Submissions 101:Blog

News, Updates and Rants

Sept 30: Black Belt Test Update

I am pleased to announce that Dan successfully completed his shodan (black belt) test this past weekend. Not only did he get a black belt but he also got a nice black eye in the process. I couldn't be happier. Thanks to his uke's Colin, Brian, Luke and Cory for helping out. Special thanks to my friend and mentor, Daniel Kempling Sensei for helping me grade.

Sept 25: Head Lock Escape Week

This week is all head lock escapes. One of the most common attacks in the street, there are a variety of techniques that one can use to get out of this attack. Also, I released the DVD EARLY and it is now on sale. If you want to support our on going free video site, please consider picking up one of our DVDs.

Also, this weekend is an exciting time for me. I am testing one of my students for his black belt. This will be my first black belt student so there is a buzz in our dojo. The student is Dan, the guy I use in most of the videos. We'll have pictures and video and I'll put them up for everyone.

Oh yeah: I'm looking for a webmaster to create a new version of submissions 101 ver. 2.0. Please send me an email with your website samples and we'll go from there..or visit http://www.brazilianjiujitsugear.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3014#post3014 to post.

Sept 20: Jujitsu, Ninjutsu and guns

My weekends (which happen to be Mon/Tues) tend to get rather strange from time to time. On Monday, I got to hang out with some Japanese Ninjutsu Masters, have several beer, talk budo (martial arts), train in ninjutsu and play with some guns? Beer, guns and ninjas? I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried! My good friends and fellow martial artists Brian and Brian had some visiting ninjutsu masters come to our city. They did a couple of seminars at my dojo to which I participated in. Ninjutsu and Jiu Jitsu do have a lot of similarities, but the foot work is really strange. Anyways, here are some pics of my really strange weekend:

Hosata Sensei, 9th Dan, Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu (he was so funny)

Go Ahead Make my.....

Yes, I am balanced.

Why do ninjas always get behind you?

Sword techniques

Getting thrown by a guy I am a foot taller than.

Sept 17: Post Seminar Stuff

We had a seminar a few days ago with some other Jiu Jitsu instructors at a summer camp and retreat. It was a great setting and everyone was super nice. I will upload 2 videos taken from the seminar this week. They aren't done in the normal Submissions 101 format, as the camera is just on the tripod filming.

Speaking of seminars, I've had a few inquires about them. If your school is interested, please send me an email for details.

The DVD is getting printed and done as I write this. I am not taking pre orders, but they will go on sale on Sept 30 2007.

The videos on the site might be a little static for the next couple of weeks as I am so busy. We're gonna try an get a whole bunch done this weekend so we can have them in the vault to release over the next little while. If I forget about your requests, please send me another email to remind me. Its a big job and sometimes they fall through the cracks.

Sept 10: Jiu Jitsu as self defense

Over the next week, I'll be showcasing several moves from Jiu Jitsu that are self defense based. This means from various grabs or attacks from a standing position. Many of them will be from Japanese Jiu Jitsu. Remember, any person that says" I'll just double leg him and take him to the ground and 'submit' him from there" is painfully unaware of the dangers in the street. No martial artist is going to chose to go to the ground as a first case scenario in a really fight.

Keeping on your feet, knowing throws, sweeps, standing joint locks, strikes, chokes and other nasty stuff is the way to go. Real violence is over in less than 10 seconds. It's important to know how to act and react to it. I will be putting more JJJ stuff on the site because many of my viewers are only familiar with BJJ, grappling, Judo or sport submission stuff. JJ is amazing and the stand up stuff is such an integral part of being a complete martial artist.

Sept 3 2007: Limited Edition T-Shirts Now on Sale

Our limited edition Submissions 101 T Shirts are now on sale via the www.reproots.com website. These shirts are bad ass and turned out really well. There is only a limited number of shirts for this test run. If you want one, I suggest you get one soon because they are going to sell fast.

Tom Gavrilos at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gear really did a great job making these shirts. I can't thank him enough for the help and support he has give us over the last couple of months. Speaking of Tom, he just won his first pro MMA match via RNC in the first round. We just wanted to congratulate Tom for his victory!

We also finished taping the LIGHTS OUT DVD a couple of days ago. I am busy putting everything together now. I tried a new way of filming the videos that really turned out well (basically close ups to see the fine details after the general shot). I'll put up a sample video in about a week or so. The DVDs go on sale at the end of Sept!