Class 2014-02-23: Defense in Side Control

Most jiu-jitsu players dread being stuck in side control.  If your opponent wants to hold you down, there’s a very good chance he can restrict your escape attempts enough to keep you pinned to the ground.  The first time you try to use the escape you learned in class, you find out that escaping side […]

Class 2014-02-19: Defense in Guard

Guard is a dangerous position to be in for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  It doesn’t matter if it’s open or closed, you must respect it or you’ll find yourself flying or submitted.  This class starts with open guard defense posture and moves on to closed guard. 

Class 2014-02-17: Defense for Standing

This class starts the series on defense.  I like to describe defense as a temporary solution that becomes a launching pad for advancing your position.  It could be an attack, or an escape, or a transition.  A good defense gives you time to evaluate your situation and make a plan for what to do next. 

Thinking of dating my daughter?

My oldest daughter recently started dating. She thinks I’m being anti-social. Dads, I can make this t-shirt for you.  I’ll even put your daughter’s name on it. “You can date my daughter, but only if your jiu-jitsu is better than mine. good luck, punk.” Update: This is the original that has been copied a bunch […]

Lesson Plan for 2014-02-12: Armbar Fundamentals Part 2

Now that we know what goes into an armbar, it’s time to show a few more variations of the armbar to expand the scenarios you see an armbar.  There’s also one more very important detail that I touched on in the last class, but I want to expand on that in this class.  We are […]

To Train, Or Not To Train — That Is The Question

I’m sitting here writing this, completely uninterested in going to jiu-jitsu class tonight.  I probably won’t even finish writing this until sometime later this week.  I’m physically and mentally tired, my hands hurt, a wrist is slightly sprained, and I’m getting over a cold.  The roads are not so hot and all kinds of extra-curricular […]

Lesson Plan for 2014-02-10: Armbar Fundamentals

Tonight we are going to treat the armbar to my fundamentals analysis.  Yes, we will do an armbar or two, but more importantly, we are going to examine what makes an armbar, any armbar, effective.  The goal here is to give you an understanding of an armbar so that when you have an unusual one […]

Video Time. . .

It’s time for me to step out of my comfort zone and start posting videos of my classes.  I’m testing out the format I’m thinking of using, and I’d like to get feedback from as many students and experts as possible.  I’m not as interested in a critique of my class as much as a […]

Lesson Plan for 2014-02-05: Escaping the Triangle

After covering the fundamentals of a triangle, I expect everyone to be triangle monsters.  To give everyone a chance at defending against your new-found magical ability to crush them with triangles at will, tonight’s class will cover two important escapes from triangles.