Grappling Vision

Downloading Jiu Jitsu Techniques

2008-04-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

Anyone who is starting the hobby of studying jiu jitsu in today's day and age really is lucky. I have been getting a few emails regarding the ability to download home study lessons on jiu Jitsu techniques and have to really marvel at the addition of these educational resources. Many years ago, the ability to find resource material on jiu Jitsu was limited to low quality VHS tapes that were way overpriced. Now, there is a ton of in depth quality information available in a number of formats. Best of all, the actual subject matter has significantly improved beyond the once purely cursory information that made many old school instructional videos a bunch of rip offs. Yes, I am still smarting after buying a ton of those awful Panther tapes back in the day. Ok, not all of them were awful…

Medical Career

2008-04-08T13:09:00.000-07:00

When it comes to careers in the medical field most people assume this means working exclusively as a physician. Actually, there are a number of careers one can pursue including that of an x-ray technician. Of course, in order to become an xray technician one needs to find a quality x ray technician training environment. This is where www.medical-career-training.com can prove helpful as it is a solid resource for the profession.

Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery

2008-03-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

Losing weight and staying shape is not always easy and when you get up in age in can be even more difficult. As much as we do not like to think about it there are certain fields that people may enter that require a certain look or else your career options will be forever limited. When diet and exercise are not working then there may be a need to look into those options plastic surgery offers.

At one time the type of surgeries that could be performed via plastic surgery was limited. Of course, through research and development there have been a number of tremendous strides taken in the field of plastic surgery and this has allowed for a number of new procedures for people to take advantage of. Additionally, at one time there was a negative opinion on the field of plastic surgery and that negative opinion has been significantly reduced thanks to raised public awareness of the benefits of plastic surgery procedures.

One top plastic surgery facility is Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery located in the Beverly Hills area and it offers a number of popular procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation and tummy tuck surgery. This is a top facility that utilized the services of some of the best surgeons in the business. That is why Rodeo Drive Plastic Surgery attracts many patients from all over the world. In fact, it is one of the most well known facilities in the world.

If cost is a concern of your there is no reason to panic or worry if such procedures are affordable as financing can generally be made available. So, it would not be accurate to think that these procedures are completely out of the realm of possibility as there are always means available to take advantage of what the plastic surgeons have to offer.

Demian Maia DVDs

2008-03-25T14:47:00.000-07:00

I haven't looked at too many instructional DVDs in the past couple of years and there are a few reasons for this but the main one is have I have had little time to spend watching, reviewing and analyzing the material on the DVDs. Yes, this probably means I have missed out on some top of the line DVDs here and there but one of these days I will probably catch up on all of my viewing material. Recently, however, I have looked at some of the material in the Demian Maia DVD series and I have to say that it is one of the best DVD sets to come along in a while. Ok, I know most people who write detailed reviews review every volume in a set but, folks, I haven't had the time to finish the entire set but I have watched the escape from the side control DVD and I have watched some of the defending the guard volume and I am really, really impressed with the material. What makes this particular DVD set is that it doesn't so much show new techniques as much as it revisits basic techniques and fills in a number of missing details and fine points that allow one to make the basics work well. The side control escape volume, for example, is loaded with lots of material that will greatly enhance the ability to get off your back and, hopefully, get off your back at will. I'll write more on this set as I continue to view it but I really don't need to watch the whole thing to recommend it as what I have seen so far is really, really good.

Using the Legs in the Open Guard

2008-03-04T06:21:00.000-08:00

I was reviewing some of my old jiu jitsu notes and came across some info that I thought I would share with all:

When it comes to the open guard it is critical to use your legs to control your opponent more than you use your arms and hands. The reason for this is that there is simply more strength in the legs as well as more endurance capacity. If you try to use your hands too often you will find yourself tiring quicker as well as finding your ability to push off an opponent with your hands to be difficult. (When I saw push off I am referring to keeping their weight from collapsing on top of you) Of course, using your legs as you primary defense during the open guard is not exactly easy so this will take time to develop...but...it is well worth developing because it will definitely take your game to a higher level.

Online Casino Site

2008-02-12T06:31:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for an online casino then you want to check out Joyland Casino. The concept of the virtual casino has brought the chance to win significant money with Baccarat, blackjack, roulette right in a person's home. Joyland Casino is an excellent member of the internet casino gambling online and if you are looking for excellent casino gaming online please visit www.joylandcasino.com as it has a great mix of games, bonuses and unique promotional offers.

Bad Diets

2008-02-12T06:23:00.000-08:00

Here is a little bit of advice for those who don't watch their diet: how about watching your diet? Yeah, this may sound like an academic point but many people don't really figure it out. When you eat a diet that is pure slop and try to wrestle its like pouring kerosene into your car instead of gasoline. The car simply ain't gonna move and neither will you if you attempt to wrestle a match after putting McDonald's Happy Meals into your system. Eat a healthy diet prior to wrestling and you will find yourself in a much better position than if you downed a ton of slop. So, be a little cleaner on your diet and things may end up working out well for you.

Wrestling Those of Higher Skill Level

2008-02-12T06:19:00.000-08:00

Here is probably the best advice I can give to people who wrestle those who are of a higher skill level: don't try an be competitive. Instead, try to work the grappling session slow and learn what you can. When you engage someone who has a higher skill level they will still wrestle you with common offense, defense, counters, etc. Of course, a person of a higher skill level will do this much differently and you ability to learn is maximized by picking up on the way they do things. If you are overly competitive or overly aggressive with the person you wrestle then you will undermine your own ability to learn because you will simply find the more skilled opponent picking up the pace and repeatedly tapping you out. Now, that hardly sounds like fun wouldn't you say?

Medical Career Training

2008-02-10T07:14:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a career in a field that has excellent earning potential and stability then the medical field is one to center attention on. But, for many people, the words "medical field" come with some confusion. That is to say, they assume automatically that the medical field involves nurses and physicians exclusively. This is not an accurate assessment as there are a number of other jobs which can be performed in this field including the excellent position of ultrasound tech. Of course, in order to perform this position one needs to seek out a top of the line ultrasound tech school that can instill the proper education to be successful in this field. This is where Medical Career Training (www.medical-career-training.com) comes into play as it can properly direct an interested party towards quality ultrasound technician school as well as other types of schools that may prove interesting to someone seeking a career in the medical field. Medical Career Training sheds a little light on the educational side of these various different career paths by pointing out a number of excellent schools that would be of great value. Yes, options for a medical career are far more open than some initially understand. This is why Medical Career Training provides such a valuable resource.

Speaking of Gi's

2008-02-10T06:50:00.000-08:00

Speaking of Gi's whatever happened to Krugan's? Yes, they still make them and they are still around but they are sharing more and more of the marketplace with tons of other manufacturers. Of course, this is a good thing because the more choice the better but I wonder why Krugan has slipped so much in popularity over the past decade. The quality of the design is excellent and they are fairly durable. It is somewhat of a shame that such an excellent gi has fallen harshly in popularity after being so enormously popular in the past.

Gi and No Gi

2008-02-10T06:33:00.001-08:00

One of the common myths out there is the notion that if you train with the Gi you can become more technical than if you wrestle without the Gi. This is, of course, a pseudo-logical argument because it infers absolutism. In other words, what empirical evidence backs up this argument? What great moral authority promotes this notion? And, most important of all, who cares?

Gi training has a number of benefits and no gi training has a number of benefits. Most people will have their own personal likes and dislikes and will generally pick one over the other in terms of having a particular preference. Then, there will be those who will wrestle in the Gi and without the Gi an equal amount of time. Personally, if you are going to be at this game for any length of time you should be familiar with both but only you can decide whether you specialize in one or the other or both. But, to prescribe to a notion that one is more technical than the other is simply pseudo-logical and opinionated without any relevant basis in fact.

It is a statement of empty words. Nothing more and nothing less.

Payday Loans

2008-02-08T16:56:00.000-08:00

As the saying goes "cash is king" and as much as we would wish that it running short on cash as something that never happens, the reality of the matter is that it happens frequently. In fact, as Murphy's Law professes, it can happen at the absolute worst possible time. Now, some may incorrectly assume that the need for cash is associated with a leisure time pursuit but this is not always the case. Often, when unforeseen expenses (medical, auto repair, groceries, etc) arise there needs to be a funding fix available. For many, this comes in the form of reliable payday loans which can provide a critical cash advance when other funding options may prove limited. One site that offers a resource for these of loans is cashadvance-fast.com as it can offer a payday loan for those who are in an emergency situation. In the past, to have such a loan approved was a lengthy and laborious process. This is not the case anymore as the funds are quickly provided and can be directly deposited into your checking account. So, if you are in need of a quick cash advance loan then cashadvance-fast.com is well worth checking out. Please visit the site for more in depth information.

Some Words on Nostalgia

2008-02-08T16:21:00.000-08:00

I think I am going to start a nostalgia feature on this blog. No, that does not mean I am going to ramble on how better things were way back when. We can leave that to those boorish people for whom time seems to perpetually stand still. No, instead I am going to look back at the past and try and put it in perspective with the current submission grappling scene as it exists today. The changes that have occurred have been pretty significant because grappling arts emerged out of a very traditional martial arts landscape before becoming the sportive environment we call MMA. Sometimes, however, we lose sight of the past from which our history derived and this is unfortunate because - as the saying goes - in order to know where you are going you have to know where you are coming from. So, in a few future installments we can turn the clock back a decade or so ago and look at the era that once was...

The Incredible Hulk Movie

Iron Man Movie Review

If You Have Been on a Layoff

2008-02-08T15:35:00.000-08:00

Nope, I am not referring to being laid off from your job because I can't help you there. But, if you are like me and are coming off a layoff without training my advice is to do two things: work on your cardio and take it slow when you start training again. If you can do something along the line of roadwork prior to starting up your training you won't run into the problem of "blowing up" when you train. When you blow up/run out of gas not only is your training far less than enjoyable if leaves you in danger of being injured as well. Which brings up to our next point...when you do return to the mat after a layoff...don't go too crazy. Instead, take it easy because it will make the session more enjoyable as well as it will reduce the chances for an unnecessary injury. Simple advice but it goes a long, long way.

Online Casino Gamblux

2008-02-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

If you want to visit a great site that looks at the online casino scene then you will definitely want to check out www.gamblux.com as this site is a great casino portal that looks into all the happenings in the online casino word. The online casino gamblux provides great insight into casino games making it a tremendous site for those who love to wager.

Flying Armbar Clip

2008-02-07T14:39:00.001-08:00

Here is one of the few examples of a flying armbar in an NHB match. The flying armbar is delivered by the very spectacular Rumina Sato a fighter who is probably the most spectacular fighter in NHB history. What a shame he was never a bigger star on the US scene. Anyway, check this clip out because it is one of the more awesome flying armbars ever captured on video

Isolating Your Weak Points

2008-02-07T14:27:00.000-08:00

We all have our strong points and our weak points and when it comes to our training we all have a tendency to invest most of our time in stressing those areas we are good with and this makes a ton of sense. We do, after all, want to bring our "A" skills up to the highest level that they can be. This, of course, would make the best sense for any serious practitioner. But, there also comes a time when you need to step back and look at those areas that you may not be all that great with and invest an extended period of time trying to pick up the skill level in those deficient regions. For example, if you have always found yourself weak with bent armlocks why not spend the next four months concentrating on them? This will not only improve an area where you have been weak but it will also change your training up enough so that it ceases to become stagnant. Remember, too much of the same thing has a tendency to get really dull after a while.

Online Backgammon Tournament

2008-02-06T08:22:00.000-08:00

If there was an internet game that was growing enormously in popularity it would be online backgammon. Yes, backgammon has been around many centuries and now it is making its presence felt online via gammon-world.com which offers exciting online backgammon tournaments. The graphics for these backgammon tournaments are phenomenal and playing internet backgammon at this site is a lot of fun. This is a solid backgammon site and you will become a major fan of it.

Lesnar MMA Debut

2008-02-06T08:15:00.000-08:00

I just checked on YouTube and lo and behold here is Brock Lesnar's MMA debut from several months back. No, his opponent was not a major fighter but the Lesnar's win was most definitely impressive. So, if you want to take a second look at it in lieu of his recent appearance in the UFC here is that match from several months back:

On Lesnar

2008-02-06T08:10:00.000-08:00

What is interesting about Brock Lesnar's story is the fact that he walked away from a huge money deal from the WWE to strike out on his own. When you consider he would have earned upwards of a million dollars a year for at least the next decade you have to shake your head and wonder what Lesnar was thinking particularly when he left the WWE to catch a break in the NFL. Of course, things didn't work out that way but just when you thought Lesnar's career options were nil along comes MMA and it would appear that Lesnar now has a long career ahead of him. (Plus, it is bound to be a lucrative career as well) Yes, his career is only 1-1 right now but both his matches were impressive and he has the potential to become a superstar provided he racks up some impressive wins.

A Site For Online Billiards and Snooker

2008-02-05T16:55:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in visiting a top online billiards website then billiardmagic.com is the place for you. If you want to play snooker, 8 Ball or 9 Ball then this is the site you will want to check out. In fact, you could even take part in any one of a number of billiards tournaments as well. But, the online snooker game that comes with unique 3-D graphics is truly a site to behold. This is the top spot for online pool on the internet bar none so check it out!

Looking as Lesnar - Mir

2008-02-05T16:42:00.000-08:00

I just watched the Mir-Lesnar fight and have to call it one of the best short matches I have seen. It reminded me very much of the old one minute Don Frye – Tank Abbot match where Tank beat on Frye for a minute straight until Frye caught him in a choke at around the one minute mark. Lesnar surprisingly dominated Mir for a minute straight taking him down and will and pounding him (granted some of the punches weren't completely effective) until an errant shot behind the head forced a stand up. Granted, Lesnar still maintained the upper hand until he started to take wrestling postures which left him wide open for a leg lock. (BTW – Mir's kneebar was as sloppy as Frye's sloppy choke on Abbot) The match was a ballistic one that had a surprise finish after a minute of action. I'd like to see a rematch.

The Netflix of Martial Arts Instructional Videos

2008-02-05T16:29:00.000-08:00

For those of you who enjoy martial arts videos but are on a budget, here is an excellent resource that you may find worth your while: www.bushidodvd.com. This service is basically the Netflix of martial arts instructionals and you can rent martial arts DVDS for a flat fee per month. My own personal experiences with this service have been positive and if you want to watch instructional DVDs without killing your wallet this is definitely a site well worth looking into. The selection is fairly voluminous and there are a number of DVDs to choose from. You really can't go wrong with this site for the price which is under $20 a month. Don't be a cheapskate. Check this site out!

Online Slots

2008-02-03T16:38:00.000-08:00

Looking for online slots? Yes, it is true. Slot machines have made their way to the internet and if you visit sloterix.com you will have access to the best online slots as well as valuable slot info. This is a great gaming site with great graphics and customer service. If you are in the mood for playing slots this is a site to visit.

Greco Roman Training Footage

2008-02-03T12:47:00.000-08:00

For those who are fans of Greco Roman Wrestling here is some old training footage (circa 1998) that has some spectacular clips. Try not to wince when you see some of the competitors get suplexed on their heads.

2008 Will Be Better Year

2008-02-03T12:31:00.000-08:00

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You have probably heard boasts of that nature from a number of people who complain about their lack of training during the year. But, I had an excellent year of training in 2006 but business pursuits really put a damper on my training in 2008. Hey, I can't complain too much. If I wasn't working and drawing an income it is not as if I would have extra money to train with. (Yup, there are costs associated with it even though we often don't think of it in that manner)But, this year I know I will have a much more relaxed schedule thanks to a slight alteration in my work schedule. So, if I can get back to training 4 days a week then things will most definitely be a far better year than the previous one. See? It all works out after all.

Construction Employment Training

2008-01-13T06:23:00.001-08:00

Are you looking for a construction job but are unsure of how to go about it? Perhaps you already work in the construction business but have a number of questions regarding how to advance your career. Are you interested in learning more about regulatory and health legislation as it pertains to your chosen profession? Would learning how to acquire a certification by 2010 if you are a newbie sound like the type of information you wish to read? If so, then you definitely want to see what Cskills.org has to offer. Cskills.org (which stands for construction skills) offers all variety of information of various topics including employment training. The construction field is a complex one and that means it is important to stay on top of changes in the field. With Cskills.org you have the perfect venue for achieving this. So, please, follow the link for more information on the subject. It will prove to be a rewarding venture.

Igor Yakimov Clips

2008-01-13T06:13:00.000-08:00

Probably one of the more underrated instruction DVD videos (well, VHS as these tapes/dvds were first released a decade ago!) were the Sambo tapes offered by Igor Yakimov. The leglocks tapes were popular but subsequent tape releases didn't go over with the BJJ/Submission Wrestling crowd as much as had been hoped. This is a shame as Yakimov's material was generally very solid.

Online Rugby Games

2008-01-11T16:14:00.001-08:00

If you love rugby then you have probably watched a game or two on television. You may even may have attended a number of games live in person. In fact, you may very well be a person who has played the game. If so, you are a huge fan of rugby who needs a home on the internet and you can find this with RBS 6 Nations which is the website of the largest tournament for rugby in Europe. Now, here is something else about RBS 6 Nations that is very interesting as it is a home for online rugby games. Yes, this is an excellent site that offers a fan section with interactive rugby games. (The site also offers a great many rugby podcasts which is a wonderful service to offer as well) So, if you are a major rugby fan then this is the website to check out or, better yet, start to frequent.

Kosen Judo

2008-01-11T16:09:00.000-08:00

What a pity people do not know as much about Kosen Judo despite the fact that it was an influential ground fighting system. Sadly, it paled in popularity to traditional judo and as a result it faded to the background. What a shame. Had it been more popular it may have given BJJ a run for its money in the realm of popularity during the grappling boom of the 1990's

Online Betting

2008-01-09T16:17:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the great expansion of the internet there are more opportunities than ever when it comes to online wagering. Now, when the concept of online gambling first emerged most people knew that it would grow but the incredible volume of growth it has experienced has truly proved shocking. Today, websites such as Bet365.com are among the most impressive of all of the online betting and wagering facilities. This site provides ample opportunities for interactive games, a tremendous volume of sportsbook betting, and the most popular game of all – online poker playing. Yes, if you are looking for a fantastic site that also offers a tremendously sound customer service program then the Bet365.com website is a website that should definitely be examined. Of course, Bet365.com can also provide a great opportunity for those looking to win money. Many players have made a great amount of money through bet365.com and that is another reason to explore the opportunities available.

Judo Clip

2008-01-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

Online Gambling

2007-12-08T08:39:00.000-08:00

There are very few people who are not in awe of the absolute explosion of the popularity of online casinos and sportsbooks. Part of the reason for the awe is that there were a number of cynics (you know who you are) that thought that the notion of online casinos and sportsbooks would be a failed concept. Why people would devise such a belief system is thoroughly quizzical because gaming is generally the most popular leisure time activity in the world. Now, when one considers the fact that the internet connects all the gaming fans around the world into one connected area the success of online casinos is understandable. Of all these casinos, Bet365 remains one of the very best mainly because it provides solid choices and excellent opportunities for people to those who wish to make a name for themselves in the online gamblingworld. So, more power to them and Bet365.

Rolling Kneebar Clip

2007-12-08T07:29:00.000-08:00

As bizarre as it sounds today, there was a time when people actually professed the notion that "kneebars don't work." There were a couple of reasons for this:

1.) The instructor had no clue as to how to perform a kneebar
2.) The instructor felt that knee injuries would drive off students.

There really is nothing wrong with avoiding teaching kneelocks based on either of these two reasons but to completely LIE about whether or not the locks worked was simply inexcusable yet endemic during the early days of BJJ in the USA.

One of the more underrated kneebars is the rolling kneebar from a standing position and this little Youtube Clip provides a look into the mechanics of it.

Word of Advice Regarding the Upa

2007-11-21T08:26:00.001-08:00

Another area of advice regarding the upa centers on the trapping of the opponents leg with your foot from the bottom of the mount. This was an old school method of escaping that centered in the notion that trapping the leg keeps the opponent from posting the leg and stabilizing himself from being rolled. Keep in mind, when a person's leg is trapped the trapping of the leg does not automatically mean that they can not post their leg. In fact, it may not stop them at all and they will post their leg while tangling up their opponent's leg. This can prove disastrous as a serious knee injury can result. Needless to say, this old method of trapping the leg while doing the upa should be avoided.

Smorty

2007-11-17T17:13:00.001-08:00

The expansion of the internet over the past five years has been nothing sort of amazing. One of the most amazing advancements has been the incredible growth of the blogosphere. What that means is that there are tremendous number of people reading and writing blogs and since we live in a free market that means that blogs will attract advertising dollars as there will be those people looking to take advantage of paid blogging and get paid to blogopportunities for those who would like to take advantage of said opportunities. So, if you have a blog then you may wish to look into the opportunities offered by an excellent service such as Smorty as it provides the ability to earn excellent money from your blogging skills. Smorty is an excellent and reliable service that can provide a great way of monetizing your blog. So, if you have a blog you really need to check Smorty out and see what it has to offer.

One Slight Tip When Doing an Upa

2007-11-17T16:30:00.000-08:00

Performing an upa escape is probable the second most common movement associated with BJJ with the first being the snake/elbow escape. However, then you perform an upa or a bridge you do leave yourself open to attacks. Additionally, if you upa and go to your knees there is the potential for someone to take your back or to go for an armbar. Now, while there is no 100% guarantee that any defense will work 100% of the time, but if you take certain precautionary measures you may be able to stop certain attacks. Here is a simple tip for when you upa: bring one hand across your neck and open your hand so as to block any potential chokes and bring another arm flat by your knees so it is ready to block the hooks from coming in. This will provide a bit of preventive medicine so to speak.

Better Caring

2007-11-17T15:29:00.000-08:00

When it comes to the subject of care and nursing homes there may be certain question people may on a variety of issues. These issues could be about cost, facilities, recommendations and a host of other items of contention. It is important to note that no one is foolish for asking any of these questions or is ignorant. After all, issues surround the care for the elderly or nursing homes can sometimes be far more complex than people automatically assume and this leads us to the direction to take in order to find answers to those complex questions. Well, if you visit the sire BetterCaring.com you will come in contact with a number of excellent resource materials to help aid you in understanding the subject matter a little more accurately. So, if you can questions of concerns regarding the subject of nursing homes then BetterCaring.com is the site that you are going to wish to visit.

BJJ Over 40 Is Not Just for People over 40

2007-11-17T10:02:00.000-08:00

when Roy Harris released his DVD BJJ over 40 the focus on the DVD was that it presented advice and game plan theory for those people over the age of 40 who enjoy practicing BJJ as a hobby. Since many of these individuals had family and work responsibility that made their training time limited they were in a negative position in regards to dealing with younger opponents who would bring a lot of speed, stamina and energy to the table. Since most BJJ instructional videos dealt with sport jiu jitsu they general provide little help for hobbyists who may have special needs such as those over 40 folks.

On Harris' tape he provides an methodology that stresses relaxation and conserving energy and uses this methodology for overcoming the difficulties one may face when dealing with younger opponents. However, you do not have to be over 40 to gain benefit from this training method.

For example, is you cardio less than it should be or are you nursing an injury? If so, you could greatly benefit from Harris's method as well.

Digital Camera

2007-11-12T19:11:00.000-08:00

Digital cameras have really revolutionized a great deal of the photography industry. In fact, when digital cameras were first announced many people though they were to revolutionary and wouldn’t sell. This, of course, was nonsense and the ramblings of traditionalists who feared progress. Well, digital cameras and digital picture frame are here to stay. I have a Fuji Finepix that I purchased off the internet and it is a top of the line camera that I would recommend to all. This was a great camera that I used to take a ton of pictures at the local tournaments with and I have amassed a decent library of pics as a result. (It also was not a very expensive camera either and that is always a huge plus as well) If you are looking for a solid camera Fuji definitely offers a number of them, but there are also a variety of other top of the line manufacturers out there as well. Digital cameras also come with a significant number of other benefits such as recorded video, zoom lenses, etc. In a way, digital cameras have greatly exceeded a great deal of the expectations of even those in the industry. To a great degree, you have to marvel at the success and that is why the public has taken to them and they are become wildly popular in the marketplace. (ritzcamera.com remains one of the best online sellers BTW) So, if you don’t have a digital camera yet, you really need to get one…fast

The Role the Legs Play in Armbars

2007-11-12T18:51:00.001-08:00

When it comes to armlocks/armbars, many people put a ton of emphasis on the control and securing of the arm and this is definitely not an area that should be overlooked. After all, if the arm is not properly secured then the ability to put pressure on the elbow will be limited. However, if all you do is grab, yank and pull the arm the odds of finishing the person is going to really be limited if not non-existent. This is why th legs have to play a significant role in securing the armbar.

Now, there are a number of roles that the legs play such as keeping the person's head down so he can posture (when the armbar is from the guard); applying pressure to keep the person on his back when the armbar is from the side control or mount; squeezing the knees together so as to keep the elbow from being pulled out, etc.

Far too often, seminars and dvds on the subject of armbars have a tendency to center on entries into an armbar. This is not bad information or unnecessary information, but it is only a small part of the whole picture and one of the major facets of the whole picture is the role the legs play.

Payday Loans

2007-11-12T10:58:00.001-08:00

When it comes to being short on cash, we have all been there are one point or another. This is why short term funding sources for cash become very much appreciated and helpful. Of course, the service also needs to be a reliable one with fair terms and conditions. Also, the customer service employed by the lending service needs to be top of the line as well as it would not be beneficial to work with a lender that does not deliver its loans in an efficient manner. So, if you are looking for a solid lender that can provide quality loans then you are going to want to check out the No Fax Payday Loans offered by PaydayLoanQuotes.com as it is a solid and reliable lender. If you wish to learn more about Payday Loan Quotes then it is best to follow the link the company’s site and learn more information.

Elastic Bands

2007-11-12T10:48:00.000-08:00

A long time ago (maybe 5 years ago) I saw Erik Paulson demonstrate elastic exercise bands at a seminar and went out and bought a pair. I ordered them over the internet because they were a specialty item that was not available in stores. Last week, I was walking around in Sav On Pharmacy and lo and behold there were a ton of exercise bands. So, I figured I would mention that they are quite excellent tools that can be used as a supplemental strength training program right in the comfort of your own home and apartment. You can pretty perform a complete upper body workout with these elastic bands and they really cause no damage to the interior that free weights might cause. Elastic bands make excellent supplemental training items and you should check them out.
Trust me...I have been using them for years and they are worthwhile.

Shopping Cart Software

2007-11-11T07:57:00.001-08:00

If there was one thing about the grappling and submission wrestling community that no one expected was possible it would be the fact that it spawned an amazing economy of books, dvds and training items. As such, a number of people have gotten into the business of selling these items and that is fine…there are a number of customers out there who really dig the items. Of course, they can be an impatient bunch and that is why any online seller or business needs solid shopping cart software such as the ecommerce software provided by AshopCommerce.com. Without having a decent and reliable shopping cart set up on your webpage the ability to properly run your business will be severely limited. Needless to say, that will not bode well for those looking for repeat business. So, do yourself and your business a favor and check out the shopping cart software offered by the folks at AshopCommerce.com.

Resting Injuries

2007-11-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

When you have a passion for something it can be very difficult to take a step back and stop doing what you are doing. This is a pretty noble notion, but it can also be somewhat misguided as well. Consider the following: if you are a person who loves to train everyday and then suffers an injury it may seem abhorrent to take a few days off even when an injury occurs. This, folks, is not the brightest move to make because the sheer volume of problems that can derive from training while hurt would take several pages to document. So, let's mention the number one problem right away: when you train on an injury you develop th potential for making the injury worse. Then, a minor problem can become a major one and you will end up on the shelf for a while. This means you will need a ton of time to get your skill level back to where it once was as opposed to improving. Really, when you look at it, most injury healing time is rather limited so there is no reason to train with an injury. Avoid this mistaken notion at all costs!

Sumo Death and Cover Up

2007-11-09T07:07:00.001-08:00

Here is a really harrowing story that has come out of Japan and it involves a mysterious death of a Sumo student who had been killed during a training session under mysterious circumstances after he had mentioned that he was looking to quit. Just recently, Junichi Yamamoto, the top Sumo trainer of the Japanese Sumo Association has been fired. According to the WON, Yamamoto had nailed the trainee – Takashi Saito – over the head with a beer bottle the night before his untimely death. It has also been revealed that the other sumos had beaten him severely prior to his death as they were furious that he was trying to quit. A cover up ensued shortly thereafter, but the cover up was blown.

BT Wi Fi

2007-11-08T17:26:00.001-08:00

Our world has changed a great deal over the past decade as we have become a society that is strongly based on the free flow of information. Of course, the primary mover of information is the internet. At one time, news traveled across town very slowly. Now, news travels all over the world instantaneously and a major reason for this is because the internet has become common on the landscape and, more importantly, high speed variant such as wi fi Broadband have emerged on the public scene. Of the many providers of these types of internet providers, BT consumer wireless/wifi broadband services is definitely one of the very best. If you have a need for a wifi system, BT is definitely a service to check out. Again, in order to have a reliable internet service you need one that is both reliable as well as fast. This describes BT to the proverbial “T” and this is why following the links for more information is highly recommended.

A Few Leglock DVDs

2007-11-08T17:17:00.000-08:00

Since I mentioned leglocks in a previous post I thought I would list some of the "old school" tapes from way back when that provide solid info on leglocks. These tapes are also interesting to look at in retrospect because they were produced at a time when people weren't really into leg submissions. In a way, they were trailblazing tapes.

Erik Paulson Killer Leglocks Vol 1 and 2
Joe Moreira Footlocks
Joe Moreria Kneelocks
Pedro Carvalho Leglocks

Now, this is not a complete list and it is not to even infer these are the best foot lock dvds on the market, but they were definitely among the better footlock DVDs that were released back in the late 1990's and they deserve a second look.

Payday Loans

2007-11-08T17:12:00.001-08:00

As much as we would wish to avoid such a situation, it is not always out of the realm of possibility that we can run short of cash prior to payday. This can be a tough situation to deal with particularly if you do not have access to a credit card or over draft protection. So, what can you do if you are restricted to making purchases with liquid cash or need to deposit cash into a bank account? One option that you can explore is looking into the Payday Loans provided by PaydayLoanQuotes.com. What this service provides is short term cash loans designed to provide a little funding when your funding sources run short.
This is a service that can provide those required funds in a quick and efficient manner provided that you meet the basic, baseline requirements needed to qualify for the loans. Please follow the link for more information

Leglocks in Retro - Thinking for yourself

2007-11-08T07:41:00.000-08:00

"kneebars don't work."

Yes, there were people who actually said this back in the day. It was an idiotic statement then and it is an even more idiotic statement now. But what was shocking was how many people would simply accept this notion that knee and ankle and foot submissions did not work. So, what was the empirical data that was used to prove this assessment? A proclamation. In other words, an instructor said it so it must be true. And people believe for reasons that have nothing to do with biology or physics (when you bend the knee or foot over a fulcrum it will start to break) but rather on subjects of finance and psychology (My instructor is the best and I am on the best team and I paid for this damn it so it must be true)I remember when I was a white belt and asking an instructor about a footlock I saw on the UFC and the instructor (an expert with a blue belt) about footlocks and his response was "That's not jiu jitsu. Stick with armlocks and chokes." ok, fine. Now, how does sticking with armlocks and chokes make you a better wrestler? In a way, I can understand his response (he probably didn't know the difference between a footlock and a padlock), but what was thoroughly annoying to me was looking at the faces of other people in the class and seeing BLANK stares. They didn't care about learning about footlocks as thir instructor made a proclamation. Ok, fine...someone tells you something and you swallow it hook, line and sinker with no thought or critical analysis. This really isn't about armlocks or footlocks. It is about common sense and it is about a time when people flat out refused to think for themselves or approach the art with basic common sense. Good Lord, sometimes I wonder what these people were like in the workforce. Nevermind. I already know. When something goes wrong, it is always the other's guy's fault....but I digress.

Whole Wheat Recipe

2007-11-08T07:37:00.000-08:00

Bread products often get a bad image, but it is not so much the bread that is bad for you are much as it is the white flour that is the trouble maker. As such, a variant recipe on the traditional recipe that includes whole wheat as opposed to white flour is recommended. If you are looking for a recipe for bread products that are an alternative to white flour bread it would be a whole wheat pita recipe that can be easily made with an Eclectrics® Mixer.The ingredients for a recipe of whole wheat pita bread include 4 cups of whole wheat flour. A tablespoon of dry yeast, 1 ¼ cups of warm water and a ½ a teaspoon of salt and mix it up in a mixer (natch) and then cook it in an oven that is 350 degrees. This is a solid recipe that my family used to make when I was competing and needed to get my weight down to 155. Yes, it works because it is a low calorie and lower carb alternative. Again, this is not exactly a difficult recipe to put together and it is a much better alternative to the powdery and flour filled pita bread brands that are solid on the market. Again, if you have a Hamilton Beach® Mixer (aka a Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer ) is one of the best mixers on the market for this type of recipe. So, please visit the links that have been provided to peruse the mixers that are available.

Remember when there was only one guard?

2007-11-08T05:25:00.000-08:00

Those who have been around the game a while whether as a competitor or a hobbyist will notice that there have been some major changes that have taken place over the years in which the way people approach the game and how the game has expanded. There are, however, a ton of people who have only been introduced to the game in recent years and they are unaware how "minimalist" the game was taught years ago. There is probably nothing better that illustrates the advancements of the game than the guard. In fact, the word "guard" is somewhat misleading because it is a singular word. There is, of course, more than one guard. However, there was a time when there truly only was one guard....or at least there was only one guard taught.

From the late 1980's until probably into the late 1990's, the closed guard was generally the only guard taught in a number of schools. There are obvious exceptions, but the number of schools that only taught the closed guard was significant. This, of course, is a recipe for being a blue belt student forever because it leaves you with not options if someone passes your guard. Then again, the common response many instructors would state was that if they passed your guard simply put them back in the guard. (If putting another jiu jitsu player into your guard was that simple all sports jiu jitsu matches would end up in a tie)In reality, we know now that a person must have at least 2 or 3 guards that he or she is solid with mainly because one guard simply isn't going to cut it as you need more lines of defense. Funny how progress works because a decade ago there were a lot of people who would argue the opposite.

Alzheimer’s Foundation

2007-11-07T18:09:00.000-08:00

Alzheimer’s Disease remains a critically serious disorder that affects many, many people all over the world and the money required to help combat the disease is limited. That is why many people are reliant upon the raising of funds and those funds are unfortunately limited. Of course, it is ultimately up to all of us to make sure these funds do not REMAIN limited. Visiting http://www.alzfdn.org/ which is the homepage of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America eStore and it provides what is probably the best first step in helping to raise money for this condition. There is a great eStore on this site that offers a ton of items that can be purchased as holiday gifts. If you wish to do your part when it comes to helping to raise money to combat Alzheimer’s Disease you can visit the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America eStore and make your holiday gift purchases there. Keep in mind, the proceeds of these sales will go to benefit the various charitable causes of the Alzheimer’s Foundation. One of the main purposes for raising the money is so that proper care can be provided to those who suffer from the condition. Sadly, many people do not receive the proper care that they need and by making a purchase from this store the ability to provide the proper care becomes much more accessible due to the funding that you are providing. Making a gift purchase at the eStore can definitely aid in providing financing for this proper care. Again, receiving the proper care is an absolute must or the ability to combat the condition becomes next to impossible. As such, those who suffer from the condition are relying upon our help. So please visit the homepage site of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America eStore to provide that help.

Brock Lesnar Comes to the UFC

2007-11-07T17:56:00.000-08:00

You have to give Brock Lesnar a lot of credit. When he said he wanted to fight MMA unlike a lot of other people he was being serious. He was also bing serious when he walked away from a million dollar WWE contract due to a number of differences with management. (He was making $50,000 a shot in New Japan, but wasn't drawing and they tried to cut his pay so he quit....but that is another story) Lesnar did eventually fight for K-1 and it was a VERY impressive debut...now he is coming to the UFC for a bout against Frank Mir.

There were some questions as to whether or not Lesnar would be successful in the MMA arena, but based on his debut he has really picked up the game solidly. Plus, he has a solid college wrestling background that was very well storied. And, he is an amazing physical specimen who is incredibly powerful. Barring an embarrassing loss, he should prove to have a major MMA career ahead of him

Cart Software

2007-11-06T16:57:00.000-08:00

Anyone who does their purchasing online will realize that the expansion of online commerce has been nothing sort of staggering given the fact that the volume of online commerce was minimal a decade ago. Now, if you are an individual who is involved in the world of online commerce then you realize that the need to provide solid customer service and a user friendly site is absolutely critical to success. If this is not provided to the customer then the ability to keep the customer returning will be significantly more difficult than it should be. If there was an absolute must when it comes to running an online business it would be the need for solid and reliable shopping cart software. When shopping cartor commerce software is not reliable then it will hurt your business. This is an undeniable fact. As such, you will definitely want to check out ashop.com.au as it offers some of the best shopping cart software on the net and is definitely worth considering.

Some Judo Newaza Footage

2007-11-06T16:31:00.000-08:00

Here is some really great footage of Kosen Judo Newaza footage. It looks pretty identical to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu although these guys are going much faster. I don't know the rules, but it would seem that they are speeding things up because there must be a time limit on how long they can be on the ground or there may be rules against limited movement on the ground. Then again, I am only speculating on this because I am not 100% familiar with the rules associated with this type of judo. It is cool to see judo folks getting back interested in groundwork though.

Some Classic Wrestling Books for Your Library

2007-11-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Since I have been on a kick regarding making recommendations for consumer purchases lately, I thought I would also pass on a recommendation for two must have books that can b picked up in pretty much any bookstore as they are popular and common titles that remain perennial sellers.

The first is the aptly titles WRESTLING FOR BEGINNERS and it is written by Tom Jarman and Reid Hanley. This is a fairly old book as it was first published in 1983, but it is still in print and remains a solid book that covers a variety of basic wrestling positions, holds and techniques and provides a solid intro to someone who wants to learn the basics of the game. This is also a cheap book costing less that $14.

The second must have wrestling book for your library is a slightly more advanced title and it is also a slightly more expensive title as it costs around $18. It is called Greco-Roman Wrestling by William A. Martell and it is the absolute classic text on the subject of the clinch. Honestly, nothing else comes close to covering the clinch in the way this book does and it is highly recommended.

Online Casino Reviews

2007-11-05T17:47:00.001-08:00

There are a ton of online casinos and sportsbooks out there and not all of them provide the best service possible. Now, it would be very unfair to only mention that there are negligible gaming entities without mentioning that there are a number of solid and quality gaming entities on the net as well. Of course, the big question is which entities are the best and which ones are of poor quality? Well, you could answer this question yourself by going about things in a trial and error method or you could consult a solid source that provides reliable information in regards to what online gaming sites to visit and which ones to avoid. If you are looking for solid online casino reviewsthen you will want to check out pro360.com as it is one of the most comprehensive sites on the internet that provides detailed reviews and breakdowns of the positives and negatives of a number of well known online casinos.

Turtle Position and Escapes

2007-11-04T19:16:00.001-08:00

Since I had written about Telles' DVD in previous entries I thought I might mention some of the more "opportune" times to head to the turtle position. Often, people go to the turtle is when someone is passing their guard. This is, of course, a smart thing to do and is advised. It is also advised to go to the turtle position when you are trying to escape from side control by putting the person into your guard. Often, people will repeatedly struggle to put the person in their guard and in doing so will completely overlook the ability to chain an elbow escape with going to the knees and to the turtle. Granted, many people had fears of having their back taken or to get caught with the clock choke. These are valid concerns, but if you develop strong defenses from the turtle as well as offensive moves then the ability to use the turtle position safely while escaping will be enhanced.

LeLand Chapman Fight

2007-11-03T08:06:00.001-07:00

In a follow up to one of my earlier posts here is an MMA fight featuring LeLand Chapman. The match is from You Tube and it appears that someone camcorded it off a TV screen(?). The fight is a brief clip and it takes place in what looks like one of those old steel cages you can see on WWE 24/7. Enjoy.

Top Online Casinos

2007-11-03T08:03:00.001-07:00

There are a number of online casinos and sportsbook on the internet and this can sometimes lead to making a selection difficult. After all, each and every online gaming site will profess to be the absolute best on the net – that much is a given. Of course, not all of them are top of the line and some are even downright poor. While most services usually run an above board site there are those sites that are late in making payments, have poor customer service, etc. So, what is a person to do if they wish to get a solid rating on a decent sportsbook?

Checking out the reviews at the top usa online casinos is a step in the right direction as it provides solid information on which sites are top of the line and which ones could use a little improvement and this makes it a valuable resource for anyone interested in playing online.

Zen and Japanese Culture

2007-11-03T07:04:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning out my closet for the first time in 4 years (yeah, I know) and came across the hardcover book ZEN AND JAPANESE CULTURE which, in my opinion, is one of the absolute best zen theory/martial arts books ever written. (Other top of the line books include ZEN THEORY, ZEN PRACTICE and Joe Hymans' ZEN AND THE MARTIAL ARTS) ZAJC is a pretty lengthy book that is loaded with brilliant insights into the original theoretically ideologies that helped shape classical Chinese and Japanese martial arts. The volume does specifically center on swordfighting, but a number of the concepts presented within the text are basic common sense approaches to any type of art or any type of learning making this a valuable read even for people who are not even studying martial arts.

Far too often we concern ourselves with the mere physical aspects of martial arts training (of course, it can be worse to become overly concerned with mysticism and metaphysics as well)so reading something along the lines of ZAJC is advised for those looking to add an additional dimension to their martial arts journey.

Some More Info on The Dog

2007-11-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

Sources on the news are reporting that the Dog's own son sold the notorious racist rant tapes to the National Enquirer. The blow back is going to pretty enormous and A&E has suspended production on the program pending an investigation. Keep in mind, most television and radio contracts have a moral turpitude clause that allows them to fire contracted personnel if the personnel embarrasses themselves and the network. Considering that this show is now going to lose advertisers en mass it would not be a surprise that it was canceled. Of course, they could also air "A Very Special Episode" that covers Dog's anagnorsis and self revelation and rebirth. We'll see what happens.

Speaking of the Dog - The SF Controversy

2007-10-31T15:13:00.001-07:00

Not sure if anyone heard the news but there was a fistfight between an associate of Dog's son LeLand and MMA legend Don Frye a couple weeks back at a disastrous Pro Wrestling and MMA Convention. I am not sure of the specifics behind the fight and I am not going to try and repeat all the different versions of the story. All in all, Frye got the worst of the scuffle.

The weekend event was an absolute disaster with 25 guests no showing and many of those who did show up not getting paid. Probably the disorganization of the event played a huge role in tempers flaring...but, again...I wasn't there. I can only speculate.

BTW I was originally planning to go and then changed my mind. Looks like I lucked out in that regard.

Dog The Bounty Hunter in a WHOLE LOT OF TROUBLE

2007-10-31T14:58:00.000-07:00

The Dog The Bounty Hunter program has been a cult favorite among MMA fans largely because his son is a student of BJJ and (I believe) did a couple MMA matches. Plus, there was that cool episode where they arrested the MMA dude while he was climbing in the cage...etc.

Well, it looks like the Dog's career is all but over as an extremely vicious and racist rant made by the Dog during a phone call has been recorded and handed over th National Enquirer. I listed to it on the newspaper's website and it is some pretty brutal stuff.

Here is the link:

Wing Chun Grappling Book????

2007-10-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

About a decade ago I was in a NYC bookstore and slipped through a book entitled Wing Chun Grappling. I didn't purchase the book, but assumed that it would be one of those perpetually "in print" titles like most martial arts books. Oh well...big mistake on my part because the book not only is out of print I can not locate it in any used book venues online or otherwise. Does anyone remember this book or know where I can purchase a copy of it? This title seems like an odd curiosity in the world of martial arts publishing that has disappeared from print more than likely because the audience that wants grappling books and those who want wing chun books are mutually exclusive. But, it would still be interesting to check it out and see what the material entails.

Side Note on Judo-BJJ and the Scarf Hold

2007-10-29T16:53:00.000-07:00

If you are studying BJJ you are often advised to invest a little time learning judo. Often, this infers that you need to learn the throws of judo and to a great extent this would be good advice. However, it is nor just the throws of judo that are beneficial to the BJJ game. Despite the fact that submissions from the scarf hold position are fully legal in BJJ there is very limited time spent on teaching/learning attacks from this position or its variations. In judo, the scarf hold position is primarily used to score a pin victory, but judo also offers a number of attacks from this position that would prove useful for a BJJ players game. Because of this investing some time learning the scarf hold, the proper way to hold someone down in the scarf hold and a few submissions from this position would be a wise thing to do.

Benefits of Personal Training

2007-10-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

Personal training is quite popular these days for a very good reason: personal training works. Often, trying to stumble through a weight lifting or cardio work out based on knowledge acquired from a book is not always the best path to success. When it comes to “maxing out” your gains you will be limited by your own lack of depth of knowledge on the subject matter. As such, seeking the help of a solid personal trainer may be the way to go. What also needs to be pointed out here, however, is the fact that the physical trainer needs a little information as to your goals and expectations in order to make the training sessions worthwhile.

Keep in mind, there are a TON of benefits that can be derived from personal training such as weight loss, strength conditioning, increased cardio conditioning, and a host of other positive benefits. (You can learn more about personal training programs if you click here and visit socalworkout.com) Of course, in order to maximize these tremendous benefits you will need to give your trainer a little help)

You can get the most out of personal training provided that you enter into the training session with the express purpose of arriving at a goal vs. a haphazard training method. For example, if you show up at a person training session with the goal of “getting in shape” or “exercising” you have not really communicated anything to your trainer. Now, consider telling your training “I want to develop core strength” or “I want to expand my cardio conditioning” or “I want to develop a way of training around a pre-existing injury” the training session now has a focus that not provides the personal trainer with an idea of HOW to train you. This will definitely help you maximize your goals and tap into all the great benefits personal training offers.Sponsored post

Private Lessons and Specialization

2007-10-29T07:21:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it takes a bit of time to become skilled at a particular ability. This is something that make people realize. However, what many people do not take into consideration is the fact that when you "dilute" your training the ability to develop that skill can be impeded. For example, say you book 5 private lessons and then spend the 5 lessons on 5 separate subjects. (Guard passing one day, armlocks another day, chokes another day, etc) That really is a bad way to train per se, but consider the following: spending 5 straight privates on just guard passing. It is pretty obvious that coming out of this type of training would result in more specialized and deeper knowledge of the subject because it has been tackled in depth over a (somewhat) extended period of time. Again, there is nothing wrong with studying different topics in your private lessons; but, if you invest time in ONE area for several lessons you can get more involved in the subject matter and this may yield a solid and clear understanding of the subject that would not be possible under a different training methodology.

Secrets of Judo Book

2007-10-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

A while back I mentioned that an excellent book on Judo Newaza was TEACH YOURSELF JUDO (its only is about 30% Newaza and 70% throws though) and if you want another really well written book that contains a great deal of information on the subject of throws and ground fighting would be the classic book SECRETS OF JUDO. This book was originally written in 1964 and it still is a relevant book to this day as it is a great resource material that covers a number of different topics and subjects that are not commonly found in judo at all. (There is an interesting illustrated section that covers guard passing in brief) While there are not many Judo books out there that cover Newaza in depth there are a few out there (such as VITAL JUDO) and they offer an interesting perspective that covers the material in a decent amount of depth.

MMA and Sportsbooks

2007-10-28T15:41:00.000-07:00

How do you know when MMA has arrived? When it receives significant television coverage? When the mainstream media covers it? How about when sportsbooks start to take bets on it. Ok, sportsbooks have been taking bets on MMA events for a while now and it should come as no surprise. The PPV revenue that the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been providing is so significant that the entertainment world (and the gaming world) clearly took notice. Yes, you can place bets on mixed martial arts events in the same way that you can place bets on the more "mainstream" boxing. (outside of a few enormously successful pay per view events, boxing is really not a popular spectator sport at all)It is somewhat interesting to note that less than 8 years ago the future for MMA looked bleak and that it was headed the way of Roller Derby as it had virtually no exposure on PPV thanks to many providers bailing out and it presence on cable TV was non-existent. This, of course, turned around in recent years and it should come as a shock to no one that gambling institutions would try and cash in on MMA as well.

More on this subject to come

Reversals from the Turtle Position - Points?

2007-10-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

One of the interesting aspects of Telles Turtle Guard DVD is that he refers to the turtle position as a variation on the guard and that reversals should count as sweeps. (Hence, they should receive two points) This is a somewhat interesting perspective because the turtle position is "officially recognized" as a disadvantaged position and not a guard position. As such, reversals do not amass points. Then again, there is an important question here...If someone such as Telles is using the Turtle position to his advantage then how can it be considered a negative position to be in? The answer, I believe, is that very few people demonstrate solid skill in dominating from the Turtle position and that pretty much kills the notion of tournament rules ever being re-written for reversals from the turtle position to count as sweeps. If the turtle is not recognized as a guard then sweep points can not be awarded. However, there is always the possibility to award takedown points from the turtle, but that will probably prove to be a pipe dream as well. So, while Telles truly pointed out the numerous benefits associated with attacking from the bottom of the Turtle Guard, it doesn't seem like any tournament rules organization will come over to his side any time soon.

Flair as Dusty Rhodes??? (1974)

2007-10-28T05:48:00.001-07:00

I usually don’t post about professional wrestling on this site, but here is something I thought everyone would get a big kick out of. This is a really old Ric Flair interview…probably the oldest Flair interview in existence. I believe the year on this may be 1974 and it is incredible rare television footage from Mid Atlantic Wrestling. What makes this footage so over the top is the fact that Flair’s gimmick at the time was to COMPLETELY rip off Dusty Rhodes. In fact, Flair originally asked Rhodes permission to use the last name Rhodes, but Rhodes had told him no way. It is funny how today Flair still talks about Rhodes with great reverence, yet Rhodes despises him and once said on an interview “Flair doesn’t care about anyone but himself.” Anyway, check out Flair channeling Dusty Rhodes from 33 years ago:

Motivation

2007-10-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

A while back I mentioned that is was not always the best thing to train when you are hurt or otherwise unable to make a training session. Now, I stick by this statement as such a practice is usually the road to making yourself prone to injury. However, there also has to be a line drawn where a serious student needs to avoid being inconsistent with training. Skipping out on classes repeatedly because of being tired or unmotivated is usually not the smartest move in the world because it will undermine your ability to log lots of hours on the mat. And, as anyone who has been doing this game for a while knows, time on the mat means pretty much everything in terms of developing solid skills. So, stay motivated and stay consistent in your training. It will pay off.

Telles DVD Vol 2

2007-10-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

I started watching Volume 2 of Telles Turtle Guard Series (yes, folks, I am very, very slow on the proverbial draw these days when it comes to reviewing and watching my DVDs, but I have been so busy with work that I have been left with little time) and I have to say that Telles really did hit the ball out of the park with this series. There are a number of reasons why this DVD is an excellent one, but the main, primary reason it works so well is the fact that the DVD is very deeply centered on basic movements and solid principles based on weight distribution and body physics. In other words, this is not a flashy DVD series that looks to promote moves that are based more on complicated movements that may prove difficult to functionalize. Instead, what we get on volume two are a number of ways to reverse someone to the side control from your turtle position. This is clearly a more advantageous position to be in and Telles provides the proper medicine for how to do it. This is a really excellent volume. More to come.

Audio Video FAQ Site

2007-10-19T13:02:00.001-07:00

Audio and Video needs have greatly increased in the past five years thanks to the great expansion of the internet. Have you ever had the need to rent High End AV equipment? If you have, have you ever felt a bit overwhelmed in terms of what you need or what exactly to do with the equipment that you have rented? Ok, don’t scoff! This is serious! Sure, audio visual equipment look easy to operate, but it is much trickier than what it appears on the surface. It is not uncommon for people to rent equipment and then not really understand how to operate it. This can lead to a number of embarrassing situations or even incredibly serious situations where critical A/V work that needed to be performed was not done. Seriously, no one would want to be in a situation like this!

This is why you need to work with a company that offers top of the line. Audio Visual Equipment and AV Installations . www.reflex.co.uk offers such a great service and, on top of that, this company’s website also offers a great Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page that can greatly help anyone who is in need of such information.

The FAQ offers a number of solid informational topics such as explaining the need for videoconferencing, proper audio and video set ups, the need for proper properly maintaining the equipment after it has been set up, etc. Also, there is a unique spin to the traditional FAQ list as there i a cool media player that provides excellent information on the subject. Yes, the audio video service site has an audio visual frequently asked question function! This is a really well designed and highly comprehensive FAQ. If you have any questions about your AV needs, this would definitely be a website to check out.

Telles Turtle Guard

2007-10-13T20:14:00.000-07:00

I just watched volume one of the Telles Turtle Guard set and I have to say this is really a solid instructional DVD. What I liked about volume one the most was that it provided simple basic drills for the mobility required to go to your knees and the basic counters (reversals, putting the opponent into your guard) are very simple, straight forward techniques that would be effective for pretty much everyone.

I haven't checked out the material on the other volumes in this series, but when I do I will make note of them. But so far volume one really does deliver the goods as a solid, basic instructional that provides sincerely helpful material. This is, after all, what you want in an instructional dvd more than anything else anyway

I have a boxing blog too folks

2007-10-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

In addition to this blog I also have a Boxing Blog that I have been working on for several months before I even started this one. I cover a lot of material on this blog and my inspiration for it is the excellent three book series in the Start Up Boxing line of books (Yes, there is an MMA book in this series, but I haven't picked it up yet) So, if you want to read a little common sense info on basic tips and pointers regarding training in boxing and kicking boxing as a hobby.

A Few More Words on those Jiu Jitsu Submissions

2007-10-05T18:09:00.000-07:00

In my previous post, I mentioned that for beginners the better submissions in the closed guard are the cross collar choke, the guillotine and the kimure bent armlock. So, what was it that made these jiu jitsu submissions effective? For a beginner, these submissions are safer for a beginner in the sense that they do not have to give up the closed guard and change to more difficult control positions such as the ones utilized for armbars, triangle chokes, etc. (Those jiu jitsu submissions leave you open for guard pass counters)

Now, here is another aspect to the kimura, the cross collar choke and the guillotine and one that even advanced practioners will find useful...you do not need any control to submit and opponent with these submissions. You can finish an opponent from any position with these specific jiu jitsu submissions because they do not require positional control to finish. (Well, the kimura does, but you can manipulate a person's body with it from any position)So, that is a little food for thought for those who would like to re-examine these old submissions.

The Three Top Guard Submissions for Beginners

2007-10-05T07:34:00.000-07:00

I realize that many people will disagree with me on this mainly because what I am about to write would be considered mundane, but bear with me and I will explain why these three closed guard submissions should be the top submissions employed by a beginner:

The Guillotine, The Kimura, and the Cross Collar Choke.

The reason that these submissions are advised for beginners is that they do not require that you need to use a lot of guard skill to move or leverage an opponent. As such, you open and re-close your legs to finish the opponent. With and armbar or a triangle, you must control a fragment of the person's body. With the previously mentioned submissions, you maintain a control over the entire body. This is, clearly, much easier. An armbar or a triangle performed by a beginner just creates easy openings to pass the guard and should be avoided until a little more skill is developed

Math Tutors

2007-10-03T17:13:00.000-07:00

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Going to your knees

2007-10-03T17:09:00.000-07:00

Nah...this isn't about going to your knees and praying that you don't get choked out..again. This is about one of the most misunderstood escapes in the jiu jitsu game. Basically, the reason that you go to your knees is to avoid getting pinned in side control or to escape from a side control pin. In a competition match, going to your knees denies your opponent the ability to gain three points to a guard pass.

Now, if you are one of those folks who tries to put people in your guard, but they are passing your guard with ease. Here's a way out of that...as you elbow escape and your opponent seeks to counter your elbow escape WITH COMMITMENT (ie...your elbow escape will work if he doesn't counter) then you should pull the wool over his eyes and go to your knees, Give it a shot.

Swain

2007-10-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update. I have borrowed the old Swain Judo grappling DVDs and I'll be writing an expansive review on them as soon as I finish them up. Yeah, I know...I am slow on the draw when it comes to finishing these things but I am a busy, busy guy. BTW...I've waited 5 years to check out these dvds so a few more days won't hurt

Working Out of Bad Positions

2007-09-26T19:03:00.001-07:00

If you wish to develop skills in areas of defense, you simply need to place yourself in bad positions and then work your way out of them. However, most people do not do this because they have go concerns about losing (a disease of ego) or being overly concerned with being on the offense and attacking. Such an overly competitive attitude is negative. I am sorry. I don't care what people think in regards to being overly aggressive. In my book, it is not only counterproductive and downright rude.

Instead, it is better to let people climb on your back and let them partially sink in a choke (if it is in all the way you won't be able to escape) or to let them get half way into an armlock. Again, if the armlock is all the way sunk in attempting to escape may result in an injury.

Now, if you give a training partner (and I mean partner...not opponent)a huge edge and this means that you may end up tapping now and then. This is not a big deal because the ultimate goal is to develop the ability to scape and this will require quite a bit of trial and error.

Lowering Head Elevation in the Butterfly Guard

2007-09-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

I cannot really take credit for this because it is not something that I figured out on my own. Instead, it was a gem I picked up off of Michael Jen's excellent DVD Analysis of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. (All have a detailed review when I finish it)

basically, in the DVD it is important to have your head lower than your opponent's head when using the butterfly guard. The DVD didn't explain why, but I tried it out and I discovered that it allowed you to maxmize tremendous leverage over an opponent. In fact, the amount of leverage you can deliver can be quite surprising.

Jen made a tape set/dvd on the butterfly guard many years ago, but I have never seen it. Perhaps it is best that I break out the checkbook and order a copy.

Clinch on the ground

2007-09-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

clicnh gorud

The Three Pronged Training Method

2007-09-18T15:31:00.001-07:00

It a nutshell, there are three main areas in which one needs to focus his or her training: stand up, clinch and ground. Now, some of you may be saying since this is a grappling blog I am most concerned with the ground. Not so fast my friend.

First, when you watch a grappling tournament the participants start standing up. They have to take their opponent down to the ground either by shooting in which is a variant of the stand up game or they need to use a solid clinch to set up the takedown as well. Of course, the defenses require meeting the stand up/clinch game with a counter stand up clinch game as well.

As such, it would be a foolish notion to consider a grappling game a game that is exclusively a game designed for the ground

Note on the Rear Naked Choke

2007-09-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

The year naked choke is one of the most effective submission moves in jiu jitsu/submission grappling and this is why the move is stressed so much on the beginner level. It is a super high percentage move and a practitioner could literally base an entire game around it. However, there is a slight secret to performing the rear naked choke effective and it involves not using pure arm strength.

The most common mistake that people make when they perform a rear naked choke is that they will often use mere arm strength. This can be effective, but it if arm strength in all that is being employed then you are doing it the proverbial hard way. The more effective way to perform a rear naked choke would be to "upa" while performing the choke. This puts a tremendous amount of strength behind the choke and forces a quick tap out.

piano chords blog

2007-09-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

If you are a student of piano, then you probably realize that excellence comes from hard work and commitment and a great deal of practice. Of course, a little supplemental study and reading wouldn’t hurt either and this is why you should check out Piano Chords Blog which is an excellent resource for learning about piano chords and chord progressions. This is a fine blog so please check it out.
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A Very Off Topic Side Note

2007-09-15T19:08:00.000-07:00

Hey all.

A while back I ran an ad on here for the movie SUPERBAD. Since my schedule has been somewhat hectic, I was not able to head out to the theaters to view any new releases. So...I missed out on a lot of stuff. I did get a chance to see SUPERBAD yesterday and it was a great film - albeit a vulgar one. Ok, it was a very funny and very vulgar outing that you might find enjoyable viewing.

Armbars and Control

2007-09-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

When it comes to executing a proper armbar there is often a great deal of emphasis on (for lack of a better word) "cranking" the arm. This is only part of the equation and, usually, it is the last part of the equation. In reality, the major part of properly executing the armbar involves controlling the upper body of the opponent and holding it in place so that one can properly lock the arm.

This is a critical point because if there is not control of the torso, the person is able to move. If they are able to move, they can be able to escape. And if they can escape, it is bye-bye armbar.

This brings me to the side point which is when someone starts to slip away, the person xecuting the armbar will try and yank on the arm so as to bring the person. This is simply not a really effective method of controlling the person as adjusting oneself so as to regain contol of the upper body would be more effective

Clinch on the Ground

2007-09-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

For many, the clinch is a series of techniques and controls within a close quarter stand up range. While this is definitely a definition of clinhing, there is a problem present in the definition and it is the notion that clinching only exists standing up. This is not an accurate notion as a significant amount of clinching exists on the ground. For example, if you have someone inside your guard you can use overhooks, underhooks, collar and elbow tie ups, etc to control the person within your guard. These are all common clinch controls and they work effectively in keeping your opponent from launching a solid offense. After all, if you have them caught in a solid tie up position of some sort they are going to need to eliminate the tie up prior to escaping.

Bas Rutten Panther DVD

2007-09-07T13:25:00.000-07:00

While the DVDs that Bas Rutten made for Panther were produced several years ago, these tapes/dvds do stand the test of time as the material on the tapes are quite excellent and Bas is also very articulate an detailed in his approach to the material.

Now, I have to be honest, the EXTREME PANCRASE series is many, many volumes and I have only seen Vol 1 (which deals with stand up fighting which is a GREAT GREAT volume) and Vol 2 which deals with Heel Hooks and kneebars which is a very good dvd.

Keep in mind, some of the material that you see on the heel hook tape is familiar material that has previously been seen before, the way in which Rutten presents it here is in such a detailed manner that you will feel like you are being presented with the info for the first time. (Well, in a way, you are) My one complaint is that the Panther formula of a lot of techniques is present, but Rutten's explicit details make the proceedings of the DVD very much worth watching. This is good stuff. Rutten seems like an excellent coach and trainer as well as a hell of a nic guy.

Tutor Program

2007-09-06T12:32:00.000-07:00

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A Brief Note on the Clock Choke

2007-09-06T12:28:00.000-07:00

The clock choke was made famous in 1998 when Wallid Ismael used the "new move" to catch Royce Gracie by surprise and put him to sleep. The move, of course, was hardly a new move and had been found in judo and for decades. And, by the way, I had learned it in a BJJ class a full 18 months prior to the Royce-Wallid match. Oh, and you could learn in on the Joe Moreira Blue Belt Panther VHS tapes which were released 2 years prior to the Royce-Wallid match. So, all those folks 9 years ago who raved about the new move were, well, johnny come latelies. Ok, I am complaining about the way things were discussed 9 years ago. But, I didnt have a blog 9 years ago so you have to bear with me folks. Anyway, the clock choke remains one of the cooler and SIMPLER moves that can be used on an opponent who turtles up.

Strangely, it would seem that the clock choke has been dropped down a black hole once again. That is, it is not taught as ofetn as you would think such an innovative move should be taught. In fairness, most people attack the back and go for the hooks (4 points) in a Gi match so this makes sense. However, as a secondary attack to be utilized when taking the back fails, the Clock Choke should be emphasized a great deal more.

Classic Television Blog

2007-09-05T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hey all, here is a heads up and plug for my other top of the line blog that covers old television shows and their history. You can check it out at you folks may wish to check out my other blog as well. It covers the subject of TV and is a Classic Television Blog and trust me, you will dig it. It is a fun ride through the age old days of UHF and generation x culture. enjoy

Clinch on the Ground

2007-09-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

One of the strongest misconceptions out there is that the techniqus of the clinch are exclusive to the stand up clinch range. This, to put it mildly, is moronic because it is clearly obvious that the vast majority of clinhing techniques can be employed on the graound as well as from a standing position. For example, the following techniques can all be used in the guard: overhook, underhook, neck tie, collar and elbow tie up, arm drag, etc.

In fact, the employment of these techniques in the guard create the impetus for controlling and manipulating the opponents body without exclusiv use of the legs or, in the case of the gi, relying exclusively on pulling the sleeves/collar of the opponent's gi

Often, we start to focus on an art or a series of techniques from a very closed bubble and from this a number of misconceptions occur. Often, thiese misconceptions derive from a limited perspective of the art. Cleary, this is not the best way to approach one's training

Performing Better 2 Days a Week?

2007-08-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

In what would be a somewhat strange turn of events, after cutting my training from 4 days to 2 days, I seem to actually be wrestling better. Right now, I get one class of gi training/drilling and one day of rolling (gi/no gi) for 90 minutes. (No, not 90 minutes straight) I have been doing this for a couple weeks now and noticed that my wrestling ability has actually increased. The only explanation that I can give for this is the fact that less time wrestling means less injury or wear and tear on the body.

Of course, I have also added 3 or 4 days a week of stationary bike riding so that has boosted my cardio to where it is noticeable helping my performance. Now, I am not hinting that I can perform at competition level, but as a hobbyist I am doing far better than I had been wrestling a few weeks ago.

Random Ramblings

2007-08-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

I am in a half awake/half asleep mood so I thought I would combine a few random topics. First, I was able to view the first two matches from All Japan Pro wrestling which featured th Destroyer vs Mil Mascaras and I have to say these guys could WORK their butts off. These were great matches that still hold up well to this day and I recommend them to anyone who is a fan of old time wrestling.

Also, in the modern real world, I have been utlizing a casual exercise program of riding a stationary bike while reading and I have to say it has not only greatly increased my cardio, it has also increased my vocabulary. (ha ha)

BTW - I usually ride the bike for 45 minutes, but sometimes I might Sprint for 15 minutes and then go slow on the bike for 15. It is a decent program and it works well for gym training. Clearly it would have to be stepped up for tournament cardio

Weight - Crushing Weight!

2007-08-23T15:43:00.000-07:00

One of the most cool aspects of being a super advanced practitoner is the ability to deliver incredible crushing weight on an opponent when they are pinned. As much as I wish I could claim the mantel of having such a skill, I am not on that level. However, having experienced the crushing weight I can say I know what level I would like to reach. Let me explain this a little further.

Now, crushing pressure is not a matter of developing a secret system of mystical abilities. Rather, it is simply a matter of refining the basics to such a degree that the 'power' of the basics is significantly enhanced. In other words, the pin becomes a pin of tremendous amount of pressure. When you get pinned by an expert, you feel it. Actually, you feel like your sternum is about to snap!

What this ultimately shows is that if you invest your time in learning the basics and learning them well, you will do fine and you will become somewhat of a force to be reckoned with. While this may sound like hyperbole, it is actually much more mundane than you would imitially be led to believe.