West Coast BJJ Seminar Review

Just spent a wonderful couple of days with West Coast BJJ in mid Wales. I was invited to teach two BJJ seminars over two days. After catching up with family we drove in Aberystwyth for the first seminar. Awesome to be greeted by 20+ students the majority of whom, have supported our previous seminars in Aber. 
Wasting no time we dived straight into the material:

• Over and under control defensive pummelling
• Offensive pummel to standing guillotine
• Offensive pummel to pulling guard
• Vale tudo guard to triangle
• Posture & arm slip counter to triangle
• Double under hooks counter to triangle

After several rounds of Sparring and Guard isolation Drills. It was a huge honour to promote Joe and Graham to Blue Belts. Aberystwyths first. It has been a 2 1/2 year journey for them with all the sacrifices involved. There is no promotion without the three A's, Attitude, Attendance and Ability. All boxes have been ticked. Welcome brothers!

Day Two:

Our lunctime Seminar was at the home of Westcoast BJJ in Llanfarian. Again 20+ on the mats. Awesome to see Dartford's Danny Suman make the long journey up to assist with the Teaching! The material covered was as follows:

• Rear breakfall vs chest push
• Stand-up in base
• Defensive/Offensive Pisao to clinch
• Leg hook takedown to mount
• Punch and take back to RNC
• Wristlock takedown vs rear grab to standing arm bar

We finished of with a Q&A session answering technical queries and discussed the Gracie Jiu Jitsu philosophy and self defence mind set.

Many thanks to: all the Students, Wayne an Simon for covering my Classes back in Ilford & Dartford, www.grapplersdelight.com  for the Shoyoroll Gi

Cya on the Mats!

Monthly BJJ Worshops

Academy Instructor (& 2nd Degree Purple Belt) Ryan will be running Monthly BJJ Workshops on Tuesdays throughout the Year.
These Workshops are an informal way to address any issues you are having on the Mats.
Ryan has been at The Academy for nearly 10 years and has studied all The Arts taught here as well has having Competition experience in MMA, BJJ and the Striking Arts.

First Workshop: Tues, 19:30, April 24th


Please see Ryan at The Academy for further details

Royce Gracie Seminar Review

I have trained with Royce Gracie every year for the last 8 years. Every time i leave inspired and further focused on the path of Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
The eve couldn't have started better watching Royce Teach a Private (well unless i was having the Private :) ).
After a stretch and catch up with the Man himself and Professor Marc we started.
As always Royce started with basic Material before breaking down all the details, intricacies and counters before moving on to more advanced techniques and sparring.
Great to see Royce spar with the Black Belts and the Juniors alike, proving the Martial Arts adage that "a true Masters touch should be as light as a feather or as heavy as a mountain".

Royce's schedule is insanely busy and is due back in the UK in July.
It was very positive to hear his comments on how GJJ is growing in the UK and the standard is so high!

Many thanks to Royce, Professor Marc, Shane and all my training/sparring Partners.
Here is the material we covered:

• Americana & Bump and Recover Counter
• Ezekiel Choke & Double hand Counter (defend both sides)
• X- Choke from Mount:

·               4 of the 6-ways & Various pre-emptive Counters

·               Grandmaster Helios Variation of the X-Choke

·               Transition to the Side-Mount & Armbar

·               Block Bicep of second hand, transition to a 2 on 1 Grip & Upa

Membership Fees April 2012

As from April 1st 2012 Monthly Membership to The Academy will be:

• Full Members (unlimited training): £70 via Standing order (or £75 cash payments)
• Daily Membership: £10