Uncategorized – Cast Iron Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

What’s it like to roll with you?

When we first start bjj, everyone tends to fall into one of a few simple categories based on our instincts. Some people drive forward, others turn away, a very few will approach with caution. After an unspecified amount of training, we become more aware of the patterns we encounter and our responses to these puzzles.Continue reading “What’s it like to roll with you?”

Bjj and Untrained People

Nobody is born knowing how to walk. Talking and holding a conversation also take a long time to develop a sense of. But for some reason, fighting is something most adult men believe they figured out with little or no instruction or practical experience. Maybe that’s for the best. When you finally come to aContinue reading “Bjj and Untrained People”

Safety First!

There are a couple directions you can go when you begin in Bjj. One approach (the one I picked) is to jump in and see how my existing instincts fare against trained individuals. The other is to avoid doing too much, and try to only move in prescribed ways. Both methods are acceptable, and havingContinue reading “Safety First!”

On Competition…

I love to compete! Not everyone wants to, because it’s one of the most difficult things to do in Bjj. I could stay in the gym and enjoy many of the benefits of the art without ever competing again. There is plenty to learn, and I can stay in reasonably good shape doing something fun.Continue reading “On Competition…”

Why your kid should train Bjj.

There are many reasons to get your kids into martial arts. Some want self defense, others want physical activity, and others want discipline. Jiu Jitsu definitely does a lot to help us get into shape. I don’t like saying that we teach discipline here. If you look up the definition of discipline, it implies teachingContinue reading “Why your kid should train Bjj.”

Improve Your Bjj Using Paper

My job as an instructor is not just to share my knowledge and experiences with you, it’s to help you to manage the wealth of information you are dealing with. In addition to class, you have free YouTube videos, paid cutting edge instructionals, seminars, private lessons, etc. But if you’re trying to do everything, you’reContinue reading “Improve Your Bjj Using Paper”

Purple and Brown Belt

The last time we looked at belt promotions, we focused on Blue Belt. I like to describe Blue Belt as an elite average person. You know the basic positions, and have a good idea of what to do from them. Your identity in the gym is well established. In fact, some newer people might beContinue reading “Purple and Brown Belt”

Don’t Mistake Speed for Timing

Speed is when you go from one point to another quickly. Timing is when you execute a movement at the correct moment. The first time someone told me to work on my timing, I exhausted myself for weeks trying to do everything fast. Hopefully this saves us a little effort. The timing window is something thatContinue reading “Don’t Mistake Speed for Timing”

Can You Handle Losing?

I got a sales call a little while ago. The lady told me that she didn’t think she could do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu because she couldn’t handle losing. Now, keep in mind she’s trying to sell things to me. During the conversation, she made it a point to say that she was afraid that she would biteContinue reading “Can You Handle Losing?”

Get the Most Out of Your Drilling Time

The recent celebration of Labor Day left me reflecting my experiences in skilled trade. I spent 15 years installing commercial floors in LU 1181 before committing to Bjj full time. These are a few lessons I picked up that have a huge influence on how I teach and train. Repetition gets a bad rap becauseContinue reading “Get the Most Out of Your Drilling Time”