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This Saturday, May 2, we'll be conducting our kids' class at the regularly scheduled time (11:15 a.m.). In lieu of a formal adults' class we we hold an open mat beginning at 12:15 p.m.

So, get your jiu-jitsu fix in before those Derby parties!  

See you all on the mat -- tonight!

Team:

Here's a running list of upcoming Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments. We keep track of tournaments in our region and will pass along any information we come across. Note: this isn't a comprehensive list, so feel free to also forward information to the group on our forum. If anyone is interested in competing in any of the following tournaments let us know.

See you all on the mat -- tomorrow night!

• Extreme Grappling Open, May 2, 2009 -- Nashville, TN: click here for more information.
• 6th Annual Hoosier Open, June 13, 2009 -- Westfield, IN: click here for more information.
• 4th Annual Michigan Open, Sept. 26, 2009 -- Walled Lake, MI: click here for more information.
• Extreme Grappling Open, Sept. 26, 2009 -- Indianapolis, IN: click here for more information.
• Pedro Sauer Bluegrass Open, Oct. 4, 2009 -- Louisville, KY: more information to follow.
• Extreme Grappling Open, November 2009 -- Louisville, KY: more information to follow.

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This is another reason why before we move to the ground in class we devote time to throws and takedowns. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Judo are definitely complementary, as demonstrated by Ralph Gracie Black Belt Dan Camarillo. Edited and produced by Roy Dean.



See you all on the mat -- tomorrow night!

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Roger Gracie black belt Nicolas Gregoriades provides some very good details on the basic principles of chokes in the following video:



See you all on the mat -- tomorrow night!

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Team:

This Saturday, April 25, Spencer County Martial Arts will be participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's "Carnival for the Cure" in downtown Taylorsville. This is a cause we wholly support, and we encourage all of you to come out for what will be a great time. The flyer is below with all the information.

If you'd like to walk with us in the parade, and/or participate in the demonstration in the afternoon, please see an instructor the next time you're in. We plan to meet at the school at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning, and then drive to Taylorville Elementary School where the parade will begin at 9 a.m. sharp.

Class Changes This Week

As part of our participation in the Carnival, we'll be rescheduling Saturday's classes. The kids class will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, followed by the adults class at 7 p.m. We'll have more information about a Sunday open mat later this week.

Team:

Excellent work on the mats last night! Instructor Scott covered a couple of nice throws (videos shown below) and an escape from the cross-side position. We ended class with several rounds of free-training; a packed class like last night makes for a great workout and the opportunity to practice with many different body types and skill levels.

Here's the rundown in more detail on last night's class:

Osoto Gari (Large Outer Reap) -- I love the "business suit" application



Osoto Guruma (Large Outer Wheel)



Cross-Side Escape from Gable Grip

Instructor Scott covered a nice escape from the cross-side position last night. Remember, your opponent's hand positioning and weight distribution dictates your escape, or combination of escapes. In this case, Scott worked from the "Gable Grip", which is one of the more difficult grips to escape.

With the Gable Grip, your opponent is usually in very tight to your upper body. Your hips are free, but it's difficult to gain proper leverage without the strategic placement of your hands. Your forearm should be placed on your opponent's nearest hip.

Your outside arm should be placed vertically up the middle of the side of your opponent's face. When you bridge into your opponent, that arm extends into your opponent, breaking his skeletal structure and allowing you to escape your hips, trap his leg, build a frame, and replace guard.

Again, excellent work last night! Everyone's game is making steady gains.  

See you all on the mat -- tomorrow afternoon!

Team:

Excellent work on the mats yesterday! We'd also like to welcome Andy, Brian and Grace and thank them for attending class with us this week.

Instructor Scott showed a few ways to escape the North/South position. Remember, when you're on the bottom, don't allow your opponent to establish the "one arm under, one arm over" position while he's on top. This is sure to end with a submission if you're not careful.

Controlling your opponent's hips is a critical element to your escape. If your opponent's head is on your stomach or chest, this is the escape to use.

Work from under your opponent's arms while you're on the bottom and place your hands on his hips. Move yourself away and straighten your arms to establish a strong skeletal structure. Swing your legs from side to side (like you're fish-tailing in a car) and allow the momentum to carry you around so you can trap a leg. From there, you can then work to your opponent's back, or apply a shoulder lock or choke. If you're having trouble catching the foot, simply use your bottom knee to push his leg out some in order to trap the leg.

Let's say your opponent's at the North/South position but this time his head is on the side instead of centered on your chest. The same application is required from the bottom, in that you create space and control his hips. If his head is on your left side, you perform a back roll over your left shoulder and work to take his back. Conversely, If his head is on the right, you roll over your right shoulder. Whichever shoulder you roll over, you want to work to get that same-side foot hooked in first.

Practice both of these escapes extensively, as it's common for an experienced opponent who is in cross-side to transition to your head, then maybe to the other side,  to avoid your escapes.

In addition to the escapes, Instructor Scott reviewed several throws, as demonstrated in the videos below.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday, today. We'll see you all on the mat tomorrow!

O Goshi -- Hip Throw




Koshi Guruma -- Hip Wheel







Ippon Seoi Nage -- One Arm Shoulder Throw 







Ouchi Gari -- Large Inner Reaping

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Master Sauer has released an updated version of his association gi. It's available for purchase on his website for $120, or about $132 when you factor in sales tax and shipping costs. Click here to go directly to the item. According to the website, version 2 improvements include double-stitching on the patches, a heavier reinforced back patch, and an extra inch of length added to the sleeves.

I just received mine in the mail. I'm about 5'9" and 165 pounds. I normally wear an A2 but I ordered an A3 and it fits perfectly after a wash and dry on high heat. Here's a closer look at the uniform. For the price -- and the fact that it has several patches already sown on it -- I would definitely recommend it.

See you all on the mat -- this evening!

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We'll host an open mat tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. for all members of Spencer County Martial Arts. Come ready to work technique and invest in yourself for a few hours. In the meantime, get out and enjoy the day!

See you on the mat!

Team:

As promised earlier this week, below is a highlight video of some of our students competing in the most recent Bluegrass Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship. This was only the first or second time competing for many of our classmates, and we couldn't be more proud of you.

You each displayed nice technique, sportsmanship, and reflected well on our Academy, whether you won or lost. We'd like to also thank all of the students and family who came out in support of our competitors.

Congratulations again, and we'll see you all on the mat tonight!  

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Xande Ribeiro, multiple-time world jiu-jitsu champion, will fight again on May 2, 2009, at Sengoku in Japan. His opponent will be the very tough Kei Yamamiya. Xande, brother of Saulo Ribeiro, will be fighting his second MMA match.

In preparation for his fight, Xande has been training with MMA legend Wanderlei Silva. Below is a cool video with interviews about the whole experience.

See you all on the mat -- tomorrow night!

Team:

While recording the last Rickson Gracie seminar in Nashville was prohibited, some lucky participant back in the 90s was able to videotape one of the legend's appearances in Chicago, and another in Hawaii. Below are two playlists from those events. As 5th-degree black belt Luis "Limao" Heredia says, "Water is purest at the source." These clips provide a rare public look into the master's philosophy.

Enjoy, and we'll see you all on the mat tomorrow night!

Rickson Gracie Chicago Seminar



Rickson Gracie Hawaii Seminar