Family First... Humans are generally social organisms. Even individuals that lean towards introverted attitudes still require a certain level of social communication and group belonging. The world, however, is changing in a way that is promoting individualism and not social behavior. Technology has...

In 2017, a mixed martial arts fighter named Xu Xiaodong continually harassed masters of the traditional Chinese martial arts, dismissing them as overly commercialized phonies, challenging them to a no rules fight.  After much taunting by Xiaodong, Wei Lei, a practitioner of the...

Exploring the benefits of kettlebells for the Jiu Jitsu practitioner... We are all looking for an extra edge in Jiu Jitsu. Maybe it is strength and conditioning routine to augment our time on the mat. For many, a popular choice for strength and...

Finally get to use that geometry they made you learn!   When I first started Jiu Jitsu, I had a hard time finishing a lot of submissions even though I was doing most the technique correct. In fact, I would catch these submissions,...

Ideas on what will surely be a fan favorite fight…  According to Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) “Breaking: The UFC is close to finalizing Nick Diaz's return to the Octagon, per Dana White. The fight is Jorge Masvidal at UFC 235 on March 2 in...

Powerful grips can change the course of a match   Grip strength is an element of grappling ignored by the average grappler due to focus on the numerous other aspects of Jiu Jitsu that can make one better. We often assume that grip...

Exploring timing in Jiu Jitsu... Timing is often discussed as a key component in Jiu Jitsu. Kit Dale famously said, “The most important thing in movement is not the technique, but the timing. I could do anything from a cartwheel to backflip over...

Avoiding a problem is easier than dealing with a problem! How does one escape a fully locked triangle? You tap, that’s how. Preventing things from happening in Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most effective ways to implement your game. Stopping someone’s game before...

Will these special events change your game? Seminars are a great opportunity to be exposed to high level Jiu-Jitsu If your academy is lucky enough to be able to host a seminar, you may ask the question is it worth attending? Especially if...

 Is Rock Climbing a Good Way to Cross-Train for Me? Certainly, the best way to get better at Jiu Jitsu is to do more Jiu Jitsu. Yet, there are times when you can’t train. Perhaps the gym is closed. Perhaps there are work...

Ideas on Jiu Jitsu's fight against this epidemic... There are many reasons why we train Jiu Jitsu. It is a great form of exercise. In addition to the physical exercise, it also exercises our mind. When we grapple, we also grapple our demons,...

Exploring the foundation helping MMA and Jiu Jitsu practitioners... There is probably no greater pain in life than losing a child. Cheryl Phoenix has turned that tragedy into good by creating the Josh Samman MMA Foundation. Cheryl’s son, Josh Samman was a household...

Ideas on incorporating a grappling dummy into training... Certainly, it is better to train either at your school or at home with actual people. This is true for several reasons. First, they can provide feedback both verbally and physically.  If you are messing...

Exploring the anit-IBJJF rash guard... Recently, a Jiu Jitsu clothing company released a rash guard expressing their sentiments on the IBJFF. The company is owned by Josh Leduc, a Jiu Jitsu brown belt. For some in the Jiu Jitsu community, the IBJJF is...

Ideas on growth… Inevitably, it is bound to happen. That dreaded moment occurs often with no warning. It always happens when the coach is watching. A lower rank belt taps you out. It does not happen often. I train at sister schools. I...