Foot Sweeps: Great Takedown Options for BJJ

I was just reading an article from Grapple Arts about some judo takedowns that the author feels are great for BJJ- he goes over the suma gaeshi, and the ura nage, but I would make an argument for foot sweeps.

They are pretty unassuming- not the fancy, fun throws that one thinks of when they hear judo. They are however very much a part of kodakan judo, and are great options when it comes to taking down an opponent.

While you may have to change up your entrance since bjj players prefer to stay low and bent over, I usually like a good ko uchi gari or uchi mata to get someone to the ground. My teammates have found success with some foot sweeps as well, including okuriashi harai and sasae tsurikomi ashi. The hardest parts of these throws really is timing: getting just the right moment to catch your opponent off balance.

Just some suggestions- again, not the huge throws that one thinks about, but they are effective and I would suggest giving them a try. That’s all for today- have a great day everyone!

Article On Olympic Judo from BJJ Dude

So, as I have stated repeatedly, I live under a rock- and for now, that rock also has a stack of emails and paperwork plastered underneath before I can actually get to the surface and actually know what is going on in the rest of the world. I imagine the day I finally resurface is going to look a lot like that scene from Jumanji:

But, anyway, back to the subject- at least one person in the BJJ community has been watching the Olympics and wrote down their thoughts regarding Olympic Judo (as a whole).

Check it out and have a great day everyone!

 

Applying BJJ to Real Life: Falling Properly

Early this week the mid Atlantic/Northeast of the US was basically covered in ice: well, Philadelphia was, at least.

How does this relate to jiu jitsu? Well, if there is one thing I have applied from my jiu jitsu and grappling training into my real life, it’s (thankfully) how to fall without tremendously hurting myself.

People have asked me repeatedly if I’ve had to use my jiu jitsu skills in a real life situation- usually I think they are asking if I have been in a fight, so I reply “um, no?” But really, I have used my skills- I properly fall when slipping on some nearly invisible patch of ice so I don’t end up truly injuring myself.

So thanks Kano and Helio- you guys have kept me from a broken tail bone, or some other silly, inconvenient injury due to inclement weather- and jerks who don’t put salt on their sidewalks.

That’s all for today, folks: have a great day everyone!

 

 

World Judo Day!

Happy World Judo Day everyone!

I’m actually not sure what you’re supposed to do on World Judo Day, but it’s today, so that’s cool.

There’s even a website dedicated to it- check it out and have a great day everyone!

It’s Birthday Beatdown Time!

Good morning everyone!

So we have a tradition in our academy- as a way to wish someone a very happy birthday, everyone in class lines up and throws that person with their preferred judo throw/takedown. I had my beatdown last Monday, and our coach was nice enough to film the whole thing. You’ll notice there’s someone in the back who is also getting thrown- she’s a white belt who is from out of the country (Colombia) and has to move back at least for a while, so it was sort of a send off for her as well.

Here’s part one- there are two videos total and the second one is taking forever at the moment, but here is a taste of it.

I’ll upload the rest when youtube finally gets it act together. In the meantime, enjoy!

*UPDATE*

Youtube finally pulled through and I can now show you the second part of the birthday beatdown…It’s over 3 minutes long- it’s ok, I won’t be offended if you don’t watch all the way through:

Happy Friday: Judo Fever Edition

Happy Friday everyone!

There’s apparently an outbreak in our academy: an outbreak of Judo fever.

Teammates are sharing stories of performing uchi-komis (practicing the form of the throw- basically pantomiming the throw repeatedly) at work and other public, non-academy places.

I would be lying if I said that I didn’t have an urge now and again to do the same: however I also sit at work for most of my day so I haven’t had an opportunity to act on said urge.

Has something like this ever happened at your academy? Let me know- otherwise, have a great weekend!

Women’s Self Defense Video from the 1940’s

Hey guys, I think my allergies are getting the best of me and I’m experiencing a bit of a brain fog- so while I go and pop some anti-histamines, check out this women’s self defense film from 1947.

Enjoy!