Some readers commented on my previous post, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu belt promotions. You can check out the comments for yourself in the entry. I wanted to bring up the question as a separate blog, just in case some of you don't get to read the comments.
So, do you think a lower belt, let's say a purple or brown, should be able to promote if a black belt isn't around? The answer depends on who you ask and whether there are special situations that require a lower belt to promote. Did you know that most people who answer, "it's okay" are lower belts? I find that amusing--just thought I'd share that with you. Personally, I think it's better to get promoted by a black belt: it follows tradition, generates more respect for your rank, and it helps ensure that a promotion is genuine (of course, there are some black belts who just give belts away).
Sometimes, if it's impossible for a group of students to visit their black belt or for the black belt to visit, then in special circumstances, I think a brown belt could promote, but there are some conditions. First, the black belt must really know the brown belt and be confident in his or her abilities. Second, the black belt must know the person the brown belt wants to promote (i.e. has seen the person move, knows how the person performs, etc.). Third, the black belt must give the brown belt his/her blessing. Fourth, the brown belt doesn't ask to promote someone. Rather, the brown belt indicates to the black belt that he/she thinks this person is ready and waits to hear what the black belt has to say. Yes, even with this all done, I still think only black belts should promote. Now, if the black belt can visit or the students can visit the black belt, then they should wait until that time comes.
A belt is a belt. Don't be too pre-occupied with it. If you deserve it, it will come.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
What if there's no black belt around to promote you?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Belt Promotions
What do you guys think? Can or should a person go through a test for a belt, or is competition/mat performance and time really more important? Personally, I value performance much more than giving any kind of belt test. I do see the value in a belt test though, and for some academies, it's probably the best way to go. However, I like the old school way of having to train long and hard, making a lot of mistakes, and having to discover things on your own (instead of having a curriculum handed to you). It makes everything more challenging, and to me, much, much more fulfilling.
Whatever your opinion is though, to promote a person based on performance is something that takes longer. What do i mean? It takes time for me to see if a student knows what he or she has to know for a particular level and can apply those techniques and strategies. For example, if a student I met only 2 or 3 times came in to take a class, and was killing all the blues and purples, I wouldn't automatically say he is a blue, purple, or even a brown belt. Because I don't know the person well and haven't seen the person roll many times (and haven't rolled with the person myself many times), I don't really know if he or she has the technical skills of a blue, purple, etc. belt. Maybe the person is whipping ass because he or she is really strong rather than technical. This person may not know anything about escaping the mount or passing the guard. How could I promote this person to a higher belt? The answer's simple. I wouldn't. They'd have to spend as much time as everyone else on the mat.
I bring this all up because a MMA fighter who has trained for quite some time wants to finally move up in the BJJ ranks. He asked if I can test and promote him if he passes. I have never rolled with this guy with a gi though. Who knows? He might not even know how to do a lapel choke! In similar scenerios, maybe a formal test would work better. But, I didn't go that route. I simply said, "There's no test. Just start coming to class and rolling . . .If you deserve it, in time, you'll get it."
Monday, May 5, 2008
Sparring/Grappling with Bigger Opponents--Some Tips for the "Little" Guys
Yesterday I took a pretty hard head butt to my left ear while grappling. So what happened? Can anyone say cauliflower ear? My left ear has been messed up for years, but now it's worse. It hurts like hell and I'm forced to wear headgear while sparring--which I don't really like. I guess I'll have to deal with it though for a couple of weeks so I can give my ear some time to "heal."
In any martial arts school, particular in North America or Europe, you're going to get some really big guys who enroll and want to learn how to fight. If you're a decent instructor, you'll make it a point to spar with all of your students--small or big. As I'm beginning to teach again, I'm noticing a lot of different people joining who have various training backgrounds and body types. As one of the 140 pounders out there, most people are bigger, heavier, and stronger than I am. So, I thought I'd give some pointers to the other featherweights who have to spar with bigger guys often.
First, face it. Strength and size does really matter. As a "small" guy, we can be a placed in a very disadvantageous situation. If we are talking about grappling, you are likely going to play guard and will have to deal with a lot of pressure and strength. In terms of weight and strength, we're already at a disadvantage. When it comes to striking, you will clearly be at a disadvantage as well. Your sparring partner will have a reach advantage and they will hit much harder.
Don't think a heavier sparring partner will understand that they outweigh you, are stronger, or have longer reach. Don't expect them to take it easy on you. For most people, it comes natural to use all of their physical attributes when sparring. As a result, it's important to get good position/distance, use your speed, and use your brain! (You have to be wiser than your sparring partner.)
Here are some grappling tips that might help you (in no particular order):
1. Although this doesn't apply in every situation, it seems to hold true for most situations when a smaller guys is sparring a bigger partner. If you have to play guard, try using your butter fly guard or open guard more (e.g. x-guard). You're in better position to keep your opponents weight off of you and are more mobile. If you are sparring against a heavier and stronger person who is technical, it can be difficult to mount an attack from closed guard because they may be able to control your hips better. Likewise, you will have to deal with more of the weight because you won't have a leg in between your bodies and there will be much less space for you to move.
2. This should be common knowledge--try and get the person's back. You have a much better chance of finishing your opponent because you will not have to worry about them mounting a serious attack on you. You will have more time to focus on your offensive techniques without have to worry as much about your opponents strength, size, etc.
3. Use arm drags. They may or may not work. But they don't require a lot of strength, and if executed properly, you have a great chance of getting the person's back or even turning them over.
4. Use guillotines. When you're sparring a person who has good core strength and powerful arms and legs, it can be hard to hold them down in many positions and secure a tight armlock or even a footlock. However, if you can secure a good hold around a person's neck, you have a much better chance of submitting them.
Now for some striking tips:
1. Keep your guard up! It's obvious that a bigger opponent will be able to land some heavy blows, so make sure you have your arms up in position to block.
2. Understand how to control the distance between you and your opponent. This requires good footwork and angling. Respect your opponents strength and reach.
3. Work on your counter striking. Bigger opponents often get over confident when fighting smaller guys. They may throw their techniques without setting them up in combinations and you can possibly capitalize on this. If you counter and land a good strike, you have a great window to enter in and land a solid combination.
4. Stick and move. Once you land a good combo, get out (unless you know you've hurt them and put them on the defensive). You don't want to be in your opponent's range when he recovers.
5. Work on your timing and power. When opportunities to attack arise, you will have to be ready for them. So make sure you can time your moves properly. Likewise, develop power behind your strikes so when you have the chance to hit, you can land solid combinations. You don't want to waste your strikes by throwing weak punches or kicks.
There are countless tips and ways to approach sparring/grappling/fighting against a bigger opponent. However, I find that these tips work well for me and I hope they help you too.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
How to Get Better When You Can't Train Often
About a week ago, I got an email from a blog reader who asked for some advice. The reader (a Pinoy) is living abroad and working at an investment bank. As any banker knows, that line of work is time consuming and leaves little spare time to train. He was seeking my opinion on how to approach his training and "get good" with the limited training time that he has. I've had more time to think about his question, and below is the answer I gave to him with additional thoughts I've come up with since I was originally asked.
We've all been in similar situations. If you work, projects and deadlines take priority, and if you're in school, training time might need to be replaced with studying time. In the Philippines, it's not out of the ordinary to hear students complain about missing training because of traffic, too. Training time can be severely limited if or when we get injured.
So what can be done? If your training time is limited, let's say you only training once or twice a week, what's the best way to progress in BJJ, MMA or Muay Thai. First, I think that a person should really focus on technique and timing. If you're only training a couple times a week and have no time for exercise or training, it's unlikely that you can build the endurance and conditioning required to hang with your school's "top dogs." When you train with your team members, they may always get the best of you because you gas early. This is simply something you have to accept. Think of it this way, they are only beating you because they have the luxury of training more. However, you can become very technical by focusing on the many variations and details to different positions and moves. You can also develop good timing, again by focusing on technique, while you spar at 25%-50% intensity with a partner. It's easier to build your cardio than it is to learn the details of many different fighting arts. As long as you focus on technique, you'll be able to catch up to your peers by training your cardio when you have more time.
Second, if you want to get good at BJJ, MMA, or whatever fighting art you're concerned about, then make sure you focus only on that art. You only have a limited amount of time to train, so focus on what you want to improve. I notice it many times in the Philippines. For example, some people want to get good at Muay Thai, but they spend a lot of their time doing BJJ. With limited training time, it's very important to "master" one area before moving on to something else. Essentially, if you want to "get good" at a martial art, make sure you are training that martial art.
Now I'm not saying that rapid progress can be made training only 1-2 times a week. It's just a fact of life--if you want to get good at something fast, you have to make sacrifices and focus a lot of time and effort to one particular activity. But, progress can be made even if your training time is limited. Just remember to make technique and timing your priority, and focus on the art you want to improve at.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Copa De Hong Kong Jiu Jitsu Competition
I'm back in San Diego after another long day of traveling. In several weeks, I'll be heading to San Francisco and back to Vegas. In the meantime, I have a lot of work to catch up on because I didn't get much work done while in Chicago.
I wanted to send a shout out to the Philippine contingency who competed in Hong Kong this past weekend, namely Ali Sulit and Ralph Go from New Breed Jiu Jitsu Philippines. Both performed well and brought home gold medals. (PinoyMMA will have a report with pics/video in the coming days.) I believe they will also be competing in the coming Pan Asians in the Philippines this weekend.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The skill level of a good number of BJJ practitioners in the Philippines is definitely on par with athletes around the world. Keep up the good work.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Thoughts on Training with Faber and Drysdale; Teaching Starting in May
Last weekend's Fight Camp was a real treat. Uriah Faber, Robert Drysdale, Shawn Tompkins, Ken Hahn, Jay White, and Mike Springer showed some great techniques in every area: grappling, MMA, striking, takedowns, and even conditioning. Arianny Celeste, the UFC's main ring girl, was there (she's part filipina by the way). (Frank Mir could not make it and sent one of his team mates to handle his session.) In my opinion, this camp was Throwdown's best so far. I was particularly interested in training with Uriah and Rob. I enjoyed talking to them and picking their brains--it made the entire trip worth it.
I will be writing a full report for PinoyMMA that focuses on the camp (i.e. what was taught), so here, I'll focus on some random thoughts about training with Uriah and Rob. The first thing I noticed about Uriah was his intensity and power. Even when he was just demonstrating technique, I could tell that he has a lot of energy and great conditioning. Also, when he demonstrated positions on me, I was pretty amazed at how strong he was for a 155lb guy (he walks at that weight but fights at 145lbs). Some people have told me that for a 140lb guy, I feel like a 155-160lb fighter. Well, Uriah felt like he had the strength of a 180lb fighter.
I appreciate that Uriah is very technical. He has strength, power, and speed, but also has great technique. Now, he isn't a Brazilian jiu jitsu stylist and probably can't tell you about the latest butterfly guard sweep, etc.; however, when it comes to MMA, he knows a lot. I like working takedown defenses when training MMA, and Uriah showed me some great details that I haven't come across yet.
Uriah and I talked about a number of different things over lunch: MMA training and competition, training in Hilo (we both had the opportunity to stay with BJ Penn and train with him), and BJJ training. In fact, Uriah just found his new BJJ instructor--one of the very best out there, Robinho. Since I was a white belt, Robson Moura was someone I looked up to and has to be one of the most technical and successful grapples out there. Uriah told me how he met Robson at an event, rolled, and how Robson was a great match for him. Uriah, even at 155lb, taps out heavier BJJ black belts. Robson is a featherweight fighter. Uriah mentioned that Robson's technique was simply on different level from other black belts he's rolled with. So, he asked Robson to train him and I believe arrangements are being made to fly Robson out to Sacramento.
Robert Drysdale submitted Marcelo Garcia in ADCC 2007. Rob is no joke and he taught some great techniques to everyone present. Coming from a BJJ background, Rob was very detailed and technical when it came to ground positioning. When he rolled, although he was about 210lbs, he moved slowly and smoothly, and showed how great technique can go a long way.
Rob is great at executing Darce/Brabo chokes and he showed us a real sneaky entry from side control (which I will be using a lot!). At one point he asked everyone what techniques they wanted to learn. Justin Lopez and I quickly thought of having him show us more chokes because it seems to be one of his specialties; however, the majority of the other attendants wanted to do some guard work--we couldn't understand why. It was okay though; however, I think it makes more sense to have someone go deeper into what they're good at so that they can show you details that others may not know or teach.
Rob is focusing on MMA now. He's training and teaching and Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, and Jacare is staying with him. I think Jacare is going back to Brazil soon though. Rob's only been doing MMA full time for 2 months, but he mentioned things are going well and he is improving every week. He loves the training and enjoys being a MMA student. He's looking forward to fighting in MMA, but isn't in a hurry. He wants to make sure he's ready. Probably a good idea because a number of great BJJ athletes have had pretty disappointing MMA debuts. Rob doesn't want this to happen, so he's training with some of the best right now.
We talked about how MMA is evolving and whether he still wants or will compete in sport BJJ or submission wrestling. We both shared the same view on things and now want to focus more on MMA. We got to do some guard drills together and it was fun. He was playing guard and I was passing. Our first round, I didn't really know what to expect so didn't mount any kind of offense and he swept me in about 20 seconds. The second round, I was able to fend off a couple of his sweeps and pass to knee-on-stomach, but being as big and technical as he is, there was no way I could hold it. He simply transitioned to a knee bar and in order to defend it, I had to sit to my butt and get swept. Of course, he'd probably crush me if he was going harder, and even if I was going at my hardest.
Anyway, stay tuned for my full report about the camp on PinoyMMA. On another note, I will be teaching at LA Boxing starting the first week of May. For more information, check out the microsite for the specific location I'll be teaching at. They will have their own site up soon. http://www.laboxing.com/sandiego2
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Training with Uriah Faber
I finally made it to Vegas this morning. (Thanks to Gian for picking me up at the airport and taking me to Throwdown. It was good seeing you again after all these years.) I'll be writing up a full report for PinoyMMA on the camp later, so I won't go into much detail right now.
Uriah Faber, WEC Featherweight Champion, lead the show today at Throwdown's fight camp. He focused on wrestling for MMA. I thought the material he covered was great and enjoyed his teaching style and his added insight. I liked how he focused on a specific area that "MMA wrestlers" often neglect to teach well. I also appreciated how Uriah took the time to show me and my partner (Josh) a number of advanced moves and variations--in addition to what was shown to other camp. He's a friendly and open fighter. He invited me to train with him and his guys at his camp, and if I'm ever in his area, I'll definitely pay him a visit. In fact, if any of you are in Sacramento, check out his gym (Ultimate Fitness).
After the day's activities, we all went to dinner (Uriah, Arianny Celeste, Tracy Lee, Justin Lopez, et al). We enjoyed some good Japanese food and some good laughs. Some of us were planning to go out, but it seems everyone got tired. I was planning to go out to meet some friends, but jet lag is hitting me, again. In fact, I was sleepy and tired throughout the entired day. I brought my camera to take some pics but I was too sleepy and tired to do so. I'm surprised I lasted the entire day.
Anyway, tomorrow is going to be a long day of training, and Robert Drysdale will be handling most of the instruction. I have a feeling the training will be just as good as today's sessions. Sim Go also dropped by today to check things out, and will most likely be training tomorrow. That's all for now. I have to crash...
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Off to Las Vegas to Train with Uriah Faber, Robert Drysdale, and others @ Throwdown
Well, my short trip to the Philippines is coming to an end. I'm leaving tomorrow for the U.S. I wish I could extend my stay with the weekend coming and the Fearless Fighting Championship being held on Saturday. But, I have to be in Las Vegas by Friday night for Throwdown's 3rd Fight Camp and I have a bunch of work deadlines next week. 
This trip went by very fast. I'm not even over my jet lag. I already know I'm going to be so "messed up" when I get to Las Vegas. I wouldn't be surprised if I have to go to sleep in the middle of the day and miss some of the training; however, I'm going to try my best to stay awake.
I taught another group class last night and covered the infamous arm-in-guillotine. At every class I taught while I was here (in Makati, Pasig, and Quezon City), there were always questions on the guillotine. So I decided it was a good topic to cover in detail. For those of you who missed the class, and for the rest of you reading this who are curious, I plan to create a little instructional clip or entry on it some time in the future.
I love the guillotine choke because it is quick, simple and very effective. In fact, it was the very first submission I pulled off back in the 90s and the first submission hold I started to use regularly (i.e. I'd try to catch my sparring partners in a guillotine at least once a round). Pretty much everyone can pull off a traditional guillotine with the arm outside and just wrapping around an opponent's head. However, some people find it difficult to use the guillotine when a person has their arm inside.
Since the arm-in version became popular, I started to experiment with it and also asked for tips from everyone I knew who could execute the technique. You'd be amazed at how many different versions/variations I have discussed with different instructors and fighters. The technique does not seem to be as clear cut as other submissions. However, through time, I've taken what I have found to be the best advice from different people and combined it with common movements that every instructor I've talked to thinks is necessary execute the move properly. I'm happy with "my version" of it as I'm able to get the choke when the opportunity presents itself. Also, all the students who learned the choke for the first time last night seemed to have little trouble and were tapping people out consistently while drilling.
If you have no clue how to do the choke, or you've been struggling with it, keep practicing and trying to vary up your positioning, and arm/body movement. Again, I will create a short tutorial on it in the future for the blog's readers. Then, you can start choking people left and right regardless if your opponents arm is inside or outside of your arm position.
To the guys from New Breed who I got to see and teach, keep up the good work. All of you are doing great and I'm happy to see solid improvement. There's no doubt in my mind that many of you can and will perform well internationally--some of you do, already.
I might be able to write another entry before I leave, but if I don't have time, there won't be a blog entry for a day or two. Las Vegas here I come!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Passing the Guard in Mixed Martial Arts
Nowadays I train all no gi and it's always interesting to notice the differences among sport bjj, no gi, and MMA training, techniques, and strategy. One area that has been standing out in my mind is passing the guard. Fighters who train a lot in Brazilian jiu jitsu or submission wrestling have to remember that what works in the grappling arena does not necessarily work in MMA. I want to cover some points that should be, in my opinion, fundamental knowledge when it comes to passing the guard in MMA.
Guard passing is not simple as many of you already know--especially when you face someone with a great guard. Passing requires a number of basic steps. If your opponent has you in closed guard, then you first have to open his legs. When your opponent's legs are open, you usually have to establish some sort of hip or leg control. Once this is done, then you fight to pass over, under or around a person's legs.
A simple and effective way to open an opponent's guard is to punch, either on your knees or on your feet. Most guard fighters who are getting hit will open their legs to push you away or reposition themselves so they can better defend against strikes. Another way to open a person's guard is to pry an opponent's legs open using your hands, elbows or knees (any typical BJJ guard opening technique). However, this method is usually difficult in MMA because there aren’t many secure grips available without a gi.
Once your opponent's legs are open you don’t want to give him any offensive options. Standing up is a great way to prevent the person from getting you in closed guard again and protects you from arm bars and chokes. If you do stand, you have to pay attention to the distance between you and your opponent--too far away and you give him the opportunity to stand up, too close and you may get kicked in the face. Securing your opponent's feet or shins with your hands after opening the guard, while standing, is a good way to limit your opponent's movement and protect yourself from kicks. Make sure to always watch out for leg or foot locks when you're passing, too.
When you have established control over the legs or hips you can start your guard pass. Basically, there are three ways to pass: over, under or around his legs. In MMA, fighters generally pass over or around the legs. Passing under a person's legs works well in grappling but hardly happens is MMA because these passes are typically slow and require a lot forward pressure and secure grips. When you and/or your opponent are slippery and striking each other, passing under the legs can be difficult. The passes can and still do work, but it's good to know that over and around the leg passes seem to be more effective.
Remember that MMA is not grappling. When you pass, don't forget to mix in some solid strikes. This will keep your opponent on the "defensive" and can keep him guessing. When it's time to pass, make sure you put 100% of your energy into it because speed and strength are vital for most MMA guard passes.
Once you've passed your opponent's guard, don't be too eager to strike or submit your opponent because you will probably make a mistake that allows your opponent to escape. Make sure you've secured your guard pass and the top position. When you have stabilized your position, now you can work your offense.
When you're training MMA, try to keep these few points in mind when passing the guard.
On another note, taught class last night and took some footage of the sparring. Shoulder is still painful and feeling real "heavy." It's beginning to really mess with all my training routines. Anyway, here's a short clip from sparring last night.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Escaping from the Bottom
I apologize for missing another entry. I'm finding it a bit difficult to schedule time to sit down and write while I'm here in the Philippines. There are too many things I have to do and too many distractions! (I'll have more to write on this in the next few days and connect it with people who train in the Philippines.)
I taught a private seminar for a number of students from New Breed Philippines, and we covered the topic of escapes. (For some photos of the seminar, please click here.) Most of the time, people train offensive techniques and neglect their defense, so I thought it would be good idea to teach escapes from a "new" angle. If a person can't pin you down for long, then you never really have to worry about the person passing your guard, mounting, switching from one top position to the other, etc. If you spend as much time on training your escapes as you do other areas, you can reach a point where you can escape at will.
I covered a specific system that is not openly taught (or maybe I should say, not known) by many grapplers. It's a simple and effective method that addresses 3 main areas: 1) how to prevent a pin when someone has passed your guard so you can get to your knees or recompose, 2) how to prevent a person from passing your guard (but not using your guard), and 3) what to do when someone has pinned you.
The moves were efficient and did not require the students to use a lot of speed or strength. The students commented that the techniques permitted them to use less effort and rely on their partners movement to escape. Also, the positions allowed them to know/predict what their partners would do next (i.e. what their next move(s) would be). I was happy to see that the students' eyes were "wide open" with interest and glad to hear "uwws" and "ahhs" in reaction to certain realizations.
When someone pins you down, do you find it difficult to escape? Do you think you use way too much energy to get out of an inferior positions? When someone "great" at pins and/or much heavier than you is on top, does this make escaping more difficult? If you answered any of these three questions with a "yes," then it's probably a good idea to take some time to focus on your escapes. Not only is learning to escape a matter of know key techniques, but escapes also require effective positioning and great timing. To develop these two areas, people need to put in enough hours on the mat with different training partners. Furthermore, if you decide to works your escapes, think about the different situations. It will benefit you to work the 3 areas outline above. Learn what to do when someone has pinned you, when someone has passed your guard and is about to pin you, and what to do to prevent the passing of your guard.
We all know how it feels to have someone huge pin us down. We feel "smashed" and sometimes find ourselves losing energy trying to push our opponent off of us. There are more effective ways to deal with pins and pin prevention. So, I encourage all of you to spend some time thinking about your escapes. Just like any specific area in training, escapes take a lot of time to really "master." But if you do put the time into it, I think you'll be surprised with the positive results.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Traditional BJJ Gi Training Needed for MMA?
When I first started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, it was to learn techniques needed for anything goes type of fighting. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu took the martial arts scene by storm and every serious martial artists wanted to incorporate the ground game into their arsenal. However, practically every BJJ or "MMA" school trained in a gi and never really focused on actual MMA training. Almost every "MMA" school was teaching and training in sport BJJ.
Not many people complained though because a lot of people could see the practical applications of the moves and with a little creativity and experimentation, they could make the techniques work in MMA situations. Also, a lot of people got "brainwashed" to a certain degree, learning that the best MMA fighters had to be high ranking BJJ competitors first (i.e. Black Belts), then had to get good at No-Gi fighting, and finally, they then could start training vale tudo. As many people know today, this progression was and is not necessarily the best way to approach MMA training.
Although techniques from sport bjj, no-gi, and MMA can be used in each area with some tweaking, they are all still very different and require focused training--if you want to compete in sport BJJ, put on a gi and train with it often; want to be good at submission grappling, stop using the gi; and want to get good at MMA, start realizing the major differences with grappling without any kind of striking involved and train MMA. I do think that training with the gi and doing submission grappling are important to getting good in MMA. But, looking back, I don't think you need to spend years training with the gi, then years doing just submission grappling, then finally MMA. Just think of some the the great BJJ fighters who followed that path and then tried MMA for the first time. They didn't do too well.
I think if a person spends too much time focusing on ground work with the gi and/or without, he or she is developing a false sense of confidence for MMA fighting. You simply have to include the hits into your training. It makes a world of difference when someone is trying to take your head off. Just because you can grapple or take people down, doesn't mean you can fight. Moreover, a person needs to get accustomed to the various positions, techniques, and strategies that MMA fighters find themselves using all the time. The more one practices these areas, the better the person will get. It's about focusing on MMA rather than spreading oneself too thinly among sport bjj, no gi, and MMA training.
If definitely think a person should train and pick up solid fundamentals with the gi. At least a solid blue belt, preferably a purple. But, grappling training would not stop there. It should continue with the guidance of excellent grappling trainers, but the emphasis should be on MMA. Ultimately, the athlete has to pick his or her focus. Again, it's not a good idea to spread yourself too thinly.
In the Philippines, it might be a good idea for some fighters to spend a lot of time really learning the basics of ground fighting. I'm not talking about just watching techniques, doing a couple of reps, drilling a little bit, and that's that. They should really know the basics, just as well as guys who solely train BJJ. It might be a good idea that they try competing in strict BJJ competitions too just to test out their ground skills and make sure they've reach a certain level. I think this simple change in training could really increase the level of Pinoy MMA.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Choosing a BJJ or MMA Instructor
Today was one of those mornings. I woke up early, but also stayed up real late working on some things. It's been the norm lately. I was planning to train this morning, but I was simply too tired. Again, it's the ongoing challenge to balance different passions in life. No complains thought. At least I'm doing what I enjoy. (Also, I had a pretty bad burn on my tricep from the ropes while training MMA, which just started to scab and heal quicker.)
I thought about the different fighters, trainers, and instructors I've learned and trained with my entire life, and tried to determine who had the most impact on my developed skills (i.e. who "taught" me the most). Everyone had a different teaching style, emphasis, philosophy, and overall approach. Some taught by way of a strict class and lesson structure, while others advocated an unorthodox style of trial and error, and question and answer. Choosing a good instructor is very important and I wanted to share my thoughts on the subject.
Now, this is not a blog about visiting schools, feeling out the instructor and/or deciding whether you're a fit. To me, that is common sense when joining a martial arts school, taking private lessons, or attending seminars. This blog focuses more on the various teaching styles instructors have and which methods seem the most effective to me.
I'd say that over 75% of the "seniors" I've trained with were the type that focused too much on techniques. Being technical is not wrong. What I mean by focusing too much on technique is that these instructors simply taught a lot of techniques to students. Day after day there would be new techniques; but, there wasn't enough understanding and drilling of the positions. No one really had a chance to get a good grasp of the techniques. Likewise, many people forgot a lot of the techniques. I'm a visual learner and tend to rehearse moves in my mind well, so I didn't have much difficulty just seeing a technique a couple of times. But, I know a lot of other students struggled because they needed more practice.
Out of the remaining 25%, I would say 10% were "traditional" instructors who showed maybe 4-6 techniques/positions/moves for months. I think there was a time where I did the Americana and Ezekial choke for three straight months. This was back in the 90s, and clearly, these instructors were trying to hold back. Unfortunately, these instructors' students often get beat in competition now.
The other 15% were simply the best instructors I've ever experienced. I should say that they still are, too. I find it amazing that the 15% that I know are respected by the MMA/BJJ community, but they do not get the credit they deserve--and I tell you, they deserve a lot of it. They aren't as popular as other instructors, but their knowledge and experience blows the competition away in many areas. These instructors were not about feeding you a ton of techniques. They were not "BJJ encyclopedias" who just continued to throw technique after technique at you--to the point where you might get confused or overwhelmed. These instructors were people who knew the little details that many other "professionals" did not know. The details that make all the difference in the world. The 15% were the type who taught a technique, its details, and then conducted drills until the technique was strongly understood and could be applied when sparring. There was never wasted time, and there wasn't endless and "useless" repetition (as opposed to the "traditional" instructors I had). Also, athleticism was never needed to pull off the techniques they showed, but athleticism did make using the moves even simpler.
If you're looking for a class to join, about to attend a seminar, or take private lessons, I recommend that you learn from someone who conveys that he/she truly has a deep understanding of many areas--not just superficial technique, but specific reasons behind very specific moves (e.g. hand placement, hip movement, etc.). When I say very specific, I mean, extremely. One instructor told me to listen/feel for when a person inhales/exhales and how it will tell me when they were going to "burst." It's been years, and that little detail has held true. No one has ever come close to teaching me that or hinting that they knew/know about it.
Keep in mind, you'll want to learn from someone who is a "teacher." The best teachers can break things down into little pieces of information that you can absorb quickly and more effectively. Remember, a good fighter does not always equal a good teacher. However, to get the best of both worlds is ideal. You want to learn from someone who is a great fighter and excellent teacher. If you're still not sure, look at a school's team or instructor's students. How did they do in competition? How are their attitudes? How do they train? Often, their actions reflect a lot about their instructor.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Philippines - Blue Belt Requirements
Since I started teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, one of the most common questions I encountered was, "What do I need to do to get my [color] belt?" It's not surprising in an art that uses belt ranks and in a society that seems to respect higher ranking martial artists more than others. I would always encourage my students to not get too caught up with the color of their belt and assured them that if they kept training hard and focused on improving their skills, the belts would come in time. Some students took what I said to heart, while others were, and still are, too focused on belt color.
Nonetheless, around 2002 or 2003 (if I recall correctly), I came out with a set of Blue Belt requirements that I thought any solid Blue Belt ought to know. Now, these requirements were the minimum technical requirements needed to be considered for the belt, but did not guarantee you would be promoted. All of us who have been training for a while know it takes much more than just memorization to "move up the ladder."
I wanted to share with you what I outlined as requirements for blue about 5-6 years ago, and how the past years have changed (or maybe I should say, reinforced) the requirements I set forth for my students. I demonstrated specific techniques in detail to my students, and have a Blue Belt Workshop I held on video. Below is just a brief outline of the requirements. So, when I say 5 side mount escapes, there were certain basic ones I wanted everyone to know. In addition, there are details that I'm omitting to make the outline shorter (e.g. posture-where to place your arms, legs, etc. in certain positions).
Note: I'm writing this quickly in between classes so I might have overlooked a certain area.
1. Forward, backward rolls/forward, backward, and side break falls
2. Basic hip movements
3. Escapes
a. 5 Side Mount Escapes
b. 3 Mount Escapes
c. 3 Escapes from Modified Scarf Hold
d. 3 Escapes from Traditional Scarf Hold
e. 3 Escapes from Knee-On-Stomach
f. 3 Escapes from North/South
g. 3 Escapes from Reverse Scarf hold
h. 3 Escapes from Rear Mount
4. Guard Passing
a. 3 ways to open standing
b. 3 ways to open on knees
c. 5 ways to pass guard
5. Mount
a. 3 chokes
b. 2 arm locks
6. Side Mount
a. 4 arm locks
b. 2 chokes
7. North/South
a. 2 arm locks
b. 1 chokes
8. Guard
a. 6 sweeps when opponent is standing
b. 4 sweeps when opponent is on knees
c. 3 chokes
d. 3 arm locks
9. Knee-on-Belly
a. 2 chokes
b. 3 arm locks
10. Rear Mount
a. 4 chokes
b. 1 arm lock
11. Foot locks
a. Basic foot lock
b. Basic heel hook
12. Transitioning/Positioning - Basically from every major position to the other
13. Combinations - I had a list of basic combinations I wanted students to know
The outline makes it look quick and easy. But, actual requirements that I wanted to see were comprehensive and more detailed. Now that I think back about the basic requirements set back then, I think I would keep most of it even today. The movements are the fundamental techniques that I think every BJJ stylist needs to know. They are "bread and butter" moves used everyday by all top grapplers. Again, these requirements are purely technical. I think now, I'll even add a competition requirement--maybe something like at least 10 competition matches won by submission. This would encourage people to go for the finish instead of playing the point game.
For all you reading this, try going through the brief outline above and see if you can quickly/instinctively go through all the requirements in your head and visualize the moves. If you can, I think you're on top of your fundamentals and are definitely at least a Blue Belt. If not, you might want to do some reviewing. There's no shame in forgetting. But, try not to neglect the basics because you're always going to go back to them.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Saturday Morning Training
Baret taught the regular class this morning. I decided to take the class because it would be a good warm up for our MMA training. My brother Mike, and our friend Bob were also there to help Baret with his MMA training. We went over some X-guard techniques, drilled, and sparred. Baret seemed to be a little exhausted this morning, so he decided to postpone the MMA training until Monday--it was a good thing because my head isn't on right today, and I'm feeling sluggish today. We all ended up rolling with one another and different students in the class for about 45 minutes to an hour.
Baret was focusing on his leg locks today; Bob has been trying to work some new passes he learned in Brazil; my brother seems to playing around a lot with a specific Brabo choke setup; and I decided to work some half guard techniques. As Like I've said in previous entries, it's always good to go into training with an idea of what you want to work that day. People tend to improve more when they set little goals for themselves.
As I mentioned, I'm a bit drained today so I'm going to cut this entry short. Before I go, here are some pics and a short video from training today. My brother and Baret are rolling in the pics, and both of them are also in the video clip rolling with Aaron. I apologize for the background conversations you can hear. I'm too tired today to edit them out or mask them with music.
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Sunday, March 9, 2008
"Use Your Legs More"
One way I can spot a more experienced fighter from someone just starting out, is in the way they use their legs. Higher level fighters know how to use their legs and their feet very well--as skillfully as they use their hands and arms. When I was really into Muay Thai, I noticed that the best fighters had great footwork and knew how to flawlessly incorporate their kicks into their combinations. When I was a Blue Belt in BJJ, I began to notice that the best Black Belts were also "masters" of using their legs in various positions, submissions, and transitions.
Many people focus too much on their hands and arms and neglect the use of their hips, legs, and feet, which are just as important, if not more important, then using the upper body. Clearly everyone uses their legs, but I am talking about using your lower half with more actively--to the point that your two legs can serve as two extra arms.
With this said, try using your legs more when you practice with your team and training partners. When striking, don't neglect working on your footwork. All decent strikers know how to move foward, back, left, right and circle. But, how much time is spent learning and practicing the use of angles. Angling is a huge aspect of striking that top caliber fighters incorporate daily into training, and it requires good coordination and skilled use of your legs. Also, strikers need to practice on making their kicks, quick and light, yet powerful. There are ways to develop power, and also ways to develop speed. It's a good idea to make sure there is balance (i.e. don't only train for power).
Grapplers can use their legs in almost any position. If a grappler becomes very skilled with the use of his or her legs, that person will definitely see a huge leap in performance. Try experimenting with using your legs more when passing the guard. For instance, use your knees, shins, and/or feet to help control your opponents legs to make it easier for yourself to pass. If you're on the bottom of someone's side mount or mount, don't forget to use your legs to help move your opponent. With your legs you can bridge your opponent, build momentum and space, and even control parts of you opponent's body (even when on flat on your back). There are so many instances where more use of your legs can improve your game.
Analyze your game and ask yourself if you can use your lower body more effectively. Don't be afraid to try things out and be creative. In the process of playing around while training, I'm sure you'll learn some new techniques on your own.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Sparring to Develop Mechanics and Timing
I woke up this morning with a real sore shoulder. I've been battling with a shoulder injury for quite some time now, close to a year. I suspect it was from lifting heavy weights. There was a point where I was working to develop more power and explosiveness, and although my muscles didn't mind the heavy weight, my shoulder gave in and has been causing me a lot of pain. Despite this, I keep on training. I have to be selective with who I train with and am limited to what I can do, but I have to keep moving. For the next few months, I'll probably focus only on grappling because punching causes sharp pain. I don't recommend that any of you follow my lead and think you should have an injury checked if it seems serious. I guess I never went earlier because I just got back to training seriously again, and don't want to stop. I've made plans to go to an orthopedic doctor the past couple weeks, but I've been swamped with other things and haven't had a chance. I will go soon though.
Anyway, enough about my shoulder. Heading to Undisputed to train today, I decided to work on escapes. To be specific, I decided to work on a certain position that prevents an opponent from passing my guard.
When I spar to work a particular aspect of my game, I usually roll at about 30%-50% intensity so I can properly work technique and develop timing. All too often, I see people sparring 100% who hardly ever get the chance to work many techniques. These people are always busy fending off an attack or using all their strength and speed to get a position, that they do not have the chance to think, be technical, and focus on timing. I think timing and proper execution are key factors that separate higher level fighters from average fighters. A person can know a million techniques but without timing and proper mechanics, he or she may never be able to pull any of those techniques off in a real fight.
To work my escapes, I chose two sparring partners who were slightly heavier than me. This allowed me to practice my escapes without having to use strength. In addition, these were two people who I knew would "work" with me. It's hard to practice new moves, or develop timing if your sparring partner is acting more like an opponent rather than a training partner or coach. When the round started, I simply let my partners pass my guard, but worked to prevent them from pinning me down and completely passing my guard. If my partner passed my guard, I worked to recompose my guard and started all over.
The next time you train, you might want to first pick a specific position or move you want to work on that day. This allows you to focus and really "learn" a move or position. Another thing you may want to consider is sparring at a lower intensity so you have more time to think and can focus on timing, mechanics, and execution. It's very important to train hard-- don't get me wrong; but, there has to be a balance. I often see guys in the Philippines sparring 110% everyday. First, the likelihood of injury is increased. Secondly, as I mentioned above, if you have a partner who is going 100% and you are too, you won't have the time to think and really understand what's going on when you spar.
Have fun when you roll. Training should be fun. You don't have to be out for the kill everyday. You'll have a better time rolling, and you probably learn a lot more.
Here's a short clip of Baret teaching a class at Undisputed, and a short video of "Kong" (his real name is Rey) smashing me and both of us doing what I just wrote about-- rolling, and having fun. He's 280 pounds (that's why he's called "Kong") and I'm 140 pounds. If you could only feel how heavy he is on top! Listen to Baret's, "Whoa!" when he sees Kong flip me over easily, like i was a little kid! We rolled several rounds today, and unfortunately this round ended early because of my shoulder.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Start of a New Week: Morning Sprints and Training with Jeff Glover
Conditioning
Because this is first blog post for PinoyMMA and this journal, I feel that I should give some background information, but knowing exactly where to start and what to write would be too time consuming. Training and school takes up a lot of time, and I also have been working on several business projects. So, I'm just going to jump right in and start this blog out with some thoughts on conditioning and a little segment about today's training.
You hear a lot of different theories and takes on conditioning and how to improve performance. In fact, there are so many methods it can be intimidating trying to learn about them and choosing one to stick with. I do think that everyone reacts differently and you never truly know what works for you until you try "it" - even if a noted authority tells you "it" will work. Based on my own training and conditioning experiences, my body reacts well to popular conditioning programs that are often given to other full contact athletes. Instead of providing a full fledged program right now, let me tell you what I did this morning and put it in context.
I divide my conditioning into periods. For instance, 2 months maybe devoted to building a foundation, then 2 months to improving speed, then 2 months to improving anaerobic endurance, etc. Right now, as I'm working to build back my anaerobic cardio, I'm in a "fundamental" endurance building stage. What I do, to start, is sprint up and down a "flight" of stairs for 1 minute straight, then I jog around for 2 minutes straight. Once I reach the 3 minute mark, I repeat the process for 4 more sets. 15 minutes. That's it.
Now, you might think that's too simple and it won't improve your cardio. If you run balls to the wall for that 1 minute, you will likely feel like your heart is going to explode after the third round. About the results, try it out for two weeks, and I guarantee you will feel a difference when you train. The key though is really pushing yourself. If you can't give it 100% the entire time, your results might differ.
Each week I adjust the intervals. The second week, I do stair for a 1 minute and 30 seconds, and jog for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Then, I repeat the process. Depending on your conditioning, times will vary. You can increase your sprint intervals by only 10 seconds if that is all you can manage. Right now I am on my third week and I am sprinting 1 minute and 45 seconds and jogging 1 minute and 15. If your cardio doesn't permit you to jog, then just walk and try to work up to jogging.
The goal is to eventually sprint up and down a flight of stairs for 5 minutes with 1 minute of rest (jogging, preferably), either for 3 or 5 rounds. I am focused on conditioning myself for MMA, which explains the time scheme I'm using. Give it a try, and if you have any questions or comments, let me know. Feel free to leave a comment here or email me at mylesvives[at]pinoymma[dot]com.
Afternoon Rolling
This afternoon was the second time I got to roll with Jeff Glover. If you guys don't know him, he is one of the best grapplers out there. Jeff came to Undisputed at good time. Baret Yoshida, my brother Mike, Kong, and a few other guys normally train with one another in the afternoon. Jeff was in town again and wanted to roll. (He plans to drop by from time to time.)
Unlike the first time he visited, Baret and Jeff didn't get to roll because Baret is training for a Shooto fight on the 28th and hand to work some stand up. Jeff definitely has some sweet moves and great technique. He seems to have more of a quick, "flowing' style of grappling, in comparison to say, a tight, pressure orientated game. He's a friendly guy and if you have the chance to train with him, I recommend you do so.
I'd like to share something that Jeff mentioned while we were talking after rolling, which I think Pinoy fighters can gain some insight from. It's cross training. Not in styles (although that is important), but cross training with other people who you don't normally train with. Jeff believes that you can't stay in one place for too long, and he makes a lot of sense. If you are rolling with the same people over and over, try to mix it up. If you can't travel around or do not have access to other training partners, vary how you train. For instance, instead of free sparring, choose one aspect of your game that you want to work, and do so the entire time. You might choose to work the straight arm lock from the guard. The main lesson is to mix things up: you training partners, and the way you train. It's one of the fastest ways to get better.
