Self Defense Classes: Top 5 Things To Look For In A Self Defense Class

Shopping for a self defense course can be confusing and you probably don't know what you should be looking for in the first place (that's why you are looking for a course in the first place)

So here is a quick list of the most important things to find out before signing up or purchasing any self defense course.

1. Does the instructor have real world self defense or combat experience, not just a black belt?

You don't have to be a self defense or fighting expert to get a black belt. Many dojo masters have little to no real world fighting experience.

Look for a course taught by someone with military, bar bouncing, law enforcement, or body guarding experience. These are the people who deal with self defense all the time.

2. How is the course taught? Will you be sparring full speed with a partner or practicing full speed on a person in a padded suit?

If not keep shopping. How can you possibly hope to do something in a real life high stress environment when you have never even practiced it full speed in a controlled environment?

3. How long is the course? A weekend course is a great start but you will need to find a dedicated partner to practice with after the course is over. I would suggest practicing at least two or three times a month to keep your skills up (this is a bare minimum).

A month long course would be a much better choice because we can only learn so much in a weekend. More classes will allow you to remember more information and make your responses second nature.

4. What is the focus of the course? Is the instructor more concerned about techniques or targets?

Self defense is all about targets never let anyone tell you otherwise. Techniques (punches, kicks, elbows etc.) are simply tools for hitting targets. Any good instructor will tell you that a mediocre kick to the right target can still take an attacker down.

5. Does the course come with a video or manual? Let's face it we forget things we don't use every day. You may attend a class for a month, practice religiously for a month or two then get busy and stop practicing for several months and forget almost everything.

One great advantage of video self defense courses is that you can always refresh yourself everything you learn.

By following this simple guide you will be able to find the best self defense course on the market, and not throw your money away on a bad program.

For some simple easy to learn targets and techniques for self defense check out my blog at Fightfast.com/blog and sign up to receive my Free 15 Brutal Fight Enders.

Stay Smart and Stay Safe,
Bob Pierce
President
Fightfast.com

Bob Pierce is the President of Fightfast.com which specializes in providing its customers the practical knowledge and skills they need to keep themselves and their families safe. TRS the parent company of Fightfast.com has been a self defense industry leader since the early 1990s bringing costumers highly skilled instructors with real world self defense skills.

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Secret Shaolin Fighting Exercises: Finger-Pointing Technique!

The Shaolin Temple's 72 Secret Fighting Exercises or 'Kungs' involve training extremes which, if persisted with, deliver astonishing results. Practising Finger-Pointing Arts transforms the index-finger into formidable weapon, capable of extinguishing the life of an assailant. Details of training methods and the three key stages involved follow.

Introduction

'Kungs' involve mostly either Soft 'Yin Rou Energy' Training, (mainly Internal) or Hard 'Yang Gang Power' Training (mainly External) although a few involve both. Finger-Pointing Technique (aka 'Single Finger Hand-stand Arts' or 'One Finger Chan Meditation' according to some sources) 'Yi Zhi Chan Gong' is an exercise of the Yin Rou Energy Training variety. As is many of the 'Kungs' of this nature, persistence and perseverence are the keys to success..

Technical Analysis

This was considered a cruel and dangerous exercise by the ancient masters as it concentrated sufficient power into one finger (usually the index, or fore-finger) to take a person's life. Nevertheless, based upon the Vermillion Palm Exercise (1) training falls into several distinctive stages.

Method

Stage 1

Suspend a metal plate (or large hammer) by a door-way you use regularly. As you pass through, press the plate with your finger. At first, the plate will show no movement, after a while though, it should begin to swing when pressed, eventually moving quite a bit. Next, point your finger at the plate, without touching it at all, until you can produce similar movement. Finally, when you can move the plate regularly like this via simply jerking you index-finger upwards, you have successfully completed Stage 1.

Stage 2

Erect a row of candles, tea-lights will suffice, using the fore-finger alone, attempt to extinguish these by pointing forcefully at them, as above, from some distance away. At first, when finger-pointing occurs they will merely flicker, but, with regular practice, one, and then all, will be easily extinguished, snuffed out, as if by a fan. When this occurs regularly, Stage 2 has been accomplished.

Stage 3

Make a paper cylinder/paper-shield and place the candle/tea-light inside/behind this. Attempt finger-pointing as before. When the fore-finger can be pointed, the light extinguished and the cylinder/shield remains whole, further progress has occurred. Finally, place a sheet of glass between yourself and the candle-flame. When your finger-pointing can extinguish this, Stage 3 is complete and the skill mastered.

Overall

Once mastered, finger-pointing can play an important role in combat. The technique also plays a significant part in the training for one-finger hand stands.

Notes

(1) This is a similar 'Kung' initially using softer materials.

Sifu Peter Allsop M.Ed. teaches Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong in Yorkshire and Derbyshire U.K. With almost 40 years experience he is Shaolin Fists International Area Instructor for this region and Senior Student of Grandmaster Yap Leong.

Trained in the U.K. and China, Peter teaches Changquan ('Longfist') Wu Xing (5 Animals), Wu Tzu (5 Ancestors) Kung Fu and 5 Elements Qigong.
Sheffield Chinese Lion Dance Team Member, he also publishes 'Red Dragon Martial Arts Ezine'.
Explore the free resources at: http://www.sheffieldkungfu.com/ or http://shaolinway.com/

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How to Improve the Most Efficiently in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Something I came to realize was that being a good instructor is something that a lot of people who own schools are not doing. Regardless of how skilled they are, or their accomplishments, teaching is a whole different ballgame.

Teaching random techniques daily, and then telling the students to wing it is NOT good instruction. The people who succeed under this type of instruction have done so in spite of the instruction. They may or may not understand how to continually improve efficiently by themselves.

The most important thing to understand in my opinion, is having context to the material being taught. Simply put, there is a curriculum that I've come to understand that provides the most efficient learning for students. I didn't arbitrarily pick the order btw, it is strictly from analyzing my own progress and struggles from day one, as well as comparing the students who advanced quicker to those who didn't, side by side.

It starts with the worst case scenario (which is also 90%+ of the reason why new people lose) to progressively learning the next logical part of the game.

1) Escapes (from every single damn position). The goal here is to cover how to get to the half guard from every position. Why half guard? Because in terms of worst case scenario, half guard is the next best thing, one notch above being in the positions where your guard is passed. The vast majority of white belts lose their matches NOT because they don't know the latest submission or rubber guard, but because they absolutely suck at escaping. Preventing guard passes also falls under this category. I feel that every single white belt who just starts out should focus a tremendous amount (an absolute metric shit ton) of time simply on escapes and not getting your half guard passed.

2) Sweeps - Once the escapes are mastered, typically the next thing is to learn to get on top of the opponent. Sweeps starting from half guard, then open guard/butterfly/different variants and finally full guard should be learned. It is at this stage that most people receive their blue belts. Because escaping is no longer a big problem, the focus should shift to the sweeps. There should be no bullshit about working on the latest submission, or practicing the newest guard pass quite yet. Yes it is good to learn something from every position, however 90% of the focus in training should be devoted to becoming a THREAT from different forms of guard.

3) Guard passing/Takedowns - Once the sweeping is solid, against most people of the same rank, getting on top should not be a problem anymore. The sweeps should be so good, that you are threatening nearly everyone you roll with to some degree. At this point, technical guard passing should be developed. It is very likely that in a tournament (assuming the person has reached this point), the most likely cause of a loss is not being able to score a takedown, or not being able to pass the guard. And yes, good guard passing implies that you also are working on NOT getting swept. Having the right pressure from the top is a fine art, and developing this along with takedowns will increase the amount of matches won far more than learning anything else at this point.

4) Maintaining the good position/transitions - This is also a point that is sort of neglected in training. The highest level competitors have the best/quickest transitions between one good position to another. So to succeed in a tournament, you want to try to emulate that. i.e. taking the person's back quicker than they can turtle as they defend a guard pass. Typically as the opponents get better and better in tournaments, quick transitions and solid ability to maintain good positions will make or break the matches.

5) Submissions - Finally, submissions. Not that the person shouldn't invest ANY time until now on submissions, but the focus should be somewhat basic until here. Submissions from EVERY position should be practiced. Assuming all of the above have been mastered, having excellent subs from everywhere will complete the game plan, and I am pretty sure from my experience that once this is achieved, the black belt level has also been achieved. The ability to finish matches and really punish the opponent for making a mistake, or not being able to impose his own game really separates the elite black belt competitor from the not as skilled competitors.

So, this isn't the end-all be all way obviously, but at least from my point of view this has been more or less the most accurate picture of the fastest way to improve in bjj.

Finally, one more point I would like to mention is

Big guy game vs little guy game

Being a somewhat little guy myself, there have been plenty of times where I lost to someone bigger who had far less mat time than me. Yes it was frustrating, but over the last 6+ years, I learned a REALLY valuable lesson, which is that: there are two different types of game plans that everyone should learn.

Yes. One for the people who are bigger than you, and one for the people who are the same size or smaller.

The absolute PERFECT example of someone who plays the way he should against a bigger opponent is marcelo garcia.

The main point in this game plan for bigger people, is that when you are on bottom, you strictly limit the moves you do to the ones that do not let the bigger guy put any weight directly on top of you. This means, no normal half guard, no deep underhook, no flat on the back. There MUST be something framing the top guy (your forearm on his neck, your foot on his hip, your butterfly hook, ANYTHING) but the weight must be off. The attacks have to come very aggressively via arm drag, single leg, head lock/snap down, taking the back, leg lock, or standing back up.

big guys who are equally as skilled as you, will most likely beat you. So the point is to be so skilled at this game, that being matched in skill is not possible.

Now against people your own weight, the above game plan plus all of the rest of the moves can be used with no consequence. The worst thing is when I see someone trying to use the same game plan against everybody, and it includes the big guy putting weight right on top of the little guy. This indicates a severe lack of experience.

If you want to read more thoughts/insight regarding Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, check out http://gravadas.blogspot.com/

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5 Great Martial Art Styles You May Not Know About

A "martial art" is known typically as a fighting style that emphasizes certain techniques, training methods, and philosophies. That means that there are a lot of different types of martial arts in the world, since virtually every country has developed at least one form of combat throughout history. Some martial arts are thousands of years old, and others were created in many of our lifetimes. Here's a short list of fighting styles that aren't as well known as karate or boxing, but are worth knowing just as much. Whether you're just getting into martial arts or been at it for years, it's good to brush up on all the styles out there.

You've probably heard of a more popular variant of Tang Soo Do. Tae Kwon Do sprung from Korean Tang Soo Do in 1964. Lots of Tang Soo Do masters frown upon that because they believe a lot of modern Tae Kwon Do is too sport oriented. Tang Soo Do's history stretches back as far as two millenia, and there were many, many different types of it before it was unified under one name. The art is influenced by some dance-like forms, and you can think of it as a Tae Kwon Do that's focused on more damaging forms of combat, and less oriented towards competition.

Russia's military has a reputation for having some of the toughest, iron-skinned soldiers in the world. Due in part to what is now Russia's national sport, Sambo. Like many martial arts styles, Sambo has branched into the sports world since its founding in the 1920s, created as a very lethal system of hand-to-hand combat for the Red Army. The sport version is very similar to MMA, emphasizing grappling, locks, and chokes, as well as many types of striking. Fedor Emelianenko is a Sambo fighter who until recently was undefeated in his professional career, and to this day is considered by many to be the top martial artist in the world.

Silat is the primary martial art of Malaysia. It's also an older art and branches off into forms that are too many to count. Silat was developed from military styles and hunting methods, and has remained a very lethal and self-defense oriented martial art. Throws and take-downs are among the most common techniques, and are always followed up by strikes to sensitive areas and pressure points, like the throat or gut. The idea is to always have your next move planned, until your opponent is dispatched.

As fun as it looks, Hapkido does not teach you how to jump upside down. Well, maybe advanced students do. Those guys aren't jumping, though. They are being thrown to the ground by a Hapkido master. This is another Korean martial art, and it focuses heavily on self-defense and varies in techniques from strikes and jump kicks to joint locks and throws. A main principle of Hapkido is effectively taking control of your opponent and using circular, efficient motions. This is a good art for people who want to learn a good variety of martial arts techniques.

Everyone knows a bit about ninjas, but a lot of people are surprised when they find out there's actually a martial art called "ninjutsu." As the name implies, it's the martial arts system created by ninjas. Today, it is no longer taught as a style in which to sneak around assassinating people, and has evolved into a self-defense system. It stays true to the unconventional techniques used by ninjas, and weapons skills are still passed down to students. The man you see in the picture is Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, the 79 year old last living Grand Master of Ninjutsu who is the founder of the Bujinkan dojo in Japan, where martial artists from around the world train. The art itself is as mystical as ninja legends, with a focus on drawing power from your spirit ( also known as "chi") and the Earth.

To learn more about the history of these and other martial arts, visit the martial arts blog at KarateMart.com, where we sell unique martial arts supplies and ninja gear that you won't find anywhere else.

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MMA Strength and Conditioning - Train Less And Get Greater Results

MMA or Mixed Martial Arts is a sport that has been around for centuries -- from the time of the Gladiators of the coliseum to the warrior of the rinks and octagon cages today. It has recently become a popular and legally televised sport. Techniques in different Martial Arts are showcased and used to conquer one's opponent but you have to have enough guts to finish the fight all the way. That's where MMA Strength and Conditioning comes in.

This sport combines various fighting techniques, disciplines and backgrounds to be utilized against an opponent. Sport fighting does not only rely on the Martial Art technique alone. You must refine these fighting skills through power, speed and stamina.

MMA Strength and Conditioning is what makes the fighter a total fighter. It is the essential key to winning matches, but often times these athletes over train and the consequences lead to poor performances. In Mixed Martial Arts, it is advisable to train less and get greater results. If you would like to enter in this sport or profession which demands quite a lot of exercise and fight technique training, you must first make a time table based on your daily lifestyle routine. If you are committed to being a full time fighter then 3-4 days a week should be sufficient for such training to come to its full potential.

Remember that this training is different from the Martial arts techniques so you will definitely have to make time on your regular daily schedule. If you want to train to fight just for the rush of it, or if you have a much busier schedule but still have the adrenaline to be a fighter, then 2-3 days of this program would be enough. Training less to get better results means high intensity repetitions at lower weight increments, quality techniques in posture and form that boost power, and good metabolism generated in fast paced lesser amount of time. It is not about lifting heavy weights in the gym or working out for hours, 5-6 days a week. You will just stress out your body and will consequently wear you down in time for your fight.

It is all about important cycles, techniques in speed, accuracy and focus on vital body strengths. Balance of your daily activities, fighting style of your choice, and regular MMA Strength and Conditioning training that will make you a superior fighter. Train in a reasonable amount of time that won't stress out your body. Train hard but less to get greater results!

Want to learn how to train less and get greater results? Check out MMA Strength and Conditioning

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Death by Jockdom - 5 Ways to Avoidable Tragedy

Athletes are part of life. Most of us in an athletic field or profession, regardless of our discipline, are often referred to as jocks. Fair enough. However, although jocks can be nice guys and contribute to the well-being of society, there is a time when discretion and common sense dictate withdrawal from a potentially violent situation. Instincts play a part, as do circumstances. But let's be clear-simply being a great athlete, weight lifter, buffed out football player, hockey player or any configuration of the same-does not guarantee one's safety in a self-defense situation. Retreat is a viable military tactic, and knowing when to retreat and create distance between you and a potentially destructive or lethal situation is vital to staying healthy or even staying alive. One may be right in an argument, but he may also be dead right, and that's the crux of the problem.

True story-June, 2011: A southern California strength and conditioning coach, his brother and friends were out late one night. In visiting an all-night restaurant, a confrontation began between them and a woman who cut in line. Words were exchanged. One of the guys apparently spit in the woman's face in response to her negative attitude. The argument escalated and the restaurant owner asked them all to leave. She called her boyfriend, and when he arrived with his entourage of buddies, a fight occurred in the parking lot. The result was that the strength and conditioning coach was stabbed to death. One of his friends also died of knife wounds inflicted by the girl's boyfriend who had a prior history of armed assault with a deadly weapon. The alleged stabber/murderer was arrested and is currently waiting trial.

Sad... but too common. How many stories exist of young people dying because of such a lack of wisdom and an all-too-anxious ego-driven desire to mix it up? What self-defense principles could have been employed to diffuse this situation and prevent the tragic death of those in this event?

1: Balanced and Calm Demeanor

Life will forever present events and/or people who annoy us or do things that potentially upset us. However, that does not mean we should allow them or their actions to imbalance us and disturb our sense of calm. In truth, no one can upset us. We allow them or their actions to upset us. Having someone cut in line is one thing, but does it warrant an escalation to the point of argument or worse?

2: Humble Attitude

Humility is the highest form of strength; arrogance is the highest form of weakness. Humility is a great shield against the arrogance of insanity that pervades society. Lacking humility and having a quick trigger to spit in someone's face is anything but humble and everything that is incendiary.

3: Awareness of the Situation

Reading a situation is critical to well-being. Heroes may never get killed in the movies, but real life is not the movies. People's emotions are like fire, and young people's emotions are like a forest fire, and, sadly, most young people feel they are invincible. Such thought is a specter of illusion. Assessing a situation and its potential for creating problems and danger is essential to our well-being. Living in a state of naiveté is dangerous. Be safe. Be aware.

4: Create Distance

When a situation begins to flare up, one of the safest and wisest things to do is leave. Create distance between you and the situation. Had these young men left the restaurant when the girl was calling her boyfriend or when the owner asked them to leave, they would still be alive. There's nothing smart or heroic about staying in the forest when a fire starts, fires which can spread very fast, especially when there is ample emotional kindling to fuel it.

5: Do You Want to Die on this Hill?

Some battles are better not fought or at least postponed until a better opportunity presents itself for engagement. Picking and choosing our battles is important. Some battles are not worth fighting, let alone sacrificing our life for. A person cutting in line, although unseemly, is an event demanding wise assessment. In this case, such assessment was not made and the result was the tragic death of two young men and all of the attending pain, suffering and turmoil accompanying it.

Was this murder scenario Death by Jockdom? Was it more a condition of ego and testosterone than wisdom and humility? Only the participants can answer that. The fact is, two young men cannot answer because they're dead, however accomplished or nice people they may have been.

Summary

We are living in an ever-volatile environment demanding, perhaps more than ever, a calm disposition and ability to assess situations for their danger. Tensions are high. People are stressed. Respect for law and order, even life, seems to be waning. Life is more fragile than some people choose to believe. Danger can be around any corner, at any time. One never knows when a situation will erupt into a volcanic explosion. Be wise. Be smart. Be calm. Be balanced. Be humble. Assess situations for their potential damage. Create distance if you have to in order to remain safe, and never forget to ask yourself, "Do you want to die on this hill?"

Richard Andrew King is the Founder and Grandmaster of the Karate Institute of America and the Kiado-Ryu martial arts system. He has studied the fighting arts since 1968 and taught professionally since 1979. Having instructed thousands of people of all ages, as well as having a successful competitive career in weapons, forms and fighting, King is author of The Black Belt Book of Life: Secrets of a Martial Arts Master. His books, instructional martial arts DVDs and CDs are available through his websites: http://richardking.net/, http://kingskarate.net/ and at Amazon.com.

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Allen Causevic Interview

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I'm very excited to introduce Allen A. Causevic. He is one of the top competitors based out of the Chicago area. Many of you know him, some of you don't, but you'll hear more and more about him as time goes on.

Allen is exceptionally eloquent and thoughtful in his answers. We discuss "fighters," gi vs. nogi, Austrian Economics, being a big guy, his favorite grapplers, and his hair.

BJJinChicago: Allen, thanks for taking the time to do this interview. You currently train with Jay Valko. How long have you been training there and what do you like most about the academy?

Allen Causevic: I've been with Mr. Jay Valko since May of 2005. I had started at Carlson's Academy Downtown and would mainly attend the afternoon class that Jay would teach. After Jay went on his own, I had followed him over to his new school in 2007. Since then, the school has grown dramatically. I attribute the growth to the same reasons why I love the academy. We are very open about sharing knowledge and the exchange of ideas. I've visited many schools across the country and many instructors stick to that pure jiu-jitsu game. Unfortunately, this is a detriment to the sport. MMA is evolving. So is Jiu-Jitsu. With the addition of RJ Cohen and his world-class Judo skills, along with Timothy Foley's Division 1/All-American wrestling skills, we are evolving.

The transition from a top stand-up game to a top ground game is the future. This takes the exchange of ideas and knowledge I mentioned before, and for many, a journey out of their comfort zone. Jay has done a great job of creating this advantageous environment. This "ideas friendly" environment is best seen during the Saturday open mat sessions, which are free for all to attend. As a result, we do see a wide array of people visit with different skill levels. Being exposed to different styles from local, national, and international visitors has made all of us better grapplers. As the sport evolves, I'm excited to see the future and our successes.

BJJiC: What are some of your greatest tournament accomplishments to date?

AC: I don't look at Jiu-Jitsu as a fight. The mentality I follow is that it's a competitive match. Having said that, I always look to perform well during any match. Being able to perform under pressure is what sets champions apart and I work very hard to maintain composure and work the techniques that put the odds to win in my favor. As a result, my best performances have been during the:

2011 NYC International Open Purple belt Super Heavy: Gold

2010 Chicago International Open Purple belt Super Heavy: Gold

2009 NYC International Open Blue Belt Super Heavy: Gold

2009 Abu Dhabi Pro-Gi Qualifiers- Blue Belt-Heavy-Gold

BJJiC: What are a few tips for bigger guys who are just beginning jiu-jitsu?

AC: Don't be discouraged when the conventional wisdom you've been following turns out to be false. When I started training, I was 240 lbs., power lifting, and consistently eating a post workout meal consisting of a Whopper from Burger King and the original Muscle Milk. Yes, that is approximately 1700 calories. We're led to believe that there is a correlation between how much weight you throw around in the weight room to your fighting ability. How many times have you heard, "Wow, he's huge! Don't mess with him!"? Well in 2007, I was fed the red pill and my world was turned upside down. I was destroyed by guys half my size. Tapping to a rear-naked choke to someone who weighs 135 lbs. definitely destroys ones ego. You soon realize you've been following the wrong path in life. It's devastating for some. My advice would be to work technique as much as possible and to not get discouraged when losing to smaller opponent. Finally, work your guard as much as possible. Working your weaknesses and removing yourself from your comfort zone will pay off later on in your career.

BJJiC: If you could go back in time...what would you say to yourself as a white belt?

AC: Stop eating Whoppers. Don't start competing No-Gi until after you're promoted to blue belt. There is a long debate on the Gi vs No-Gi advantages. I'm of the school that believes a good Gi game will trickle down to a good No-Gi game. I would try to knock some sense into my old self to start working hard on my Gi base, and then move to working No-Gi afterward.

BJJiC: Royal Rumble - Your hair, Jay's beard, RJ's hair, and Mike's beard. Who wins?

AC: My hair hands down. I could be rolling in a jiu-jitsu class at night, then having a Grey Goose on the rocks in a world-class country club right afterward with my perfect hair part. It doesn't move no matter how much I exert myself. It's the source of my power. Second place goes to Mike Cornille. His beard provides one of the most protective shields known to man.

BJJiC: Who is the best person you have ever rolled with?

AC: This award goes to Mr. Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu. I had visited his school in Miami, FL in December of 2010 and was humbled. I was amazed to feel his skill level in action. The journey of Jiu-Jitsu is a long one, and that experience helped me realize that I was not at the level I would like to be. Seeing where I was has helped me train differently and work harder in many different aspects. It's always good to take a step back and see where you are and decide where you want to go in the future.

BJJiC: Who is the best person you have ever competed against?

AC: This title would go to Mr. Luke Costello of the UK. He is my latest loss that took place at the 2011 World Jiu-Jitsu Championships. After watching video, we have a very similar game but he was better that day. He took me down with a great Uchi Mata, which has not happened in a tournament setting to me in a long time. I lost my composure and was submitted via bow and arrow choke. It's ironic; I was thrown with one of my favorite throws and choked out by my favorite submission. Eating a taste of my own medicine was not tasty. I look forward to a re-match in the future.

BJJiC: How many times a week do you train?

AC: During down times I'm usually there 4 to 5 days a week. If I'm training for a tournament then I'm in the gym 6 days a week. I've added strength and conditioning 3 to 4 days a week to my regiment as well. Hopefully this new combination will lead to new found success in the future.

BJJiC: What kinds of activities do you do outside of jiu-jitsu?

AC: The like to do the following in no particular order:

1. People watching at Wholefoods.

2. Filmmaking and graphic design.

3. Improving my knowledge of the Austrian School of Economics.

4. Eating foods that have not been processed or altered in any way.

5. Volunteering at animal shelters.

6. Sharpening my culinary skills.

BJJiC: Who are some of your favorite grapplers to watch (and why)?

AC: I love to watch Cyborg Abreu and Braga Neto. I'm a bigger guy so of course I like to watch the big dogs. Watching their games has helped me become a better grappler.

BJJiC: What are your plans for competing in the future?

AC: I'm planning on competing in the 2011 Chicago International Summer Open of course. But the big tournament at the end of the year I'm looking at is the Melbourne Open in Australia. I've never been, so I would like to take the opportunity to compete at such a large international event and see the sights afterward.

BJJiC: What else can we expect from you in the future?

AC: I want to improve my Judo game to the highest level possible. I do see myself traveling and competing at the high level tournaments in the USA Judo scene in the future. Training with the best Judoka will take my Jiu-Jitsu game to a new level and I'm excited to learn the new techniques.

BJJiC: Any last comments?

AC: Yes. With the explosion in popularity MMA & Grappling has seen in recent years, the conduct and behavior of the sub-culture that has risen in parallel is appalling. The insane graphic t-shirts to the full sleeve/body tattoos have significantly lowered the esteem of the sport. All too often I see these individuals in social settings bragging to people on how they're ''fighters.'' This disillusioned mentality needs to stop. Athletes should carry themselves to a higher degree and strive to be gentlemen. Poor sentence structure and improper grammar is not cool. This of course is no relation to SubCulture apparel. They have done a great job supporting local athletes and are very active in the BJJ community. SubCulture is the only Gi I wear for competitions and training sessions. I highly recommend them.

Quick Hits

Favorite Takedown: Uchi Mata

Favorite Submission: Bow and Arrow Choke

Favorite Position: Knee on Belly

Interested in learning more about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in Chicago?

Visit http://www.bjjinchicago.com/ for interviews, gym reviews, free mailing list giveaways, tournament and seminar information for Chicago and the Midwest, as well as a gym map and complete academy listing!

BJJ in Chicago is your source for submission grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in Chicago!

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Explosive Movements for Judo

To participate in Judo you must have a lot of speed and strength, otherwise known as power. Here are 5 exercises that will build a lot of full body power resulting in you being able to be faster on the mat and have greater strength when turning in for techniques.

Powercleans

Powercleans are a fundamental exercise that will develop power in the legs, hips and back.

You know the feeling when you are four minutes into a fight and you have nothing left but you must use your last bit of energy to explode for a technique but your body is not responding. This is the time when doing countless powercleans in the gym will pay off. Powercleans teach you to explode quickly pulling a weighted bar with you.

To do a powerclean you must have rubber coated Olympic plates and a bar that will allow you to spin underneath it.

- Begin with your feet shoulder width apart and grip the bar just outside.
- Bend your knees and bend at the waist so your shoulders are just over the bar
- Maintain a slight curve in your lower back
- Straighten your arms so they are not bent
- Inhale
- Using your legs begin driving through the floor, lifting the bar off the ground
- exhale
- When the bar passes your knees continue the next part of the movement by thrusting your hips forward and simultaneously contract your trapezius muscles
- As the bar continues to travel upwards start the 'catch' by bending your knees to get under the bar.
- While keeping a grip on the bar rotate underneath and finish with the bar resting on your upper chest with elbows high
- Slowly lower the bar and repeat

Burpees

Everyone who has done any sort of martial arts, boot camps or person training knows what a burpee is. Simply squat down, extend your legs out into a push-up position, perform a push-up, bring your legs back to a squatting position and proceed to explode upwards jumping as high as you can. Perform these as part of a circuit or a warm up at training. Burpees will not only develop tremendous leg power but also get your heart rate through the roof resulting in a higher vo2 max.

Sumo Deadlift high pulls

A killer full body exercise that will have your legs, back and shoulders screaming.

- With a wide stance, grasp the barbell in between your legs with palms facing towards you
- Make sure your back stays straight throughout the entire movement
- Using your legs, lift the bar off the floor and using your arms begin an explosive lift upwards
- Keep your back straight and weight on your heels
- As the bar passes your hips thrust forward to assist the bars movement upwards
- Finish by completing an upright row movement with the bar at shoulder height
- With a controlled movement return the bar back to the starting position.
- Repeat

Perform tabata intervals with Sumo Deadlift high pulls will definitely build tremendous full body endurance.

Medicine ball throws

High throws and shot puts are all explosive exercise that Judokas should be doing on a regular basis.

To perform a shot put simply stand 3-5 meters from a wall. Hold a medicine ball at shoulder height (like a shot put) and throw it against the wall as hard as you can. Retrieve the medicine ball and repeat for desired number of repetitions. This exercise will not only develop Upper body power but also get each of your arms working independently which is useful during grip fighting.

Sprints

Flat or hill sprints should always be factored into a competitive judokas fitness and conditioning program. Sprints develop leg speed and power and are great as they simulate a competition match so closely. This is due to the fact that in a relatively short amount of time your heart rate goes from resting to through the roof.

Short sprints should not be performed year-round as they are very physically demanding and the Athletes will need a chance to recover.

Author: Matt D'Aquino
http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/

Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games.
To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/

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Andrew Smith (US Grappling) Interview

Andrew Smith of US Grappling and Revolution BJJ, took some time to answer a few questions for us. Andrew is a black belt in BJJ, a black belt in judo, and a 3x Pan Am Champion. He currently is an instructor at Revolution BJJ and has brought US Grappling (editorial: one of my favorite tournaments to compete in) to Chicago. Thanks Andrew!

Enjoy!!

1. Have you ever used jiu jitsu in a self defense situation?

Not really, apart from drunken friends horsing around and kind of forcing an impromptu grappling match. Self defense is 99.9% common sense and good judgment, neither of which I was born with. Fortunately, I've learned the value of diplomacy over the years and stayed away from confrontations like that.

2. If you could go back in time and tell yourself anything as a white belt, what would it be?
Invest in Google. Wait, maybe that was blue belt.

3. What role does ego play in BJJ?

It plays an important role. Of course, ego can get in the way of good training, because training becomes more like a fight than like a game. On the other side of the coin, ego is what drives us to improve ourselves. It's important not to neglect ego; you have to want to get better in order to get better. The important distinction is to use your ego properly, not as an obstacle. Jiu jitsu is a game- even competition- and it should be treated as such. There are lessons to be learned every time you roll or compete, and you can't forget that. No match is more important than the lessons you'll learn from that match.

4. What separates those who excel in BJJ from those who do not?

Love of the art and dedication. Give me one student who has two left feet who loves the art, makes the necessary sacrifices, and trains 8 times a week any day over someone who is incredibly talented, trains hard for six months, and then loses interest when they start tapping blue belts.

5. Do you get nervous (either as competitor, coach, etc.)?

Certainly, as both. When I was competing every weekend (circa 2002-2006), I was seldom, if ever, nervous. It was like training. Nowadays, I compete about once a month, so it's a little more special than it was back then. I'd say I get less nervous than your average competitor. As for coaching, I put a lot of stock in how my students perform at competitions, because it reflects on me even more so than as a competitor.

6. What do you say to potential students that are interested in starting BJJ?

Are you sure you want to do this? Kidding. Well, kind of.

7. How do you know when to promote a student?

It becomes very obvious on the mat. That's one thing about BJJ: there isn't any kind of lying when it comes to performance on the mat. When their technical proficiency allows them to execute great jiu jitsu technique above their current level, consistently, then it's time to move up.

Thanks again Andrew!

Interested in learning more about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in Chicago?

Visit http://www.bjjinchicago.com/ for interviews, gym reviews, free mailing list giveaways, tournament and seminar information for chicago and the midwest, as well as a gym map and complete academy listing!

BJJ in Chicago is your source for submission grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in Chicago!

Visit today! http://www.bjjinchicago.com/

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Chi Kung Heals Chronic Diseases - 2 Keys To Understanding Mind and Body

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A Few Ways Taekwondo Equipment Can Benefit TKD Training

While not all taekwondo equipment is an absolute necessity for martial arts training, it can make your training sessions much more beneficial and productive. Martial arts equipment can greatly enhance training sessions by offering personal protection, increased performance, and in many cases an advantage over the competition.

The first and most obvious benefit of quality taekwondo equipment is the safety it offers to the practitioner as well as any other training partners. While martial arts are generally considered safe when supervised properly, there is always a chance of getting hurt while training. Many of these mishaps can be avoided through the smart use of taekwondo equipment. Another thought to consider is that "light contact" in many schools ends up escalating to full contact. In these cases the odds of an injury are even greater, and protective martial arts equipment is a must.

Another benefit of taekwondo equipment is the ability to improve performance. One physical attribute that is very important in training is flexibility. Martial arts equipment such as leg stretchers help to make this goal much easier to reach. Focus is an additional martial arts quality that is essential for delivering precise kicks and punches. Focus mitts and re-breakable boards are a few examples of how taekwondo equipment can improve this area. The key to martial arts improvement is to be as productive as possible in the shortest amount of time. One should strive to work smarter, not harder. Training should be maximized to achieve the greatest benefit with ample time to rest and recuperate.

How can taekwondo equipment give an advantage at a competition? Like it or not, appearance and first impressions can make or break a competitor at tournaments. Standing out from the rest of the competition has never been more important. The way to stand out from everyone else is to come prepared with the right selection of taekwondo equipment such as uniforms, patches, and proper sparring gear. The goal is to leave an impression in the judges' minds. The judges will remember the competitor that looks sharp and prestigious over the guy that shows up in a plain white uniform.

Taekwondo equipment can offer many great benefits to those who train tkd or any other martial art. Some of these benefits include personal protection, enhanced performance, and competitive advantages. This does not mean that hard work and perseverance can be bypassed, but it does mean that taekwondo equipment can help make the journey just a little easier.

Written by Brandon Compton, a martial artist with a passion for the fighting arts. Visit our website to see our selection of quality taekwondo supplies and take your training to the next level. Go to http://www.taekwondoequipmentshop.com/

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Muay Thai Boxing Clothing And Equipment That You Need

Muay Thai is an interesting and exciting sport that can keep you healthy and sharp. If you are thinking of picking up this wonderful sport, perhaps you can start with learning more about the different pieces of clothing or equipment that you may need. But first, let's learn what Muay Thai is all about and what this sport can do for you.

Muay Thai is a form of unarmed combat that has become the National sport of Thailand. In the past, this form of combat was mainly practiced to be used in battle and for self defense. Of course, all that is in the past now. Today, Muay Thai has evolved to become a form of sports entertainment. Those who are interested in this sport can also pick it up to strengthen one's physique and for self defense purposes.

One of the reasons why Muay Thai is so exciting to watch is that many moves are passed down from generation to generation. In other words, these are real moves that were used in the past by Thailand's ancestors and till today, they are still considered as some of the most dangerous moves in the world of martial art. These moves involve the use of one's hands, legs, elbows, and knees.

In the past, Muay Thai was a lot more dangerous sport to participate in. There were few rules, and even the head could be utilized for an attack. Today, the rules are meant to protect the participants. Therefore, using the head is not allowed. Also, for safety reasons, groin hitting is also not allowed.

Before an official fight, a ritual dance is performed as a type of prayer for safety and victory. One referee is present to enforce the rules. At any point during the fight, the referee has the right to intervene and stop the fight.

Muay Thai fighters have traveled the globe to show off their fighting skills. Many western foreigners, after seeing the art of Muay Thia, were intrigued by this sport. Many wanted to study the art and some even travelled all the way to Thailand to watch the fights in its most original flavor.

To pick up Muay Thai, you have to start with the clothing and equipment. Fortunately, this is a simple sport that doesn't require complicated items. The most basic items you need are a pair of boxing gloves, a pair of Muay Thai style shorts, gum shield for teeth protection and groin shield for groin protection.

Note that there are different types of gloves available. For example, you will find sparing, fight and bag gloves. If unsure, start with a pair of sparing gloves as those can be used for several purposes. That is not true for fight and bag gloves.

A good mouth guard tends to cost a little more but can offer more protection. Punches and kicks to the face are common in this sport and a mouth guard can prevent teeth from being knocked off.

Although groin hitting is disallowed, accidents do happen. So make sure you equip yourself with a piece of groin guard.

The above are basic items that you need to get started. In an actual fight, you may see the Pra-Jit being worn in the upper arm and the Mong-kon being worn on the head. You do not really need these unless you are in a fight.

Browse Muay Thai equipment UK at our website for your Thai boxing equipment and Muay Thai shorts UK needs.

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Krav Maga Training for Fitness and Peace of Mind

Krav maga training are becoming more popular than its contemporaries in martial arts techniques because, compared to others, they can easily be applied in daily life. Seriously, who needs to learn those gravity defying moves made popular by many martial artists today when you can stay grounded on your feet and still be able to defend yourself just as effectively? This type of fighting system goes by one basic rule: fight to survive.

The Krav Maga training techniques taught in this type of martial arts are fairly simple compared to other forms, and can also be used for various other means besides defending yourself. It utilizes fighting moves that make maximum use of the body, and is also, therefore, lauded for its fitness and health benefits. Aside from building strength, stamina and muscles, as well as developing and upgrading your flexibility and endurance, this set of combat techniques will also be able to help you feel more confident about your abilities for defense, while taking on a more positive disposition at your Krav Maga training. Krav Maga training will also improve on your reflexes and make you think and act more quickly against any type of threat.

Not only will it teach you the appropriate postures and movements to fend off a potentially fatal attack, it will also enhance your ability to actively observe your environment even while engaged in combat. With Krav Maga training you will be able to plan your attacks more efficiently, and/or come up with the most effective way of escape when the going gets tougher than expected. Taking an active awareness of your environment will also help you prepare for any additional attackers from any direction.

Every krav maga training emphasizes on the importance of defending your right to live through whatever means. The most innocent random object lying in your immediate environment can be used to help serve your need to survive. Likewise, the deadliest of weapons can be blocked with the proper methods of ducking and disarming an opponent. This requires an active mind and a huge serving of self control. Training for this combat system will enhance your senses enough for you to decide on the right form of counter attack.

Krav Maga Training

One important aspect of this training is learning how to handle tension and stress, especially during combat. A body that has been overcome by stress may not be able to function to its full potential. Knowing you can defend yourself through proper training and ample amount of practice will help stave off the stress and fear you may naturally feel when faced with a life-threatening situation, hence making you more capable of effectively defending yourself.

The beauty of Krav Maga training is that it is based on practical, yet highly effective techniques that anyone can learn and use in any type of situation. Its methods bank on our body's natural reactive instincts and reflexive motor reactions. Krav maga training will help you focus your attention, heighten your awareness, and give you the clarity of mind you need to fight for your right to survive. You can see, there is no reason to wait with your first Krav Maga training lesson

Let's suppose you actually get attacked within the nights!
Suppose there is absolutely no police or any other help around you!
Imagine you have to protect yourself by yourself!

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Your Guide to BJJ GI Weaves

When it comes to selecting your next BJJ GI you need to understand the different types of weaves used and what their pros and cons are. When choosing your next BJJ GI you first need to decide what you want from the GI. Do you want a GI that will be durable and last a long time? Do you want it to compete in? Is comfort a deciding factor? Once you know what you want from your next BJJ GI choosing the right weave will be made a whole lot easier.

Single Weave

Single weave GI's are often the choice of many people starting out in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They are normally cheap in price, readily available and light in weight. The shrinkage with single weaves is normally pretty good due to the closeness of the weave. So expect shrinkage to be around 5%. A couple of downsides are that they are thin and not as durable as some of the other weaves available and they are easy to manipulate for grips and chokes when live sparring. All in all single weave GI's are a good purchase for someone starting out or someone who wants a second BJJ GI for hot summer months or for competing in.

Double Weave

Double weave BJJ GI's used to be the top choice for fighters in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They offer strength and durability. Some fighters prefer them because the thickness can make it harder for their opponent to grab and gain dominant grips or manipulate for chokes and submissions. Due to the tightness of the weave shrinkage is nearly nonexistent. But double weaves are not as popular as they once were. Their extra weight can become uncomfortable during long training sessions, their very hot in warm climates or in summer months and due to their thickness they can restrict your movement. Not many GI manufacturers still produce double weaves but the ones that do charge a lot of money for them. in my opinion the cons well outweigh the pros.

Gold Weave

Gold weaves are a cross between single weaves and double weaves. They offer the strength and durability of the double weave with some of the lightness and comfort of a single weave. For a long time gold weave GI's where literally the gold standard in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu GI's. With the gold weave being so popular nearly every major BJJ GI company offers a gold weave model and normally at very competitive prices. One major downside is shrinkage. Because the weave is not as tight as a single or double weave there is a lot more room for the GI to shrink. The shrinkage is normally at least 5-10% with some shrinking more than that. It's sometimes advisable to get a size bigger than you would normally get.

Pearl Weave

If gold weaves are the gold standard the pearl weave are the diamond standard. They literally offer the strength and durability of a double weave, the comfort of a gold weave and the lightness of a single weave. The material is thin but the weave is so tight that it maintains the strength. Pearl weaves are the choice of most people for fighting in competitions. Because the material is so thin, it makes them a lot lighter than other types of GI's. This can be an advantage when you are cutting weight or close to your weight limit in a competition. One other plus side to the weave being so tight is that shrinkage is very minimal normally between 0-5%. Some companies offer pre shrunk GI's that they claim will not shrink one bit. Many manufacturers offer their own special type of weave especially with their ultra light BJJ GI's. Their "special" weaves are normally their own type of pearl weave but they are still a pearl weave. In my opinion pearl weave Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gi's are the best by far and if you can afford one it should be your Gi of choice due to it having all the best attributes of the other Gi's and none of the downsides.

Check out ProFightwear when choosing your next bjj gi

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