Today I want to tell you a story about how I stumbled across a technique by fluke at a tournament, and how it became one of my bread and butter moves from Butterly Guard, X Guard and Half Guard. … [Read more...]
History
Top Article Number Seven: One of my Favorites!
Knowing what your roots are may not translate to kicking butt more effectively on the mats right away, but it's still important! Submission grappling is basically a fusion of wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu... … [Read more...]
Podcast EP4: The Heyday of Carlson Gracie in Rio (podcast)
The Carlson Gracie Team in Brazil was one of the original powerhouses of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I recently had the opportunity to interview 7th degree Carlson Gracie black belt Marcus Soares, and he took me to Rio in the 70's and 80's on a narrated stroll through BJJ history. It's a fascinating 35 minute-long piece about back in the day, when most of today's competitors were still in diapers and … [Read more...]
Podcast EP3: Erik Paulson; an MMA Master Coach Shares His Secrets
Erik Paulson is an MMA Master Coach. He's trained tons of fighters competing at the highest levels of Mixed Martial Arts. And he held the Shooto light-heavyweight title in Japan for 5 years. He's also my friend and a mentor. Click Play Below to Listen to My Conversation with Erik Paulson... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx7gT-EXohM Recently I asked my newsletter readers if there was … [Read more...]
More on Self Defense, MMA and the UFC
I've received lots of email recently, so today I thought I'd dip into the mailbag and share a few emails. I've also quickly jotted down some quick comments, and some links to a few relevant articles. … [Read more...]
Submission Grappling Choke
Here is a modern way of applying the Rear Naked Choke, which had it's origins in Classical Japanese Ju-Jutsu. (This technique is from the Submission Grappling vs. Classical Ju-Jutsu article on Grapplearts.com) Stephan controls his opponent with the butterfly guard. He grips his opponent’s triceps with his right hand… … and pulls him forward while simultaneously moving his … [Read more...]
Submission Grappling Armlock
This armlock has been part of the Japanese Ju-Jutsu arsenal for hundreds of years; here's how it's applied in a modern-day submission grappling context... (This technique is from the Submission Grappling vs. Classical Ju-Jutsu article on Grapplearts.com) … [Read more...]
Classical Ju-jutsu Leglock
Classical Japanese Ju-Jutsu included leglocks as well as armlocks and chokes. The details of how the technique were applied were a little different however... (This technique is from the Submission Grappling vs. Classical Ju-Jutsu article on Grapplearts.com) Alex ties up with his opponent, gripping pressure points at the elbow and in the neck. Alex throws his opponent to the … [Read more...]
Submission Grappling Leglock
Leglocks have been around for a long time, but modern grapplers use them in slightly different contexts than classical grapplers. Here's how a submission grappler might link a takedown and a match-ending ankle-lock... (This technique is from the Submission Grappling vs. Classical Ju-Jutsu article on Grapplearts.com) Stephan squares off against his opponent. He shoots in with … [Read more...]
Classical Ju-jutsu Choke
Most of the techniques used in modern grappling were used in some other form in some other grappling art first. Here's how the Rear Naked Choke might have looked back in the day... (This technique is from the Submission Grappling vs. Classical Ju-Jutsu article on Grapplearts.com) … [Read more...]
Classical Ju-jutsu Armlock
Here's one classical approach to applying the armlock that has morphed into the 'Americana' or Figure 4 Armlock in modern submission grappling). As you can see, it's similar but different... (This technique is part of the Submission Grappling vs. Classical Ju-Jutsu article on Grapplearts.com) … [Read more...]
Old Time Grapplin’
I'm a big fan of old Judo, Jiu-Jitsu and Catch Wrestling books. I have lots and lots of martial arts books, but some of the real jewels of my library are the Judo and wrestling books published in the 1920's to the 1960's. Not all are original - some are reprinted editions - but all offer very interesting historical perspectives on modern grappling. There is just something special about seeing … [Read more...]
Incorporating Other Martial Arts into BJJ
One of the tenets of JKD is that one should keep an open mind with regard to other styles. After all, "absorb what is useful, reject what is useless" is a classic Bruce Lee quote. In general, I find that most BJJ practitioners are relatively open minded when it comes to learning from other styles. … [Read more...]
Condolences
On January 29th, 2009, Helio Gracie passed away at the age of 95. Without him and his sons this sport would not be where it is today. … [Read more...]
Mixed Martial Arts: Ultimate Sport, or Ultimately Illegal? Part 3
By: Donald F. Walter, Jr. 12/8/03 Part 3: A Defense of Mixed Martial Arts … [Read more...]
Mixed Martial Arts: Ultimate Sport, or Ultimately Illegal? Part 2
By: Donald F. Walter, Jr. 12/8/03 Part 2: An Overview of the Conflict between the States’ Police Power and Personal Liberties … [Read more...]
Mixed Martial Arts: Ultimate Sport, or Ultimately Illegal? Part 1 of 3.
By guest author Donald F. Walter, Jr. Published 12/8/03 Part 1: A Brief History of MMA … [Read more...]
From Silat to Submission Grappling
Last week I discussed some of the connections between traditional Japanese Ju-jutsu and modern submission grappling. These connections shouldn’t be too surprising, given the direct lineage from one to the other. … [Read more...]
From Traditional Ju-jutsu to Modern Grappling
Brazilian jiu-jitsu, submission grappling and mixed martial arts are relatively new phenomena, but they are rooted in martial traditions hundreds, and even thousands of years old. Although I choose to train and compete in a modern setting I still believe that there is value in examining the origins of one’s art. … [Read more...]