Welcome to BJJ and congratulation on choosing to train in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. If you decided to train as a hobby and competition is not your goal, this post will not concern you. I would still advised to read it because it is good information. If you are keen to compete in BJJ, then this post is for you. BJJ competition is based on the belt system. White belts compete in white belt division etc.. A white belt cannot compete in a blue belt division unless he get promoted by his instructor. It is normal to expect the instructor to be a black belt to promote you to your next belt. So what happens if you do not have an instructor that can promote you, well you still compete at the rank that you are at. Now the irony is the IBJJF created a rule to prevent other experienced competitors from different arts to compete in the white belts divisions; "5.5: The athlete who has proven to be a black belt in judo, has proven experience* in wrestling, wrestling Oly...

We did the double leg take down for the throw of the day. We split the class into 2 groups (over 70 kg and under 70 kg) and did a shark tank for take down training. Topic of the day was 1/2 sweeps. We did 3 variations and roll for 30 minutes to conclude training. Because we are getting near the competition on the 17 May, we will be only following the foundation program and will pause on our intermediate guard system. The competitors are to start drilling techniques to prepare their game plan. To sign up for the comp http://nzgrappler.co.nz/bjj-gi-tournament-on-17th-may/ http://strongvon.com/nzgrappler11 Sign up under ds team to avoid getting matchup with your team mates in the first round. Thursday class topic will be turtle  

Really cool patches, T shirts and Blog on that website. http://patchesotoole.com/ Like their facebook for updates:

Beginners did half guard pass. Intermediate students did arm drag from closed guard and over hook lapel guard. We will be working a lot more on game plan and drilling, sparring as the competition day is coming up soon. http://nzgrappler.co.nz/bjj-gi-tournament-on-17th-may/ sign up before the 10 May and save $10.

  Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly Originally 25 April every year was to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I . Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands , Niue , Pitcairn Islands , and Tonga . It is no longer observed as a national holiday in Papua New Guinea or Samoa . commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served."   The number of New Zealanders attending Anzac Day events in New Zealand, and at Gallipoli , is increasing.  Dawn Marches and other memorials nationwide are typically attended by the New Zealand Defence Force , the New Zealand Cadet Forces , members of the New Zealand Police , New Zealand Fire Service , Order of St John Ambulance Service (Yout...

IBJJF is now starting to be like the AKC (American Kennel Association). In order to get your BJJ black belt certified by the IBJJF, you need to get your application endorsed by a 2 degree black belt that is certified by the IBJJF. Basically, if your instructor is not a paying member of the the IBJJF, you cannot be certified by them. But wait, there is always another option. You can affiliate under a master that is already IBJJF certified. Of course, it comes at a price. You just pay up another "team" to run your club under and in return they will give you access to making your black belt legit with the big boys (IBJJF). BJJ was this martial arts where people trained and promoted their students without the interference of anyone else. The IBJJF is not governing body and is a profit organisation run by Carlos Gracie Jnr based in the USA. Now the analogy with the AKC comes to play. They are not interested into creating the data base of legit black b...

I heard about the watermelon juice from the Gracies in many articles and videos. So I decided to give it a try after finding a massive watermelon for 5$ at my local veggies and fruits shop. It tastes awesome and I did not add anything else. It was very sweet and I might have to dilute it with some ice block or maybe a squeeze of lime. Some of the benefits: 1. It soothes sore muscles. 2. It helps heart health. 3. It could be a natural Viagra. 4. It's rich in vitamins and minerals, but low in calories. 5. It could even combat cancer. see: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/08/130820-watermelon-nutrition-health-food-science/ http://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/generic/watermelon-juice

Eddie is now promoting his own tournament:  16 man tournaments 145 & 170 same day weigh in. Sub-only. Right after a good performance at Metamoris 3( read on http://www.aucklandbjj.com/2014/03/the-year-of-10th-planet-jiu-jitsu.html ), Eddie is calling out the rest of the world against 2 of his representatives. Richie Martinez "The Boogie Man" 170 lbs Geo Martinez "Freakzoid" 145 lbs I can see a few logos on that poster: Cobrinha, Mario Dilgado (under the sign of Renzo Gracie), Werdum Combat Team. It is just sad to hear that he is hosting the event of the IBJJF Gi World Cup. It will be harder to attract top competitors and spectators. Maybe he just does not follow the Gi competition timetable or was it organised on the same date on purpose? Rumours are that event organisers in Auckland are thinking to organise subs only events as well. Will keep you posted.

Going to spend Easter weekend breaking that system and set up a curriculum for the juniors.

Winter is coming..blah..blah..blah Time must be hard to recruit new students. Interesting to see some people having to put other club down in order to promote them self. Stay Classy!

The V You have a few options available. Let start with the traditional V for group picture. with the leader in the front. Important to reinforce leadership once more. Just in case, potential students do not know what the belt ranking stands for. Then you have different individual poses. The body hug where you wrap your right hand over your left elbow. This pose was used a lot by Helio Gracie and define the self defense aspect where your right hand is free to block a strike. Next option is the hands on the belt. So you just look like a bad ass. Also, do not smile. You do not want to come across to friendly just in case someone might want to join your club. The worst option in my opinion is the crossed arms, just bad for self defense (just in case somebody decide to strike you during a photo session at your dojo!). To conclude, we have the hang loose sign as well. The shaka sign , sometimes known as "hang loose", is a gesture often associated with Hawaii and ...

Wilson junior , head coach and founder of Carlson Gracie team uk will be discussing BJJ issues. I suggest you subscribe to the channel. Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu is known for creating top competitors.

Congratulations to Dr Paul Wood on his medals from his last Judo competition. Wellington Judo Open: Gold in Young Masters under 90kg, Silver in Young Masters open weight, Bronze in Senior Men under 90kg, Bronze in restricted Kyu. 13 fights today.  If you are tired of competing in BJJ tournament which only offer one match (as they are knock out tournament), I suggest you compete in Judo where you have many divisions to enter in the same day to gain more experience. For Judo training details http://www.judokong.com/#!/

This is our intermediate guard system. You need to be a white belt 2 stripes to access that program. Beginners will stay on our basic weekly systems.

It is never too late to start training. Congratulation to James Tercecki

Guard Pass drills for warm up Knee on the belly for beginners Sit up guard for intermediate Rolling for 30 minutes Next tuesday topic is North South and advanced (beginner) Have a good weekend.          

We did guard pass drills for warm up: leg drag guard passes For the beginners we covered side control (retention, escape and subs). For the intermediate, we covered berimbolo Rolling was from the knees due to a full attendance (over 12 students). Thursday will be Knee on the belly. See you the mats.        

Sign up early and save $10. Also last competition winners get $10 dollars discount as well NZ Grappler’s BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU GI TOURNAMENT will be held Saturday 17th May 2014. Don’t miss your chance to challenge yourself among the best of New Zealand. The event will take place at the NORTH SHORE EVENT CENTRE in Auckland. Both adults and kids will compete on Saturday 17th May. 1st place winners from the February 2014 tournament will receive $10 discount of this tournament registration if they apply promo code “winner” on their online registration. First 50 competitors to REGISTER AND PAY for their registration will be entered into the drawing for Official Tournament T-shirt giveaway. REGISTRATION FEE Until 11:59 pm Saturday 10 May 2014 Adults: $50 Kids: $40 Until 11:59 pm Wednesday 14 May 2014 Adults: $60 Kids: $50 For more details: http://nzgrappler.co.nz/bjj-gi-tournament-on-17th-may/

That is now official, Ryron Gracie created a new concept named the Helio Filter. Ryron is famous fro creating the Gracie Online. It is a website where you can get learn Gracie Jiu Jitsu and send them videos for a technical belt exam. Ryron also created the Gracie Garage concepts where people can meet and find each other on a database. There is also the Keep it play full coin and movement. The latest addition of the "Helio filter" is just a direct response to Eddie Bravo's deep half guard against his uncle Royce Grace at the Metamoris 3. Apparently, Helio would have NOT approved as you are open for strikes ie. the "Helio Filter" Eddie replied by mentioning that Andree Galvao mounted Ryron during their submission match. Was Ryron getting mounted or his guard passes approved by the Helio filter?

UFC is getting really popular in NZ. The website One day sale sold their t shirts, you can find UFC fitness DVD at the warehouse. UFC will be Auckland Next June! Something to tick on your calender. From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11233980 " James Te Huna's debut as a middleweight will headline the UFC's long-awaited first appearance in New Zealand. "UFC Fight Night Auckland: Te Huna v Marquardt" will take place at Vector Arena in Auckland on Saturday, June 28, and the Darfield-born Te Huna will meet former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nate Marquardt in a five-round main event. No other fights have been announced yet but the card will feature 11 to 13 bouts. Kiwi heavyweight Mark Hunt won't be in action as he recovers from a badly damaged hand suffered in his epic brawl with Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva at UFC Fight Night 33 in Brisbane last year. Gold Coast-based N...

We will like to congratulate Bobby Mules on his latest promotion. Well done, we will look forward to your visit to Auckland on your next holiday back home.

 Judo Throw of the day was demonstrated by Judo Black belt Jordan: Deashi Harai -- Forward Foot Sweep    Position of the day was back: back control, back escape and back submissions for the beginners. Topic for intermediate: Lasso guard and study of Sean Robert vs Zak Maxwell at the Metamoris 3. The lasso guard is very effective way to set up your omoplata or triangle. It forces your opponent to keep their elbow glued to the knee otherwise they risk to get submitted. It gets tiring and after a while, you will notice they move to combat base where you can set your de la riva moves/guard and the much dread berimbolo. Did I hear berimbolo? Then we roll: 2 minutes stand up and 3 minutes ground.