I am a BJJ Purple Belt!

On September 24th I earned my purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from black belts Chris McCune and Mike Ellefson. It is more of an honor to have earned the belt then an achievement. As is the case with most belt upgrades I dont feel "good enough" to be one, but I respect and honor the fact that my coaches think I am! I have many people to thank along this journey. You know who you are. Specifically I need to thank my family for their support and sacrifice, my coaches for their patience and guidance, and my teamates for their time, blood, sweat, and tears. Walking into the Midwest Center for Movement in the Spring of 2007 I had no idea what this would become. Walking out that day I puked. I actually puked like the first two times I trained. Anyway..Now I feel confident, fitter, and think I can handle myself in a fight against most people (minus you crazy bastards better than me at BJJ and those crazy MMA people who enjoy pain ;)). More importantly I have met great people, friends, and adapted a new culture. Sure the culture involves choking people, attacking their limbs, and the washing of bloodly/sweaty gis. But it also includes the invisible things that only other students of Jiu Jitsu would understand. I'm not gonna fool myself and make lots of competition based goals going forward. I can only promise myself and the rest of youz guys that I will always give my best, continue to learn, and share these teachings that have been given to me to others. The "target" is on my back (waist). Bring it on! Thank you...now go do Jiu Jitsu!

I'm a Bi-Polar Blogger

It appears that I am a Bi-Polar Blogger. I'm either writing all the time or not at all. I would venture to guess that my obsession with BJJ works the same way. Lately I have just been doing my thing but not putting 100% into it. I had a 2.5 week injury break in early August. I just tweeked my previously injured knee enough that I was reminded of how quick an injury can take you out of everything. Being a working man and dad...these brushes with injury always scare me and pull my reigns back. At the same time I have been asked to test for my Purple Belt on September 24th. It is an honor to be asked by my coaches to do this and can only be a reflection of all the hard work I have been putting in up to this time. As most people, I dont feel like am worthy of this promotion but I trust that my coaches know where I stand better than I do. I'm digging for the killer in me that wants to control and submit everyone in my way. Let me know if you see him. ;)

I hope to post here more often in the coming months. Stay tuned!

Oh yeah...I was in the Hudson Star Observer in May. Check out the article!

http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/event/article/id/42871/group/Sports/http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

2011 Goals...6 month UPDATE.

Here is my 6 month update/review of my BJJ goals for 2011!

Updates are in *CAPS!

1. STAY HEALTHY and get 12 months of training in this year!
*SO FAR SO GOOD. KNEE IS FEELING GREAT AND NO CURRENT INJURIES. KNOCK ON WOOD.

2. Compete in 4 tournaments.
*COMPETED IN 1 TOURNAMENT (2ND-195 BLUE BELT) AND 1 COMP TEAM TOURNAMENT (1-2).
*2 MORE TOURNAMENTS AND A COUPLE MORE COMP TEAMS TOURNAMENTS SOUNDS GOOD!

3. Get away from closed guard and make my guard game 80% open.
*I WOULD THINK THIS IS THE CASE. HOPEFULLY MY TEAMMATES AND OPPONENTS CAN ATTEST.

4. Get a North South Choke in a tournament.
*NOT YET...STILL COMING FOR YOUR NECKS!!

5. Work on takedowns and get a single or double leg takedown in a tournament.
*THINK I GOT POINTS FOR ONE? MAY HAVE RUN OUT OF BOUNDS. LETS GET ANOTHER ONE!!

6. Win my first 1st place medal.
*JUST ANOTHER NUMBER 2...

7. Get my left knee back to 100%.
*FEELING GREAT!! LETS SAY 93.3%

8. Eat more healthy and get to 185 walk around weight (179 Competition Weight).
*WORST PROGRESS. AT 197 WALK AROUND. 193 IS THE LIGHTEST IVE BEEN THIS YEAR. 190 BY DECEMBER SEEMS ATTAINABLE.

9. Train with Marcelo Garcia or Robert Drysdale. ;)
*MIGHT HAVE TO HOLD ONTO THIS GOAL/DREAM FOR NEXT YEAR.
*I HAVE TRAINED WITH EDDIE BRAVO AND RIGAN MACHADO ALREADY THIS YEAR THOUGH!!

10. Watch ADCC 2011 surrounded by other Jiu Jitsu people.
*SEPTEMBER 24TH AND 25TH. EVENT IS EVEN BIGGER NOW. ON BUDOVIDEOS.COM. CANT WAIT!!


OVERALL:
I FEEL MORE TECHNICAL AND MORE COMPETITIVE THAN EVER. MY GAME HAS REALLY GROWN IN THE LAST YEAR. I MAY NEVER BE A CHAMPION BECAUSE I HAVE SO MUCH OTHER STUFF GOING ON IN MY LIFE, BUT I HOPE TO BE THE BEST THAT I CAN BE. PUTTING IN TIME ON THE MAT AND STUDYING/REFINING MY GAME HAS TO BE THE REASON I AM GETTING BETTER. GONNA CONTINUE TO HAVE FUN AND GROW.

AS I TOLD MY BUDDY TODD, "IM ON THE 60 YEAR PLAN!"...ITS A WAY OF LIFE, NOT A RACE!

Rigan Machado seminar at McCune Martial Arts in Minnesota.

I had the chance to train with the legend Rigan Machado earlier today. The experience was amazing and the techniques covered were top notch. On top of everything was the honor of watching my coach Mike Ellefson recieve his BJJ blackbelt! I cannot think of any other place I would have rather been today. Being amongst such a high caliber group of coaches, friends, and training partners was priceless experience. Thanks to everyone who was there!

The seminar was broken up into a gi half and a no gi half.

Gi

We trained stand up techniques/takedowns.

1. Inner reap from underhook belt control and pant leg lift.

2. Far side leg sweep from overhook-collar control.

3. Inside leg sweep from overhook-collar control.

4. Double leg from straight arm post/push.

5. Bear hug outside reap from failed #1.

Did quick drills to rep these out. Good way to drill.

No Gi

1. Darce from bottom side.

2. Darce from failed single leg.

3. Darce from in half guard.

Another round of quick drills.

We rounded out the day by doing a bottom side control drill in which we had 3-4 people pile up on top of you for 1 minute. This was killer but everyone was able to do it. Really cool experience despite my hatred for being crushed on the bottom. This was followed by a few rounds of speed shrimping. Yours truely actually won this elimination competition. Who knew I could shrimp for speed?! Lol.

All and all a very fun time and great learning experience. I couldnt help but wonder I good I might be at this stuff if I was able to train like this everyday?! Having Rigan and the entire Machado Competition team in one room is an amazing thing!!

Long time...

Its been a while. Things have been going well though. Competed at the Spring St. Croix Valley Grappling Games and took 2nd in the 180-195 Blue Belt division. Didnt do anything spectacular but I did put alot of the stuff I have been working on into use. Felt better having competed despite having a sore neck. Noticed that I need to continue to polish my butterfly game and attacks from side control. I was there and did some things (including holding for points which is good) but I want to finish. Takedowns, mount control/attacks, and back defense/prevention remain tops on my "LIST" though.

Training with Rigan Machado for the first time this coming Saturday. Really excited to meet and learn from him. I hope to post some pictures and a review sometime next week.

Until next time (Sooner then later)...go do Jiu Jitsu!

Lately...

I haven't had much to say or write about. I've been training but I have been more focused on reps and rolling then b.s'ing and blogging. I hope to have more to write about in the near future.

Random Thoughts right now:

1. I need to drop 9 pounds by May.
2. I need to work submission defense.
3. I need to work takedowns.
4. Bummed I cant train this Wed and Fri (dojo has a day camp).
5. I want to roll...like right now.

Thats all folks. See you on the mat!

Jason

Marcelo rocking a 10th Planet Rashguard

Thought my friends at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu St. Paul might like this!

We must use techniques that will work against all body types...

"JJ is the most technical way to defend yourself against a bigger and stronger opponent. I believe the techniques of my arsenal can be used against someone bigger than you. In fact that is one of my main principles--to only use techniques that will work against any body type. For example I don't use the kimura or head and arm chokes because a much bigger guy could resist. So even against a small opponent I will not use them because that would slow down my growth."

-Marcelo Garcia

Taken from a OTM forum Q & A.

So True!

"Sometimes I just want to be with my family and watch movie and eat some popcorn. But when I step on the mat I know there is no other place I'd rather be."

-Marcelo Garcia

Mount Week

We began a week of mount training tonight. We worked the basic escapes (upa with the arm controlled and the knee push into half guard/guard). On top we focused on neck pressure, basic arm bar, and the clock choke. It was a good time and I got a good 30 minutes of mount drill in as well.

Things to focus/work on the rest of the week.

1. Get heavier by squeezing knees, getting high, and keeping the weight on their chest/solar plex.
2. Remember the 1 leg x-guard from the bottom. (Jake was hitting it all night)
3. Work the spiral armbar. Hit it once tonight.
4. Use the americana to set up the armbar. Hit 4 armbars tonight by just pressuring the neck.
5. Keep the opposite side arm in the upa sweep (from bottom) tight so they cant step over it to secure an armbar on the way over. Props to Alex for reminding me about this. ;)

Reps, Reps, Reps...thats the plan!

Great details for the Butterfly/hook sweep!!!!

Just found this video of one of Marcelos students going through the details of the butterfly/hook sweep. I NEEDED THIS LESSON!

http://www.mginaction.com/VideoDetails.aspx?VideoId=3985

"Plan B" when you almost had the guillotine but they got to side control...

I love the guillotine choke. However some people are good at defending it and can end up on top side control if you cant lock it up or sweep them to mount.


This is a great "Plan B" option that Marcelo Garcia uses when faced with this issue.

Drill it folks...I will be!

http://www.mginaction.com/VideoDetails.aspx?VideoId=1892

Take risks...thats how you learn!

Kid Peligro - "What do you think is important for a BJJ practitioner to do?"

Marcelo Garcia - "For me the most important lesson is to get used to taking risks, the more risks you take the more you are going to learn."

Great words of advice from Marcelo! Check out the rest of this interview by Kid Peligro at the link below.

http://www.adcombat.com/news/2011-01-11/kid-peligro-jiu-jitsu-news-marcelo-garcia-interview

Amazing photo I found! The Gracie Family

Rickson, Rolls, Carlos, Helio, Robson, Mauricio Motta Gomes, Royler, Carlos Jr, Crolin, Rorion, Rolker, Royce Gracie.

From www.rogergracie.com

My trip to the 10th Planet

I had the opportunity to train with Eddie Bravo this past Saturday at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Eddie is famous for submitting Royler Gracie in a no gi Jiu Jitsu match at ADCC 2003. He is now one of the most sought after Jiu Jitsu trainers by professional MMA fighters (as well as best friends with UFC commentator Joe Rogan). Not being an MMA fighter or someone who is always thinking about how Jiu Jitsu will translate in a street fight I went into this seminar with a complete open mind...

I made a point to pick up Eddies "Mastering the Rubber Guard" book prior to attending the seminar and was happy I had. The seminar was focused on the Rubber Guard and was basically the book in real life. Aside from some real informal Rubber Guard training with training partners at MCFM, the stuff is still very new to me.


The Book




Eddie was really cool about starting from square one in order to make sure all the students could do and understand the Rubber Guard system. The seminar flowed one move to the next and laid out a "plan of attack". This flow style of Jiu Jitsu is what I really like. I have always related to the idea that Jiu Jitsu should be taught and played like any other art form. It doesn't make since to teach beginning piano players how to play Bach, it makes more sense to teach them the basics behind the keys and notes. Once the foundations are understood they will be playing Bach (or choking people) soon enough. This was totally Eddies approach.

I could go on outlining the details of each step and move we worked but you would be better off just picking up his book "Mastering the Rubber Guard" and then visiting the 10th Planet school for some instruction. The book does a great job of laying out the Rubber Guard system. Having Eddie in the same room to talk to, listen to, and troubleshoot with was the biggest benefit of attending the seminar.

These are some of the moves we covered (more for my own reference).
Also outlined in the "Mastering the Rubber Guard" book.

Breaking Opponent Down into Mission Control-Page 131
The Zombie-Page 135
New York-Page 170
Double Bag
Chill Dog-Page 178
Invisisble Collar-Page 178/179
Kung Fu Move-Page 164
Jiu Claw-Page 188
Omoplata-Page 188
Carni-Page 173
Farside Arm bar from Invisible Collar.-Page 183

I have to say that I took the most from Eddies "Jiu Claw" version of the Omoplata attack! Very tight and controlled. Much different than your typical Gi trained Omoplata.
Tips:
-Parallel, control arm/wrist to their hip, control hip/legs with other arm.
-Pinch knees together with outside leg pushing the shoulder controlled leg down.
-If they roll, control all the way over and take side control. "DA"-Page 199.

"Overhook is everything!" - Eddie when asked about butterfly control (learned a transition to Rubber Guard from a failed sweep).
Tip:
Forearm into arm pit pressure.

Tim and Nate, the guys who run the 10th Planet affiliate in Woodbury (St. Paul), are two very nice and welcoming guys. I cant say enough about their gym and their open door policy. Class acts! Thanks for having Eddie up!! I look forward to training with you guys again in the future and would recommend anyone given the opportunity do the same.

www.nextlevelcombat.com

Lastly, Shout out to Jon Larson for attending the seminar with me! Glad I had someone as new to the 10th Planet system as myself to train with!

Friday January 14th - 2-3pm @ MCFM.

Friday we will be working No Gi from 2-3pm. Focus will be on establishing controls from open guard. We will spend the majority of our time on sweeps and submissions from Butterfly Guard.

Focus Drill:
http://www.mginaction.com/VideoDetails.aspx?VideoId=2689

Training with Eddie Bravo this coming Saturday in St. Paul, Minnesota.

I'm real excited to have the opportunity to train with Eddie Bravo this coming Saturday at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu St. Paul. His game has been described as a "whole other branch of the Jiu Jitsu tree" by his student and friend Joe Rogan (UFC announcer). Not sure what to expect coming from a more traditional gi based background in Jiu Jitsu but I am going in with an open mind. I'll be sure to write a review of the seminar in the near future. If your in the Twin Cities area I would recommend checking out/attending this seminar. It is being hosted by Next Level Combat in Woodbury, Minnesota. Good guys over there. www.nextlevelcombat.com.

The Marcelotine!

This should look familiar if youve been training with us during the weekday afternoon classes at MCFM. Marcelos variation of the Guillotine is killer!!

Andre Galvao in the Academy. Some cool drilling video!

2011 Goals.

Gotta put it on the line to grow. Last year I made a few general goals but I want to be more specific this year. Here are my goals for 2011.

1. STAY HEALTHY and get 12 months of training in this year!

2. Compete in 4 tournaments.

3. Get away from closed guard and make my guard game 80% open.

4. Get a North South Choke in a tournament.

5. Work on takedowns and get a single or double leg takedown in a tournament.

6. Win my first 1st place medal.

7. Get my left knee back to 100%.

8. Eat more healthy and get to 185 walk around weight (179 Competition Weight).

9. Train with Marcelo Garcia or Robert Drysdale. ;) (Training w/ Eddie Bravo on 1/15)

10. Watch ADCC 2011 surrounded by other Jiu Jitsu people.

*As always, most importantly I want to be the best father and husband I can be. If any of these goals are sacrificed to maintain this, I must understand and not be prideful (another goal).

Im going to really enjoy doing Jiu Jitsu this year and not fear it or feel like I have something to prove. Through child like eyes I will attempt to grow as a martial artist and human being.

Lets all have a safe, healthy, and fun 2011!!!