Dan Macias: BJJ Blue Belt

As one commenter has already stated: “One of the most deserved blue belts yet.”  Incredible takedowns and fighting spirit against a very difficult lineup.  Congratulations Dan!

Baldwin Black Belt Examination

Photos by Alicia Anthony.

Jeff Baldwin: BJJ Black Belt

Please help me congratulate my good friend Jeff Baldwin on his promotion to black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!  Jeff was one of my training partners at the Harris Academy, and by all accounts he did a fantastic job during the grueling 3.5 hour examination.  Well done, my brother!

Gregore Devore: BJJ Blue Belt

Congratulations to Gregore Devore on a impressive blue belt demonstration.  Lots of heart, drive, and a toughness you can’t teach.  Bravo!

Kevin Hall: BJJ Blue Belt

Congratulations to Kevin Hall on his excellent blue belt demonstration, and for joining the RDA family as a Level I Affiliate.  Kudos to K3 Martial Arts for hosting the party!

BJJ Live In Student Opportunity

We now have a very special opportunity available.  Academy instructor Anthony Treas, back from serving his country in Iraq and training the gentle art in Brazil, is opening his home for those interested in a live in training opportunity. 

With accommodation for up to 6 people, a matted room, and access to the main Academy, this is a chance to commit yourself to an intensive training environment in beautiful Bend, Oregon. 

For more information, contact Anthony Treas at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Never Give Up

via BjjSteve27 on Sherdog: Alec Baulding (Alliance) against Willie Leonard (Lloyd Irvin).  Alec won gold in his division and beat a very talented Ronis Gracie in the Absolute finals. The video does not do this match justice. Watching it live was impressive as the whole arena erupted when Alec got the submission.
 

Editor’s Note:  Props to both gentleman on an excellent chess match. 

A Gracious E-Mail

Letters like this reaffirm that I’m on the right track in my efforts to contribute to jiu jitsu.  Thank you John!

I’m unsure if this is really Roy Dean or not but regardless, its worth a try. My name is John Gault, I train Muay Thai in Fresno California. I have been involved in Muay Thai for the last 11 years and I have competed in over 230 fight and competitions. I have never really had an interest in brazilian jiu jitsu, judo or aikido due to the nature of my martial arts background. I had attempted learning no gi submission grappling under an instructor by the name of (Xxxx Xxxxx) but had a very negative experience in my first grappling endeavor.

For a very long time I have held a grudge against grapplers and jiu jitsu practitioners until I stumbled across a few of your videos on youtube and I was so interested and inspired after seeing them that I bought both your purple belt requirements and bluebelt requirement dvds and I am hoping to buy your aikido DVDs soon. Here is the major point of this entire letter. Mr. Dean, I have found your videos to be so connecting and inspiring that I have been turned to the jiu jitsu world. I feel that if anyone has been a real trainer to me, it is you. Though it may not be a very prestigious award or constellation, I can only express gratitude and submission to a trainer and practitioner of your caliber.

Thank you for everything. You have opened my eyes to a much larger picture and touched my life, as well as the lives of the people I train with. I only hope the best for you and hope to become as good as a practitioner as you. Thank your for your time and understanding.—John Gault

Succinct Half Guard Options

Freedom Is Not Free

Take a moment to acknowledge those that have sacrificed for our freedoms.  No class this Memorial Day. 

2010 Subleague Champions

UK 2010 Seminar

This year’s trip to the UK was another smashing success.  With it far less sightseeing oriented than the year before, the pacing of group instruction, private lessons, and adjusting to the time difference was just right. 

The seminar that topped the week off with was well received, and extensive write-ups can be found on the following BJJ blogs:  Slideyfoot, Meerkatsu, and The Grappling Dummy.  Can (Slidey) looked beefier than last year, Seymour (Meerkatsu) took great photos for an upcoming feature in Martial Arts Illustrated, and Matt (The Grappling Dummy) arranged an interview, plus some rolling footage that he’s working into a video.  I’m collaborating with Matt on music selections for the video, as I think there’s some really good content in the mix.

I was impressed with the overall progress of the K3 Academy.  I awarded several well deserved blue belts to Craig and Gareth Love, Kevin Hall, and a surprise blue belt to Grant Woolway at the end of the seminar.  Steve is looking solid for his purple belt demonstration in the fall, and should put in a dynamite performance.

A huge thank you to Steve, Paul, and Kirsty for being perfect seminar hosts. It is a joy being able to share this art that I love with such good friends, and make new ones in the process.

Subleague Championship 2010

While I was in the UK, TJ took coaching responsibilities for the team at the Subleague Championships.  This is the e-mail report I received.

Becky:

TJ

I also received the following text from tournament organizer Mike Chapman:

“Your woman Becky had more taps than any other one competitor, 7!  More than some teams…   Awesome.”

HUGE congratulations to Neil and Becky!

A Perspective on BJJ

A nice perspective on BJJ from Craig Love, a student of UK RDA Affiliate Stephen Greenaway:

I first got interested in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu when I was in my early twenties, watching mixed martial arts on the TV and hearing commentators say “He’s a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt.” I had no idea what BJJ was. What impressed me most was that a fighter would be on his back getting pounded and he would submit the guy on the top by arm bar or triangle, I would be thinking “how is that possible”? I mean, I understood what was happening (i.e. getting choked or hyper extending the arm), but what I couldn’t get my head around was exactly how they managed to execute it from what seemed to me as an inferior position.

Browsing the internet, looking for a martial arts club to enroll my son in, I came across a Taekwondo class near my home. This is where it began. I was talking to the instructor whilst my boy was getting taught the finer points of striking, and Steve mentioned that he also taught BJJ, I told him how impressed I was by the whole ground game and he invited me along for a free lesson. That was it: I was hooked.

My first class taught me the basics, mount escapes, headlock escapes and a couple of submissions, learning these were fun but what I loved most was the rolling, I loved grappling. After the first lesson I knew that I was in it for the long haul.

In my first few months of training I was using strength to escape from various positions and even though Steve was continually drumming it into the class that it was technique not strength, I couldn’t comprehend that technique was better than strength, I couldn’t understand that students not much larger than my self could crush me, pinning me in a cross body position that I since found out was side control and thinking to myself why am I trapped here, surely I can push these guys off, I’m a fairly strong guy, why am I tapping out from someone lying on me. Each evening after training I was leaving class exhausted, my muscles ached for days after but I enjoyed it. After six months or so I thought “Wow! I am getting super fit!” Where I was previously gassed after one or two rounds, I could now roll for four or five rounds and still be able to breathe. Then I finally understood. I am not much fitter than I was at the start- I am using less strength and.. yep… more technique.

As more new students were joining I realised just how far I had come. I could control these guys without even breaking a sweat and I could tap them at will. I still had a long way to go but I had solid foundations. I began using the less experienced as my “uke” getting myself into inferior positions and building “my game”. The new guys never knew any different, it was beneficial to all of us, the guys were leaving class pleased for “controlling” a more experienced student and I was leaving class happy that I was working on the weaker part of my game.  It’s a nice feeling getting the “tap” but sometimes it’s nicer to let your partner get the tap.

To date I have been training for 18 months, and I am aware that I have not scratched the surface of this fine martial art. Roy Dean stated during a seminar “BJJ is not just an art, it is a way of life, you never stop learning, you never stop evolving.”

I am thankful for the opportunity to train in this art. I am thankful that I am physically able to train. You never miss what you never had but I am glad that I have Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

My journey has just begun.

Sweeping A Larger Opponent

Excellent techniques from Jennifer Weintz of Gracie Barra Vancouver, via Stephan Kesting.  Study on this!