The Grappling Gospel

  Recommendation:  Watch Video " Principle #7 "Velocity " on GracieUniversity.com (Disclaimer: I am not being paid/sponsored in any way to promote "Gracie University". I have found their "The 32 Principles" videos incredibly beneficial and I hope you do too! But it's not necessary to watch these videos to benefit from this blog.) Thoughts : Whoever controls the distance in a fight, controls the damage. But whoever controls the pace, controls the fight. This is why velocity is so important. You must keep your opponent guessing, not just about your next move, but at the speed in which you may (or may not) get there. What is the best speed in a fight? It's the speed that makes your next move the hardest to predict! This makes it harder to prevent, and harder to control or neutralize. The other day for my training, I was rolling with a fellow white belt, and I was learning a lot from her. I would break her closed guard, but without a quick knee sl...

 Recommendation: Watch " Principle #6: Acceptance " on GracieUniversity.com (Disclaimer: I am not being paid/sponsored in any way to promote "Gracie University". I have found their "The 32 Principles" videos incredibly beneficial and I hope you do too! But it's not necessary to watch these videos to benefit from this blog.) Thoughts : Sometimes in our practice of Jiu Jitsu, you find yourself fighting for a losing position. You had a certain technique in mind, a certain hold or favorite sweep, and now for whatever reason the moment or opportunity is gone. You now have two choices: Either fight for the lost position (and burn unnecessary energy), or practice acceptance of the situation and take a fresh look at things.  At this point, when you accept that you are now in a new situation, your mind is free to think more clearly and naturally for what to do next. But if you are still fixated on the old move that is gone, the present moment is will now be los...

  Recommendation: Watch " Principle #5: Creation " video on GracieUniversity.com (Disclaimer: I am not being paid/sponsored in any way to promote "Gracie University". I have found their "The 32 Principles" videos incredibly beneficial and I hope you do too! But it's not necessary to watch these videos to benefit from this blog) Thoughts : This was one of the most meaningful videos about Jiu Jitsu that I have ever watched. It basically reminds us that we are like artists, the mat is our canvas, and we can create our moves on the fly or as some thoughtful strategy. But either way, as you create your move or execute your technique, your opponent will have a REACTION. And it's important to have an idea of what you anticipate your opponent will do as a reaction to your move .  Then, this is where the hammer drops! When your opponent reacts the way you expected, you are then able to execute the move you are REALLY setting up! The trap is set, your oppone...

Will AI ever take over Jiu Jitsu? I recently asked an AI portal to create a picture of a Jiu Jitsu match, and the above image was generated. At first glance, it looks cool, like she's got the guy right where she wants him and is about to get a submission after taking his back. But when you look closer, count the number of legs she has.  Yep! You're not seeing things -- SHE HAS THREE LEGS!  Sometimes in your Jiu Jitsu, you're going to feel like your opponent has three legs. It seems that whatever you do, you get wrapped and controlled and can't escape. And that's how life can feel for us sometimes. No matter what we do, or how hard we try, we are facing an opponent with extra limbs. Here's what I do... When I feel like tapping out, because I'm being tightly controlled and can't get free, I ask Jesus for help. I know that's a simple idea, but I've found it's something he wants to do -- he wants to help. Check out this story in Matthew 9:27-30 ...

  Recommendation:  Watch " Principle #4: Pyramid " video on GracieUniversity.com   (Disclaimer: I am not being paid/sponsored in any way to promote "Gracie University". I have found their "The 32 Principles" videos incredibly beneficial and I hope you do too! And it's not necessary to watch these videos to benefit from this blog) Thoughts : Back in 1999, I had the fun adventure of staying in Cairo, Egypt, and from there, visiting the Great Pyramids of Egypt. I actually rode on a camel around the famous pyramids, seeing them up close and in person. It was an experience I'll never forget! What makes a pyramid structure so solid is simple to see: it has a secure base . As long as that base is strong and secure, it's very difficult to take the structure down. That's probably why the pyramids are still standing strong after so many years! (about 4,000-5,000 years old!) In the same way, the video entitled " Principle #4: Pyramid " on Gr...