Jiu-Jitsu University – ‘The Book of Tweaks’

I have had the book Jiu-Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro, and let’s not forget Kevin Howell, for a few weeks now. It has created quite a buzz for some of my fellow bloggers.
I have been silently implementing the advice in the book each class since I had the book, with great success. Here is why [...]

Breaking through Plateaus

Yesterday was an all star day for my development. It was one of those days when you break through the plateaus you have been experiencing. During the drilling portion of class we worked on a technique from guard that  can lead to a number of submissions; armbar, omoplata, triangle choke, etc. 
However, it was the rolling [...]

Nominated for BJJ Blog of the Year (2008) by The Fightworks Podcast

Wow! It is truly an honor to be considered for this award. The Fightworks Podcast has added such value to my BJJ experience and I am humbled by their consideration. Thanks to all of the bloggers and readers who nominated me. Also thanks to the judges who considered this blog for inclusion (Alicia Anthony, Luca [...]

Newbie Osmosis Knowledge and Differentiating Oneself in BJJ

When I first started taking no-gi BJJ in 2004 there was a good amount of interest in BJJ among the general population. And it seems in each year that passes the interest among the Gen Pop continues to grow. I noticed in each academy that I have trained the numbers continue to grow. Where I [...]

Sitting on the Sidelines: BJJ and Injuries

On Wednesday my back was still hurting so I decided to watch. I am glad I did. I had an opportunity to talk to a lot of the guys that work out in the boxing class before BJJ (Some of them come to Jiu-jitsu class too).Usually I just come to class, say a few hellos [...]

Boston Crabbin’ – Monday’s Session

Yesterday we worked on a number of sweeps and submissions from the spider guard and x-guard. I’m going to be honest, I’m having a hard time trying to remember the exact sequences. I was having trouble doing a couple of the techniques that required us to go through my training partners legs by curling up. [...]

He refused to tap! – Friday’s Class

“Don’t go to sleep!” is what I heard someone shout.
I had my partner locked tight in a head and arm choke. We were on our knees and I went for a hip throw and he resisted. I realized that I was in the perfect position for a head and arm from where we were and [...]

Desire to Know vs. Having to Know

Yesterday’s morning class had a good turnout.  There were about 12 people there. It was my first class as a newly promoted 4 stripe white belt. The major difference I noted during the class was an actual need to understand the instructions. Not desire or wish, but need. Even though I have yet to obtain [...]

BJPenn.com – Now This is a Website (Blog)!

I have to admit I love the BJPenn website. The concept is simple but it is fascinating: Follow BJPenn around doing the most mundane stuff in preparation for his fights and media events. The beauty of it is that his life is crammed with the things we BJJers love and that [...]

No Stripes to Four Stripes

I actually tested to be striped last Saturday. I didn’t want to say anything until I attended the award ceremony though.
Congratulations to Paco, Steve and Charlie who received their Blue belts.
I’ve been training at Combat Athletix for about 5 1/2 months now and I am a newbie to using the gi [...]