Collar Grips You have two basic options when gripping the collar, the Mirror Grip and the Cross Collar Grip. These are often combined with complicated positions. Sleeve Grips and Hooks. I will simply grab the sleeve on the outside like the picture below. This option is fast and effective for specific purposes. You can alsoContinue reading “Bjj Vocabulary: Gi Grips”
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Bjj Vocabulary: 3 Common Open Guards vs Standing Opponent
There are countless Open Guards to play vs a standing opponent. I like to look at them as based on root positions. Like branches on a tree. Most of the fancy Open Guards are based on simpler versions that came earlier with new details to optimize the preferences of the guard players. Our ability toContinue reading “Bjj Vocabulary: 3 Common Open Guards vs Standing Opponent”
Stages of Drilling
Most days, we drill for 45 minutes. I understand that sounds like a lot at first. We cover the same thing all week, but this is not mindless mass repetition. We cover three things giving us 15 minutes for each thing divide that by two because you were training partner that gives us 7 1/2Continue reading “Stages of Drilling”
What is the Master Division?
In the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), there’s a competitive division that holds a special place for practitioners over 30: the Masters Division. Master 2 begins at 35, and continues every five years up to Master 7 (60+). If you discovered Jiu Jitsu at 25 or older, this is an excellent place to developContinue reading “What is the Master Division?”
ADCC Rules vs IBJJF: How are they different?
ADCC rules are known for being different from IBJJF and pushing the action in unique ways. We looked at the IBJJF rules in How do the Points Work in Bjj? That is my best condensed take on the game. They have a detailed 52 page rule book that is in a state of constant yearlyContinue reading “ADCC Rules vs IBJJF: How are they different?”
Using the Timer in Bjj
Paying attention to the time is an important skill to develop for many reasons. In the absence of a submission, we have a limited amount of time to establish something significant. Different time frames have different strategies and levels of effort. This is my general approach. The amount of time we train impacts how muchContinue reading “Using the Timer in Bjj”
Friendly, Competitive Training Since 2014
The promise of the Martial Arts is to use knowledge to safely handle uncivilized behavior. Do you think of yourself as a reasonable person? To what degree should a civilized person be educated in handling people? Notice that I asked about handling people and not hurting people. Can you handle a 5 year old withoutContinue reading “Friendly, Competitive Training Since 2014”
How to Start Bjj as a Wrestler
Every year about this time, a generation of wrestlers retires. District and State Championships define the top of the sport, and the season ends. Few go on to wrestle in college and even fewer become Olympians. As an adult, you can always coach. But if you want to continue gaining new skills and possibly competing,Continue reading “How to Start Bjj as a Wrestler”
Old Book Review: The Magnificent Scufflers
The Magnificent Scufflers: Revealing the Great Days When America Wrestled the World by Charles Morrow Wilson 1959 History tends to record grappling in a strange and sloppy way. First, a character is briefly depicted. Then he goes down a timeline with various challenges and milestones. Finally, the protagonist loses, retires, or dies. Much like whatContinue reading “Old Book Review: The Magnificent Scufflers”
Concepts in Bjj
A concept in Bjj is a description of a mechanism that makes a technique work. We usually cover one position every week. Positions may have as many as three variations that we cover. For more complex movements, I will break it down into three stages. When we progress to another position from week to week,Continue reading “Concepts in Bjj”