Elite Training Center: Redondo

  Think Big – Dream Big – Achieve Big!
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Think Big…Dream Big…Achieve Big…is all about seeing a bigger picture of what you really want to achieve in life. Big Goals demand our best effort,
energy and focus. They bring out the best in us and force us to grow. We need to have goals when training whether it be within Krav Maga, kickboxing or Thai Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Kali or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu…
 
To experience a QUANTUM LEAP YEAR you must strive for achieving BLACK BELT EXCELLENCE instead of accepting MEDIOCRITY in any area of your life.
 
Do you want to be an A-rated student or be satisfied as a “B” or a “C”?
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Would you rather be wealthy -or- poor for the rest of your life?
 
Which goal would motivate you to stay focused and take more action?
 
When you think big and strive to achieve big, it’s much more exciting and causes you to take more positive action than when you think small and aim for easy targets that are set low.
 
Think Big…Dream Big…Achieve Big and make a Bigger Difference in the lives of others as well.
 
Training to be an A-rated Black Belt Champion is a big, exciting and purposeful goal. It’s a goal that has life long lasting benefits and causes people of all ages to transform their habits, attitudes and actions. It will change and improve their mental, physical and emotional well being.
 
Similar to any big achievement, it’s not what you get, it’s what you become.
 
In our Goal Setting for Greatness series, we encourage you to…
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THINK BIG – DREAM BIG – ACHIEVE BIG…
 With this mindset you will not fail when training within  Krav Maga, kickboxing or Thai Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Kali or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu…or anything else you set your mind too..
Nobody suddenly becomes a World Class athlete or achiever.
 
Make 2012 your Best Year Ever by staying  focused on your BIG GOALS and GO FOR IT!

Let’s Get To Work
Shihan Brian Rauchbach

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

As the instructors and students take the day off to be with their immediate families, I wanted to take a minute to express how thankful I am for my Elite family.  Elite Training Center has become a cornerstone in my life, and it’s not just the world-class training and martial arts instruction that is so special.  The people at Elite, from the newest students to the most experienced instructors, are universally wonderful and exceptional people.  Whether it be an everyday class or a Krav Maga test or supporting one of our fighters at an MMA fight, everyone is truly there for one another, encouraging, guiding, pushing, and, if needed, holding each other up so he or she can stand side by side with his or her teammates.  What an amazing thing to find in a world where people are increasingly disconnected from one another.  I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be a part of such a unique school.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Katie

     Justice should not only be used in the perception of government and law. It can be implied in all ways of life. A just man or woman uses justice to always put their friends needs and the needs of life above theirs. A just person does not indulge themselves in selfish acts but more in the well being and betterment of those around them.  How does this pertain to us at Elite Training Center? Whether it is Krav Maga, Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kali or Kickboxing, using such a principle as being a just person, you will always strive to the success of those around you. In turn this forms the best possible training environment for all. For there is something to be said about the lessons learned in teaching someone a step behind you. Grab a student who’s been here for a shorter period of time and you have taken a step forward.

-Rome

Although beautiful days are not a rare thing in Redondo Beach, yesterday was exceptionally gorgeous.  There’s nothing like the crisp, clean air after it rains, and there was a light breeze off the ocean that made the salty smell in the air even stronger than usual.  Days like yesterday make me feel alive, so naturally they’re usually the perfect days to work out…

But for some reason I just wasn’t feeling it, coming up with every excuse in the book to delay it.  Finally, after a guilt trip from my husband, I headed out to train.  My plan was to start with 15 minutes and see how I felt, but within 2 minutes of hitting the pads and hearing that solid “thwack-thwack” of punches and kicks, it no longer seemed like a chore, and I felt like I could continue for hours.  Afterwards I was happy, calm, proud that I’d made that first step, and ready to enjoy the rest of the beautiful day.

Taking that first step onto the mat can be hard to do sometimes, but it is probably the most important part of health and training.  We all have mornings when hitting the snooze button again feels like the best idea in the world, and we all have evenings after a long day of school or work when all you want to do is head home and collapse in front of the TV.  Working out or training feels like another chore…but I don’t know anyone who has said, “That was a waste of time and now I feel worse,” after forcing him or herself to show up at the school or gym after a long day (or short night)!  We all struggle with motivation at times; life can be complicated and exhausting.  Work, school, spouse, kids, finances, health, etc…all of these things can be overwhelming.  But through it all, martial arts will support you, and everyone at Elite is here for you.  All you have to do is take that first step.

Elite has a schedule that makes it easy to stop by and take a class at convenient times, such as before or after school or work.  And the classes are offered in such a way that you can choose your speed or discipline.  Not feeling up to a cardio-blasting Extreme Kickboxing class?  Perhaps a more mentally challenging Jiu Jitsu class fits your mood better.  No matter what class you choose, by taking that first step onto the mat you have already succeeded, doing more and pushing yourself more than most people do.  Recognize it and be proud of it.  We are proud of each of you.

See you at the school!

Katie

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 on escaping from the front bearhug over both arms and under both arms; effectively using the front headlock snap down; the single leg takedown & the standing hook sweep takedown. On the mats this week, we continued to practice sweeps from the guard.

Observations in the basic program this week were how very good all of you are getting at jiu-jitsu and of how very fast the advance program will be here. I for one am excited to see you all start sparring full time in the advance program. Up until now, the basic program has been learning techniques and light positional sparring. In the advance program, each class will have sparring at the end of the lesson; moreover, we will begin having open mat sessions. During open mat, it is common to see students practicing jiu-jitsu right-along-side other students practicing krav maga, kickboxing and mixed martial arts.

Be ready for October,

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 escaping from the back mount and finishing the fight from the mounted position. In addition, we learned how escape from the standing headlock and attacks from behind oneself by surprise.

The self-defense strategy of escaping from a headlock was a technique we continued address this week. This time around we learned how to prevent the attacker from breaking our posture. Once on the ground, we practiced the spinning armlock with knee on the belly and also added the standing armlock variation. These two types of armlock finishes were said to used in many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu self-defense techniques. At the end of the week we practices escapes against the rear choke attack. Each move used a throw to takedown the attacker. The rear choke escape throw showed us the importance of quickly gaining our base and throwing the attacker over your head. Two points during the escape is to lower your hips lower than the attacker’s and after the throw is performed, hold onto the arm of the opponent so you do lose your balance moving backwards.

The second technique to escape the rear choke attack practiced this week was when the opponent pulled you off balance and backwards with the choke. If was important to attempt the first throw over your head first and only use the step back throwing strategy second if pulled off balance by the attack. One tip was to step back on the arm-side you are being choked with deeply. A second tip was to turn your head and look to the spine of the opponent. This will help you get gain superior leverage and the best angle to trip the attacker to the ground as you move behind him.

On the mats this week we looked escaping the back mount and finishing from the front mount. Quick notes to about escaping the back mount, aways protect you neck from the choke, learn to be in control of your hips and found an effective escape strategy. Remember that when you are late in your defense, many times the opponent will determine what type of defense strategy you will use. You can not force it.

Lastly, during the week of classes, we explored basic finishing attacks from the front mount. Techinques that were reviewed and taught were the spinning armlock, the arm trap to rear naked choke and the arm trap to armlock. I could see a lot improvements in the students jiu jitsu practice in the performance of the armlocks this week.
This weekend led us to the first Elite Training Center Survival Camp in Santa Barbara, CA. Many of you that attended quickly learned the difference between training jiu jitsu on the mats verses ground survival training in the elements. But that is another story…

Best,

Prof. Tony Pacenski

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

Tying Up Loose Ends

The idea of a belting system in martial arts is a relatively recent invention, dating from the late 19th century.  The systematic use of colored belts to denote rank was first used by the founder of judo in the 1800′s, who devised the colored belting system using obi, a sash for traditional Japanese dress.  The only colors used at this time where white and black, denoting only two ranks, the student (white) and the Dan/master (black).  It wasn’t until the early 1900′s that an expanded belting system using other colors was created to award rank.  Other martial arts including those that did not traditionally have a formalized rank structure soon adopted a variation of this ranking system.

Rank and belts are not equivalent between arts, styles, or even within organizations.  In some arts, a black belt is expected in three years, while in others ten years may be common.  For some arts, testing for black belt is commonly more rigorous and more centralized that for lower grades where as other arts the belt rank often comes more or less automatically with time training.

Tying Belts-

Take Pride:

While knowing how to tie your belt properly before practicing martial arts may not seem like an important detail, it is actually one of the fundamental skills for beginning your training. Not properly tying ones belt is disrespect towards the belt.  Have pride, honor, and respect towards not only your belt but all belts in the art.  Take care of your belt.  Never allow your belt to lye on the floor or be thrown in a bag.

Have Respect:

It is important to have your belt tied and ready to go before you begin to train.  Come to your training prepared and ready to receive the knowledge you will gain from your instructor and partner.  Tying or re-tying your belt in front of your instructor or training partner is not proper.  Always turn away from them if you need to re-adjust or re-tie your belt.   Not having your belt and not having your belt properly tied at the time that training starts is disrespectful toward not only your instructor and fellow students but to yourself as well.

Have Knowledge:

When tying the belt, you must first make absolutely certain that it hangs evenly from the middle before wrapping it around your waist. This act symbolizes the importance of balance and reminds the martial artist that the “way” can only ever be found after physical training is augmented by non-physical study & application. This is why it is important that we train in both physical conditioning & moral philosophy of strength, respect, discipline and honor.

The belt is first wrapped around the waist by placing the middle of it just below the umbilicus. This action serves to remind the us that we are both the giver & receiver of life and therefore, we must embrace both respect & compassion with all those whom we come into contact.

When we cross the belt behind our back it makes an “X” and reminds the martial artist to be prepared for what can go on behind our own backs. Bringing the belt around to the front reminds us that what goes around comes around and that we reap only that which we sow; hence, the emphasis upon morality and ‘right thinking.’ Making an “X” once again in the front of the body, before tying the belt, is also symbolic. It helps us remember that what goes on behind one’s back can go on under our noses as well, and that we must be prepared to negotiate life’s difficulties from any position.

Bringing one end of the belt up under the waist and the other down, before tying the knot, serves to remind the martial artist of the only two directions in which we can travel and the importance of continuing onwards and upwards in an effort to constantly improve ourselves. Every time we tie the knot in our  belt we should be reminded of how important it is to tighten our resolve in all matters. Finally, at the end of this ritual we find ourselves making absolutely certain that the belt is perfectly even.”

Washing the belt

Traditionally, before the colored belting system was established, all students of the art were given white belts.  Over time, training and hard work the belt would become black from dirt, sweat and blood.  Once a students belt was completely black, they were considered black belts of the art due to the time and work they had put in to their training.  Today, in some arts and schools there is the opinion that the belt should not be washed.  This stems from the idea that by doing that one would “wash away the knowledge” or “wash one’s energy away”.

Conclusion:

Respect all aspects of your belt.  Treat it as a part of you, a part of your life and a part of the way you want to be perceived by others.  It’s a great accomplishment to posses a colored belt. It represents all the time put in, the knowledge gained and the person you are.   Embrace it…