Gordon Ryan Seated Guard Review: Systematically Attacking From Open Guard DVD

It is not like anyone thought we could actually have some time to catch a breath and finish a Gordon Ryan DVD before the next one came out. Still, I doubt anyone would be complaining, particularly given the subject of the latest Gordon Ryan DVD that came out just yesterday. Doing the Systematically Attacking From Open Guard DVD review in such a short time was not easy, but it was a real pleasure to watch this particular instructional. This time around, we get what everyone has been asking for (apart from back attacks) – A Gordon Ryan Seated Guard instructional. So, sit back and enjoy the review.

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Gordon Ryan – Seated Guard

Gordon Ryan’s DVD series “Systematically Attacking…” just got its latest member with this Gordon Ryan Seated Guard DVD. Currently, that brings the total number of instructional Ryan has (excluding the strength DVD fiasco) to 6. With each one lasting around 10 hours, this is highly impressive, given that his very first one came out just over a year ago. Ryan has been busy sharing his secrets on back attacks, guard passing, turtle attacks, closed guard attacks, and now, a dedicated open guard DVD as well. And they’re all No-Gi masterpieces.

The Dreaded Danaher Death Squad Seated Guard

Open Guard is a very broad area of Jiu-Jitsu, perhaps the breadstuff all. There are so many open guard variations that tit would be impossible for someone to cover the principles for all, let alone all the techniques in an instructional. Or ten instructionals, for that matter. This is exactly why Ryan has a very specific focus in this Open Guard DVD: The Seated Guard.

Ever since Eddie Cummings started submitting people left and right form a seated guard position, people have been trying to figure out what the Danaher Death Squad member are doing. After Cummings, Tonon, and the Ryan bothers just kept mesmerizing people with motions form the seated open guard that were not really explored before. Of course, the mastermind behind it all, John Danaher is the man to blame for the systems, but nobody put what they learned from their Professor better than Gordon Ryan did.

Particularly in a No-Gi setting, there’s just no way to deal with the Gordon Ryan Seated Guard. He will sweep you, take the back, get a leg lock, or trick you into exposing the neck for front headlock attacks. It all looks like black magic when instead it is just a very thought out system that Ryan executes perfectly. So far, nobody has released an instructional tacking the subject of the DDS seated guard in such detail. As you’d expect it takes over 6 volumes in an 8 volume instructional for Ryan to go over the system.

The seated guard position is very powerful mostly because the mechanics that really help you keep a solid posture and dominate grips. However, Ryan takes it ten steps further, exploring mechanics form a different perspective, as well as introducing attacks and defensive concepts to the seated guard that we somehow couldn’t see before. One of the most entertaining subjects, and one of the best DVDs of 202 for sure!

Breaking The Rules With Gordon Ryan

If there’s one thing you can expect from the Gordon Ryan Seated Guard instructional, is that it’ll break the rules. In fact, there’s a chapter in there discussing just that – breaking rules. Gordon will take your seated guard, chew it, and spit out a completely different animal. It is not just about the level of knowledge and the experience Ryan has. Those two things are already well established, given that Ryan is the GOAT of Jiu-Jitsu without a doubt. However, “King” Ryan does not just execute what Danaher teaches him, but also modifies things and tries to take them further, at his own pace, of course.

In the Systematically Attacking From Open Guard DVD Ryan really breaks many of the “rules” of both open and seated guard that we have taken for granted throughout the years. From postural alignment, to grip fighting and entering into attacks that we thought weren’t possible form the seated guard, to teaching us how to think about the guard and look to further explore it ourselves, breaking even the rules he is sharing in this DVD. It is a real mind twister, and perhaps his best work to date.

Gordon Ryan Seated Guard Review: Systematically Attacking From Open Guard DVD

So, yet another Gordon Ryan DVD. Nothing that we haven’t seen before and yet, we’re all excited like little children when a new one pops up. It is pretty much the same as this one as well. Once again, the technical aspects of the instructional are without a glitch. Camera work is pristine, the sound is spot on, and with Natalia Santoro as Ryan’s Uke, everything flows together perfectly.

In terms of organization, this Gordon Ryan Seated Guard instructional has 8 volumes. That’s something we’ve come to expect from the Danaher Death Squad members, and I guess we’d be disappointed if they ever released a shorter BJJ DVD. That said, 6 of the volumes tackle the technical, tactical, and philosophical aspects of the seated guard. The remaining two are Gordon’s signature rolling DVDs, where he uses everything he demonstrates in live rolls and does commentary as they take place. The “Systematically Attacking From Open Guard DVD” is about to usher a new era of the seated guard into Jiu-Jitsu, mark my words.

1 – Intro & Mechanics

A short intro, as usual, opens up the first volume of the Gordon Ryan Seated Guard DVD. Some basic information on open guard philosophies, as well as those on the seated position, lay the foundation of what’s to come later on. In the first half of this volume, Ryan teaches things like goal setting form the seated guard, distance management, the main body positions to look for, as well as key drill that’ll help you understand and reinforce all these principles.

It doesn’t take long for leg locks to sneak their way into a Gordon Ryan DVD. The first technical aspect s here, refer to the DDS’s signature Ashi Garami entries form the seated guard position. Ryan takes care to explain entries against opponents’ standing in different stances, providing much-needed variety. He also shares several Kouschi entries band discusses grip placement, particularly the 2 on 1 and arm drags. A few shin-to-shin and follow-ups when Kouchi fails, conclude the first volume.

Favorite Chapter: The Importance Of Concave Shoulders

2 – Gripping For Attacks

Grips are a huge aspect of all of the Danaher Death Squad members’ instructionals. This Gordon Ryan Open Guard DVD is no different, and there’s a lot of emphasis on attaching yourself to your opponent particularly in this second volume. Here, Ryan shares not only gripping the hands, but also setting up collar ties, ankle picks, and all kinds of grips to allow you to be safe in the seated guard, and launch attacks at will.

Speaking of attacks, the Imanari Roll gets a place here, and Ryan finally explains his take on the famous leg lock entry. Furthermore, he goes over dealing with opponents that use a staggered stance, an aspect of the stead guard nobody really explored in-depth before. Tactics include forcing the opponent into a square stance or going for Ashi Garami entries or sweeps using grip placement.

The De Ashi Harai, a staple foot sweeps from Judo gets a lot of attention here. Ryan shares several modified versions that will allow you to sweep opponents with ease and apparent grace. A few back takes and even more Ashi Garami entries and transitions wrap things up in this part of the instructional.

Favorite Chapter: Entering Shin-To-Shin From Distance

3 – Dealing With Kneeling Opponents

A kneeling opponent has always been one of the things that have really presented a challenge for my seated guard. Especially those with a solid posture, that know how not to expose their neck for front headlocks. This part of the Gordon Ryan Seated Guard DVD really came in as a cherry on top of the cake for me.

Once again, the same principles apply before you even engage with an opponent: you need to have clear goals, manage distance, and grip in a meaningful and purposeful way. When an opponent is kneeling, the push-pull dynamic becomes very important, which is why Gordon spends time talking about this point. There’s also key information on how to attack both the lower and upper body, creating dilemmas and trilemmas.

The Sumi Gaeshi that Gordon uses so much gets a lot of attention here as the main weapon to help off-balance someone. Whether it is for a sweep, back take, headlock or Ashi Garami entry, the Sumi Gaehi opens up lots of doors from the seated guard. Actually this volume is the richest one with principles and tactics. The forehead on the mat rule is definitely one that you’\ll never forget once you see it. And don’t even get me started on the importance of sticky hooks, as those have made an appearance in almost all Danaher and Ryan DVDs so far.

Grip fighting, creating Kuzishi, and elevating opponents are how Ryan brings this portion of the instructional to an end.

Favorite Chapter: The Sad Truth

4 – Arm Drags And Russian Ties

As the title suggests, this is where you put all the grip fighting and placement into effect. To clear things up, Russian ties are just another way of referring to 2-on-1s, a grip configuration really favored by the DDS. Since grip placement is already covered, Gordon wastes no time and goes straight into sweeping options. A few basic and a few innovative and interesting sweeps (like the Hiza Guruma setup) follow, all from the 2-on-1 grip.

When it comes to the arm drag, the goal is pretty clear- get the back. That’s exactly what Ryan does to perfection, sharing a few sweeping options along the way to keep opponents guessing what is going to happen. There are even several ways of having fun with the over-under, as well as using the Kata Gatame (arm triangle) to get the back, create dilemmas and open up interesting attacks. This brings us exactly halfway through the Systematically Attacking From Open Guard DVD.

Favorite Chapter: Under Over Switch To Kata Gatame

5 – Attack Combinations

It suffices to say, this is where things start to get really interesting. Headlocks lead the way as Gordon starts with the pinch headlock as his “position zero”. Once again, options include sweeping, going to the Kata Gatame, or switching to the highly interesting shoulder crunch. The reason why the attacks work so well for Ryan in competition is that he attacks multidirectional with each one, instead of just in a linear fashion. It is also something he explains in this volume of the Gordon Ryan Seated Guard DVD.

Form a more tactical standpoint, Gordon explores the roles that the Russian tie and the double unders play when you’re in the seated position in open guard. He also shares a few sweeping combos from double unders. The chapters on countering the bodylock pass with the overhooks are probably some of the best in this entire instructional.

Collar ties their role, opening up guillotines, and looking into the Yoko Sumi Gaeshi is how Gordon concludes the fifth portion of his latest instructional.

Favorite Chapter: Countering Body Locks With Multidirectional Sumi Gaeshis

6 – Advanced Submissions

The last technical volume of the Systematically Attacking From Open Guard DVD by Gordon Ryan focuses on the different ways you can enter the other systems the DDS are known for using the seated guard. In other words, this volume will help you understand the loops in which DDS members put their opponents in, constantly leading them from one system to the other. Very often the seated guard is the link, and Ryan explains everything here to perfection.

Collar ties to triangles and armbars are a great example of it all. Getting to the legs when it all fails is exactly what we’re used to seeing Gordon do in elite-level competition. Now, you get to learn how he does what he does.

Once again, 2-on-1 Russians and arm drags make everything possible, while keeping you safe in the Seated Guard. There are lots of information on setting up leg locks, as well as a few words on Berimbolos in No-Gi. Ryan ends with a portion on guard retention and how to prevent just about any pass from the open guard seated position.

Favorite Chapter: Breaking The Rules

7 & 8 – Rolling & Commentary

The final two parts of the instructional contain rolls. They speak for themselves, really, as there’s not much to review there. Ryan takes Placido, Jack, Drew, Alex, and Shawn for a literal ride on the wild side in part 7, before going through all the rolls in-depth, commentating live as they happen in the final, eight-part of the Gordon Ryan Seated Guard: Systematically Attacking From Open Guard DVD.

Final Words

Nothing surprising here, really. Just a masterpiece DVD instructional that’ll change the outline of the BJJ world forever. But we’ve all come to expect such things from Gordon Ryan. A Gordon Ryan Seated Guard instructional was simply the next logical step in his series. However, I do hope that this doesn’t conclude the Systematically Attacking From Open Guard DVD series, but we got to learn some other guards as well, like the X guards, for example. Oh, and by the way, we wish a very happy birthday to Gordon (just so happens to be today).

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How To Be Heavy In BJJ – It Is Not Rocket Science

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One question I was always asking, mostly as a purple belt was “how do I become heavy from top”? To be honest, I never got a satisfying answer from anyone, so I turned my attention from BJJ to wrestling. After hundreds of hours of instructional, I managed to figure it out. As I slowly made the transition into coaching BJJ myself I keep encountering the same question from students over and over again. Looking not to repeat my mistakes, I decided to rally try and explain everything to anyone who asks how to be heavy in BJJ, regardless of their belt level.

Pinning in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu does not work the same as in other grappling martial arts. Suffice to say, you need to be creative if you want to retain top position. Of course, there is a hierarchy of positions and submissions to choose from. However, sometimes, you just need to hold someone in one spot for just a little while. Strength won’t help. Feeling like a fully-loaded 18-wheeler on top of someone’s chest will. That’s why you be to understand how to be heavy in BJJ. And it is not rocket science, really – you only need to understand a few crucial things, and you’ll be torturing everyone with top pressure in no time.

What is Rooting?

There’s a concept in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu called rooting. In fact, it is a wrestling concept which we have adopted and alternated in BJJ. This concept is crucial in discovering how to be heavy in BJJ. And the premise is really simple – get your belly to the ground.

Our center of gravity (or mass) is located a couple of inches beneath our navel. For BJJ people, it is the region where the belt knot is, give or take. The closer your center of gravity is to the ground, the better balance you have. Conversely, you’ll feel heavier at the same time, provided you adhere to a couple more principles which we’ll talk about in a minute.

When it comes to rooting for BJJ, think about it this way – you need to glue your center of gravity (belt knot) to your opponent. Whether you’re trying to be heavy from the top turtle, side control, mount, or half guard, you need to be aiming to place your belly on the floor, but going through your opponent.

The second part of the equation here is how to get your entire body to follow your center of gravity. That’ easy – let go. Do an experiment next time you’re in the gym. Get the smallest person to grab the biggest person in the academy from behind, bear hug style, under the armpits. Then, ask the big person to tense up their entire body. The smaller person will lift them off the ground without problems. Next, ask them to switch,. However, have a small person relax completely as if they were unconscious. The big strong person will have trouble lifting “dead weight” off the ground, and in most cases, they’ll fail.

That is exactly how to be heavy in BJJ – relax and be dead weight whenever you’re on top. If your center of gravity is also on your opponent, there’s not much left for you to do.

The Number 1 Rule To Remember

The rule that makes or breaks the mystery of how to be heavy in BJJ is “Lift everything is off the ground. I’ll use side control as an example. Let’s say you want to have the dreaded 100 kilos position, but your pressure feels more like 10 oz. First up, place the center of gravity on your opponent’s ribs. Next, relax your body so that you feel like dead weight. Finally, make sure that nothing but your center of gravity and your toes are touching the opponent. That means hands off the floor, butt up, knees of the floor, shoulders of your opponent …. You get the picture.

Nothing but your toes and your center of gravity should be in contact with the bottom person or mats. At this point, you’ll feel like a 100 kilos, or near it to most. It is the labored breathing sounds that are you mark of success or failure.

Speaking of dead weight, let’s talk about that bit more. I already wrote that if you relax completely and thoroughly, you’ll be nearly immovable. However, it is hard to stay like that once an opponent starts moving. Naturally, we tense up, trying to retain the position, but make ourselves lighter in the process. And it is all about the mindset.

When you’re on top, think about being heavy, rather than holding an opponent down.
Imagine yourself as a balloon filled with water that’s on top of the opponent. Every time an opponent tries to move it, the balloon finds space to flow through, always aiming to reach the ground with the dead weight of the water inside it. There’s no objection to the opponent’s movements, but rather filling up any hole you might find, and which h will inevitably open when they try to move.

If at the same time nothing but your toes is touching the ground, you’ll now feel way heavier than just 100 kilos. And the concept works for every top position, not just side control.

Exploring Points Of Control

I’d like to point just two more things before I wrap this article up. First, whenever you’re on top, you’ll only be able to feel heavy and pressure someone if they’re not already deep into a defensive posture. You‘ll feel much heavier in certain positions compared to others, which is why you need to understand how to block people from moving. This completes the “how to be heavy in BJJ” equation.

To begin with, you have five points of control you’re looking for. First, you want to lift the near side elbow of the ground. Second, you want control over the chin/head. Third, you want to pin the far side shoulder to the mats. The fourth and fifth points have to do with the knees. The near side knee should always be off the mats, while the far side one should never pass the centerline of the opponent’s own body. If you have all five of these, along with the three principles from above, you’ve now figured out how to be heavy in BJJ.

The way to thin about a pin in Jiu-Jitsu is thinking about not letting a person mover in any direction, rather than trying to hold them down by fore. This means you’ll be in dynamic exchanges all the time while you’re’ trying to be heavy (or are heavy if you’ve got everything set up as I told you). Every time an opponent tries to move, you try and figure out if you have all five points under control. If you do, you’ve got them pinned even though they don’t feel stuck per se.

Finally, a little trick to make your weight even more painful from the top – dance a little Salsa. Seriously, from any top position where you’re heavy, and have control over several points, simply play around by moving your shoulders and your hips. This will cause unimaginable pain to your opponent and multiple how heavy you feel several times over.

Wrapping Up

How to be heavy in BJJ? Let’s recap:

Place your center of gravity on your opponent, or on the mats.
Relax your body, looking to become a “water balloon”.
Keep everything but your toes off of the mats.
Control the five points
Dance some salsa move shoulders and hips) to make it all feel ten times more uncomfortable

So there you have it. The answer to the mystery of how to be heavy in BJJ boiled down to five points. If you go one by one, it’ll take you a month, maybe a bit more, of experimenting to get the entire formula down. Once you have it though, you’ll b able to apply it to any top position, becoming heavier than a mountain while not expending any energy to hold people down. Sweat, right?

Helicopter Armbar – The Craziest Armbar Setup In Jiu-Jitsu

BJJ World

What is your favorite armbar setup? The armbar is a very versatile submission that you could set up from a bunch of BJJ positions. However, in most cases, it boils down to either going for top or bottom position armbar (except in the case of standing flying armbar setups). That said, top position armbars are a bit more secure and more reliable than bottom position ones, regardless of specific positioning. The Helicopter armbar is a setup from the bottom that allows you to end up in a top position armbar. In other words, the best of both worlds. Plus, it looks beyond cool!

One thing about spinning and rolling submission setups is that people often shy away from them. Sure, they’re fun in the gym when you’re rolling with lower belts, but doing it in a competition is usually out of the question. The helicopter armbar, though, is an exception. Not that you should sweat trying any move out in a match. With the Helicopter armbar, all the spinning comes at the cost of the opponent, instead of you. Throughout the motion, you’re in a very stable position and ready to use whatever follow-ups you might like form any guard you like. Win-win, right?

The Issue With Finishing Armbars From The Bottom

Before I get into the nitty-gritty of the Helicopter armbar, let me talk down the bottom position armbar for a little while. It’s not that I don’t like it, I just think it’s way less reliable than any top position armbar. There are plenty of reasons for this, but the main one is the most obvious one – gravity.

When you find yourself in a top position, the bottom person has nowhere to go – there’s a planet behind them. When the rolls are reversed, though, and you’re on the bottom, you’re’ the one that’s stuck. Moreover, the opponent can pull backward out of just about anything you throw at them off of your back. That’s why the guard is awesome as a defensive position that can help you achieve top position. It is not, however, a point-scoring position because it does not offer the same advantages that top positions do.

In the case of the armbar, going for an armbar variation from guard means an opponent can always pull back with their entire body. It may be very late into an armbar, but there’s a gap there you can’t close. Moreover, coming back to gravity, if opponents pick you up, your body tends to want to come back to the ground. That equals slipping down on the arm and losing the armbar.

These are just a few examples of how the bottom position impacts your armbar finishing rate. Of course, sweeping, getting on top, and then getting an armbar is a surefire way of solving this. Or, you could go for the Helicopter armbar and solve it all in just one move.

The Helicopter Armbar

The Helicopter armbar is a setup from the bottom that can be executed from most guard positions, open or closed. The goal is to make your opponent act like the blade of a helicopter, literally. This completely changes the dynamics of the bottom and top situations, as now you have gravity working for you, rather than against you.

Let’s look at a closed guard setup, to begin with. You start off with the arm high on your chest, and a solid grip on either the sleeve or the forearm. The other arm holds the collar or the opposite side sleeve. The moment the opponent stands up to execute a standing opening, you open your guard and place both feet on the hips. This is where the most important part of the Helicopter armbar happens – the lift. Your goal is to extend your legs completely, while having your opponent balance on them, like a rag thrown over a wire. Remember never to push with the feet, but rather place them at the hips and pull the opponent towards you, before lifting directly upwards.

For the armbar itself, you want to remove one leg out of the hip crease. That is the leg which is on the same side as the arm your attacking. This way, you create an opening for your opponent to fall into. If you’ve kept a tight grip on the arm, they’ll fall straight down on their back, deep into an armbar. The finish is as you usually finish an armbar from the top.

Another option to set the Helicopter armbar up would be the De la Riva guard. The only difference to the closed guard setup is that you keep the leg with the De La Riva Hook in place. The lift here happens with one foot on the hip and one behind the knee. Everything else is the same – you need to isolate and really grip an arm, pull towards, you, and lift. This time though, removing the De La Riva hook will get you a much faster and more intense drop into an armbar.

Key Points to Remember

The helicopter armbar has two crucial moments that make or break the move. The first is your grip. You need to have the arm of the opponent, completely attached to your chest. The higher up your chest their palm is, the better. Plus, remember to really grip and hold, whether it is the wrist or a sleeve.

The second key moment is the lift. This is something you need to spend some time drilling before you get it right all the time. The drill is easy- grab both wrists, place the feet in the hips, and elevate an opponent. The trick is to find a balance so that you keep an opponent “weightless” with not one part of their body touching the ground. This is easy to accomplish if you remember to keep your feet relaxed. The tenser your feet are, the easier it is to slip out.

Finally, the Helicopter armbar works mostly because it is a surprise attack,. The moment you have someone up in the air like that, plenty of things can happen. You might opt to go for a sweep, the helicopter armbar, or a Helicopter triangle. Or, you might just get back into a different variation of the guard that you prefer. The number of attack options makes your next move unpredictable which is why the Helicopter armbar is such a high percentage setup.

Last but not least, this mover requires patience. Form the closed guard if you don’t force an opponent to their feet, you won’t be able to get it. Moreover, you need to be patient once you lift them up and not rush to the armbar. Remember, it is gravity that will take them down when you remove a foot post, not you forcing them down.

Final Thoughts

The Helicopter armbar is one of those moves that will cause people to applaud you when they see it. Ti is also going to annoy opponents and bring you lots of personal satisfaction. It is just cool whichever way you look at it. Just remember to be patient, relax your feet, and have solid grips. The guard you choose to set it up from is down to you, and by all means not limited to the closed and De La Riva guards.

The “1,2, Clap” – Why Do We Do It After A BJJ Demonstration Of Techniques?

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Why The 1,2,Clap After A BJJ Demonstration?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is full of idiosyncrasies that look absolutely out of place in an art that is so meticulously methodical. One such example is the custom of instructors shouting out 1,2,(3) and then they, along with all the students clap their hands. This usually takes place after every BJJ Demonstration of techniques, in all classes, from kids to advanced adults. The reason we do this is beyond me, as I can’t see any real reason for this particular nonsense. Let me elaborate.

BJJ is an individual sport, but we often treat it as a team, especially with competitors. It is strange, as, in reality, Jiu-Jitsu is somewhere in the middle between a team sport and an individual one. In those terms, certain methods that help strengthen team spirit are often used as psychological “tricks”. In terms of clapping after a BJJ demonstration, I’ve heard all the psychological explanations and I still can’t see the relevance of difference it makes. That said, I actually dislike it due to the programming it instills in folks.

Where Did It All Come From?

Honestly, who knows? I’ve been scouring the internet trying to figure this out. There’s no real way to trace this back to one particular martial art, although plenty of them do it. In fact, in combat sports (boxing, wrestling, MMA), etc. it is a more regular practice compared to martial arts. Other sports, particularly team sports the likes of baseball, basketball, football, etc. also use a variation of the “team clap”, for lack of a better phrase.

The psychology of this is to synchronize everyone in a team. The countdown is something that gets everyone on the same page, and the lap is an auditory signal that usually makes people pay attention. At the end of every BJJ demonstration, most instructors use a variety of this, either counting to two, or three and then everyone claps. This should both have people focused on the move they’re about to try out, have them operate as a “team” and marks a clear end of the BJJ demonstration and start of the practice.

One of the main reasons people use this (or think they do) is to get others’ attention. In that sense, it does work as people do focus on the clap. You can often see them waiting as an instructor nears the end of a demonstration, eager to do the clap., In fact, sometimes they’re a bit more eager to do the clap than they are doing the actual technique. Plus, as much as you may try, you’ll never synchronize everyone completely.

Unwanted Side Effects

Let’s get into the meat and potatoes of why I dislike this particular BJJ pet peeve. For starts, I can’t really see a clear reason why we need to do it. And if I can’t answer the “why” I usually tend to get annoyed and look really deep into a certain matter.

As far a the synchronizing portion goes, that’s impossible. In my academy, we adopted this a few years ago, trying to get people to do something recognizable and have a “ritual” of sorts ./However, as a girl who had been training just a few months at the time pointed out, two people will never be able to completely sync up. She was right, No two people, and let alone an entire academy get the clap right. So, there’s that synchronizing theory right out the window.

The part about everyone doing the same thing is cool, up to a point. However, the “1,2,, Clap” gets so instilled in people that often they don’t’ realize they’ve been programmed. We had a visiting black belt hold class once, and he did not have the habit of doing the clap. After the BJJ demonstration, when asked us to train, nobody moved! Everyone got stuck with hands out wide, waiting for the 1,2, clap! It would’ve been funny if it wasn’t scary, to begin with. This kept happening for the entirety of the class and got me thinking even more. Why would we want people to act the same in an art where expressing your individuality actually pulls the team forward?

The clap might be fun to do at a seminar or camp or some game. Howler, do it long enough in a gym, and it loses the original aim of getting people together. It just becomes something they mindlessly do, and if you try to take it away from them, they get stuck. So much so, in fact, that a lot of the attention is at clapping, instead of listening to what an instructor is saying during the final parts of a BJJ demonstration, which is often when most valuable points about the technique are being repeated and reiterated.

Team Spirit And The Psychology Of BJJ

I’m far from an expert in psychology, particularly sports psychology. However, I like to follow the niche that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not as complicated as everyone makes it, but rather simple. And when BJJ becomes simple it becomes easy,. And not, it does not become less fun. Quite the contrary. My point is that as long as there’s a clear answer to why we’re doing something, even if the answer is “it is a tradition passed on from “traditional martial arts”, as the example of “Oss” in BJJ. That’s perfectly ok. However, I haven’t found a satisfactory “because” in the case of the “1,2, Clap”.

That point about strengthening team spirit is also complete nonsense. People are just looking to mindlessly clap, an have no greeter connection to anyone standing near them, or on the other side of the gym, then they would if they didn’t. Actually, they just might look and interact a bit more if they’re not anticipating the team clap that marks the end of a BJJ demonstration. If you want to truly strengthen the team spirit in your gym, organize activities for people outside of class. Do one of these a month and you’ll have a team that’s so in sync no amount of clapping will get other academies even near them.

I get it that we do some things just because others that came before us claim they have a role. I might be wrong, of course, but it still boils down to “why”. Just like in a few instances of BJJ techniques, when nobody could answer my “why” and I figured out more effective ways to execute them, even though they weren’t the norm, I am challenging the notion of clapping after every BJ Jdemosntration of a technique. It is needless, time-wasting, and programs people to act in a way that doesn’t favor personal, nor the growth of BJJ as an art. Not to mention the growth of the team.

In Conclusion

I’m doing an experiment currently with completely cutting the “1,2, Clap” out of training. SO far, I’ve only had a few people still look for it and even ask where it is. That’s programming. Others, don’t mind it as much and seem to be doing just as well, if not better, without it. The idea is to spark creative thinking in people, not have them act like drones. In a BJJ demonstration I did just yesterday I danced to a salsa song (very badly) dressed in a Hawaiian shirt themed rash guard. That’s something they’ll never forget. If I just went through the BJJ demonstration I did like usual and had them clap at the end hoping it helps them remember things, I’m absolutely convinced I wouldn’t achieve the same level of retention of information I did by doing something outside the box.

BJJ Around The World: Women’s Jiu-Jitsu In Saudi Arabia

BJJ World

Saudi Arabia is a country that is well and truly established on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world map. It has been so since the early days, in fact, with ADCC and the UAEJJF being a couple of the strongest promotions out there. However, apart from the people in charge who can have the likes of Marcelo Garcia flown in for privates, how is training in Saudi Arabia? More precisely, how is Women’s Jiu-Jitsu in the Middle East, given the cultural differences that part of the world has compared to the Western countries?

Right off the bat, the point of this article is not social justice. The way culture works in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East is something I don’t’ want to be touching upon. The goal of this article is to share a few interesting stories about the state of Women’s Jiu-Jitsu in a part of the world where you probably wouldn’t expect women to be striving so much in a contact sport like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. So politics aside from the get-go, and let’s focus on how grappling is spreading to every part of the world and changing perceptions.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu In Saudi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia in particular, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been around strong for about 5-6 years. In contrast to neighboring UAE, BJJ did not spread as fast throughout Saudi Arabia as it did through some other parts of the Middle East. Actually, it was quite behind until black belts, mostly of Brazilian origin started slowly coming to the country, trying to pioneer the Gentle Art.

Currently, there are several academies in Saudi Arabia with high-level BJJ coaches doing the teaching. A few years ago, due to the no tourist policy of the country, there were plenty of people trying to come in with work visas, claiming they were black belts, whereas they were in fact fake ones. Luckily, that didn’t work and some legitimate black belts now call Saudi Arabia their home. For example, there’s Arena MMA in Jeddah, a gym with more than 600 members, 200 of which train exclusively in BJJ. The head of the Academy is Ricardo Liborio black belt, Fabiano Silva.

Saudi Arabia is actually a modern country that has everything it takes for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to thrive there. Apart from people coming in to teach, there are also locals, like Musaad Alturif “Sheik”, a purple belt under Eduardo Telles that is trying to put his country on the Jiu-Jitsu world map.

Other top-class coaches like Jose Junior, who used to teach in UAE, are also flocking towards Saudi Arabia. He is also working at Arena, helping kick start BJJ in Saudi Arabia, including Women’s Jiu-Jitsu on a much larger scale than now.

Women’s Jiu-Jitsu Classes

Women’s’ Jiu-Jitsu in Saudi Arabia is a very specific subject. And still, it not only exists but thieves, mostly under the tutelage of two Brazilian black belts Roberta Ferreira and Lidiane Ramos Faubel. They don’t just teach Women’s Jiu-Jitsu classes but also have kids programs and even host tournaments for their students. Work that deserves praise and accolades, without a doubt.

Both women live and operate in Jeddah, the country’s commercial center. Both their husbands are also BJJ black belts teaching as well. In fact, Roberta is married to Jose Junior, and migrated with him from the UAE, trying to do for Women’s Jiu-Jitsu in Saudi Arabia what her husband has been doing for the male population. A black belt for almost a decade she was teaching women in the Army self-defense while in the UAE. Along with fellow Brazilian Lidiane Ramos Faubel, Roberta has been giving classes to women from all walks of life in Saudi Arabia.

The women that come to train do so in Gis, but they can choose whether to wear a hijab or not. According to Roberta, that is down to household education and beliefs, and some women choose to do it. The main thing is that they get to train and compete in Jiu-Jitsu under the tutelage of experienced black belts.

The Women’s Jiu-Jitsu classes are a part of Arena MMA’s schedule, and there’s quite a number of ladies that regularly come to train. In fact, there are now even other women, some native to Saudi Arabia that are taking up teaching Jiu-Jitsu in the country, helping to spread the art even further among the female population. For now, though, Jeddah seems to be the epicenter of Jiu-Jitsu in Saudi Arabia.

A Grappling Community On the Rise

Speaking of an epicenter, Arena MMA is surely doing some amazing things in Jeddah. They even organize full-fledged tournaments for both female and male competitors, as well as children. For now, they’ve organized two women-only tournaments, and one mixed tournament (for women and children). But they’re not the only ones.

The Legendary Heroes gym (also based in Jeddah) also organizes tournaments. One of them was the first-ever women’s Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing tournament in 2018, which had more than 40 contestants. Saudi Arabia is encouraging women to partake in tournaments and sports, thus lending a helping hand to Women’s Jiu-Jitsu pioneers and their gyms.

Saud Arabia people take great pride in training and competition. They fight hard, and have their entire families visit and watch tournaments. That, along with the actions of Brazilians that head major clubs like Arena and Legendary Heroes, as well as the exploits of locals like Musaad Alturif “Sheik” promise a very bright future for Jiu-jitsu in yet another staple Middle eastern country.

Closing Thoughts

The sport of Jiu-Jitsu will spread to the furthest parts of the globe in the years to come. That includes Women’s Jiu-Jitsu as well, and it is particularly inspiring to see it spread and take hold in the Middle East as well as the west. Once again, Jiu-Jitsu proves to be larger than borders and cultural differences, and it helps bind people together for a common goal – be better.

Best Budget Grappling Gear To Get In The Summer Of 2021

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It is time to do some shopping. In fact, this is the perfect time to do some grappling gear shopping. The Covid-19 pandemic is still at large, but protocols are in place to re-open gyms. That man’s that this is the best time to stock up on some budget grappling gear and be ready for the comeback. Why not take advantage of the best-priced deals available this summer and make sure you’re ready to catch up on grappling in the second half of 2021?

Let’s all be honest, we all love to do grappling gear shopping! Some of us have that obsession with owning as many Gis as possible, even though there’s hardly a chance to wear all of them on a regular basis. Personally, I’m more of the rashguard collecting type of guy, particularly those bright colored and wacky ones. To everyone their own. However, grappling gear can often be quite expensive, given that it has to be sturdy and resilient, otherwise there’s no point to it, is there? Every now and again, however, deals came up that you simply can’t let slide without taking advantage of. Below, we have the best budget grappling gear deals for the summer of 2021 that you can’t afford to miss out on!

Grappling Gear Shopping Guide

OF course, quality is the number one factor when it comes to grappling gear. There’s no real point in wearing a Gi that’ll rip in a few weeks, or those running rashguards with mesh webbing all over that’ll tear in the first scramble. Specialized grappling gear is the way to go. Usually, this type of specialized grappling gear comes at a price, though, particularly the high-quality stuff. Now, I don’t really know why sometimes the top brands out there release amazing deals on high-quality stuff, but they do. What I know, is how to dig them up online, and share them with you.

Speaking of brands, I made it a point to only include brands that guarantee quality. That does not necessarily mean that you’ll see the most famous grappling gear brands included, though. Sometimes, it is lower-key brands that have their eye set on quality. When the price also matches a specific criterion (budget shopping n this article’s case) than we have the perfect combination. Moreover, as always, I did try to focus on gear that offers as much variety of color and design-wise as possible. Just for the fun of it.

In our best budget grappling gear shopping guide you’ll find everything and anything grappling related. From Gis and rashguards to puzzle mats and athletic finger tape, all the crucial pieces of equipment you’ll need to grapple are included. Of course, variety means something for both the ladies and the gentlemen in there, so we have that covered as well. In other words, everything you need to either kit up completely for grappling or simply add a specific item to your gym bag, you’ll find right here, a couple of clicks away!

The Cheapest Grappling Gear To Get In 2021!

The criteria for the budget grappling gear below was simple. First up it had to fall within a certain price range. Given the large variety of grappling gear, I focused on making sure nothing passes the $100 mark. However, with the exception of a couple of items, most things are way below the $50 mark, which is not something you see every day. Particularly not when you take into account the second crucial criteria – quality. All of the items below are of the highest possible grade, given the availability and materials used.

The third and final criteria were more on the aesthetic side of things. For some reason. We do like to try and stand out, even among fellow grapplers. It is probably one of those animal kingdom type of things, where the animal with the most colors attracts the most attention. That’s why we have crazy pink Gis and the most unbelievably ridiculous sublimated art on rashguards, mouthpieces, and other pieces of grappling gear. So, I did try to focus on products that offer variety, so that you can still peacock around the gym, however at a fraction of the price that those items would usually cost, and losing none of the quality.

Venum Contender 2.0 Gi

Features:

100% Cotton
EVA Foam soft collar
IBJJF Approved
Ultra-fast clamping system by rope
Pre Shrunk
Pearl weave

First, up, let’s look at a Gi. The brand is Venum, which should mean more than enough if you’ve been training for longer than a few weeks. If not, let me explain – they’re one of the best MMA, BJJ, and grappling gear brands in existence today. Their Contender Gi series is legendary by now, and what we have on offer here today is the 2.0 version of this particular Gi.

IN terms of quality, it is a 100% cotton Gi, with a pearl weave. The jacket weighs 350 gsm, with the pants coming in at 230 gsm. Furthermore, the jacket has rounded reinforced sloths and an EVA foam collar that is designed to last through all the gripping that’s inevitably coming its way. The pants are ripstop, with reinforced stitching on the inside and at the ankles. The only drawback of this GI (if you could call it that) is that it does not come with a belt.

The available sizes range between A1 and A4, with half sizes included in the form of A1,5 and A2,5. There are 5 colors available, with grey and navy blue joining the three IBJJF legal competition colors of white, black, and blue. Depending on color and size, this Gi will set you back $36-$90 which is a real bargain!

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Ring to Cage Grappling Knee Pads

Features:

Molded padding
Mirrors knee movement
Polyester Flex back
Durable
Shock absorbent pads

The knees are among the joints that take a lot of abuse in BJJ. One thing almost everyone struggles with when they start BJJ is mat burns on the knees. Since we’re all starting over after the Covid-19 break anyway, this means we should come in prepared for such an occasion. And that is precisely where the Ring to Cage Grappling Knee Pads come into play.

These knee pads are specifically designed for grappling and combat sports. They come with specially molded padding on the front, that protects from both abrasions and impact. Moreover, protection extends to the knee caps and menisci, making training less painful. The material is ultra-durable Nylon at the front and polyester-flex at the back. This allows the pads to mimic knee movement perfectly, not restricting the natural range of motion at all. These knee pads come in a pair, in sizes S-XL, and black color. They fit under a Gi perfectly and only cost $24.

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Nike Women’s Swoosh Sports Bra

Features:

Pull-On closure
Machine Wash
Dry-Fit technology
Allows for a full range of motion
Snug compression fit

Something for the ladies here. When it comes to wearing sports bras under the Gi, there are not many options out there that are designed to make you comfortable in BJJ. Well, that’s all about to change, thanks to the Nike Women’s Swoosh Sports Bra.

These are both perfect for training No-Gi, or using underneath the Gi. They’re made out of a polyester and spandex fabric mix that’s dries lightning fast and has extreme moisture-wicking properties. The closure is an elastic pull-over, meaning nothing will get in the way while grappling. Guaranteed compression fit, support, increased blood flow and reduced fatigue. Machine washable and available in sizes XXS-XXXL. Four different colors (red, blue, black, and carbon are available.

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Venum Gladiator 3.0 Rashguard(Long Sleeved)

Features:

Reinforced seams
Incredible design in different color versions
Venum compression technology
Athletic cut
Rubberized waistband
Long-sleeved

This rashguard is a real classic. Why would Venum for a third version of the same rashguard otherwise? The Gladiator 3.0 is yet another Venum fight wear staple that’s perfect for anything combat sport-related. MMA, BJJ, Grappling, Crossfit, even surfing, if you do one or all of the above you’ll have great use of the Venum Gladiator 3.0 rashguard. Plus, it looks extremely cool!

This rashguard is a Venum signature blend of 87% Polyester and 13% Elastane. It provides both compression as well as 4-way stretching properties that guarantee comfort and no restriction in movement. The reinforced seams provide extra durability Venum technology also ensures improved blood circulation and a faster recovery. Comes in an athletic cut, with a rubberized waistband, and in sizes S to XXL. High quality sublimated art is the key feature of this rashguard, available in two different versions: completely black and black and white. The price for one of the best rashguards of all time is just $50 in this deal!

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Shock Doctor Pro Mouthguard

Features:

Strapless or strapped options
Boil and bite fitting
Extreme shock absorbing qualities
Works with braces
Multi-layered construction

An integral piece of grappling gear there’s probably nothing smarter than investing in a secure and ultra-high quality mouthguard for grappling. However, that investment does not necessarily have to be a huge one to get the quality you need for BJJ training. Shock Doctor is the undisputed champions in the field of mouthguards for combat sports. |their Shock Doctor Pro Mouth Guard, though, is a mouthpiece that will suit everybody’s needs and will cost you next to nothing.

This is a boil and bites mouthpiece, suitable for kids, adults, and even those wearing braces. There’s a special shock-absorbent system that protects against direct impact, plus extended protection to the cheeks, tongue, and palates. A unique trait is the $10.000 dental warranty that comes with each piece. On top of everything, there’s an option for a strapless and strapped version, although I doubt anyone in grappling would opt for a strapped mouthguard. The sizes available are adult and youth, given that they’re completely adjustable via the boil and bite method. Comes in black color and barely costs $5!

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Bear KomleX Compression Knee Sleeves

Features:

High-quality bamboo charcoal fiber material
Snug fit and extra support
Reduced pain and increased blood flow
360-degree comfort
Available in 5mm and 7mm thickness

Another pair of knee sleeves that got on our budget grappling gear shopping guide, just because they’re so awesome. They look great, provide compression and support, and the much-needed layer of protection against abrasions. Although they fit under the GI I doubt you won’t want to show these off, given that they come in many interesting designs.

These knee sleeves provide optimal comfort and support, increasing blood flow and reducing pain They cover a large area, from your thigh to the shinbone, making them perfect for No-Gi. Machine washable and resistant to tears, while providing 4-way stretching, they’re perfect for any type of combat sport. They are available in sizes S-XXL and 11 different colored and themed designs. The price is an unbelievable $35 for a pair!

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Prosource Fit Extra Thick Puzzle Mats

Features:
Dense and durable
Covers 24 square feet
Simple Assembly
Lightweight
High-density EVA foam
Safe and low-maintenace

How about some mats? Not quite individual grappling gear, but essential gear nonetheless. Perhaps you’re looking for mats for your home or looking to replace the old ones in the gym. Whatever the case, these Prosource mats are the answer. They are puzzle mats that come in several different varieties and sizes and are tailor-made for grappling.

Prosource’s puzzle mats come in tiles that are extra dense and extremely durable. The mats are very lightweight and easy to carry, and they connect very easily. They are made out of high-quality, extra dense EVA foam, making them thicker and therefore softer than most other mats out there. In other words, picture-perfect for grappling and combat sports. They’re water-resistant and even feature noise reduction capabilities. The mats come in blue-black or grey color, and two thickness options, 1” and ¾”. Size depends on how big a surface you need to cover with them.

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Diamond MMA Cup Groin Protector

Features:

Designed for repeated high impacts
4-strap jock system closure, or as part of compression shorts
Soft elastomer edge
Made from the same material as bulletproof glass
Does not shift
Endorsed by MMA athletes, doctors, Stanford University engineers, and urologists

Something exclusive for the lads here. The diamond MMA Groin Cup protector is the only one you’ll ever need for combat sports. This crucial piece of grappling gear is made with cutting-edge technology and is both extremely comfortable to wear, and just as reliable when it comes to protecting your valuable body parts.

This groin protector features special geometry that deflects and distributes force. At the same time, there’s no chuffing or vibration as a result of the soft elastomer inside edge. In fact, the material this cup is made of is the same that they make bulletproof glass out of. That should ease your mind. There’s a 4-strap jock system that ensures the cup stays in place and doesn’t move at all, regardless of your motion or impact. Backed by urologists, the Diamond Cup comes in adult and youth sizes, and a black and blue design. This state-of-the-art groin protector is available at the incredible price of just $29!

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ARD Camo Shorts

Features:

Stretchable polyester fabric
Multiple flex panels
Split seam for superior mobility
Improved Velcro closure
T3 stitching seams
Inner pocket for motuhguard

A pair of grappling shorts that would go great with either the Venum Gladiator rashguard or the ladies CHOO bra and thighs kit. Or, just on their own, if you prefer so. These camo themed shorts are designed for grappling, with durability and functionality in mind. They look great, feel great, and come at an unbelievable price you can’t miss!

Shorts are probably the most fundamental piece of grappling gear (in No-Gi) after a mouth guard, of course. These particular shorts are made from polyester and special stretchable fabric to ensure there are no tears even during most vigorous grappling exchanges. They’re lightweight, with multiple flex panels that ensure maximal mobility. They also feature a split seam for superior flexibility. Available in sizes S-XL and with sublimated high-quality camouflage art.

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Takedown Fight Gear BJJ T-Shirt

Features:
100% Soft spun cotton
45oz
Stylish design
Tear-away tag

Something that you might use for training, or just as leisurewear here. This is a simple T-shirt that features a very cool design in several different varieties. Whether you wear it under the Gi, for NO-Gi, for MMA training, or just to show everyone that you’re living the grappling lifestyle, this is the perfect option for the summer of 2021.

IT is the simplicity of this design that really catches the eye. The T-shirt comes in either a black or white background. At chest level, there’s a print saying “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu” and there’s also an octagon beneath it. The liters come in two color combinations – either green and blue, or red and grey, available on both of the background colors. The T-shirt itself is made in the USA, 100% cotton, and with a tear-away tag. Available in all the usual sizes, for just $18.

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ASICS Aggressor Ear Guard

Features:

Injected molded EVA guards
High impact resistant
GEL cushioning system
Adjustable strap system
One size fits all
Classic look

While not everyone in Jiu-Jitsu likes to wear an ear guard, it is always a smart idea to have one on. It only takes a few re-occurring ear injuries for cauliflower ears to form. And, despite some people wearing them as badges of honor, not everyone loves them. The ASICS Aggressor ear guard is a piece of grappling gear that’s perfect for Jiu-Jitsu folks in particular, due to the lightweight and adjustable design.

The ear guards on each side are injected with molded EVA foam, making them extremely resilient to abrasions, direct impact, or whatever force might come your way during grappling. There’s a special GEL cushioning system to ensure safety and increase comfort. Moreover, there is a strap system that’s extremely easy to adjust by yourself. There’s no helmet to speak of, just the guards and the straps, with a simple shape that’s great for BJJ, particularly with the Gi. The ear guards come in one size, given the full adjustability, and in 7 different colored designs. Depending on the model, you’ll end up paying $14-$35.

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Iinim Men’s Singlet

Features:

Quick to dry
Breathable and super soft
Machine washable
Polyester and Spandex blend with 4-way stretch capabilities

This is something that’s only for a handful of people involved in grappling. While BJJ people do like to wear brightly colored Gis and rashguards depicting anything and everything from the animal kingdom, you’ll rarely catch them in wrestling style singlets. Well, for those that are brave enough, or simply like to wrestle more than any other type of grappling, here’s a great option.

The Iinim singlet is sleeveless, with a tank-style scoop neck. It is breathable, super soft, and has an extreme ability to stretch. The fabric is such that you stay dry even during rigorous physical activity. The singlet is available in black, blue, and white, and sizes small to extra-large, all for the price of $15.

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Meister StickElite Professional Athletic Tape

Features:

Strongest adhesive on the market
Special porous design
Zigzag edge
Latex-free
Does not slip off or come undone

When it comes to grappling gear, there’s no way we can do a guide and not mention athletic tape. GI, NO-Gi, wrestling, Sambo Judo, you name it, out of three athletes two will have athletic tape wrapped around a wrist or two. Well, the Meister athletic tape is top of the shelf, but at the same time, it won’t cost you a small fortune every month.

First of all, this tape has the strongest adhesive available, meaning it’ll never come off, regardless of what you’re doing. The special porous design featuring micro holes guarantees airflow to reduce sweating and increase comfort. Moreover, they’re easy to tear by hand because of the integrated zigzag edge. It is latex-free and coms in dimensions 5yd x 0.5in (13.7m x 1.3cm). The color is black and you can choose between the option to get two rolls for $7.99, or four for $12.99.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between grappling and Jiu-Jitsu?

Technically speaking Jiu-Jitsu falls under the category of grappling martial arts. That makes BJJ part of grappling, but not the other way around. Other examples of grappling martial arts are wrestling, Sambo, Judo, catch-wrestling, etc. Apart from stylistic differences, there are also differences in the rules between them. The common threads are that there are no strikes.

Is Jiu-Jitsu just grappling?

Yes, Jiu-Jitsu is a part of grappling. However, the Gi and even specific No-Gi attire, rules, and techniques make BJJ a unique martial art, even among those of a grappling origin.

What kind of grappling gear do I need for BJJ?

Depending on what type of class (or entire academy) you are going to attend, you’ll either need to wear a Gi or No-Gi grappling gear. For Gi, you’ll need a jacket, pants, and a belt, although it is advisable to also wear a rashguard and spats underneath. For No-Gi a rashguard and shorts will do, but spats are once again advisable. In both situations, any supportive BJJ gear you might need (like ear guards, kneepads, mouthguards, finger tape, etc.) are also allowed.

What kind of grappling gear do I need for No-Gi?

The bare minimum is a T-shirt and shorts. A rashguard beats a T-shirt for Jiu-Jitsu training any day, and having spats underneath the shorts is also a good idea. Apart from that, you can use any additional/supportive grappling gear you might need for training. In some academies, watering Gi pants and rashguard will also work for No-Gi classes.

What is essential grappling gear for MMA?

In terms of MMA grappling the main difference si whether or not grappling training will include strikes on the ground and ground and pound. In that case, additional gear like hand wraps and gloves will accompany the usual grappling attire. A helmet might be in place of an ear guard and a mouthguard is not optional in this case.

Final Words

If there was ever a perfect time to add to your grappling gear, it has to be in the moment right after getting back on the mats after a pandemic. There are some great products available at great prices, and people are not looking unsure of when they’ll be coming back. This is your chance to stock up, as BJJ is coming back around the world and it is a question of time when training will resume in your area. Be ready for it with new grappling gear that won’t derail your budget!

Lessons Learned After 1 Year Of BJJ

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Anything you start doing will start off hard. In Jiu-Jitsu, however, hard takes on a whole new different meaning. In a world where everyone is softer than a feather filled pillow, combat sports do not come across as easy. And that is because they aren’t, nor should they be. And BJJ is definitely on the top of the list of martial arts/combat sports you can do, and will require every ounce of your determination and dedication. However, BJJ is also more fun than anything you’ll do in life (most likely). As with everything else, the first year or so is the hardest, so let’s look at some common lessons people learn after 1 year of BJJ.

1 year of BJJ is a huge accomplishment for anyone. Not everybody progresses the same way, but it is not always just about progress. In Jiu-Jitsu, you won’t have much fun unless you understand some basic foundations of the sport/art. And to do that, you have to show up. The thing is, coming back in that first few months is not easy. Apart from that inexplicable draw that you just have to try it again, nothing else really makes sense when you think about why you’re coming back. After that 1 year mark, though, if you contemplate a bit, you’ll realize that you’ve actually learned a lot. In fact, you probably learn more in the first year than all the upcoming ones, when it comes to Jiu-Jitsu.

The First Weeks

One word perfectly captures how people feel in their first few weeks of training – lost. It doesn’t matter how tailor the curriculum is to beginners and people with absolutely no combat sports experience. Having to wrestle with someone, even if it is play-wrestling is something out of the comfort zone of most modern people. In that sense, you could call the first few weeks of BJJ academic training .your just going through motions, much like an actor getting ready for fight choreography in a movie. Nothing you learn is really functional, but you have to go through it. What’s more important, hits is the safe approach that will allow you to train a martial art, rather than try to fight people in sparring.

Next, something I try to teach people in their first class – the importance of the tap. For the most part, people seem to understand me in an intro class, where the setting is under control. First sparring session and everything goes out the window. That idea of the tap is somewhere in there, but it’s far from conscious thought. Those first few weeks of BJJ this is exactly what you learn, and it is a huge lesson – becoming conscious of the tap and how key it is to longevity in grappling,.

I leave the best for last, of course. Three’s something else you’ll feel in the first few weeks that will probably take 1 year of BJJ for you to realize happened back then. That thing is physical anguish like you’ve never felt better. It is not just the fact that you’ll gas out in seconds in your first roll or drill. It is also the uncomfortable positions, sweaty people, close contact, and everything else that makes BJJ fun. All of these things will cause you distress and discomfort, but you’ll still love it and look forward to coming back. 1 year of BJJ or 10, this feeling of both anguish and wanting to come back will never change.

Learning How To Swim

Let’s jump to about halfway through your 1 year of BJJ journey. Once again, keep in mind that everyone goes at different speeds. What remains the same is the general period when people realize certain things. Now that you’re armed with the understanding of the physical side of things, the tap, and how certain moves work (the choreography thing), you’re probably ready for the first mark of progress – a stripe or two. By now, you’re not completely lost in sparring but have gathered up enough information to try and play the game yourself, especially against your peers. And those stripes will mean the world to you.

The next lesson that you realize around this time is awareness. Instead of having no idea what people are doing even when they’re in front of you, now things are clearer. You understand what is going on and how to use your body parts in a certain way to achieve specific goals. In other words, you’re starting to do actual functional Jiu-Jitsu. It just so happens that this is when you really get hooked on things.

It is also the time when you start to think about competing and putting everything test. In most cases, this is also when people have their first tournament experience which is a completely different aspect of Jiu-Jitsu

Oh yeah, this is also the time when something is probably going to start failing in your body. IN other words, this is when you get your first Jiu-Jitsu related injury, one that will probably be with you even after the 1 year of BJJ mark.

Reaching 1 Year Of BJJ Experience

Finally, you’ve got 1 year of BJJ under your belt. There’s a lot more enjoyment and you really get into the lifestyle by now. T-shirts, phone backgrounds, Shaka photos, and Acai stains are now a part of daily life.

Moreover, you really start to get hooked on rolling. To be fair, rolling is fun from the very first moments. Now, however, you know why it is fun. Compared to a year ago, you have a clearer idea of how the chess game of BJJ works. It will take many more years to become a full-blown grappler, but now, you at least know what’s going on.

Speaking of lifestyle BJJ definitely spills into your personal life. You’re now talking about it, having friends and family members come over and try it and attempt chokes on everyone that’ll let you practice. However, there are also huge lessons you’ve learned in 1 year of BJJ. You’re probably calmer, you have a better tendency to solve problems under pressure, you don’t take things so seriously in everyday life anymore… the list goes on and on. Plus, you’ve met a bunch of like-minded people that will become your friends for life.

Another important lesson is that you’ve probably realized nobody can really teach you Jiu-Jitsu but yourself. Coaches and professors might show you the way, demonstrate how, but you’ll have to figure out why things work and do not work for you. Knowing that is a clear sign of progress.

On that subject, we get to the most important thing you’ll learn in 1 year of BJJ – embracing suffering. You’ll learn how to lose, and that here’s no way around it,. You might even learn to love it, but you’ll certainly learn how to learn from it. No failure or suffering will ever look as daunting after you’ve spent a year tapping left and right to people from all walks of life. And there’s nothing quite like it!

In Conclusion

1 year of BJJ marks your transition into becoming a real grappler. It is like when young kids become old enough to be deemed warriors in tribal cultures. Although still very much a beginner, you can now take your place among the warriors, and watch with pride and confidence as new members join and go through the same steps and lessons you did in your first year of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Does Batman Know BJJ? The New Batman, Robert Pattinson Certainly Does!

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Does Batman Know BJJ? Robert Pattinson Training With Machado

The Dark Knight is not someone that seems to be lacking in martial arts skills, not to mention all the funky gadgets he has. But does Batman know BJUJ along with all the other stuff he is a master of? His latest representative, in the form of Robert Pattinson, certainly thought he needed to improve Batman’s skillset, so he took up BJJ. And he is not a rookie either, having around 3 years of experience under his belt. I guess we’ll see a lot more grappling form the Caped Crusader in the new installments.

It is definitely a trend for celebrities, and in particular, action movie stars to take up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. Often times it is for the requirements of the role, but there are also times when they just enter out of curiosity. In both cases, they become completely immersed in the sport and end up transferring what they learn to the big screen in every role they play. And Robert Pattinson will answer the question” does Batman Know BJJ?” very soon.

Does Batman Know BJJ?

If you’re into the DV multiverse, you probably have a feeling that we’re overdue a good Batman. There hasn’t been a good one lately, and when Robert Pattinson got the role, most people weren’t that excited. It may have to do with this prior involvement n Harry Potter and the Twilight trilogy that made him seem inappropriate for the role. However, Ben Affleck didn’t make himself any fans with his performances, so I guess there’s not much Pattinson can do wrong. Particularly now that we know that Batman will have some neat grappling skills.

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Pattinson has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2017. Like most of the celebrities in Hollywood, he trains with Rigan Machado, whose academy is a real den for celebrities looking to train. I doubt Pattinson needed grappling skills for Twilight, so he was probably just broadening his horizons. IN any case, images emerged recently via Rigan Machado’s Instagram (later deleted) that show him training with Pattinson, in the Gi and without it. In the quest to gain some non-werewolf skills, Pattinson seems to have turned to BJJ. To be honest, I really like to see does Batman know BJJ, or will he resort to second-grade fight choreography sequences once again?

With a cast that also includes Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Paul Dano as Riddler, and Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon, I guess we’ll see a different take on the Dark Knight. The movie is scheduled to come out in 2021, and with Pattinson training Jiu-Jitsu, I have to say I suddenly have hope this Batman will be an OK one.

BJJ In Hollywood

Speaking of Rigan Machado’s academy, the 8th-degree coral belt owns an academy that’s not just for every day and pro grapplers but also has special programs tailored for celebrities. His Hollywood academy is the home to famous stars like Ashton Kutcher, Keanu Reeves, Usher, Scarlet Johansson, and many others join in his special training regiment for movie stars.

Celebrities can’t afford the bumps and bruises we walk around with, so they usually look for privates. In that sense, Machado built an entire system that allows celebrities to train. Machado’s system is for technical training only, where people get the skills, but can’t get hurt. Currently, he has nearly 20 high profile celebrities doing the program. Some train regularly, others when they’re in town.

An interesting thing is that he doesn’t require them to spar, but they won’t get promoted unless they do. So that might spur the question does Batman Know BJJ at white belt level, or better?

Keep An Eye For Jiu-Jitsu On The Big Screen

You can probably find glimpses of Jiu-Jitsu In everything since Orion taught Mel Gibson that now-famous triangle choke for Lethal Weapon. From there on, BJJ has been in movies, more or less. From clear stuff in action flicks like John Wick, to dedicated MMA movies, or simply sequences in fight scenes, BJJ is everywhere.

In fact, Hollywood is taking an interest in BJJ itself. There are plenty of series and movies either done or coming out soon that focus on Jiu-Jitsu. The Netflix series “Dead Or Alive” by the “Narcos” director is looking at Mitsuo Maeda and the early years of the Gracies. There’s also the “Lion Killer” movie in which a BJJ instructor that struggles with making it through the day meets a woman that helps him gain a fresh perspective on things.

Theo’s also a movie called “Jiu-Jitsu”, in which Nicolas Cage will fight off alien invaders with BJJ. Not to mention the documentary “Closed Guard” which just came out, as well as Halle Berry’s take on the struggles of an MMA fighter in “Bruised”.

There’s definitely a lot more BJJ coming to the big screen. And it is not just actors that are training, but all other kinds of celebrities, like singers, comedians, celebrity chefs, etc. are knee-deep into it. At the moment, we just need to wait and see if Robert Pattinson can show us whether or not does batman knows BJJ?

Wrap Up

Does Batman know BJJ? We’ll find out soon enough, as it seems. Robert Pattinson is a great actor, but the role of the Dark Knight is not for everyone. Whether or not he can pull it off, remains to be seen. However, a few years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training will certainly only help his chances.

Free BJJ – How To Learn From YouTube And Free Resources

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We are in the digital age of Jiu-Jitsu anyhow, but the Coronavirus lockdowns certainly did elevate that to a whole different level. For some time now, lots of classes have been moved completely online, with people looking to release as much content as possible. A lot of the content becoming available now is done for the needs of specific Academies or entire affiliations. However, there’s also a lot of free general content out there. In fact, there’s so much free BJJ now, that you might just end up stuck from the sheer magnitude. Here’s how to really make the most of all the free content you can find online.

Until just about a decade ago, finding BJJ stuff online was not that easy. During the last few years, though, the world of BJJ DVD instructionals has exploded, re-shaping the entire Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu landscape. It is the same with online content that most professors, top competitors, and or academies put out. However, there’s a catch – you need to buy them in order to get access. While this is completely understandable, it is also impossible to get your hand on everything you’d like. That’s where free BJJ content comes in, as long as you know how to sift through all the nonsense out there.

Learning BJJ Online – What’s Available

So far, there are different avenues of learning online. For the sake of being thorough, I’ll go through all the options that you have, before focusing on where you can find free BJJ. For starters, BJJ DVDs. At the moment, there’s an incredibly big database of Jiu-Jitsu instructionals available both for ordering, or a digital download. They’re all organized acceding to the subject matter and, of course, the person demonstrating. From people you’ve ever heard of to the greatest of your time or all times, nearly everyone has a BJJ DVD available online.

Another thing to really consider is the online curriculum that schools provide. Anyone from Marcelo Garcia to Eddie Bravo has an online library where they have lots of classes available via monthly or yearly memberships. These types of platforms are a great way of learning from the best of the best while being thousands of miles away. Some are quite expensive, though.

In the last few months, planograms like Zoom have also become an interesting option. Some require an entry fee, others might be free. In any case, with Zoom you could use an online class going live, or just join in a BJJ workshop on a certain subject which you can then apply to your game.

For the real Jiu-Jitsu nerd, there’s of course a bunch of written stuff online. You can order books, or simply opt for reading articles, like this one. You could also head to explore all the free BJJ content you can find, which also comes in several different shapes.

How to Make The Most OF Free BJJ Content

Free BJJ is all around us nowadays. It is not hard to find it, but it can be hard to actually learn something useful from all of it. In that sense, once again the forms in which you access material are written or video formats.

Let’s start with the written stuff first. Obviously, BJJ World is your first destination. However you also have a ton of e-books that are free, you just have to do a bit of research. And, If you’re not really big on learning from books, there’s always a ton of podcasts out there that will actually help you figure out things in Jiu-Jitsu just by listening to them.

On the subject of videos, people usually turn to YouTube. Later in this article, I’ll talk about exactly how to filter out things on YouTube to get to the good stuff. For now, it is enough to know that all major video platforms, be it YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, or whatever else host quite the number of free Jiu-Jitsu videos available to anyone.

Another thing to consider here is social media. Whether you’re looking at short clips on Instagram, or are a part of Facebook groups, you can find insane amounts of free BJJ content there. Plus you get a chance to interact with people and learn through chatting as well, sometimes even with the who-is-who of grappling themselves. This, plus other forums or sites like Reddit are goldmines of grappling information that are both invaluable, and free to access.

Before we head off into exploring YouTube, you should also consider free mobile phone apps. Android or IOS you can find lots of cool stuff that are completely free and come across as useful, epically to beginners.

Learn From YouTube Rather Than Just Watching

The biggest mistake people make with online content is that they watch stuff and do not retain much of what they see. There’s a reason why there are so many memes making fun of moves people pick up off of YouTube. Instead of just watching videos, or even worse, parts of videos, and trying to replicate whatever it is they’re doing in them, it would be a much smarter use of your time to actually pick up skills you can use on the mats.

For starters, stop with all the entry to to this or that, or submission finish videos. Most people that create free content, do so in order to lure you in to get their paid stuff. That doesn’t mean what they’re sharing is bad, it is just not complete. And going into a roll trying to attempt a move you only know halfway through is a recipe for failure.

When it comes to learning for the free BJJ stuff on YouTube, it is what you search for that matter the most. Try and look for seminars, entire classes, or at least longer videos that tie everything together, even if they’re split into several parts. The subject matter is not important, you might be looking to improve your ankle lock, or looking for a concept to escape side control. In both situations, you’ll get lots and lots of free videos, but only a few will show complete details on how to do it.

In terms of shorter videos that are still very much in-depth (10-20 min in length), I think nobody can beat Lachlan Giles. His stuff is definitely complete and comes completely free. Similarly, BJJ Globetrotters have an entire YouTube channel filled with a complete recording of classes from their famous camps. Three are hundreds of classes there and everything is free. And the best part is, the above is just an example – there are plenty more channels like that.

On the subject of seminars, while there’s a lot of content on YouTube, you often get bad quality stuff with horrible sound and sketchy video resolutions. Skip over those. Focus on what you can see and hear, and make sure you go for the full length or at least in-depth videos rather than a couple of minutes long free stuff that shows some spinning nonsense that’ll get you in trouble the moment you attempt it.

In Summary

Free BJJ stuff is all around. Even most academies offer one or two live free classes,. However, the free stuff that’s constantly available, like that on YouTube, does come with a “price” – you can get lost in nonsense. In order to make sure you get the most out of learning BJJ online, or from your phone, just follow the simple advice above.

A Look Into The World Of BJJ Couples

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This article is not only going to focus on the famous grapplers that are in BJJ couples or those that broke up. Sure that’s all fun to read, but won’t do anyone much good if you’re wondering whether that fling on the mat that’s now turning into a more serious thing is something you’re interested in pursuing. For one, Jiu-Jitsu is a very strange thing, and finding someone that feels the same way about it, as well as about you is quite the accomplishment. That said, BJJ couples are definitely a thing, and they can even be power couples, just like in any other walk of life.

Who knows, perhaps you and your significant other are the next big thing in Jiu-Jitsu. As a couple, of course. Granted, people would say that dating within a gym is complicated, and offer a bunch of theories why that shouldn’t happen. Well, news flash – dating is complicated anywhere, with anyone. So, if you have the chance to be in a relationship that makes sense, three’s no reason that the fact you’re both training should be in the way. After all BJJ couples tend to work great given that theses huge aspects of life that you share, and comes off, err, weird to those that don’t.

What’s It like for BJJ Couples?

The usual scenario with significant others or family members for grapplers is goes something like this: You’re all into BJJ, living the lifestyle, eating your Acai and there’s not a photo of you without the Shaka gesture. However, when you come home you can’t hear the end of it for piling Gis in the washer, spending most of your time in the gym, watching videos, constantly bringing BJJ up. Almost like living with a vegan, but one that can actually fight.

All jokes aside, BJJ couples really do have it best. It doesn’t matter if you’re living together or just dating. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gives you more than just a common subject to talk about. Interestingly enough, everyone that gets hooked on BJJ, likes to make it a centerpiece of everything if they could. And it doesn’t get boring. Now imagine that you have a partner that can not only enjoy listening to you while you wear your BJJ T-shirts, but also contribute to the subject matter. Moreover, you get to be with someone that also spends time with you on the mats, doing the same things, experimenting with you, and comparing notes.

The BJJ lifestyle is weird one, and BJJ couples that share it actually have someone to support it and make it even more fun. It is not easy preparing for a competition, for example, and cutting weight or looking to schedule extra sessions when your romantic partner doesn’t really get how it is. I’ve cut weight for major competitions while my partner (at the time) was gulping down massive amounts of holiday food. Not helpful.

As with all other stuff, it is the little things that make life as part of a Jiu-Jitsu couple fun. Granted, being in one doesn’t mean you won’t run into the same issues all couples face, You’ll just have different ways of approaching solutions to those problems, and might even decide things through rolling form time to time.

Benefits Of Dating A Fellow Grappler

The first thing you notice about BJJ couples is the shared passion they have. This is not something people can usually boast within a relationship. At least not when it comes to the real deep passion that takes over most of their time and effort. It is a special thing, though, and really does change the dynamic of a relationship.

Another huge thing that you get from both training is the stress filter effect. First of all, you won’t project stress from work or daily life on to your partner, because you\’ve both got BJJ to vent. Secondly, you can actually use BJJ to resolve your own inter-personal stresses and issues, emerging way happier, and in sync, than you were when you entered on the mats.

There are of course the pet peeves that BJJ couples share. Rolling with your significant other means you’re always trying to get one over the partner, keeping track of what you’re doing an actually getting better in BJJ during the process. Most couples area competitive anyway, but in BJJ it gets on a whole different dimension. All the small back-and-forths that happen during training/rolling are exactly what you need for a positive relationship.

Training anytime and anywhere is also one of the best benefits of being a BJJ couple. Those that are apart of one didn’t have such a hard time during the Covid-19 lockdown. All it takes is a bit of space, perhaps mats, and you’re good to go. Plus, it gets a lot of fun, if you catch my drift.

Finally, a word on competitions. While it may be nerve-wracking watching a loved one compete, it tends to be even worse when you’re not training along with them. Plus, with all the support and constant competitive training you’re doing with your significant others you do get a competitive edge that comes in real handy.

Some Great Examples Of BJJ Power Couples

Before I wrap this up, let’s look at several examples of BJJ couples that really makes it work. They’re not all famous competitors and black belts, nor can I include every couple here. However, it can give you sneak peek into what life as a BJJ coupe might look like. Particularly when you get to be that power couple that is unstoppable.

One of the couples that has been together for a long time, and are married are Chris Haueter and his wife Melissa. They are both member s of the Dirty Dozen of BJJ and have stuck it out throughout the years, still going hard in both BJJ and life.

Another couple that springs to mind immediately is Andre Galvao and his wife, Angelica. Both black belts, top-level competitors, and in charge of one of the best teams out there – Atos, they’re certainly living the BJJ dream lifestyle. And they seem to be having a lot of fun.

An example of a BJJ coach marrying their student comes in the form of Mario Reis and Monique Elias’ relationship. Both are world-class competitors, and Monique is also a world champion. They’ve been together a while now and it seems they’re a great example of a power couple in the making.

Vanessa Wexler, a recent black belt and her husband Brian Waltz, both train and teach at Gracie Barra Colorado Springs. They also have a child together and seem to be getting stronger as a couple by the minute.

Closing Thoughts

Being in a BJJ couple, there can be drawbacks and it is never just roses and sunshine. Apart from the same issues as all other couples, BJJ tends to bring about unique issues, as it does benefits. It is the nature of relationships, and it is all about finding the right balance. That said, there’s a lot of fun along the way that no other relationship can offer. Lots of BJJ couples are making it work so my recommendation would be not to be afraid of getting serious with someone from your Academy. If you can, go for it.

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