Saturday 7 June 2008

Training Week 02-06-08

After a bad injury this week on my shoulder and back, I am doing research rather than anything physical.

I was very depressed at the idea of not being able to train at all, not even make a position. But as the week was drawing to an end, I decided to go over a few of my older videos of BJJ matches from Mudial 95-2000.

I noticed that although the sport evolves on a daily basis, the same basics are needed no matter which time period you are training in. Watching Favourites such as Mario Sperry x Roletta. De La Riva x Royler, Rolyer x anyone. Saulo x Roletta. And many more, my thanks to my old friend Dave for this tape.

Watching these masters then watching todays Mundials the similaritys of asics are astounding. Of course we have new techniques such as X-Guard etc. But watching Roletta's Cross guard, Marios Special Passing And Roylers all round skill more than make up for any new positions.

So what am I saying here.

BJJ is about the individual, everyone has a special, unique approach, everyone brings something of themselve when they train BJJ.

No lining up and blending in like traditional arts, BJJ expresses the personality of the individual. It gives the individual a chance to be themself, not the same as every other student.

I believe being an individual is very important to the growth of one life and martial art carer.

Anyone interested in going further read The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.

Sunday 1 June 2008

Training Week 26-05-08

After working all last week on the leg on shoulder pass, I was up for something completely different. I noted a few questions on positions and went to see Ze Marcello and roll around and ask these questions, but I ended up with another pass.

Well, Ze has massive knowledge and his guard passing is amazing. One position in particular I work on was a pass from when the opponent has their shin across your stomach, this is known as the Arm In The Middle Pass. I have seen this demonstrated by Michael Jen, Roy Harris, Saulo Ribero and a few others, all showing certain points about this pass.

But, Ze passes my guard so easy when he uses this position, I thought it cant be the same.

So, I placed myself in this position many times and he passed as many times, I asked a few questions (20 mins of them) To realise I misunderstood this pass completely.

The pass is a simple postion of weight in the correct place, and important head position. Instead of trying to squash the legs weight needs to be put forwards and slightly outwards in order to keep the opponent from doing anything with his legs, head position needs to be used to constantly push his back to the ground.