Wall 2 Wall Martial Arts http://w2wma.com/blog1 Virginia's Premier Judo, BJJ and Kickboxing School Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:42:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Training in Kodokan Judo http://w2wma.com/blog1/2012/01/19/training-in-kodokan-judo/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=training-in-kodokan-judo http://w2wma.com/blog1/2012/01/19/training-in-kodokan-judo/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:10:08 +0000 Sensei http://w2wma.com/blog1/?p=1119 “One Perspective”
by Sensei Bruce R. Bethers

The Objectives and Purposes of Training in Judo have been formulated since its original inception by its founder Dr. Jigoro Kano. The ultimate objective of Judo as intended by its founder, (according to noted authur Donn F. Draeger, Judo Training Methods) could be summarized as “Physical [...]]]> “One Perspective”
by Sensei Bruce R. Bethers

The Objectives and Purposes of Training in Judo have been formulated since its original inception by its founder Dr. Jigoro Kano. The ultimate objective of Judo as intended by its founder, (according to noted authur Donn F. Draeger, Judo Training Methods) could be summarized as “Physical Development, Contest Proficiency and Mental Development”. It seems that some modern Judo Leaders have narrowed the objective of Judo to only “Contest Proficiency”. For many, world-wide Judo has become equated with contest proficiency. Although this belief is today wide-spread, it is the very thing that Dr. Kano warned against throughout his life. Dr. Kano stated, “Judo should only be a means to the end of skill and principles for higher self-development, and any ‘drift’ toward ‘contest’ Judo as the ‘sole’ interpretation of Judo should be carefully regulated.” This “drift” has become a major focus among many well intended Judoka, but in the minds of many Sensei, technique has suffered and Judo has become (more often than not) a sport in which “win at all costs” is the underlying objective.

This emphasis on “Contest Proficiency” has caused the true meaning or purpose of Judo to be unclear and somewhat out of proportion to what was intended by Dr. Kano. This problem is surfaced nowhere more clearly than in “notion” that contest victories are rewarded with rapid rank promotions. Often this rapid rank advancement far exceeds the Judoka’s ability to understand Judo except in terms of scoring a contest point. Today, in the U.S.A., this incorrect emphasis is unfortunately found in the many of the Judo organizations. This misconception of Judo has grown to the extent that “the number of contest points” has become the underlying factor for advancement among many Judo organizations. As Draeger pointed out, “The means intended by Master Kano are being mistaken for the ends.

Contest Judo is vital to the health of Judo as an entity, but the objectives of Judo as originally defined are mutually supplementary and will best be continued by proper training methods which are suited for physical development and the regard for the growth of technique on a balanced foundation which regards each individual Judo exponent”.

According to Dr. Kano, “Judo is a way of applying most effectively one’s energy, physical and mental. The secret of the art is to be mastered by training and cultivating both body and mind through exercises in the prescribed methods of offense and defense. And, thereby, we may perfect ourselves and contribute to the welfare of mankind, which is the ultimate aim of Judo”.

With the above purposes and objectives in mind it would appear unless an individual is only in Judo for the “short-term” to win Olympic Medals and other related competition awards, he or she should focus on proper life-time Judo Training. Learning the skillful execution of Judo’s Technical Theory and striving to perfect ones Personal Character are much greater & more important goals, than collecting medals (which only get “dusty” with time). Since the competition side of Judo is an activity limited by age, time & personal interest, Judoka should consider the important life-long benefits of Judo Training which go far beyond mere competition awards. Through Judo Training, the individual will gain physical development and improved physical & mental fitness for a life-time. Mental Development will be displayed through increased self-confidence, self-discipline, increased decision making skills, enhanced sportsmanship, improved mental retention (both “on & off the mat”) and improved reflex-action.

When considering Judo as a method of physical training, the specific exercises of traditional Judo training should develop, improve and maintain the following:

1. Strength: muscle development and increased endurance.
2. Coordination: Improved efficiency in body movement.
3. Speed & Agility: Improved ability in changing body direction & position with speed and efficient manner.
4. Balance: Improved stability & control in all positions.
5. Endurance: Improved efficiency of cardiovascular system.

To understand proper training methods of Kodokan Judo, one should focus on fours divisions of training: building technique, building strength, building endurance and building speed as follows:

Building Skillful Technique is the correct and efficient performance of Judo movement in accordance with the principles of Judo. It is not just a mechanical procedure, but instead a reflex action developed by focused & intelligent practice. Skillful movement wastes little muscular exertion. Building technique is designed after the basic principle of Kodokan “Maximum Efficiency” or Best Use of Energy. Skillful Technique is graceful and void of wasteful motion. There are three essential points to skillful technique-

1. Correct Use of Muscles – Using the correct muscles in the execution of an action which will accomplish the desired result most effectively and efficiently. Judo skillful technique can be developed only by continuous practice.

2. Proper Level of Force – Effectively using our muscle power is essential in producing skillful technique in Judo. It can be expressed as the difference between a “blow of a sledge hammer” or the “blow of a keen-edged sword” when executing a Waza in Judo.

3. Timing – Without proper timing, correct use of muscles and proper level of force will not produce a skillful Judo technique. This point is essential to an economical use of power. If timing is neglected, results will be, at best, awkward and have the potential to cause injury.

In conclusion, Skillful Technique requires the use of muscle and strength with proper focus, application and timing. Speed is also essential to proper Judo performance, however it depends upon the muscle’s reaction to stimuli and the ability for that muscle to contract forcibly. Skill in the final analysis depends entirely on muscular control. Skill connotes precision and accuracy of movement, choosing the proper movement in response to an intended purpose, as well as economy in the force applied, which requires the utilization of the right muscles at the right time with the right amount of force. In order to accomplish this performance in totality, strength is necessary.

Building Strength is the necessary and natural result of Judo Training. Draeger tells us, “Strength is the ability to overcome resistance and the capacity for endurance. It is affected through the muscles of the body. Muscles have but one primary function to work”. As we train in Judo, the muscles are made to work and grow to meet the demands of this rigorous activity. Weaker muscles which are systematically used in Judo Training grow in size, weight and strength. As the muscles are exercised, within limits, they are more enabled to function with greater strength and flexibility.

Building Endurance is a direct result or product of progressive Judo Training. Endurance is the ability to resist and to some degree overcome fatigue. The common experience of muscle fatigue is due to the creation of waste products of muscle contraction. Muscle fatigue limits our performance in all activity. According to Draeger, “Endurance must be built by developing the circulatory and respiratory systems as well as muscles, so that waste products can be more efficiently carried away and thus reduce the onset of fatigue”. A systematic proper Judo Training program is an excellent method for building endurance. For best results, daily Judo Training is recommended for aspiring competitors and at least three times per week is a must for the committed Judoka.

Building Speed is where the “rubber meets the road” so to speak in Judo Training. Used with correct technique, speed maximizes the element of surprise is both competition and self-defense. It also minimizes strength and muscle fatigue because that muscles contract with minimal time and prolonged effort. Draeger states, “Greater strength in contraction will bring about greater speed. When all obstacles to muscle contraction have been reduced or removed, speed is a natural development. Obstacles such as antagonistic muscle action, selection of right muscles in a particular movement, and the right use of force all bear directly on speed”.

Incorporating the above four divisions of training will help ensure that you have designed an effective Judo Training Program, regardless if your aim is for the “short-term” goal of competition awards or the life-long goals of physical/mental fitness, and the Ultimate Aim of Judo – Perfecting Human Character.

Original Source: http://www.usjjf.org/articles/kodokan.htm

]]> http://w2wma.com/blog1/2012/01/19/training-in-kodokan-judo/feed/ 0 Gallup’s Top 10 U.S. Wellbeing Discoveries in 2011 http://w2wma.com/blog1/2012/01/13/gallups-top-10-u-s-wellbeing-discoveries-in-2011/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gallups-top-10-u-s-wellbeing-discoveries-in-2011 http://w2wma.com/blog1/2012/01/13/gallups-top-10-u-s-wellbeing-discoveries-in-2011/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:58:30 +0000 Sensei http://w2wma.com/blog1/?p=1089 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gallup in 2011 published nearly 100 unique articles about Americans’ health and wellbeing. Through its daily surveys, conducted year-round, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index uncovers new insights into [...]]]>
December 30, 2011

Gallup’s Top 10 U.S. Wellbeing Discoveries in 2011

Highlights from the top 10 wellbeing findings Gallup.com published in 2011

by Elizabeth Mendes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gallup in 2011 published nearly 100 unique articles about Americans’ health and wellbeing. Through its daily surveys, conducted year-round, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index uncovers new insights into and provides the most up-to-date data available on Americans’ mental state, exercise and eating habits, healthcare coverage, physical health, and financial wellbeing. The following list comprises Gallup editors’ picks for the top 10 most compelling findings from this year.

 

  1. Lengthy, cumbersome job searches lower wellbeing: The longer Americans are unemployed, the more job applications they fill out, and the more job interviews they go on, the worse their wellbeing becomes. Unemployed Americans who have been out of work for 11 weeks or more are significantly less likely to be thriving and more likely to experiences worry, stress, sadness, and anger.
  2. Americans’ weight problem subsides slightly: For the first time in more than three years, more Americans are a normal weight than are overweight, according to Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index data from the third quarter of 2011. The obesity rate also decreased in 2011, but just slightly.
  3. More young adults get health insurance: The percentage of Americans aged 18 to 25 who were uninsured declined in 2011, coincident with the implementation of the provision in the new healthcare law that allows adults to stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 26.
  4. Colorado still the skinniest state: Residents of Colorado are the least likely in the nation to be obese, as they have been in past years. The obesity rate in that state is 20.1%, which stands in stark contrast to the 34.3% in West Virginia, the highest in the country.
  5. Fewer Americans can afford food: The percentage of Americans reporting that they have enough money to buy the food they or their families declined in 2011, nearing a level not seen since the 2008 financial crisis.
  6. Employer-based health insurance on the decline: Fewer Americans are getting their health insurance from an employer, with the percentage falling to 44.5% in third quarter of 2011, down from 49.8% in the first quarter of 2008.
  7. “Suffering” in the United States holds steady: Four percent of Americans rate their lives poorly enough to be considered “suffering” — this figure has remained essentially the same for the past two years. Low-income Americans continue to be much more likely than those who are better off to be suffering.
  8. Many Americans act as caregivers: More than one in six American workers also provide care to an elderly or disabled family member, relative, or friend. Middle-aged, black, and Hispanic Americans are among the most likely to be caregivers.
  9. Unhealthy workers carry $153 billion price tag: American workers who are overweight or obese and have other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure miss an estimated 450 million additional days of work annually compared with those who are healthy. This results in a cost of more than $153 billion in lost productivity per year.
  10. Bad job more harmful to wellbeing than no job: Workers who are “actively disengaged” — meaning they are emotionally disconnected from their work and workplace — rate their lives worse than even those who are unemployed. Forty-two percent of actively disengaged workers are thriving in their lives, compared with 48% of those who are unemployed.

 

Read all of our 2011 wellbeing discoveries.

About the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index

The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index tracks wellbeing in the U.S., U.K., and Germany and provides best-in-class solutions for a healthier world. To learn more, please visit well-beingindex.com.

]]> http://w2wma.com/blog1/2012/01/13/gallups-top-10-u-s-wellbeing-discoveries-in-2011/feed/ 0 Does Participation in Sports Keep Teens Out of Trouble? By Sydney Wall http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/12/27/does-participation-in-sports-keep-teens-out-of-trouble/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=does-participation-in-sports-keep-teens-out-of-trouble http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/12/27/does-participation-in-sports-keep-teens-out-of-trouble/#comments Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:24:06 +0000 Sensei http://w2wma.com/blog1/?p=1050 At some point every teen has had trouble at school or at home and needs an escape.  Unfortunately, many teens turn to the wrong source to get their remiss. Youths seek comfort from those who welcome them, but sometimes they end up turning to street gangs or even just bad company just to feel accepted. [...]]]> At some point every teen has had trouble at school or at home and needs an escape.  Unfortunately, many teens turn to the wrong source to get their remiss. Youths seek comfort from those who welcome them, but sometimes they end up turning to street gangs or even just bad company just to feel accepted. Criminal involvement usually starts around the age of fifteen, and people who become criminally involved before the age of fourteen most likely end up having the longest criminal records and most persistent crime rate (Carmichael). In the last fifteen years, the rate of violent crimes among youth has increased by 30% (Carmichael). The most effective way to reduce youth crime is to steer adolescents away from criminal activities before they become too heavily involved.  There is strong evidence that organized sports programs can reduce the likelihood of teen’s committing crimes (Travis).  Organized sports help to keep teens out of trouble by taking up time that could otherwise be used to cause mischief, give teen’s higher self-esteem, and give them an opportunity to meet new people with a positive influence.

Today, teens are exposed to many powerful things. Negative messages from the media and the Internet show teens the attractive party life of people who do whatever they want, when they want, without any major consequences.  Also, teens can easily obtain harmful substances such as drugs, alcohol or tobacco from almost anyone. Many teens look at these things and think that they are “cool” or “exciting” and want to try them; but if they are busy with something else, such as sports, they will not be able to be so easily influenced. Participation in an active sport takes up a lot of time, which means less time to get into trouble.  Every minute that a teen is playing a sport is a minute they could be doing something less productive or possibly even dangerous (Eshoff).

Two sports that are good at keeping kids busy are gymnastics and swimming.  Both of these sports require a lot of time and effort to perfect; teens will be too heavily involved to cause trouble.

As teens learn to perform better in their perspective sport or activity, the success and feeling of accomplishment leads to more activity and a desire to continue practicing.  As they excel teens have a tendency to stay out of trouble.  This can lead them to make a larger effort toward beating the competition (Wright).   Showing talent or interest in a sport will also assist to motivate them to practice more and become better.  Baseball teams from inner city schools gave teens something to do and reduced the crime rate dramatically (Wright). In Alexandria, Virginia, there was a reduction in crime among young women who participated a running program.  Many crimes or illegal acts especially among teens are usually committed because of boredom or teenage curiosity, however being involved in a sport has been shown to help keep teens active and out trouble.

Many teens are tempted to participate in risky behavior because of poor self-esteem but why is their self-esteem low?  Negative images by the media with beautiful skinny people having what looks like as fun can be very depressing to a teen going through hormonal changes.  Participation in sports can counter these negative feelings.  Research published from the archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine showed that teens involved in a sport have higher self-esteem and are more likely to stand up to peer pressure (Logan).  Many youth offenders that get involved in sports have shown significant increases in ratings of increased self-esteem.  Displaying talent in a sport raises confidence and gives youth a purpose or reason to improve their life.

Physical activity seems to increase the chances of a better life through academic and intellectual benefits (Travis).  To participate in school sports students must have a certain GPA, not fail any classes and be a good student citizen in their school and community.  According to the Caroline High School Student Handbook the requirements needed to tryout and stay on a sports team are, “earned five credits with a passing grade for the previous school year, currently taking three credits, a GPA of 2.0.  Although this doesn’t seem like a lot, if a teen starts getting into trouble it is very easy to fall behind and miss those requirements.  That is why playing sports is a good way to keep up grades as well.  Sports use up time so students have to study in order to stay eligible to participate.  Playing sports is a key factor of whether a teen goes to college and may encourage them to get out of small towns or poor neighborhoods to see the world.  Doing well in school and successful in sports are both significant ways to help raise the self-esteem of a teenager.

Participation in organized sports provides multiple benefits that will contribute to a team’s life.  Socially, teens are held to a higher standard when on a sports team.  No one wants to be remembered as the juvenile delinquent or drug addict on the football team.  Some sports that help build social self-esteem are hockey and even horseback riding.  Although hockey involves fighting the aggression is controlled and stays in the hockey rink, players tend to be very humble.  With horseback riding the commitment or caring, training, and practicing with a horse will build a lifelong friendship that will be extremely valuable.  Physically, team athletes pay more attention to nutrition than kids who do not partake in sports.  Who does not feel good when they are in fantastic shape?  Swimming is a great sport that helps take good care of their bodies.  Combat sports such as judo or kickboxing provide aggressive youths an outlet for their emotions and can leave teens with a better understanding of their body and aggression.

More than anyone else, females benefit from sports; participating in sports give teen girls higher self-esteem and helps them deemphasize beauty and to just be themselves (Logan). Young women report that playing sports help them expand their view on their future by breaking female stereotypes (Travis). Sports also give girls a wider range of role models, instead of movie stars and singers.  Through the sport and martial art known as Judo, I have been fortunate to meet several famous and world-class Judo players and Mixed Martial Arts athletes. These Judo players have been World Champions and even Olympic Gold Medalists.  One such person is Ronda Rousey; Olympic Bronze Medalist and current MMA superstar.  Ronda visited my father’s judo school where she conducted a judo clinic after which she met privately with me and some of the other girls in attendance.  She discussed with us the importance of being yourself, she told us her life story and how she had struggled with things like bulimia.  She talked about dealing with problems at home, being a teenager and how judo had saved her.  She encouraged us to always love who you are and never let anyone put you down.  Since that day I have never felt prouder than when I am doing judo or any other sport.  Personally, I can say that I never felt better about myself than when I am playing sports.

As most people know, supportive adults are important to the success of all teens, especially young athletes.  At risk youth often lack a positive role model, but sports can help proved one usually in the form of a coach or teammate.  Being in sports, it is easy to find additional positive models for teens to turn to and try to be like.  Research indicates that teens benefit from the stability of a trustworthy coach, constant supportive teammates and focusing on something outside of themselves (Logan).  Through judo, I have met many positive people who have influenced my life, from famous Olympians such as Ronda Rousey and Kosei Inoue (Japanese Olympic Gold Medalist and three time World Champion) to everyday people like Steve Matias, a father, firefighter and good friend to me.  There have been many others at our dojo that have also been close and positive influences to me.  I would never try to get into any kind of trouble because I know there would be consequences and I would not want to disappoint any of these people or my family.

Teens have friends and those friends have a large influence on what other teens say, do and how they act.  Unfortunately, sometimes this influence turns into peer-pressure, but sports can help prevent that. Involvement in sports introduces teens to a new group of peers with at least on common interest. This new group of friends may have a positive influence on the teen.  Team sports can help teens have healthy relations with their family and friends in a positive way by having fun and exercising instead of doing something dangerous or illegal.  Hockey is a great activity that can provide teamwork more than most sports.  Players have to work together in order to navigate the defenses of the other team and shoot the puck passed the goalie to score.  For girls it is very important to have that sense of friendship with other girls on their team.

Parents and coaches are large benefactors of keeping a teens life on the right track. It is important for a parent to be a part of a teen athlete’s life. Going to games and encouraging them to do well is a positive way for parents to be supportive and involved.  Even if a teen is not on a specific team, parents playing sport with their children is a good way to encourage physical activity and good behavior.  Martial Arts like Judo a perfect example of this scenario, Martial Arts are usually not age specific so parents and children can actually practice together at the same time.  Additionally, having an adult outside the of the family who is dedicated to helping a teen improve their life can reduce a youth’s chances of getting into trouble (Travis).  Having a good relationship with a coach is very beneficial to the improvement of a teen’s skill and life.  Many swimmers have a personal coach who is concerned with their athlete’s health.

In conclusion, organized sports help to keep teens out of trouble by occupying time that would otherwise be used to cause trouble, give teen’s higher self-esteem, and provide them with the opportunity to meet new people with a positive influence.  Sports also help teens to learn lifelong skills such as leadership and personal discipline.  Staying on the path of sports or other physical activities is a positive roadmap for teens to be on.  Sports help teens to feel empowered and create opportunities that they may not get in other activities (Carmichael).  Youth sports is one of the most dynamic mechanisms in society for transforming bad situations into good ones because sports engage youth of all ages, gender and social classes (Carmichael).  Organized sports programs provide an antidote for antisocial behavior and open teens up to a new point of view on people.  Finally, teens should be interested in the sport they enjoy participating in and try to always have fun.

 

Works Cited

Bass, Janece. “Does Participation in Sports Keep Teens out of Trouble?” modernmom.com. 4 January. 2011. 30 November. 2011 <www.modernmom.com>.

Carmichael, David. “Youth Sport vs Youth Crime.” fairplayforchildren.org. 2008. 30 November. 2011 <www.fairplayforchildren.org>.

Eshoff, Ryan . “Sports that keep kids out Trouble.” livestrong.com. 29 March. 2011. 01 December. 2011 <www.livestrong.com>.

Logan, Catalina. “Do Sports Keep Teens out Trouble?” livestrong.com. 14 June.  2011. 30 November. 2011 <www.livestrong.com>.

Travis, Eryn. “What are the benefits of organized sports for toubled youth?” ehow.com. 30 November. 2011 <www.ehow.com>.

Wright, Jacob. “Keeping Youth out of Trouble.” enzinarticles.com. 12 September. 2009. 30 November. 2011 <www.ezinarticles.com>.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/12/27/does-participation-in-sports-keep-teens-out-of-trouble/feed/ 0 J.P. St Louis Wins Again! http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/12/15/j-p-st-louis-wins-again/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=j-p-st-louis-wins-again http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/12/15/j-p-st-louis-wins-again/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:55:13 +0000 Sensei http://w2wma.com/blog1/?p=1031 Wall 2 Wall Martial Arts is incredibly lucky to have a warrior like JP in our club, he trains at every opportunity, Judo, BJJ, Gi and No-Gi, Kickboxing and Boxing all the while a full time college student with a part-time job. He is exactly what every club owner wants in a member, he shows [...]]]> Wall 2 Wall Martial Arts is incredibly lucky to have a warrior like JP in our club, he trains at every opportunity, Judo, BJJ, Gi and No-Gi, Kickboxing and Boxing all the while a full time college student with a part-time job. He is exactly what every club owner wants in a member, he shows up and trains hard and shows when it comes time to compete.

JP is currently undefeated in Judo and Kickboxing, his last fight was last Saturday night.  While preparing for the fight he was dropping weight to fight at 185 and days before the fight his opponent dropped out.  The promoters offered another opponent at a heavier weight and JP stepped up even though his new opponent was easily head and shoulders taller and at 20 pounds heavier.

Fight time came fast, he was the second fight on the card, he stepped into the cage with opponent and spent the next three rounds exchanging punches and kicks.  Even with a taller and heavier opponent JP continued to push in close and land strike after strike, his blows were starting to take a heavy toll on his opponent and when the bell rang at the end of the third round there was no doubt in my mind that JP had won the fight.  A few minutes later the referee was raising JP’s hand in a unanimous decision.

JP is a Green Belt in Judo and was recently promoted to his Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitusu. He trains at Wall 2 Wall Martial Arts on Team Striking Unrivaled with Dean Lavin.  Stop in on any night and you will most likely find JP on the mat training hard.  It’s going to be exciting to see just how far JP can go in martial arts and in life.


]]> http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/12/15/j-p-st-louis-wins-again/feed/ 0 Yamasaki Promotions http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/12/15/yamasaki-promotions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=yamasaki-promotions http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/12/15/yamasaki-promotions/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:36:25 +0000 Sensei http://w2wma.com/blog1/?p=1026 December 3rd several members of the Wall 2 Wall Martial Arts family made the trip to the Yamasaki Jiu Jitus Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland to be part our their semi-annual promotions.  The school quickly filled with people from all walks of life, it was a non-stop stream of men and women filling the mats until [...]]]> December 3rd several members of the Wall 2 Wall Martial Arts family made the trip to the Yamasaki Jiu Jitus Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland to be part our their semi-annual promotions.  The school quickly filled with people from all walks of life, it was a non-stop stream of men and women filling the mats until there were over 100 people lined up.  After bowing in there was a lively bit sparring and rolling, everyone had a chance to find someone new grabbing blue belts, purple belts, brown belts and even plenty of black belts.

With the leadership of our BJJ Instructor Steve Matias and the help of YJJ Black Belts Joe Cunningham, Mike Crawford and Klint Radwani our program will continue to grow and strengthen. From our club J.P. Saint Louis and James Huber were promoted to Blue Belt and I would like to personally thank them for their hard work and dedication.  It will be interesting to see who will be the group of people to be promoted in another six months!

]]> http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/12/15/yamasaki-promotions/feed/ 0 Improve Your Judo Throws – Advice from Neil Adams http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/12/02/improve-your-judo-throws-advice-from-neil-adams/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=improve-your-judo-throws-advice-from-neil-adams http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/12/02/improve-your-judo-throws-advice-from-neil-adams/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:10:49 +0000 Sensei http://w2wma.com/blog1/?p=1022 Black Belt Magazine has been around for decades now, each issue has tons of information for any martial art.  Judo continues to fill its pages and the editors have produced a nice free downloadable guide on how to improve your Judo throws that includes information and advice from Neil Adams.  As a competitor, his record [...]]]> Black Belt Magazine has been around for decades now, each issue has tons of information for any martial art.  Judo continues to fill its pages and the editors have produced a nice free downloadable guide on how to improve your Judo throws that includes information and advice from Neil Adams.  As a competitor, his record was outstanding: He was the European champion five times, the world champ in 1981 and an Olympic silver medalist in 1980 and 1984. Since retiring after the 1988 Games, his career has been equally impressive. He served as both the Welsh and British national coach and now lives in Antwerp, where he works with the Belgian national team.

This free download contains several good pictures and descriptions on how to get a proper grip for throws like Tai Otoshi (Body Drop).  Once you have a dominating grip Adam’s discusses breaking of balance, the foundation of Judo that we call Kuzushi.  “When done correctly, a judo throw should feel effortless because the other man’s balance has already been broken.  Although judo throws are usually executed while you’re on the move, you can practice kuzushi with a static partner. In this case, the clearest evidence of effective kuzushi comes when you succeed in pulling your partner onto his tiptoes if you’re going to throw him forward or pushing him onto his heels if you’re throwing him backward. You need to pull or push with your whole body to develop good kuzushi, but the arms play a subtle and important role in transmitting your force to him.”

While this is short guide, only 4 pages, it still provides some valuable information for someone that is just starting out or is interested in learning without having to purchase a book.  The advice is solid and easy to easy how it worked for him and helped him to become the champion he is.  The last paragraph is perhaps one of the most important statements about Judo training.

When you’re learning to throw—whether it’s to compete injudo or to augment your stand-up skills—there’s no substitutefor practice. Practice ad infinitum, ad nauseam. Practice until yourarms grow exhausted and your heart is pounding, then practicesome more because the key ingredient to all throws is beinginstinctive, seeing an opportunity and seizing it. When the mo-ment comes, you need to know you can trust your technique.”

Here’s a link to the article if you would like to download it, or you can go to BlackBelt.com where you will find this and other free guides. http://www.blackbeltmag.com/free-guides/

As coincidence would have it Neil Adams has recently completed a new book called Judo Evolution, A Guide to rule changes and innovations.  The book is currently available at Fighting Films website, I have not seen on local bookshelves as of yet.  The follow editorial gives you some more insight to the content.  For people that miss performing throws like Kata Garuma because of recent rule changes, this book will become a MUST HAVE.

“Unlike most martial arts, judo happens to be an Olympic sport as well. It has been since the 1964 when the Games were held in Tokyo. It is because of the sporting nature of judo that it has grown and evolved so much over the years. Rules have been adjusted and refined since the very beginning but the biggest and most dramatic changes happened in 2010 when the International Judo Federation introduced new rules that banned direct attacks on the legs. It would have been straight forward had it been a complete leg grab ban but exceptions were made that allowed leg grabs under certain conditions. This has led to much confusion over what is and isn’t legal.

This book clears the air on what is clearly banned and what is still allowed. Another important aspect of judo’s evolution is how the techniques have changed over the years. Modified versions of classical techniques have been employed by competitors from the very begining but in recent years, some truly remarkable variations have emerged to cope with the increasing competitive nature of the sport. And very occasionally, some completely new techniques have emerged as well. This book highlights the best of these

]]> http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/12/02/improve-your-judo-throws-advice-from-neil-adams/feed/ 0 Occupy Judo and Let’s Take it Back! http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/11/22/occupy-judo-and-lets-take-it-back/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=occupy-judo-and-lets-take-it-back http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/11/22/occupy-judo-and-lets-take-it-back/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:41:05 +0000 Sensei http://w2wma.com/blog1/?p=948 This past Saturday my Judo club attended the Shufu open in College Park, Maryland.  It was a disappointing mess of a tournament.  I was embarrassed to bring parents from my club to this event.  Judo, in the US is on a downward spiral and tournaments like this are [...]]]>

Ranting and Ravings of a Judo Instructor

This past Saturday my Judo club attended the Shufu open in College Park, Maryland.  It was a disappointing mess of a tournament.  I was embarrassed to bring parents from my club to this event.  Judo, in the US is on a downward spiral and tournaments like this are exacerbating this problem. The event was poorly attended and poorly produced.  Held in the normal location, a small recreation center that doesn’t even offer a respectable place for competitors to change into their uniforms, there is one men’s and women’s bathroom that everyone kids and adults have to use.  Kids throw their gi’s on the floor right where other people are going to bathroom.

When you walk into the competition area the first thing you notice is that it’s dark, the lights were turned off all day and the only light is coming from a dingy skylight leaving the mat area too dark for even the referees to properly see the action.  Around 4pm after kids’ competition was over some of the lights were finally turned on for the senior competition.

The real problem was the referees the tournament began with the referees essentially apologizing in advance to the kids, parents and coaches for the mistakes they were going make throughout the day.  Once the kids bowed in they were rounded up on mat and one of the referee’s told the crowd to keep in mind that referees are volunteers and mistakes happen. He asked that people not come down on them for those mistakes.  What a complete copout, what kind of message does that send to the people that are in attendance? Does apologizing in advance really make up for the gross incompetence of the errors made? Not in my book it doesn’t.  I watched countless errors and blatant bad calls made during the competition, scores being given to the other person, full points not being awarded and more.  This tells me that the one referee clinic that Shufu conducts each year is simply not enough.  It’s obvious that if these volunteers are going to continue refereeing that they need a lot more training and not at the expense of children trying to learn judo and enjoy their day.

The worse display of refereeing occurred when one of my young female students was thrown for Ippon with a clean but strong O’goshi (hip throw).  I could see immediately that my 10 year old student was hurt and laid there on her back crying and having difficulty breathing.  After 20 – 30 seconds there no one was attending to her, no medical staff and no referee.  Seeing that she was potentially injured I came onto the mat to attend to my student.  Still no medical personnel anywhere to be seen, although I heard people calling for someone no one came.  Instead two referees that weren’t even the referees on that mat thought it was much more important to push me off the mat.  The referee insisted that I leave the mat and forcibly tried pushing me off the mat because “that’s the rules”. By this time at least a full minute has passed and there is still not a medical person on the mat!  Thankfully this young girl is strong and brave and was finally able to get to feet and bow off the mat still crying and gasping for air.

After the kids were off the mat and the young girl was back with her parents I asked the referee that tried pushing me off the mat to step into the hallway and speak to me about this. In a direct way I informed him that if he ever put his hands on me again that would be a serious problem that included litgation.  The only response that he would continue to give was “that’s the rules”.  However, every tournament including this one has the ability to change the rules, as a matter of fact it states right on the tournament flyer that the tournament direct has modified some of the IJF rules already.  Doesn’t it make sense that this “rule” be modified for the safety of our kids? Since when are 10 years subject to International Olympic rules and what referee thinks that rules are more important than well being a young girl laying injured on the mat?

After reflecting on this event and speaking with numerous people about it, I know that I did the right thing and that I would do it again. There is nothing more important than the safety of our kids. Parents put their trust in me a teacher and coach; I have an obligation to protect their kids at all times, in the dojo and at competition. For someone to think that the IJF rules are more important that the safety of our kids is ignorant and ludicrous.

So it’s ok for the referees to make mistakes but it’s not ok for young judokas to make mistakes? These referees are holding our junior competitors to “International Judo” standards. I mean come on, these are not national champions, and they are not international Olympic competitors. These kids are still learning and developing.  How about we help the kids to understand, how about we give them a chance to make mistakes without being so quick to punish them? So we want hold the kids to the IJF standard but we don’t hold the referees to a standard? How fair is that and who does it really serve, the kids or the referees?

To make matters worse the medical person that was supposed to be there turned out to be an actual physician.  He too tried to explain the rules, my question to him was whether he felt the rules of this tournament were a higher priority than his Hippocratic oath.  Perhaps he didn’t understand my question, but his answer was YES the rules were more important the caring of a 1o year old girl that is lying on the middle of the mat.  My next question was where was he? Why wasn’t he running on to the mat? No answer of course.  Obviously the tournament coordinators did not plan the medical staff properly.

Perhaps it’s time for professional referees, why is Judo still relying on volunteers to referee our competitors? Why can’t we pay them? I would rather have a dozen paid qualified referees than have 30 unqualified volunteers.

While we are at how about we make the ratings of these referees public? Let’s see how these referees are being rated if they are being rated at all? Where is the jury system that is supposed to be the referee backup system? Most of them aren’t even paying attention at these small tournaments. Corner judges that just sit there and don’t perform one of the most important functions to call a throw in or out of bounds, so many times action would move out of bounds and corner judges would just sit there.  No signal or indication of whether the score should have counted or not, partial hand and arm signals that show uncertainty.

Other sports seem to be able to pay their referees, why can’t Judo? Why is Judo such a poor man’s sport? Instructors are demonized if they charge too much; commercial Judo clubs are called sellouts by other clubs.  It’s time for Judo to become more professional with its referees, coaches and instructors.  I’m not suggesting that I am perfect by any means, I know my weakness and faults, and I know where I have to improve.  I know there are some really good referees out there that try hard to do a good job. They have the best intentions and concerns of competitors.  Unfortunately, they seem to be the minority, there just aren’t enough of them.

I don’t teach Judo to win tournaments, I don’t force my students to compete and often I discourage some students from competing all together.  Too many Judo instructors teach kids “tournament Judo”, poor techniques and heavy emphasis on counter throws.  When I hear a coach telling a 7 year girl to perform and “ear-pinch” turnover I have to question the why this person is even allowed to coach.  For those of you that don’t know this turnover it involves digging one’s fingers into the soft area behind the opponents ear while grabbing the leg with the other hand and driving your head into the opponents side or ribs.  The pain causes the opponent to turn into towards you so you can pin them.  It’s a good turnover for older students that understand what they are doing and the pain that is being caused but is this really the type of turnover we should be teaching and encouraging a 7 year old to perform against another child?

As the kids competition came to an end I could see that this mess was going to continue. The space was so small that the medals had to be given out behind one of the score tables adding to the confusion.  Robbing the kids of their chance to properly celebrate, taking away the opportunity for many parents to get a decent picture of their child. The competitors received the same cheap medals that Shufu has been handing out at every tournament for the past 10 years.  The few trophies that were given out for outstanding player and team winners looked even cheaper and older.  I think I have the same trophies from my competition days in the 70’s and 80’s.

Other grappling tournaments are giving out everything from championship belts to great looking trophies and medals.  What motivation is there for kids to compete when they get bargain basement awards? Every parent pays good money to participate, because the turnout for these tournaments has been on the decline for several years parents are now registering their kids for multiple categories just so they can get more than two fights for the $40 they spend.  All this does is create an imbalance in the categories either by weight or age increasing the risk for injury.

It’s time to take back Judo! I’m ready to take the lead and work with other coaches and instructors, referees, competitors, students and even parents.  We are losing students all the time; there are plenty of other sports for kids to play. We need to do more to make it more enjoyable, help kids to develop and learn while competing, there has to be an incentive for the kids and the parents.

If you are interested in becoming a positive influence and want to help build Judo contact me. I want to be part of the process to make things bigger and better and I know there are others that feel the same way.  What some people do not fully understand is that we have to reach the hearts and minds of more than just the kids. We have to convince the parents that Judo is having a meaningful effect on their children. Attending a cheap event like this sends a bad message and it makes the rest of us look bad.

Chuck Wall
Wall 2 Wall Martial Arts
Wall.chuck@gmail.com

]]> http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/11/22/occupy-judo-and-lets-take-it-back/feed/ 9 Tony Lettner Judo Clinic – November 2011 http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/11/06/tony-lettner-judo-clinic-november-2011/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tony-lettner-judo-clinic-november-2011 http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/11/06/tony-lettner-judo-clinic-november-2011/#comments Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:24:01 +0000 Sensei http://w2wma.com/blog1/?p=925

Tony Lettner was back on our mats on Saturday November 5th, this was his second visit this year and he brought some of his favorite and most successful techniques with him.  For over two hours Tony dazzled our young judo players demonstrating fun and challenging exercises to prepare them for what was to [...]]]>

Tony Lettner was back on our mats on Saturday November 5th, this was his second visit this year and he brought some of his favorite and most successful techniques with him.  For over two hours Tony dazzled our young judo players demonstrating fun and challenging exercises to prepare them for what was to come later during class.  Once the blood was flowing and the kids had a nice sweat going Tony started introducing new techniques on the ground.

Anyone that has been involved with Judo for some time or has watched more than one mixed martial arts fight is probably familiar with the triangle submission using the legs from a guard position.  But many are not familiar with the various turnovers that one can do against an opponent that is being defensive and protecting himself on the mat.

Tony began but demonstrating the basic turnover called Sangakyu (triangle) and worked with all the kids until they were able to perform for themselves.  Then Tony showed how this technique could be performed from various angles and positions.  The kids had a great time working together and putting the “squeeze” on each other.  I’m certain these techniques will soon become a staple in our curriculum.

The second hour was instruction on various standing throws.  Again, Tony began by reviewing some basic material, concentrating on proper kuzshi (off balancing), grip, turning setting up the attack.  Special attention was paid on shoulder throws and combinations of techniques.

 

 

If you like to see the rest of the photos from the clinic click here

]]> http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/11/06/tony-lettner-judo-clinic-november-2011/feed/ 0 October Newsletter http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/10/18/913/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=913 http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/10/18/913/#comments Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:35:38 +0000 Sensei http://w2wma.com/blog1/?p=913

Training Time

Martial Arts are often thought of as individual sports but the fact is no matter how hard you try, you can’t learn on your own. The first thing you need is an instructor, someone that has knowledge and experience that can assist you. The second [...]]]>

Training Time

Martial Arts are often thought of as individual sports but the fact is no matter how hard you try, you can’t learn on your own. The first thing you need is an instructor, someone that has knowledge and experience that can assist you. The second thing you need is partners, lots of partners.  If it were not for your partners you would not have the opportunity to measure how much we have learned. Without partners we cannot be pushed beyond the point that we would normally push ourselves. Without partners we would not have the motivation to try harder each time we are thrown, submitted or just pushed.

Why am I telling you about this? Because I want you to remember that when you decide to skip a class or stay home there is someone else that is missing you besides me.  I’ve always said that the hardest part of Judo, BJJ or any other training is not on the mat, it’s getting yourself out the door and in your car. Once you are at the dojo everything else is easy!

Grand Opening Celebration was a huge success!

It was just over a month ago that we celebrated our Grand Opening with a huge turnout.  The club was filled to brim with friends, family and new members. I hope that everyone that was able to make enjoyed their time.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the food and especially the cake, which was made by Christine Stevens, mother of 6 year old “Danger”

The promotion ceremony that we had was great; we first promoted my mother “grandma sensei” from Brown Belt to Black Belt after 40 years! No it does not normally take that long to get from white to black.  But over the years my mother was instrumental in helping my father to open and run a half a dozen judo clubs from Boston, Massachusetts, Buffalo, NY and now Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was a wonderful feeling to wrap that black belt around her waist.  I would not be able to teach Judo today if it were not for her teaching me so many years ago.

Next up was Steve Mattias, the decision to promote Steve to Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) was something I have waiting for all summer.  Steve has dedicated himself to becoming a world class instructor; he assists in teaching kids and adult classes on a daily basis and everyone has come to love his positive nature and hard work ethics.  Steve started his Judo experience back in New Jersey under the instruction or World Famous Judo Instructor Yoshisada Yonezuka.  However, he felt a calling like many of us to the Marine Corps and spent the next 6 years serving our country.  During that time he also gained his Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Rickson Gracie and his Blackbelt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.  We are extremely lucky to have him as part of our Judo family.  Please congratulate him when you see him!

We were also blessed to have several special guests attend our grand opening.  Sensei Taka Ohkawa (4th- Dan) and the star of History Channel’s Human Weapon stopped in and brought two of his best Judo students from Tokai University.  This is second time that Ohkawa Sensei has visited our club and a testament to the quality of Judo that we teach and practice.

While some of us were working out on the mat there was also a group building in the back of room with Kickboxing Instructor and Pro MMA fighter Dean Lavin.  Dean and some of his students were demonstrating the power of the striking skills one the heaving bags and sparring pads.  People were excited to see the use of our newly padded MMA Cage Panels.  Something tells me that’s going to be getting a lot of use.

In conclusion I do not think we could have asked for a better day with family and friends, I hope that we will see many of you back in club and on the mat again soon!

We have two new classes starting this week!

No Gi Grappling will be starting on Wednesday evenings from 6-7pm, this class will replace the Adult Judo Beginner Class. If you are looking for a great workout, this will be primarily sparing. All you need is a pair of shorts, t-shirt or rash guard and a towel because you are going to sweat!

Angry Monkey Shotokan Karate (AMSK) classes will be starting on Sunday afternoons and focused primarily on disciplined, fundamental Karate technique, self-defense, and spirit in a focused atmosphere.  The AMSK dojo trains seriously and its instructor is trained and qualified in the rigorous standards of traditional Shotokan Karate.  AMSK has a challenging curriculum with an emphasis on self-defense and practical application.  AMSK members are welcome and encouraged to participate in other martial arts disciplines and tournaments/competitions.  AMSK is open to adults (16 and above). http://www.angrymonkeyshotokan.com

 

Upcoming Events

We have two more opportunities for competition before the end of the year. The first tournament is for adults and takes place on October 29th at the US Naval Academy.  This is a unique tournament because it is a team tournament like a dual meet.  I am hoping that we will have a few adults that are up for the challenge and ready to test their training on the mat!

The second tournament is Shufu Open to be held on November 19th in College Park, Maryland. This tournament is a local to regional size and open to kids and adults.  Anyone that has had a least three months of training is encourage to compete or come out and watch the team!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Clinic with Francisco Neto from Yamasaki Jiu Jitusu – November 12

Neto started competing when he was only seven and began his start as an assistant instructor at 13. Neto began training in Jiu-Jitsu in 1991 under Fernando Yamasaki. When he moved to the Washington D.C. area in 1999, Neto began teaching full-time at the Yamasaki Academy with Mario. N
Our goal at W2WMA is to continuously bring world class instructors and competitors to our club to provide our students with the best opportunities to learn. This is certainly one of those opportunities and we hope you will take advantage of this.  The cost of the clinic $50, a small price for several hours of instruction from a wonderful instructor, the clinic will be open to kids and teens ages 12 and up.  I ask that you please let me know if you are interested in attending so  we can get a head count.eto’s goal at the Yamasaki Academy is to pass on all that he has learned as a competitor and as a teacher to the students of the Yamasaki family! Neto currently holds the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 2nd Degree in Judo. 

Membership Drive

With the grand opening out of the way we must now continue building the membership of our club.  In order for us to keep our doors open we have to bring new people into the club each week and word or mouth is the greatest form of marketing. Please help us grow by telling everyone to come to our club, we have programs to meet the needs of anyone that is interested in learning martial arts.  The more people we have signed up the more people we have to train with.

And I would like to hear from you, I would like to hear what we are doing right and what we are doing wrong. Help us to improve and make W2WMA truly Virginia’s Premier Martial Arts School.

Keep it Clean

Keeping the dojo clean is one of the most important parts of my job. We work hard to make sure that the mats are cleaned and disinfected regularly. The floors in the front, locker rooms and bathrooms are also washed.  But germs are everywhere and we ask that you help us by making sure that shoes or flip-flops are worn whenever off the mat.  Encourage your kids to put something on their feet when they leave the mat so it is not brought back on the mat, especially when they go to the bathroom.

The same idea goes with your equipment, wash your gi at least once a week, twice if you think you need it.  A small amount of bleach will make sure any germs are killed, a little white vinegar will help get rid of any odors.

Kickboxing Class

The kickboxing classes have really taken off, we have kids and adults learning to punch and kick! If you’re interested in getting some additional cardio stop in and ask Dean to put you through the paces.  Make sure you have a mouthpiece!

Dues Reminder

The last reminder is to please make sure that your dues are paid on November 1st.  Those of you that are paying quarterly and paid in August your next payment is coming up.  Please help us pay our bills on time, thank you! Payments made after November 5th will have a $10 late fee added.

 

]]> http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/10/18/913/feed/ 0 Bullying Victims Can Fight Back With Help From Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Royalty http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/08/25/bullying-victims-can-fight-back-with-help-from-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-royalty/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bullying-victims-can-fight-back-with-help-from-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-royalty http://w2wma.com/blog1/2011/08/25/bullying-victims-can-fight-back-with-help-from-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-royalty/#comments Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:10:42 +0000 Sensei http://w2wma.com/blog1/?p=843

UFC 134 in Rio de Janeiro this weekend will rightly include homage to the iconic Gracie family, creators of Brazilian jiu-jitsu nearly 100 years ago, creators of the Ultimate Fighting Championship nearly 20 years ago, creators of legendary family fighting figures and jiu-jitsu instructors that span the globe.

But [...]]]>

UFC 134 in Rio de Janeiro this weekend will rightly include homage to the iconic Gracie family, creators of Brazilian jiu-jitsu nearly 100 years ago, creators of the Ultimate Fighting Championship nearly 20 years ago, creators of legendary family fighting figures and jiu-jitsu instructors that span the globe.

But the Gracies’ most positive impact might be felt at a middle school in a Denver suburb where a seventh grader is unafraid of bullies for the first time since he can remember.

Martin Hendricks, 12, spent a week this summer at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, Calif., in an intensive program designed to make him “Bullyproof.” He learned as many jiu-jitsu self-defense techniques as a kid can absorb in five days, he memorized a blueprint for dealing with a bully fairly and squarely, and he gained self-confidence. The first week of school he put the lessons into practice.

“I’m still a little nervous but it all went well,” Hendricks said quietly in a phone call to Rener Gracie, his personal instructor at the academy. “He’ll never bother me again. Let me tell you about it.”

***

It’s back-to-school time all over the country. For kids that get picked on, it’s a return to a horror zone. Experts say that more than 150,000 children miss school every day because they are afraid of being bullied. More than half of all schoolchildren have witnessed a bullying incident and three of every four students say bullying is a problem at their school.

The bulk of bullying occurs from the fourth through the eighth grades, although it can continue through high school and even in the workplace. Bullying is intimidation or domination toward someone perceived as weaker, a way to establish superiority through coercion or force. The emotional scars are often worse than the physical beatings, and victims of bullying often become depressed and do poorly in school. Bullying can even lead to suicide.

Rener Gracie, 27-year-old son of UFC originator Rorion Gracie and grandson of legendary Brazilian jiu-jitsu grandmaster Helio Gracie, knows all the statistics. He recognized that the martial art perfected by three generations of his uncles and cousins is ideal for combating bullies. So he and his brother Ryron developed a program specifically for youngsters who have been the target of taunts and shoves, kicks and punches.

Jiu-jitsu is a strategic, relatively nonviolent method of self-defense. It utilizes leverage, locks and holds that can neutralize a bigger, stronger opponent when both combatants are off their feet and grappling in close quarters. Combined with a clear understanding of the appropriate rules of engagement in a school setting, knowing the basics of jiu-jitsu can give a child the necessary tools to combat a bully.

“The program is engaging, it’s fun and it will ensure that your son or daughter doesn’t have to go through life at the mercy of tormenting bullies,” Rener said.

***

Martin Hendricks was so timid when he arrived in Torrance last month with his mother and sister that he wouldn’t speak to anyone at the Gracie Academy. Rener knew his background from speaking to his mother: Martin had been bullied for many years by many kids and had simply taken it.

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“His grades suffered and he would never stick up for himself,” said his mother, Wendy. “He’s a nice, gentle soul kind of kid and now he didn’t even want to go to school.

“Bullying is an epidemic. It’s horrible and schools sweep it under the carpet. It breaks my heart.”

Wendy learned about the Gracie Bullyproof program through this online video:

She called Rener and decided to take her son to California. “I finally felt like I found somebody who gets this,” she said.

In addition to attending daily three-hour group classes, Martin was given private jiu-jitsu instruction by Rener each evening for a week. Then there was the mental training. Rener helped Martin understand that his fear of a bully hurting him was sensible. So was his fear of retaliating when he had no fighting skills.

Rener asked him: “If we can eliminate the fear of injury through technique and preparation, would it make sense to stand up to the bully?”

“Yes,” Martin replied.

“Let’s do it.”

It took until Thursday for Martin to convincingly respond to a taunt by walking up to the instructor posing as a bully and saying with conviction, “Don’t ever do that again.”

Rener taught Martin the three T-steps: TALK to the bully and ask him to leave you alone. TELL the teacher and your parent that the bully won’t stop even after you’ve talked to him. TACKLE the bully and use jiu-jitsu to gain control of him without resorting to punches or kicks.

“If you draw that line with your words and the bully respects it, the case is closed without a physical altercation,” Rener told Martin. “But if you draw that line and they slap you, kick you, cross that line again, you don’t think twice. You take both of your hands and push him as hard as you can in the chest. You blast him. Knock him off his feet.

“Then take control using jiu-jitsu and tell him you will let him go if he promises not to bother you any longer. If he won’t say it, wait until a teacher or another adult shows up before letting him up.”

Martin nodded. Rener had given him a plan and taught him enough jiu-jitsu techniques to take control of a bully. Still, Martin wondered, would he be able to execute the plan when he returned to Colorado and started school the following week?

***

Many schools across the U.S. have a “zero tolerance” policy regarding bullying and on-campus fights of every sort, suspending any student involved because often it is difficult to assign blame. The Gracies support zero tolerance but point out that the policy doesn’t work well in deterring verbal abuse — the most common form of bullying.

“That’s why it is so important for a child being bullied to first ask the bully to stop the abuse, hopefully in a confident manner, then to inform a teacher or principal and their parent if the bullying persists,” Rener said.

Sometimes, Rener said, the behavior will end there because a school administrator will contact the parent of the bully and the issue will be addressed at home. But bullies can be conniving, and after a short respite the abuse can start again when no adults are present.

That’s when it’s time for the victim to consider using jiu-jitsu, zero tolerance or no zero tolerance. And it’s why teaching jiu-jitsu self-defense and submission techniques separates the Gracie program from others that also emphasize verbal negotiations with bullies.

“It’s a lot easier to get a bully to promise he won’t bother you any more if you are on top of him pinning him down against his will,” Rener said.

The most injurious jiu-jitsu techniques aren’t taught to kids. No chokes. Nothing that could render an opponent unconscious. It’s a far different curriculum than the one that leads to advanced belts for adults, and it’s far different from the Women Empowered program designed to help females fight off would-be rapists.

That isn’t to say the Bullyproof techniques can’t be devastating in submitting a foe. The 33 junior combative lessons required for a student to pass the course — at the Gracie Academy or online — include some of the same moves MMA stars Anderson Silva, Forrest Griffin and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will employ at UFC 134 on Saturday.

***

Four days into the school year and Martin was getting bullied again. He’d asked the bigger, stronger boy to stop calling him names and throwing a water bottle at him. But the abuse continued.

Rener called and delivered a pep talk. “Martin, would you rather fight one time and be protected for the rest of your life, or do you want to get bullied for the rest of your life?”

Martin sighed. “I’d rather fight once.”

“Do it, my friend,” Rener said. “The bully still thinks he owns you. Tomorrow he will do the same thing. And when he does, you will engage. You don’t ask permission, you don’t stop, you just engage.”

The next day the bully not only bothered Martin, but he pestered Martin’s friend so much that the boy shook his head and said he might commit suicide. The bully then asked Martin if he could practice some new punching techniques on him, and hit him. Then he threw a water bottle at him.

Everything Martin had learned during his week at the Gracie Academy bubbled to the surface. He jumped off the lunch bench and while in midair pushed the bully in the chest with both hands as hard as he could. Both boys landed on the ground and Martin pinned the bully by placing his knee on his chest and holding his arms down with his own.

It was a classic jiu-jitsu combination — decisive and effective without causing trauma or blood.

The bully was shocked and as he struggled in vain to get up he yelled that Martin was crazy. The bully’s friends told Martin to get up, but as he told the principal later: “I chose not to.”

The principal took both boys into his office and called Wendy.

“I was absolutely thrilled,” she said. “The school, of course, thought I was nuts. But I explained that this was a long time coming for Martin. He’s still that kind kid. He stuck up for himself and for his friend.

On Monday the principal called Martin into the office and let him know he wasn’t in trouble. Fighting was not tolerated, he was told, but in this instance the response was appropriate. Neither Martin nor his mother told the school about his jiu-jitsu training.

The bully sought out Martin at lunch and apologized in front of other kids. Word got around the school. No longer is Martin the target of bullying — from anybody.

Martin had one more piece of business. He called Rener to thank him.

“I couldn’t have been more jazzed,” Rener said. “He went through the entire cycle of standing up for himself verbally first, then physically, but not violently. He kept it humble, and allowed the bully to save face.

“No punches. No kicks. He just held him with Gracie jiu-jitsu. It’s the gentle way.”

Stop in at Wall 2 Wall Martial Arts and and learn how our programs can help your child with bully problems!

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