The Upa (Bridge): Can you do it when your tired?

The upa or bridge, when properly executed is an awesome way of disrupting an opponents balance, setting them up for a sweep and helping to secure a sweep. However, in my experience of practicing BJJ and watching boatloads of submission grappling and MMA videos, it is highly underused.
Whenever I remember to use it in practice it [...]

Last Night’s Class: Improvements

I made it through last night’s class with no problems to my shoulder. I drilled and sparred with Big Man the entire time so my shoulder was put through a workout.
We worked on a number of half-guard passes and then our instructor tested our knowledge of a number of different positions. During our sparring session [...]

Switching Camps…Temporarily

I am burned out. Recent travels and driving over 140 miles on training days have left me mentally and physically drained. I know I said that I was not going to train at the TKD academy that offers BJJ 2 miles from my house. However, it now looks like a good option.
I have kept up the [...]

Traveling, but keeping pace….

I will be traveling often these next few weeks (academic job hunt, weddings, etc..). However, I have maintained the 100 reps a day regimen I set up last week. The positions that I have applied for and that have responded to me are in cities that have plenty of BJJ and submission grappling academies. That is one [...]

BJJ and the Stability Ball

I have finally used a stability ball (my wife’s) as a part of BJJ training. In the past, I have seen a few videos with guys describing the benefits of using it for BJJ, but it never prompted me to act. I tried it out Saturday night just to see what would happen.
It truly does require balance, timing [...]

Training Chart: Preparing for Tournament

I want to participate in the April 12th tournament in Jacksonville, so I need to alter my training regimen. After a week of knowing about the tournament I hadn’t changed my routine, at all, of a minimum of 30 reps and attending class until yesterday. I drew up a chart that I will use to prepare for the event.
I am [...]

Extra Place to Train: Gi Included

I found a Tae Kwon Do academy that offers Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in my city. Further, it is located about 2 to 3 miles away from my house. I could walk there if I wanted to (I wouldn’t be able to make it back though because I am usually toast after grappling).
I talked to the owner and he told me that [...]

Twister Side Control

While perusing through Eddie Bravo’s book, Mastering the Rubber Guard, I came accross the Twister Side Control. It reminded me of the technique that we often use in our class where we switch our hips from a scarf-hold position to face in the other direction. From that point we would usually pull down the opponent’s knee, if it [...]

Knee-on-Belly (KOB) Success/Class Wrap-up

Good news. I have been able to add the knee-on-belly (KOB) technique to my arsenal with much success. My practice on the heavy bag paid off. I attempted it on two different guys in class, multiple times, and was able to obtain it every single time.
I think the mere explosiveness of the move is what allowed me to gain the position. [...]

Class: Striking and MMA

I’m still sore as I write this. Last night we worked on strikes and then progressed to stand-up exchanges before taking our sparring partners to the mat. I haven’t boxed in years and I forgot how tough continuously throwing punches is.
We worked on parrying a jab and a right cross and then countering it with [...]