Posted by Mike Calimbas on April 9, 2010
Today’s gem is brought to you by Art Suave.
In this video from quite a few years ago, “The General” Fabio Gurgel shares his insight on the game of an emerging Marcelo Garcia and what makes his game so fluid and hard to deal with. Marcelo also adds commentary about his jiu-jitsu and there’s some neat warm-up drills in the beginning of the vid that may be good to tack on to any training regimen as well.
Posted in Theory, Videos | Tagged: Marcelo Garcia, alliance | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mike Calimbas on October 5, 2009
In BJJ, practicing your technique against a live opponent is one of the crucial foundations to getting better. Rolling, coupled with drilling technique, is how one evolves and gets better.
But how can you refine your technique if you’re going 100% every time?
The answer is that you can’t. Much like a car can’t go from 0-100mph instantaneously, neither can your jiu-jitsu game if you don’t take the time to break it down. You’ve got to slows things down to see the necessary details. Sometimes this means breaking down all the steps of a particular technique but it applies to rolling as well.
Rather than going 100%, take the time to flow with your partner when rolling. Flowing is a training method where you roll in a relaxed manner, setting aside strength to focus on the technical aspects of your moves. There is give and take on both sides of the mat, with the main emphasis on positions, technique, and proper transition.
Try it sometime. You’ll find that it will benefit you in many ways.
This is what Rickson meant with his famous quote, “flow with the go.” For more information on rolling this way, check out this excellent blog on flowing by Ben Langford.
And as an added bonus, watch the below video emphasizing this type of rolling. It’s one I found on the UGof Alliance stalwarts Fabio “The General” Gurgel and Leozinho Viera rolling from way back in 1997. Pay close attention to their transitions and the speed of their grappling. Talk about some beautiful rolling
!
Posted in Theory | Tagged: BJJ, Leo Viera, fabio gurgel, alliance, flow, rolling | 1 Comment »
Posted by Mike Calimbas on September 18, 2009
We’ve written previously on the Saulo Ribiero’s book, Jiu-Jitsu Universty. In that book, the six-time world jiu-jitsu champion and a two-time ADCC submission grappling champion highlights the techniques and philosophy that enabled him to reach the pinnacle of our sport.
In their review of the book, Bloody Elbow calls Saulo Ribeiro “an important bridge figure between his coaches and mentors Rickson and Royler Gracie and the 21st Century wave of hyper-modern jiu jitsu stylists Marcelo Garcia, Robert Drysdale and Eddie Bravo.”
Indeed, Saulo Ribiero’s Jiu-Jitsu Universty highlights the evolution of jiu-jitsu and provides clear sequencing that not only teaches specific sweeps, passes, and submissions, but also takes the student from step to step in a linear manner.
For us, we are of the opinion that Saulo’s book is probably the most up-to-date read to help students of BJJ fine tune their games at this point.
 In the following video by Rick Ellis and Roy Dean, Saulo Ribiero: Lessons from a Champion, Ribiero goes in-depth about his philosophy towards Jiu-Jitsu and how he applies then to his teachings. Watch it and see what you think.
“When I roll with person, then I will know the true them. Who they really are. You can not lie when you are rolling. You can not hide who you truly are.” – Saulo Ribiero
Posted in Theory, Videos | Tagged: BJJ, Jiu-Jitsu Universty, Saulo Ribiero | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Mike Calimbas on August 20, 2009
This article is made for you grappling enthusiasts out there, specifically the wrestlers and BJJ players that are just starting out or need to revisit their passion for their sport. – By: Taylor Winzeler
You’re stepping on the mat. The home and sanctuary of all of your blood, sweat, and tears. Where you have spent a countless number of hours practicing, drilling and training. Now it’s time to put it together. A familiar feeling sends a wave of adrenaline down your spine as you step on to your playing field.
Are you a wrestler strapping on an ankle band? Or are you the BJJ player unweaving the tattered belt? Whichever you are,you share an unknown bond. The mat.
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Collegiate Wrestling are not the same, nor do they have the same origins or scoring systems. But with all their differences, it is intriguing to look past and focus on what lies underneath the root of competition.
Think of back to the first day of your sport.
Do you remember thinking about where and when you should position your body to gain an advantage? Remember trying to resist a maneuver with pure strength and then getting crushed by somebody who has correct technique and the speed and power to back it up? This is the starting point for both sports. The struggle. This is how both clean white belts and fresh wrestling shoes begin their journey.
What’s amazing is when look back to the first technique that actually worked for you. Whether it be the arm-bar or half-nelson, the realization is both sports contain almost the same system of learning. Only by repetition and drilling does technique become a part of muscle memory.
So how do we keep progressing?
First, find a technique that really catches your eye and study it. Then break it down, understand it, and eventually perfect it. Once the you begin to pull it off, it’ll become a new drug and you’ll want to do it over and over until it is second nature. Every grappler or wrestler knows exactly what I’m talking about. Once you have it down, move on to the next one. And repeat that over and over with different techniques for the rest of your life.
Remember, with grappling and all things in life, it takes drive, passion, and discipline to continuously get better. Achieve that sense of accomplishment never comes easy but the juice is worth the squeeze. After all, succeeding at something that at first seemed like a foreign language will always be satisfying no matter what you do in life.
Posted in Theory | Tagged: BJJ, jiujitsu, workout, wrestling | 4 Comments »
Posted by Mike Calimbas on August 5, 2009
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu players, If you’re currently a white belt or were one in the past, which pretty much includes well…. everybody, you’re going to know what I’m talking about in the follow description:
“You’re stuck on the bottom. Tired. Gasping for air. Gassing. And on top of you… your opponent feels like a behemoth. Whether he’s 135 ibs. or 235 ibs… he feels like he actually weighs as much as a teenage elephant. Sweaty too. He stinks. And goddamn, is he strong! You don’t know what to do so you panic. Moving up and down. Left and right. Pushing hard one way. Trying to speed your way out another. And it all feels like quicksand. You can’t get him of you. This is so FRUSTRATING!”
Like Keanu Reeves says in the 1994 ultimate action film, Speed… “What…would… you….. do…?”
Fear not fellow rollers, there is an answer to this age old question. And it lies within the fundamental framework of our Brazilian art. Leverage. Created through emphasizing the little things. Like creating the right space to move before doing so. By using your hips and limbs in concert with the proper wedges to displace your opponent from his control points. All the while refraining from leaving your own limbs out there to be controlled. Staying tight, they call it. Keeping your structure. When combined together, these are all answers. Basically, you’ve got to pay close attention to the entirety of your technique. Study it. Drill it. Perfect it. Over and over again. Meticulous repetition isn’t the most exciting thing. But then again, neither is having the sweaty big guy stuck on top of you now is it?
One more point – I’m not gonna lie. Of course speed, strength, and athleticism matter! Thus you should keep yourself in best cardiovascular shape as possible. Run. Do crossfit. Lift weights. Do whatever you need to do. All that will begin to matter in the second roll of the day or whenever you begin to get tired. And if you’re doing this planning on competing seriously in tournaments, you sure as hell better be doing some, if not all of these things and more in concert with the technical aspects of your training.
Finally, remember, not everyone has the beast-like meathead gifts of a Brock Lesnar. And that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you can’t get the big guys off you in scenarios like the one depicted in the beginning of this article. Just start paying attention to detail. Eventually, it will be by those results that you will succeed. You know… isn’t that what you’re paying thousands of dollars a year for?
Posted in Theory | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Kris on March 5, 2009
I’ve never been the biggest nor the fastest player on the field so being technical was of real importance when trying to play against bigger/faster players.  Out of this need to be technical and efficient using my own body type I learned the importance of watching film study. Coaches all around the country gather their players to review their previously played game. Players are graded on their performance based on their level of play. For brazilian jiu jitsu practitioners, watching film on your matches can be as of equal importance.Â
When I review my matches I recall my thought process as the movements progressed. In doing this, I learn what worked and what I need to work on. All in the hopes of becoming a better BJJ practitioner.
Two examples of my matches that I have reviewed. Any tips?
Posted in Theory, Videos | Tagged: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Film Study, Preparation, Training | 1 Comment »
