I've wanted to talk with Matt Kirtley for a LONG time because of his BJJ background, but it just so happens that he's done a ton of research into cults and cult-like practices, so we went off in some pretty interesting directions in this one! Some of what we talked about in episode 310 of The Strenuous Life Podcast includes... Red flags that you might be in a jiu-jitsu cult Changes to … [Read more...]
Matt Kirtley
“Comedy’ reverse omo plata from rear mount
Thanks to Matt Kirtley for submitting this technique. For more information, or to contact Matt, please visit Gracie Barra Clearwater - Stephan Kesting. While this entry into the reverse omo plata may seem like a comedy option (especially when I obviously have the choke in all these photos) I have actually used it when someone is defending their neck really well, especially when they have a gi … [Read more...]
Quicky under pass to reverse omoplata
This is a very effective way to end a match quickly. Thanks to Matt Kirtley for submitting this technique. For more information, or to contact Matt, please visit Gracie Barra Clearwater - Stephan Kesting. I was worried that it might be considered redundant to demonstrate three passes that are so similar. But that quickly passed when I realized I'm awesome and there's no such thing as too … [Read more...]
Sideride detail: attacking the turtle position
Thanks to Matt Kirtley for submitting this technique. For more information, or to contact Matt, please visit the Gracie Barra Tampa - Stephan Kesting. These details are rather simple and may appear obvious, but I have yet to see many people actually do it to get the crucifix and instead just complain about how hard it is to get the arm out with their knee alone. Here are two details to … [Read more...]
Step-by-step reverse omoplata
Thanks to Eduardo de Lima for demonstrating this technique, and to Matt Kirtley for taking the photos and writing the descriptions. For more information, or to contact either person, please visit Gracie Barra Clearwater - Stephan Kesting. If the crucifix choke is underused, then the reverse (or inverted) omoplata is almost unknown or at least considered an exotic novelty. Hopefully, this … [Read more...]
Cattle Catch Neck Crank
Thanks to Eduardo de Lima for demonstrating this technique, and to Matt Kirtley for taking the photos and writing the descriptions. For more information, or to contact either person, please visit the Gracie Barra Tampa - Stephan Kesting. The cattle catch is a neck crank (cervical lock) that’s illegal in almost all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, but still great for no-gi, submission wrestling … [Read more...]
A Confusion of Crucifixes
With the addition of the Crucifix Series, I felt I should address a common confusion people have when they try to discuss the crucifix. The root of the problem is that two different positions share the same name. One is legal at all levels of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and judo competition, while the other is a neck crank that is only legal in no-gi submission wrestling and mixed martial … [Read more...]
The Best Brabo Choke Resources
The 'Brabo' choke is a powerful weapon in BJJ, MMA, and Submission Grappling. And people are beginning to realize this. In fact, shortly after Paulo Thiago defeated Mike Swick at UFC 109 a reader asked me to write about the Brabo choke (Thiago finished the fight in the second round using this very choke choke). I've always had a suspicion that this attack (also known as the 'Darce choke') … [Read more...]
All Roads Lead to the Reverse Omoplata
I recently came across a very detailed breakdown of a little known technique called the 'reverse omoplata'. As soon as I saw it I knew that I wanted it available on Grapplearts, so I went and sought permission from the author (Matt Kirtley) and now I can happily pass these techniques on to you: Step-by-step reverse omoplata Side ride arm trapping details Standing guard pass to reverse … [Read more...]