BJJ Goodies!!

Just wanted to share a couple of items I received this week.  First I finally picked up a "man size" white belt as the belt I was using was off my old 170 size Judo gi and when tied looked like a little bow tie round my waist!!  So I ordered an A2 size belt to go with my gi of the same size from searching through Ebay and found this Tuff Fightwear belt for around £4.99 excluding postage.  I am happy with the quality as it's thick and feels secure once tied also, and most importantly, it has a nice black patch ready to accept all the stripes!!

I also got hold of an issue of Jits magazine.  You may have seen Jits before via their Youtube channel , they produce some great videos and their website has loads of BJJ goodness.  You can veiw their magazines free by registering on the website or order a print version with paying a small postage fee.  The magazine is great with, unlike a lot of commercial magazines, minimal advertising and maximum useful content.  This includes; drills (from Robert Drysdale), feature on Rodolfo Vieira (see elsewhere in my blog for more on him), training / nutritional advice and even a random article on scuba diving, all makes for a good read whether done online or in your hand.

Surely to be the first of many post showing what is available out there...BJJ related of course!!

Back on the mat!!

Last night was my first time back training since injuring my knee.  It was great to get back training in the gi and I'm planning to get back with a vengeance!

I hate missing training as when I have a small break I feel like I'm starting all over again...so making an effort to get in at least three times a week with looking after my strength and conditioning on the off days.  Speaking of which I one a decent little conditioning workout on Wednesday as follows:

1 min kettlebell swings - 24kg
30 sec rest
1 min jump rope
30 sec rest

Repeated till done 5 rounds, took 15 min total!

Also found a great post on another blog about the BJJ belt system and expectations at each level, interesting read....http://www.rgaa.co.uk/blog_article.htm/my_blogs/progress_in_bjj

Thanks to rgabucks for posting on EFN forum!

Rodolfo Vieira v Buchecha 2012 Worlds Absolute

Just watched this via Dstryrsg.com, amazing BJJ qualifying match for the absolute division from this years World BJJ event with Rodolfo Vieira and "Buchecha" Almeida.  Great exciting match with points going back an forth.  I am trying to watch more and more matches as had not seen many prior to beginning training but ones like this are great!

Thanks to Dstryrsg.com for highlighting it and thanks to Budovideos for uploading.

Be humble!!!

I always thought I was humble when rolling and would often say to others "yeah just tap if you get caught and start again, no issues!".  Well, at No-Gi this week I learnt my lesson and the little voice in my head was dancing to the tune of "I told you so!".

I had been away on holiday to Cuba, with this week being my first back in training and I was looking forward to getting back on the mats.  After a great session on footlocks, knee bars and calf crushers I was feeling good and enjoying myself.  A couple of rolls in my body was getting tired, the last roll came and I'll admit I was lazy... letting myself get caught in a set up for a knee bar.  All of a sudden I thought I was Andre Galvao and tried to twist and kick out only to discover that my lower leg was in a vice like grip!  I heard a little "pop" and waited for pain.....didn't come?!!  "No worries" I thought, finished training went home, then my knee started to seize up and has been in pain for the rest of the week

I've took anti inflamatory's (Ibuprofen) all week in an attempt to subdue the swelling but it's still painful.  Hopefully a little R&R and it will be good as new soon.

Big lesson learnt for me and even though I thought I would be humble and tap when I should, I obviously didn't. So as they say...."tap don't snap" (cringe!!)

Rodolfo Vieira - Black Belt Hunter

Came across this short documentary on GTF black belt Rodolfo Vieira, European open champion 2012, Pan am Champion 2011 to name a couple.  The film gives a good insight into his past and his training.  There are also plenty of clips of him competing on Youtube.  His profile can also be found at bjjheroes.com

Thanks to the creators and original uploaders Jits Magazine!!