Happy New Year Everyone!

Happy New Year!

Anyone getting in one last training session before 2013 comes to a close? Let me know: otherwise, have a happy and safe holiday everyone!

So, UFC 168….

That was gross. 

A lot happened on this card, but all anyone can (understandably) talk about is how Anderson Silva broke his leg while kicking his opponent, Chris Weidman. Granted Weidman wasn’t entirely innocent, as he was defending against the kick…and just… Yeesh. I wouldn’t wish that sort of injury on anyone. 

Well, anyway, before everyone swears off Muay Thai, if you so happen to practice, check out this video from “El Guapo” himself, Bas Rutten as he explains how to properly kick…and not shatter your leg.

Have a great day everyone! 

 

 

Happy Friday: Year End Edition

Happy Friday everyone!

This is the last Friday of 2013, which I think is a perfect time for a little year-end review: what would you say was your greatest achievement this year? Or on the other side of the spectrum, what is something that you were not exactly proud of, and would like to change in this coming year?

Personally, my personal accomplishment was competing in a lower weight class, and the goal is to continually, consistently compete in that lower weight class from here on out. One thing I’m not so proud of was how little I competed this year, and I would like to compete in more tournaments in 2014.

Let me know your accomplishments for 2013 and goals for 2014- otherwise, have a great weekend everyone!

Training in BJJ: In Defense of the Big Guys

Quite frequently there is hesitation, particularly among lower belts to train with bigger guys. I’m mainly talking about weight but I also mean in terms of height. Personally, I train pretty regularly with larger dudes (I’m about 5’4 on a good day so it’s not that hard to find someone bigger to train with)  and while they all are an average of about 6 inches taller than me, they only outweigh me by about 45 to 60 lbs. Last weekend I rolled with one of our larger male teammates  where there was a more more noticeable difference in height and weight- and you know what, it was a good session and I enjoyed it. Admittedly, I had to change up my game plan a bit to accommodate for the size difference, but it was a technical match, we both kept things moving, and it was a good rolling session for both of us.

I think larger jiu jitsu players are sort of lumped together under one stereotype at times, which is really unfair when you think about it. There is an automatic assumption that the larger player will smash the smaller one, not be technical, and for lack of a better description, will just lay on top of the smaller person until they tap. And admittedly some larger players totally play out this stereotype, there’s no use in denying it. But there are larger jiu jitsu guys who are technical, who do play into the back and forth of jiu jitsu, and each player should be judged on an individual basis. I guess this would also be a good time to note that you should train with people of all body types, to figure out what works best for you in each situation. The more diverse experience you have, the more prepared you’ll be when that situation arises, say when a tournament rolls around.

So, basically, don’t avoid training with someone just because of an assumption as to how your match will go- they may surprise you, and who knows, you could offer each other an invaluable, unique experience that will improve both of your jiu jitsu games.

Merry Christmas!

Have a happy and safe holiday everyone!

Aaaand Day 12 of the 12 Days of Judo! Sode Tsurikomi Goshi

Yay, the last one! This was a much more ambitious project than I intended, and to be honest I really think of myself as the least photogenic person on the planet so that was a bit of a hurdle to get over, but it was fun and if it got a couple of smiles out of people my job is done.

And for anyone that watched the video before this, my apologies, the one below is right version. Not that the other one was wrong, per se, it was just a little cut off at the beginning.

So here it is, the 12th day of Judo! Sode Tsurikomi Goshi-enjoy!

BJJ Female Competitors: The Negatives of Weight Cutting Practices (and Day 11 of the 12 Days of Judo: Suma Gaeshi)

I’m going to make a broad generalization here: most, if not all female competitors know that it is more difficult for a woman to rapid lose, or “cut” weight than a man. I have made this assertion many times, and many other female competitors have agreed with me, but I never really found (honestly, I never seriously looked) for empirical evidence to back up this claim.

Until now.

Jon Gelber, M.D. wrote an article for Sherdog regarding female MMA fighters and cutting weight, and in addition to providing a better explanation behind why it is more difficult (I usually just say something to the effect of “stupid hormones”) he cites a study in which they create a weight cutting situation, and then test the explosive strength of men and women. It was interesting to note for women, even after rehydration, their explosive strength was less than pre-cut levels, and appeared to have a direct relation to the percentage of weight loss. You can find the article Gelber cites here.

So what’s the best course of action? Really, you know what works best for your body/schedule/etc. but personally I would recommend a slower weight loss program with more time between the start date and the day of the tournament. That’s pretty much what I did for Abu Dhabi Pro Trials and I felt pretty good leading right up to the tournament. Granted, I got (just a little) weird a few days before the tournament because I was worried I was going to unknowingly sabotage myself somehow, but for the most part I felt pretty strong and good to go. So, again, do what works best for you, but if you are not sure what approach to take in terms of weight loss for a tournament, take this as an argument for taking a slower, in my opinion healthier strategy.

Aaaand here’s Day 11 of the 12 Days of Judo: Suma Gaeshi. Enjoy!

 

Happy Friday: Day 10 of the 12 Days of Judo, or “More Judo than You Can Shake a Stick at” Edition

Happy Friday everyone!

I hope you guys finished your Christmas shopping, and if you haven’t yet, well, we’re in the same boat, so you’re definitely not alone if that’s any comfort.

And we’re up to Day 10 of the 12 Days of Judo: Uchi Mata! Just a side note, thanks to everyone who has watched these so far: and also a thanks to the one soul who keeps liking these videos. It’s definitely appreciated. 🙂

Anyway, enjoy!

Holiday Brain Freeze and Day 9 of the 12 Days of Judo: Tsurikomi Goshi

The title is just a nice way of telling you that I really have nothing to talk about today. I’m blaming it on the holidays- I’m sort of preoccupied with trying to figure out what the heck I’m going to be getting my family and friends for the holidays this weekend in a mad dash through a variety of stores throughout the city. This weekend will be a little stressful, but productive.

Anyway, we’re up to Day 9 of the 12 Days of Judo: Tsurikomi Goshi. The video is below- enjoy!

IBJJF Gets a Verbal Smackdown, and Day 8 of the 12 Days of Judo: Kosoto Gake

Professor Fabio Santos has some words regarding the sport and particularly the IBJJF, and as Rener would say, Dang:

“Some instructors are ruining the reputation of the art, by viewing the student only as a fountain of money. They come to the United States to teach. After recruiting students and taking their money they proceed to move back and forth between Brazil and United States, ongoing, without respecting their obligations as a business owner or even paying taxes, and in some cases they even abandon their students.

Even the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) is contributing to the diminishment of the integrity of the art by elevating its financial interest over the quality of instruction by accepting changes to the original belt system established by the founders of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and altering the traditional form of Jiu Jitsu instruction. This is done out of greed, pressure from parents and impatient students that think the process required to get a belt promotion is taking too long!

The attitude of the IBJJF is self-serving and not helpful to students or schools, in that it undermines a reputation that has taken decades to create. Furthermore, while it exerts a force of authority and governance to the sport here, it rarely contributes to the support, when needed, by its members. That is why tradition and integrity are important. Tradition strengthens the real martial art where all is earned. The Professor must take the time to know the students character to award them a Black Belt. Some will never have the character to earn this however; it can motivate others to change both mentally and physically to become a better person. If we lose our tradition we lose everything. Greed, complication, inefficiency and breaking tradition is weakening the REAL JIU JITSU! SAY NO TO THE CORRUPTION OF JIU JITSU!!”

-Professor Fabio Santos 7th Degree Red and Black Belt Student of Rolls and Rickson Gracie.

This honestly was pulled from a friend’s facebook post, so if someone knows the original source, please by all means let me know. Professor Santos has some interesting points, but I’m wondering if we will see a reaction to this comment from the IBJJF. ::shrug:: Only time will tell.

Oh! And we’re up to Day 8 of the 12 Days of Judo: Kosoto Gake- the video is below all of the text.

Also, a quick word on commenting on this blog: first and foremost, I moderate and approve of all of your comments- this started sometime in the summer (let’s say May, why not). If your comment is on this blog, it means that I have read and approved it. I always welcome people to comment, and disagree with me if they feel: I’m not always right, and you could bring a new dynamic to the conversation that we had not considered up to that point. If your comment is not posted for some reason however, ask yourself some of these questions:

1. Does your comment call anyone “stupid”, “crazy” or any other sort of derogatory label, not because of any nefarious or destructive behavior/attitude, but for having an opinion different than your own?

2. Does it appear that you are attempting to marginalize the concerns of others with no points, facts, etc. to (even sort of) back up your statement?

3. Was your comment vague enough that it was accidentally caught by my spam filter? I try to pull those out when I can but honestly I visit that folder pretty infrequently.

4. Have I stated that I was on vacation or traveling? I tend not to check my email or pending comments when away from home. I make an attempt to check, but I can’t promise to check for comments in any sort of timely fashion.

Really, that’s about it. It takes a fair amount to “rustle my jimmies” as they say on the internet, so if you disagree with me, go ahead, but if you are just looking for someone to argue with for the sake of arguing, there’s a whole part of the internet just for that: it’s called the YouTube comment section. And the help forum of Craigslist, or as I call it, the 9th Circle of Hell. That is a dark, dark place and I sincerely hope you never have to go there.

Anyway, here’s the video: enjoy!