Jiu-Jitsu Friday

Tonight was the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu launch! Marcello DiPaoli lead a great class!
I'm mentioning it in this blog because 4 of our VTK members (including me) took the class. Zach, John Olson and PJ attended. We also had visitors from Dan Inosanto's school and JJ Machado Academy.

Jiu-jitsu is very different from karate but in my 7 years of training I have been searching for similarities. I am always asking myself how one style compliments the other.
There are 3 main things I have found so far that cross over...1. Timing, 2. Posture/hips and 3. Relaxing/tight elbows

1. Timing - this does not need to much discussion. It is mainly feeling. Without judging we try to see ahead of our opponents. Not second guessing but being in tune with the opponent. But sometimes our opponent gives "tells" - maybe there is a shift...we feel they are off balance. Maybe in karate we know that someone is about to move because they wind up, etc. These things aid in timing but are not really timing.
I personally have caught timing only a few times. When done correctly it is as if nothing was done but everything falls perfectly into place. Sweeping someone feels like air...without effort or energy expended. Even my mind was peaceful - not over thinking or looking to see if I could read someone's thoughts, etc.
Perfect timing is a rarity. It must be "practiced" constantly.

2. Posture/hips - the heaviest part of our body is the center - hips and buttocks. If you control this part of your opponents' body he/she can not function. This works in both vertical and horizontal situations. Think of the floor as you would a vertical wall. Once you press someone up against it they can no longer move in that direction (chess). Now they only have 3 options instead of 4. If you block the hips from moving (full mount position) your opponent is in serious trouble. This is the same in karate. If someone's posture is off you should thank them! It is very hard to move forward of their butt is already going backwards. Break your opponent's posture and keep your own.

3. Tight elbows. When on the ground try not to extend your arms. Keep your elbows glued to your knees. With proper timing you can use your arms to try and gain position. In karate - same idea. Everything comes from the center. If your elbows go out the energy goes with it. Think in terms of leverage as well. If your arms are out you can be manipulated easier...options are given to your opponent including arm bar or an easier fulcrum to break balance. This is why when we punch we would not simply keep our arms dangling outward...hit or miss. Zanshin must be present...inner readiness/reaction.


Just a few thoughts. Much more to learn and discover.