Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Recommended Fitness Magazine

I struggled to find a good fitness magazine. Most of the fitness magazines,
specially for men, are in my opinion sleazy and too focused on "macho" subjects
involving pumping muscles, drinking protein shakes, eating meat and adult subjects.
Not to talk about cover pages ...

So in my quest to find a good fitness magazine with smart, useful and scientifically
accurate articles on exercise and nutrition I found "Runners World" to be magazine
of my choice.




While distance running is not the most applicable form of exercise for Judo
and grappling I find most of their articles very applicable.

The magazines web site is actually an excellent source as they make available
many of the greatest articles from the printed edition.

Here are some samples of the articles:

Eat Like a Champion

Lessons on Weight Loss

A Core Workout

Speed Play

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Best Judo Throws for Submission Grappling

Reader Formosa Neijia asked for an advice which throws may be the most
useful in BJJ or submission grappling competition.

If I have to select one that works in both gi and no-gi competition it would be deep over-grip/around the neck Harai Goshi or Harai Goshi Makikomi variation.





Here is a no-gi variation demonstrated by UFC fighter Shonie Carter:



In addition I recommend a combinations of Harai Goshi into Osoto Gari or vice versa.

O Soto Gari in Judo competition:



and for no-gi MMA/submission grappling
(courtesy of great UFC player and judoka Karo Parisian):




Both of these throws are very powerful therefore putting the tori
(performer of the throw) into a very favorable position on the ground.

Monday, February 04, 2008

What Can Judoka Learn From BJJ, Part 2 - Playing Different Game

Judoka, in general, are not properly tuned for the BJJ game on the ground.
BJJ players fight from the back, they are slower, they have better developed set of combinations into submission and they, in general, have shaper focus on winning by submissions.

So what should we Judoka learn from BJJers, but more importantly what should judoka do to make a difference on the ground?



1. Follow the throw-pin-submit pattern. I’ve seen many judoka get stuck into BJJ game by pulling or fighting guard and getting raveled into a intricate web of BJJ setups. Unless you are experienced at BJJ ground game execute the different strategy. Always look to throw hard and to seize the strong pin after the throw (unless opportunity for submission is too obvious).

2. Throw. We are trained to use some of the best weapons you can use in submission grappling – throws, so must leverage them to the maximum. Focus on throws that have significant effect. Use makekomi versions, use big and bold, upper body restraining throws such as harai goshi, osoto gari, uchi mata.



3. Go for Simple. Train and go for techniques that work well in Judo. Do not try to beat BJJ players at their best game on the ground. Do not try to emulate some complicated techniques you see on "BJJ From Brown to Black" tapes when you will be far better of at sticking to simple, effective and very well developed Judo techniques such as Juji Jime, Ude Garami, Okuri Eri Jime and similar than experimenting with rubber guards and gogoplatas. (you should, however, be familiar with as many of these tricky BJJ techniques as possible since you can be up for a nasty surprise). Even BJJ legend, Rickson Gracie, recommends his students to stay with the basics - they are proven to work.


Next time I will go into details of some of the more specific Judo techniques that work well when applied in the context of submission grappling.