Archive for category: Uncategorized

Changes in BJJ harder than they first appear

Changes in BJJ harder than they first appear. The definitely can be harder than you thought. Changes, in the form of new technical additions to your arsenal, or more farther-reaching adjustments to perspective or strategy, are often more difficult than they first appear. This usually equates to a struggle. We work to refine and adjust one thing at a time until we end up with something we can use. The problem is that our fantasies about how change happens are just that – fantasies. We’re surprised that hand fighting to a collar grip is so tough. We think we’ll be ready to roll out a new D’arce defense after a few times practicing it. We are not masters of the guillotine in 3 days. And so on. It can be discouraging. But if you struggle without quitting, you will make it into the next phase of development. That space is where you can refine and polish these new changes and turn them into something really meaningful for your practice long term. Here at Savarese BJJ (www.njbjj.com) Academy, we try to teach our students to ALWAYS think long term. What happens on a tuesday night in March when you are a bluebelt, no matter how bad you think it is at the time, will not be remembered as a brown and blackbelt.  Just keep showing up.

Students and teachers in BJJ

Students and teachers in BJJ is always a great subject to discuss. There is good, but can be bad between students and teachers if loyalty isn’t produced by either side. Some of my happiest coaching memories come from watching my students teach. I have always been insistent on the idea that my students have a deep understanding of the underlying principles and concepts that underlay our approach to the game and that they be capable of explaining them well to others. As a result, my students can in almost every case, do a fine job of teaching our methods and philosophy to students of all levels and backgrounds. Here at Savarese BJJ Academy (www.njbjj.com). I try to get my students to start teaching at purplebelt. It gives them a better understanding of our concepts and by having to answer questions of the newer students, it makes them think about the techniques and concepts in a more in-depth fashion. In particular, most of my purple and brownbelt students have a complete and deep knowledge of my approach to art art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self defense. I would also go further and say that all of them have developed an independence and originality of thought that has taken them beyond my teachings and into their own distinctive style. I have watched my students teach and am constantly amazed by the maturity and depths of their views and their skill at conveying it to others. They all take immense pride in their knowledge and constantly work to refine and improve it. It is no exaggeration to say they are light years ahead of where I was after a similar time spent in training. This bodes well for the future of our Academy as they have so much more time to develop their skills and knowledge. All have started as beginners teachers, just like as students, and I can attest to how much learning material they offer when they teach. I love to watch them teach so that you can learn more about their method and philosophy. Watching and correcting and suggesting new things to them will help them going forward but only teaching creates the framework for the health and growth of the sport into the future.

Intentions vs. Goals in Jiu-Jitsu

Intentions vs. Goals in Jiu-Jitsu: Intentions vs. goals is something we speak about a lot at Savarese BJJ academy (www.bergencountybjj.com). Because the submission is usually so heavily weighted, in jiu-jitsu we can have a tendency to develop a very strong goal-orientation. Goals can be critical tools when you have a specific outcome you want. But they can work against you if the rigidity of fixed goals grow into sources of anxiety and procrastination. Instead of worrying about needing to make things follow a specific path or go a certain way, put less attention on the GOAL and instead focus on your INTENTION for each training session. Why are you on the mat today? You may find that loosening a hyper-focused grip on your goals frees you from needing things to turn out exactly as you planned, and leaves you open to a different kind of training and learning. Focus on this and let me know if your training improves!

About Savarese BJJ

Originally developed by the Gracie family for smaller guys in the country of Brazil, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu has evolved into an effective self defense system, a thriving sport, and an essential component of Mixed Martial Arts fighting (MMA).

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu does not incorporate many of the fancy movements and complicated theories that other martial arts employ. In the real world, most fights end up on the ground and you have to be prepared for that scenario. The Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy teaches practical self defense techniques with a no attitude, no ego mentality.

Students learn sport aspects and practical methods that don’t require strength or athletic ability. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was made for everyone.

Professors Chris Savarese and Sean Bermudez

A typical class begins with a light warm up and stretch. Once everyone is loose, instructor Chris Savarese teaches students practical techniques and delivers personal care to ensure the class is learning and applying. Once the technique has been covered, live sparring for students who wish to participate is permitted. With Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, live sparring is an integral part of the art and what separates Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from most other martial arts. In Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, sparring is encouraged and fun!

The benefits of our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self Defense programs are endless! A greater sense of self leads to positive results in a world full of challenges. Our staff’s lineage goes directly back to the Gracie Family who created the art. Teach your children that perseverance wins over any obstacle in life, and let our program prove it to them! Develop functional muscles, not bulky, do-nothing muscles! Anyone who has trained at our academy for over a year will tell you that their life has been drastically improved!

If you want to join the fastest growing BJJ Academy on the East Coast, Savarese BJJ is waiting for you!

First contact in Jiu-Jitsu

First contact in Jiu-Jitsu is important. Establishing a point of first contact with your partner starts the ball rolling is vital. When you face a swirl of pummelling legs and the snapping grips of an aggressive partner, it can be intimidating. This is one of the places where a clear first step becomes important. We often favor advancing on a partner “behind the handsâ€, much the way that a boxer will stay behind the jab, using it to gauge distance and create angle. The purpose of these initial grips isn’t always control. In fact it can be hard to gain much control over someone’s powerful legs with your arms. Instead it’s the chain’s first link, a connection that allows you to feel where their movement is and what its quality is like – frantic, effortful, smooth, erratic. After you’ve made this first contact you have your first data point. From there you can begin to unfurl your strategy accordingly. As in other endeavors you face, crossing the threshold into the unknown can be the most difficult step. But many of the imaginary concerns you have evaporate once you’re actually engaged, because you’re occupied with action rather than anxiety.