- 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 […]
Archive for December, 2009
Last night we had a good time at dinner! We went to a Brazilian Steak House with my Ohana, Master Lloyd, Master Donnie, and some other students form the gym.
I was excited for training with Master Lloyd today and I woke up with a cold. My entire body was weak and I am all stuffed up. I caught some sort of a bug out of nowhere. But working at the gym, I deal with a lot of people at the front desk all day everyday. After sleeping all day and tons of orange juice and soup, I am feeling a little better. Although, I am bummed out, what a way to start out the new year…Especially after the position I was going over yesterday, I was looking forward to practicing it today! I did try to pull my self together, and go in to the gym ,but it just was not happening, I felt horrible. Then , I also remembered this speech that we were given yesterday before the morning practice.
So yesterday the few people that showed up for the morning training got some words of wisdom. As we sat around Master Lloyd’s cell phone, we listened to the gentleman speak and he says..
What is the greatest word in the English dictionary? he tells us, Extraordinary!
he says again, What is the greatest word in the English dictionary?…Extraordinary!
So he asks us what is the greatest word in the English dictionary, and we respond, Extraordinary. He was getting on us about being on time for practice, and just knowing what it takes to get that medal and be up on that stand. So, my question is once again, do you know what it takes to be a World Champion?
He said that if you don’t want to go over the top, and be EXTRAORDINARY, if you don’t want to get to Brazilian JiuJitsu early to stretch out or do whatever you need to do, if you don’t want to go to bed an EXTRA 30 minutes early so you can get that EXTRA rest, then you will be ORDINARY! and that’’s the gist of it..
So my advice to you is that if you want to be outstanding and be an overachiever, then take this mans advice! You have to be willing to go over the top, in practice, in competition, in anything that you do. If you don’t, then you will be ordinary like most of the people in the world.
I just recently got a Flip Video Recorder for Christmas and I was more than pleased. I had wanted one for a long time so that I am able to get all of my matches and training sessions recorded. Well, not that I finally have one, I recorded a short video after my training session this morning. Don’t laugh, I was nervous in front of the camera and I say “umm” a lot!
Are any of you recording your mixed martial arts competitions, fights, or practices. If you haven’t yet, I suggest you start! As far as Brazilian JiuJitsu, it’s great to have all of my matches on video whether I win or lose. Then I am able to go back and see where there are holes in my game, and what I need to work on. So, like I said, if you don’t have a device and or someone getting all of your matches on film, go out and get one!!
Last night was great training!!
For the first 30 minutes, everyone drilled throws, 2 for 2. Then we got to sparring, Master Lloyd paired us up and I was with Mr. Jose for the first two rounds. He is one of our purple belts in BJJ and he is also Our Muay Thai kickboxing instructor. My next round was with Katy, she is one of our white belts, and very strong. After that, we started from different positions then started sparring. Not only did we have the Brazilian JiuJitsu class going, but on the other end of the mat was our MMA guys. Some of our guys are getting ready for their upcoming fights, so it’s time to prepare.
Some of the guys were sitting around today discussing jiujitsu with Master Lloyd and what it really takes to be a World Champion. Well, it’s one thing for someone to say what they want to do and what their goals are, but how many people stick to it?? Who actually makes their goals/dreams come true?? I was sitting there thinking about how right he was. Then, I started thinking to myself, what am I doing to become a Black Belt World Champion?? Not only and blue belt world champion, or purple, or brown because those are just steps along the way to becoming a World Champion as a Black Belt. To be up on that stand, after all of you hard work, effort and time put into that very moment……. And to be honest, I don’t know what it takes to become a World Champion. At least I think I know, but what I think is not enough. It includes everything from eating right, to drilling, strength and conditioning, and not missing any practices, and that’s just the gist of it. So, what are you doing to become a World Champion?? Just a thought for you mind……….
Master Lloyd showed me this triangle setup and I hit it in Grapplers Quest when Team Lloyd Irvin won the 5 on 5 team challenge. You can find this same technique on trianglesecrets.com.
On Aug. 15, 2009 Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos beat Gina Carano in Strikeforce’s event held in California. That was Carano’s first MMA loss. She is known by many as “The Face of Women’s MMA” and she still is even though Cyborg beat her down…
Up and rising, Cris Cyborg is making her first title defense January 30th at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida against Marloes Coenen. Her only loss was against Erica Paes due to knee bar. During the fight, it’s looks as if Cyborg went to pass her guard, and that’s when Erica went for the knee bar. Cris Cyborg recently competed in the Abu Dhabi which was held in Barcelona, Spain. She took 3rd in the women’s + 60 kg. Needless to say Cyborg is an animal and a true competitor in Mixed Martial Arts.
Marloes Coenen recently stated that everybody has flaws, and she has seen Cyborg’s. Even though Cyborg is now considered the best in the World, Coenen believes that this is her chance to beat Cyborg and become the best. Coenen is Strikeforce’s Number 1 female contender and she has 17 wins and 3 losses. I think that this will be a good fight!
I look up to females who are involved in Mixed Martial Arts. I think that we have a lot to offer and it’s no different from the males fighting. I am more than sure that there are women out there who can take on the men. It is a good form of self defense and a great way to get in shape.
If you are interested in getting involved, we offer exclusive all female MMA classes, brazilian jiu jitsu classes and muay thay kickboxing training. Check our our website. TRAIN LIKE A MAD WOMAN
