I put this together for my Wing Chun instructor and BJJ brown belt (now black belt), Rick Spain, as an adjunct to efforts he made to make the stand up sparring in his academy more productive in terms of skill development, and less likely to result in injuries, current and prospective students being scared off,…
Carlos Machado Seminar – 7th May 2015
The seminar was held at Langes MMA, North Manly. Escapes Escapes happen either before the position is locked in, or after. Side control survival position You are underneath his side control. He is on your right. His L arm is under your head. You should bring your feet up toward your butt and lift your…
Yes, I really am a Black Belt
My IBJJF ID, good thru end 2015. After that, not sure what happens …<>p>
Do unto others
I had cause to take a fellow Jiu Jitsu student, Iain, to the hospital last weekend. He tore his Achilles tendon while we were training. Just a freak accident – we weren’t rolling, just drilling toreandor passes. Another student, March, joined us at the hospital. I’ve taken similar trips, including one ambulance ride, before, with…
All this “Over 40” stuff …
I see LOTS of websites and video series catering to so-called “older” grapplers. BJJ Over 40 BJJ After 40 40 plus BJJ OG (Old Guy) grappling (put out by a Lloyd Irvin student who was 36 or something. Annoying shtick to boot) etc. etc. I’m 60 and a black belt, you young whippersnappers. I didn’t…
Steve Maxwell’s Jiu Jitsu for Life seminar – 14 March 2015
Breath The big problem most people have with breathing, is that they tend to breathe using the top (clavicular) and middle (intercostal) chest muscles for the breath, rather than breathing deep into the diaphragm. This comes about from sitting for extended durations, and staying still – like in a school classroom or at a desk…
Bikram Yoga
I did Bikram for about three months, twice a week, at a place close to home. Bikram is done in a room heated to over 40 degrees. Every session lasts 90 minutes. Every session does the same set of postures in exactly the same sequence. Officially the instructor is supposed to read and not deviate…
John Will Seminar 22 Feb 2015 – Snatch Single, Vale Tudo Guard, Darce/Anaconda
Snatch Single Leg Takedown / Street Finish He is standing with his L foot forward. Step in with your R leg as you push his R shoulder with your L hand and the L side of his chest/shoulder with your head (around the hairline). Ensure your head is not too low or back rounded –…
Holiday listening/reading 2014
If you are taking time off to let the chronic injuries heal over Christmas, but looking for some brain food as well as the usual heart-attack-producing fare, may I suggest: Daniele Bolelli’s Lectures on Taoism Daniele Bolelli is a university professor ,teaching comparative religion and a number of other subjects. He also trains in jiu…
John Will Seminar 24 August 2014 – a Spider Guard Plan
Spider Sweep The brain has a tendency to equate things based on similarities. Look instead for what is different. A hyena is not a dog. This sweep looks similar, superficially, to the basic scissor sweep. But if you try to do it like a scissor sweep, it won’t work. To do it properly, the mechanics…