Article - A BJJ Christmas

Article #7, by Can Sönmez

You've woken up to shiny new DVDs and books on Christmas Day. The titles slowly shed their seasonal skin of wrapping paper: Saulo Ribeiro's Jiu Jitsu University, Roy Dean's Purple Belt Requirements, or perhaps one of the three volumes by Ed Beneville.

With the huge amount of BJJ instructionals on offer now, it is easy to slip into the mindset that you'll be able to overcome that stumbling block in your game through supplemental material. If only you could find the right submission, the right set-up, the right defence, you would suddenly transform into a dominant sparring machine. This is especially common with beginners: there is still so much that seems out of reach. Constantly failing to pass somebody's guard can swiftly become demoralising, so it may feel like a DVD could be a magic key to unlock the secret.

On a related note, it appears that many people prefer to turn to the internet or supplemental material, rather than their instructor (who in my view should always be your first port of call). This may be because some instructors are easier to talk to than others, especially given variations in class size. It is also true that there are plenty of schools with a 'sink or swim' mentality. Due to BJJ's lack of formal structure (a strength in terms of a meritocratic ranking system, but a weakness when it comes to standardisation and a clear syllabus), in some clubs a beginner may go months without learning a basic escape from side control. A well-organised DVD, like Blue Belt Requirements, can help towards providing that structure, as well as filling in the gaps.

There is also the fact that BJJ is incredibly complex, a sport which is constantly developing (except among those seeking preservation rather than evolution). Especially at the higher levels, there are always new ideas and strategies coming into play (I don't want to say 'new techniques' because – barring unfortunate circumstances – we all have two arms and two legs, so seeing as grappling is at least five thousand years old, it's unlikely anything is truly 'new' in that sense), or the resurgence of earlier tactics which had fallen out of favour.

That has been aptly demonstrated this year by the 50/50 guard: not only has there been a DVD set devoted to the position, but also a flurry of YouTube videos, where various camps battled to see who could counter the other's counter first. This is evolution at its best, a technique pressure-tested to force efficacy. Thanks to the rigours of competition, if there is any flaw in the technique, you can be damn sure somebody else is going to find it.

Personally, I use DVDs and books all the time. I think they're a helpful resource, as long as you don't forget to always check technical problems with your instructor first. Ideally, DVDs simply refine what you've already learned in class, rather than an entirely new technique you've never seen outside of the internet. When you've been training a bit longer, a DVD can provide an interesting new perspective, or perhaps a different game to what you're used to (e.g., the dynamic rotational style advocated by Yukinori Sasa on Paraestra Guard). Enjoy your presents, but don't forget, it's drilling in class under qualified supervision that really counts. ;)

I'm off to Wales in a couple of days, so until January: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

< Previous Article ::: Next Article >

20/12/2009 - End of Year Open Mat

Class #273



RGA Aylesbury, (BJJ), Kev Capel, Aylesbury, UK - 20/12/2009

Great news for women BJJers in the UK (or indeed any women who make it over here): there is a female-specific BJJ training camp in the works. See here for further details, and join the Facebook group.

The snow has been heavy around here, at least by English standards, so I couldn't make it to training on Thursday, which was RGA Wycombe's last session. However, I knew there was an end of year open mat over at the Aylesbury location, so decided it was worth the cost of hopping on the train to make it. With my usual complete lack of a sense of direction, I ended up having to call Kev to find out where the hell it was: once you get to the Stocklake road, look for the brown sign pointing to indoor karting. The McLeod Academy is down that road.

In many ways it felt like a throwdown, with the same relaxed atmosphere. That is probably my favourite way to train, especially with the instructor present. I can chat about BJJ, get some pointers on techniques, and spar as much or as little as I want.

I began by rolling with Kev, which as usual was very defensive. I was trying to make sure I put my legs and knees in the way as much as possible, and also attempting to spin. After eventually tapping me with an armbar, I had a chat with Kev about the many, many holes in my game.

He suggested I should look into Robson Moura, as Kev feels Moura has an ideal game for small people like us. I have seen bits of that DVD (which I'll review at some point in the future), but came away feeling it was a little advanced for me. I still have enough trouble landing a basic armbar, let alone the complex gi-wraps Robson likes to use.

Nevertheless, as Kev said, that kind of thing can help your basics, presenting a different perspective to setting up the typical armbar. Kev also said that overhooks would be a good idea for me, which builds on the overhook grip I've been trying to use from guard. Kev noted that from that position, you need to shrimp out slightly to your side: I've been staying too flat after securing an overhook. I also need to make sure I pinch the elbow of my overhooking arm tight to my side.

Kev also suggested that I try the Shawn Williams guard, where you grab your leg. Unlike the 10th Planet JJ stuff, it has the major advantage of not being dependent on flexibility. I hadn't considered it before, so may have a look into this in order to play around with it. I'm hoping to go train at Hollywood BJJ if I ever make it out to the US for a training trip, so would be cool to have some questions for the man himself when I get there. ;)

My main goal for the open mat was to get in loads of drilling on the twisting guard break. This is something I've been working for a couple of months since Kev demonstrated it in class, so I was keen to take the opportunity to iron out some kinks. Kev directed me to a white belt who also wanted to work his guard passing, so after showing him the pass, we drilled it a bunch of times each, adding in some resistance later.

After a bit more drilling with a blue belt, I had a chance to work the break with Kev. This was immensely useful, as he pointed out some details I'd been missing. Before, I had thought it was really important to get a hand to their hip and stiff-arm all your weight on top of it. However, Kev said that you can start to slide that back as you stand up, putting the hand on their knee to push as you twist.

If you focus too much on pressing down on the hip, it can make for awkward posture, making it easier for them to pull you down. This also connects to the second point, which is the double-collar grip. Previously, I had been gripping as normal a bit below the chest, establishing that grip first. Due to the fact I kept either getting knocked forward or had my arm attacked, I thought perhaps I needed to get the hip locked down first.

However, Kev said that you do indeed establish that double collar grip first, you just hold lower down. Your elbow should be back, meaning that you aren't so at risk of getting your arm attacked, but you can still push your fist forward if they make a forceful effort to raise up their torso.

If they go for your arm as you're twisting and trying to break the guard, you may be able to go for what Kev called the Barbosa pass (it has loads of names: Wilson Reis pass, Sao Paulo pass, Roberto Tozi pass, ChimPass etc). This is especially true if they try to reach around your back. I'll have to look that pass over again: I was reminded of it recently because Jared Weiner demonstrates it on BJJ Spirits 6.

I finished off my training for 2009 with a white belt Kev said I should spar, as he was carrying a rib injury (I'm small and I like to think I'm also controlled, so always happy to spar with injured people, taking great care not to aggravate whatever they've hurt). He's still pretty new, which gave me a chance to play with armbars and triangles, but given the fact he only started recently and had that rib problem, submissions are pretty meaningless.

So, unless I can convince my girlfriend to do a bit more Gracie Combatives over the New Year (we'll be in Fishguard: on the very unlikely off-chance there are any BJJers around that part of Wales who fancy some training, feel free to drop me a line), that completes my time on the mat for this year. Roll on 2010, and merry xmas everyone: seeing as I won't be training, I should have an article or two up before the year ends.

DVD Review - BJJ Spirits 6 (Jiu Jitsu Damashi)

Short Review: In my opinion, the selling point of this DVD is the huge amount of competition footage, which importantly is not just lots of people stalling out points victories, but fast, technical matches that normally end in a submission. You can tell just how dynamic those fights were by the fact that the DVD manages to pack sixty-five of them into two hours and fourteen minutes.

On top of all that, there is over half an hour of technique, featuring luminaries such as JT Torres, Relson Gracie and Rafael Mendes. They are joined in the accompanying eighty page magazine by Fabio Gurgel, Robson Moura and Cobrinha, among others. If you happen to read Japanese, then there are also various articles and interviews, but given the three hour DVD and numerous technical photographs in the magazine, you're still getting more than your money's worth. Available to buy here (put in 'slidey' to get 15% off).

Full Review: Once again, Matt from ScrambleStuff, a new company selling t-shirts and Japanese DVD imports, sent me a Japanese DVD/magazine to review. This is by the same company as Paraestra Guard, but this time it is actually a magazine, rather than an instructional book. That means that it contains interviews and articles, with a few adverts thrown in. It also means that the fact everything is in Japanese becomes more of an issue, as unless you speak the language, you can only look at the pictures.

This particular issue is number six in the 'BJJ Spirits' series: the Japanese title is 'Jiu Jitsu Damashi'. There are a few snippets of English, such as in the contents page, which divides the magazine up into 'Interviews', 'Special Technique', 'Data Room' and 'Etc'. There are great pictures, but unless you're a photography buff, that isn't going to mean much to those who don't read Japanese. A few minor exceptions pop up, like the interview with Rafael Mendes has a little 'profile' box, with some details English speakers can understand: specifically, his birthday and his weight.

As a further indication of its Japanese origin, the magazine opens 'backwards' (from a Western perspective, at least), with pages running from right to left. As I can't understand the text anyway, this only becomes important when you get to the pictures for each technique. You have to start from the column on the far right, which was occasionally a cause for slight confusion when I forgot.

Techniques kick off with Rafael Mendes demonstrating how to take the back from the 50/50 guard, in a series of eight pictures over one page, with details like grips highlighted. Like Paraestra Guard, this is in conjunction with the DVD, though this time, not every technique is replicated. There are moves which appear on the magazine but not the DVD, and vice versa.

The DVD (which, along with its cover, is attached to the contents page) has two sections, the first of which surprised me. I had been expecting a repeat of everything in the magazine, but instead, it begins with 'Competition', which I'll detail later. The other section is 'Technique' (35:04 minutes total), split into a sub-menu with seven options. None of those are in English, with the exception of 'JT', which obviously refers to JT Torres. There are pictures for all of them, but I couldn't easily identify who was who until I clicked through.

For example, the last of those seven sections is where Rafael Mendes covers off the same techniques from the magazine, with a few extra. However, from the picture, I at first assumed this was going to be Robson Moura, as he also featured in the magazine.

Mendes continues his display in the magazine with a sweep, then follows by spinning round his partner's leg, knocking them forward and moving to attack their foot with a figure-four hold. The techniques aren't named, so you have to work it out from the pictures. Like Paraestra Guard, there is a heading at the top of the page in English, saying the name of the demonstrator and numbering each technique.

The DVD version is easier to follow, although it is equally unclear in terms of explaining what each technique is called (in English, at least: there's a big red kanji prefacing every technique, which I presume is a description). The audio for Mendes is Portuguese with Japanese subtitles: there is no dubbing, so almost every demonstrator speaks in their native tongue. Each section gets a brief header with a picture of the demonstrator and their name in English (for example, JT Torres is preceded by a picture of him with 'JT' written underneath).

Mendes provides the first techniques of the magazine, but the last on the DVD. Again like Paraestra Guard, the demonstrations are concise, Mendes being a case in point. In just over two minutes, he runs through the moves from the magazine, adding in a third sweep from the 50/50 straight into mount. Interestingly, he isn't sporting an Atos patch: instead, it just says 'Ramon Lemos Jiu Jitsu' on the back of his gi.

Other interviews and articles follow in the magazine, covering Cobrinha and Michael Langhi. As before, unless you understand Japanese or love photography, this isn't going to mean much to you. More useful are the techniques Langhi shows, which unfortunately are not repeated on the DVD. He offers five options from spider guard, with one foot on the bicep, the other loose. First he sweeps to mount, then in the second, he takes the back and secures a choke.

Third is another sweep to mount, then fourth, he sits up by their leg, sweeps and moves into a pass. This continues onto the next page, alongside the final technique. Here Langhi gives a quick demonstration of how to escape someone who is trying to do the double under pass, shifting back into position to go for a triangle (or just get free).

Andre Galvao is up next. After his interview, or perhaps as part of it, there is a small inset box on page thirty one. First are two techniques, showing what looks like a similar guard pass in four pictures, gi and nogi. Underneath that are three further passes, two with four pictures, another with eight. These are much smaller and harder to read than the large full page spreads from earlier: I'm guessing these are perhaps meant to illustrate some point he makes in the interview. They also do not appear on the DVD.

Galvao then gets a full page spread. The first technique is a guard pass moving into a triangle after he's got to side control. This continues over to the other page, for nine stages, plus what looks like a detail. On that same page, Galvao shows another pass, which again runs overleaf. That is a bit more complex, as it needs eleven stages, finishing with a wrist lock from side control.

The third technique is even more complicated, with thirteen stages, again continuing over two pages (not on a spread, however, which would have been easier to read). This time he not only passes the guard, but appears to show a few leg attacks along the way, until finishing up on the back with a choke locked in.

Galvao is followed by a section entitled, in English, 'Techniques of Lloyd's Students'. This has a little DVD sign next to it (indicating these techniques will be on the DVD), and three pictures, showing JT Torres, Jared Weiner and Nakapan Phungephorn. Torres was still a brown belt at this point, while his two team mates are both black belts.

Usefully, all three speak in English on the DVD, accompanied by Japanese subtitles. JT Torres is the first demonstrator, taking slightly over five minutes on the DVD. As with Paraestra Guard, the format is normally running through the technique twice from different angles, though there aren't any replays at this stage.

In both the DVD and magazine, JT starts with an armdrag from open guard, shifts to a leg, then stands up in base. As he still has hold of the leg, he can move into a single leg to take them down. In the magazine, an alternative option is summarised in a single picture (labelled '4), showing how you could instead go underneath the leg, putting it up on your shoulder.

On the DVD, this is explained in full, moving from the armdrag into x-guard. That enables JT to push on the other leg, hoisting the other up by his shoulder. Standing up it then becomes a simple matter to put them on their back, moving through for the pass. I've been shown this technique a few times in class, so it is handy to see a concise video.

Technique 2 in the magazine involves open guard again, but this time spinning around their leg to get behind them, knocking their legs out and securing rear mount. You also press into their armpit with your foot, which further helps put them off balance.

This is clarified on the DVD, although at one point the subtitles slightly obscure what JT is doing. The video version also includes a variation, where JT puts his foot between their legs instead of on the armpit. Rather than spinning around behind them, he instead spins into upside down guard, then scoots through their legs. From here he does the same thing as before, pushing his feet into the back of their legs and pulling on their belt, which flips them down into his rear mount.

Jared Weiner is up next, showing a guard pass. The second technique in the magazine appears to build on the first, I think. That's because there is otherwise a step missing, as he suddenly moves from trying to get past a leg to magically appearing in side control. However, if you apply what he's doing in the first technique, it fits the situation perfectly.

The DVD version (05:18) irons out any confusion. Better yet, because Weiner is speaking in English, he is able to provide further details and name the technique. He calls it the 'Wilson pass', where the idea is to shift to the side and trap their leg with your bodyweight. From here, you can break their guard and pass. You may know it by one of various other names: the Wilson Reis pass, Sao Paulo pass, Roberto Tozi pass, or even the ChimPass. Stephan Kesting has an article about it here.

Weiner adds even more value by explaining common mistakes. In the case of this pass, there is a vulnerability to getting triangled if you're not careful. Weiner does a good job of pointing out ways to avoid getting submitted, while still running through the technique fairly quickly.

His next technique didn't immediately make sense to me in the magazine. After the pass, he goes for their arm. However, it looks like he gives up the top position in the process, which seemed a bit strange after all that effort to get there. I also couldn't tell from the pictures exactly why he was grabbing that arm.

As ever, the DVD comes to the rescue. Weiner manages to trap the arm sufficiently to effect a submission by pulling it backwards, which is hard to represent in static pictures, but easily demonstrated on video. The DVD also adds in two more techniques: first, how to drop your weight and pass as they try to butterfly sweep you, then finally a method of beating the x-guard.

The third Lloyd Irvin student, Nakapan Phungephorn, shares several triangle set-ups. In the magazine, he explains two methods. The first relies on a sort of reverse kimura grip, while the second uses a shin into their stomach to make space. The pictures here make it look as if he is locking the triangle on his instep rather than his shin or ankle, which has potential long-term health consequences: you're liable to bust up your foot if you keep doing that.

However, this is rectified on the DVD (05:15), where the lock looks safer. In addition to the two set-ups from the magazine, Phungephorn adds in another option using an overhook, then finally how to move straight into the submission from your knees. This looks like a useful attack, seeing as most BJJ classes start sparring from that position.

The DVD continues with Hiroki Baba (09:04), who doesn't make an appearance in the magazine. Baba supplies the requisite "crazy Japanese spinning" portion of the instruction, with five flashy techniques from a variety of positions. The format matches Paraestra Guard, featuring not just multiple angles, but several replays overlaid with some funky music.

Baba begins with a sweep from butterfly, but just as you think he is going to finish and end up on top, he instead pauses with his partner in midair. Somehow he then moves into a leglock.

That sets the tone, as the second technique is a sweep from open guard where you pop them up in the air, balanced on your legs. You also pull their gi lapel across their body, which Baba uses to treat his partner like a spinning top, yanking the lapel and rotating them right into rear mount.

For his third demonstration, Baba uses an armdrag, then steps over their back and rolls straight into a choke. The fourth technique is even flashier, starting from spider guard. Step back to get their legs on the floor with trouser grips, then base your head on their stomach. From here, you flip your legs straight over, still holding their legs, then quickly turn through into side control. Last time I saw that was at a Shaolin monk show, where little kids were forward-flipping around the stage on their heads: perfect training for this. ;)

By the time Baba got to the fifth technique, I was looking forward to seeing what bizarre variation he'd come up with next. He begins in side control, then pops up into knee on belly. His partner makes the mistake of pushing with his hand on the knee, so it looks as if Baba is finally going to do something orthodox.

However, instead of the usual far side armbar, he manages to squeeze in yet more spinning, before eventually staying still long enough to secure the armbar. I can't see how that would be any better than the normal far side armbar, but it did look pretty cool (which I suspect for Japanese viewers is a big plus point in its favour).

Getting back to the magazine, legendary champion Robson Moura follows on from the Lloyd Irvin students. After an interview, he adds in three techniques, all starting from closed guard. As this is a Japanese magazine, Moura then immediately opens, puts a foot in the armpit and starts to spin. That motion provides him with three options: an armbar, an omoplata and a triangle, compromising sixteen photos over two pages.

The next section in the magazine, which at first I thought might be an advert, is devoted to 'Attack from the mount', featuring a number of big names: Fabio Gurgel, Cobrinha, and to my surprise, Relson Gracie. As a noted believer in no-nonsense basics, he seemed a little out of place amongst all the spinning and upside-down guard, though on the other hand, anyone called 'Gracie' makes for good copy in a BJJ magazine.

'Attack from the mount' also marks (on page forty eight) where the magazine shifts from full colour into monochrome photographs, as in Paraestra Guard. Gurgel starts things off by passing to mount from half guard (I think), after which he applies a straightforward cross choke.

Relson Gracie follows up with his own page, taking you through another choke from the mount in six pictures (he has a little inset box, which is presumably either a mini-interview, or his views on the technique). Relson is the only person from this section who also appears on the DVD (04:40). There he is joined by his son Rhalan, choosing to speak in English rather than his native Portuguese. It looks as if they're in Relson's backyard, where Relson walks you through the technique from the magazine.

He is able to go into much more detail, pointing out defensive options. If they grab their gi collars and pull them tight, Relson says "you do this, this Hélio Gracie. Hands don't go in." In typical Relson fashion, he has a number of similarly memorable quotes in broken English, like "Long I be on the top, more chance you win!"

From the choke, Relson progresses to some other options, like an armbar. He frequently mentions Roger Gracie, so it is possible that the magazine feature is supposed to be a discussion of Roger's favoured choke techniques. Relson doesn't just stick with the mount, also very quickly exploring a few options from the guard.

In addition to the technical content, the rapport between father and son is enjoyable to watch. His son, a brown belt, frequently interjects with his own comments. During demonstration, Relson will often mutter something under his breath in Portuguese, later giving his son a paternal slap on the back.

The 'attack the mount' section continues in the magazine with Fabio Gurgel, briefly demonstrating another choke from the mount in four pictures (part of the page is taken up by an advert). Fellow Alliance black belt Cobrinha takes over, moving from side control into mount, where he looks like he is about to finish off with an armbar in the eighth step.

Whether or not that is supposed to be a finishing position, it is demonstrated on the next page anyway, in four steps, starting with the same technical mount with arm control. On that same page, there is another sequence of four, showing a fairly simple choke from technical mount (which incidentally is one I always go for but never manage to secure: that second grip on the other collar is the hard part).

Cobrinha follows with a page featuring eight photos, again from technical mount, this time showing how to go to the back and finish a choke from there. On the next page, Gurgel returns with another four step choke from mount. I'm not sure if he actually completes it: as far as I can tell, this is supposed to be an option for when they try to block one side of their neck with their own hand. The adjacent sequence of photos, again in four steps, looks to be a more easily understandable ezequiel from the mount.

There are far more directional arrows in the BJJ Spirits 6 magazine compared to the Paraestra Guard book. This is a major advantages, especially as a significant proportion of the techniques are not bolstered by a DVD version. In a static picture aiming to teach a complex physical motion, it is essential to include some indication of movement.

Gurgel finishes off with two techniques. Technique 11 is an armbar from mount, with what looks like a fairly typical set-up. Technique 12, however, was a little confusing. At first I thought he might be setting up a triangle from mount, given the leg position, but I think Gurgel is trapping the hand and then stretching back for a sort-of belly down armbar. Step four also appears to be missing, as it goes straight from 3 to 5, but that may just be incorrectly numbered. It is a shame these weren't on the DVD, as that would have made things clearer.

There's an interview with Relson Gracie, then what looks like a brief historical summary of the Mundials, with some stats and pictures. As far as I can tell, that includes various rankings, such as where the various champions rack up. Roger comes out on top, which is unsurprising given his huge number of wins.

Lloyd Irvin also gets an interview, as does Fabio Gurgel, with an English heading of 'Champ Maker'. He's followed by another page saying 'Alliance Won Again' in big letters, which I would guess is some kind of competition report, or perhaps a discussion of Alliance's long-standing success on the world stage. The magazine finishes off with three more techniques by Fabio Gurgel: a basic stack pass, an armbar from side control, and finally a kimura from closed guard. Each one gets its own page.

On the DVD, I was in for a further surprise, as Relson is not the only Gracie present. Royler pops up too (03:40), speaking Portuguese, showing self-defence techniques on a yellow belt girl (perhaps his daughter). This is a diversion from the rest of the techniques, as there is nothing spectacular about escaping from somebody grabbing your shoulder. I'm not really keen on self-defence, but I did find it interesting to see some glimpses of the recording process: you can spot Japanese journalists and photographers in the background, along with lighting equipment.

That brings me to the second half of the DVD, 'Competition'. I wasn't expecting competitive footage, especially the enormous amount included here: two hours and fourteen minutes of fighting. If you're in two minds about whether or not to buy this DVD/magazine set, that footage may well be the deciding factor.

I'm generally not all that interested in watching competition, unless it has technically astute and/or entertaining commentary (like the recent No Gi Worlds). As this DVD is in Japanese, I'm clearly not going to get much out of the commentary. However, even for someone like me, this footage remains eminently watchable, because the competitors are fast, technical and dynamic. That is clearly demonstrated by the fact that over the course of its running time, the DVD packs in sixty five matches, almost all ending in submission.

Like the 'Technique' menu, 'Competition' is split into several sections, with a photo and a subtitle in Japanese. It isn't normally clear from these exactly what the competition is, though a few have enough English that is possible to work it out. Matt describes a few in his product details, so I'll be going off that too.

The first competition doesn't have any English to help you, but I'm assuming that it is the All Japan Masters and Seniors Open Tournament Matt mentions. It is also a whopping forty-three minutes long, featuring brown and black belts. Each match begins with a description of who is fighting, but again, in Japanese (though occasionally there is a word you can understand, like 'Grabaka'). If I counted right, there were fourteen matches, interspersed with a few interviews. This should be of particular interest to older grapplers, given that it's a Masters and Seniors tournament, so you can see more mature competitors in action.

Something with 'Spirits' in the title follows, so that is probably 'Grappling Tour Spirits' (14:01) from the product description. It is a nogi competition, with nine fights in total. The video opens with a quick camera sweep of the venue, plus an interview with a person who looks like the organiser. There is also a brief bit of footage where the winners celebrate at the end, which is a nice way to finish.

Another extensive section follows, labelled as 'deGO!' (41:26). This is also nogi, although there was one random guy who kept his gi jacket, for some reason. This time, the weight levels are indicated, with an impressive fourteen matches in the -66kg category, nine at -77kg and three at -88kg. Again, almost all the victories are by submission, with only a few points victories creeping in.

Rafael Mendes is briefly showcased in DEEP X04 (02:34). He appears to be fighting one of the guys from the previous competition, as I recognised those red shorts. It is also in a ring, but still just grappling rather than MMA. This time, Mendes is introduced as an Atos fighter, and also has 'Jesus Christ' in big letters on his rash guard. I knew that Galvao and the co-founder were religious, but looks like that spreads to the rest of the team. Hopefully they aren't going to start proselytising any time soon, as I always find that extremely off-putting. Mendes also does the sword slicing celebration, if for some reason you haven't seen that in action yet.

Next section is ALMA Presents (18:09), which unlike the others has a section on rules at the start (naturally I couldn't understand the Japanese, but it had 'RULE' written at the top). That made me wonder if the rules for this gi competition were particularly unusual, as that might explain why there was a far higher proportion of points victories this time. That could also be explained by the inclusion of lower belts, with three matches featuring white and blue belts.

Having said that, the black belt match which follows ends 0-0, so I guess that was a victory by advantage. Six purple and brown belts bouts are then covered, with a brown versus black belt match to finish off the segment.

The last chunk of competition is labelled clearly in English: Roberto Souza in World Professional Jiu Jitsu Cup 2009 Asian Trials (15:25). This follows a purple belt, presumably Roberto Souza, over the course of four fights, intercut with 'special interviews'. The matches themselves were quite entertaining, as Souza has some flashy finishes, especially in his second fight. He climbs right up onto his brown belt opponent's shoulders, locks in a triangle, then pulls on his head to drop down and finish.

I was a little confused by the fact that a Brazilian was in the Asian Trials, as I would have thought that the point was to provide Asian fighters with a chance to enter the World Pro Cup. However, I'm not familiar with the rules, and perhaps Souza has some other connection to Japan, like a passport or citizenship.

If you liked Paraestra Guard, you'll probably like this. There are plenty of flashy spinning techniques on display, demonstrated by some major names in BJJ. You also get a look at the 50/50 guard, spend some time in the company of Relson Gracie, and even get a snippet of self defence from Royler.

The magazine is well-presented and high quality, as you'd expect, but as it is all in Japanese, the articles and interviews aren't going to hold the attention of non-Japanese speakers. However, the techniques will, and there are plenty of them. Better still, several crop up in the DVD, along with a number of other demonstrations. The inclusion of three Americans means that you get some English instruction too, and Relson sticks with that language as well.

Best of all is the competition footage. I would say that this would be the main reason to buy the set, as it is fast, dynamic BJJ, giving you a fascinating insight into the Japanese style of fighting. Also like Paraestra Guard, this is going to be of particular interest to smaller fighters, as the majority of the competitors are under 70kg. Available to buy here.

15/12/2009 - BJJ (Advanced)

Class #272



RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 15/12/2009

There has been some cool historical grappling stuff on the internet recently, starting with this judo video from 1905, followed by this old (1952, I think) judo text, Higher Judo Ground Work, and finally Pat Jordan's 2009 follow-up to his original 1989 article on Rorion Gracie.

Kev continued through into the technical mount, which followed on nicely from the problems I had been having during sparring. First Kev initiated a basic drill to get used to the timing, because as he had said earlier, it is essential you pre-empt their escape. From mount, your partner shrimps and goes for an elbow escape. Immediately slide your knee up to the top of their back, while the other knee raises up, foot tight to their hip. You can also use your hands to both base out and help make that transition of your weight smoother.

Those based out hands are also helpful for the next technique, a choke from technical mount. Use your hand nearest their chest to scoop up their arms, also preventing them from digging an elbow under your leg. You need to get a hand under their top arm to grasp their nearest collar, then open it up. Your other hand curls around their neck, whereupon you can feed the collar for a tight grip.

Your first hand is now going to push through past the crook of their elbow, catching their arm in the process. Bring that hand behind their head, then pull your collar gripping hand back towards you, snaking around their neck. This should result in a tight choke: your first hand is mainly blocking their arm, rather than playing a major role in the choke.

Also note that it is tempting to try and use that grip on their arm to drop back for an armbar. Kev advised that you don't, as it is all too easy to leave sufficient space that they follow you round, ending up in your guard instead of at the receiving end of a submission.

The escape from the technical mount, as you'd expect, involves preventing that grip on your collar. Grab either just the upper collar or both and pull them tight to your body, so your partner can't secure a grip or open them up. Shift your legs backwards to prepare your escape, then shrimp in the same direction.

As soon as you open up any space by the foot they have against your hip, wedge in an elbow, which should help you insert a knee. You can now use that as a hook to move into butterfly, attempt a sweep, or simply recover open guard. This fit the pattern of the spar I had with Callum in the previous lesson, where we were both doing that to escape each other's technical mount.

Sparring in the advanced class is full, but we started from the mount – this makes much more sense than going from the knees, if you want to work a specific position (as we did here). I tried to be proactive, following Eamonn's advice from last week, which did help, though it also left me considerably more knackered than usual.

I also found that with both Callum and Trev, I spent some time trying to escape back mount, especially with Callum. He came close with a collar choke, but I just about managed to spin into half guard, having been trying to turn towards him for what seemed like ages. That tends to be my main escape from the back, so I need to try out some more (or even better, stop finding myself in back mount so frequently!).

Trev presents a different set of problems, due to his long flexible legs. They seem to appear out of nowhere, pressing down on your back, sliding in front of your face, or looming over your own legs as your guard pass is suddenly ruined. Today was no exception, as I had a tough time trying to even get my posture in Trev's guard. He was very near to landing a sneaky choke as I spun out of one attack: the only thing that saved me was his grip was loose enough that my momentum was enough to break it.

My main tactic was to try and stay square to his hips, so that he couldn't angle off to go for an attack. That sort of worked, though I was on the defensive the whole time. I managed to slip out of a triangle he was setting up, but failed to capitalise and pass. What I should have done is really drive with my hips and perhaps pull up on his leg.

I also almost gave up my back yet again, but this time, I was rescued both by us falling off the mat and time running out. Not much of an escape, so again, I have to be more careful about exposing my back, especially against people with the physical attributes to really take advantage of that mistake.

15/12/2009 - BJJ (Beginner)

Class #271



RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 15/12/2009

Jem has relaunched her presence in the blogosphere, with a new project entitled 'Girls and BJJ in SEA'. As people who read her previous blog may remember, Jem has considerable experience in muay thai. She has also been training BJJ over four years, currently in Bangkok under black belt Adam Kayoom. It is always great to see new blogs pop up, especially when they're by women. So, go check it out!

This week, we're back to mount. Previously I was having success with the grapevined low mount, but tonight, I was again struggling to keep my position on top. I'm going to be optimistic and assume that is other people getting better rather than my game deteriorating: either way, it is good to encounter problems in sparring, as that gives you something to work on. It also helps iron out details in your technique. As the saying goes, if you're not tapping, you're not learning (though here it is a more a case of "if you're not finding flaws in your mount control, then you're going to have trouble making it tighter").

Kev began with a nifty flow drill I've seen in the pass, where you begin in guard. Pass to side control, transition to mount. Your partner then bridges and rolls, putting them in guard, where the process can repeat. This also meant that Kev was able to cover off the defensive part of the lesson in a way that enabled both partners to test technique at the same time. I found it useful to get in some more practice on the twisting guard break, as well as trying out a pass I saw on a DVD earlier that day (I should have a review up soon, hopefully by tomorrow).

The main technique for the beginners class was one I have been looking forward to seeing: the Ezequiel choke from mount. Of course, now that I'm finding it tougher to maintain the mount itself, that has become less pressing, but still handy to work. That is especially true when you consider part of maintaining the mount is constantly threatening (something I'm really, really bad at), so they're thinking more about defending their neck than trying to escape.

You start by getting one arm under their head. Grab your other sleeve, then bring that gi material close to their neck. This is what you're going to use to close off one of their carotid arteries. To block the other, put your other forearm and wrist against the other side of their neck. To apply the choke, twist your sleeve grip and press down, while also raising your torso up.

It is possible that forming a fist with your free hand will be useful, as you can then press the knuckles into their neck. However, keep in mind that the idea is not to shove that free hand into their throat: the power comes from twisting and pulling on your sleeve grip. Most likely you will find that you also end up squashing their larynx (especially if you're sparring a guy), which will probably cause them to turn their head. That makes it even easier to secure the choke. Also remember Saulo's excellent advice: "your training partner should be your best friend." Don't try and crush their throat, but instead apply steady pressure.

Sparring from mount, I was happy enough from the bottom. I was generally able to get my elbow to the knee and frame on Callum's hip, bridging to make enough space to insert my knee. From there, it was a matter of shrimping and lifting to freedom. I was using more strength than I would have liked, but that is a timing issue: I need to be more astute in gauging balance and where my partner's weight is sitting.

On top, it went rather less well. I tried my usual grapevined low mount, but found it difficult to keep those hooks in. The bigger problem was that each time I tried to shift up to go for an attack in technical mount, Callum was able to wedge his elbow under my leg and make space to escape (like I had just done). I could see exactly what he was doing, but that didn't help me stop the escape. I was looking to pull up on the arm to get my knee back in place, or drop back to grapevine (sometimes crossing my ankles to make it tighter), but to no avail.

When I asked Kev about that elbow into the knee, he first mentioned that you need to be attacking, giving them something else to think about. Specifically addressing the elbow, he suggested that either you drop back into a low grapevine, or alternatively, put one or both hands on their opposite shoulder.

Stiff-arming with your full weight behind it should shove them flat on their back. The downside is that this doesn't work so well if they are bigger than you, so grapevining tends to be more reliable. Shifting to technical mount at this point is tough: you need to beat their elbow, as playing catch-up is almost certainly going to end with them escaping.

09/12/2009 - Future Champions Training

Class #270

BJJ School, (BJJ), Felipe Souza, Battersea, UK - 09/12/2009

When Felipe taught at RGA, I was vaguely aware that he did some charitable work with children, teaching them BJJ. I also remember a guy coming to RGA with a group of kids through that charity: it seemed a worthwhile cause, and a cool way to use BJJ to give back to the community. It is something Felipe's instructor, Leão Teixeira, has been running in Brazil with great success for many years now. Hopefully it's a concept that can spread not just here to the UK, but to the US and beyond as well.

A couple of months ago, Seymour from Meerkatsu reminded me that there was now a UK branch of Teixeira's charity, as Seymour had done an interview with Felipe. It's called Future Champions UK, and following Seymour's link, I realised that this was not only a cause I could get behind, but I've currently got lots of spare time I could use to help them.

After various emails and phone calls with the person responsible for the administrative side of things, Farah, she decided that it would be helpful if I came down to meet her and the other people involved with Future Champions. She was also keen that I took a look at the work they do. Unfortunately Farah has been feeling a bit ill recently, but Felipe was available for a meeting, along with the main guy involved in teaching the kids, Jamie (that same guy I had seen back at RGA a few years ago).

That also meant I got the chance to train in the Wednesday mixed class at Felipe's club, the simply named Brazilian Jiu Jitsu School. I've never trained there before, so that made for an interesting experience, as well as being a great way to meet up with an old BJJ friend (Felipe was my first BJJ instructor).

Felipe's judo background is very clear, as after a typical warm-up of running round the room and shrimping, everybody did a hundred throws. I'm more used to doing about ten or twenty at most, so this was a heftier workout than normal.

In terms of technique, Felipe was brief and to the point. He began with a simple guard break, similar to the cross-grip and stand method, but with the same side arm. Secure a grip on both collars as usual, then grab their same side sleeve and pull that arm across.

Step your foot to the hip on that side, maintaining good upright posture, then stand. Let go of the collar grip as you do so, instead pulling up on the arm. Push their other leg off your hip with your other hand, ready to pass.

The next drilling section set the tone for the class. Felipe said that once you've opened the guard, you can use whatever passing method you want to move through into side control. Essentially, it was an opportunity to practice what you already know, refining technique rather than being taught something specific to practice.

A similar pattern followed when Felipe drilled spider guard. If you are the person on the bottom for the previous technique, you could grab their sleeve as they grab yours, then sit up to grab the other. Felipe then showed how from there you can adjust into spider guard, swimming your feet around to press on their bicep. You can also shift one or both feet to their hips, as well as hooking inside their leg (this is especially useful if they try to move to the side, as you're then attached to them and will automatically swivel to face them.

We practiced that for a while with our partner offering resistance (Felipe stated it should be around fifty percent), without actually completing a pass. The idea was to let the person on the bottom work. This became more complex when Felipe said you could add in sweeps and submissions (but still no passes). It also reminded me how pretty much the only thing I know from spider guard is to hip up into a triangle, so that's what I did. When it came to my training partner's turn, he soon showed just how many things I could be trying, and should (at least one basic sweep, if nothing else).

My specific sparring from guard with training partner Antony didn't get very far. I was looking for the twisting guard break again, and this time didn't make the mistake of just shoving my arm out there for the double collar grip. Instead, I made certain to pin the hip first with my same side hand, pressing into the belt.

However, I wasn't able to get the stand and twist too well, partially because I think I need to review the technique. I tried both hips, but wasn't get the motion properly, and I also think my posture could be much better. I had more luck than normal with Kev's suggested follow up, which involves sitting on their arm as they try to hook your leg. While I almost managed to reach under their back a couple of times to grab that sleeve, I wasn't quite quick enough.

I also had a brief attempt at Roy Dean's guard break, where you press into their biceps, head into their stomach, then pop up, doing a second jump to get your knee into their tailbone. As ever, I struggle to make enough distance, because I'm already too far forward with my arms to get my knee in place. Again, posture issues, as well as where to grip.

Free sparring was with Eamonn, one of several brown belts present (there was also another black belt and a few purples). In keeping with most senior belts, he took on a coaching role for the spar, rather than just the opportunity to smash me. He had lots of handy tips both during and after the roll, three of which especially stuck in my head.

First, when they're trying to pass from half guard, you want to block their upper body somehow. I've been tending to put my arm over their head in an effort to keep them tight, but that merely leaves me wide open for shoulder pressure. Eamonn advised instead to get an arm into the throat, preventing them crushing down with their shoulder. Alternatively, an underhook on the side opposite the shoulder they want to drive through.

Second, I was getting my butterfly hook in on the leg in butterfly guard, but not doing anything with it. Eamonn talked me through a sweep, telling me to secure the other arm and then go for the technique. I'm tending to just sit there rather than do anything with the position, a part of my long-standing problem with being too passive overall.

Third, again a very old problem, is the way I tend to just flop under side control, mount, knee-on-belly etc, rather than being proactive in escaping as soon as there is space. I'm too comfortable with lying there and waiting, which isn't a good habit. Partially it is also my worry over expending energy, which is something I need to come to terms with: jiu jitsu unfortunately isn't magic, so it does require a bit of effort as well as leverage and technique.

Only downside was that I aggravated the slight leg injury I picked up yesterday, so probably won't make it to training at RGA High Wycombe tomorrow. Still, I may have missed that anyway, as my girlfriend is coming up for a visit.

____________________________

After the session, I headed down with Jamie and Antony to the kids class they teach as part of Future Champions. Jamie is an inspiring teacher: from chatting to him, I could see how much he loved his work, and the enthusiasm was infectious. The results have also been impressive. Kids with behavioural problems were apparently present, but I can't say that was reflected in the disciplined set of children I watched train a couple of hours ago. They responded quickly to instruction, and I was especially surprised at the control and care evident in their sparring: I can think of many adult white belts who are nowhere near as considerate to their training partners. It is amazing what participating in a disciplined, physical activity like BJJ can accomplish.

The training went beyond the physical, as there were question and answer sessions at several points in the class. As there had recently been a grading, much of this was related to the purpose of the belt system. As adults, it is all too easy to forget that they can be much more than a mere piece of cloth. At Future Champions, the belt represents success at school, good behaviour both on and off the mats, respect for your parents, teachers and fellow pupils, along with a symbol of just how hard you've trained. It was great to see the children come up with these answers unprompted, exemplifying the Respect, Discipline and Responsibility ethos of Future Champions.

I'm very much looking forward to getting more involved with Future Champions, and I hope that some of the people reading this are interested in helping too. At the moment, a temporary Future Champions UK site can be found here, but there will shortly be a revamped version hitting the internet. Still, you should be able to get a good idea of what the charity does from the current version, and there is also a contact page (which is how I initially got in touch with Farah).

So, if you think you could lend a hand, please drop them a line! :D

08/12/2009 - BJJ (Advanced)

Class #269



RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 08/12/2009

I came across another great blog thanks to Georgette earlier this week, here (especially the excellent articles). As ever, Jo's blog has been added to the blog index, which now has an extra 'Added' column. That should hopefully make it easier to see new additions (presuming there are other people out there who are constantly searching for yet more blogs to stick in their Google Reader). Unfortunately, it seems that it is no longer possible to upload Excel sheets from your desktop onto Google Docs and retain links: hence why I've shoved in the whole URL instead (e.g., on the Black Belt magazine BJJ index).

The knee on belly attacks continued with an armbar from knee on belly, this time on the near rather than far arm. You begin in a low knee on belly (as in, your weight is low, torso down towards theirs), then attack with a kimura on the far arm. Your opponent can't ignore this, so may well bring their other arm over to try and prevent you getting the necessary leverage.

As soon as they do this, step your foot up towards their head, still threatening the kimura. Once you've pulled their arm up towards you and have your leg in position, switch your arm positioning to instead go for an armbar. It is possible to either have your foot over their head or your shin on their neck, hooking your foot for further control. In that situation, you might need to switch to a belly down armbar, depending on how much they try to turn away from you.

Alternately, you can go for a choke from knee on belly. Kev refers to this as a baseball bat choke, but he wasn't sure if that was technically correct. Either way, you start by gripping the near side collar (palm towards their gi), meaning you can use your arm to cross-face, preventing them from turning towards you. Your other hand grips next to the first, but this time palm up, thumb inside.

They will probably begin to turn towards you as you cross-face: once your arms are in position, you can relax that long enough to loop your first arm over their head. Bring your forearm into their throat, and the elbow of that arm down towards the elbow of your other arm. From here, apply the submission as usual, blocking both sides of their neck.

Kev followed that up with two escapes from knee on belly. The first was much the same as the escape we'd just done in the beginners class, except that instead of recovering guard, you switch one leg under the other and go to your knees. Grab their foot and leg, then pull it out from under them, yanking upwards so you can then move round to knee on belly. In the process, you can either stand for greater leverage (the recommended option), or drive your weight into them, leading with your shoulder.

The second escape from knee on belly is to use your arm opposite their pressuring knee to hook under the ankle of that leg. Bridge up and lift with your hand at the same time, aiming to lever their leg in between your own. That puts you in what is sometimes referred to as 'quarter guard': this is still a precarious position, as their knee is free to try for a pass.

If the knee is still on your belly, push with both hands, then establish half guard, getting up onto your side. If they start to pass with a knee slide before you can try that, bump them forward with your knee. This should enable you to slip free and get to your knees, escaping knee on belly. Alternatively, you could try and move into deep half guard.

In sparring, I found myself under what I think was a modified scarf hold (as they didn't have my arm). I always find this tougher to escape than side control, as there seems to be less space. Still, I did attempt to shift out for an armbar once or twice, which was entertaining, if not very effective. Definitely need to take another look at scarf hold escapes.

I also had the chance to spar a blue belt who hasn't been in class before, Sahid. I think he's taking the class on Thursday, as Kev has a family appointment he can't miss, so it was nice to meet Sahid beforehand. I think Kev mentioned he's a fairly experienced blue, and that showed in his measured style of rolling, always being careful to stay controlled. He also immediately reminded me to be careful where I put my arms if they go to turtle: I reached in too deep and was immediately rolled and armbarred, with a waki-gatame.

That roll also gave me a chance to put the defensive strategy of connecting your knee to your elbow into effect, to prevent them going to knee on belly. However, while that was slightly helpful in blocking the knee, it would have been better if I'd made a proper barrier with those limbs, putting my forearm to my thigh instead.

Tomorrow should be interesting, as I'm hopefully going to get the chance to train with an old friend. Looking forward to it!

08/12/2009 - BJJ (Beginner)

Class #268



RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 08/12/2009

This week it looks like Kev will be focusing on knee on belly, a position I don't think I've ever tried in sparring. I've never felt secure there, as it seems to rely a lot on mobility and speed. I much prefer positions that allow a more slow and methodical approach, rather than fast and dynamic, as I feel more in control that way. So, it was very useful to have a lesson dedicated to a position I don't know at all well, with both offence and defence.

Kev started off by drilling the position itself, popping up from side control. Your shin goes on their stomach, along the belt line, while your other foot is behind you, at a roughly forty-five degree angle. If it's too close to their head they can hook it, while if it's too far towards their feet, you won't be able to adjust when they shrimp. You also want to hold their collar to prevent them turning towards you, and on the inside of their knee. This also means you can pull up and fold them around your knee, which is extremely uncomfortable for the person on the bottom.

There is also the option Maurição teaches, a man famous for this position, as he has apparently cracked bones with his knee on belly. Or more specifically, knee on chest: this is the essential difference Maurição likes to emphasise. I can remember he and Nick G discussed it during a lesson back when I was at RGA HQ. However, seeing as this is a position almost entirely alien to me, I should keep my options open in terms of which type I want to try out.

To escape from knee on belly, put your hand nearest their pressuring knee on the knot of their belt. Be careful about your elbow, as you don't want to leave them space to attack your arm: you'll be keeping that limb close to their leg. Your other hand grabs their trouser leg by their knee.

Move your feet slightly out away from them, then shrimp your hips away. Lock your arms out to prevent them simply driving back into you, then move back into guard. You'll need make a powerful shrimping motion in order to create enough space, and may also need to shrimp again to readjust.

For the person on top, Kev demonstrated an armbar from knee on belly. This was the classic set up, where they are pushing on your knee in order to relieve the pressure. By doing so, they leave a triangle of space. Insert the arm your have nearest to theirs into that space, grabbing around their arm. Pull that arm up towards you, then step your other leg round to the top of their back, keeping it as tight as possible. You may need to push on their head to get your leg past.

Your other leg, which was pressing into their stomach, barely moves. Simply put that foot on the floor, rather than stepping anywhere. You can now swivel around their arm, keeping your knees pinched, then drop back for the armbar.

I found specific sparring tough, as I'd expected. I rarely lasted more than a couple of seconds on top before Callum or Howard replaced their guard, as I couldn't beat that initial shrimp. More weight through the knee might help, as would developing greater mobility with knee on belly.

Kev had some good advice on what to do if they shrimp away and you feel yourself losing the position. Bring your knee down to the floor, driving it into their side, while also putting your free hand (the other will be gripping their collar) over to their far hip. Establishing those two controls should stop them from moving their hips. You can now use the arm you have by their head to cross-face them, putting them flat on their back, then re-establish knee on belly.

Belt Whipping and Promotion Rituals in BJJ

Article #6, by Can Sönmez

There is a tradition in certain Brazilian jiu jitsu schools called "running the gauntlet", which occurs after you've been promoted. Normally that involves everyone else in the club taking off their belts, forming into two rows, then 'whipping' the newly graded student as they walk (or run) down the middle. Sometimes this is extended to all sorts of occasions, like birthdays: I remember when I trained at Nova Força, there was a whipping or three almost every session. Reasons ranged from somebody washing their belt through to welcoming an old student back to class.

For many, belt whipping is a team bonding exercise. It is a way for the club as a whole to celebrate your success: these are the people who have seen you sweat, bleed and struggle, overcome your limitations and reach the next level. They've twisted your limbs and choked you out, while getting mangled and strangled in return. They are your training partners and your friends, the people who offer you advice and support along with the bruises. They want to be a part of your achievement, because in a very real sense, it is their achievement too, as a team.

For others, however, belt whipping is barely removed from the macho 'male bonding' of frat-boy antics and hazing rituals. You've already been squashed, squeezed and crushed for several years to earn this privilege, and now you're expected to let everyone else beat you up with impunity. You might well think you've suffered enough, and could at least have the opportunity to prove your skill, such as by a lengthy spar against all your team mates. That is just as painful, and offers you the chance to give as good as you get.

Personally, I would rather do without belt-whipping (for a range of opinions on the topic, check out this and this). I much prefer the tradition at the Roger Gracie Academy and its affiliates, where a promotion entails a handshake and a round of applause. Alternatively, there is the method Roy Dean uses: after he has decided somebody is ready for the next belt, he asks if they would like to perform a demonstration, involving techniques and then sparring. It is an optional exercise, not a test, which has resulted in numerous beautiful videos up on YouTube, such as this fine example by Jimmy Da Silva:



Compare that to the infamous test at Godoi Jiu Jitsu (though also note there are plenty of hugs and smiles at the end):



Why is it that grown women and men will happily let others slap them around with belts, or even drop-kick them in the chest? I suppose you could equally ask why do we let people try and cut off the flow of blood to our brains: both are fairly strange, as consensual activities go.

I have noticed that there is an unusual attitude to pain in contact sports, especially martial arts. There are those who will take a perverse pleasure in suffering through an especially tough warm-up, or grin after a really intense sparring session. Surviving physical hardship becomes a matter of pride, as well as a method of team building. Everyone shares in the experience, turning something potentially unpleasant into a story to laugh about with your friends.

On the few occasions I've been present at a belt whipping, I've stood off to the side, my belt still tied around my waist. However, if for some reason I was to be the recipient, I'd probably take part. While I don't think there is anything wrong with one person sitting out, denying the whole class their tradition is a different matter (especially if it's only when I get promoted, which is naturally a very infrequent event). As ever, to each their own.

Further Reading

2013: BJJ Survey Results: BJJ Belt Promotion Practices
2012: Facebook Discussion (Jiu Jitsu Style fan page)
2012: Why the Jiu Jitsu Ironman Is the SBG Way (reddit comment thread)
2012: Belt Whipping: Why??? (The Underground)
2011: Origins of Belt Whipping? (The Underground)
2009: The Gauntlet (The Underground)
2009: Belt Promotion Method (NHBGear)
2007: New Blue Belts at 302 (EFN)


< Previous Article ::: Next Article >

03/12/2009 - BJJ (Beginner)

Class #267



RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 03/12/2009

Tonight Kev started things off with a basic standing pass. First, get a grip on their sleeve, while securing the usual double-collar grip with the other hand. Stand up by first stepping your same side foot up to their hip on the sleeve grip side (though Kev said it didn't matter too much where exactly you put that foot), bringing the other leg back. It's important they can't hook that foot, so you want to keep it out of harm's way.

Posture up, still holding their sleeve. Push their knee off your hip on the other side and trap their lower leg with your shin. Switch the grip on their sleeve to behind their leg: this is to stop them bridging and rolling you during the pass attempt. Finally, swing your back leg all the way over, then switch your hips again to move into side control.

For the person on the bottom, Kev showed a triangle from the overhook. I frequently try to land that overhook grip from guard, so it was helpful to have another lesson on the topic. First, you need to remove their grip from your collars, which will also give you the opportunity to control the arm for an overhook.

Your opposite hand grabs their sleeve, while your other hand slips underneath their arm, holding your other wrist, resulting in a figure four grip. Yank upwards, circling your same side elbow out as you simultaneously use your earlier sleeve grip to pull their arm down by your head.

Once you've circled your elbow free, you can now lock in your overhook, reaching through for their collar. If you can't get their collar, grab their own: the important thing is to bring your overhooking elbow tight to your side, to stop them slipping their arm free.

From here, there are lots of possible attacks: you could grip with your free hand by their shoulder to go for a choke, swivel to an armbar, or possibly an omoplata. For the triangle Kev demonstrated, begin by sliding your free hand down to their same side wrist. Shrimp out slightly in the other direction, so you can insert your shin into their bicep (so, reminiscent of the triangle set-up on Gracie Combatives).

Next, you want to wriggle that leg through until the foot is on the bicep. Push through, and immediately lock your ankles on their back, ready to progress with the triangle. Raise your hips to bring their arm across, then grab your shin. Push off their hip with your other foot, then lock in the triangle. From here, finish the submission. You could also underhook their free arm to create a better angle, which will enhance your choke.

Specific sparring brought up lots of things to work on, as Callum completely destroyed my posture from his guard. After asking him and thinking about it, my main mistakes were not posturing up enough, leaving my collar gripping arm too far forward, but most importantly, failing to get good control of his hips.

I was looking for the guard pass from Tuesday, but each time I established a grip on both his collars, Callum immediately climbed up my shoulder for the attack. From that point on I was defending, every time. My other hand was normally far back enough that I could avoid the triangle and armbar, though he did surprise me with a kimura at one point, which I'd forgotten about in my focus on the armbar defence.

I think that possibly because I kept on establishing that collar grip first, I was leaving his hips free to shrimp and attack the exposed arm. It might be better if instead I went to control the hips first, then grabbed that collar grip. Leaving those hips mobile leaves me wide open for submissions, as there is nothing to control the person on the bottom.

A couple of times I was able to back out slightly and shift round to the side, initiating a pass. However, Callum was always able to get a knee in the way, then generally either sweep me or take the back. What I should have done was grip the back of his trousers and collapses his knees together, with my bodyweight. I could then have worked the pass from there.

Underneath, I was able to break down his posture, such as by bringing my knees to my chest as he tried to stand. However, I wasn't able to capitalise on that broken posture. I'd get head control, usually bringing my arm over the head and grasping gi material by the other armpit, but Callum eventually got free and postured up.

01/12/2009 - BJJ (Advanced)

Class #266



RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 01/12/2009

After the opening section on throws that always kicks off the advanced class, Kev asked what we most wanted to see (given that it was a small class). Both I and Dan, one of the white belts, immediately said "opening the guard," which resulted in lots of handy tips on the twisting guard break Kev had shown a while back.

The first point of interest was the grip Kev used on the collar. Rather than simply grabbing both collars with one hand and twisting, he inserted his index finger in between. Apparently, this is something he once saw a big name demonstrate at seminar many years ago, though he can't quite remember what the reasoning was. However, Kev finds it comfortable: anyone reading this use that same grip? I was wondering if perhaps it helped nullify that grip break where they yank their collars open (though for that reason, I think I'd be worried about getting my index finger mashed up).

If they grab your collar when you initiate this technique, you can counter that by stepping your leg up to the same side hip. This should take that collar grip out of the equation, though as you'll probably need to switch your grip to do this, be aware that they're looking to break your posture. If you take both hands off their torso, that provides them with a perfect opportunity. So, be careful.

My training partner Dan also had a handy suggestion for breaking the grip, which Kev had told him some time ago. Place both your hands on the arm they're using to grab your collar. That should lock it in place, so you can now forcefully posture up to remove their grasp. This was useful, as frequently I procrastinate about standing up to pass, because I think too much about that collar grip.

Moving on to the guard pass itself: once you've opened their guard, secure a firm grasp on the material on their same side knee, so you gain some control over their leg. You also want to bring your knee inside their leg, on the same side as your collar-grabbing arm. Using your grip on the knee, shove their leg to floor and step your outside leg around it.

Trap that leg on the floor by bringing your opposite shin across their thigh. You also want to get your hips onto theirs as quickly as possibly, to kill their ability to move. To complete your pass, you're going to slide your knee through.

You have two options: either grip their collar to keep their upper body down, or underhook their far side. You'll need to do one or the other, as it is important they don't have the space to try and take your back. Pulling up on their near arm is also a good idea, as that will help you slide into scarf hold.

As I soon reminded in sparring, the most important aspect of that twisting guard break is to really pin that hip, holding the belt and shoving straight down. You want to get your arm straight, so you can drive your weight on top of it (though I should note you may not be in position to do this immediately, so take into account your posture). I wasn't doing that enough, so each time I attempted the guard break, my partner could just move their hips, preventing the technique.

Dan's grip break worked well, and Kev's tip on shifting to the other side in order to beat the collar grip was useful too. I also liked Kev's suggestion that if they try to underhook the leg you step up to their hip, you can simply sit on the arm. That can set you up to pass that arm under their back and feed it to your other hand: this is a very frustrating position for them to be in. It's easier said than done, as normally they'll slip their arm free, but nevertheless an interesting option to aim for.

I managed to get to the back from half guard, looking for a choke, or maybe an armbar. Struggling to get either, I then saw a chance to step over the arm. I was thinking about the triangle from the back, but couldn't follow up properly. As often happens, I ended up slipping off the side and back into my guard. I need to solidify my grips, and make better use of my hooks. I also found that Dan slipped free of my overhook from guard too easily, so I must tighten that up as well.

Sparring another white belt, I found that using shoulder pressure to pass half guard has been working well for me. Previously I was concentrating on either attacking the arm or freeing my leg: both work much better when combined with the distraction of shoulder pressure. That also helps clamp their upper body in place while you wriggle your leg free.

01/12/2009 - BJJ (Beginner)

Class #265



RGA High Wycombe, (BJJ), Kev Capel, High Wycombe, UK - 01/12/2009

I assume most people who read this blog are already avid listeners of the Fightworks Podcast, but if you're not, now would be a great time to start. Caleb has really outdone himself recently, with fantastic interviews over the past fortnight, featuring Relson and Renzo Gracie respectively. Fascinating stuff, so give them a listen (or read, as they've been transcribed on the Fightworks Podcast site) if you haven't already.

Straightforward beginner class tonight, kicking off with drilling the sit-up sweep. Kev then went through the natural follow up if they resist, which is a kimura from guard.

Kev prefers to use a thumb grip, rather than the thumb on top. His reasoning is basically that he finds this more comfortable. Though you could argue that this makes it possible for them to use the thumb as a lever to escape, Kev suggests that your other grips (such as the arm locked against theirs, pulling it tight into your chest) go a long way to negating that vulnerability. He also noted that it's a quite different matter for the americana from mount, as the instinctive way to break your arm free from that positioning is straightening out against the thumb grip. Therefore in that situation, a thumbless grip is sensible.

To escape the kimura from guard, begin by locking your hands around their torso, using an s-grip (curve the fingers of one hand, then dig them into the space created by the curved fingers of your other hand). You should also drive forward, to take away the force of their leverage.

This is essentially a stalling position, so you don't want to stay here forever. Pick your moment, then quickly circle your trapped hand to your stomach: time it carefully, as they'll be looking to go back to the kimura. Drive your arm across their body (almost as if you were throwing an uppercut). That pulls their arm through at a painful angle, and if they don't let go of your arm, you'll be able to shoulder lock them with a kimura of your own.

I was too defensive on top from specific sparring from guard, once again. Most of the time I just defended against Howard's collar grip, bringing my arm over the top in an effort to nullify the choke attempt.

I found that in guard, if your hips are up high, you're ripe for that guard break where they stand up, drive their knee into your tailbone, then sit down. Possibly something to keep in mind when you're shifting into a high guard (or indeed if they do that to you, when you're trying to pass).

Underneath, I couldn't get that collar and arm grip from David Onuma's video. I think what I'm missing is breaking down their posture properly first, so I need to put my legs into that grip attempt much more. I was at least able to make more use of my underhook from half guard, in terms of off-balancing my training partner. However, I wasn't capitalising on securing a De La Riva hook from open guard: I need to make sure I have some kind of sweep in mind, rather than just inserting the hook and not doing anything with it.