Epi 277 Defense and Offense

This episode we answer listener questions about offense and defense.

We talk about:

  • Changing the way we roll based on the belt rank we are rolling with
  • Changing the way we roll based on the person we are rolling with
  • What makes a good defense
  • What makes a good offense
  • Building confidence
  • Using stratagem in your offense and defense
  • Defending positions vs submissions

Quote of the week: “Life is like a piano. What you get out of it depends on how you play it.” Tom Lehrer famous pianist

Article of the week: How to get better at BJJ: 12 Steps

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Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunesStitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod

Epi 276 Jason Elliott and Tracking Your Training

This week we have an interview with Jason Elliott from the Marune app. Marune is a great way to track your training in BJJ. We cover many training topics including improving your top game and measuring your training.

We talk about:

  • Developing the app for BJJ players
  • His training and progress with five years of BJJ
  • Tips for a head and arm choke
  • Tips for keeping mount
  • Changing your goals
  • The future of the Marune app

Links:

  • Check out the Marune app to track your BJJ and no-gi training

Quote of the week: “Every action we take, everything we do, is either a victory or defeat in the struggle to become what we want to be.” Ninon de L’Enclos

Article of the week: Differences between Japanese (traditional) Jiu-Jitsu and BJJ

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Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunesStitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod

The best defense is….

A GOOD OFFENSE…….

The best defense is a good offense. This is an old adage in sports and is true much of the time on the mats. Let’s look at a few examples of when this is definitely true and at least one time when this might not be the best philosophy.

This is true when you are in a dominant position. In fact you might say, launching a good offense in this scenario can keep you from having to play defense at all. Once you’ve secured a dominant position you need to be active, either looking to advance position or secure a submission. If you are idle it will give your opponent a chance to formulate a game plan, get their frames and grips set up, and execute an escape. On the other hand if you are relentlessly attacking they will be unable to do anything more than defend against your offense.

This is also a good plan in scrambles. While it’s true that coming out of a scramble in the most dominant position possible should be your first goal, an offensive grappler who is always looking to win by submission will find many opportunities in the chaos of scrambles. If you are looking, you can find an arm extended or a neck exposed. If you are always looking for the win by submission you will sometimes see an opportunity to start setting up a choke as you are passing guard or taking your opponents back. You will be finishing the submission before they have a chance to even start setting up their escape or defense.

The best defense is a good offense is often not true when you are in an inferior position. There are always exceptions and some people have a degree of success hitting submissions from unconventional positions. But generally speaking when you are in a position such as bottom mount, bottom side control, or your opponent has your back; your priorities should be defending and escaping. Trying anything other than fundamentally sound escapes from these positions often lead to easy counters from your opponent. Maybe the most classic example is trying to choke your opponent from within his closed guard which almost always leads to being armbarred.

In conclusion: it is almost always the best strategy on the mats to be active and relentlessly attacking. But be aware, sometimes you must defend and advance before launching your offense.

Joe

Epi 275 Black Belt Gina Franssen

This week we have an interview with BJJ Black Belt Gina Franssen. You can find Gina running her own BJJ school X2 Fitness in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We talk about:

  • Her reason for starting BJJ after an assault
  • Running her own school
  • The original goal of a blue belt
  • Her thoughts on women’s self defense classes
  • Changing the reasons you train BJJ
  • You tap to the technique not the person
  • The culture of the gym
  • Dealing with frustrations on the mat

Links:

Quote of the week: “You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.” Johnny Cash

Article of the week: 5 Ways Jiu Jitsu Will Help Your Child In School

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Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunesStitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod

Epi 274 Black Belt Karen Antunes

This week we have an interview with BJJ black belt Karen Antunes. This interview covers a wide range of topics from competing at the black belt level to maintaining a busy off the mat life.

We talk about:

  • Her training background
  • Competing after having a baby
  • Her desire to be a competitor
  • How her brother helped introduce her to Jiu-Jitsu
  • Training less than you did a few years ago
  • What makes a good training partner
  • Training Gi vs no-gi
  • Off the mat training
  • Changes in the women’s division over the years
  • Her role as a coach

Links:

Quote of the week: “Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” Mario Andretti

Article of the week: Welcome to Jiu-Jitsu 🙂

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Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunesStitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod

Epi 273 Kimberly Kaye From Jiu-Jitsu Times

This episode we have an interview with Kimberly Kaye. Kimberly currently a blue belt and an author for Jiu-Jitsu Times. She also has a rare disease called CIPO. You will find her training at NOLA MMA in Louisiana.

We talk about:

  • Dealing with health issues including CIPO
  • How the Jiu-Jitsu community has supported her
  • Fitness tips
  • Advice for women starting BJJ
  • The importance of communicating with your training partners
  • Her advice on nutrition
  • Being an author for Jiu-Jitsu Times
  • Some of her past articles
  • Interviewing Evan Robinson
  • Starting from your knees
  • Fighting for points or submissions

Links:

Tip of the episode: Have a good way to explain your “why” about BJJ

Question of the episode: How can I get better sleep after an evening of training?

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Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

The BjjBrick Podcast is in iTunesStitcher radio, and Google Play Music for Andriod