Collegiate Jiu Jitsu Coaches Come Together to Create Tournament League

By
BJJ World
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Collegiate Jiu Jitsu Coaches Come Together to Create Tournament League

When I was an undergraduate at the University of Northern Iowa, I started a judo club after taking a single physical education credit in the art. We were lucky to find a competent coach and work out regularly, keeping the club going for the duration of my time at the school. In the many years (don’t worry about the exact number) since I was an undergrad, the popularity of grappling arts, spurred by the meteoric rise of MMA, has flourished.  For Chris Martin, founder and executive producer of BJJ 4 Change, that popularity presented a daunting but exciting possibility that would not have been remotely possible in 2003; a collegiate jiu-jitsu tournament league.

In addition to running his own gym, Nova Gyms in Wisconsin, Martin is also the head coach of the BJJ Program at Marquette University, his alma mater. Martin has reached out to coaches at other universities with the hope of creating a league of schools that could compete regularly as a club sport, under a unified set of rules. He believes that regular collegiate competition will not only raise awareness of the sport and provide an additional competitive opportunity for its students but will also benefit from unifying rules as a step toward increased legitimacy for IOC consideration. He has spoken with Matt Leighton, head coach of the University of Iowa’s jiu-jitsu club, as well as Mark Hamel, president of a club at the University of Oregon, and Roger DeCampo, who coaches at Texas Tech.

Coach Martin’s experience in BJJ & MMA production and promotion as the executive producer for the BJJ 4 Change remains an asset as he works to launch this new venture

The idea of proliferating jiu-jitsu through established channels such as those that promote wrestling and even other mainstream sports like the track isn’t a new one. Dana White has notably expressed his belief that Jiu Jitsu would one day be a collegiate and an Olympic sport. Last year, the JJIF began preparations to submit a proposal to add jiu-jitsu to the Olympics. Martin, however, is focused on building the sport on a collegiate level and has paired with a number of coaches and organizations to document each tournament. Through this process, Martin hopes to introduce jiu-jitsu to a wider audience in much the same way as organizations like FloSports, whose FloGrappling promotions have grown in popularity in recent years.  Martin plans to go after sponsorships and other sources of funding as well. “Personally, I believe that recruiting is huge; plus, if wrestling is a money sport that brands spend money at, then why not BJJ?” he says.

The main obstacles inherent in a college program, shared by all coaches interviewed, include limited training time, lack of experienced students as well as less availability of high-level coaches for collegiate club programs (many are run by purple, blue or even white belts), as well as the struggle of fitting jiu-jitsu commitments in between academic responsibilities. However, the more organized, structured, and prolific jiu-jitsu becomes on college campuses, the more likely it is that these problems may solve themselves through higher student engagement and cohesion from year to year. Programs that become established could easily retain dedicated students for at least 3-4 years, and as the age that students begin training grows younger, it would not be unreasonable for people entering a jiu-jitsu club to have attained blue or even purple belt. Coach del Campo adds that some of his current students are alumni who have continued to train despite finishing their studies at the school. A more challenging puzzle to solve is the notion of constantly rotating leadership. Marquette is lucky to have Mr. Martin, an alumnus who coaches consistently, whereas other schools may stand to lose their leadership as they move on from their schooling.

One particular ruleset proved most popular with the coaches interviewed. Though not unanimous, the EBI-style submission only ruleset was a heavy favorite. Each coach listed individual preferences with respect to knee reaping, lower body submissions, etc. which presents another significant barrier to uniform club participation: competition rules. Even within the sub-only format, there was no clear consensus on submissions or issues such as guard pulling and the infamous butt-scoot. Clearly, this is something that must be clearly defined before a collegiate league is established.

Regardless of the barriers inherent in putting together such an ambitious venture, the result if successful would be a potentially nation-wide effort to promote the art of jiu-jitsu, an art that most StumbleUpon rather than seek out. It could lead to sponsorship programs, recruiting, and would certainly increase the profile of those non-collegiate jiu-jitsu programs as well. The benefit to the jiu-jitsu community is incalculable.  

Martin plans further school-versus-school events in the future. If you would like to be considered for participation in this league, please contact him directly at [email protected]

written by: Mike Bushby

Two Faces Of The 50/50 Guard In BJJ

By
BJJ World
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50/50 guard BJJ

It is amazing how certain BJJ positions get completely opposing reactions in different time periods. The usual example is, of course, that of leg locks. Previously seen as a cheap move, today they’re redefining the world of grappling martial arts. There are plenty of Jiu-Jitsu positions that come in and out of “fashion” as times change. The Berimbolo is no longer a mystery, but neither is it done as often as before. One of the positions that have gotten lots of slack over the years is the 50/50 guard. Much like with leg locks, the 50/50 guard is finally getting some recognition as the dangerous position it is.

Today’s big resurgence of the 50/50 guard is connected to the rise of leg locks. It predates the Danaher Death Squad system for a short period of time and was brought into the spotlights thanks to Ryan Hall. He is such a proponent of the 50/50 guard that he has named his academy 50/50 Jiu-Jitsu. Hall proved the efficiency of the position in both BJJ and MMA competition, lifting the veil of ignorance off of the position. From there on, things started looking good for the 50/50. So much so, in fact, that even the IBJJF changed the rules regarding the position a few years back.

What Is The 50/50 Guard?

The 50/50 guard is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu position that falls under the open guards’ category. It involves two athletes getting entangled with their legs intertwined in very similar fashion. One competitor’s leg gets around another competitor’s same side leg, thus providing the same set of circumstances for both. Since both opponents have the same opportunities, the position was dubbed “50/50”. During the engagement, both people are usually seated on the ground, hunting for leg locks or different lapel guard options. The mechanics of the guard change slightly when one opponent stands up, but once again, both players get opportunities to work so it remains a 50/50 situation.

The 50/50 guard is very easy to attain from a wide variety of different positions. Such is the diversity of this position, that entries are available from both standing, top position, bottom position and even while escaping bad positions. Here are a few different entry concepts to reach the 50/50 guard that you can use based on the resistance and skill level of your opponent.

The Bad Reputation Of The Position

This guard is often associated with stalling in BJJ competitions. Or at least it used to be. Since the much-debated ban on “knee-reaping” and heel hook attacks, the 50/50 was demoted to a tame position. Players would usually consider it a strategic position that allows the competitor familiar with it to play the point system.

The bad reputation of the 50/50 guard was due to the perception that none of the competitors could (or would) advance in a match. Submissions, the ultimate goal of a Jiu-Jitsu contest, were thought to be off the menu from the 50/50 guard. Instead, both competitors are stuck in a battle for advantages and sweeping points. Sweeping was huge from the 50/50 guard but practically ineffective. You can sweep your opponent pretty easily from the position, but they can sweep you right back. So, people started faking sweeps to get advantages and win matches by the smallest of margins. Since the 50/50 guard is easy to maintain but doesn’t get negative stalling points, competitors used it to run down the clock while controlling their opponent without much effort.

The 2009 World Championship featherweight black belt semi-final did not help this perception. Rafael Mendes and Rubens Charles went for a 9 minute 50/50 “battle” that seems like nothing was happening. The two grapplers were stuck in the 50/50 position for exchanging sweeps. To be honest, they did attempt a few Toe Holds, but with no apparent success. What they did achieve is open up the stallers’ eyes to the opportunities of the position. From there on, matches like that became the standard, rather than the exception.

Fábio Gurgel and Rodolfo Vieira, among others,  criticized how people were using the 50/50 it to slow matches the game down.

The Two Faces Of The 50/50 Guard

So, is the 50/50 guard really that boring? Truthfully, that depends a great deal on two major factors. One is the context of use, while the second is the rule set of the tournament. An ADCC match where heel hooks (both regular and reverse/inverted) are allowed, demonstrates how dangerous the 50/50 guard can be. Actually, in most No-Gi settings, the guard provides spectators with great entertainment and excitements.  On the other hand, in an IBJJF tournament where heel hooks are outlawed, it is a whole different story. Since even toe holds are only allowed at brown and black belt level, the 50/50 guard can grind all action to a halt.

Since the heel hook is probably the 50/50’s most powerful weapon, it would be great if the IBJJF would reconsider their rules. However, it is not just heel hooks that can be done from the 50/50 guard in high-level matches. Modern lapel guards are the analog of leg locks for the Gi community. They’re proven moves that are frowned upon by the No-Gi proponents (for obvious reasons) However, the lapel game is another huge aspect of the 50/50 guard that makes the position exciting. If two people are forced to battle for straight ankle locks and/or sweeps from the 50/50 it will indeed be a boring affair indeed. But it’s not the position’s fault it is how it is perceived by grapplers. So wise up and discover all the awesome opportunities from the 50/50 guard.

50/50 Guard Attacks

First, it is important to understand what the 50/50 guard has to offer. It is important to be aware of what you’re looking for once in the 50-50 position. This understanding will give you a better chance of progressing through it towards a submission. For starters, you have to make sure have control over the knee of your oponnent’s trapped leg. The best way to go about this is using your arms. Whoever controls the knee in the 50/50 is going to control much of the action. For one, the opponent won’t be able to step out of the trap. Even more so, you’ll both have offensive opportunities and be fairly safe yourself.

Sweeps

When an opponent is also familiar with the 50/50 principles, it becomes harder to stand up. If you feel like you’re behind your opponent, you should primarily make sure you’re safe from submission. Causing your opponent to stand up is a great way of evening the odds. However, whenever you sweep from the 50/50, remember not to follow them and come up on top. If you do your leg might end up trapped and you’ll be in the pendulum-like sweep exchange. Make sure you have your knee free before you get up, or, even better, set u pa submission while your opponent is falling down.

Submissions

As the position continued to develop, more submission attacks are becoming available from the 50/50. Foot locks, toe holds kneebars, even D’arce setups and armlocks are starting to pop out everywhere. Other from Ryan Hall, Rodrigo Cavaca along with his students, is one of the biggest 50/50 guard innovators. Check out some cool options, legal across all rule sets, from the 50/50 guard:

The basic concept when passing is to initiate a position that turns the odds in your favor. That means transforming the 50/50 into a 70/30 at least. Otherwise, you’ll just end up back on your butt.  A great concept comes from Caio Tera, where your inside leg has to get across and to the opposite side of your partner’s body.  This position is now called “unfair 50/50.”  the reason is that the “leg across” concept takes away all the leverage of the bottom person, allowing you to apply pressure and break the structure of the guard.

How John Danaher’s Leg Lock System Re-shaped Jiu-Jitsu

Invest In Jiu-Jitsu Leg Locks To Really Master Them

Secret Toe Hold Details To Submit Any Opponent

Undefeated Transgender Wins a Girls’ State Wrestling Championship 2nd in a Row – Crowd Boos

By
BJJ World
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Undefeated Transgender Wins a Girls' State Wrestling Championship 2nd in a Row - Crowd Boos

Cypress, Texas – For the second year in a row, the transgender wrestler is winning girls’ state championship in a Class 6A 110-pounds Division

Mack Beggs is an 18-year-old transgender from Euless Trinity High School in Dallas. Mack is currently being undefeated in wrestling. In a final match on Saturday, he wins the title beating Chelsea Sanchez

Mack Beggs is currently in the process of transition from Female to Male using low doses of testosterone. That’s exactly that forced a debate about competitive fairness and transgender rights last season. Unfortunately for Mack, he was almost stopped last year by the last-minute lawsuit.

On his way to the title this year, he had three girls to beat and now he’s holding a record of 35-0.

Mack Beggs mother, Angela McNew, said: “He has so much respect for all the girls he wrestles.  “People think Mack has been beating up on girls … The girls he wrestles with, they are tough. It has more to do with skill and discipline than strength.”

Beggs Mother, Angela McNew is not allowing his son to give any interviews or any statement for the media. She wants her son to concentrate on competition and tasks ahead of him. She also said that she’s trying to protect him from all negative comments and insults on social media and even insults on wrestling mats.

What do you think? Are we becoming too politically correct?

Fallon Fox, Transgender MMA Fighter Who Broke The Skull of Her Opponent

Joe Rogan on Female Transgender Athletes who Compete: It’s Bizzare and Ridicolous

Transgender’s Letter to BJJ Community – I’m not a Male, I Want to Compete Without Stigma

Roll Tired To Perfect Your Jiu-Jitsu Techniques

By
BJJ World
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Jiu-Jitsu Techniques - Rolling Tired

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not just the Gentle Art. It is the art of balancing very technical movements within the chaos of free sparring, all the while playing chess in your mind. This balance is a huge step in Jiu-Jitsu and one that needs to be mastered by everyone involved in any kind of grappling martial arts. However, it is an extremely difficult task. Staying calm enough to look for technical nuances while rolling is kind of an oxymoron. It’s difficult enough to categorize all those Jiu-Jitsu techniques when resting, let alone apply them live. So, how does one go about to find this elusive balance of BJJ?

One approach is to roll as much as you can, with as many people as you can. It is certainly the right approach, but at a certain point, it is inevitably going to need modification. The thing is, when we roll we still look for as much control as possible, despite the environment of entropy we find ourselves in. It is human nature, to try and bring order to things, The problem that arises is that we tend to look for our favorite Jiu-Jitsu techniques during rolls and stay away from positions that are not in our top-stuff toolbox. There is, although, a method that is going to make you widen your technical arsenal while you roll.

Hard Rolls For Better Jiu-Jitsu Techniques

It is already very well established that grappling martial arts are very tiresome athletic activities. Wrestling workouts, for example, are notoriously difficult. The idea behind it is that it builds ‘mental toughness’ in grapplers. That aside, it does one more thing that is, for some reason, not recognized enough. Pushing through hard training forces grapplers to emphasize the use of techniques a lot more.

The reasoning behind this is actually very simple. The more tired you are, the less you can rely on your physical attributes. Whether you’re freakishly strong or flexible like rubber, you won’t be able to use your favorite Jiu-Jitsu techniques when exhausted. The reason most people tend to do moves that turn out high-percentage for them is certain physical attributes that allow them to do so. When these are taken away, they’re suddenly left with nothing.

Going for a roll (or 10) when tired is extremely beneficial for all levels of grapplers. Both competitors and hobbyists are going to become noticeably more technical in a short amount of time. Despite the obvious cardio gains, a huge positive is an improvement in both the quality and quantity of Jiu Jitsu techniques. Firstly, all your favorite moves are going to become way more technical than usual. Furthermore, you’re going to have to open up and utilize moves you do not use on a regular basis. When you’re in a physically disadvantageous situation, you have no other choice. One of the all-time BJJ greats, Marcelo Garcia is a big proponent of doing this and e all know what he can do!

Jiu-Jitsu Techniques Hard Rolling

The Correct Way To Roll Tired

There’s good reasoning behind the madness of this method. When you’re tired you’re simply unable to rely on physical strength. As a result, you’ll have to perfect whatever technique is going to get you out of a bad or into the desired position.

However, you need to be careful. Before anything else, make sure you stay safe while rolling. Don’t use the above method as an excuse to go all out until you puke.  Overtraining is a real issue and can hit everyone pretty fast and hard after a short time. It’s simple, overtraining and you’ll be out for a long while. The alternative is to push through hand injure yourself seriously. Both versions of events are not acceptable for competitors, are they? Just be smart and use the ‘roll tired to learn’ approach to improve your Jiu Jitsu techniques, not to destroy yourself.

There are three main instances when you need to skip rolling altogether, let alone roll in a tired state. First and foremost, the most obvious – never roll when sick! Secondly, and again, very obviously, do not roll when injured. Actually, you should be tucked at home if your injury cannot be fixed with athletic tape. Finally, even if you have a small injury that you can roll with, skip on the rolling tired part. You’re just going to turn the small injury into a major one.

On the other hand, if you’re all healthy and simply feel tired, push yourself and go for it. Chances are you’ll tap out to people that normally cannot catch you. Chances are, you’ll be even more tired when you’re done. However, your technique will get noticeably sharper.

Jiu-Jitsu Techniques Benefits Of Hard Rolls

Practical Benefits Of Hard Rolling

The most important gain from this methodology, for BJJ, is in terms of competitive readiness. The person with the most heart often wins the division. Perseverance goes a long way, and while you can’t teach heart, you can build it. By pushing your own boundaries, you’ll build heart and the upper hand over your opponents. When you spar tired, you’ll find out where your weaknesses are and how to correct them. Rolling when rested is often going to hide your weak points by using strength where Jiu-Jitsu techniques fail.

For self-defense enthusiasts, training tired is simply a must-do. You never know when you’ll need the ability to use what you’ve learned in BJJ class after a really long day of hard work. Or even after a very hard training session, for that matter. Being physically strong is nice, but it is far better to be confident. This means knowing what you are capable of and what you are not capable of when under extreme physical stress.

Don’t push training tired to the point that you hurt yourself because then you won’t be able to train at all. That said if you train tired you will gain a deeper understanding of your own strengths and limitations. You’ll also build your heart a bit along the way. And learning the nuances of Jiu Jitsu techniques and positions will result in way better execution. In turn, this will ultimately result in more efficient energy spending – you’ll get tired less often. Now, wrap your head around that!

Competition Tips To Prepare For BJJ Tournaments

Incredible Transition from Guillotine To Flying Triangle to Armbar in MMA

By
BJJ World
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addy Pimblett's Incredible Transition from Guillotine To Flying Triangle

This Beautiful move showed a great transition from Guillotine choke attempt to a flying triangle followed by armbar submission from triangle hold.

Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett pulled this move on his opponent Alexis Savvidis. In the first round, Paddy was threatening with a lot of heel hook attempts, but he was defending an armbar at the end of the 1st round.

In a 2nd round, Paddy was trying to pull a guillotine choke and then jumped for a triangle. After that, it was an easy job for him tapping his opponent with an armbar.

Paddy Pimblett aka “The Baddy” is 23-year-old MMA fighter from Liverpool, England. He’s currently holding an MMA record of 15-2-0 (Win-Loss-Draw). Paddy is considered as one of the top Europeans prospects.

This fight was Paddy’s “comeback” fights as he lost the title against Nad Nariman in April 2017. He was fighting against Nad at featherweight division. But, since then, he moved up to the lightweight division and he had an awesome comeback with a fight against Alexis Savvidis. The fight between Paddy Pimblett and Alexis Savvidis happened on CWFC 90 – Cage Warriors Fighting Championship 90 at Echo Arena in Liverpool.

After the fight, Paddy called for a Lightweight Title shot. We’ll see if he’ll get it but we can say that he showed more than enough to become a champion once again. Is he a new UFC star and will he justify people calling him a new UFC star the time will tell?

Calf Slicer & How to Make it Your Best Leg Lock

By
Dino Moskatelo
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Calf Slicer BJJ

Calf Slicer submission or so-called Calf Crusher is a submission that is as underrated as it is scary! It’s a compression lock that is pressing calf muscle to a shin bone. You can see this submission in BJJ, MMA, and most Grappling Martial Arts. What’s important are the reasons to make Calf Slicer your best leg lock that people will have no idea how to defend.

The ultimate goal of the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is to cause an opponent to surrender. The best way to force someone to give in is through a submission hold. Among the many submissions in BJJ, there are some that stand out. There are different reasons for standing out. Some are incredibly effective across all competitive platforms, some are entertaining, and some are pure brutal. It is those that are both effective and painful that rule them all. Twisting neck cranks, heel hooks, Calf Slicers or usually called Calf Crushers are among the scariest submission holds in grappling martial arts.

The reason why Calf Slicer is so underrated

The reason why Calf Slicer is so underrated
One of the reasons why the Calf Slicer is so severely underrated is its legal status. Within IBJJF rules, this submission is permitted only for brown and black belts. This relative lack of exposure means it is not among the ‘everyday’ moves practiced in BJJ academies, especially in GI schools. In No-Gi schools, instructors are showing this painful finisher a bit more but always comes in second to heel hooks and ankle locks. And, if you’ve seen the EBI (15), you’ll know how effective and devastating it can be!

The Mechanism Behind The Calf Slicer

It is a compression lock that involves pressing the opponent’s calf muscle into one of the bones in your shin. As the name implies, it is very much like the biceps slicer submission, only done at the level of the knee.

The mechanism behind the calf slicer is in the leverage that you create by wedging your shin bone behind the knee of your opponent. You can also do it with the forearm instead of the shin, but it’s not as tight or powerful that way. The submission comes on by flexing the opponent’s leg to apply pressure. To clarify, flexion means pulling the foot of the opponent towards their hamstring. The pressure is mainly on the muscles surrounding the fulcrum, the precise point defined by the angle of the lever. In terms of mechanical principles, the calf slicer is a nutcracker. Squeezing it hard enough is going to cause a break at its weakest point – the joint. The damage is focused, but not limited, to the tibia or fibula, or, more likely, the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the knee.

Slicers of any kind can cause an extreme amount of pain that you feel almost instantly. The pain feels precise as the name suggests. It can feel like a slicing or a crushing pressure to your calf. If a person tries to be tough and not tap, walking afterward is going to be challenging. And not for a short time.

How to Get To The Calf Slicer

There are many variations, entrances and ways to set them up. They are a great option to hunt for directly. However, fighters are using it more as a plan B to other leg locks. The good thing about this finisher is that you can hit it from a bunch of BJJ positions.

Let’s look at the primary points of setting a slicer up.  As opposed to most leg locks, you need to be behind your opponent for the submission to work. You can reach it from most of the Ashi Garami positions favorite today, but you cannot set it up from any one of them. You can look at it as a transitional stop between two Ashi Garami positions.

To get into the position, you need to be facing the posterior chain of your opponent’s legs. Regardless of top or bottom position, the idea is to place your shin across their calf, with your foot in between the opponent’s legs. The next significant step is to cause a bend in the knee, forcing flexion in their leg. To make sure you control your opponent, you also need to stop their hips from moving, which is where your arms come into play. Triangleing your legs are going to keep things tights. For a finish, you either push their leg toward them or pull it towards you. It all depends on where you’re attacking.

Calf Crusher from Top Position

Half Guard Top

Dean Lister's Calf Slicer From Half Mount
Click For Full Video

Calf Crusher is a high attack to go for if you have an opponent that is continuously able to get you into their half guard. From top half guard, you need to be able to pull your knee out just a bit. Next, you’ll need to roll over the shoulder. Keep in mind that we’re talking about the shoulder joint that is on the same side of the leg that you have behind his knee.  The roll is a Granby roll variation. From there, you’re in the truck position.

The Truck

The truck is an exceptionally dynamic position from the 10th Planet system. After the roll, you can finish the Calf Slicer in different ways. One is to triangle your legs and pulls down on your opponent’s instep. Another is to press on the heel of your intertwined leg with your free leg, all that while controlling the opposite leg. For both, you need to pull down towards you to finish.

Calf Slicer from The Truck Position
Click for Full Video

Slicer Crushing From Your Back

X-Guard to Calf Slicer

Calf Slicer from X-Guard
Click for Full Video

A very sneaky, but effective way to get to the calf slicer is from the X-guard. Once there, you need to off-balance your opponent so that you can elevate them off the ground. When you do, your foot that is on his hip is going to transition underneath the leg that is off the ground. From there, all you need to do is triangle your legs, and establish a grip around their waist. The Gable grip is the preferred option. It all ends with you raising your hips and pulling down to cause the pain and get the tap.

Butterfly Guard Sweep to Calf Slicer

Butterfly Guard Sweep to Calf Slicer
Click For Full Video

How to Defend and Counter Calf Slicer

Some people won’t tap to it no matter how painful it is to them. The chances are you’re not among those people, so it’s essential for you to learn how to defend it and escape from this submission.

You have to be aware of the situation when your opponent is trying to put his shin behind your knee. Especially be aware of cases when they’re connecting their legs to yours and trying to roll in the opposite direction.

Calf Slicer Defense and Counter
Click for Full Techniques Video

While there are many positions, we’ll take one example that you’ll find yourself most of the time. It’s a Slicer from the truck position. Defense looks pretty easy, but once you try it, you’ll notice that switching angles can be a pretty hard thing to accomplish. There are few ways of changing angles when you’re caught in Calf Crusher from the truck position. Check out the video below to see an example of Truck Calf Slicer Escape, Defense, and a Counter.

The Video Of Brett johns Applying the Calf Slicer Submission in UFC

Here is one example of a great application of this very painful submission in MMA. The 24-year-old UFC fighter Brett Johns submitted his opponent Joe Soto in less than 30 seconds. He was able to do it while he was defending the single-leg takedown. What Brett did was that from the crotch lift he rolled onto his back while having his opponent’s leg entangled by his leg. After that, he immediately caught Soto’s leg to be able to submit him. Soto had no choice but to tap.

If you look at this video, you can see that Brett made a mistake because he was holding Soto’s leg with both hands. If Soto managed to pull Brett’s arm, he would be able to submit him with an armbar. But, as people usually don’t know how to defend this submission or counter it, this was an easy tap.

So, Should You Practice Calf Slicer or Not?

While it is pretty more laborious to get slicer than other standard leg attacks that do not mean that you should not practice them you should practice and master them and have that be a part of your leg lock game. They come in handy, and many people do not spend time on calf slicer defense. That means that you can get more taps from this pain-inducing submission.

Related Articles:

The Best Leg Lock DVD Instructionals For Grapplers
Omoplata Game Essentials
Check out the list of The 8 Best Leg Lock DVD Instructionals For Grapplers
Take A Look At How Leg Locks Can Change Your game
Not Really Sure What Ashi Garrami Is? Check Out Our Leg Lock Guide

10 Best Leg Locks DVDs and Digital Instructionals

Competition Tips To Prepare For BJJ Tournaments

By
BJJ World
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BJJ Tournaments

Most martial arts have one big thing in common – they’re very focused on competition. With the exception of Aikido and a few more, martial arts are highly competitive sports that require extensive preparations. Grappling martial arts are arguably second in difficulty only to MMA in terms of competition. As such, there are plenty of aspects to prepare for, when you’\re looking to go on a competitive run. BJJ tournaments are usually denser during one part of the year, meaning you’ll have plenty of competition opportunities in a small period of time. Correct preparation is going to make all the difference

BJJ tournaments are notoriously difficult competition affairs. First of all, unlike striking martial arts, or even other grappling arts, you spend most of the match in constant engagement with an opponent. From the moment grip-fighting begins on the feet, you’re most likely going to stay in contact with the opponent to the very end. Add to that the fact that a Jiu-Jitsu match takes place in more than one plane of motion and you have an exhausting challenge ahead of you. No wonder correct physical and mental preparation is key to winning in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!

Facing your first tournament? Here’s a comprehensive checklist of essentials: https://bjj-world.com/the-white-belt-checklist-tournament/

Selecting BJJ Tournaments To Compete In

Before you start signing up for all the BJJ tournaments you come across, make sure you know what you’re getting in to. To begin with, be realistic about your travel opportunities and expenses. BJJ tournaments are no cheap endeavor, depending on who is organizing them and where. Even if you are a semi-professional or professional grappler, make sure your expenses do not exceed your income. Registration for your garden variety IBJJF tournament is about 80-120 USD depending on the size of the event. Add to that travel and accommodation expenses and you can see where your limit is.

Next, consider your competitive experience. What belt level are you and how much have you been competing? Is it the first tournament of the season or you’ve already had a few to get you going? And of course, make sure you know the level of competition that awaits you. Competing at the Worlds or Pan Ams in the adult purple belt divisions is not the same as competing at the master 2 purple belt division in a local tournament. Even if you do not have a large number of opponents (which is unlikely), you’re going to get top-level opposition at big events.

The tournament format is another major factor in preparation. Your game plan should include every technique available at a certain tournament. For example, if you’re at an ADCC format tournament, make sure you’re ready for heel hooks. IBJJF-wise, know the technical limitations in your respective age and belt level.

Finally, most BJJ tournaments close registration about a week before the tournament. Make sure you sign up early so that you don’t end up in the stands.

BJJ Tournaments Training

How To Get In Peak Physical Shape

In order to be physically ready for a Jiu-Jitsu tournament, you have to have a good training schedule. BJJ is on top of the list, so get in as many Jiu-Jitsu classes and open mat sessions as possible. Furthermore, roll with different levels of opposition and always look to execute your game plan. As competition time nears, you can focus more on rolling with a select group of tough opponents. Always look to implement your game plan and make sure you put in your fair share of drills!

On a strength and conditioning note, consider off-the-mats-training as your homework. Unless you’re a certified coach yourself, try to get a professional to write a routine just for you. Do not think you’ll get Andre Galvao results just by following his conditioning routine. The further you are from a grappling tournament, the more you can focus on strength training. Bodyweight, powerlifting, kettlebells, whatever suits you the best. As you near your tournament, as a general rule, focus more towards conditioning. It takes longer to build strength than a gas tank, so plan accordingly. If you have a few tournaments in a short time frame, make sure you just maintain physical attributes. And remember to lay off the intensive stuff at least a week prior to the competition!

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu being a weight-classes sport, you can go one of two ways. Eat what you want and compete at your natural weight, or work towards a specific weight class. Most grapplers look to cut a few pounds in order to fit into smaller weight classes.  Weight cutting is a science in itself and needs to be taken seriously, given the potential health risks. Again, look for professional advice.

This is how to plan a workout and drop a few pounds: https://bjj-world.com/jiu-jitsu-workout-program-to-lose-fat/

BJJ Tournaments

Winning The Mental Battle

The mental side of things is as important as the physical in competitive terms. This is even more pronounced in BJJ, the game of human chess. Nerves are a very normal and expected occurrence for every competitor, regardless of experience. Everyone has them, the trick is knowing how to deal with them. For one, make sure you manage your expectations. If you’re an experienced competitor, grappling regularly than you have every right to set the bar as high as possible. The novice competitor should aim to get used to the environment of BJJ tournaments at first. Those in between, need to know what is too much. Safety is the primary concern so know the risks and leave your ego at home.

A very important trait grapplers need once they gain a certain amount of experience is the ability to analyze opponents. The more you compete, the more you’re going to know your opponents. The brackets that come out before a tournament offer a great opportunity to see who you’re starting against and who might come your way later on. Use this information to research your against is going to allow you to modify your game plan accordingly.

A great tool to help you relax and be ready for tournaments is visualization. Leading up to a tournament, spend a few minutes every day visualizing yourself in BJJ tournaments. However, focus on every aspect of a match instead of only daydreaming about the podium. Picture yourself in every possible bad position, so when you get caught in one it won’t be anything new or surprising to you. This technique has helped me a lot in my competition preparation.

Day Of Tournament Checklist

When the D-day comes, be certain that you have everything you need with you. Being 100% prepared means you won’t be in panicking at unforeseen situations and losing your focus. First, have all your gear ready. Know the Gi (or No-Gi) requirements for the tournament you’re competing in. Always try to bring an extra Gi or shorts, just in case. have your ID handy at all times and stay focused and loose.

Arrive early in the arena in order to get a feel for the space. Once you get there, go for a weight check. If you’re more of a Gi BJJ tournaments competitor, weigh-in with the Gi. Be ready to have a pound or two extra, depending on your weight cut. If that’s the case, run, jump rope or get a light sweat on to drop them in time.

Even if you’re on weight, you’ll need to get active and mobile. Competition warmups are tricky, as they need to be intense enough to get you going, but not tire you out. You’ll need to take nerves into account once again, and do not overdo it. Just make sure you’re not stiff and cold when they call your name.

Oh, and one more thing. Listen to your corner! THy see the fight from a much more different perspective than you and can give you great directions. Do not allow stubbornness to lead to defeat, just because you “know everything”. You don’t. So listen to your coaches and enjoy the rewards!

With good competition preparation, you can even be dominant in other grappling martial arts: https://bjj-world.com/bjj-black-belt-without-wrestling-background-wins-wrestling-tournament/

What Are The Dirty BJJ Moves You Need To Avoid

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BJJ World
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Dirty BJJ Moves Eye Gouge

As with any sport, grappling martial arts have their fair share of moves that are considered to be “below the belt” Engaging in martial arts training and competitions imply a contract of respectful behavior. However, in reality, this is not always the case. There are certain individuals who do not shy away from questionable tactics during competition. While utilizing dirty BJJ moves in a match is far from acceptable, going for them during rolling is simply unacceptable.

“Dirty” grapples have no place in the world of Jiu-Jitsu. When we roll we’re all looking to learn, not compete. Yes, BJJ is competitive by nature, but then again, it is a martial art. What we do not condone is using cheap moves to ‘win” a roll or two against training partners. Do not be the person that others avoid because you can’t deal with the demands of BJJ sparring. If not, maybe it’s time to look for a new sport…

The Issue Of “Dirty” Grappling

A “dirty” grappler isn’t necessarily one who does not take care of personal hygiene or respect gym rules. Yes, this is a part of “the package” but not always. In terms of unacceptable personal hygiene, untrimmed nails definitely fit the category. Especially when the one sprouting them is aware of it and uses them to inflict pain or injury. Talk about dirty BJJ moves! Getting scratched accidentally is bad enough, but it gets a whole new meaning when it is intentional and repetitive.

In truth, the person that openly resorts to dirty BJJ moves is quickly going to become a pariah in their own gym. Unfortunately, every gym has one or had at a certain point. Fortunately, they do not persist for long. Once such a person is identified, they get a talking to which, usually, has one of three outcomes. First, the person accepts their mistake(s) and start to change their unsportsmanlike behavior. A second option is that they ignore their warning and get cured in the BJJ way – getting completely dominated without even a shot at pulling off some of their favorite dirty moves. The third is direct expulsion from the school, in the case of an ignored warning. However you see it, it won’t end well.

The issue with dirty grappling is that is can have consequences for other people in the gym. While nail scratches are usually no big deal, other cheap moves might seriously injure training partners. This means that people that regularly resort to dirty grappling should be quickly dealt with. So, let’s make sure we can recognize all the markings of a dirty grappler and get rid of them instantly!

What Are Dirty BJJ Moves?

Some academies have a printed list of academy rules on the wall. Generally,  most of them are related to school etiquette (bow before stepping on the mat) and/or basic hygiene (like no shoes in the mat area!). However, there are also lesser-known and unspoken rules of conduct the mat. Some of these are especially in regard to the “dirty” grappling moves, that are at least equally important.

Unwritten BJJ Rules: Commonly Accepted Mat Behavior Guidelines

1. Finger Grabbin During Grappling

OK, it’s clear that nobody wants to get choked, but then again, you are in Jiu-Jitsu class. You do not have to act like a person hanging from a branch and desperately clutch at anything in your sight. Grabbing fingers and twisting is not legal in any combat sport. It might be a move encouraged in some “practical street fighting systems”, but in legitimate competitive and/or training environments it falls under the dirty BJJ moves category…

If you grab and manipulate someone’s fingers and they get injured, they’ll need to get time off the mats in order to recover. Now you and the gym have lost a valuable team member for a while. On a more serious note, what if the person needs their fingers for work? You might cause someone more than a month of missed BJJ classes, so be mindful of the fingers during rolling.

Dirty BJJ Moves Finger Twist

2. Unnecessary Grinding Of The Face

Cross-facing is a great move to counter a single leg or to let you dig deep enough to sink that choke you’re setting up. However, some guys will grind knuckles or bony wrist parts right across an opponents teeth and gums. As much as this may be considered “allowable” in competition, it is a huge NO in training.

When training you are not in a professional bout or life or death situation. Yes you’re under stress and uncomfortable, but look around – so is half the population of the gym. In training, try to treat your partner as you would like to be treated. The face is made up of some of the most sensitive structures in the human body. The gums, teeth, eyes, nose etc are all very easy to injure. And I’m not talking only about a busted lip or a bruise under the eye. No point in breaking someone’s jaw in training just to keep them in side-control.

3. Pinching And Scratching

This is one move that is right up there with the most annoying of them all. Imagine the following scenario (although it has probably happened to you already). You get home from Jiu-Jitsu and examine your upper arms and legs. The results are fingerprint-shaped bruises.

Every time some over-enthusiastic opponents grab a grip, they grab the underlying skin as well. We get that you may be excited, but can’t you feel that you are grabbing skin also? Moreover, whenever you add long nails to the mix, you get an even worse mark. now imagine that you’re rolling No-GI. You’d be better off rolling with a mountain lion than that over-zealous pinch happy training partner with the long nails. Don’t be that guy/girl!

4. Intentional Kicking

Inevitably, when pairs are rolling, bodies will collide. This is mostly due to the popularity of BJJ and the size of academies. Some schools simply do not have the means to hold more classes or accommodate everyone comfortably. In truth, very few can.

In many schools, etiquette states that higher belts get the right of way and the lower belts reset. But some are so absorbed in the roll that they fail to grasp where they are at. Some people seem to lack the feeling of their foot kicking something solid and Gi-covered.  The Gi part should make it clear that it’s not the walls or the mats! That is another person! As absorbed as you might be in a roll, you surely feel it?!? Just have some basic awareness of your surroundings and do not flail around. Unintentional kicks do not count and can happen anywhere at any time. The intentional and repetitive ones, despite claims of ignorance, are not accepted and need to be punished if the re-occur often.

5. The Fake Flow Roll

This one is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classic. The  Gentle Art is, arguably, the only grappling martial art that has a version of light rolling that has a translation to competitive situations. The first thing to know is that you can’t expect new students to flow roll. There’s no going light with them and you can’t really hold it against them. So they’re out of this category. Well, until they gain experience, at least.

On the other hand, there are the experienced people that ask you to go light and then go berserk! They usually “fool around” until they see a submission or transition option and then jump on it like an orangutan on a banana tree! Not to self – if a “let’s flow” partner can’t make it to the end of a round without gassing, they’re not going light. Remember that next time they ask you because you might end up seriously injured if you’re loose against an explosive spazzing partner.

Dirty BJJ Moves Fake Flow

The “Not Quite Dirty” BJJ Mоves

Although some BJJ moves are just plain dirty, there are others that are just simply annoying. The might not be completely senseless and brutal but they are disrespectful. In an art proudly displaying respect as it’s main virtue, there should be no place for such actions.

Unwanted Coaching

Part of the BJJ culture is that more experienced students help newer students by explaining certain positions or BJJ moves. However, some guys with little experience try to coach or teach. Nonetheless, they do so during rolling. Rolling is the time to put what you’ve learned to the test, not to look coach or ask for advice. Leave the talk for after the round. A classic move is stopping the roll when in clear danger in order to explain how the move is “correctly” done and avoid getting caught. Just tap, keep your mouth shut and go on!

Illegal Techniques In Sparring

Ok, they’re not really dirty grappling moves per se but are frowned upon nonetheless. This is especially true when an IBJJF competitor asks you to roll along with their rules. If you’re not interested in helping them prepare than pass on rolling with them. If they’re of a higher rank, though, you’re obliged to accept. That said, heel-hooking them straight off the bat is a disrespectful move to pull off when you’ve been politely asked not to. On the other hand, they might be nursing an injury and must avoid specific BJJ moves. Ignore this and you have a great way to make enemies in class. Make sure you respect the other person’s wishes during a roll.

Dirty BJJ Moves

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Half Guard Submissions – Triangle, Kimura, Ezekiel and Baseball Bat Choke

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BJJ World
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Half Guard Submissions - Triangle, Kimura, Ezekiel and Baseball Bat Choke

Kris Kim, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Tony Passos. Head Instructor for Yongsan BJJ at Trent Warrior Fitness Center, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, Seoul, Korea.

Kris is also the BJJ coach for Team Posse MMA, Body and Seoul Martial Arts and United Forces BJJ, Republic of Korea.

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Should Grapplers Wash Their BJJ Belts?

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BJJ World
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BJJ Belts

One pet peeve of lots of competitive athletes is their curious proneness to superstitions. No matter the sport, athletes often make up the most unlikely reasons behind their success. Whether they win or lose, they have a ‘supernatural” reason behind it. These beliefs are often so ingrained, that it may be difficult for an athlete to think clearly. And BJJ athletes have not been spared from their share of superstitions. The most curious and potentially smelly one refers to washing BJJ belts.

When it comes to the Gi, people usually unanimously agree that they need to be washed after every practice. It’s just common sense, really. Nobody wants a sweat-infused, smelly Gi pressed upon their face. Now imagine that the Gi in question has been worn multiple times during the week. And it never made it to the washing machine in between. Not the prettiest of thoughts, is it? So why would people think that washing their BJJ belts should be any different? This is where superstition comes in the frame. Time for some myth busting!

Why Do People Avoid Washing BJJ Belts

There are multiple schools of thought behind the superstition that belts shouldn’t be washed. The reason behind this belief is just one though – washing is going to wash away all the knowledge, or “mojo”.

There’s an old story that probably originates in the Karate circles of Japan as to why a belt should not be washed. According to this myth, people only wore white belts. During the years, dirt, stains, sweat, and other unappealing elements would gather onto the belt. As they accumulated, the belt would turn darker and darker, eventually becoming black. While there is a romantic notion behind wearing a white belt until it turns black, there are plenty more hygienic reasons not to do so. Today, there are different colored belts that outline the knowledge and experience level of a practitioner.

Moving on to modern times, the main reason behind the avoidance of inclusion of BJJ belts in common hygienic practices is the fear of loss of knowledge. Honestly, why the knowledge and “mojo” are taught to reside specifically in the belt is beyond me.  How often did you have to change a belt with a teammate in competition? Did it really affect your results? The IBJJF has a very strict policy regarding the state of competitors’ belts. If a belt is old, ragged and smelly, they’ll force you to change it. Are you going to accept getting DQed or just borrow or buy another belt? I understand the sentimental value of belts, they’re given to us by our masters and symbolize years of effort and dedication. That, however, does not exempt them from basic hygienic rules!

BJJ Belts Wash

Reasons To Wash Your Belt

The most obvious reason is actually the one with the most serious potential consequences. Hygiene plays a huge part in every sport, even more so in martial arts. In terms of grappling martial arts, like Jiu-Jitsu, hygiene is of the utmost importance. Bad hygiene can shut down a whole school and/or keep people off the mats for months. The constant contact and proximity of grapplers, along with rolling around on the ground create the perfect conditions for microorganism growth. And where there are bugs, there are potential infections looming.

Wearing an unwashed piece of training apparel is a rolling health hazard. Belts are made up fo materials that soak up everything they come in contact with. For starters, you’ll get at least 4-5 different people’s sweat on it in one single training session. Next, BJJ belts tend to collect little bits and pieces as you roll. Bacteria, fungi, viruses and other disease-causing agents can find fruitful soil in the grooves of your belt. Despite posing a threat to your own health, you are now a means of transport for those bugs to get on other people. And, although you might not catch anything, someone else will.

Imagine that a training partner hasn’t washed their belt in ages. Even though you’re aware and try to avoid him/her, you can’t avoid the mats. A dirty belt gets around everywhere, disseminating its contents along the mat surface. Before you know it, you face deep into everything that lives on a “wise” unwashed belt. The dreaded “staph” is caused by a bacteria named Staphylococcus Aureus. This pesky little critter can survive on your belt, or the mats, for months. It’s a Petri dish you’re tying around your waist every time you train!

How To Keep BJJ Belts Clean

Washing your belt is not much of a science. Take a little of the stuff you use for your Gis, put it in the washer along with other appropriately colored garments and press “On”. Alternatively, you can always do it by hand. Just make sure you’re thorough, cause “Staph” most certainly is.

BJJ Belts

Then again, if this article is the one to convince you to finally wash your belt, you might need to go with heavy artillery at first. Namely, there are laundry products that are aimed at getting rid of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Defense Soap makes one, that seems promising. Just pour some into your regular detergent for a double blast. Actually, since your belt has been in contact with all your gear just throw everything in there!

Finally, if you’re still reluctant to “wash your knowledge off” there are alternative routes. They might not be as effective as immersing a belt in detergents, but they’ll do the trick. First, give your belt a little breathing space. Instead of keeping it tight in your gym bag, hang it out. And not just anywhere, but somewhere with a breeze. Or high-speed winds, depending on how long you’ve had it for. On the other hand, if you’re in a windless part of the world, then leave it out in the sun. Since bacteria love moisture, both these methods will help rid your belt of unwanted flora.

In summary, washing BJJ belts are not a convenience. It is a mandatory practice for everyone. It doesn’t have to be after every training session. Every couple of weeks is plenty.

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