Combatives - first three lessons and FVGJJ is moving

Today's training was going back to the first three lessons of the Combatives - Trap and Roll Escape - all variations, Americana - all variations, and Positional control - Mount - with high and low swim. It was good to practice the nuances.

All in all, a good day of rolling.

Also, Fox Valley Gracie Jiu Jitsu is moving from a garage to a classroom space in what was an elementary school. Lockers, bathrooms, tons of room. What's not to like?

Considering the growth of the garage, the move couldn't have been timed better!

Saturday session - Elbow Escape

Today was Gracie University Lesson 12 - Elbow escape under mount.

Roy Dean covers the lesson about 4:55 into the vid.



Fun session. Worked with Steve at Fox Valley Gracie JJ. I was able to roll about 20 minutes before he took advantage of a wayward arm while he was in side control on me.

Tips for me. Don't just pivot hips. Good shrimp out on each side. Watch for opponent in mount to control elbows from being able to frame the knee and attempt the escape.

Monday - Headlock counters.

Isn't that Shark Bite da da?

First of all - I'm going to try to put more visual aids in my blog. I'm taking note of other bloggers and how visually appealing their sites are....

I was watching the movie Fighting - circa 2009. With Terrance Howard (Hustle and Flow) and Channing Tatum (Step Up). It's basically about a small town kid in a big city looking to make a little money. He gets caught up in something bigger than himself, falls in love and makes good at the end. You know, the typical teenager movie plot. Come to think of it, it is Step Up but instead of dancing, it is bare-knuckle fighting. Anyhow - there is a scene where Tatum's character is paid to fight a character in the middle of a Chinatown joint. The fighter in China-town is Cung Le! Cung looks great in the movie. So of course, the movie is all about the stand-up - punching and being punched - but Cung takes Tatum's character to the ground. At that moment, my kids say - "Isn't that Shark Bite da da?"

A reminder - me and my kids are doing Gracie's Bullyproof. They recognized Shark Bite (trap and roll escape from under mount) from the Bullyproof lessons. It wasn't quite mount in the movie - but who cares! My kids are AWESOME. They also saw Guard Monster - Le had Tatum in Guard and was attempting a triangle. They were amazed that these guys on TV were playing the Gracie Bullyproof games!

I loved it. My two kids recognizing Jits.

Rolling, Rolling, Rolling. I'm Rolling with my kids!

Some key dates for me this year.
Injured on 2/19/2010.
Surgery on 2/24/2010.
Off crutches 3/20/2010.
Finally able to get into a car and drive 4/12/2010.
Able to lift more than 5 lb weights in a quad extension or hamstring curl 4/16/2010.
Rolling with my kids. 4/27/2010!
It was good doing some jits with my kids. We popped the Bullyproof DVD's in and started from Game 1 - Spidey Kids (maintain mount). The kids couldn't stop! And I didn't want to.
So the games we did - Spidey Kids (maintain mount), Shark Bite (trap and roll mount escape), Bulldozer (seated mount and mount adjustment), Crocodile Control (side mount), Base Battle, Snake Bite (trap and roll mount escape different hand variation), Guard Monster (maintain closed guard), Crazy Legs (standing guard pass).

We didn't do two games - Tackle the giant (takedown) and Crazy Horse (taking the back). These two games take a tone of knee stability. In Crazy Horse, the adult literally rears up like a horse and tests the child's hold of the back.

So, I know that there are sites out there that poo-poo the Gracie University - the Gracie Combatives and the concept of a video testing. I won't get into that argument. I'm a learner - and I do it differently from others - if someone has the opportunity to learn and get feedback - who am I to say that one way is better than another. I'm a scientist - so until I see a double blinded placebo controlled study - I won't be convinced that one way is better than another until I see data. I'll try them all!
But outside of the video testing, the quality of instruction, detail of technique and the drills that connect situation to situation to situation is outstanding. And it is the same detailed instruction in the Bullyproof DVD set.

The unbelievable thing about Bullyproof is that the lessons are set up not only to be able to instruct a parent doing the games and the jiujitsu combatives, but also set up to keep - CAPTURE! - the attention of the kids.

So how do I know the lessons help?
I maybe a bit biased or maybe my technique is weak, but when my kids do the Spidey Kid with me (maintain mount), I swear that I can't budge them. They move with the flow, shift position, shift their weight and nothing can get them off!
I know from first hand experience, a bully can stand nothing more than feeling like they have no options and no ability to really hurt their target. I once got a bully in a scarf hold judo position on the ground and I was able to keep them down until they calmed down and able to convince them to never bug me or my friend again.
I know that my kids are just a bit better prepared to have to handle a situation, without panicking, without having to throw a punch, and without having to take any physical punishment.

Knee me

At least there is no arthritis or mini-breaks. This is 12-15 years of bad patellar tendonitis. Mini-tears and periods of inflammation make it a perfect spot for a tear.

Combine that plus a quadricep firing hard to prevent a fall backwards and you get a tear. I felt bad for my kids. They didn't quite know how to handle seeing daddy all hurt. Also, I've been rolling with the kids regularly - Gracies Bullyproof JiuJitsu program. AWESOME stuff. It actually has such great basics that it can help anyone in the Jits game.

I learned about the "H" in Rener.

What did I get out of that video - First, this is the first time I've heard how "R's" are pronounced in Brazilian names. I'm still not educated enough to know if this is only in the Pronoun's or if it is in any Portugese word. Or is it a purely Brazilian pronounciation of a Portugese "r".
When I heard "Hener" say "Hyron" when addressing Ryron and "Hyron" say "Hener" when speaking about Rener. I was confused. Then I remebered about "Hoyce" who is Royce in the first UFC's and I ... never mind, but that was something new for me.

O.K. the GU site has online forums, detailed video instruction, written instruction points, and drills for building technique reflexes and fight simulations to practice progression of techniques. The GU site provided a way to get in touch with a Gracie Academy school or other students looking to do the GU curiculum and needing a partner. There was also the Gracie Garage concept, while not a unique thing (guys getting together to roll), the execution of a method of authorizing and organizing garages was unique. Providing videos of the folks that run a garage, seeing the garage site and equipment and mat space - who else has done that?
And finally, for me was the opportunity to test for Belts and Stripes. C'mon - testing online, via video?
So let me give you my thoughts, point by point of the GU product.
Online forums - for me, very useful and interesting. The questions from different students would be answered by Rener, Ryron or other Gracie Academy folks. And 99% of the time, someone would eventually ask the same questions that ran through my mind.
Detailed video instruction - I liked that the videos would indicate when a particular technique should be used. The key details of executing the technique would be pointed out as well as the common mistakes that are seen. Inevitably, Rener or Ryron would cover a point and answer a question that was brewing in me as they instructed.
Written Instruction Points - I have used these for helping me think through the technique. The written instruction points help me with visulization of a new technique. I write notes on how the techniques transition from one to the next.
Reflex Development and Fight Simulations - Such a useful way to get reps in of a new technique and then practicing transitions and progression of position in different situations. These drills and simulations become progressively more involved, but it is such an excellent mental and physical test that develops muscle memory. These don't feel like drills that have you rep a technique over and over. It tests both partners - the "bad guy" and the driller and enables you to get reps of several techniques.
Student Search - was I excited. I could find a live grappling partner. Sorry Tapey. Hopefully our schedules workout. Within 20 miles of my location there are close to 200 students. Unfortunately not all of the students wished to be contacted or wanted to be a training partner. I wonder how these folks progress in their lessons...
Gracie Garage - A location, hopefuly in the area, where you can train for free with other guys learning the GU curiculum. I found two Garages in the Appleton area. 2! In NE Wisconsin - Get OUT!
Testing on-line - Believe me, I'm the first to be skeptical. I believe that live partners with full resistance is the best way to train. But I really was amazed at the videos that need to be submitted, the amount of detail that is expected and the consistent method of evaluation. A very useful part of the site was that demo videos and actual video testing submissions are posted on-line to be viewed. Not only are there videos of folks that passed, but videos of folks that did not pass. I've enclosed the link. To see the videos, you may have to register, but registration is free.
So after more than a year I was training again!

Gracie University - a new foundation

I've seen other instruction videos - but in different arts. Mostly striking arts, but also in Hapkido and Judo. Or I've tried what I would see on YouTube or on a martial arts movie. Grainy and minimal shot angles or too glitzy and glam with the use of wires and pulleys. Maybe it was because these other videos were of questionable production quality or were basically what videos are - one way communication, that it was easy for me to be highly impressed by the Gracie University concept.
In addition to the quality of the video instruction, it was the progressive nature of the lessons that really appealed to me. There was a logical beginning lesson with drills that develop appropriate reflexes and then simulations that incorporate new lessons and past lessons into logical sequences that would occur in "real-life."
From a point of reference that many other BJJ students may relate too, depending on who attends a live BJJ class, it is very difficult to create a lesson plan that may meet the needs of all of the experience levels of the students in class that day. In my several months at the Grappling Club, I learned a ton - the basic submissions were drilled and drilled and drilled - Key Locks, Arm Bars (different variations), and Triangle Choke. I remember covering 2 or 3 different of sweeps (scissors, pendulum, elevator) multiple times. But I didn't learn an effective oopa, trap and roll escape until the last month at the Club. That was eye opening - trap a side (arm/leg) effective bridge straight up, then pivot and roll to the side of the trap.
But what it taught me (and I knew this for other stuff) is that as far as beeing an adult learner, I like to - need to - understand the base knowledge and how it builds, progresses and connects to following knowledge. Up until then, I was thinking about how I was treating the class. I was treating the class like other martial arts classes (striking classes). I learned one move after another move. Hey that was a cool move. Whoa that was a cool kick. Not really - "that was a great transition and look at the progression from that position to another position." I know, I know, it shouldn't have taken months for me to figure that out. But I'm slow that way.
So, because of issues I mentioned before, I'm limited with time. I jump on GU and find the first lesson - Trap and Roll Escape, three variations. The beginning of building my foundation.

Gracie University

I have my training partner all made - so it's time to train, right? I loved my time at the club, but my schedule just didn't work out. Staring at the FVGC schedule every night wasn't really working - "I know I can get out to the Wednesday class.... maybe the Saturday class..." Hoping isn't a method.
I researched other options, I rolled with the dummy, I tried various video clips from YouTube, I rolled with my kids and even the dog (Fred got over excited and puppy humping usually happened next).
I got my fix by reading different books and magazines. Then one day I noticed a Black Belt magazine ad for Gracie University.
Serious? - a comprehensive BJJ curriculum that started with basics and built on its lessons. Provided a method for finding training partners in almost any neighborhood. Provided a method to ask questions from Gracie instructors. And even allowed for a detailed testing process to test for a Gracie Academy Blue Belt and beyond. Really.
I was really skeptical. And it took several visits to the bathroom (where the magazine sat) over a few days, for me to be intrigued enough to even visit the website. But to the site I went. And I was amazed.

It had me at "Hello."

I've decided that I will start out blogging of my recent experiences in my martial arts learning. Specifically, how have I gotten into my most recent learning addiction, brazilian jiu jitsu. Selfishly, I want this blog to help me remember everything I've learned so far.
My love of jiu jitsu actually started as a kid when I started taking Judo and Tae Kwon Do - that was about 28 years ago or more! At my school, Monday's, Wednesday's and Fridays were dedicated to Tae Kwon Do, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays were Judo days. As a kid, we start out learning the ground techniques. But we learned each position isolated from the others. We didn't really learn transitions and we didn't really learn methods of improving position, reversals or escapes. But it was the coolest! As a kid, usually it's enough to be able to hold down and control another kid that was stupid enough to pick a fight. That may even work as an adult.
Then came Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. And that was like an a-ha moment for me!
I started my training in BJJ in 2008 at the Fox Valley Grappling Club. It was great. A group of folks interested in grappling, judo, muay thai, mma. Kids, men and women.
So what did I learn?
First - I was a wacky noob that panicked, gassed out and tapped left and right.
Second - I thought that lifting weights and an elliptical was a good work out. Was I wrong. I died with the first warm-up.
Third - Being not so flexible and having some creaky joints, the ibuprofen and aspirin I was taking for pain also lead to major bruising. I looked like one of those guys on Fight Club, except I was always talking about fight club.
Fourth - Skin infections - ring worm, and tinea multiforms - sucks.
Finally - This was the best sport and art, it had me at Hello.

After about 9 months in '08, my schedule and my kids schedules changed enough that I had practically no time for FVGC. My experience in BJJ had to wait in hiatus for about a year. But I was thinking about it all the time!

Next, Gracie University and at home instruction with FVGC Blue Belt!