Thanks Helio Gracie!

I would just like to say thank you to Helio Gracie. When I first heard of his passing yesterday in class I was shocked. 
He indirectly and directly influenced my life. Although he didn’t ‘create’ Gracie Jiu-jitsu he was right at the cusp and was responsible for it being an art that [...]

Watch Out! Watch Out! —- Continue.

It happens all the time, yet I still get tickled at what we do.  I was rolling with a tall white belt who was all arms and legs. He stood up in my guard and was applying a choke while he was bending over. I grabbed his right arm with my left hand so he [...]

Schedule Up-ended, Interfering with BJJ training

Scheduled meetings, unexpected meetings and new obligations have drastically interfered with my ability to attend class. I haven’t been to Combat Athletix since last Tuesday. I have, however, been working out at home, even as late as 12 AM. Even though I can’t be there I am still trying to maintain my fitness level. 
I have [...]

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Ladder (Bakari from Jiujitsu365)

While growing up I played and participated in all kind of sports; basketball, football, cross country, baseball, etc. However, my father and brother were heavy into tennis. I learned how to play because I would tag along with them occasionally. They stayed on the courts too long for my tastes though. However, their love and [...]

What Army rank would a BJJ belt equal?

As a veteran of the armed forces (Army) I sometimes wonder what rank a BJJ belt would equal in terms of knowledge, technique and experience. I have often played around with it in my head and this is what I came up with.  
White Belt – No Stripes -Basic Trainee/ 1 Stripe – Private – E1/ 2 [...]

Mouthguard – The Tap! (click it to make it bigger)

Judo Man ‘Got’ Judoed

Yesterday (Tuesday) was my first day back since last Tuesday. My wife and I went on a ‘mini-vacation’ so I didn’t have an opportunity to go to class.  My instructor (Smiley) noticed I hadn’t been there for a week.  I am trying to maintain consistency so I may have to dig a little bit deeper to attend [...]

My New Comic……

Hey guys! I am not an artist, but I’ve had this idea for a while.  I have lots of BJJ stories but don’t really want to create long blog posts for all of them. The idea for a comic strip came from the need for brevity.  When I saw Randall Munroe’s work on xkcd I decided to give it a [...]

9 Year old Uses BJJ against Pit Bull

JujitsuBlog.com posted a great video about 9 year old, Drew Heredia, who defended his friend from a pit bull. While walking with his friend and her pet chihuahua a pit bull attacked the dog and the little girl. Drew put the pit bull in a rear naked choke until the dog, as the boy put it, “calmed down.”  
I have to [...]

In the Mix Again: Professordom & BJJ

I am back into the mix again. The semester has begun and I’m into full professor mode.  I really enjoyed the break. I was able to attend all of the morning classes during the month (3 x a week).
I don’t have that luxury during the semester, but I have a few other options available this [...]