Dana White Calls Yamasaki’s Performance DISGUSTING In Shevchenko-Cachoeira Fight

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BJJ World
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Dana White Calls Mario Yamasaki's Performance DISGUSTING In Shevchenko-Cachoeira Fight

After the fight between Valentina Shevchenko vs Priscila Cachoeira, Dana white didn’t choose the words for referee Mario Yamasaki on UFC Fight Night 125 live on FOX Sports.

It’s not a secret that Dana doesn’t like Mario for a long time. Almost every time Mario Yamasaki is in UFC’s octagon Dana white has some negative words to say about Mario.

This time Dana White called Mario Yamasaki’s performance disgusting according to what happened in that fight. Check out what Dana White said and you have a video below of what happened in that fight and what made Dana white to react like this.

“Priscilla Cachoeira, you showed so much heart and toughness in that fight. I’m honored to have you fight in the UFC. Unfortunately, the ref is there to protect you and Mario DID NOT do that. This isn’t his first disgusting performance in the octagon. Another unfortunate thing is that I can’t do anything about I️t only the Brazilian commission can and i am hoping after this scary, incompetent showing he hopefully will never set foot in that Octagon again. Strikes landed was 230-3.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bew4_FBHJJ2/?utm_source=ig_embed

Here is the reason why Dana White said that Mario Yamasaki’s performance is Disguisting. As you can see Mario Yamasaki didn’t stop the fight after the first tapping of Priscila Cachoeira.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bew4xQJjdip/?tagged=shevchenko

But Dana White isn’t the only one who think Mario Yamasaki did very late stoppage in this fight. There are numerous MMA fighters claiming the same.

Jared Gordon, UFC Lightweight was very surprised with Yamasaki’s late stoppage: “Jesus Mario, could you wait any longer?”

Gilbert Burns, multiple world champion didn’t hide his disappointment with Mario Yamasaki calling him the worst MMA referee ever:

Patrick Cote, was obviously very angry on Yamasaki’s oversight at the of the match between Valentina Shevchenko and Priscila Cachoeira:

Rafael dos Anjos, Former UFC Lightweight Champion, gave his opinion on throwing a towel in octagon like in other sports. But, there’s a rule in UFC that even if the towel is thrown in octagon it doesn’t mean that referee should stop the fight. And in this case, it’s pretty questionable would Yamasaki see a towel if he wasn’t able to see that Priscila Cachoeira was hurt badly before she tapped TWICE.

BJJ In A Street Fight & The Most Effective Moves

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BJJ World
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BJJ In A Street Fight & The Most Effective Moves

Nowadays, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a grappling martial art, is a highly organized sport, spread worldwide. It features competitors of all ages, gender, and experience levels. It is organized in weight divisions, belt ranks, and year of birth. Everything is under the control of a strict rule-set that has not changed much over the years. In short, it is a sport that’ll probably get an Olympic sports contender status soon. However, this was not always the sole intended use of BJJ. Back in the early days of art, Jiu-Jitsu was a formidable self-defense art. So, knowing this, there’s one burning question that arises. How effective is modern, sport-oriented BJJ in a street fight?

Helio Gracie, the founder of The Gentle Art was not a huge man. He was sickly as a boy and grew up to be a slim but wiry fighter. As such, when he and his brother Carlos went about modifying Mitsuyo Maeda’s Judo teachings, they had but one goal in mind. That goal was effective self-defense for the smaller person. In those early days, it was common for them to use BJJ in a street fight or two around Brazil. And they did, having great success along the way, which only helped popularize Jiu-Jitsu.

BJJ In A Street Fight

During the conception of BJJ, its birthplace was a violent and volatile place. Street fights were a common sight all over the country, especially in the poorer parts. No wonder that the Gracies looked to devise a system for protection and dominance. The original BJJ concept was a practical one. Leverage and technique are the equalizers of strength for the smaller person in a fight. There were no unnecessary philosophies or restrictions to the art. The Gracies practiced only what was effective, and were willing to prove it by fighting anyone.

Today, this aspect of Jiu-Jitsu is all but not effective. People tend to focus on intricate lapel guards and flashy inversion that’ll probably lose you a street fight if you attempted them. Even in class, self-defense is either down to a bare minimum or skipped altogether. Gracie Barra, Carlos Gracie Jr’s organization still has a lot of self-defense concepts in their curriculum. However, it is a far cry from the original system that was based on a no-nonsense approach.

Below we’re going to go through the moves that still make BJJ in a street fight effective today. We’re going to present them as two different scenarios, an offensive, and a defensive one. So without further ado:

Attacking With BJJ In A Street Fight

Let’s say you find yourself in a violent situation on the streets, where you have to defend yourself. Most violent alterations begin on the feet, with people usually going for a grab or headlock instead of striking directly. No matter if it’s grabbing or striking, BJJ’s strengths are on the ground. With this in mind, the fight needs to get to the ground before controlling the opponent and ultimately, finishing them. Here’s one way to do it:

Taking The Fight To The Ground: The Double Leg

The double leg takedown is a tried and tested move that works in different environments. From wrestling mats, through BJJ academies to MMA cages, and in turn, the street. Undoubtedly effective, the double leg is as safe a move as possible to take a street fight to the ground. Whether it is strikes or grabs that you’re countering, the level change is going to take most people by surprise.

It does take perfect technical execution, though, in order to utilize it fast enough that it is safe. From that aspect, you need to be able to perform a penetration step in your sleep. it is the base of the move’s effectiveness and quick execution. Penetration steps are easy to drill and can become second nature really fast. From there, the execution is as easy as correct angling and strong driving with the legs.

Ground Control To Mount or Back Control

Once down, you’ll most likely end in top Side Control. However, in a street fight you do not want to dwell here, so mounting or taking the back are the best options. Striking-wise, there’s no better position than the mount. It effectively immobilizes the opponent while opening up both striking options and submissions. The most important aspect is being able to maintain the position until the conclusion of the fight. The best mount variation for this is the high mount. It makes you very heavy while allowing you to create a huge distance for strikes by posturing up.

If you want an even more controllable position, back control reigns supreme over any other. While on the back, you are safe from almost any threat. At the same time, you have the upper hand of being in total control. Again, retention of the position is important and you should have a firm grasp of the positional nuances to be effective. Striking is not a great option given the close proximity that back control requires to be effective. However, even better-attacking options are available. Read on.

Rear Naked Choke

As the name suggests, this is a strangle done from the rear. It is a must-know move for law enforcement officers around the world. There’s a good reason for this – it works. The Rear Naked Choke is actually the highest percentage finish in MMA, as well as among the top moves in sports BJJ. IT is a blood choke, that puts pressure on the blood vessels on both sides of your neck, cutting out the oxygen supply to the brain. This results in the opponent going to sleep in a matter of seconds. This is great for self-defense purposes because you leave the opponent neutralized while unharmed. Good for avoiding legal trouble, isn’t it?

Defending With BJJ In A Street Fight

Now, let’s say that the fight started off wrong and you end up on the bottom. Not just the bottom, but with you in the bottom of the mount. The mount is a reflexive position for untrained people, given its efficacy. But, as a BJJ practitioner, you know how to escape and turn the tables.

Getting Out Of Mount

Whether it is BJJ, MMA, or the street you DO NOT want to be mounted. Even if the opponent doesn’t know what they’re doing, it is a dangerous position. Similarly, it is very dangerous in sports BJJ too, which is why lots of emphases is put on escaping it. So, an untrained opponent mounting you shouldn’t worry you if you’ve mastered the Upa escape. Once out, you can work towards a dominant position for yourself.

Gooing Back On Your Feet With The Technical Stand Up

Given that street fights are messy affairs, getting out of mount is most likely going to result in someone, or both of you, getting you up on the feet. If you’re still the one on the bottom, in a disengaged scenario this time, turn to the Technical Stand Up for help. A fundamental BJJ movement taught at the white belt is a multiple-use tool. First, you can safely keep your distance with the extension of the free foot. Secondly, the two opposite points of your body (arm and leg) that are in contact with the ground provide a quick route to the feet.

Street Fighting Clinch Game

The clinch involves upper body manipulation, mostly via head and arm control. The idea behind the clinch is primarily distance management. When you’re entangled in a clinch, you’re not in striking range as you are too close to your opponent. Add to that the high degree of control, and you’re in a great position during a fight. Although there are certain dangers, like knee strikes, if you know what you’re doing the fight will end quickly. For instance, you could easily decide to take the fight to the ground and take the offensive route. But, seeing as in our scenario, you just got up, it’s better to end things quickly.

A Guillotine For The Finish 

The guillotine’s top advantage is that it can be finished from everywhere. On top, on the bottom, or even standing, the guillotine choke is never far away. If you ever end up using BJJ in a street fight, this move is probably your safest bet. speaking of which, now that you’re on the feet and in a clinch, it’s guillotine time. The clinch position allows for a few different guillotine setups. In all, however, it is crucial to use the clinch to break the opponent’s posture down. From there, you wrap an arm around his neck and connect your palms. Whether it is an arm-in guillotine or a regular one is entirely up to you. Both are effective and you don’t even have to go to the ground to finish.

Unlike the Rear Naked Choke, though, the guillotine is mostly an air choke. That means that it’ll take longer to put your opponent to sleep. Just be patient and hold the choke. After all, you’re the one in control.

In Conclusion

All in all, you can combine all of the attacking and defensive moves however you see fit. The point you need to take away is that BJJ can still help you out in a street altercation. You just need to know what works in such a scenario. Make sure you drill all of the above moves, just in case.

In general, the best course of action is to try and avoid street fights. If you’re in one though, and there’s no other option, at least you know that BJJ has your back.

Do you still think that BJJ in a street fight is ineffective?

Should Lower Belt Student be Able to Submit a Higher Belt in BJJ?

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BJJ World
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Should Lower Belt Student be Able to Submit a Higher Belt in BJJ?

As we all know, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has a belt system in place to designate the rank of students. It ranges from white to black for adults, while juveniles and kids have a few more belts to go through. All in all, it takes about ten years to truly earn a black belt in BJJ. You could even attempt to go further and get a Coral belt and Red belt. Despite this clear ranking system, it is not that uncommon to see a lower ranked belt submit a higher belt in BJJ. Granted, doesn’t happen every day, but every now and again, even a black belt is going to tap to a lower ranked student. Is this such a big deal?

Well, to start with, it is never a big deal to tap into a properly executed submission, regardless of belt level. It doesn’t matter if you made a mistake, just got caught or you gave it away. Furthermore, the belt system is not a very precise way of defining a student’s abilities. The length of time it takes to get through all the belts certainly has lots to do with it. A student can be a purple belt with 4 and with 6 or 7 years of training. This is the time most people get a real grasp on BJJ so a more seasoned one is definitely going to catch brown belts from time to time. And, in some occasions, even black belts.

Submitting A Higher Belt In BJJ

Martial Arts Background

The belt around a student’s waist is not always a correct gauge of their abilities. The example with the purple belt above is just one specific to BJJ. There are, however, other examples of people wearing a white belt who have had success rolling against a higher belt in BJJ.

Not all people that enroll in BJJ are complete grappling martial arts novices. Some come with strong wrestling, judo, sambo or combined backgrounds. For example, it is not unheard of a wrestler dominating at a BJJ tournament without any previous experience in the art. Now, when you top level wrestlers or Judokas on the mats, you can expect taps even as high as brown and black belts. Years of experience in grappling martial arts are years of experience and despite an imaginary judoka getting tapped a dozen times in a roll, they still might get the advanced BJJ student a couple of times. It is as legit as it gets.

Even people that come from non-grappling martial arts might “get lucky” and get a tap. Karate or Muay Thai folks are pretty sturdy, wiry and often flexible fighters. Despite lack of knowledge on the ground, they do end up being successful, albeit more rarely than grapplers.

Factors That Lead To Black Belt Taps

For starters, black belts often work on a very specific part of their game. So, if they’re in a phase of defending guillotine, they’ll give away the position in order to experiment from there. It is only normal that some of those attempts will fail miserably and they’ll tap. Even if they’re caught legitimately, a lot of it has to do with being in the position in the first place. Try setting up a guillotine on a resisting black belt and you’ll be in for a rude awakening.

Another big aspect is technical style. You often hear of NO-Gi oriented people with a blue belt tapping out seasoned black belts. One reason behind this is the technical gap between the two. Don’t get me wrong, it works the other way around too. A No-Gi black belt is going to get taken for a ride by a lapel manipulating specialist. In truth, Gi competitors were in for a surprise via heel hooks, not so long ago, when Danaher’s system hit the scene.

On a different note, one not specific to black belts only, there are a few more factors to take into account. BJJ is a brutal art and most of the people that have a brown belt or above have already been through the proverbial grinder. Bad knees, herniated disks, and shoulder popping out are huge limiting factors. So much so, that they lead to taps regardless of who’s applying the pressure.

Age is another big one. The 23-year-old white belt stud is going to get a few over the 35-year-old purple belt. Having a 250 lbs deadlift also helps, which brings us to the next factor – athleticism. Oh, and having a 100 lbs more will do the trick as well.

Higher Belt In BJJ Taps To White

Higher Belt In BJJ Still Tap

In conclusion, even a higher belt in BJJ taps and they have always done so. It is not unheard of, it is just a part of the art. No, tapping out to a white belt is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a learning tool just like everything else in BJJ. So, all you advanced students losing sleep over getting tapped by the new guy, suck it up. It’ll happen again, so you better not sulk over it. And all you new guys that think you’re now ready for the UFC, ask yourself this – how many times did you get caught in the round when you tapped out a higher belt?

https://bjj-world.com/female-bjj-white-belt-defeats-male-bjj-black-belt/

Black Belt Coach Gets Tapped By Blue Belt

Watch Buggy Choke Being Executed in MMA

7 Awesome Tips To Make You A Formidable White Belt

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BJJ World
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7 Awesome Tips To Make You A Formidable White Belt
Being a white belt in Jiu-Jitsu is a difficult period. No matter how much you thought you knew about BJJ, you’re inevitably going to be shocked. After surviving “initiation”, or being destroyed by everyone, you start to comprehend the complexity of it all. It is as difficult psychologically as it is physically to keep pushing through. It is, undoubtedly, the only way forward and it is more than worth it to endure. Believe me, I know, I went through all of it too.

A white belt has a long road in front of them. Have no illusions, it is going to take around a decade before you get to strap the black around your waist. Now, knowing that it is going to require blood, sweat, time, and sacrifices, are you still willing to persevere? If you decide that you are, here are 7 crucial tips that will make your life easier at white belt:

1. Accept The White Belt Struggles

Get to terms with the fact that you’re at the bottom of the food chain. BJJ takes time, there’s no way around it. So do not get discouraged at your apparent lack of success. Although you might consider tapping so often a failure, you’re in fact, improving with every second spent on the mats.

It is completely normal to “lose” to higher belts. Actually, accept that you’re going to get beat by more experienced white belts as well. After all, they do have more experience (however slightly) and more knowledge than you. What is inevitable is that you will catch up, or even surpass them. You only need to keep working and do not get discouraged. Like everything else in life, you have to start slowly and gain momentum as you go. Trust me, nobody is perfect from the start.

White Belt Struggles

2. Take It Easy On Yourself

As much as you might be a perfectionist, you will never, ever be flawless at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This is another extremely important notion that you have to understand from the get-go. After all, perfection is a moving target that can never be completely reached.

In BJJ everyone makes mistakes. Even black belts are capable of making a wrong move or two. As a white belt, you will be prone to mistakes more than any other belt. You can’t expect anything else from art where opponents actually try to force you to make errors. Instead of getting furious with yourself over doing something stupid, accept it as part of BJJ and move on. Dwelling upon it is not going to make you better. Learning from it is. Trust me, you will never repeat the mistakes you make in competition unless you sulk over them.

3. Constant Curiosity

The defining trait of a white belt should be a constant question asking. White belt is the time to be curious about everything and anything. There are no stupid questions when you are a beginner and you should not shy away from asking them.

First and foremost, instructors are not divine creatures that you can’t approach. Quite the opposite, they should be the person you talk to most during class. Never be unsure about asking your instructor anything about BJJ. They are there for that very reason, to try and make things clear for you. The best way to gather knowledge is to inquire about things that you do not completely comprehend.

Apart from your instructors, higher-ranked belts are also there to clear up uncertainties. Ask your training partners every time you’re unsure about a move or technique.

4. Everyone Is A Good Partner

Whether it is rolling, drilling, or just learning new moves, as a white belt, you cannot be picky about who you train with. It is simple, everyone is a good fit regardless of belt level.

The more people you work with, the more experience you will gain. The aim should be to work with as many different kinds of people as possible. Both heavier and lighter partners, members of the opposite sex, beginners and advanced students, no one is out of bounds. This kind of diversity will teach you how to act in as many different situations as possible and help you grow much faster.

Not every move works the same for everyone. Higher belts are more experienced and will see you coming from a mile away. If you’re not a lanky person, your triangle won’t work on that broad-shouldered giant with the blue belt. And, despite being heavier, you won’t even know where that brown belt girl is when she kicks your ass. So, gather as much experience as you can, because it will be the foundation to build your own game later on.

5. Do Not Underestimate The Warm Up

The warm-up is by far the most despised part of BJJ class. People do all sorts of things just to get around those boring 20 minutes or so. Well, guess what? It is the wrong thing to do and that holds true in particular for white belts.

It is needless to say that during up to class late just to skip warming up is unacceptable. It is disrespectful towards your instructor, the academy, and your training partners. Slacking your way through the warm-up is even worse! Does it really take that much to really engage? After all, you’re already there.

Apart from getting you ready for the upcoming training session and preventing injuries, they have an even more important role. In BJJ, warm-ups often consist of movements specific to the art. As a white belt, your focus should be mostly on mastering the basic movement patterns of BJJ. So, you need to take warming up seriously in order to have any hope of advancing in the art. You’re doing the work for you, not your instructors so buckle up and show some enthusiasm!

6. There’s Nothing Scary About The Higher Belts

Despite all the memes suggesting that white belts are only food and the higher belts are hungry, circling sharks, this is not the case. Well, no completely. The fact that you’re at the bottom of the food chain shouldn’t be a reason to avoid more advanced students.

Rolling with your peers or people near your level is a recipe for disaster when you are a white belt. Despite being extremely humbling and uncomfortable, you need the experience from those rolls. It is the best way to learn what not to do, which is kind of the point of a white belt. Later on, you’ll be the one inflicting the discomfort, but that comes only after being on the receiving end.

Moreover, when it is time for drills, it is wiser to look for a more experienced partner. That way you’ll get a partner who knows what they’re doing, as well as someone to consult during the drills. Again, do not hesitate to ask higher-ranked partners anything. They all went through what you’re going through and are generally more than willing to help out.

White Belt Tips To Grow

7. Keep Showing Up

To end with, nothing is going to help you learn BJJ as fast as consistency. There’s no better advice than to just keep showing up for class. Get as many hours under your belt as you can, and it’ll start changing colors in no time.

That said, there’s no need for A white belt to pull off double sessions in a day. Make sure you train at least 4 times a week, and that your time in classes is spent wisely. Ask lots of questions, be mindful when drilling, and be on time to warm up. Al those confusing names of the moves and elusive details will become much clearer if you are consistent with your training. Don’t believe me? Give it a go and see for yourself!

10 Obvious Reasons Why You’re still a White Belt

BJJ Fundamentals Every White Belt Have to Know

Watch Buggy Choke Being Executed in MMA

Common Blue Belt Mistakes Caused By Bad White Belt Habits

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BJJ World
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Common Blue Belt Mistakes Caused By Bad White Belt Habits

As time goes by, rank in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gets less and less important. Do not get me wrong, a brown belt still looks to get to black belt and beyond. But at that level, belting up is not the primary focus. Getting from white to blue belt, on the other hand, is a whole different situation. The blue belt is arguably even more desirable to the average practitioner than the black belt is. The reason is simple – nobody wants to be a white belt. At anything!

When people get that life-changing promotion and wrap up the blue around their waist, they feel invincible. What people usually misunderstand is that they’re not quite the expert that they think they are. It takes an average of 18 months to get to blue belt, whereas a black belt takes in excess of 10 years. So, no, you’re not an expert just yet. Even more so, you’re still dragging along bad habits from your white belt days. In order to settle at blue, these mistakes have to be eradicated.

Inflated Ego from white to Blue Belt

In accordance with the misguided notion of high-level expertise is their often witnessed stubbornness during rolling. Reality check – even black belts tap in training. So, acting as you are invincible is definitely above your level. One thing is certain to happen if you act a though no one can submit you. You’re going to see the tunnel with light moving away from you and wake up to class-wide laughter. Or, even worse, you’re going to get a serious limb injury. In short, stop resisting well-placed submissions and accept the outcome. You’ll only learn from the experience.

There are also justified situations where you’ll get caught before having the chance to tap. A quick sub from a higher belt or a perfectly guessed one from a white belt, someone is going to get you. These situations are different and they are going to happen. It is the ones that you cause that are not suitable for the level of blue belt.

Remember that tapping out is also a defensive option. When a counter doesn’t work, and an escape is blocked, tapping out is surely going to work. It is better than having your arm in a sling for 6 weeks no matter how you look at it.

Blue Belt Mistakes

Relying On Strength

Although no one expects blue belts to be efficient in movement as brown belts are, there are still certain standards. Namely, jerking your way in or out of a position or pulling on submission like it’s a tug-of-war world final is a white belt trait. Even white belts are reminded to correct such behavior as they gain experience.

Relying on muscular power to achieve a goal in BJJ is a sign of inexperience. And having a blue belt does count as experience, right? So, start acting your rank and focus on improvement rather than the bad old habit. It won’t work against higher belts more than it did when you were a white belt.

Blue belt is the perfect time to let go of the habit of strength being your go-to concept. Instead, it is the period of your journey when you should focus on getting to know the principles of control and leverage. After all, it’s going to be a while before your next promotion, so you might as well make the most out of it.

https://bjj-world.com/blue-belt-requirements/

The Blue Belt Spaz

Similarly to using strength, “spazzing” is another characteristic of white belts. As such, it should stay at white belt. Uncontrollable movement during rolling is a hard thing to deal with for every belt level. If you are the blue belt that is unpredictable and going berserk every time you roll, very soon you won’t have anyone willing to roll with you. Stop being stiff and tense. After all, you’re not a white belt anymore, right? So learn to relax and reduce the accidental elbows, knees and awkward falls to a minimum.

In truth, spazzing is an expected phase during the white belt. It is one that most of the students go through and it is perfectly normal. Spazzing is a sign of a lack of more precise technical knowledge, which is understandable at white belt. Maturity should come with experience, and spazzing should fade away as you learn more about the art.

Panic Tapping

Here’s one to confuse the s#*% out of you. We already covered that you should tap early and often now that you’re more advanced. Well, you have to find a balance to it too. A blue belt has to know when to tap and when to keep going. It is not uncommon to see a white belt surrender because of pressure. This, however, is unacceptable at blue belt.

Since you’re not new to BJJ you know that “the gentle art” is all about discomfort. Actually, at blue, you need to have a level of comfort in uncomfortable positions. By the same token, you can’t allow yourself to tap to pressure or discomfort. Yes, there are heavier opponents. Yes, you’ll get tired while rolling. And yes, higher belts tend to have brutal cross-face pressure. You know what? None of these are justifiable reasons to tap. Suck it up and learn to be comfortable in discomfort. It’s only going to get tougher along the way.

Proximity Alert

As previously mentioned it takes about a year and a half to get the beginner label off of you. By then, there’s no way that you do not understand the basic concept of BJJ. You are going to tangle up with people in all sorts of positions. There will be sweat, close contact, and awkward positions. It is the nature of the sport.

In truth, nobody that’s been training for longer than a month should be surprised at this. North-south is a very good attacking position that shouldn’t make you uncomfortable. People are going to touch your body, there’s no way around that. You’re going to roll with members of the opposite sex. There’s nothing sexual about it, as you might know after being tapped 27 times in 5 minutes by that 115-pound girl with a purple belt.

Blue belts need to be comfortable with all of this. Actually, this shouldn’t even be brought up as a subject from blue belts and higher ranked students. Otherwise, you might be in the wrong sport.

Blue Belt Proximity Alert Error

Attitude Check

Finally, a word or two on BJJ etiquette. Everyone that steps on the mats should respect the academy’s code of conduct. Even if one is not written, each school has them. Blue belts are actually examples for the beginners, as they can relate more closely to them as opposed to brown belts. As such, it is the duty of the blue belt to be mindful and act accordingly.

In essence, do not be late unless in exceptional situations. Be respectful during class and do what you’re told. Keep a clean Gi, wear a rashguard underneath and keep track of basic personal hygiene. There is no scenario in which shoes on the mat are justified. You should know this by know.

The mental attitude of a blue belt is different from a white belt. Justify the belt that you’re wearing and act appropriately. After all, you also were a white belt not that long ago and looked up to blue belts. The belt doesn’t just raise your rank. It also raises your responsibilities within the academy.

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https://bjj-world.com/blue-belt-requirements/

BJJ Mental Attitude For Each Belt Level

By
BJJ World
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BJJ Mental Attitude

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is an art that demands a lot from one’s body. As with all competitive sports, Jiu-Jitsu requires practitioners to be in good physical shape. Likewise, good body awareness and coordination are essential in order to grasp the complex techniques of the sport. Unlike most sports though, the requirements of BJJ go further than the physical. As Joe Rogan once put it, “BJJ is complex problem solving under extreme stress”. The BJJ mental attitude is just as important as the physical component. Actually, at the highest level, it might even be more important.

Jiu-Jitsu presents people with more than just a physical challenge. The nature of the art is such that it requires practitioners to be mentally engaged at all times. Mental mistakes often cost more than physical ones. Furthermore, the BJJ mental attitude of the practitioners evolves along with their technical knowledge. A black belt has a completely different mindset than a blue belt, for example. Such is the complexity of Jiu-Jitsu that both the mind and the body get a workout. No wonder it is referred to as “The game of human chess”.

BJJ Mental Attitude Guide

In BJJ the ranking system outlines more than technical knowledge. It doesn’t matter what number of moves you know, or how efficient you are in rolling and competition. You won’t progress through the BJJ belt system. The correct attitude of students is fundamental to an instructor’s decision to promote. It is not just general attitude on and off the mat that matters. The mental attitude of a student is also subject to grading. Not only that, but it is expected to evolve and mature along with the technical knowledge.

Along the belts, students get exposed to situations of different physical and mental difficulty. At white belt, it is crucial to guide the new student towards the right direction. The mind of a white belt is a “Blank Slate” in BJJ terms, and needs to be carefully guided towards correct conclusions. Later on, more complex responsibilities come along with maturity in the art. As the experience grows, so does the mindset. And much like the enormous changes in technical abilities, the BJJ mental attitude changes entirely during the Jiu-Jitsu journey of students.

BJJ Mental Attitude

White Belt – Wrong Even In Intuition

The mental attitude of a white belt is like that of a first grader. It is all about gathering as much info on the workings of the art as possible. This is the time to learn the BJJ alphabet. It’s not yet the time to form sentences, but to learn how the letters look and how they are organized. Of course, by letters, I mean techniques and moves.

During this phase, most of the cognitive focus is placed on the technical aspect of BJJ. Learning the basics of the art requires the careful guidance of instructors and the help of more experienced training partners. As with all things new, the beginning phase of BJJ is the toughest one both physically and mentally.

A white belt has to come to terms with the fact that they can’t learn everything by the time they get to blue belt. There’ll be a lot left to discover, later on, so try to focus on the very basics. You won’t understand much, but don’t let that worry you. Rolling is notoriously difficult during this time and this is reflected in the mental attitude. Just make sure you learn the letters and survive, and you’re on the right mental track.

Your BJJ mental attitude phase is now unconscious incompetence.

Blue Belt – Good Intuition, Wrong Analysis

As your experience grows and your knowledge of technique increases, so does your mind. Your mental game should develop and evolve along with your technical game.

At blue belt, you have more tools than at white. Now you know the alphabet and can try to formulate words. Keep in mind that sentences are still somewhat far away. A blue belt usually has one or more favorite moves that are the centerpiece of their game. However, as much as you think you’ve got these moves down, the truth is – you don’t. Huge gaps still exist in your technical game, and your inability to recognize them demonstrates that your mental attitude is on the same level.

Despite increased knowledge and understanding, blue belts still make fundamental mistakes. In a mental attitude context, they lack the information to successfully put things together. This leads to inconsistent performances and can result in developing erroneous habits. It is important for instructors to be aware of the lack of cohesion in a blue belt’s game, and lead them accordingly.

Inconsistent performances hugely affect self-confidence. The most important point to take away is that this is normal and expected. Recognizing the limits of your abilities is a step towards the right direction.

You are now fully consciously incompetent.

Purple Belt – Analytical Competence

A purple belt is now fully equipped to put together strong sentences. Their BJJ mental attitude is one of clarity. This is the first period when BJJ starts to make sense.

Technically speaking, your game goes beyond just moves now. Weight distribution, utilization of angles and a more conceptual approach come into the spotlight. Attacks are now more complex with a view towards anticipation of the opponent’s reactions. A huge aspect of a purple belts game is fighting from the bottom.

A purple belt’s most characteristic mark is fluidity. Movement is continuous as a result of a clear mindset. During this period, students know what they’re doing, but more importantly, when to do it. Timing is a huge accomplishment for any student, and a purple belt is when most succeed in achieving it. The main goal of a  purple belt is smooth movement and execution of techniques while being completely aware of what is happening.

On a personal level, purple belt is the most defining period in a student’s game. As your technical game takes shape, so does your mental one. Congratulation, you are now in the conscious competence phase.

BJJ Mental Attitude

Brown Belt – Intuitive Matureness

Efficiency best describes the brown belt. Now you can write complex essays with apparent ease. You may pick up a move just by seeing it. PIcking the move up is done both physically and mentally. It is not just your body that can learn fast at this point – your mind does too. This connection allows for the successful integration of a new move in a brown belts game.

You can now not only learn a new move quickly but see all the follow-up possibilities that might stem from it. This gives your abilities the take place before your complete comprehension of a situation. That is why brown belts seem to easily shrug off most counters and/or defenses of their opponents. Consistency is key at brown belt and tapping out is scarce. Just don’t let this get you off the tracks when it inevitably happens. After all, you’re not fully mature just yet.

As far as BJJ mental attitude goes, you have become unconsciously competent. Almost there!

Black Belt – The Sixth Sense

Talk about as close to perfection as possible. Complete awareness is best suited to describe a black belt’s abilities. Of course, we’re talking about both mental and physical abilities. Now you don’t just know, you can think in a way that allows you to modify and/or create new moves or techniques.

This ability is not limited to techniques though. it is not a coincidence that most game-changing philosophies of Jiu-Jitsu come from longtime black belts. Purple and brown belts can also invent or modify moves, but they can’t get the whole picture. A black belt has the ability to completely improve a whole part of the art, giving inspiration to others to do the same.

It is as easy as being happy. A black belt does BJJ for the love of it. Although someone can fall in love with Jiu-Jitsu from the start, the understanding only comes with the black belt. And understanding is a sign of maturity. You are now on top of the BJJ mental attitude hierarchy pyramid.

https://bjj-world.com/blue-belt-requirements/

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The White Belt Checklist For the First Tournament Experience

By
BJJ World
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White Belt tournament

So, you’ve decided that you’re ready to compete at your first ever tournament. You’ve been training for a while now, you’ve got a stripe or two, you’re ready to go. You’re going to destroy everyone in the competition. Although that is a great attitude, it will likely lead to a brutal reality check in a competitive environment. When you’re a white belt who is looking to compete for the first time, the smart approach is to take it easy.

People stay at white belt for an average of a year and a half to two years. During that time a few stages take place. The first couple of months are life-changing, mind-moulding, ego-removing torture that everyone goes through. Afterwards, as you ease into BJJ it’s time to find a way to survive. After a couple more months of pure survival, your own game will start to develop slowly. So, in those terms, make sure you’re at least at this third stage or above before you consider conquering your weight division at white belt.

Realistic Expectations For A White Belt

First and foremost, before considering anything else, you must make sure you’re ready to compete. If you’re in your second month of BJJ, without any martial arts background, but are feeling strong and confident, talk to your instructor. You’ll more likely than not, be advised to give it a few more months. Primarily, this is for your own benefit. Remember the first few training sessions? Well, multiply that by a 100. Nothing is going to kill your confidence and desire to train faster than a premature tournament. So, stay patient for a little more while. When you start achieving some success in training through proper technique, you can start thinking about competing.

In terms of expectations, try to stay as real as you can. Even if you’re having moderate success in training, a tournament experience, especially a first one, is a whole different thing. There’s no need to put unnecessary pressure on yourself by setting a goal to beat everyone by submission. Make sure you set a realistic and achievable goal, like winning technically, or at least pulling off a move you’ve been working on. The BJJ journey is a long one and your victories will come.

Also, don’t make the Europeans or Worlds your first tournament. No matter how hard you trained, you won’t be ready for the white belt division there. Go to a few local tournaments first to get the feel of it all. Start small and, as you gain experience, look for bigger tournaments with tougher competition.

Tournament Gameplan

So, you got two stripes on your belt, almost a year of experience and you’ve rarely missed a class. Your instructor agrees that you’re ready for your first tournament. Now what? do you just keep doing what you’re doing and just jump in hoping for the best? Well, you could do this, but there is a better way to go about tournament preparation.

To start with, leave yourself enough time. Choose a tournament that is at least 6 weeks away, preferably 8, so that you have sufficient time to prepare. During this time you need to stay focused only on what you need for the tournament.

From a technical standpoint, drilling and situational sparring are crucial. Remember that you are still a white belt, which means that sticking to the basics is your best choice. Even then, go for a few chosen moves that your instructor agrees are your best. Make sure you have at least one takedown, one pass, one sweep and submission or two in your arsenal. Look for those moves in rolling and keep drilling them every class.

At white belt, there is no real use of an elaborate conditioning plan. However, you need to be in decent shape in order to avoid gassing out. You won’t get much stronger in a short time, so conditioning is a better fit. Keeping in mind that it is your first tournament, rest and recovery should be your main focus. If you’re too tired in BJJ class you should dial your conditioning down. Stick to basics like bodyweight exercises and aerobic work and you’ll do just fine.

White Belt Tournament Plan

Weight Classes101

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a weight class sport. You have to take this into account when you’re looking to compete. Usually, people try to be as big as possible, meaning they cut a certain amount of weight. Although people can’t get much bigger due to same day weigh-ins, you should look to choose the correct weight class.

Traditionally, there are 9 weight divisions, from Rooster Weight to Ultra Heavy Weight, plus the Absolute Division. That allows for plenty of options without risking your health. It is not advisable for anyone to cut more than a few pounds before a competition. At white belt level, this is even more important. Try to cut the least amount of weight possible, if any, before your first tournament.

This does not mean that you should be overweight and get into a division too big for you. A division up usually means both taller and heavier opponents, so try and stay within a range that suits your body type.

Rules And Regulations

On a different note, get acquainted with the tournament format. Make sure you’re aware of all the rules since different organizations tend to have different rules. As a white belt, you are going to be severely limited in a technical aspect. There are plenty of techniques that are illegal at white belt across most of the organizations out there. Another important factor is to know if it is a Gi or No-Gi tournament. Some organizations, like the IBJJF, do not allow white belts to compete in No-Gi. Get to know the Gi requirements as well, since you can get DQed if your Gi does not fulfill certain standards.

Age is also an important factor. In BJJ, people usually go from kids and juvenile categories, through the adult category towards the masters’ categories. A juvenile white belt will have even more restrictive rules, due to safety concerns, than an adult one. A 35-year-old white belt is better suited for the Masters’ categories than the adult ones.

Despite the usual practice being same day weigh-ins, there are exceptions. Make sure you know when the weigh-ins are because it does make a huge difference.

White Belt Competition Victory

The White Belt Mindset

As a white belt, just focus on having a positive experience from your first tournament, regardless of the outcome. Get into it knowing that only one thing is certain – you’re going to have at least one match. Think about getting through it and skip focusing on medals. The more technical you are, the sooner medals are going to start coming your way.

Likewise, do not be scared by the brackets. Better, yet, skip looking at them all together. It doesn’t matter who your opponent is, what matters is what you can do in the match. At white belt, sound technique and a calm mind are going to beat brute force 99 % of the time. Stay calm, try to relax and remember to keep breathing. Go through this checklist before registering and don’t forget to enjoy your first competitive experience!

The Best DVD and Digital Instructionals For BJJ White Belts

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How to Get The Most Out Of a BJJ Open Mat With These Strategies

By
BJJ World
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BJJ Open Mat

Sparring in BJJ, or rolling as it is referred to, is the most fun part of training. Apart from tournaments, MMA or a self-defense scenario, this is where people get to try out the stuff they’ve learned. The nature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu allows for both the mind and body to be engaged during rolling. Especially at the advanced levels, BJJ rolls often turn into elaborate chess matches. Not even the smallest move is without potential dire consequence for one of the two people engaged. In fact, rolling is so fun, that most academies in the world have a dedicated day for it. It is the BJJ open mat. But was it originally intended to be a couple of hours long sparring session?

A BJJ open mat is the one day of the week where there is no structured class. By that, I mean literally no structure. Students get to warm up themselves and there’s no demonstration of techniques. In some schools, there aren’t even rounds on the timer. An open mat day is all about rolling, period. Well, no, as this is not the original intention. The basic concept of open mat did include rolling, but not as the sole focus of the class. Let’s take a look at the idea behind the BJJ open mat day before we explore different approaches for students of different skill levels.

The Point Of The BJJ Open Mat Day

In essence, the point of the BJJ open mat is to expand your game. Then again, most people perceive rolling as the only way to do so. Nevertheless, this approach is not the correct one. The time during open mat should be used wisely, with progress as the main objective. Despite what most people think, rolling is not directly proportional to progress. In fact, it often leads to erroneous habits that get exposed in tournaments.

First and foremost, the open mat is a place for improving your game. A big part of that is talking to your instructors. Whether it is asking questions, developing competetive strategies or a general game plan, an open mat is the place for Q&A. Instructors, on the other hand, need to be at students’ disposal during open mats, in cases of questions regarding technique.

Another huge benefit that is often overlooked is the time to drill. Most open mat sessions last at least a couple of hours, often more. This offers plentiful time that can be put towards drilling favorite moves, new stuff or polishing up things you’re not good at. We already covered the importance of drilling before.  Regular classes can only dedicate a small part of class towards drilling. Open mat is where you get to put the reps in.

Competition preparation is one more aspect that can be addressed at a BJJ open mat. It is a great opportunity to discuss strategy with your instructors. A student can also discover areas of the game that need improvement and focus on those. Ask your instructor for an opinion, devise a strategy and get drilling. There’ll still be enough time to roll.

You could even do some extra conditioning at open mat, but who wants to do pushups when they can roll, right?

BJJ Open Mat

Open Mat Strategies For Beginners

From a skill level standpoint, not everyone should approach open mat in the same manner. Beginners have a lot of fundamental things to learn. They cannot grasp most of the fundamentals while rolling at full speed. In turn, there is a need for a much more structured approach.

Seeing as movement is one of the top goals for a beginner, it should also be a huge part of open mat sessions. It is advisable for new students to utilize solo drills based on movement, if not separately than as part of their warm-up. The body needs to adapt to patterns like shrimping, bridging and tumbling.

More advanced beginners that have a grasp on movement can engage in partner drills. The closed guard is a top priority for white and blue belts. So are a few passes from different situations and a takedown or two. Instructor supervision is advisable, but not necessary. Just make sure you get as many reps as possible.

The Q&A we mentioned before is arguably way more important for new students, as opposed to more advanced ones. The problem is that they’ll ask about everything, from basic sweeps to flying Gogoplatas. It is the instructor’s task to primarily point their questions in the right direction, before providing them with appropriate answers.

Of course, white belts are still going to want to roll. Despite their burning desire to get smashed, it is a good idea to do a few position sparring rounds first. Ideally, they’d be in line with the drills done earlier. That way, students can test the level of their newly acquired skill in a controlled resistance environment. And yes, they do get to roll at the end.

BJJ Open Mat

Open Mat For The Advanced student

As with the beginners, the advanced students (yup, even black belts) should partake in drilling during BJJ open mat. Of course, with a much different approach to that of white belts. Higher resistance partner drills or longer scenarios should be the focus of the session. It’ll allow students to perfect finer technical aspects like angles, positioning, and pressure. A lot of takedown drills are mandatory and, despite current practice, should not be skipped.

For competitors, an open mat is a time to re-discuss strategy over and over again. A good rule of thumb is to go over it at the start of every open mat. That way, you’ll know what to drill, how intensely, and what you should improve. again, the strategy has to encompass everything, from standing tactics to counterfeiting on the ground.

During rolling, higher belts need to aim to roll with every belt level on the mats. Even so, all rolls shouldn’t be approached the same. Whenever a higher belt rolls with a lower belt, the point is not to destroy the less skilled student. When a purple belt rolls with a white one, they should look to practice new things that are not a part of their game. All experimentation should begin against lower-ranked opposition, before testing it out against your peers. This is a great way to develop aspects of the game that you’re not proficient at.

When a student rolls with equal or higher-skilled partners, goals should adjust accordingly. Namely, same-level partners offer a great insight into how effective a competition strategy is. Higher-ranked partners are great for practicing defense and counter-fighting concepts.

Finally, flow rolling is a good way to get loose, practice transitioning and work up a sweat before all-out rolling.

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https://bjj-world.com/blue-belt-requirements/

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How Pulling Guard In Jiu-Jitsu Improves Your Takedowns

By
BJJ World
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The guard has always been a source of fascination for people outside of BJJ. Successfully fighting off your back was considered impossible before BJJ came along. Royce Gracie turned the spotlight towards the power of the guard at the UCF. Before and after, there were many Gracie challenges in which members of the founding family used the guard with pinpoint precision. Only after the guard burst on the martial arts scene did people consider using it offensively. However, another aspect arose, now that the guard was popular – how to get there offensively. Consequently, different ways pulling guard started to develop.

Defensively speaking, the BJJ guard is a great option against a successful takedown. In BJJ, despite a slight loss of points, it allows for a very offensive game from a highly controllable position. In MMA, it provides a great option to tie up an opponent, effectively neutralizing all striking attempts while opening up attacks. Logically, pulling guard would be a counterproductive move in MMA, but in grappling, it opens up a whole new dimension.

The Essentials of Pulling Guard

Pulling guard has gotten a bad rep over the years. Despite the guard’s clear effectiveness, somehow it is considered a cowardly move. The premise is that pulling guard is a shortcut to the ground, avoiding a takedown battle on the feet. Actually, It is quite similar to the leg-locking conundrum. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guard is a highly offensive position and presents a real challenge for the top opponent to deal with. As such, pulling guard should be considered as an offensive move, a takedown of sorts.

There are plenty of technical nuances to a full guard pull. A good guard pull starts with properly placed grips. It is imperative that there’s one grip on the opponent’s sleeve, right above the elbow. This grip has the task of controlling the arm, preventing it from grabbing the leg that goes up. The other grip can hold many spots on the collar, with collar-bone height the preference for most.

The idea behind a guard pull is to control the distance while attaining the position. In order to achieve this, one leg has to go in the hip fold of the opponent. This, essentially, leaves the guard puller standing on one leg, but this is a very temporary position. From there, it’s all about going down while using the leg placed on the hip to maintain distance and pivot to the side. The final touch is getting to the full guard position by crossing the feet behind the opponent’s back.

A very dangerous, yet admittedly effective version of guard pulling is to jump to closed guard. There’s no distance or foot placement here, as one jumps straight to guard after getting the grips. This variation is the source of plenty of career ending injuries and should only be attempted at more advanced levels.

Pulling Half Guard

If the half guard is more your forte then you can skip going to the full guard altogether. Although you can transition into half guard after pulling guard, it’s generally safer to go straight for a half guard pull. The BJJ half guard position is a highly effective one, leading to sweeps, transitions or submissions.

Technically speaking, the grip positioning stays the same, while the pull is somewhat different. This time, the opposite side leg is the first to engage. However, instead of going on the hip it goes between the opponent’s legs, hooking the behind of his near side knee. In order to be successful, this hooking motion has to happen simultaneously with you dropping to your side. From there, the crucial point in order to gain control is turning the sleeve grip into an underhook. Afterwards, you just lock the legs and you’re there.

Need a top JIu-Jitsu half guard resource? Check out Bernardo Faria’s latest DVD release and you’ll master pulling the half guard in no time.

Fake Closed Guard Pull

A pure BJJ player would have a hard time on the feet against wrestlers and Judo players. It is completely understandable why BJJ has developed a unique way to cope with this dominance. As such, let’s look at a few very offensive options available from a guard pull attempt.

First and foremost, a guard pull can easily be turned into a takedown. An ankle picks takedown off of a fake guard pull is a favorite move of some of the best BJJ players to ever compete. Think of it as an elaborate fail-safe. First, you fake going for a guard pull, only to switch it to an ankle pick halfway. Provided that it works, you end up in the top position. In the case of failure, you always have the full guard to fall back to. Neat, isn’t it?

Furthermore, if you really like to confuse an opponent, you could always go for a sacrifice throw off the guard pull. Actually, this combination requires all the mechanics of pulling guard up to the point of closing the legs. Instead of pursuing full guard, you position your fall so that you end up slightly more underneath your opponent. From there, it’s takeoff time for them, and instant mount for you.

Pulling guard can also lead you straight to a sweep or quick finish. The tripod sweep, for example, is readily available straight off the pull. Quick armbars, Omoplata setups, triangle attacks are all up for the taking. So are plenty of flying submissions that can be connected to guard pulls. Attempt them at your own risk.

As you can see, you don’t even have to close the guard in order to have an effective game, You do, however, need to know how to pull guard in order to get there.

 Keep Rollin’

Pulling guard

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Yuri Simoes Collar Drag vs Travis Stevens – Breakdown

By
BJJ World
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ADCC champion Yuri Simoes dis a takedown on Judo Olympic silver medalist, Travis Stevens in BJJ super fight at Fight 2 Win Pro. Yuri was also able to win against Travis Stevens by Split Decision.

Taking down Judo Olympic medalist is probably one of the hardest takedowns to achieve in any grappling martial art. Especially, grappling martial art that uses GI like in this case.

He used a collar drag which is a common and very effective takedown in BJJ. It’s also very effective in all grappling martial arts with GI.

It’s usually done so that you can get a cross-collar grip and the opponent has no grips. Then you immediately go for collar drag. You have to block their far leg with your closer leg to your opponent and come up quickly for a single takedown. If you fail to do it, you can pull open or half guard, as u usually, you have a good angle to continue attacks.

The difference between effective of Collar Drag takedowns grappling martial arts with gi and Judo is that leg grabs in Judo are illegal. And that’s maybe something that Travis Stevens didn’t get used to as much as he did with all other collar takedowns.

Check the breakdown of Yuri Simoes’ Collar Drag takedown!

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