- Running a Large Martial Arts School vs. a Small OneI’ve had the opportunity to be a student at “small” academies that grew into big ones and also have had the good fortune of watching my own Howard County Martial Arts academy develop into a “big” school as well. One thing that I’ve noticed is how different it is to run a successful big program [...] […]
- Whats Up with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Associations?So what are these benefits? Firstly, joining a reputable associations is a good way for the new member to get the recognition and reputation of the association without necessarily being of the same quality. Imagine a school that does not have any history of producing competitors and also lacks an instructor with solid credentials; the school owner would grea […]
- Five Mistakes BJJ Beginners Make Dealing with LossesAt our Baltimore martial arts school, we like to have an active competition team in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, No-Gi, Thai boxing, and MMA. Of course, if you compete, you will inevitably lose. And like everyone has told you, its what happens after the loss that is important. So let’s look at five common errors beginners make [...] […]
- Founded in 1998 – So What?Customers find comfort in the fact that a business has been in existence for a long time. This is apparently a mark of dependability and continual success and so one feels comfortable developing a relationship with the proprietor with less worry that the business will undergo some bizarre twist of fate that causes it [...] […]
- Go After Titles, Not PeopleSome of the best advice I ever received from Lloyd Irvin was regarding rivalries. To many times, competitors get focused on a single opponent rather than focusing on the big picture. A common situation would be as follows: Adam loses to Bill. Adam then focuses all his efforts on beating Bill. He trains with Bill in [...] […]
- How to Watch Competition FootageSince everyone is snowed in and is supposedly working out at home and watching a lot of film, I thought I could provide some tips on watching competition footage that have helped me out over the years. In the beginning, I could not watch Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition videos and preferred instructional videos; nowadays, its the other way [...] […]
- One Reason Competition is Important…Competition is important because it helps keep BJJ instructors honest. Every instructor has a different set of criteria from one another and most likely, a different set of criteria for each belt. For example, some instructors use an attendance system for some of the early belts while others focus primarily on competition results. This often causes [...] […]
- Bullfighting & Jiu Jitsu by Brian Neal pt 2Continued from yesterday’s post by one of Children’s Martial Arts coaches, Brian Neal… I think another similar aspect is the preparation required for each. There isn’t any training manual or book you can read that will prepare you for what you will encounter when you get on your first bull or fighting in your first advanced [...] […]
- Bullfighting & Jiu Jitsu by “Rodeo” Brian Neal pt 1In a previous life, I used to ride bulls, in part for fun and in part for many. I think you might find it interesting if I shared my thoughts about how the two are similar. While I am not suggesting to anyone that if you can or are willing to do Jiu Jitsu, you should run out and jump on the first bull you see, but I hope to give you alittle insight into how […]
- Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…Now I don't know if VW Golfs are good are bad but the point is made - if everyone seems intent on just copying something - there must be something to the original! For an example right from our BJJ school - ever notice how every gi is compared to a Koral (the original "luxury" gi) and every light gi is compared to Vulkan (the original gi sold […]
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Packed to the max, we had a great jiu-jitsu class this morning!! Not to mention we had 3 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belts training, Mike Fowler, Nakapan Phungephorn, and JT Torres. We also had bjj brown belts Cory Robinson and Jim Harbison training hard! It’s great to have so many people training on the mats! The next jiu-jitsu training session was at 4:30 which was drilling and then of course the evening class.
In the morning advanced BJJ class we started off with the guard passing game. Then Master Lloyd had us start from closed guard and do live matches, getting our minds ready for competition. The guys drilled sweeps today for an hour today and the evening class was hard! We had 4 groups, each group with the same weight/skill level pushing hard, and doing foot sweeps, just completely trying to ware your opponent out.
Also, a friendly reminder for students at any Mixed Martial Arts gym, cleanliness is very important. Make sure that all of your MMA equipment is kept clean and aired out. As for gis, make sure to wash them, hang dry, or put in the dryer. When at the gym, always wear shoes to the bathroom, wash your hands. Stepping on the mat with dirty feet is very unsanitary. If you have an open cut, put a band aide on it, and make sure to clean it before and after you train to prevent any infections.
Here is a video put together from BJJ advanced class.
This morning I rolled with Master Lloyd Irvin for about 90 minutes straight, or should I say got my butt whooped for 90 minutes straight. It was great and I always learn from our rolls. Then there was the 4:30 drilling, and tonight will be a great practice.
We are 8 days into hard Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training for the Pan American Games and for Mundials as well. The next couple of months are going to be busy, busy, busy. We have Brandon “The Truth” Vera fighting on March 20 and Phil Davis fights in the first ever UFC event held in Abu Dhabi on April 10. At 11 am in this morning, the guys did their lower body strength and conditioning workout with D’ Angelo.
Check out this video of the guys Training!
For dominating his opponent and taking his belt! Previous title and belt holder, Brian Bowles broke his hand during one of the rounds, and after the 2nd round was done, he was also. Dominick brought his A game and was on top of his punches and leg kicks. Great job Dominick Cruz and everyone who helped support him on his journey to victory.
This Sunday has definitely been relaxing and tomorrow we do it all over again. Pan Ams and Worlds are getting closer day by day. Here is my surprise for you Jiu-Jitsu fans, an interview by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt JT Torres.
Interview with JT Torres:
1. When did you first start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
I first started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when I was 15 years of age.
2. Was it always a hobby, or did you always know Jiu-Jitsu was your passion?
When I first started BJJ I loved it from the start so I always knew it was going to be a major part of my life.
3. What other sports did you do as a kid?
I did Karate which I got a black belt in, I also played baseball and basketball.
4. Is your family supportive of Jiu-Jitsu?
My family is super supportive, which I am so happy about! At first they weren’t but now that they have seen all the different parts of the world where this sport has taken me and all the success I have had with it.
5. When did you recieve your black belt in BJJ?
I received my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black belt in June of 2009, from Master Lloyd Irvin and Jared Weiner.
6. What are some of your goals for 2010?
My main goal for this year is to win the Pan American Games next month and the Mundials!!!!
7. What do you like to do on your free time?
On my free time I like to relax and go to the movies.
8. Do you ever plan to compete in Abu Dhabi?
Yes of course! Next year I will concentrate on the trials for these tournaments.
9. Who are some of your biggest influences?
Some of my biggest influences are my family, Ronaldo Souza and Master Lloyd Irvin.
10. Where did your get your nickname, JT “Spider Man” Torres?
Messing around with Master Lloyd one day
Saturday, Day 6 of the Pan Ams Jiu-Jitsu Training Camp and it was a 3 hour practice. Warming up with take downs, and drills, then 7 minute rounds for 1 hour is how we ended the week. Brown Belt Cory Robinson and a friend, Jordan came to train as well! It was a good size class for a Saturday. It was a great practice, also more of a relaxing practice and Monday is back to strength and conditioning and hard core training. So rest up, soak your bodies in a nice hot bath, take your vitamins and everything else that is needed!
Master Lloyd took off to Ohio to support Dominick Cruz who is fighting for the bantamweight title vs Brian Bowles in Columbus, Ohio just after jiu-jitsu training. They are showing the WEC event live on Versus starting at 10 pm. We will also be showing the fights at Lloyd Irvin Mixed Martial Arts, so stop by if you wanna watch the fights with the team.
I also want to say Congrats to the guys from Crazy 88 who flew out to Texas for the Houston Open this weekend. BJJ blue belt Evan Gideon placed 1st in the middle heavy weight division, Tye Ryan Murphy placed 2nd in the middle weight class, and Al Washington bjj white belt placed 2nd as well. Another Congrats to the guys from Third Law BJJ down in Florida. When I was down in Florida competing for the Abu Dhabi Pro Trials, the Third Law guys were very supportive. Congrats again! All these tournaments are really helping everyone prepare for Worlds and I can’t wait. Up next will be Grapplers Quest in New Jersey, March 20. Brandon “The Truth” Vera also fights on March 21th. vs Jon Jones, so catch it on SPIKE!
I hope everyone got some rest after that Jiu-Jitsu class last night. Everyone was pushing really hard, and doing a great job as well as keeping the energy and positivity up on the mat. We had several brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts, brown belts, purples, blues, and whites! Strength and Conditioning, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday!! The guys had another hard workout this morning, upper and lower body workout with D’ Angelo. That was the only workout they had today, tomorrow is going to be a long grueling practice. If anyone is wondering what time the bjj training is, it’s from 12pm to 3pm, so don’t be late or you will miss out on some good training. We are almost at the end of week 1 of the Pan Ams Training Camp, and this is really only preparation for the big tournament, Worlds.
Lately people have been commenting on my blog, and I just want to say Thank You to those of you who actually take the time to read it! I hope you enjoy it and enjoy this video as well! I got some great footage from last night’s Jiu-Jitsu class! Everyone was pushing, and they did live rounds, over and over and over!
Don’t forget tomorrow night, LIVE on Versus, the WEC event will be held in Columbus, Ohio. Dominick Cruz will be fighting Brian Bowles for the bantamweight title, it’s starts at 10:00 pm, so don’t miss this MMA fight. Dominick Cruz, originally from Tuson now trains in California at Alliance with Brandon “The Truth” Vera. Mike “The Hulk” Easton is out in Ohio right now with Dominick helping him prepare for his fight.
