I don’t usually like to repost things I see on other sites.  I like to stay original.  But now and again I see something I just can’t leave out of my site.  This was posted by Roy Dean and then by TheJiuJitsuFighter.com, where I saw it.  The kid has really got it going.  He stuns his wrestling opponents with Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, and Judo moves.  It starts right off with him doing what looks like a flying arm bar that he just lets go of.  It gets better as he does Judo takedowns.  The wrestlers just don’t know what to do with him.  They are to used to orthodox methods of wrestling.  One kid has just had to much and faints.  I think he might have been taken down a few times hard.  None of them know how to land like they teach in Judo.  They take the full brunt of the takedowns.  He drags them back from the edges as they try to get away.  At about the 3:14 one kid gets angry and stands up like he wants to fight.  I think he was so surprised by the side control he loses it.  I even think I see him take a punch before standing up.  I understand that the kids coach didn’t want him to learn BJJ.  Time to change coaches I think.

Step 1. Loop your belt around like you would for a square knot.

Step 2: Bring one side under the belt forming a loop.

Step 3: Bring the end down through the loop you have made in step 2.

Step 4: Take the other end and place it under the belt forming a loop.

Step 5: Bring it down through the loop and tighten both ends.

There you have it!  The Kimura Knot.  Here it is on my Submission Master Grappling Dummy.

Looks just like the triangle that you make when getting a Kimura Submission in my opinion.  For your next class tie your belt in a Kimura Knot and tell your buddies you learned it on JiuJitsuMap.com.  You may not be able to buy the coolest gi but you can be the only one who know a cool belt knot.

I’ve been noticing that every BJJ book or DVD I have has a Jiu Jitsu face some where on it or in it.  What’s a Jiu Jitsu face you ask?  Its the face that is intended to show action, pain, struggle, intensity, power, or just how tough you are.  Unfortunately most of them make me laugh.  From left to right I have named these "Bang You Dead Face", "Smelly Feet Face", and "Bed Head Face".  Can it get any better then this?

I couldn’t be left out!  All the greats have a Jiu Jitsu face.  Its not my fault I don’t have a DVD or book to put it on.  So I took my trusty iPhone and captured my Jiu Jitsu face.

As you compare me with Rigan Machado when it comes to Jiu Jitsu faces, really who are you going to be scared of?  Me!  Rigan just looks mildly annoyed.  I look like, like, like . . . your head is going to come off in my Rear Naked Choke.  Of course I’ll have to practice my face a little more but wait until I reveal it in class next week.  I’ll get my opponent to tap even if its because he can’t stop laughing.

Send me your Jiu Jitsu face or a favorite from a book or DVD.  I have create a "Faces of Jiu Jitsu" page.

Try the experiment at your school and let me know what your results are.

The Ashi-Barai is about shifting your opponents balance to meet your needs.  It starts out a lot like the Ochi-Gari.

1. Grip.  Because you will manipulate your opponents balance with your grip it is important to have a good hook grip on the collar and firm grip on the gi at the tricep.
2. Balance and Step.  As you step in you lift the tricep and move the opponents balance over to the opposite foot you are going to block or trip.  This can or should cause a opposite reaction from him in the direction you want to sweep him.
3. Twist and Step.  Now you twist him back the other way.  This motion should be added by his resistance to step two.  As you stick your foot out for the block or trip it is only intended to stop him from using it to gain balance.  You don’t need to kick or sweep the foot.  Just stop it from moving.  His forward momentum with your twisting action will do the rest.
4. Capitalize.  Be ready to take a position or submission.  The technique isn’t successful if you both just end up in a sprawl.

I hope this is helpful.  It helped me memorize this technique by posting it. Thank you to Chris and Miles again for being the movie stars of this post.

I’ve been doing some posts on throws and takedowns because I think it is a weak point in my own game and in most BJJ training.  Some of the posts were:  "Throw, Throw, Throw, again", "Review of Judo Throws and Takedown Books for Jiu-Jitsu", and "Should I Learn Judo To Excel In Jiu-Jitsu".  Here are the 5 steps as I see them in a successful Ochi-Gari.

1. Grip.  You don’t want to burn your grip.  Even with good Judo hook grips I noticed that at the end of class my hands were shaking.  I hope it isn’t to noticeable in the video after I get it under control.  Think about control without muscle.
2. Step In.  The first foot should step in but not between the opponents legs.  It should be centered on his body.  The behind step then should move you to flush with your opponent.
3. Sweep.  The sweep is called a "reap".  It refers to reaping grain.  It is a smooth semi-circle.  It isn’t a chopping motion.  It isn’t placed inside the leg and then hooked.  It reaps in and takes the leg out.  Yes, you can then lift or hook the leg if needed to finish it.
4. Twist.  The twist using the arms moves his balance.  You want to dictate where his balance is.  If you don’t twist as you sweep, the Ochi-Gari’s effectiveness is greatly reduced.
5. Capitalize.  The takedown isn’t over until you have the dominate position.  Have a submission or position in mind you are prepared to take after the sweep.

I hope this is helpful.  It helped me memorize this technique by posting it. Thank you to Chris and Miles for being the movie stars of this post.