My new friend Paul Wilch just launched www.IdahoJiuJitsu.com! Paul stated that he wants his site to be a “one stop shop for Idaho BJJ news.” Alliance Jiu Jitsu is excited to see the new site and we are behind it 100%. Good luck Paul! Do all of us in the BJJ community proud!
Archive for February, 2010
There is a new BJJ News site for Idaho!
Monday, February 15th, 2010Q & A #2
Saturday, February 13th, 2010
Q: There seems to be a lot of talk these days among practitioners
regarding the differences between fundamental jiu-jitsu (the old
school) and smash and/or sport jiu-jitsu (the new school).
What are you’re thoughts? Can both worlds exist? More importantly; can
you have one without the other?
A: I love this question because it actually does come up a lot! There does seem to be a trend in two different directions with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. First you have to go to the route of the source…
The separation of Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Sport Jiu Jitsu: In the 90’s more and more schools in Brazil started to pop up claiming Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Not Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Although their roots were ALL from the Gracie’s. This was explained to me on one of my many trips to Brazil. The reason gave to me was because tournaments in Brazil had became more competitive and school reputations were on the line. So Jiu Jitsu academies scraped their “self defense” curriculum to focus solely on placing first in tournaments. That was the point in history that Jiu Jitsu became a sport for those who wanted to participate….
A “Gracie Jiu Jitsu” school will teach you self defense along with Sport Jiu Jitsu techniques. If I had to put it into percentages? I would say that they teach 20% self defense and 80% Sport Jiu Jitsu. But when they “roll” it is all Sport Jiu Jitsu.
A “Sport Jiu Jitsu” or ” Brazilian Jiu Jitsu” school will only teach techniques for competing and rolling in the academy. In other words, 100% Sport Jiu Jitsu.
Let me make this clear. One is no better then the other.
I teach Sport Jiu Jitsu. I love to compete and see no need to teach “self defense” techniques like an ear grab defense, over head club defense or a hair grab defense (although I know them). My students and I like to compete against each-other and all agree that we are not there for self defense training. I like testing myself in the academy and at tournaments. For me, Jiu Jitsu is a Sport. So I train and teach accordingly.
So I think that both worlds can exist. Most people don’t know that there is a difference between the two. They are different, just like Rugby and Football. Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu have very subtle differences but they are different!
Thanks for reading!!!
Mitch Coats
Alliance Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
BJJ Q & A #1
Monday, February 8th, 2010What is the best piece of advice you would give to a beginner that’s just starting out in BJJ???
1) “When you begin your training in BJJ, work from your back for the first 6 months. It’s still important to recognize the fundamentals of all basic positions as a beginner, but working from your back is a basic fundamental that will help you build a strong foundation. Grappling from your back is the true sign of any Jiu-Jitsu fighter.”
2) “Learn 1 good submission! I’ve heard instructors say you should focus on defense and survival (escaping) as a beginner. This is true; but I say learn a good submission that you feel comfortable doing. For example: an armbar, shoulder lock, or choke from any basic position. The ability to execute a successful submission will help build your confidence and it will also help build consistency when training or sparring w/ others. Nobody likes to come to class to get mauled without having a balanced defensive and offensive strategy.” – Mitch Coats
BJJ Q & A
Monday, February 8th, 2010I will be answering BJJ questions on my blog… Check in and see what I’m doing!!!
Check out the new Videos!
Friday, February 5th, 2010
Hey everybody!!! Go click on the Videos tab on my website and check out the new Clips. These first clips put up are my favorite clips to watch. They inspire me, and some have defined who I am as a Jiu Jitsu fighter. Enjoy!
I got my Black Belt!!!
Thursday, February 4th, 2010I got my Black Belt!!! It was a honor to receive my BB in November of 2009. I got my belt for Alexandre”Gigi”Paiva. He is 5 degree Black Belt and co-founder of Alliance BJJ. I am the only American to ever get the Black Belt under him…
Thanks Gigi for taking a kid in from off the streets of Rio and believing in me. Thanks to my Dad who sent me to Brazil when I was 21 and supported my dreams. Thanks to my wife for being my best friend! Thanks to my Guys! My success is theirs too!