This week’s classes in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program saw us practicing techniques in combatives and self-defense focusing takedowns and escapes if attacked from behind.  In addition, we explored the knee in the belly position and how to turn the fight with a variation on the hook sweep.

For the self-defense aspects on this week, we learned what to do if attacked and held over both arms or under both arms.  This was the classic bearhug attack. Both attacks were easily defended with jiu jitsu by use of leverage and basic tricks.  Further in the week we defended against the sucker punch.  This attack led to the clinch and the basic hip throw.  Two takedowns that were added this week were the hip throw and side trip takedown from the clinch reference point.  

On the mat this week we practice how to control the opponent using the knee in the belly position.  This position opens up many strategies such as submission attacks, transitional position control and the ability to where down the opponent with control, strikes or technical grips on the pants, sleeve and jacket.  Simply using the knee in the belly to transition to the mount position is a key objective.

Lastly, on the mat this week, we practiced using the hook sweep from the guard position.  Before learning this move, we reviewed how to use the armtriangle choke and also create an angle to take the back of the opponent.  It was this ability to move your hips under your opponent that determined what technique you could use or where you would end up next in the positional battle.  What we practice was to move the hips out to side the opposite way than taking the back position.  By doing this, we were able to learn the hook sweep and turn the fight.  In the end, this strategy led to the submission finish using the armtriangle choke.  Remember that the submission from the mount is half neck crank and half choke hold.  Therefore, it was practice to move to the side control to finialize the armtriangle.  All choke this way!

Best,

Prof. Tony Pacenski

Hello Elite Training Center Friends,

This week’s classes in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program saw us practicing techniques in combatives and self-defense focusing passing the guard, escaping from headlocks against a wall and escaping for the mounted position against a resisting opponent or one that throws punches. Last week, I was on the East Coast conducting Martial Arts seminars and I had a busy schedule that affected the writing process for the first week of September in our blog. Nonetheless, let us reflect on this week’s progress.

Passing the guard of your opponent is one of the most difficult objectives in a ground fight. The opponent has many tools and strategies that he or she can use to defend against your attacks. In a jiu-jitsu competition is a commonplace to see full matches spent inside the guard. Once again the basic objectives in passing are to establish posture, open the legs on your opponent in a technical way using leverage; control the hips of your opponent in some form, and move pass the legs of your opponent to the knee in the belly, side control or mounted position on top. This week we reviewed the basic leg on the shoulder passing and strategy of passing over one leg. The main concept taught was to learn how to change sides when the opponent resists your forward movement; or should I say forward-angled-pressure-movement. Yes, with the leg on the shoulder pass or passing over the leg pass, we learned the importance of “being” very heavy at the correct times.

One rule I have always followed is, “If the opponent wants space, be tight…and if the opponent wants no space, create space!” It is a game of influencing the distance, timing, movement and pressure. The latter technique we worked on this week was to pass under both legs. During the type of guard pass, the technique of gaining the superior grip on the kimono/uniform or controlling the far hip on the opponent was explored. When questions what I met by, “Control the gi/lapel first before you move to pass the guard,” I demonstrated how get gaining the superior grip before making the next transition could lead to running in circles wasting energy, using strength verse leverage, losing control of the position instead of controlling the next part of the positional battle. Please remember that is the series of little battles that wins positions in a ground fight. And when you win superior positions, you will start to finalize more victories in your training.

Further into the week we practiced escaping headlocks against the wall. In two different headlocks, the opponent was using the wall for assistance. The escape and counter to these specific types of headlocks were different compared to a headlock in the open space. In both situations, we learned to use the wall for your advantage. From there was took the lesson to the mounted position, yet we reviewed how to escape the position.

The basic concept that was type this week was to understand how to use the trap & roll (Opa) technique and the elbow & knee escape technique effectively. The approach here was to use one strategy first and if there is any resistance from the opponent, use the second strategy next at this correct time. It is important to commit to one strategy first whole-heartedly, and only use the second strategy when there is a real resistance. Many times in escaping the mount in a technical way, “IT” is a give and take battle or relationship. For the opponent to choke you, he or she needs to give up his or her arms. In this context to defend the choke, you can trap the arms (TAKE) and roll the heavier opponent.

Finally, we practiced learning one of the basic strategies and techniques of defending against a punching opponent that is in the top mounted position. Once again for the opponent to gain the most leverage and power to punch downward towards your face/head, he will need to create distance. When you close this space and get really tight to the opponent’s chest, you can effectively protect your face from damage. In this situation you are in a survival mode, yet you need to relax so you do not use a lot of personal strength. The technique we practiced from here was to trap the arm and roll. The major details are for those that came to class. Moving forward as you develop better ground fighting skills, the defenses to the mount will be making in very difficult of the opponent to mount you the first place. You strategies in escaping from the cross side position and putting up defensive “Road-Blocks” will prevent the mount position from being established.

Congratulations to all of the students that have been promoted this week in their progress towards blue belts: Faixa Azul!

Be ready for next week!

Best,

Prof. Tony Pacenski

Elite Training Center

Hello Elite Training Center Friends,

This week’s classes in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program saw us practicing techniques in combatives and self-defense focusing using the guard to influence and control the distance against punches, elbows and headbutt strikes by the top fighter. After this instruction, we moved on to additional submission attacks from the bottom position using the triangle choke & kimura armlock.

During the punching defense classes from the guard, we continuously practiced the understanding of making it extremely difficult for the top fighter to land successful strikes in a series. If the top opponent is hitting you effectively, you are not influencing the control of the distance. The middle position in the guard is the major factor of control. When the top fighter can stay in the middle position with good posture, it is going to be a difficult day for the bottom fighter. This is the start of effective guard passing and striking attacks for the man on top.

The basic strategy was to keep the opponent very close (Closed Guard) or very far away from you (Open Guard). This is a similar concept that relates to the standing clinch and closing the distance in jiu-jitsu. We need to keep in mind, our opponent will be bigger and stronger than us in a ground fight; therefore, you will not be able to hold a position for ever or a long period of time. When your opponent attacks with a strike or a punching technique, you will need to move at the right time in this situation to counter it. Using too much strength or wasted energy will quickly make you tired. Move at the right times and use your whole body: Mostly your hips and legs to control the bigger opponent.

Later in the week we continued our understanding of the kimura armlock and the triangle choke from the guard. Some of my observation saw many of the students trying to understand the details of the triangle choke. The kimura was easy to perform after a basic review. The triangle choke had many of you making adjustments to finalize the technique. And adjustments in the details are exactly what you have to do to making all jiu-jitsu techniques and strategies work for you: not just the triangle choke.

Keys to success in finishing the opponent with the triangle choke for the guard are: Getting a good bite on the opponent’s neck with your leg; controlling the opponent’s arm to bring it to the correct side of your body; controlling the posture on the opponent’s body by controlling the head; making body adjustments with your foot on the opponent’s hip to get the best angle to finish the technique; and finally, using a figure-four lock with your legs with the foot behind the knee to squeeze the opponent’s neck for the choke hold. Extra details to finalize the leg choke triangle is to pull downward on the opponent’s head with your hands, squeeze your knees together and lift upward with your hips. This is done at the same time and making for a three directional pressure.

For many of you this was the first time really learning the triangle choke. All the details will get easier: I promise you! There are 15 partner drills I can think of that will help you improve this technique; plus, you will also get a nice workout while improving your jiu-jitsu!

Be ready for next week!

Best,

Prof. Tony Pacenski

Elite Training Center

Hello Elite Training Center Friends,

This week’s classes in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program saw us practicing techniques in combatives and self-defense focusing mostly on ground work. The two main concepts explored this week were escaping headlocks on the ground and how to use basic submission attacks from your closed guard. We started this off with the expression, “We don’t teach you headlocks in jiu-jitsu: We teach how to get out of them!”

On the mat this week we began with learning the basics of escaping a headlock position. This is one of the most common techniques a novice groundfighter will you against you. When the opponent is attacking you with a headlock without trapping your arm, the basic techniques that we practiced were: The Frame; The Leg Hook & Getting To Your Knees. These basic concepts will help you get out of several types of the most common resistance against an opponent that traps you in a headlock. Use these moves based off of what the opponent gives you during the escape. If he gives you nothing, relax-breathe- and wait for an opportunity to escape; however, if the opponent gives you the frame technique: go for it and commit to using the technique. When there is a counter to the frame strategy, use a different technique like the leg hook. Practice the ability to flow from position to position based off of the most common counter attack. After a little while, you will find you have a little game of overall strategy, and escaping headlocks will be one of easiest things to do in jiu-jitsu. Later in the curriculum we will explore what to do if the opponent controls your head and arm. This is a variation of the headlock position mostly used by wrestlers, judo players and even some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters.

Later in the week, the second focus explored in our classes were submission attacks from the closed guard. The first technique was the two handed X-lapel collar choke. We practiced the strategy of bringing both hands deep into the collar to make the basic x-choke more powerful from a leverage point of view. Many on you found this choke easy to perform after you understand which way to turn your wrist. Remember to open up the collar with the free hand; feed the one hand in the collar; shoot the now free hand into the collar touching both hands behind the opponent’s neck in the collar; grab the collars tight; turn your wrist so you can look at your palm sides of your fist; and pull the opponent to you as if you were rowing a boat…and not like you were doing a muscle curl.

Next we explored how to perform the kimura armlock/shoulderlock (Gyaku ude-garami) and the guillotine choke from the guard. The idea I wanted you to all develop this week was to perform “MOVES IN TWO!” By this I meant to perform the technique that the opponent was giving you, and if he resists the technique use the second or next technique he is giving you. The basic kimura shoulder lock can easily transition into the guillotine chokehold from the guard if the opponent counters the kimura. If he doesn’t counter the kimura, finish the submission hold. All of the techniques this week required many little adjustments to find the right leverage. Take your time in learning these techniques and review them over and over again because you will start to see them in other common jiu-jitsu positions.

In one of the classes, at the end I told the story of how the kimura armlock was given it name by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters and is now called this in many grappling styles of martial arts. The kimura was named after the judoka Masahiko Kimura, who used the submission technique to defeat one of the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Grand Master Hélio Gracie. Today we use the armlock named Kimura to refer to Masahiko Kimura out of respect!

Be ready for next week.

Best,

Prof. “little” Tony Pacenski

Elite Training Center

Hello Elite Training Center Friends,

This week’s classes in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program saw us practicing techniques in stand up combatives and self-defense in how to pull guard from the clinch and also how to finalize the basic drop-knee style double leg takedown.  On the mats, we explored how to pass the guard from the knees and how to take the opponent’s back if found on the bottom position using your own guard strategy with the legs wrapped around the top fighter body.

From the clinch the basic idea if you are being taken to the ground or you choose to pull the opponent into your guard, is to protect yourself when transitioning to the ground.  You maybe taken down by design or by accident, so it is an effective strategy to use your guard.  Once in the bottom position, a skilled ground fighter will use the guard to control the top opponent from strikes, holds and other attacked.  In our classes this week, we focused on using a tight closed guard strategy protecting against the head butt, punches to the face and to the ribs.

Next from the stand-up combatives/self-defense aspects of our lessons this week, we learned the basic technique of a drop-knee double leg takedown.  First it was important to focus on how the opponent was standing.  Many times how the person you wish to takedown is standing will determine if you will perform a double leg takedown or a single leg taken for example.  Secondly, we practiced level changing and shooting in with a quick penetration step.  From the drop knee position with your hands snaking behind the opponent’s knees, we explored knocking the person down; the pick-up strategy; and, the trip technique.  These 3 techniques were based on how the opponent was resisting the takedown.

On the mats, this week we challenged your understanding on how to pass the guard from the knees.  Passing the guard of a skilled ground fighter is one of the most difficult things to do in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in my opinion; however, it was important this week to build off of the confidence we developed last week in how to behave inside an opponent’s guard.  At a glance we worked on this week gaining superior posture & grips, effectively opening the legs of the opponent with leverage, technique and strategy; and finalizing moving to the “Shield Position” or combat base position.  From this point of reference, the basic passing strategies that were cover were: Passing Over-The-Leg; Passing-Under-The Leg; and, Passing-Under-Both-Legs. 

Depending on what classes you attending this week, different strategies and insights were showcased based on individual questions.  However, it was important for me to teach you how to pass the guard putting one leg on your shoulder…A.K.A. Passing-Under-The-Leg Pass.  Many of you have background knowledge in grappling; therefore, it was a key element this week that we built a solid guard passing game on the leg on the shoulder pass using pressure, grips, weight and technique.  I reminded you about gaining the lapel grip or shallow grip on the gi to control the opponent’s hip.  Without the gi: control the far side hip of the opponent.  Nonetheless, we will have another class coming soon on basic guard passing from the knees where we can continue the basic understandings of passing under both legs pass and review related strategies.  I believe it is class 19 in the curriculum where we get a chance to do this.

Lastly, on the mat this week, we trained the basic way to take the opponent’s back from your guard position on the bottom.  Also, we learned how to perform the arm-triangle choke.  The basic strategy was to try to win the fight using the choke; however, after the “College-Try,” when the opponent does not give up, move to the back mount position using many adjustments.  Please note to keep your head up off the mat when using your leg/foot work on the mat to create space in the effort to take the back mount.  Too many times, I have observed sparring matches in the academy where the top fighter got his or her arm out of the arm-triangle choke position reference point because the bottom fighter put his head to the mat during the transition to the back.  Also, please take your time when adjusting to the back mount.  There are many attacks you can do from such a superior angle.  The position is very powerful. 

Once the back mount position is established, you can break the opponent down and flatten his knees/belly to the mat.  From this position, a match, contest or fight can be won by rear naked choke, strikes, armlock or other variations of a choke hold.  We practiced gaining the back mount and having the opponent roll the position.  The idea was to create a positional flow between you and your partner to practice three major positions in grappling: The Guard, The Back Mount & The Front Mount.  Positional training such as this will help prepare you for the advanced program and endless hours of sparring against other Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training partners.

Two mini lessons that were explored during this week and as I remembered were:  1. -The importance of training guard passing without focusing on striking techniques for now to learn proper grappling technique;  And, 2.- Avoid the basic neck crank if someone is in your guard.  I spoke about how neck cranks can be dangerous compared to a choke hold, and that sometimes chokes are a mixture of half choke and half crank.  Learn to make adjustments so that your chokes are chokes: Not sloppy chokes that feel like a crank.  From a jiu-jitsu professor point of view, I have spent over ten years teaching jiu-jitsu choke holds, and I can count on my hands the number of times a student asked me to teach them neck crank submission holds.  I really don’t endorse neck cranks in the academy with your training partners.  It is nice to be knowledgeable in them for a real fight; however, neck cranking walks the fine line many times of being painful verses putting an attacker to sleep.  Your best bet is to focus on chokes!!!  

Be ready for next week.

Best,

Prof. “little” Tony Pacenski
Elite Training Center

Hello Elite Training Center Friends,
 
This week in the basic adult classes we explored escaping from the bottom cross side position a.k.a. the hundred kilos position, and we also training how to develop better confidence inside the opponent’s guard.  For the stand up combatives, the instructional content challenged your understanding of how to close the distance in a stand up fight and clinch the opponent against a wall.  The wall was a perfect place to control the fight because the wall/cage/car helps prevent the opponent from using his hips effectively compared to the open space; also his or her punches will be less effective due to the closeness of the clinch and backing on the wall.  The important strategy that was showcased and practiced was if one is committed to closing the distance to gain the clinch, do not stop if the opponent begins to move backward: Push the opponent all the way to the wall.
 
Third for basic combatives/self-defense that we addressed this week was basic strategies for defending against a standing opponent while you are on the ground looking up.  Many of the basic techniques explored in the Krav Maga program at Elite Training Center helped aid many of you in applying the techniques of standing in base to your feet a.k.a. “The Technical Lift” in Krav Maga !  Please remember to create distance with your kicks and different sitting positions before standing up when you are ready and/or if the timing is right to get back on your feet.  Becoming more knowledgeable in ground fighting will determine how long to relax on the ground before getting back your feet verses the very important get back to your feet as fast as possible strategy taught in Krav Maga.
 
On the mat this week, we taught different strategies and techniques in how to escape from the bottom cross side position.  It was important for us to understand the different distances of the position, how to behave when punches and strikes are being applied verses when the opponent is using pressure and control, and finally the very important idea of waiting for the right time to escape verses struggling to create an opening to escape.  Sometimes when the opponent is just holding you down, you just have to wait for him or her to move to another position or attack with a finishing technique for you to escape; therefore, it is important to be ready, in position with your arm and leg position, and basically breath & think….relax! 
 
Lastly this week challenged your understanding of how to be confident in the opponent’s guard.  A skill ground fighter that is on the bottom position in a fight will place you in the guard.  From this position the basic strategy is to pass the guard.  The real fight has a different context compared to what we can train safely in the Elite Training Center.  I showcased the ideas of punching your opponent to cause a reaction to open the guard, and I also showed that you can pick the opponent off the guard & slam his head/back into the hard ground.  This all being addressed, we worked on basic techniques in jiu-jitsu when grappling.  Basic defenses to the collar choke were taught, controls on the hips and reaching posture in the opponent’s guard from the knees were the main focuses this week.  From a strong posture position, we trained how to open the opponent’s guard with distance, leverage and superior grips to reach the “Shield Position” a.k.a. the combat base position.  This strategy of gaining control of the middle position in the opponent’s guard will help you perform many of the basic guard pass techniques that will be addressed in upcoming classes.

Next, the one takedown that was added to this week was the front clinch bearhug- “Tug of War” trip.  This strategy in content was to commit to the front clinch-to-the-side-alittle- bearhug takedown, and if the opponent forces his or her hips away from you in the effort to run away; resist backwards in the classic tug-of-war and trip his or her leg.  From this point, move to the ground fight in the top mount, cross side or top half-guard position.

The two main strategies to escape from the buttom cross side position were to get to your knees or to put the opponent in your guard or half-guard.  Please remember the importance of “Baby-Bumps with your hips verses “Big-Bumps” with your hips.  The one hundred dollar detail in both strategies of escape was to create space between you the opponent to make the frame position.  From this point of reference, your opponent will determine if you get to your knees or put him in the guard.  He or she can only defend one or the other: Not Both…. <<<The secret!

Thank you for all the students that are attending classes consistantly, and to those students that are reminding staff members about upcoming vacations.

See you all next week,

Prof. “little” Tony Pacenski
Elite Training Center

Next Bully Buster Seminar

Friday, April 15, 2011, from 4:30 to 6:00. Ages 6-12.

If your child is attending, or you have friends or relatives that would benefit from this Seminar, please RSVP to Danny our Youth Program Director at Elite Training Center.  Space is limited… Phone 310-543-1600

Mention that you read about it on the blog to be entered into a contest to win a free Childs Elite T-Shirt!

While I was making phone calls to the parents of current students for the last seminar, I was surprised on how many kids have enrolled into our program because of being bullied at school. I estimate that over 70% of our students from ages 6-12 are here for that reason alone.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that can happen anywhere. It is not a phase children have to go through, it is not “just messing around”, and it is not something to grow out of.   Bullying can cause serious and lasting harm.
Although definitions of bullying vary, most agree that bullying involves:

• Imbalance of Power: people who bully use their power to control or harm and the people being bullied may have a hard time defending themselves
• Intent to Cause Harm: actions done by accident are not bullying; the person bullying has a goal to cause harm
• Repetition: incidents of bullying happen to the same the person over and over by the same person or group (more…)

At Elite Training Center we want all who train to hold themselves to a standard of excellence. From our youth Krav Maga program to the adults who train in our Mixed Martial Arts system, we expect nothing short of our students looking to be their best.

Walking the martial path is not always easy. Putting time in to better ourselves is often misconstrued as being selfish. It shouldn’t be. How can we look to help those out around us without being able to become great ourselves? In that search is where we find out how to become great, by serving others, a far cry from selfish.

We must, as martial artists look to be perfect in all areas of our lives. Being perfect and looking to perfect are two different things. Does a kickboxer or Thai boxer ever consider themselves perfect? Not the best in the sport. The best per/fect and never stop perfecting.

It is very important that our society understand the severity of bullying amongst our youth and in our schools. At one time, bullying was done at school or on the playground. Now there are so many ways to bully i.e. the internet and texting. New ways and new approaches must be taken to combat it.

This Friday, January 28th at 4:30pm Elite Training Center in Redondo Beach is offering a FREE “Bully Buster” seminar for ages 6-12. The head of our youth MMA and youth Krav Maga program, Danny Christian along with other Krav Maga and Kickboxing instructors will be on hand to help out.

This program can not only bring awareness to an existing problem that many kids are experiencing, but can help quell or stop a bully problem before it starts.

Please contact us should anyone have any questions. 310.543.1600.

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