The RDA PMA Experiment

Our friend Mark Cook of Prarie Martial Arts has undertaken a novel and creative task. He’s created a blog chronicling his progress with his own students based on my Blue Belt Requirements DVD as a curriculum guide.  And he posted a roll with one of his students.  That’s the perfect way to start off the new year, since 1 year from now he’ll be amazed at how differently he spars!

Overall, this was a good roll.  Nice pace.  Intense at times but never out of control.  Let’s break it down a bit.  We’ll use this as an experiment to respond to feedback.  This is what I notice:

40: Get your hands on his knees immediately and back away from his guard.  You don’t want him crossing his ankles and getting closed guard. 

6:29.  Good reverse triangle.  I would also immediately get to work on his free arm.  Kimura is always an option.

Well done, Mark.  You’ll be amazed at how far you’ll progress in a year!

Sheila Bird: Grappling World Champion

Here’s Harris International brown belt Sheila Bird in action at the Fila World Grappling Championships. Congratulations Sheila!

Mokuren Dojo Interview

Our friends at Mokuren Dojo posted a short interview with some probing questions on Aikido, Judo, and BJJ.  Not enough?  Then take a look at Mr. Harris’ account of training BJJ in the early days.

Tamerlan Tmenov:  Favorite Techniques

Brilliant footage of the tokuiwaza, or favorite techniques, of champion judoka player Tamerlan Tmenov.  He uses the same grip I prefer, so I can’t wait to train these techniques!

Training Log: December 2008

Music:  “Penguin” by Patrick Heatherman.  Looking good everyone!  Just compare this to May and November 2007. The flow continues…

RDA Holiday Schedule 2008

The Academy will be closed from Christmas Eve, December 24 to New Years Day. 

Classes will resume on January 2nd!  Tonight’s advanced class is open to everybody.

In addition, please schedule these events into your 2009 calendar:

Friday, January 16th:  Blue Belt Demonstration by Glen Farris

February 7 and 8th:  Pedro Sauer Camp in Clackamas, Oregon

Happy Holidays to all!  The level in the Academy keeps rising, and 2009 looks like an action packed year!

Chris Acarregui:  BJJ Blue Belt

Congratulations to Chris Acarregui for a crisp and powerful blue belt demonstration!  Great energy and support by academy members on and off the mat.  Special props to Steve Burke for the excellent cinematography.  Watch and discuss!  Glen, you’re next!

The Sister Arts of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Originally published in Gracie Magazine, Issue #138.

My name is Roy Dean. I am a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor Roy Harris.  Before training in BJJ, I studied several Japanese martial arts systems, receiving my black belt in both Kodokan Judo and Aikikai Aikido.  Early on in my study of BJJ I realized that there were many overlapping areas with the arts I’d been exposed to, with surprising similarities in their movements and the avoidance of force on force.  I would like to briefly explore some of those areas of common ground, and where the arts may compliment each other.

Each art operates in a separate range of combat, and are all unique flavors of jujutsu.  Aikido focuses on the moment your opponent is grabbing you, pulling as they push, while turning and redirecting their attack.  Judo takes place in the clinch range, scooping your partner off balance and obstructing their movement to tip them to the ground.  Off course, BJJ is the premier groundfighting art, controlling the space and your partners movement options until your steer them into a joint lock or choke.

The yielding techniques of each system rely on distraction, angles, and leverage to work.  As your timing and sensitivity improve in each discipline, so does your efficiency in affecting the techniques.  They are all arts of pushing and pulling.  Ultimately, awareness, timing, and sensitivity are the attributes that will take you the farthest in acquiring deep skills, and conserve the most energy when facing larger opponents. 

Jigoro Kano’s Judo is a selective synthesis of many older jujutsu systems, and was the seed of Brazil’s own flowering of the art. Judo’s focus has been narrowed towards competition strategies since it’s inclusion in the Olympics, and this emphasis on tachi-waza, or standing techniques, has had positive and negative consequences.  Grip fighting has been elevated, while submission oriented newaza has declined. Many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champions have trained extensively in Judo, and the results of that combination are already proven. 

But BJJ practitioners could also take notes from the art of Aikido, particularly their ukemi, or methods of falling, when receiving the dynamic wristlocks and throws characteristic of the style.  Learning to fall is perhaps the most practical of all martial art skills, and the circularity of Aikido’s blending movements translate well from the vertical plane to the horizontal.  BJJ and Judo players could also expand their self defense awareness by using Aikido’s elegant footwork to get off the line of attack against strikes, weapons, and multiple attackers.

Of course, benefits go both ways. I have found the effectiveness of my Aikido greatly enhanced after studying BJJ.  Ground fighting not only gives you a back up plan if your initial techniques fail, but also a deeper sense of confidence in your martial abilities, expanding your options wherever the fight may go.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu’s openness and wide technical palette adds not only to the sophistication of the art, but also to it’s effectiveness against other styles.  What gives BJJ the edge in effectiveness is Kano’s genius of randori, or full resistance sparring, combined with the aim of finishing the fight.  Throwing your opponent or pinning them may end an altercation, but BJJ picks up from that point, cutting off the avenues of escape in smooth and clever ways.  Ways that work over and over again, against different bodies, strategies, and skill levels.  Rolling keeps the art alive, with the its teeth sharp, so a player can take on an opponent’s best effort and redirect it into a submission.  With sparring, each player can re-invent effectiveness for themselves, using techniques that fit their body type and disposition.

A descendant of Daito Ryu Aiki-jujutsu, Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba used his interpretation of the art to stress non-violence and non-resistance.  While Aikido is philosophically rich, competition and practicing at full resistance are generally discouraged.  This is a reflection of the religious orientation of the founder, and makes Aikido accessible to all ages and abilities.  The idea of a compassionate martial art has resonated with millions of people worldwide, and launched a philosophical movement that takes the principles off the mat and into daily life.  BJJ is beginning to head in this direction, going beyond the idea of winning and losing, and creating more inclusive environments that stress brotherhood and camaraderie.

Personally, I feel Aikido could benefit from full resistance training.  Working with non-resistant opponents can lead to a false sense of security, setting a student up for disappointment when their skills are needed most.  Sparring clearly illustrates that the first attempt at a technique does not always work, and the secret to repeatable effectiveness is found in the transitions between one technique and the next.  Ironically, Ueshiba’s vision may be well served, and even enhanced, by incorporating the training methods of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Even if trained as a separate art, the lessons learned in one discipline can be transferred to another, enriching understanding.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is far more than a sport, and even more than an art.  BJJ is a modern budo.  A warriors way.  Preserved tools of the samurai class, used to bring people together into a lifestyle, and allowing them to discover who they are and uncover their potential.  Players from each discipline should not view the other styles as separate, but rather as sister arts, where even occasional cross training can expand awareness.  The future is not about separation, but rather integration with these other styles of jujutsu, fueling the evolution of each art.

Pulling of the Guard

Recently seen at Buckingham Palace.  More sightings are being reported.  Stay tuned!

Richard North:  BJJ Brown Belt

Richard North and Roy Dean on his 2007 trip to Bend.  Seminars: Year One was filmed during this time. 

Congratulations to Richard North on his recent promotion to brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!  Not an easy task, let me assure you.  Take a look here at the requirements Mr. Harris demands.  Also take a look at the process here (and forgive the misspelling of the word Brazilian).  It was a journey for Richard, going from 209 to 163 pounds through 11 months of workouts and dieting, losing 9 inches from his waist and adding 2 inches on his arms.  That’s the right kind of transformation. Well done!