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Deep Half Guard Galore

Posted by --- Friday, August 20, 2010 0 comments

Classes 101 - 124 of 200 BJJ classes
Weight 173 lbs.
Instructor(s): Cassio Werneck and  Brent Goodall
Class(es) Overview: 
I really started working Half Guard as a Blue belt but it was not until I saw Jeff Glover's Deep Half Guard DVD that I really started to understand the position. It seemed a perfect fit for me so I began to integrate it into my already decent standard Half Guard game with  immediately success.

Although this video is a little grainy it covers what I consider to be the "Big Six" Deep Half Guard sweep:




However there was(are) a few guys we gave me a lot of trouble with the Deep Half Guard so I started to analyze what they were doing. Let us take a look at some of the problems I was having and what should be done to address them.

  • If the opponent get the cross face blocking your entry into the Deep Half Guard. 
    • Revert back to the standard half guard

  • If the opponent crosses their legs underneath them. Thereby stopping you from gaining control of an individual leg.
    • Revert back to the standard half guard

    • If the opponent gets the under hook the outside arm.
      • Danger!! - This is a real problem because the opponent can attack with the straight armbar and triangle. On Jeff Glover DVD he shows a technique where you limp your underhooked arm then lift with your outside hook. (We are going to shoot a demo of this technique this weekend and I will update this post when the video is up.)

      Tip(s) of the week:
      1. Do not let the opponent get the underhook of your outside arm!!
      I cannot over-emphasize maintaining control of your outside arm. This completely disrupts the Deep Half Guard game so be mindful of your arm placement making sure it is very tight to your body or hidden under the opponent's leg in the deep half.


      Rolling Overview:
      Enjoy each class and each roll.  Keep in mind that without your training partners you would have no jiu-jitsu. 
      Judo Overview: We have been working  Tai - Otoshi for the past few weeks. I have always had a some serious issues with this throw so more uchikomis are in my future.

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      Magic 8 Brawl - My new favorite Android App !!

      Posted by --- Thursday, July 08, 2010 0 comments

      Think of the classic Magic 8-Ball on steroids!!


      Tried of the other 20 boring 8 Ball apps on the Android Marketplace then download the Magic 8 Brawl you will not be sorry Jaime is funny as HELL!! 


      MMA fighter and KOTC champion Jaime "El Cucui" Jara answers your deepest questions in a way that only "El Cucui" can. 



      It is very easy to use simply:
       1.) Ask a question
      2.) Shake it like a polaroid or simply touch the screen
      3.) Get ready for the real truth..even if it hurts..which it might!!


      Oh, did I mention that it is also FREE!!

      Here are a few screenshots for the app. 


      Just search for "Magic 8 Brawl" or "iFightVideo" in the Android Marketplace 
or 
use your Barcode Scanner and scan the Magic 8 Brawl QR Code image:

      Anytime I am undecided on what I should do, I start the app and ask Jaime.  He seems to have an uncanny ability to either tell the truth or tell me he is going to kick my ass.  Either way a decision us made!!

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      Omoplata always a sweep, never a submission?

      Posted by --- Saturday, July 03, 2010 0 comments

      Class 80 - 100 of 200 BJJ classes
      Weight 170 lbs.
      Instructor(s):Cassio Werneck and  Brent Goodall

      Class(es) Overview: 
      We worked Omoplatas this week with a bunch of positional drilling and transitions(triangle, straight armlock, taking the back).  Cassio always says that the Omoplata is a submission "FIRST" and a sweep "SECOND".  However I will admit I have been treating it as the later for sometime.  Often when I begin to apply the Omoplata my intent is to transition into a another technique instead of focusing on the Omoplata itself.


      The thing I have always appreciated about the Omoplata is that it works against just about anyone regardless the size if a few basic principals are maintained.
      This a video by Leo Kirby that goes over some of the principals of getting, maintaining and finishing the Omoplata:


      Tip(s) of the week:
      1. Maintain tight control of the elbow.
      2. Maintain tight control of the elbow.
      3. Maintain tight control of the elbow.
      4. Maintain tight control of the elbow.


      I over-emphasize maintaining control of the elbow because as long as you do so you have the Omoplata.  So do not forget to: MAINTAIN TIGHT CONTROL OF THE ELBOW!


      Here is a cool technique of the week a "Flying Omoplata" by Rafael Mendes:


        Rolling Overview:
        Enjoy each class and each roll.  Keep in mind that without your training partners you would have no jiu-jitsu. 


        Judo Overview: We have been working  Tai - Otoshi for the past few weeks. I have always had a some serious issues with this throw so more uchikomis are in my future.

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        Sergio Penha interview on Fightworks Podcast

        Posted by --- Sunday, June 27, 2010 0 comments


        As most of you already know Sergio Penha recently received his Red and Black belt at this years' Mundials.

        In addition he is one of my favorite BJJ instructors.

        Check out his interview at the Fightworks Podcast:
        #217 Sergio Penha, Jiu-Jitsu Red and Black Belt

        He has some very interesting insights regarding BJJ and does a great interview.

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        BJJ Mount Submission - Kimura Variation

        Posted by --- Friday, June 18, 2010 0 comments

        Really dope setup to a Kimura from the mount position.  I normally focus way too much on the choke when this Kimura is right there for the taking...enjoy!!

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        Gi Subs Vol. 1 - The Chokes now on the Android!

        Posted by --- Monday, May 31, 2010 0 comments

        One of the black belts(Marcos Torregrosa) from my school released a BJJ app for the all Android phones called "Gi Subs 1 - The Chokes". It is the first and only full video Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu application on the Android Marketplace

        Just search for "BJJ" or "Gi Subs" in the Android Marketplace.
        or
        use your Barcode Scanner and scan this image:



        Here is a technique from the Android application:



        Check it out any feedback you might have would be appreciated.

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        Catching up...

        Posted by --- Sunday, May 16, 2010 0 comments

        Class 55 - 70 of 200 BJJ classes
        Weight 170 lbs.
        Instructor(s):Cassio Werneck, Sergio Penha,  Brent Goodall

        First off just let me say I have not kept up with my blogging the past couple of weeks but in my defense I took my wife on vacation(Las Vegas..more on my trip later) and have been really busy developing apps for the iPhone and Android platforms with iFightVideo.com so cut me some slack.

        Class(es) Overview: 
        I was in Las Vegas during the last week of April and had the pleasure of training at Sergio Penha's academy. Sergio is the instructor to my instructor Cassio Werneck and everybody told he was a legend. Still upon meeting the guy I had no clue what I was in store for.

        The guys at Sergio's academy were really cool(By the way Sergio would not accept my mat fee) and I did not feel like anyone was gunning for me.  I got some solid rounds in with some of Sergio's brown, blue and white belts.  Oh and of course Sergio himself.  I held my own against his students but Sergio Penha is on a whole different planet. 

        To say he is good in BJJ is like saying Magic Johnson was good in basketball.  I got tapped 5 times in 10 mins training with Sergio which included: A wristlock, two straight armbars, an Americana off a Brabo(something I have never seen before) and a Cross Choke from the mount.

        His pressure from side control is ridiculous he felt like he weighed 400lbs. However his best position by far was the closed guard.  Quite simply the best closed guard I have ever felt...EVER!!  He uses hip and leg movement along with grips to destroy your base.  

        Here is one of the sweeps he got on me which ended up with a cross choke from the mount:





















        Here is the mount wristlock that I got caught with I never saw it coming:
        One of his students after class was telling me that Sergio got his black belt in 1974 and that he was only one for 4 Black and Red belts in the U.S.  and I believe it. If you are ever in Vegas I highly recommend you check out Sergio Penha - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu you will not be sorry.


        After I got back to town Cassio continued his positional training and focused on sweeping(or escaping) the Big 6 positions(Closed Guard, Half Guard, Side Control, Mount, Back, Sitting up guard) . During this past week it has been all about the under stack pass.

        Check out the variation of this pass by Judo Ne-waza legend Kashiwazaki.

        What I really like about the Kashiwazaki variation is how he controls to far side arm to complete the pass.
        Tip(s) of the week:


        1. On the under stack pass square up to the opponent and drive your weight forward putting his knee onto his forehead.
        2. Control behind the knee and not in front of the knee to reduce the chance of the triangle.
        3. Stack the opponent so that only his shoulders are touching the mat.
        4. Use your chest to pass instead of lifting up to clear the head.
          Rolling Overview:
          Kneebars and footlocks are everywhere!!

          Judo Overview: We worked foot sweeps this week.  I still need to work on my but I am committed to at least two judo classes a week.

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          My name is Travis and I’ve been training BJJ since May, 2005. I am currently a purple belt under BJJ World Champion Cassio Werneck.

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