side, with his elbow in your hip. It’s a simple move to bring your arm under and get the arm bar. VERY sexy.

I hope you guys like these videos. Like I said, the cool part for me was it was all from one five-minute roll, and we were lucky enough to get it on video. I just hope I can keep on learning.

I’ve got five more days in Costa Rica, after which I head back to Lima. I can’t WAIT to get back to Sniper to train with Leo and Christian.

D'Arce: Nicaragua, Day 2

2010-09-07T15:08:00.000-04:30

Sunday we did another jits session here in Nicaragua. The view from our little studio is pretty awesome.

Master V got us moving with some drills: arm bars, triangles, arm drags, etc. We were all sweating furiously by the time we began with technique. We did a collar choke from an arm drag setup, and then went into D’Arce chokes, which is something we had asked about the first day.

Master V showed us D’Arce entries from top butterfly guard, top side control, top turtle, and from defending a single-leg attempt. I guess the thing that I really got from this series was how much you have to commit to get that arm in deep, particularly because of the resistance with the gi on. For turtle, I had to fall on my back under Gene to get my hand sticking out past his neck. It could be his thick neck, but I think it’s my short arms.

We then worked some more position sparring from the back. What an awesome exercise, especially for four guys who don’t normally work anything from the back. And after yesterday's session, getting the chokes in was WAY tougher, because now we all knew each other's tricks.

Sohrab has got the bow-and-arrow choke dialed in, though. I think he nailed it on all three of us, on numerous occasions.

We were absolutely SMOKED by the time we GOT to sparring.

But we did some sparring, of course. I’m going to do a separate post about that, though, because in one five-minute roll with Gene, we managed to do a whole bunch of things that I’ve been learning over the past four months, and I want to highlight them.

But seriously, how can you NOT want to do this?:

We're discussing the possibility of coming back every couple months for a no-kidding jits training camp, or maybe target the timeframe just prior to a bigger competition.

Imagine:
- 5-bedroom house, just off some killer surfing beaches
- All meals prepared for you
- Laundry done for you
- Nothing to do but jits, surfing, yoga, and relaxing

Who's in? :)

Buen-AWESOME: Nicaragua, Day 1

2010-09-04T17:49:00.001-04:30

So we're here in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. Everyone knows the Spanish word "bueno" means "good." In some areas of Latin America, they use "buenazo" to mean "really good." Kelly invented a new word today: Buen-awesome. That sums up the day.

Had our first day of jiu jitsu camp today. A couple houses down from our Nicaraguan surf house, there’s a guy who has a small studio with mats on the floor and the walls. It’s perfect size for two pairs to roll at the same time. Since there’s four of us plus Master V, it’s perfect.

We're lucky enough to have Master V, Vince Vanderlipe, superstar black belt from Kugtar MMA in Salinas, CA, with us. He took silver at the 2009 Master/Senior Worlds in Senior 2 Lightweight.

We had talked beforehand about what we wanted to focus on, given that we have a couple few days straight to do a series of things. Initially we had talked about nothing but half guard for a week. Yeah!

Well, of course that sort of fell apart before we started. But it SEEMED like a good idea. What we ended up doing was starting with the idea, and as we progressed, it ended up being a progression of movements instead of a position-focused event.

It all started with deep half guard. We began with some deep half guard basics. Walked through a typical entry from normal half guard, talked about protecting the front-side arm. Then we drilled a basic Homer Simpson sweep, as well as how you can rock back and forth to counter a solid base.

Next worked it into taking the back, by bringing your head out the back side. From deep half, grab the belt with the hand behind, and grip the knee with the front hand. Use your back-side foot to underhook his leg so you can lift it. Then, using your arms and that foot hook, lift and bring your head out the back. From there, pivot and get your hooks in.

And then we worked some attacks from the back. Standard over-under (seatbelt) grips, began with the typical collar choke from the back.

Then Master V showed a variation when you can’t get the “under” grip in: trap his arm on that same side and put your other leg over his shoulder on the far side. Tightens it right up. It’s sort of like a bow-and-arrow but not quite. And, of course, the next step was the bow-and-arrow.

And then we did some position sparring from back, both hooks in.

Bottom guy had to get to any position other than having his back taken, and top guy had to finish. It was a great exercise for me, because I am not confident from either side of that position. I went with Sohrab first, and he stuck me with that half-bow-and-arrow choke. I think I may have escaped once, but dammit if he doesn’t have the strongest grips in the world, and he was making it super tough.

When we swapped, it went pretty well. I actually went into it looking for the armbar transition from the back, and nailed it once really well. Didn’t finish it, but for me it was a success, since I don’t ordinarily have jack crap that I can do from the back. Notice, though, how goddamn tough he is. I even stuck a body triangle in on the end of the second roll, but damn, is he strong.

Also went with Mike during position sparring, and finished the arm bar, which was even better. Here’s a cool picture, right in the middle of that transition.

My main defense from the front seems to be getting my back to the mat. If I can’t do that, I have very little that I can do. I definitely need to work on both sides of the back equation.

Then sparring. Went with Mike first, and that dude has got some serious top pressure.

I threw a triangle up and almost got paper-cuttered for my efforts, he stacked me so well. I did sink under for deep half as one of my first moves, which I was looking for (due to my focus on using what’s being taught), and came out behind him.

And as I’ve been watching my Robson Moura 93 Guard DVD, I looked to set up the “knee pull” sweep but my foot got caught trying to get it out, and I transitioned to the standard scissor sweep from there.

I also managed to get the double-under-pass-defense Americana on him, which was another victory for me, using a technique I've learned over the past couple months.

Gene went with Sohrab, which is always a recipe for an epic battle. And it went about how you’d expect; Sohrab tried crushing Gene with gorilla-strength monster moves, and Gene defended well with hip movement and threatened the arms a lot. It was a lot of fun to watch.

Then I went with Sohrab, and the biggest problem is we know each others’ tricks. Got into full guard, and my general plan is to work the scissor setups, either under the arm (sweep) or over the arm (triangle) and he shut me down. What we ended up doing was getting back to my 93 guard, but he also knows my typical sweeps from there, so I went from the scissor to the shoulder roll to the knee pull, and none of them worked.

What ended up working was using the shoulder roll setup to create a scramble. He stood up out of it, but I had his sleeve and came out behind him. We hit the edge of the mat so I didn’t roll him with it, but that’s a pretty easy thing to work with.

All in all, it was great. We had a fantastic workout, and a lot of fun.

Also, you'll notice that I was not wearing my typical Black Eagle gi. I was testing out a Reinforcement gi from Jitsushop, a New Zealand company. Brett, the owner, sent me a gi to review, so I intentionally tried it out to beat the living crap out of it. You'll see a review in the next couple days.

This afternoon, we went down to the beach just prior to sunset. Sohrab brought 2 long standup surfboards, and he jumped on one and paddled off. Mike first tried to get the other one past the break, but after about 15 minutes of trying gave up. It took Gene about 10 minutes, but he finally got out past the break.

When they came back in, we did a beach workout that I am now officially calling the "animal workout." Not because it's so intense, even though it was pretty good, but because it was a bunch of bodyweight movements all named after animals: bear crawls, bunny hops, frog jumps, salamander walks, injured dog, gorilla, tiger, crab, etc. We used just a little hill on the beach, and it was great. After 30 or 40 minutes, it was beer and sunset time.

What a perfect way to end the day.

Yet Another Jits Adventure

2010-09-01T10:08:00.000-04:30

So I’m now in Costa Rica. I’m honestly not planning on training here. I know I should. I’m sorry. My wife is coming down today, and we’re going to check out the area, go zip-lining, all the usual stuff.

Plus, my body needs a serious break. My thumb is still all jacked up, I think I broke one of my toes in Rio (I’ve just been taping it), and I’m having trouble making fists with either hand without some sort of pain or stiffness. So I think a couple days off sounds pretty good right now.

On the other hand, we’re heading to Nicaragua on Friday for a long weekend, and here’s the rub: my buddy has a surf house on the coast there, with mat space, and we’re making it a jiu jitsu weekend. This has been in the works for a long time, and it’s finally coming to fruition.

It’ll be me, Sohrab (with whom I had one of my awesomest fights ever), Gene (resident absinthe consumer, super duper blue belt, and all-around jiu jitsu injury magnet), and Mike (buddy from Claudio’s Santa Cruz school), as well as our visiting black belt, “Master V,” Vince Vanderlipe (from Kugtar MMA in Salinas).

Yeah, it’s technically a vacation, but we’re planning on getting some serious jits work in. We’ve got several idiots, a black belt instructor, and nothing but time. 4 days of jits, with what I think will be a half-guard focused lesson plan.

It may be less organized than that, but at a minimum, we’ve got the makings of a terrific blue belt beatdown.

In addition, we’ve got a Nicaraguan yoga instructor, and I’m ginning up some personal training beach workouts. How can you go wrong with any of that?

Daily updates to follow. In the meantime, I’m just going to enjoy hanging out in Costa Rica for a couple days.

It's All About The Experience

2010-08-28T20:40:00.000-04:30

Well, like an idiot, I ignored my own advice and better judgment, and when we got to the Liga Nacional De Submission tournament today, I signed up to fight. I figured that I don't know when I'll be back to Chile, and if I can't randomly enter a jiu jitsu or grappling tournament for the hell of it and just have fun, what the heck am I doing?

My thumb still hurt like hell, but I taped the crap out of it and figured I don't need to grab as much in no-gi as I do with a gi on.

There were only about 40 guys signed up, and as it turned out, they had several weight classes but only two experience levels: novice and advanced. Guess where I ended up? I tried to tell them that I was not "advanced" in any way, shape, or form, but didn't seem to want to hear it. Maybe it was my bad Spanish. ;)

So in the under 85 kg division there were 3 guys: me, a purple belt, and a brown belt, Paulinho Pinto, from Alliance. Naturally, I fought Paulinho as my first fight. Why would they give me a chance?

Just looking at the guy, and knowing he was a brown belt, I thought about my game plan. First, he's WAY bigger than me. And he's WAY stronger than me. And he's WAY better than me. So knowing that I usually pull guard anyway, I wanted NOTHING to do with this guy on his feet.

As soon as we touched, I sat down. Not even joking. He pushed my legs to the side and almost got side control, but I stayed calm and retained my guard. I think in this case the no-gi helped: If he'd been able to grab a pant leg, he'd have passed no problem. I guess he did pass, but I kept my knees up and made some space to turn underneath.

Turtle defense worked well, because I came out of it fast in most cases. I learned that lesson - no more hanging out there.

At about 1:19, I knew my left arm was in danger. I wanted to shoot under for a deep half or even an X-guard setup, but he would have torn my arm off. He had a really slick counter to the half guard underhook (1:29): when I tried getting it in, he basically stood up, while keeping pressure on me so I couldn't follow him up. Never had someone do that before, but it worked really well. You can hear Gustavo at 1:54 telling me to go under his hips, and I was damn sure trying. That kimura counter is nice, though, and I had to back out.

The only thing I was thinking about, really, was the fact that I didn't want to get leglocked. I was fantastically aware of where my feet were in relation to his arms the whole time.

Aside from that, my biggest frustration was the lack of grips, of course. This no-gi game is new to me, and I admittedly have not focused on it at all. So my dependency on gripping (particularly inside the knee from bottom half guard) was laid bare.

I was a bit worried at 2:35 when he crushed my legs together. I was grabbing his foot for my life. Thank god for turtle defense (3:03). :) AWESOME takedown at 3:20. Not that my takedown defense is anything to worry about, but even watching it back on the video, that looked cool as hell.

Nice clown at 3:59 - he just cartwheeled past me, pushed my head, and I went backwards. :) And watching it back, you can see me leaning forward, sticking my neck out at 4:03. "Would you please guillotine me?" And he obliged.

All told, I think, upon reflection, I did pretty good defending from my guard – he never actually passed my guard (and held it for 3 seconds), and only got 2 points from the takedown. Granted, he ended up submitting me with a guillotine from my sitting guard, but given what I would consider a decent disadvantage in size, strength, and ability level, I think I put up an okay fight.

I have to say, that guillotine - I didn't think it was all that tight at first, but then he squeezed, and both my ears popped, and I figured he probably had it locked in at that point. :) My right ear is still all wonky. That's a GOOD choke.

And at the end of the day, it's all about the experience. Whatever happened, happened. I had a great time, I learned a lot, I met some fantastic guys, and I even got a fight out of the deal. And Paulinho was fantastically nice about the whole thing. Muito obrigado pela luta, amigo. And thanks for not completely destroying me, at least making me think I had a bit of a chance. :)

A little part of me felt even better when he kicked the living shit out of that purple belt, 12-0. I know that's not nice, but what the hell. :)

Leaving Santiago

2010-08-28T09:11:00.001-04:30

This post was going to have one of a couple titles, so I'll go through them in the text.

LEAVING YET AGAIN

Suffice to say, last night was my last night at Real Fighting Club in Santiago, Chile, training under the tutelage of Sensei Victor Vásquez.

And yet again, it was at the same time fantastic and bittersweet. It sucks every time, because two weeks is just long enough to start developing friendships, and then I leave. I'm already staying in touch with guys from Lima, Buenos Aires, and Rio, but if only I had two months, or two years, to train here, to actually develop my game (and my Spanish).

SPEED IS MY ENEMY

I've said many times that I'm happy to give someone a checklist on how to beat me. It wouldn't even be a long one. But I rediscovered last night that the first thing on that list is "be fast, be decisive." I know that my game is a slow, methodical one. The answer to a slow, methodical game is to not allow said old guy to slow it down. And when guys attack, move, counter, and continue to bounce around me without letting me set up grips and positions, that's when I'm most vulnerable. I got worked over last night by a whole bunch of people who decided that Friday night was going to be "go fast" night. By the end of the night, my hips were smoked from trying to play catch-up. I think in terms of my guard game, that's what I need to focus on next, is grip establishment. Once I can lock those guys down, it's my game. But until then, it's all them, and all I can do is react.

BAD THUMB

One of the people who tooled me was Sensei. Last week, he let me play my game, let me set up grips, gave me some positions. Last night, not a chance. As soon as we shook hands, he pounced on me. Like, literally POUNCED. Grabbed my leg, shoved it to the side, and smothered me. Honestly, once I got past the initial shock, I had a great time, because I was reacting, moving, flowing. It wasn't great, and nothing I did really slowed him down, but I felt like I was doing SOMEthing.

And then, as he was coming around to my right side, I put my hand out to block his knee. Actually, what I did was attack his knee with my straight thumb. Which, if you're wondering, is not a brilliant idea. I jammed it AWESOMELY. Like, tears-in-my-eyes awesomely.

Got some ice on it, sat out a couple rounds, and then stupidly decided to get one last roll in because it was my last night. Went with a blue belt who also decided to test the "Dev hates fast" theory, and he was right. :) Aside from my disinclination for speedy opponents, I couldn't grab anything with my right hand, so he was all over me. Still a fun fight, and that guy was awesome.

The one thing that sucks is that there is a no-gi competition Saturday in Santiago, through the National Submission League. I can't find any links to it online, but I'll take pictures and do a tournament review. Anyway, I was going to compete, because why not, but I guess not, with a jacked-up thumb. Oh well. I have time.

THE SHIRT OFF HIS BACK

So we're standing around after practice, and I went up to say thanks again to Sensei for the opportunity. When I said it was my last practice, he got this look on his face (I think he forgot), and then he took the shirt he had been wearing, with his team logo on it, and gave it to me. Literally the shirt off his back.

Only jiu jitsu practicioners could appreciate the magnitude of receiving a sweaty t-shirt from another guy. It's not a t-shirt, it's an honor.

And I don't have words to express how thankful I am for it. Or for my time here in Santiago with these guys. The level of jits is super high, there's tons of students, and the instruction is top-notch. I had an absolute blast training here with Real Fighting Club, and I'm looking forward to the day I can come back.

Muchisimas gracias a todos mis amigos aqui en Santiago!!!

Is Everyone Sick?

2010-08-25T18:39:00.001-04:30

Not sure what's going on, but I'm coming down with something. Yesterday and today, stuffy head, runny nose, lots of sneezing, just general malaise.

I want to practice tonight, but I know it's not about me - it's about everyone else. So I'm staying off the mats tonight in order to keep it away from the guys. Lots of Theraflu tonight. I'll be back on Friday.

Santiago, Day 4: Flow Rolling and 50/50 Nonsense

2010-08-24T19:44:00.000-04:30

Yesterday was a fun practice. Sensei led a hard warmup, then we went right into some "flow" position sparring - for 2 minutes, one guy drilled guard passes, from whatever guard you got into. You could decide, or your partner could decide. It didn't matter, just as long as you kept moving, flowing, practicing. Then your partner did 2 minutes of continuous movement. It was good for warmup AND made you think about stuff.

What did I personally think about?

"Jesus. I rely on 4 half guard passes." That's what I realized. I started great, did my arm weave, then Luke's "black belt" pass, then the smash pass, then the BJ Penn tripod, and then... well, nothing. I blanked. I KNOW I know more than 4 half guard passes, but damned if I can come to them when the time is running. Is that a bad thing?

Then Sensei demonstrated a couple butterfly guard passes pretty quickly, and we did the same thing, but this time from butterfly guard. 2 minutes on, switch.

And same thing for me. Of course, it was worse since I know exactly 3 butterfly guard passes. The Beto pass (since I don't know what else to call it), the "crush the legs together" pass (since I don't know what else to call it), and backing out into a toreando pass. I also modified my arm weave pass and used that, so I guess I have 4. Again, I felt pretty stupid.

Aside from my feeling sorry for myself, it was a great time rolling - I was going with a big blue belt (and I still suck at names), and we were just GOING. No pressure, just flow.

Next drill was from butterfly guard as well, but this time the guy on bottom was doing sweeps, and the guy on top was providing just a little resistance, maybe 15%. This drill REALLY got me thinking, and we were both trying some WILD stuff, going backwards, forwards, upside down, underneath, all over the place. This has to have been one of my favorite drills of all time, because you're meant to seriously dork around and try stuff. It's like regular position sparring with way less pressure. And we all know how much I love position sparring to begin with.

And then it was regular position sparring (at 30-40% intensity) from butterfly guard, both parties trying stuff. Again, without pressure or constraints, we were all over the place, and it was awesome. I've done some flow rolling in the past, but this half-directed flow rolling was really the boost I needed to just get in there and be silly with it, and try new things.

So I kept that same mindset during regular sparring. First went with the blue belt I had been drilling with, and we had a good roll, with him snapping in a great arm bar. I tapped early, as I always do with arm bars, and he asked me what happened.

I explained that I've had my arm hyperextended a couple times, and I don't have any pride in my ability to withstand pain, so in order to protect my elbows, I'm happy to give you the tap.

There have been a few recent blogs discussing the idea of "making someone work" for the tap. I get that, to a point - I shouldn't act like a fish or anything, because neither one of us learns anything that way. But if you sink an armbar, and it's even halfway legit (by which I mean you could injure me if you crank on it), then I'm not doing anyone any good by resisting. Especially if we haven't trained together for at least a year, and I know exactly what kind of control you have. Forgive me for wanting functional elbows in 20 years.

Anyway, after that I rolled with a couple white belts and another blue belt, and because I was still enjoying my flow rolling mindset, that's what I did.

Particularly with the white belts, I put them in guard, or half guard, and let them work to get past my legs. My goal was to move slowly, deliberately, so they could see what I was doing. I didn't let them pass, but I didn't sweep or submit - I just let them see how I was reacting to their movements. I kept it simple - hip escapes, transitions from full to half guard and back, a couple almost-sweeps when they were off balance.

Sure, I can stick them in upside-down-spider-X-50/50 guard, but that doesn't do them or me any good, and I'm not trying to prove something. I got to drill basic control positions, and they got to see basic guard retention. And the best part was we just kept moving.

After practice was over, I rolled with Gustavo, an awesome purple belt. This was NOT flow rolling. :) He's got a terrific top game AND closed guard game, and he usually lets me pull guard, so I think he's great. :) Because we've rolled a few times already, and I'm getting an idea of how he likes to play, I wanted to control him at distance (open guard) and let him crowd me so I could use his center of gravity.

The only problem is he knows how I play, too. :) So we ended up stuck in my spider guard for about 10 minutes. I felt pretty good because he didn't pass, but he kept his hips way back so I couldn't get under them. It was definitely the clashing of two mostly equal strengths, and we stalemated.

Finally, he shot a leg in for 50/50. I was like "dude, I have no idea how to play this position." He goes, "Me either, but this is how we figure it out!"

I like that. :)

So it was complete chaos, as we both understood the sweep part, but not the "get on top" part. After a long few minutes I bailed, got my foot back across his body, came up, got swept, and then we got into a discussion about whether or not that was points or an advantage. I still don't know.

Anyway, we started anew, I came on top this time to provide some variety, and walked right into his closed guard world. Did okay for a bit, but eventually fell victim to his triangle yet again. I tried the cross-collar choke escape he had shown me last week, but to no avail. I was doing it wrong, as it turned out, and he showed me after he tapped me. :)

All in all, it was an absolutely fantastic practice.

Santiago, Day 3: Lots of Sparring

2010-08-21T05:59:00.002-04:30

Tonight’s class at Real Fighting Club was pretty awesome.

Met a couple new guys, Americans, who work at the embassy. Always good to see new faces, and to see guys getting out into the city and interacting. Too many Americans tend to hole up when they live overseas.

We did a little warmup, then we reviewed a butterfly sweep starting from closed guard, and then we sparred for about an hour.

I’ll admit up front that I didn’t work the butterfly stuff we practiced. I ignored my own mandate. On the other hand, I went into practice with a plan. Beforehand, I watched some more of the Robson Moura 93 Guard DVD. After explaining the position, he goes into the first sweep, which is one of my favorites, where you hip up and sort of scissor sweep.

Next, though, he talks about when that is countered. You take the sleeve, bring it around in a circle, and load your opponent up on your knees for a roll.

I was actually able to pull this off tonight, because I launched into 93 guard from the start. I’ve been pulling a lot of half guard during spars, and tonight was no different, aside from the fact I had a plan. So I did execute it.

I also tried setting up the side guard we did on Wednesday, and in a couple cases I got close. It wasn’t perfect by any means, and I wasn’t able to finish anything, but the setup is becoming easier, and more intuitive. I also reread my post on the Cobrinha seminar, and tried working the same setup from half guard, which is where he started. I just need to keep working it. That said, I did lock in 2 omoplatas from that setup, which was a major moral victory for me – that’s not a typical attack for me, but because we drilled it Wednesday, it was still somewhere in my brain. So that was pretty cool.

For my first roll I went with one of the brown belts, and he made me realize I don’t know shit about leg attacks. This is one of those things I contemplate often, but never act on. I am fully cognizant of the fact that I need to start working leg attacks and counters, but my general thought is that if guys are still crushing my half guard, then I have higher priorities than getting into some specialized stuff like that. I don’t know.

Had a great roll with Gustavo, a really slick purple belt. He showed me a cool triangle counter that I’m going to start working intentionally. Our roll was a lot of fun, totally back-and-forth.

His brother is Diego, the gigantic white belt I talked about before. And I rolled with him, too. I let him into side control, and then couldn’t get him off me! He’s got fantastic weight in his hips, and really kept the pressure on. I got to turtle a bunch, but he was all over me, and was looking for arm bars, kimuras, you name it. I was able to get to turtle pretty easily and defend there, but I had a hell of a time getting out of turtle back into something I can work from. He did a great job, and I am really looking forward to Monday, when we can go again.

Also rolled with Sensei Victor, who did not give me ANY freebies today. ☺ Again, he was slow, methodical, and once he got a position, he didn’t give it up. Reminded me a lot of Coach Thomas, quite honestly. I think I was defending okay until he got to side control, at which point it got silly. ☺

But it’s always fun to roll with him, and this was no exception. The coolest part is he’s making me work on the fringes of my half guard game. As your opponent gets the knee through, but you’ve still got the foot, there’s still game there. I know this because I spent the majority of our roll hoping like hell that I could hang onto it. In a couple cases, I was able to use a modified leg scissor on that foot/leg to raise his hips up. I don’t know exactly how I did it, but it prevented the pass for a little while, anyway.

As a personal proud moment, Sensei said I did a good job of conserving my energy and using it appropriately, which is something I am very aware of, and I am continually trying to work on: relaxing until it’s time to not be relaxed.

And rolled with one of the American white belts. They said it was their fourth class here, so I asked him if he felt more comfortable on the top or bottom. He said he liked having people in his closed guard, so we started there. I told him not to worry about “moves,” but concepts.

At first, he clenched his legs to retain the guard, but after about 10 seconds of that he said he was gassing out, so we talked about the idea of YOU deciding when to open your guard, and not letting your opponent do it.

Then we went again. This time he started grabbing for stuff, which was great. We talked through the idea of maintaining a “push-pull” when you have an open guard: if you just push your opponent, they can back up and out. If you just pull your opponent, they can push in and crowd you. In either case, you don’t have the control you need with your guard open.

All in all, I had a fantastic practice.

Santiago, Day 2: I'm Trying, Here...

2010-08-19T17:12:00.000-04:30

Last night had another great practice at Real Fighting Club. Oh, and I remembered my camera. :)

And I promised you guys some pictures of the gym.

Sensei Victor started off with a few calisthenics, though - thank god - it wasn't as strenuous as Monday's warmup, which was good because I was having a rough time getting moving. :)

But once we started, we worked into an awesome "side guard," that I'd seen before during the Cobrinha seminar, but haven't really messed with since then.

It starts by breaking down your opponent's posture. Victor uses a grip on the sleeve right on the outside of the armpit. Once you've broken them down, get the overhook on the arm, and grab your own lapel to secure it.

From here, get both feet on the hips, and push back and hip out toward the arm you've got trapped. Once you're out there, you can lock your guard back up off to the side.

And the options are awesome. Depending on how you've got the arm locked in, you can lean back into a quick arm bar.

We drilled setting up the triangle first. Typically your opponent will try to push on your bottom knee with his untrapped hand to open you up. When he does this, pin his wrist and bring your bottom leg right up over his shoulder. From here, it's a simple matter of adjusting the triangle. Again, to plug Ryan Hall's Triangle DVDs, his advice on head control and perpendicular positioning really lets you finish this easily.

Next, if your opponent hides the arm, you can transition right away to an omoplata. Back up, bring the top leg over his shoulder to the front, secure his back or belt to prevent the roll, and scoot your hips away to break him down.

And then into sparring.

First I went with Bjorn, the Canadian purple belt I mentioned from Monday.

He's awesome, and technical, and we had a great back-and-forth roll. I had him in guard, with his posture broken a little, and we both saw the setup for the technique we had just drilled at exactly the same time. I went for it, he pulled back, and we fought a little for the overhook/defense. Then we paused and both laughed. Well, I tried, anyway. :)

Then went with Sensei Victor. He's so methodical - what is it with black belts? When do you acquire the ninja methodical-ness? He gave me a lot of openings to see what I was going to do, and was extremely patient with my fledgling game. It was a lot of fun to roll with him, though, as he moved to different positions to give me a chance to work some other stuff. For the most part, I was stuck in open half guard, so I didn't have much of a chance to even try to set up the "side guard" stuff.

After that, I went with a HUGE white belt, Diego. He's so strong, it was a completely different game. Lots of muscling around, but he had good movement, too. I couldn't break him down inside my guard - I tried, but he was having none of it. So I opened up and let him throw me around a bit. One thing I was proud of was using another technique I learned a few weeks ago at Carlson Gracie Academy in Rio. He went for a double-under pass on me, and I pinned the arm on one side, and turned underneath, which worked like an Americana. He didn't like that and rolled to get out of it. He powered out of my crappy arm bar attempt, but it was still gratifying to see SOMEthing work. :)

And lastly, went with an Australian blue belt whose name I can't remember (sorry brother). He crushed into me from the top and was good about keeping me so flat I couldn't hip out. Had a lot of pseudo-upside-down stuff going on, but he had great weight control and I had a really tough time turning under him for sweeps. It was a lot of fun.

So many good guys at this school. I tried so hard to implement the technique for the day, but I'm apparently finding guys that are too awesome for my pathetic tricks. :) I'll keep working it, though.

Thanks again to Sensei Victor Vásquez for the training!

BJJ in Santiago, Chile

2010-08-17T21:51:00.000-04:30

Last night I trained at Real Fighting Club, in Santiago, Chile.

The academy is located at Avenida Irarrazavel 5489, a short walk from the Plaza Egaña metro stop. It's not the easiest place to find, quite honestly. I just started walking down Av. Irarrazavel and hoped I saw a sign. Luckily, I did - they've got a gigantic sign strung in the middle of a small alley. Cool.

The head professor is Sensei Victor Vásquez. He's a Brazilian black belt under Miguel Repanas. He offers BJJ five nights a week, so you have as much mat time as you could really want.

Drop-in fee is CH$3000, about US$6. That is absolutely exceptional, as far as I'm concerned.

Check him out Sensei Vásquez here, winning the Senior Worlds in 2008:

He runs his academy pretty tightly. One student got there late, and instead of asking permission to enter the mat, just walked on. Victor told him to go back, fix his gi, and then ask for permission to enter the class late. "This is a martial art," he said. I was suitably impressed.

The gym itself is split-level, kind of narrow, but long. All the poles and walls are padded. I'll bring my camera to the next practice so you guys can see (what is it with me forgetting my camera?). It's a pretty good setup, with room for basically one pair of people on each side of the center poles, all the way down the mat. Plenty of room for about 30 people to roll at once.

There were about 30 people there last night. One of the purple belts, Bjorn, said it was "United Nations Night," because there was a serious international flavor. Bjorn's from Canada, I was from the US, there were guys from France and Spain... it was really cool.

We started off with a brisk set of warmups, both running and calisthenics. Lots of 10-second drills (hip escapes, oopas, etc). Good stuff, especially considering it's getting close to freezing at night here. Once we started, I didn't cool down until I left. That's a good sign.

One cool thing we did as part of the warmup was clinch work, simple arm weaving back and forth. Do that for 45 seconds at a brisk pace and see if you're still cold.

Then worked into a couple technique flow drills. First one was for the whole class. Starting in closed guard, do a knee-in opening. Double-under pass to side control. Move to north-south, and your partner goes to turtle. Take the back, hooks in. Roll to your back. He pushes one foot off, you transition to the arm bar. Switch, and repeat.

Second technique, he divided the class. Basic guys (white belts under three stripes, I think) did one thing. Everyone else did a pretty slick setup for...wait for it...a crucifix setup.

Are you kidding me? Victor had said he thought he remembered me from the Master/Senior Worlds this year. Did he see the match where I completely failed to finish this move? If we'd have only done this drill about 4 weeks ago. :)

Starting in open guard. Your feet on your opponent's hips, his hands on your pant cuffs, you've got his sleeves in spider grip. Kick one leg out to break his grip. Stuff that hand between your legs, then come up on that side of him as you hook your leg under that arm. Come sideways over his back, getting an under-grip on the opposite arm. Figure-four your legs around his arm, and bring your hips down to his elbow. Hips forward into a slick arm bar. Then let him defend it, and roll sideways so he comes over the top into a straight crucifix from the back. Watch my fight if you don't know what I'm talking about (4:25). Open collar, use cross hand to sink it deep and keep your shoulder tight against the back of his head. Hips forward and pull. Solid.

It was really cool to do the techniques as part of a series right from the get-go. For me, it was just different. I don't know yet if it was better or worse, but I did like the flow.

Then into rolling. Victor stuck me with 2 purples, a brown, and 2 blues. Awesome. I actually felt fantastic rolling with both purples. It was definitely back and forth, but I prevented a bunch of guard passes using the "Anti Black Belt Pass Leg Block" that Luke showed me the other day (thanks buddy!), and even got a couple solid sweeps and passes in.

Didn't fare so well against the brown belt. He started off with wrist locking the arm I gripped his collar with. Dammit, I can't even get this to the ground! Fairly auspicious, anyway. :) He was so slick, though. My proudest moment during that spar, though, was when I escaped mount with a quick Saulo hip block and got him back in some semblance of guard.

And had some excellent rolls with the blue belts as well. I apologize, guys, I'm terrible with names.

On a positive note, my Spanish didn't suffer quite as much as I thought it would after 2 weeks in Rio and 2 weeks in California. So I was still able to communicate enough to sound like the retarded 5 year old I typically sound like.

And we ended the practice with some cool-down stretching, which is the first time I've seen that done. Most coaches, I think, just leave the after-practice stretching to you, but this was a pretty cool way to finish, both physically and mentally.

I'm really excited for this two weeks here. I was really impressed by the level of jits here, and with the availability of practice time. Osss....

Using What You Learned

2010-08-14T12:08:00.000-04:30

Friday was exactly how I remembered practice. Started out with the same warmups, which I still use before tournaments because it's how my brain tells my body I'm warming up for jiu jitsu.

Neck forward and back. Side to side. Arm circles both directions. Arms forward and back. Twist at the waist. Down in a deep squat. Sit, rock back and forth on the mat, then all the way back with your feet over your head. Then backward rolls, forward rolls. And so on. It's a natural progression.

And it was really cool, too, because all the guys that I missed on Wednesday were there for Friday's practice.

Worked some quick drills for technical stands when you've got your opponent's leg over your shoulder, and then - yay - right into position sparring from guard.

Had some fantastic spars early on - Jaime, a ridiculously good blue belt, worked me over really good. It was awesome back-and-forth stuff. Had a fun time with Luke, a purple belt who's got that "I did this for seven years then took five years off" thing going on, so he's got a lot of slick stuff that we haven't really seen. He completely tooled me, but I learned quite a bit.

After that, worked a quick ankle lock review, and then into normal sparring.

Went with Jaime again, and we were all over the mat. That dude is ridiculous. Luke rolled with me again, and just walked around my open guard, which was kind of embarrassing. Had a couple other excellent rolls as well, including a complete slobberknocker (yes, I used to watch WWF way back in the day) with Sohrab. I think he bruised my spleen. :)

After practice, Luke showed me a quick defense for what he calls "the black belt pass," and it's a situation I find myself in a lot - playing open guard (typically 93), and my opponent gets his arm under the high leg and spreads me out, making it really easy to pass. The easy defense is to come across the guy's head with that leg and either push the shoulder back, or get it all the way in and push the hip. If you underhook his arm, you can actually set up a sexy upside-down armbar as well.

So.... with that in mind, I rolled with Coach one more time. He even let me pull guard, which he NEVER does. I think he might have been sick or something. :) He went right into the same pass that Luke showed me the defense for, and I did the defense! Far be it from me to say I learned something, but it's a close one. And I ended up using that defense like 6 or 7 times during the roll. That is definitely something I'm taking with me, and I think it's really going to shore up some holes in my open guard.

Which, for the record, was going fantastic. After some awesome back-and-forth (during which I think I defended pretty well), I baited Coach into passing my guard, taking north-south on me, and working some sort of arm thing until I tapped. I had him right where he wanted me. :)

All in all, it was a great way to finish out my quick visit back at Zeus. See you guys in November. On to Chile.

Proud Of Myself

2010-08-14T11:50:00.000-04:30

I've been thinking about practice on Wednesday, and before going, I was seriously concerned that I needed to show everyone that I learned something in the 3 months I've been gone.

Technique-wise, I'm not so sure I did that. But I realized something as I rolled, and in retrospect after thinking about it for awhile. I have nothing to prove. Yeah, it'd be neat to bust out some crazy upside-down rolling Russian somethingorother, but at the end of the day, it's only been 3 months. My game hasn't changed that much, and I'm just a blue belt. It's all good.

So in some brief analysis, I did one of the things I've determined to do: I tried using the technique of the day in ALL of my sparring rolls. We drilled that spider sweep, which - to be fair - is not outside of my normal game anyway. But I deliberately put myself into an open guard situation, and worked to keep my knee inside an elbow to set up the sweep.

Sometimes it worked, other times I got the setup but not the sweep, and in other cases I was forced into an open half guard. But regardless, I did one of the things I've said I was going to do.

Did You Guys Train Arm Drags For 3 Months?

2010-08-12T01:12:00.000-04:30

I couldn't have picked a better night to come back to Zeus. There were seriously more than 40 people on the mat. I don't know the exact number, but Coach said it destroyed the old record. Just tons of people. And it was great.

Just about everyone I remember was there, minus a couple, but I'm hoping they'll be there Friday. And everyone is SO much better. I drank more water than I ever have during a jiu jitsu practice, because I was working my ass off just to stay alive.

I felt pretty good - I had some great rolls with some old friends. Even stalemated Ugly Pete, who I'm positive was just going easy on me. It was just so cool getting a chance to roll with just about everyone I remembered. And the ones I missed, I'll roll with on Friday.

One interesting thing is that almost to a person, every blue belt and above tried an arm drag setup on me. What the hell is going on - did you guys train arm drags for 3 months while I was gone? Damn! I think I defended okay against pretty much everyone, except brown belt Dylan, of course, who just embarrassed me. But that's standard. So I made him show me how he did it. :)

The technique tonight was a modified spider sweep - actually the knee-in version of my favorite sweep of all time, as below.

Instead of the John Frankl hook, though, you're using your knee on the inside of their elbow.

Controlling both sleeves, get one knee into the arm. I like to set it up from the "butterfly spider" (my description, I just made it up), with both feet on the hips, knees wide inside the elbows. Bring one leg across, grab the other side knee, load them up (control their center of gravity), and dump them on their head, coming up into knee on belly.

From KOB, you anticipate their reaction of pushing your knee. We drilled two options - the first is a kimura from the top. When they push, you control the wrist, loop your other arm under, and sit on their head, knees squeezing their body. Pull their elbow to your chest, and use your body movement to turn it.

Second option was pretty advanced, a stepover mount triangle. From KOB, control the pushing wrist as before. But pin it to their rib instead of lifting it. Bring your other leg up under their protected arm to keep it off the mat (this is the leg that's going under their arm). Now step over the pinned wrist, and stick your leg under their head. You can adjust from the top by leaning forward, adjusting the legs, then settling back onto their chest, or you can roll it into a standard bottom triangle. Easier to roll, but you are giving up the mount.

Remembered my camera tonight, and naturally Gene stole it and got some completely random pictures. I miss these guys.

Here's Manny, rocking my medals.

Here's Dylan crushing Pete.

Here's two complete idiots (Gene and Chris).

But I did get the picture I wanted - me and the champ.

Scissor Sweep Counter

2010-08-10T12:37:00.001-04:30

This is going to sound weird, but work with me here. Someone has been getting referred to my blog with a google search of "scissor sweep counter." I'm not sure how that works, aside from the obvious context of "Dev is in desperate need of a scissor sweep counter."

Anyway, I thought I'd plug Mark Massey a little more and POST a scissor sweep counter. This also happens to be my favorite half guard pass, and I refer to it as an "arm weave," which I got from Shawn Williams when he was commentating at the Mundials, I think. Anyway.

For me, the key to this working from full guard is getting your forward knee out. If you don't, you're getting swept. It happens to me ALL the time, especially against Ugly Pete. :)

Second, he grabs the lapel. I've found you can also grab his sleeve (on the arm against the mat). Anything to keep him from being able to turn his upper body. But this is a fantastic guard pass AND scissor sweep defense.

The Need To Travel, And Why Dave Camarillo Is Right

2010-08-06T15:18:00.000-04:30

I love to travel, independent of my BJJ fascination. Prior to starting jits, travel was one of the things I really concentrated on. When we lived in England, we hit a bunch of countries in Europe. I’ve been fortunate to have traveled a bit throughout South America prior to my current adventure.

Traveling internationally has opened my eyes as to the realities of the world, and given me a small understanding of different cultures, different beliefs, and I've gotten to try all KINDS of awesome food and drinks.

This current trip, though, has opened my eyes even more as to the BJJ-specific benefits of traveling.

To wit - I think that I was decently successful as a white and junior blue belt in Monterey. My game is still not complicated, but even 6 months ago I was even MORE one-dimensional than I am now. Because it worked, more or less. My open guard game, flawed as it was (is), seemed to work pretty well against the style of most of the guys I competed against. I thought (incorrectly) that I had a pretty solid game, at my level.

When I got to Peru, I found out that I was wrong. WAY wrong. Common sense dictates that one dimension will never succeed against two, even if it’s solid. I was rudely awakened to the fact that my one dimension was lacking, and I didn’t have anything else.

I had to go back to the basics. I had to relearn a closed guard game, and I had to close some of the holes in my open guard game. It’s certainly not there yet – I’ll be the first to admit that – but it’s better than it was when I arrived in Lima.

When I left Lima, I don’t know that my game was all that much better, but I had a much better UNDERSTANDING of the holes in my game, because they were exploited at every practice. My defense against that exploitation was at least a little more aware.

So I got to Buenos Aires, and my newly found closed guard game and flawed open guard game were once again put to the test. I held my own, I think, but what I found there was that my top game was TERRIBLE. I couldn’t hold ANY of those guys down. So in the short time I had there, I had to relearn grips and weight distribution, which I had down pretty good as a white belt, but which had fallen by the wayside as I discovered playing off my back. Again, by the time I left, it wasn’t great by any means, but it was better than when I arrived.

In Rio, I was mainly focused on competition. But two things were pounded into my brain there as well. First, that I wasn’t attending practice correctly. Sure, I learned the technique, but I didn’t make it a focus to try to apply that technique during sparring. Second, a more specific problem, I learned that my “go to” defense – turtle – works fine when people don’t expect it, but if they have any clue how to attack it or pre-empt it, I’m setting myself up for failure. So I’ve got some goals for the foreseeable future.

My point with this post, though, is to emphasize something that Dave Camarillo has said all along: “Train With Everyone.” It’s not that I wouldn’t have continued to progress and learn in Monterey. Quite the opposite. But the guys in Monterey knew me, and I knew them. They knew my game, and I knew theirs. We tried to tailor our games to what we knew about each other. That’s great, and useful, but it makes you progress in a certain pattern.

By traveling, what I think I did was reinforce the lessons I had already learned by rolling and training with guys that didn’t know me, didn’t know my strengths or my weaknesses, and – quite frankly – didn’t care. They played their games, imposed their strategies on me, and I couldn’t discard any of my game to tailor it. I was reactive, because I didn’t know what to expect, and they took advantage of that. They just forged ahead, and I got caught. A LOT.

I love Zeus BJJ. It will always be my first school, and I will never forget how much Daniel Thomas has taught me.

Similarly, though, I have been privileged to train with Sniper, Gracie Buenos Aires, Academia Morada Do Sol, and Soul Fighters, as well as a host of others, and I’m that much more aware of how little I really understand, and how much training with other people ADDS to the training you get at your home school.

I don't think you necessarily need to travel to Rio, or Buenos Aires, or wherever. Even going to another school in your city works. Or to the next town over. It's all one big family, and I've been welcomed with open arms at every school I've attended.

I will never again leave my town of residence without at least one gi in my bag. You never know when an opportunity will present itself to show you something you thought you had right, but didn’t.

Congrats Dustin!

2010-08-06T13:33:00.000-04:30

My buddy Dustin Brown, co-founder of Kauai Kimonos, just got promoted to purple belt. Congrats buddy!

Jiu Jitsu As A Support Network

2010-08-04T11:10:00.000-04:30

Georgette wrote a recent post with a somewhat innocuous mention about a family who just started coming to her gym. The 12-year-old son is starting jits. The father – military – is leaving soon for some time in Afghanistan. Georgette talked about trying to get the mother into class as well.

It sounds like most people in the class are aware of the situation, which is fantastic. You can't provide a support network without knowing that someone needs it.

I wanted to discuss this idea, though. I've said on several occasions that this whole BJJ community feels to me like a family, a sentiment that is certainly not originally mine. Families help and support each other.

I'm going to talk about the military side, because that's what I know. But this story could be about someone that goes on long business trips, or short business trips, or whatever.

I've been THAT guy, the guy that deploys and leaves his family behind. It sucks. You're lonely, away from YOUR support network, in a foreign place, typically where people don't like you much, and in some cases, where they're actively trying to remove you from it. You don't have the clothes you like, the food you like, or the bed you like. It can be extremely difficult, but the military does a good job of providing as much as they can to create a support network, and at the end of the day, there are normally a bunch of people there with you in exactly the same situation, and you bond together.

Contrast that with the other side of the equation. A spouse (because, let's face it - it's not just men deploying), and possibly some kids are left behind without virtually any of those same support processes in place. It's not that the military doesn't understand that, but it's a lot more difficult to provide a support network back home, for a host of reasons. I'm not trying to point fingers, though.

My point is that a lot of times, NO ONE else knows that the military member is gone. A key link in that family chain, that daily routine, is missing. The guy that gets up and makes coffee in the morning, or the girl that takes the shower that wakes you up. The guy that takes the kids to school in the morning. The girl that gets home earlier than you and makes dinner.

And the large majority of society doesn't see it. Because people adjust, however difficult the transition. Chances are you'll never hear about it until 3 months later, when you go "hey! I haven't seen your husband/wife in awhile," and then they tell you about it. Because military spouses are tough. WAY tougher than military members. It's easy as hell to deploy - I get told when I'm leaving, I pack a bunch of crap in a bag, and I leave. It's not nearly as easy to readjust your entire life for 6 months or a year or 15 months.

Don't worry, I'm getting to my point. :)

It's hardest on the kids, for sure. Babies are easy - they don't know one way or the other as long as someone feeds and waters them. Toddlers are the worst, because all they know is "daddy left," and they don't really know if he's coming back. But older kids are just as tough. They understand more, but they still don't quite understand why. How do you explain global politics to a 9-year-old?

At any rate - and here we are at my point, and why this relates to jits - Georgette's example is a perfect one. Here's a 12-year-old kid who's trying out jits. Wonderful. I hope he loves it, family situation aside.

But it provides something for him to focus on, and succeed at, while his dad's away. And it takes the support of everyone in the class to make that happen.

NOT to focus on the fact that dad's away. And NOT to ignore it, either. But merely to understand it, and to respect the fact that most days, he's going to want to come into jits and throw himself into it, and be perfectly normal. Other days, he might show up but he won't be there completely, because he got a letter, or he didn't get a letter, or something else. He might not be able to articulate why he can't concentrate. He just needs your understanding.

And the mom needs your support too. Maybe she wants to try jits, maybe she doesn't. What I KNOW she needs is to know that her son is having a great time learning a great sport with a bunch of great, wonderful, supportive people. Again, nothing overdone. She just needs a little reassurance.

Lastly, that dad needs some support, too. Like I said, he's scared, he's worried, he's depressed, and he wants to know his family is doing well while he's gone. Hearing positive stories from his son and his wife make that transition SO much easier. And when his son gets his yellow belt, or wins his first tournament match and posts it on youtube, or [insert small jits success story here], he's going to be proud, and happy.

The last time I deployed to Iraq, we were living in Tucson. While I was there, my wife jumped into a gym - Ultima Fitness, if you're interested - with both feet. [As an aside, Ultima is fantastic - George Roop, who was on the Ultimate Fighter and is now in the WEC, teaches BJJ and MMA there] She did a bunch of fitness work, and continued her kickboxing and Krav Maga (suffice to say I'm scared to death of her).

And she told me about her classes with the two tough-as-nails, crusty-ass, retired military guys that teach there. They knew the score. They looked out for her. They provided a support network, and place for her to get her anger and aggression and frustration out. They understood when she came in happy, and when she came in distracted, and when she came in upset. They focused her, trained her, and sent her out in a different mental state than when she got there. She depended on them, however consciously or unconsciously, and they provided the support. And from my perspective, I knew she had that support, and it gave me one less thing to worry about.

In Monterey, our family trained at Bodyworx Academy damn near half our waking hours. I did jits. My wife did kickboxing, a specialized self defense/sparring class, yoga, and even a little bit of escrima. Our son did karate, some judo, and jiu jitsu. We seriously viewed it as a home away from home, and Kathy and Nick, the managers there, embraced us as family. And I don't need to explain my family relationship with my jits class.

What I'm saying is this. We in this jiu jitsu family have an opportunity to provide a support network. It can be as all-inclusive as my own experience, or it can simply be something to occupy a little bit of time and provide a little bit of distraction. Either way, it's a fantastic thing all the way around. And it's something a family has a responsibility to do.

I know I appreciate it. And I know I'm not the only one.