Over the last couple of months I have written about various pieces of training gear, ranging from wrestling shoes to mouthguards. Looking over these tips I realized I had left out the single most important, completely indispensable training gear of all: your partner! … [Read more...]
Classes
Don’t be Afraid of Making your Students Better (Than You)
Normally in this newsletter I try to help you tap other people out, or at the very least make it more difficult for others to tap you out. This week's advice will result in you getting tapped out MORE often, not less, but you'll be a better grappler because of it. Let me start with an example. Recently I taught a sparring partner a new choke to attack the half guard (the 'Brabo' choke). This … [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...]
So You Wanna be a MMA Fighter?
It must have been the climax of The Ultimate Fighter TV show that did it: last week I recieved multiple emails asking me how to go about getting started in MMA. Now I am not an MMA expert, but I have participated in the training of several top-notch MMA fighters, so I have a few ideas on the topic. … [Read more...]
Training: How Often
Probably the most common question I get asked is "how many times a week should I train to make progress?" As with most questions the answer is "it depends". Once a week: If you are just starting grappling you can definately pick up a few things training even once a week, particularly if you already practice another martial art. … [Read more...]
When Training Time is Limited
In a really good training month I might take some BJJ classes, do some submission grappling sparring, take some private classes with a wrestling coach, run and lift weights for conditioning, do some boxing drills, do some yoga, and be a sparring partner for some NHB competitors at the club. … [Read more...]