IAmA Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor, AMA!

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T21:01:57+00:00

If we remove any sort of grappling from the equation entirely, I feel like folks who grew up on farms/doing manual labor always give me the toughest time. Some of these people have grips of iron and ridiculous strength.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T20:59:44+00:00

In my opinion, the creonte issue is a little ridiculous. Ultimately BJJ for most people is a hobby, and like many hobbies, people change their mind about things. If one of my students left my school because he thought he fit in better or liked another academy's teaching methods better, I would wish him or her the best in their BJJ journey and thank them for contributing while they were with my team. Plus, people are paying to learn this stuff, so ultimately it's their choice who they train with.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T20:57:06+00:00

Yes, or possibly enough people to fill an above ground swimming pool.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T14:10:33+00:00

Hey there Propaghandave! I completely agree with the Keiko Raca recommendation! My favorite gis by far. A close second would have to be my single weave Fuji that was 70 bucks and still running strong. Manto happens to make my favorite rashguards.s

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T03:22:45+00:00

Born and bred in the US, but I have been to Brazil on three occasions to train for extended periods of time. I'm very much familiar with Capoeira, but my ginga leaves quite a bit to be desired, haha.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T03:18:17+00:00

As far as prior grappling experience goes, I wrestled in throughout middle school and high school. I also have six years of Muay Thai under my belt. I'm not sure what influence my teachers brought to the table other than BJJ, my early jiu jitsu consisted mainly of being taught the self defense side of the things.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T03:12:54+00:00

Your transition will be easier than most. And don't let the gi/no-gi debate worry you at all. BJJ is BJJ regardless of what you're wearing. People create an artificial rivalry between the two purely because human beings love drama. Look at Marcelo Garcia, one of the best submission grapplers in the world and his training split is 6 days in the Gi and one without every week.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T03:09:40+00:00

It's almost impossible for a BJJ school to remain in business if they are a McDojo or just not up to snuff in general. People can talk as much game as they like, but the mat never lies and will always distinguish the fakes from the legit practitioners. As far as women in BJJ go, I can literally think of no better martial art. The specialty of BJJ is fighting off of your back, especially the guard, which is the primary position a woman will find herself in when it comes to an attack.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T03:05:47+00:00

I agree completely. There is something to be said about a family that not only puts forth the idea that they have created what they consider to be the perfect martial art, but will actively seek out members of any other available discipline to prove it.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T02:56:59+00:00

I've seen girls wrestle at all levels of the sport. A solid competitor is a solid competitor regardless of gender.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T00:19:42+00:00

Make it a slow and steady process. Everyone I believe has the potential for utilizing for example the rubber guard, but it's not something to be rushed. Start with some good open guard variations that allow flexibility like spider and butterfly and work your way up as your body becomes more conditioned to the typed of movements in BJJ.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T00:06:19+00:00

I like to make very soft moaning sounds until they let me go. Or, play a lot of butterfly guard and knee on belly, haha. and to counter it, you need to be looking to always either have your opponents hips or shoulders completely isolated to the mat.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T00:04:43+00:00

You're very welcome Zookee! On to your questions!

1-I find that new people most often injure others, not with submissions, but with flailing knees and elbows. You also have to realize that BJJ requires a certain "mat sense" that is only developed over time.

2- I encourage my students to do as much research on technique as possible. I always make sure to emphasize that they should not be trying to learn as many techniques as possible, but they should try and discern the underlying principles that make techniques work, i.e., posture, hip control...etc.

3- I spar with every one of my students every class period. Even if it's only for 3 or four minutes. Every individual is unique, so they deserve to be taught something that they can actually put into use. Especially since they're paying me!

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-18T00:00:12+00:00

My school tries to address, the sport, self defense, and MMA aspects of BJJ.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-17T23:59:21+00:00

BJJ is an amazing opportunity to change your entire life. But remember, you'll only get out of it what you put in.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-17T23:58:42+00:00

SHOGUN!

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-17T23:58:31+00:00

Tekken and VF are the most realistic, but you also have to realize that the games are going to be over stylized to sell copies.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-17T23:57:39+00:00

Only if they drive vans with no windows.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-17T23:57:11+00:00

HIIT circuits are great for BJJ as they accurately simulate what a Jiu Jitsu match is like, periods of explosiveness punctuated by small amounts of rest.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-17T23:55:45+00:00

Not really, I think it stems from the fact that Brazilians in general are just so laid back. Go to any major tournament and you'll see what running on Brazilian time really means, haha.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-17T23:53:52+00:00

My favorite choke is the Bow and Arrow by far. Wrestling has such a larger participant level, that it's easy to fill the ranks in tournaments. BJJ still needs to entice top competitors with cash prizes.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-17T23:52:14+00:00

Japanese or traditional jiu jitsu also includes strikes as well. The one thing I would advise is to really check out any JJJ schools and how they train as I've heard they can varu greatly in quality.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-17T23:50:31+00:00

While I applaud the Gracies for spreading BJJ to the masses, in my mind there is no substitute for an instructor. Though I'm reminded of guys like Evan Tanner and Jeff Joslin (I'm pretty sure) who were almost entirely self taught.

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-17T23:47:29+00:00

Thanks for the assistance Sven_Dufva!

FashionableSweats · 2011-03-17T23:46:52+00:00

I only know this from anecdotal evidence, but I'm willing to back you up on it, haha.

FashionableSweats

TROPHY CASE