10th Planet JJ

My journey into the realm of the 10th Planet system is officially underway.  So far, it has felt as it did when I first began my career as a Jiu Jitsu practitioner; it’s exciting, and I know very little about it!  Honestly, as was the case when I began learning Jiu Jitsu, I thought I knew more.  Time spent studying the system, while not entirely futile, cannot prepare you for the wake up call, and overall efficiency of live training!  While I have my fair share of attributes which have ample cause for improvement, I found that, with the proper technique, you don’t need nearly as much flexibility as you might think.  It’s amazing what can be done with the proper application.

In addition, I was able to match my ‘traditional’ Jiu Jitsu foundation, against the 10th Planet fundamentals.  First, let me say that having a solid foundation of positional escapes, transitions, submissions, and defenses has proven to afford me with a distinct advantage in regards to my learning process as it stems from here on out.  This system doesn’t dismiss itself from the physical ‘rules’ of the game.  Strong hip movement, the ability to utilize the legs, coordination in rolling and transitioning from position to position, and of course flexibility and strength and conditioning attributes will all give you a leg up in this system just as it would in any other.  However, in a head on collision, I found myself at a disadvantage when matching technique against technique as I consistently found myself in unfamiliar and uncomfortable positions.  Such is the beauty of this system, as well as the fact that it is constantly evolving.

What I took away most of all, other than the fact that I am determined to find mastery in this 10th Planet system, is that it can be done.  As Brandon Quick said to us in my third class, “we can take this as far as you guys want to go”.  I think that has been the message of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu all along.  And all I can say is that if you have doubts, or if you have questions, don’t rely on the knowledge of someone who hasn’t been there.  Try the system for yourself.  Take a class or attend a seminar.  There is nothing for you to lose.  But I promise you, there is a plethora of nearly untapped knowledge which is currently sitting unlocked and unguarded on the bottom floor of this Jiu Jitsu movement phenomenon!

Progressive Jiu Jitsu

I have been away for a moment… No posts since November I believe.  Please accept my apologies for that.  I have been on the move.

Since I first began training at Roy Dean Academy, I have had my eyes set upon another system.  It is a system which I believed at the time to be the future of Jiu Jitsu, and much to my regret, I didn’t think that I would ever have the opportunity to be a part of it.

Well, over the course of the past six months, I have been dragged circumstantially from state to state, Oregon to Hawaii to Texas.  While ‘enjoying’ my last few months in Austin, Texas, still off the mats in a very long, and very unwanted sabbatical, I began to continue my research into this coveted ’system’.  After some time assessing my situation, digging away and wondering what my next move would be, I found myself perusing the sites in search of academies in the ‘area’.  When I saw it, staring me in the face just a couple hundred short miles away from my current location, my eyes lit up and my decision was made that I would again set my foot to the stone in search of the wanted path, and to discover for myself all that I had waited so long to learn.  And with nothing tying me down to Austin, I was free to nomad at my hearts very desire.  So, as fate would have it, I find myself here in Dallas/Fort Worth, just a hop and a skip away from 10th Planet DFW in Waxahachie, where I will continue my journey into the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Ok, ok…I can already hear the crushing disappointment of the long tenured BJJ practitioners as they detest the 10th Planet system for what it is lacking in tradition, and perhaps for what it requires in flexibility and advanced technique and understanding.  First, I love Jiu Jitsu, and I love ALL aspects of it.  In fact, I don’t intend to give up my traditional BJJ training altogether.  I believe that these techniques are the staple of the art, and are the fulcrum upon which the functionality of BJJ exists.  However, it seems to me that it’s progressive elements are expanding upon this ingenious creation, providing an ‘outside the box’ type of outlook which encourages the practitioner to play an active role in the further advancement of BJJ and stimulates creativity on a level which not only provides for an expansion in the reportiore of the art, but creates an environment conducive to a sharp and enhanced learning curve for it’s students.  The flexibility of Jiu Jitsu is one of it’s most desirable traits, and is arguably the characteristic which makes it such a coveted commodity.

What the 10th Planet system requires is an open mind.  If we can all remember, the Gracie’s were asking all martial artists to adopt this very same mindset when their art was first brought to the United States, and abroad of Brazil.  And we can all also remember how it turned out for those who were unwilling to undertake this change in mindset.  It is my intention to operate under these ‘rules’ of engagement, and to keep my mind open to learning all that there is to know about this art which I love.  To those who would detest it, I believe that you are selling yourselves short.  Here’s to it, and wish me luck.  I hope you all have the best experiences on your own journeys.

Here is a little insight into the world of Eddie Bravo’s 10th Planet System.  There is a bit of graphic language courtesy of Joe Rogan…if you’re sensitive, ear muffs.

I hope that you all take what I have from this, and that is that we have the opportunity to not only be a part of all that Jiu Jitsu is, and what it stands for, but we have an opportunity to play a part in what Jiu Jitsu will be.  That is the essence of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu.  Bruce Lee said that we must be like water, capable of adapting to any situation…basically, that we must keep our minds open and always be learning and creating for that which is practical, and for that which works in a “real” situation.  And he backed his teachings studying many arts outside of his own including grappling arts such as shooto.  If we can reflect this example, I think that the future of Jiu Jitsu will be an exciting one, and will continue to grow beyond our imaginations in the coming years.

Blue Belt Requirements

Here is the cut version of my Blue Belt examination in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under renowned instructor Roy Dean in Bend, Oregon. I know, many schools do not conduct formal belt examinations which makes this a unique experience in the world of BJJ. I am certainly not opposed to either way, as one of the things I love about this art is the fact that each belt is earned with sweat and blood. There are no shortcuts here. But I definitely feel that this was a significant right of passage, and great foundation for the beginning of my BJJ career.

The exam lasted about an hour with 30 minutes of demonstration and 30 minutes of rolling. As you can see, this test was not conducted in front of the class, so sparring was endeavored in a somewhat out of round fashion. Roy Dean (my instructor and Black Belt in BJJ) and Anthony Treas (one of Mr. Dean’s first blue belts) simply traded rounds for the full thirty. This was a gruelling gauntlet, as both fighters were very skilled, and quick to the submission. It tested my heart, endurance, and helped me to see some fatal flaws in my game. The onus is on the push, reaching down into the reserve and leaving it all out on the mat.

However you go about achieving rank in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, expect to earn it. And with that, expect to feel a very real sense of accomplishment in knowing what it took to get there. Here are some of the things you can expect to know, formal test or no, prior to receiving a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:

Positional Escapes

A. Mount

1. Upa and two variations
2. Elbow/knee and two variations

B. Side mount

1. Place into the guard from hold downs 1-4
2. Go to your knees from hold downs 1-4

C. Closed guard

1. Pass under the legs and two variations
2. Pass over the legs and two variations

D. Head lock

1. Frame the arms and one variation
2. Hook the leg and one variation
3. Go to your knees and one variation
4. Bridge and roll and one variation

E. Wrestler’s cradle

1. Push on the knees
2. Roll over your shoulder

F. Kesa gatame

1. Bridge and roll
2. Free your head

Positional Dominance

A. Mount position

1. Position 1
2. Position 2
3. Position 3
4. Position 4

B. Side mount position

1. Hold down 1
2. Hold down 2
3. Hold down 3
4. Hold down 4
5. Kesa gatame

C. Closed guard position

1. Low guard
2. High guard
3. Hip movement
4. Head and arm control

Submissions (mechanics and entries)

A. Arm locks from the guard

1. Spinning arm lock
2. Kimura

B. Arm locks from the mount

1. Spinning arm lock from push on chest
2. Paintbrush
3. Spinning arm lock from position 3

C. Chokes from the guard

1. Guillotine choke
2. Collar choke (palm up, palm up)
3. Collar coke (palm up, palm down)
4. Collar choke (palm down, palm up)
5. Triangle choke with legs
6. Triangle choke with arms

D. Chokes from the mount

1. Triangle choke with arms
2. Fist on the front of the throat
3. Fist on the side of the throat
4. Rear choke

E. Leg locks from the guard

1. Straight foot lock
2. Achilles tendon press with near arm
3. Achilles tendon press with far arm
4. Heel hook

F. Leg locks from the bottom of the mount

1. Straight foot lock
2. Heel hook

Grappling

A. Grappling with other students

1. Two rounds of five minutes

B. Grappling with Instructor

1. Two rounds of five minutes

Overall awareness of the entire Jiu Jitsu game

A. Familiarity with sweeps

1. Hip bump from the guard
2. Scissors sweep from the guard
3. Foot lift sweep from the guard
4. Standing foot sweep

B. How to fall

1. Back fall
2. Side fall
3. Front fall

C. Familiarity with throws

1. Hip throw
2. Neck throw
3. Arm throw
4. Inner reap
5. Outer reap

D. Standing takedowns

1. Double leg
2. Double leg variation (change angles)
3. Single leg
4. Single leg variation (change angles)

E. Take downs from the knees

1. Fall back series (four techniques)
2. Drive forward series (four techniques)

F. Familiarity with the open guard

1. With the gi
2. Without the gi

The Path to Blue

Along the way, I will be adding various angles of insight in regards to the ‘path to blue’. This is the extent of my experience to date, and it carries with it many exterior views which can only be purveyed from those eyes in particular. Consider this my personal journal, and I will, from here on out, chronicle all of my experiences on the road to the coveted black.

The Beginning

Many will find this to be the most difficult time. BJJ, more so than any other martial art, requires that you check your ego at the door. When you enter those doors, it is immediately apparent that you know very little, if not nothing about the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I have long been an avid fan of the UFC, and had spent many an hour studying the intricacies of those highly complex submissions and positional combinations. Even if this is the case with you as well, be prepared to be ill prepared. Nothing can replace the close quarter, hands on training of that which you will experience on the mats. This is where the meat of the journey will take place. Drilling, sparring, attending class; all of these things are important. However, none of it will account to anything if you are unwilling to lose, and unwilling to sacrifice your pride for the sake of the knowledge which accompanies that sacrifice.

Second, and one of the favorite sayings of my first BJJ instructor the renowned Mr. Roy Dean, is that “you cannot win it all over night”. Many focus their sites on achieving the goal of blue, but are distracted in their learning process and all that comes along with it. Admittedly, I suffered from this on more than one occasion in my training, as I set the goal to achieve blue in less than one year. I did so in seven months. However, I was lucky, and I will not make that mistake again. The goal is to learn, and advancement will come, in time, with that. Many throw themselves on the mercy of their respective gauntlets, immersing body and mind into the pain of the one goal. Over-training  and under-learning will eventually cause burnout, both of your body and mind. One must be able to incur the task of training intelligently, or they might find themselves walking away from the sport that they love.

Sparring

This, I believe, is where many students make the bulk of their mistakes. At this initial level of training, emphasis should be placed less on winning, and more on learning, developing technique, and experimenting. Positional dominance is a precursor to the submission. Control in your guard, maintaining mount, side mount, and back control should all garner a large portion of your focus. Positional escapes are also of the utmost importance as nothing will serve you better than knowing that you can reach down into your toolbox an retrieve an escape from any mitigating position. Experimentation, in the form of testing out new techniques, feeling out your own personal strengths and weaknesses, and tweaking old techniques for attention to detail as well as to conform to your body and to that of various sized partners, will be the final piece in the puzzle of achieving your blue belt.

The Goal

In the end, it all comes down to how willing you are to learn, or more accurately, how prepared your mind and body are to recieve this knowledge. The blue should serve as a foundation of knowledge for the BJJ practitioner. To me, this signifies the basic tool kit, and an understanding of positional dominance, submissions, and movement in order to be capable of fluidly building and progressing. Good luck to all of you in your journey, and I hope to see you all on the path.

Insight Into ‘The Journey’

Welcome all to the first post in my blog, “BJJ: The Journey”. It is my wish that through this, practitioners will have an insight into the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, be it from the standpoint of the new student, or from the standpoint of the teacher, and anything in between. And it is my goal to ultimately make the transition from one end of that spectrum as the student, to the other end of that spectrum as the teacher. Along the way I hope to be able to shed a very real light on what it takes to make it there, what you are required to grasp along the way, and what I feel are some of the most important points of BJJ. I will study, train, compete, and hopefully one day teach, and I will share all of the experience and insight with you. Stay tuned for The Journey.

Just to give you a little information about myself, I am currently a blue belt in BJJ under now renowned instructor Roy Dean from Bend, Oregon. His instructional DVDs have earned rave reviews from the likes of practitioners such as Marcelo Garcia, Keith Owen, Grappler’s Magazine, and many more. I have been in training for about 8 months now, and am the newest of new to the rank of blue belt. Since, I have been off the mat for approximately six months as I have made my way across the country in search of the next place to call ‘home’, if only for a little while. So, I am now here in Austin, Texas. And my next stop is the Relson Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy where I hope to train before making the move to Dallas. There I will begin my tutelage under the 10th Planet system, as well as under Carlos Machado. I am very grateful to have these opportunities lined up in front of me. To have started where I did, under an instructor who has created his own unique style of teaching, bringing the traditional fashion of Japanese martial arts to the BJJ mats, and providing a method which is both eloquent and highly informative. I have no doubt that Roy Dean does, and will continue to produce only the highest quality of student from his school. Then, to be fatefully thrust into the heart of Texas, surrounded by so many highly regarded schools, systems, champions, and practitioners. This will truly be one of the greatest experiences, and greatest fortunes of my life.

Thank you for stopping in, and I look forward to seeing you all on the path.