Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Half Guard Roll to take the Back
Here is a breakdown of the move.....
And here used in a match to get back control...
And here used by Ryan Hall to attack a leglock...
Have never really seen this move in my travels but think it has great potential. Might have to have a play with it. Can vaguely recall seeing this on a Rigan instructional at some point? Can someone remind me please.
And here used in a match to get back control...
And here used by Ryan Hall to attack a leglock...
Have never really seen this move in my travels but think it has great potential. Might have to have a play with it. Can vaguely recall seeing this on a Rigan instructional at some point? Can someone remind me please.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Rickson Gracie Documentary: Choke
The man and the myth, this traces some of the early days of MMA comps in Japan. It is only part 1 of 3.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Rafael Lovato Jnr HL Clip
This is Jase's fav BJJer at the minute and I can see why. Think I have posted this before but its worth re-visiting.
BJJ Comp Rules Review
Well I learnt something watching this vid. The use of a score card to keep track of points is a great idea (sarcasm intended, about bloody time) I wonder if they will start using them in Australia??
Danzig v Bocek UFC 83
Great fight. The standard just keeps on going up. I love mma. Some of the transitions here are nuts. Talk about well rounded fighters. Bocek has the heart of a lion.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Stephan Kesting New Leglock DVD
Here is a sneak peek at the new High Percentage Leglock DVD by Stephan Kesting. For those who have seen his work on his half guard DVD and RNC tutorials online will see how well he breaks things down to simple patterns of counters and re-counters which gives you a appreciation of the "game" and not just the seperate techniques. I will be getting a copy of this as soon as its available. Leglocks are back in vogue and done well and with control, like any other submission, are an awesome tool in your arsenal. Even if their not your go to move there is always some guy looking at trying on a leglock for a quick and easy submission and knowing how to defend it can save damage to your knee and ego. Knowledge is power.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Styles Vs Delivery Systems Matt Thornton
I tried posting this vid back in Feb but I dont think the link worked for long. So have tried again now that someone has uploaded it to youtube. Matt Thornton is the man when it comes to training philosophies and concepts and I subscribe fully to his ideas.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Judo Throw HL
Stole this from the Underground forum. Great judo on display here, poetry in motion. Even a sucker for Bon Jovi music.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
How to be a good training partner
What Makes a Good Training Partner
Author: Jason Scully
www.GrapplersGuide.com
I would like to talk about what makes a good training partner. This is something that really isn't discussed to often, but I feel it is also important. If your training partners aren't that good it can really effect your results.
I mean you can't train this stuff by yourself unfortunately. Below are some things that I feel make a good training partner.
First we have to think in terms of how you're drilling, as there are different ways and I'll talk about this more in-depth in another thread.
Then after that, is a list of general things a good partner should have or do.
Dead Pattern Training - No resistance from your partner. Usually done when you are learning a brand new move.
Progressive Resistance Drilling - Gradual resistance given by your partner. Added once you start feeling more comfortable with the movements
Semi-Live/Flow/Slow Rolling - Rolling live with your partner at a pace that is not usually more then 50% of your max effort and you both match each others pace without muscling movements and exploding out of things
Live Rolling - This is where you both go with 75% to 100% of you max effort and you are both trying to get the best of each other. You are trying to time your movements correctly to catch your partner off guard and he is defending with full resistance and visa versa.
Ok, now onto what makes a good partner in my opinion in each area. Now when you read this and you think of it.
Think of it not only in a manner of what or how your partner should be reacting when he is working with you, but also how YOU should be reacting when you are a partner yourself.
In dead pattern training a good partner:
Will be cooperative in their movements. They will not give resistance or a ton of resistance as to where it will hinder your training and restrict you from trying the new movements.
Will not be a dead body. Meaning they won't just go limp on you and lay their body to where you feel every single bit of their weight. If they do this it will restrict your movements and it will nowhere near mimic what it would be like if you were actually rolling live. You will get frustrated with them because they aren't making it at all practical for you.
Will not resist your movements as your drilling them. Dead pattern drilling is a time for you to be able to practice the movements of the technique without having to worry about someone fighting you. It's the time that you go through the motions and get a small grasp on the initial concepts of the movements. If someone just starts resisting you right off the bat it may mess up your initial try of the move and discourage you from doing it in the future because you may think your doing it wrong.
Will not just lose their base and balance. Many times when people train with others, especially new students they tend to lose their balance very easily. They do this even when they would probably never do that when they are rolling. Lets say your practicing a sweep and you know that when you do it in a live situation a person will probably not just lose their balance right away because their reflexes will kick in and they will try to stay up because they don't want to get swept. What happens though when you train with a new person or someone who isn't a very good training partner is they will just tip over. They'll do this even if you hardly even do anything. It's like a rag doll. This is not a good training partner. This in my opinion is probably the most frustrating part of a bad training partner when it comes to dead pattern drilling. So when you're a training partner and someone is drilling a sweep or something, don't just fall over like you have no stability sense in your body. React a bit to keep your balance because if your partner does the move correctly they should sweep you. I'm not saying you should resist their movements but don't just fall without them having to do the technique correctly.
When drilling with progressive resistance a good partner:
Should be aware of what progressive resistance is. It's not where all of a sudden they go from dead pattern drilling to all out 100% resistance. It's where you add a bit of resistance a little bit at a time. Some people have a hard time getting this concept. It is up to you, being their partner to tell them just how much resistance you might want also.
Should be adding the resistance gradually and at the same time paying attention to what it is you are doing. The purpose of this is because if you are not getting the movements for some reason they will be able to give you feedback on their end of what they think you might be doing wrong. Then from there you can adjust your movements accordingly.
You both should discuss when more resistance should be added. When you just rely on your partner to add the resistance progressively on their own it tends to be difficult to gauge what each other wants during the drilling as far as the resistance goes.
When semi-live/flow/slow rolling:
In this type of training it is once again important for your partner and yourself to make sure that you do not confuse it with "Live Rolling", which is at a much higher pace. You need to focus on moving at no more then 50% and feeling your partners movements. This helps for you both to see things while you are moving and counter acting each other.
It is important for you and your partner to understand that you need to be creative and feed each other thing. By doing this it will possibly open up your eyes to different openings and situations. It may help you see your game in a new light.
It is important for you to get your partner in bad positions and then let him escape and for you to pay attention to how he is escaping so you can figure out how to stop him when you do "Live Rolling"
Make sure you explore many areas and both you and your partner should be cooperative.
You and your partner should not be competitive during this type of training.
When doing live rolling a good partner will:
Leave there ego at the door and not get frustrated if he is caught in a position or submission. A good partner will learn from that situation.
Never apply a submission hold in a extremely fast or malicious manner. This is what leads to injuries.
Always do their submission with control and safety in mind. You want to make sure you do not hurt your partner because you want to keep training with them.
Listen to their training partner in regards to any injuries their partner might have to ensure they do not go for those areas and hurt their partner even more.
Will not be malicious in there rolling with their partner for example they will not dig their chin in their partners eyes, or anything similar of that matter.
Will be competitive at times. Your partners and your rolling doesn't always need to be competitive, but it's good to have the competitive nature once in a while to help really get you going and test your limits. A good partner is someone who can help you do this.
I know a lot of these in the categories sound similar and come down to communication and not being competitive, but I feel it is also good to see the little points in between.
Author: Jason Scully
www.GrapplersGuide.com
I would like to talk about what makes a good training partner. This is something that really isn't discussed to often, but I feel it is also important. If your training partners aren't that good it can really effect your results.
I mean you can't train this stuff by yourself unfortunately. Below are some things that I feel make a good training partner.
First we have to think in terms of how you're drilling, as there are different ways and I'll talk about this more in-depth in another thread.
Then after that, is a list of general things a good partner should have or do.
Dead Pattern Training - No resistance from your partner. Usually done when you are learning a brand new move.
Progressive Resistance Drilling - Gradual resistance given by your partner. Added once you start feeling more comfortable with the movements
Semi-Live/Flow/Slow Rolling - Rolling live with your partner at a pace that is not usually more then 50% of your max effort and you both match each others pace without muscling movements and exploding out of things
Live Rolling - This is where you both go with 75% to 100% of you max effort and you are both trying to get the best of each other. You are trying to time your movements correctly to catch your partner off guard and he is defending with full resistance and visa versa.
Ok, now onto what makes a good partner in my opinion in each area. Now when you read this and you think of it.
Think of it not only in a manner of what or how your partner should be reacting when he is working with you, but also how YOU should be reacting when you are a partner yourself.
In dead pattern training a good partner:
Will be cooperative in their movements. They will not give resistance or a ton of resistance as to where it will hinder your training and restrict you from trying the new movements.
Will not be a dead body. Meaning they won't just go limp on you and lay their body to where you feel every single bit of their weight. If they do this it will restrict your movements and it will nowhere near mimic what it would be like if you were actually rolling live. You will get frustrated with them because they aren't making it at all practical for you.
Will not resist your movements as your drilling them. Dead pattern drilling is a time for you to be able to practice the movements of the technique without having to worry about someone fighting you. It's the time that you go through the motions and get a small grasp on the initial concepts of the movements. If someone just starts resisting you right off the bat it may mess up your initial try of the move and discourage you from doing it in the future because you may think your doing it wrong.
Will not just lose their base and balance. Many times when people train with others, especially new students they tend to lose their balance very easily. They do this even when they would probably never do that when they are rolling. Lets say your practicing a sweep and you know that when you do it in a live situation a person will probably not just lose their balance right away because their reflexes will kick in and they will try to stay up because they don't want to get swept. What happens though when you train with a new person or someone who isn't a very good training partner is they will just tip over. They'll do this even if you hardly even do anything. It's like a rag doll. This is not a good training partner. This in my opinion is probably the most frustrating part of a bad training partner when it comes to dead pattern drilling. So when you're a training partner and someone is drilling a sweep or something, don't just fall over like you have no stability sense in your body. React a bit to keep your balance because if your partner does the move correctly they should sweep you. I'm not saying you should resist their movements but don't just fall without them having to do the technique correctly.
When drilling with progressive resistance a good partner:
Should be aware of what progressive resistance is. It's not where all of a sudden they go from dead pattern drilling to all out 100% resistance. It's where you add a bit of resistance a little bit at a time. Some people have a hard time getting this concept. It is up to you, being their partner to tell them just how much resistance you might want also.
Should be adding the resistance gradually and at the same time paying attention to what it is you are doing. The purpose of this is because if you are not getting the movements for some reason they will be able to give you feedback on their end of what they think you might be doing wrong. Then from there you can adjust your movements accordingly.
You both should discuss when more resistance should be added. When you just rely on your partner to add the resistance progressively on their own it tends to be difficult to gauge what each other wants during the drilling as far as the resistance goes.
When semi-live/flow/slow rolling:
In this type of training it is once again important for your partner and yourself to make sure that you do not confuse it with "Live Rolling", which is at a much higher pace. You need to focus on moving at no more then 50% and feeling your partners movements. This helps for you both to see things while you are moving and counter acting each other.
It is important for you and your partner to understand that you need to be creative and feed each other thing. By doing this it will possibly open up your eyes to different openings and situations. It may help you see your game in a new light.
It is important for you to get your partner in bad positions and then let him escape and for you to pay attention to how he is escaping so you can figure out how to stop him when you do "Live Rolling"
Make sure you explore many areas and both you and your partner should be cooperative.
You and your partner should not be competitive during this type of training.
When doing live rolling a good partner will:
Leave there ego at the door and not get frustrated if he is caught in a position or submission. A good partner will learn from that situation.
Never apply a submission hold in a extremely fast or malicious manner. This is what leads to injuries.
Always do their submission with control and safety in mind. You want to make sure you do not hurt your partner because you want to keep training with them.
Listen to their training partner in regards to any injuries their partner might have to ensure they do not go for those areas and hurt their partner even more.
Will not be malicious in there rolling with their partner for example they will not dig their chin in their partners eyes, or anything similar of that matter.
Will be competitive at times. Your partners and your rolling doesn't always need to be competitive, but it's good to have the competitive nature once in a while to help really get you going and test your limits. A good partner is someone who can help you do this.
I know a lot of these in the categories sound similar and come down to communication and not being competitive, but I feel it is also good to see the little points in between.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Vic State Champs
The comp season starts again on the Saturday 3rd May at MSAC. There will be gi and no-gi divisions this year. I have entry forms copied or they can be downloaded from the AFBJJ website. Time to hit the mat and get cracking. This is the last chance to qualify here in Melbourne before the Champions Cup to be held in Tasmania in September. Who is the guy doing the triangle choke on the poster? Looks familiar to me.......
21 Grappling Tips...
21 Tips on Improving Your Grappling Game taken from www.GrapplersGuide.com
Goal oriented training.....
Have a specific technique or area of focus for each rolling session. For example, I will come into training thinking "Today I am going to work on passing the butterfly guard". You may even want to let your training partners know this and start in those positions.
Consistent Training....
Make BJJ a priority in your life, training 3-5 times a week EVERY week. It’s no coincidence that the best guys in class also have the best attendance.
Set a schedule for yourself and don't let anything that isn't really major interrupt it. Some guys get good really quick, but the best guys have all put in countless hours to get there. You will never see your game improve as fast as it should if you are missing classes or weeks of training.
Take advantage of your training partners.....
Make a mental note of who has the best guard, takedowns, passing, pins, or escapes. Then work with them, allowing them to use their strengths. This will highlight your mistakes and help you monitor your progress. Once you can consistently overcome their strong points then you know you are seriously improving. I never pull guard against someone if I know they have a slick bottom game, I want to be on top.
Study everyone else's game - When you aren't sparring study your teammate’s games and try to pick up their effective moves. Go over it in your head as they spar. Think about when you would be able to use that move, or how you would counter it. Ask them what little adjustments they make so that the technique works better.
Ask your instructor questions......
All too often I see brown and black belts teach class and ask, "Any questions or things you guys want to work on?" and everyone is SILENT. Always have a question in mind, unless you are an absolute phenom there will always be a position where you don't feel 100% confident.
Try new things......
I always use white belts for this. I will take a move or setup that I haven't tried yet and try to pull it off on the beginners. This works well because if you are still unsure about parts of it, you most likely will not be able to pull it off at all on the more advanced guys. For example, I'm trying to learn the twister right now, so whenever I roll with white belts or new blues that is what I go for. It also helps because it makes rolling with those much less skilled than yourself challenging.
Work on a new area until you feel it is one of your strengths, then move on to another. Work on keeping your guard, for example, until it is almost impossible for any others close to your level to pass, and really difficult for someone advanced to get by. Then add your sweeps. Once you are sweeping blues easily and higher belts on occasion, move to subs from the guard, etc...
Individual attention.....
Privates with your instructor work wonders. Roll with them or have them watch you roll with someone who usually get the better of you, then have them point out areas you need to improve upon or blatant mistakes you are making.
Train at different gyms....
I realized that having new perspectives helped me greatly. Also, the experience of rolling with guys you don't know anything about will make your moves much sharper. This is especially true if you are the most technical one in your academy, don't fall into the "big fish in a small pond syndrome".
Compete as often as possible......
Under the stress of competition the true nature of your skills come out. Also it helps to let you know where you stand in the larger scheme of things by giving you a realistic look at where you stand against other guys with the same belt level.
Teach new guys....
If you can get a pure beginner to do a move 100% accurately then you know that you have it down. It is good practice to make sure you are aware of each little detail that makes a technique work.
Roll until you are exhausted at every training session.......
I see many guys pack their bags and go home when they have barely worked up a sweat. I always try to train until my instructors tell me they have to lock up and go home. Even if I'm so tired that I'm getting my ass kicked by someone of lower rank, the experience of training when you have no strength left will vastly improve your game both mentally and physically.
Your cardio is a technique. You may know a lot, but you won’t be able to express it well if you are worried that you are going to run out of air. You can really open up your game and keep pressure on your opponent if your lungs can handle the constant movement and explosiveness.
Train in inferior positions......
Allow your training partners to get your back, pass your guard, or mount you. Don't let them know that you are allowing them to have the position (I say this because if they think they got it legitimately they tend to get excited and really work for the finish, which is good for you). Stay in the inferior position and work on simply avoiding the submissions, then work your escapes. This will help you feel comfortable in even the worst situations, which in my opinion is a major difference between an inexperienced grappler and a experienced one.
Have a good balance between top and bottom......
If I tap someone from my guard, then I will make it my goal to pass and tap them from side control during the next roll. If I tap someone from the top, I will pull guard the next time. When I was a new blue belt I had a decent guard and I would tend to neglect my top game while rolling because I could tap most people from the bottom, it was an ego thing I had to get over and it held me back some. Now when I roll I always alternate between top and bottom, not allowing myself to neglect either area.
Find someone who can manhandle you......
Never back down from sparring the toughest guys in class. Each sparring session, put your ego aside and roll with the best guy you can find, also spar with heavy guys, quick guys, and guys with unlimited endurance. As a beginner or intermediate grappler, you are under no pressure to be brilliant, so use that time to open up your game and test the positions you know against guy who know what they are doing.
Drill things to death......
Take about ten minutes before or after you roll to just work on the techniques you've been shown over the past few days of class. Also try to take one day a week and make it your drilling day. That day spend at least a half hour - 45 minutes just repeating techniques and sequences over, and over and over. It’s boring and I hate doing it, but it helps a great deal.
Although it is boring, many of the best guys I know devote a portion of every training session to drilling a basic movement with a partner.
Specialize......
Find positions that fit your game and work them in sparring until you can rely on them against just about anyone. For example, there was a time when my all-around game was weak, but I knew that I had one sweep from my half-guard that I could catch just about anyone with. Didn't matter what level they were, I knew I would sweep them if I got the underhook in the half-guard. You need a technique like that from every position to go to against tougher guys. You’ll start to learn set-up for those specialized techniques and areas and then it will keep branching off from there which will then lead to you developing a game/style for yourself.
Share your tricks......
Share your tricks with anyone who asks. As they get better, they will be more competition for you. When you have tough competition, you will inevitably get tougher to beat yourself.
Use training sessions as a time to learn not win......
Think of a move you want to pull off and the situation that would require it. When training, the sparring sessions should be more about pulling off that move/moves than winning the match. To me, it's more important if you pull off a move you've been wanting to implement in your game then tapping your teammate in class. It's a great feeling finally getting a move you've been wanting for a long time, even if the end result is you getting tapped. Tourneys are about playing your best game and playing to win; class is all about experimenting.
Visualization....
Training isn't just on the mat. It is also in the mind. When you learn a technique that you feel works for your game or you've been having trouble pulling off a certain move. Think about how you can make your technique better and practice in your head. Visualize your movements and try to feel and react in your mind what it is you can and will do to beat your opponent. I also recommend a book called “The Mind Gym” to aid in your mental training.
Be Technical......
Just like stated before practice isn't the time to go full force and try to maul your partners. It is a time to learn and improve. True there are times in class where you do want to play to win. I would say maybe 1 out of every 5 classes, but for the most part you want to improve and become as technical as possible. It is important to focus on good technique first and then add your attributes. It will make things much easier in the long run. If you feel your self muscling out of position or using your speed instead take a moment to stop and thing what the proper technique it is you can use to accomplish your goal. If your not sure you can always “ASK QUESTIONS”. Remember this the more technique you use the less energy you waste.
Don't Ever Forget The Basics.......
A lot of people get wrapped up in the newest techniques that are coming out. While some are very good and some are not. It is also extremely important that you don't forget about the basics. If you watch any major tournament you will see that most matches are won by using mostly the basics. If you are not proficient at the basics you will never be able to properly expand upon your skills and add any new techniques and make them work easily for you.
Train Takedowns.......
I know BJJ is a ground fighting art but too many schools neglect the importance of the stand-up game. Most altercations start from the feet and ALL tournaments start on the feet. Especially when you start to move up the ranks and as time goes on you will see that more and more people are getting comfortable with there takedown abilities.
When you are the one that dictates where the fight is going to be and when and how it will go to the ground that is a big confidence booster. If you are the one to take your opponent down chances are you not only physically gave yourself an advantage but you did mentally to, because you felt confident on your feet and you startled your opponent because you just dictated the fight from the beginning. It is always nice to be able to stand in front of your opponent and not be afraid of getting taken down and resorting to pulling guard.
Thanks for reading!
Jason Scully is a teacher and competitor with 12 years of grappling experience. He owns Jersey Shore Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts and also operates The Grapplers Guide Forum. He is currently a BJJ purple belt under Kurt Pellegrino
Goal oriented training.....
Have a specific technique or area of focus for each rolling session. For example, I will come into training thinking "Today I am going to work on passing the butterfly guard". You may even want to let your training partners know this and start in those positions.
Consistent Training....
Make BJJ a priority in your life, training 3-5 times a week EVERY week. It’s no coincidence that the best guys in class also have the best attendance.
Set a schedule for yourself and don't let anything that isn't really major interrupt it. Some guys get good really quick, but the best guys have all put in countless hours to get there. You will never see your game improve as fast as it should if you are missing classes or weeks of training.
Take advantage of your training partners.....
Make a mental note of who has the best guard, takedowns, passing, pins, or escapes. Then work with them, allowing them to use their strengths. This will highlight your mistakes and help you monitor your progress. Once you can consistently overcome their strong points then you know you are seriously improving. I never pull guard against someone if I know they have a slick bottom game, I want to be on top.
Study everyone else's game - When you aren't sparring study your teammate’s games and try to pick up their effective moves. Go over it in your head as they spar. Think about when you would be able to use that move, or how you would counter it. Ask them what little adjustments they make so that the technique works better.
Ask your instructor questions......
All too often I see brown and black belts teach class and ask, "Any questions or things you guys want to work on?" and everyone is SILENT. Always have a question in mind, unless you are an absolute phenom there will always be a position where you don't feel 100% confident.
Try new things......
I always use white belts for this. I will take a move or setup that I haven't tried yet and try to pull it off on the beginners. This works well because if you are still unsure about parts of it, you most likely will not be able to pull it off at all on the more advanced guys. For example, I'm trying to learn the twister right now, so whenever I roll with white belts or new blues that is what I go for. It also helps because it makes rolling with those much less skilled than yourself challenging.
Work on a new area until you feel it is one of your strengths, then move on to another. Work on keeping your guard, for example, until it is almost impossible for any others close to your level to pass, and really difficult for someone advanced to get by. Then add your sweeps. Once you are sweeping blues easily and higher belts on occasion, move to subs from the guard, etc...
Individual attention.....
Privates with your instructor work wonders. Roll with them or have them watch you roll with someone who usually get the better of you, then have them point out areas you need to improve upon or blatant mistakes you are making.
Train at different gyms....
I realized that having new perspectives helped me greatly. Also, the experience of rolling with guys you don't know anything about will make your moves much sharper. This is especially true if you are the most technical one in your academy, don't fall into the "big fish in a small pond syndrome".
Compete as often as possible......
Under the stress of competition the true nature of your skills come out. Also it helps to let you know where you stand in the larger scheme of things by giving you a realistic look at where you stand against other guys with the same belt level.
Teach new guys....
If you can get a pure beginner to do a move 100% accurately then you know that you have it down. It is good practice to make sure you are aware of each little detail that makes a technique work.
Roll until you are exhausted at every training session.......
I see many guys pack their bags and go home when they have barely worked up a sweat. I always try to train until my instructors tell me they have to lock up and go home. Even if I'm so tired that I'm getting my ass kicked by someone of lower rank, the experience of training when you have no strength left will vastly improve your game both mentally and physically.
Your cardio is a technique. You may know a lot, but you won’t be able to express it well if you are worried that you are going to run out of air. You can really open up your game and keep pressure on your opponent if your lungs can handle the constant movement and explosiveness.
Train in inferior positions......
Allow your training partners to get your back, pass your guard, or mount you. Don't let them know that you are allowing them to have the position (I say this because if they think they got it legitimately they tend to get excited and really work for the finish, which is good for you). Stay in the inferior position and work on simply avoiding the submissions, then work your escapes. This will help you feel comfortable in even the worst situations, which in my opinion is a major difference between an inexperienced grappler and a experienced one.
Have a good balance between top and bottom......
If I tap someone from my guard, then I will make it my goal to pass and tap them from side control during the next roll. If I tap someone from the top, I will pull guard the next time. When I was a new blue belt I had a decent guard and I would tend to neglect my top game while rolling because I could tap most people from the bottom, it was an ego thing I had to get over and it held me back some. Now when I roll I always alternate between top and bottom, not allowing myself to neglect either area.
Find someone who can manhandle you......
Never back down from sparring the toughest guys in class. Each sparring session, put your ego aside and roll with the best guy you can find, also spar with heavy guys, quick guys, and guys with unlimited endurance. As a beginner or intermediate grappler, you are under no pressure to be brilliant, so use that time to open up your game and test the positions you know against guy who know what they are doing.
Drill things to death......
Take about ten minutes before or after you roll to just work on the techniques you've been shown over the past few days of class. Also try to take one day a week and make it your drilling day. That day spend at least a half hour - 45 minutes just repeating techniques and sequences over, and over and over. It’s boring and I hate doing it, but it helps a great deal.
Although it is boring, many of the best guys I know devote a portion of every training session to drilling a basic movement with a partner.
Specialize......
Find positions that fit your game and work them in sparring until you can rely on them against just about anyone. For example, there was a time when my all-around game was weak, but I knew that I had one sweep from my half-guard that I could catch just about anyone with. Didn't matter what level they were, I knew I would sweep them if I got the underhook in the half-guard. You need a technique like that from every position to go to against tougher guys. You’ll start to learn set-up for those specialized techniques and areas and then it will keep branching off from there which will then lead to you developing a game/style for yourself.
Share your tricks......
Share your tricks with anyone who asks. As they get better, they will be more competition for you. When you have tough competition, you will inevitably get tougher to beat yourself.
Use training sessions as a time to learn not win......
Think of a move you want to pull off and the situation that would require it. When training, the sparring sessions should be more about pulling off that move/moves than winning the match. To me, it's more important if you pull off a move you've been wanting to implement in your game then tapping your teammate in class. It's a great feeling finally getting a move you've been wanting for a long time, even if the end result is you getting tapped. Tourneys are about playing your best game and playing to win; class is all about experimenting.
Visualization....
Training isn't just on the mat. It is also in the mind. When you learn a technique that you feel works for your game or you've been having trouble pulling off a certain move. Think about how you can make your technique better and practice in your head. Visualize your movements and try to feel and react in your mind what it is you can and will do to beat your opponent. I also recommend a book called “The Mind Gym” to aid in your mental training.
Be Technical......
Just like stated before practice isn't the time to go full force and try to maul your partners. It is a time to learn and improve. True there are times in class where you do want to play to win. I would say maybe 1 out of every 5 classes, but for the most part you want to improve and become as technical as possible. It is important to focus on good technique first and then add your attributes. It will make things much easier in the long run. If you feel your self muscling out of position or using your speed instead take a moment to stop and thing what the proper technique it is you can use to accomplish your goal. If your not sure you can always “ASK QUESTIONS”. Remember this the more technique you use the less energy you waste.
Don't Ever Forget The Basics.......
A lot of people get wrapped up in the newest techniques that are coming out. While some are very good and some are not. It is also extremely important that you don't forget about the basics. If you watch any major tournament you will see that most matches are won by using mostly the basics. If you are not proficient at the basics you will never be able to properly expand upon your skills and add any new techniques and make them work easily for you.
Train Takedowns.......
I know BJJ is a ground fighting art but too many schools neglect the importance of the stand-up game. Most altercations start from the feet and ALL tournaments start on the feet. Especially when you start to move up the ranks and as time goes on you will see that more and more people are getting comfortable with there takedown abilities.
When you are the one that dictates where the fight is going to be and when and how it will go to the ground that is a big confidence booster. If you are the one to take your opponent down chances are you not only physically gave yourself an advantage but you did mentally to, because you felt confident on your feet and you startled your opponent because you just dictated the fight from the beginning. It is always nice to be able to stand in front of your opponent and not be afraid of getting taken down and resorting to pulling guard.
Thanks for reading!
Jason Scully is a teacher and competitor with 12 years of grappling experience. He owns Jersey Shore Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts and also operates The Grapplers Guide Forum. He is currently a BJJ purple belt under Kurt Pellegrino
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Cindy Omatsu Open Guard Sweep
And here is an example of Marcio "Pe de Pano" Cruz using this very sweep in competition. Pe de Pano is the king of this inverted guard.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Single Leg Takedown Head on Outside
Here are two videos looking at Single Leg Attacks with the head on the outside which is different to the more traditional head on the inside. This makes you more suceptible to cross face and underhooks but I like the videos to compare gi versus no gi applications of the same technique. Consider the gi grips comapred to the wrestling tie up and try to find overlap.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
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