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!

 

 

BJJ Goals for 2016: What Are Yours?

Instead of the whole resolution idea, let’s talk about goals or themes we want to focus on for the new year. What are some goals you want to achieve in the new year?

Personally, I have some weaknesses that I would like to work on: primarily my balance. I’m pretty awful at balancing on one foot- which doesn’t really matter much when you have your back on the ground, but it’s something that has always bothered me and I imagine effects my takedowns (particularly judo) to a degree, so my plan is to take the time to improve it. I may not be able to pistol squat on top of an exercise ball anytime soon, but I will at least be able to keep on foot off of solid ground for longer than 10 seconds.

How about you? What are your goals for the new year? Let me know- otherwise, have a great day!

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!

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!

Interesting Post about MMA Ban in France

I know everyone and their mom is talking about the kid who received his 7th degree black belt and their thoughts on it (which in short, my opinion is I don’t agree with it and the owner of the school should have found an alternative means to improve student retention among the minors in his academy) but here’s another interesting article from Bloody Elbow.

France recently banned judo coaches from teaching students MMA- how you can ban that sort of thing is beyond me, but whatever.  This decision has drawn a lot of criticism, including a comment from the current president of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, Bertrand Amoussou:

“The latest statement made by the president of the French Judo Federation, Jean Luc Rougé, threatening to ban judo coaches from teaching MMA in France, is a characteristic abuse of power.

Thanks for keeping it real, Bertrand.

For more info about this ban and those who disagree with it, check out the article and let me know what you think. Personally, I think it’s hurting the sport of Judo more than helping it: instead of attracting people to the sport to keep it alive, you’re driving people away, almost guaranteeing a drop in participants and endangering the vitality of the sport. It’s hard to keep a martial art alive if no one is around to practice it.

 

BJJ: The Smooth Art vs. The Gentle Art

Maybe this is just me, but I have heard jiu jitsu, but I have heard jiu jitsu referred to as both “The Gentle Art” and  Arte Suave, or “The Smooth Art”. The most prominent example that comes to mind is Meerkatsu’s Jiu Jitsu Pirate shirt:

You wouldn’t think these terms would cause much confusion, except as a judoka (trust me, I’m using that term pretty loosely here) I’ve also heard the phrase ” The Gentle Art” used in reference to judo.

And if you’ve been thrown enough times in judo, you find the phrase to be pretty ironic.

So which is which?

Well, according to our friend Wikipedia, essentially the term judo is broken down into ju meaning “gentle” and do, meaning “way”. At one point judo was called jujutsu but the founder of Kodokan Judo, Jigoro Kano, decided to change the name:

“… he changed the second character to dō, meaning way, road or path, which implies a more philosophical context than jutsu and has a common origin with the Chinese concept of tao. Thus Kano renamed it judo…”

Jutsu (which can also be spelled jitsu) can be defined as “means”, “method” or “art”.

…Can I just mention that I’ve sort of had my fill of quotation marks at this point?

So where does the Smooth Art come in? That’s not a rhetorical question, I really want to know. Who decided jiu jitsu would be called “Arte Suave”- do people still use that term, or is that sort of like “fetch” from Mean Girls– someone tried to make it a thing and it never really took off?

Let me know- otherwise, have a great day everyone!

A Little Judo, Anyone? Judo Grand Slam 2014 Footage, Courtesy of DSTRYRsg

So, maybe it’s my imagination, but things are a little slow at the moment in the jiu jitsu world (trust me, I’m not complaining, just making an observation). So, while all the BJJ players are back at their academies, sharpening their skills and getting ready for the tournaments coming up, check out DSTRYRsg: they have posted Day 1 and Day 2 of the Judo Grand Slam.

If you’re not sure what that is, or have a couple of hours to kill, check out the site and the videos and sit back, relax and watch some top level guys throw the bejeezus out of one another.

Otherwise, have a great day everyone!