I first got serious about physical conditioning when I got involved in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Sure, I'd lifted weights and done some running before that point, but there was just something about grappling that drove home how very important conditioning was. … [Read more...]
Physical Attributes
Dan Inosanto on Adaptation
Last weekend I had the pleasure of learning from Dan Inosanto at a seminar. As he often does, he stressed the importance of adapting techniques to make them work for you, regardless of whether those techniques are Filipino stick disarms, Jun Fan kickboxing or BJJ submissions. … [Read more...]
Jiu-jitsu and Physical Attributes
Physical attributes are things like balance, neck strength, limb length, explosiveness, leg flexibility, and percent body fat. Your physical attributes are the foundation of what you can do with your body, and are influenced by genetics, training, age and injuries. Some instructors teach as if everyone, regardless of age, build and flexibility, can use the same techniques. Well I'm here to tell … [Read more...]
Short Legged Guard Work
A while ago I gave some suggestions about dealing with the open guard of long-legged and flexible opponents. In the interests of fairness and balance let's address some options for the opposite situation, namely what to do if you have shorter, inflexible legs. … [Read more...]
Dealing with Daddy Long Legs
A reader writes: Q: Do you have any advice for handling opponents who are tall, long-legged and very flexible? A: Yes! I have had several training partners who were built like daddy long leg spiders … [Read more...]
Beating the Big Guy (Again)
Of all the questions I am asked, the most common question has to be how to beat someone who is much bigger than yourself... I've already tackled beating the larger, stronger opponent in a previous article on this site but people keep on asking me for more tips … [Read more...]
Defeating the Smaller, Faster Opponent
I am sure some of you are scratching your heads, trying to figure out why on earth I would be writing about how to beat a smaller opponent... Well I've written a fair bit on how to take out bigger guys, but smaller opponents tend to be fast, squirrelly, and sneaky. Also they’re not about to take it easy on you just because you’re bigger … [Read more...]
How to Beat Any Opponent (Honest)!
The question I get asked most often goes something like this: “There is a guy at my club (let’s call him ‘Bill’) who bench presses 400 pounds, used to wrestle in college, and has an 18 inch neck. Bill has been doing jiu-jitsu for only a couple of years, but he has already learned how to counter all my attacks. … [Read more...]