Rafa and Guillerme Mendes – 2013 Rickson Cup Performances

Rafael Mendes and his brother Guillerme (Art of Jiu Jitsu Academy), continue to show why they are amongst the top Jiu Jitsu practitioners on the planet today, with their latest performances at the Rickson Cup, held in Tokyo, Japan.

Whilst Guillerme demolished a resilient Nathan Adamson (scoring an incredible 51 points, followed by a submission), he would also proceed to submit Kako Taku to close out the division; brother Rafa, would do the same, as he methodically danced in and around his opponent(s) to close the light-weight division, and absolute shortly after.

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Rafa begins his match vs Hosokawa with guard-pull to De La Riva, to setup berimbolo and variations thereof. Once Rafa comes up for the sweep (2 points), the show begins… highlighted by elite guard passing: pressure, timing, balance and foot-work. Give Hosokawa credit; he puts up a great fight.

After a devastating guard pass to knee-on-belly, a brilliant back-take is assumed by Rafa (near 5:38 of the match) by which an inescapable arm-bar is setup for the finish.

As I am always looking to mirror my game (a worthwhile attempt), I asked Guillerme a while ago (during his visit to Canada) how often he and Rafa train overall… to which he responded: “5 days a week: fitness in the morning; Jiu Jitsu drills and sparring at night-time.”

Anyone who has trained high-level strength and conditioning / Jiu Jitsu for competition, can weigh in how this transfers into match performances. As a result, Rafa and Guillerme’s movement and work-ethic shines on the mats; where you have elite pressure passing from the likes of Guillerme, Rafa opts for the most nimble foot-work when passing at times – the two share these qualities yet are brilliant in their own respect.

Additionally, Rafa and Guillerme’s composure/patience to implement their game-plan is another matter for study altogether, backed by the necessary strength, stamina, speed, and agility needed to apply the sort of pressure and transitions (position to position) they have come to know.

Guillerme’s 51-0 route, followed by an arm-bar submission vs Nathan Adamson was a more one-sided match then any. Guillerme opts for pressure passing via knee-slide and under-hook/hip control, and variations of the ‘smash’, to hit guard pass to knee-on-belly at will:

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In the end, 2 brilliant performances by the 2 top practitioners -> Rafa and Guillerme. See Results or Podium photo’s, for more on the event.

BJJ Hacks, Highlight Video: Copa Podio 2013, Middle-Weight, Grand Prix

The folks over at BJJ Hacks, compiled a well-captured highlight video, displaying the most exciting moments of the Copa Podio 2013, Middle-Weight, Grand Prix.

The “Spirit of Jiu Jitsu” – With Nic Gregoriades (Roger Gracie Black Belt)

Here is a very unique and introspective video into the “Spirit of Jiu Jitsu” – a production made by Jiu Jitsu filmmaker Stuart Cooper and Roger Gracie black belt, Nic Gregoriades.

In this short documentary, Nic shares his philosophies on life and Jiu Jitsu, discusses the ‘Soul Rolling’ sparring method (play vs. war), and how his discovery of yoga has revolutionized his training.

Interestingly enough, Nic has had experiences with Ayuascha – a well known, ancient and divine psychedelic taken notably in the jungles of the Amazon; he discusses his vision’s while on the sacred plant (around 3:05 of the video), one which has rekindled his passion to teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu today.

Nic also discusses the importance of maintaining mind and body: “Jiu Jitsu always comes second to improving the vehicle” – furthermore, emphasizing the importance of Yoga, a practice he has acquired by observing and learning from the great Rickson Gracie.

Clark Gracie – The Omoplata King

I messaged Clark on Facebook after watching this short clip (embedded further below), featuring his match against a worthy Diego Borges, from last weekends Copa Podio.

Sina Razi [Sept. 11, 2013, 9:24pm]:
Clark. Your middle name should be Clark “Kent” Gracie… like Superman… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef9oUHe127Q. Brilliant technique with the collar and belt, and transition with leg inside to roll… really well done.

Clark Gracie [Sept. 11, 2013, 1:38am]:
Haha thx

Well if you haven’t seen it, here it is. Clark appeared to be in a difficult situation early on, versus a powerful Diego Borges; but like anyone who heralds a pedigree to that of Clark’s omoplata – famously now called the “Clarkoplata”, the fight is never really over.

In this latest match at the Copa Podio (2013), Diego Borges appeared to have the ‘cryptonite’ to deal with Clark’s game; Clark had other ideas.

While attempting to pass his opponents guard, Clark hits a transition, instinctively capturing Diego Borges into his most prized position, the omoplata.

Below is a short clip of the end of the match when Clark applies the finish; scroll further below to view my break-down on key elements assumed by Clark, to apply his Superman-like finish:

“CLARKOPLATA” BREAKDOWN, AT THE COPA PODIO (2013):

Any, if not all BJJ players would do well to understand the grips and transitions from this particular position (the omoplata), so I’m going to attempt to highlight some key factors Clark uses to break down his opponent, and to apply the finish:

1. Notice, at 0:15 of the video, Clark dives for the omoplata. After watching it a few times, I have no doubt he is controlling the sleeve of the arm he is planning to attack. I am fairly positive this has been done intentionally. Sleeve control on the arm you are diving for is key here… it appears to be a cross-grip.
2. Once the omoplata is locked on, Clark immediately triangles his legs to apply pressure. As his opponent lifts him off the ground, he is more then comfortable with this, as he continues to hold/force his opponents trapped arm into a deep omoplata.
3. Notice: Clark is able to break his opponents posture, and ensure he is glue’d onto his opponents arm, by using these effective grips: (1) Clark immediately grabs his opponents collar, within the leg triangle. This is a key point here – to breaking your opponents posture, and maintaining that tight omoplata. (2) Clark uses his other arm (the near-side) to grip the sleeve of his opponents arm – to deepen the arm and ensure it is trapped.
4. Simultaneously, Clark continues to manage his leg work – tightening the triangle on the trapped arm, to apply further pressure on his opponents posture.
5. Now that the arm is truly trapped, Clark switches his arm on the near-side, and begins to attack the rear of his opponents belt. These grips create a tremendous amount of pressure.
6. Because of the pressure created from the grips, and Clark’s legs, he is able to unlock his triangle momentarily, in order to swing his body and gain momentum, in an attempt to bring his opponent down onto the mats (a break in posture). Diego refuses to give up and attempts to stand back up – lifting Clark off the ground once more.
7. Clark realizes it is only a matter of time. He continues to adjust his legs, while maintaining that potent inside collar grip. His opponent is becoming extremely tired, and his posture is now very low. Clark attacks the belt grip once more with his free hand, but his opponent stands to defend, so Clark goes under the leg to keep the position secure.
8. NOTICE: at 1:00 of the video, with his opponent standing in such a vulnerable position, Clark angles out, and sneaks his leg inside the far leg of Diego Borges, to apply a trip. With this amount of pressure, his opponent has no other angle to move, and has no alternative but to roll. This is exactly what Clark wants.
9. NOTICE: At 1:05, right before his opponent is forced to roll, Clark switches his grip on the near-side, and places this hand onto his opponents back. He does this so that as he and his opponent are forced to roll, Clark can stop his opponent from re-rolling upon dismount.
10. His opponent realizes he cannot roll, and avoids being broken down by dropping Clark onto his back – a typical escape for the omoplata.
11. Unfortunately for Diego, Clark still has the omoplata locked on tight. This is merely a transition for Clark, and he is still in an optimal position.
12. From here (1:15), Clark maintains his leg-work, and begins to attack Diego’s collar – to apply the choke. Notice: Clark does not triangle his legs when in this position – this may allow his hips to move and remain adaptive to his opponents movement.
13. Diego fights in desperation; Clark uses his free hand to negate Diego’s ability to defend the collar choke. At 1:23 of the video, you see why Clark does not triangle his legs – as he uses his free leg to post on the mat, and allow his hips to escape, in order to enhance his position. His opponents hips are no longer on top of his – his movement is independent to that of his opponents and he may now apply the leverage he needs to finish.
14. At 1:34, with his hips escaped, Clark re-triangles his legs and has his opponents collar firmly gripped. He finishes the choke by placing his free hand behind his opponents neck. Opposing forces create the most tension, and Diego taps with no chance of escape.

Phew… So now it’s time to try this at home! (yeah right…). Truly great piece of work by Clark.

Positional Studies: The “Gerbi” Choke

A very neat modification to the Peruvian neck-tie; this one is called the ‘Gerbi’ choke – well executed (just days ago) at the 2013 World Judo Championships by Yarden Gerbi.

Yarden would go on to win the Judo, women’s 63 kg division.

You can see around 1:13 of the match video, Yarden clearly has been practicing this on the training mats.

She begins by forcing her opponent to turtle position, then secures her under-hook on one side, while proceeding to undo her own gi (with her other arm), so she can pass it under her opponents neck, to the under-hook she has already secured. From there on, it’s a standard Peruvian finish: (1) near leg over the head, (2) far leg over the opponents lower back to follow; then it’s a matter of applying the right leverage/torque; her opponent goes out.

Positional Studies: Renan Borges vs Francisco Iturralde

One of the more innovative loop chokes to be seen; another brilliantly executed technique to study and potentially implement into your game: Renan Borges vs Francisco Iturralde.

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Here are some demonstrations, showing similar loop choke concepts:

• Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu Coach: Vinicinho Shows a Loop Choke
• Gracie Jiu Jitsu – Ryron Gracie – Open Guard Loop Choke

Positional Studies: Turtle Guard Attacks With Budo Jake, Orlando Sanchez and AJ Agazarm

Budo Jake, infamous journalist for Budo Videos, presents some discussion on gi-specific, turtle attacks, in episode #35 of Budo Jakes This Week in BJJ.

Forcing your opponent into turtle guard, is a great way to setup back-takes, or chokes/submissions, and is a great position for MMA (used to reign down punches).

Here’s an overview of techniques covered in this series:

1. AJ Agazarm: AJ shows a great variation when attacking the turtle; this technique encourages the same grips to that of the clock choke, but is a supplement to it. The move ends in a rolling choke; this is very similar in style to that of the bow & arrow: a high percentage submission.
2. Budo Jake: Budo Jake shows a great transition to a guillotine choke (head and arm) if your opponent maneuvers your choking arm to the opposite side. Inversely, this position may be initiated by placing the choking arm onto the opposite side of your opponents head.
3. Orlando Sanchez: Orlando teaches us the value of deception; if your choking arm is getting blocked, grab the collar with your opposite (far) arm; then hop onto your opponents back, drag/lift your opponent (exposing his back) onto your chest. Sink your hooks in and apply an over under choke or stabilize the position for points.

If you are going to drill these moves, I recommend drilling them for a week or two; drill them as often as possible and re-visit them at a later date. The video may be seen as follows:

BJJ World Champion Ary Farias’ Lifting (Weight) Routine

World Champion, feather-weight, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner – Ary Farias, shows off his 4 day/week weight lifting routine, and discusses the importance of weight-lifting for competition.

Positional Studies: Common Mistakes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Volume 1 – BJJ Bishop Study

Part 1 – Study into Guard Passing

BJJ Bishop have posted their Part 1 study into common mistakes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Emphasis is placed on mistakes made, when guard passing.

These key principles – when attempting any guard-pass, include the following:

1. Control your opponents Grips, or Hips.
2. Establish/Reset your Guard Pass Position.

Positional Studies: BJJ Scout – Ronda Rousey, Judo in MMA

The fellows over at BJJ Scout have narrowed their focal point onto Judo take downs recently: this time, a study into female UFC/MMA champ, Ronda Rousey.

This video comes in addition to their recent study’s into Rodolfo Vieira’s take down game.