Jiu Jitsu Map

I was going to title this post, “What do you do when someone intentionally tries to hurt you in class”.  But that just did not seem very catchy.  I have been hurt and seen others hurt.  Through all of it, I know of only one time someone intentionally did something to cause injury.  A visitor to class decided that thumbing the eyes was a valid technique.  The guy he did it too finished him with a triangle choke.  I have seen multiple times and been a recipient of  techniques gone wrong.  The first instinct is rage followed by retaliation.  Which leads to why I titled this blog “The West Side Band of Brothers in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu”.  Do you see the picture at the top of this post?  It was from Tuesday’s night class.  We trained for the majority of the class.  We laughed, tapped, and submitted.  I keep nights like last night in mind,when I think I have been wronged.  I do not want that brotherhood to be broken.  So I check my anger, seek out the real reason for the pain and move on.  I am quick to make sure I do not cause offense and repair any that may be perceived.  As a general rule of thumb, everyone in BJJ that I have associated with has been the most genuine, friendly, caring, and amiable in character.  So let me end with this.  If you do not feel that way about the school you attend, like I do, find one you do.  You can always come join us.

Jiu-Jitsu is Life and Life is Jiu-Jitsu

I am a software developer.  We use SCRUM as our agile development methodology.  I hope I have not lost your interest already.  A Retrospective meeting is used to look back on our last period of work and think over what went well and what we could improve on.  I realized the agile development process can be applied to more then software development last week after Brazilian… Continue reading

Last night was the first night back to BJJ after a 2 year sabbatical.  It was great.  I felt like turning in my blue belt for a white again though.  My technique was rusty but in some ways it was like ridding a bike.  The old moves and feelings came flooding back.  I am hoping to be in the swing of things again in a few months time.  I remember… Continue reading

On April 5th, 2011 I posted “Training at Home When You Have No Other Choice”.  I had to announce I was taking a leave from BJJ.  My family needed me and money was a issue.  But times have changed and my wife has given me the green light.  I’m going back!  Yahoooooooo!  Save me a choke or arm-bar, guys!  I will be back in class the first Tuesday… Continue reading

Its winter, cold, slick, and miserable outside.  The inversion has made the air quality poor.  You miss your activities you did outside last summer that helped you keep in shape and aided you in your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  You do not want to fall behind or lose what you have worked so hard for but what can you do in the winter beside going to the gym?  Here are some ideas… Continue reading

The other day I can across a book I had bought when I was a young lad called “Enter to Trapping to Grappling (Jeet Kune Do)

MartialArtsSupplies.com asked me to do a gi review on the Reevo "Kimura" Gi.  Here is my review:

How can you not love this!  They did an awesome job with this short video.  But what I want to know is where is Jiu-Jitsu Octopus Baby?  The octopus is my schools mascot and I think it accurately describes BJJ.  When you were a white belt and… Continue reading

JiuJitsuMap’s family of sponsors has grown by one.  Please welcome MartialArtSupplies.com.  Thanks to their sponsorship JiuJitsuMap will be doing two new gi reviews, starting with the Reevo "Kimura" Gi.  The next review to follow shortly after… Continue reading

Your ability to breath in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu makes all the difference.  I know that when I cannot get enough oxygen I start feeling that claustrophobic feeling.  You know what I’m talking… Continue reading