Here is a short highlight video from the recent IBJJF Nashville Open where I won my Super Heavy Division and the Open Weight at Master 1 Black Belt. During these BJJ matches you’ll see me battling mostly grips, takedowns and with guard passing. I scored one takedown battle but the rest were fights in the passing positions after my opponents pulled guard. If you watch my videos or have purchased my grip fighting series you’ll notice a lot of the stuff I teach and preach being used in the competition.
During the tournament I was only able to snag 1 submission. The rest of the competitors stopped my attempts so I won on points. Each one of my opponents was tough in his own way and I’m happy I was able to come out on top and snag the wins for myself, my Derby City MMA team and the Team Shawn Hammonds Association. I want to end this message with this. Much respect to all of the other Black Belts I competed against as they’re gym owners or instructors at gyms. It takes a lot of guts to get out and compete when you have eyes on you like that. So I have mad respect for all of them.
Hope you guys enjoy the video! Thanks for watching.
In this video I share a cautionary tale about talking during rolling from when I was a BJJ White Belt. I
share the story from my Brazilian Jiujitsu training because I received a question about talking during rolling. I know this will not be the most groundbreaking question and answer video I’ve ever done, but I do have a fun story to share with it and I hope you enjoy the video.
When it comes to talking during Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, it’s going to happen. Part of the reason why so many of us stick to Jiu-jitsu is the bonding that happens on the mat. We are in a place where we train and exercises. But it’s also a place where we get to know each other in person, not digitally, and become friends. I know that one of the reason I’ve continued to train for so long is 100% the community of people inside the gym.
With that said, ever gym is different. In my gym we talk shit to each other constantly in a fun and laughing way. Some gyms don’t do this. So ultimately look to the leaders of your gym to figure out what is acceptable. But I hope you find the story entertaining and enjoy the video. And if you have a question about talking during BJJ training then I hope it’s useful to you!
Intro/Outtro Music : https://bknapp.bandcamp.com If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.
https://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/talking-during-rolling-thumbs.jpg360480Chewyhttps://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChewJitsu-Logo.pngChewy2019-11-06 16:32:072019-11-06 16:32:07Cautionary Tale Of Talking During Rolling In BJJ
Want a few tips on finishing the Triangle Choke in BJJ whether you’re a tall lanky person or a stocky thick legged person? Then this video should be helpful to you!
Recently my good friend, training partner and “little brother” Chad Hardy was in town teaching a seminar at my gym. And while he was here I wanted to do a video with him. And if you know anything about Chad, he’s got a killer triangle choke. And he’s got a ton of tricks on finishing it.
In this video we use our buddy Chris as the uke and Chad and I show different options to help you finish your Triangle Chokes. We show them from the vantage point of being a little shorter with thick legs. I’m not short by any stretch. But I’m also not blessed with long legs. I actually have a fairly long torso.
Then Chad comes in and shows how a tall lanky person in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu could finish the submission and gives a few easy to implement details.
If you’d like to see more of what Chad is up to, head on over to his channel at:
While we don’t go over any triangle choke setups, I think that anyone who gets into the Triangle position but is unable to finish will find some helpful tips in this video. They’re easy adjustments you can immediately throw into the mix.
If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.
https://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/chad-chewy-.png9101510Chewyhttps://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChewJitsu-Logo.pngChewy2019-07-23 16:59:502019-07-23 17:02:28Triangle Choke Tips with Chad Hardy and Chewy
Today’s question is from Ethan who is getting ready to start training Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and he is wondering if he should be loyal to only 1 gym or if he can train at multiple gyms.
In this video I approach the question from the angle of the fact that the relationship you have with your coach is similar to any relationship.
Yes there is a monetary element there.
But at the same time, we often become close to our coaches as teachers, mentors, etc. I know that for me.
My BJJ coaches have helped me in far more ways than just my Brazilian Jiujitsu rolling or competitions.
And as a coach I hope to do the same for my students. But I can tell you that if I saw someone who was 1 foot in 1 foot out of the gym. I wouldn’t go out of way to bring them into my fold.
Because just like a relationship with a significant other or maybe a friend. If you don’t feel like they are “all in” then you’re probably not going to be either. So if you’re in a situation like this.
I would ultimately try out both gyms then settle on 1 to be your home gym.
I mean you can still train elsewhere here and there. But it’s your home base.
And it allows you to grow roots with people and have relationships that benefit you far beyond just BJJ training.
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Have you ever had a White Belt teacher in your BJJ gym? Someone who was fairly new and insisted on showing you how to do a technique even if it was wrong?
This is the situation our buddy Rich is in. Rich says that he is teaching classes but some of the White Belts go off on their own to do things differently.
As a newer Purple Belt coach he was curious what I would recommend for this situation in his Brazilian Jiu-jitsu gym.
In this video I sort of lay out my policy regarding coaching. In addition to this, I also discuss a situation that happened last year where one of the newer White Belts in our BJJ fundamentals class was trying to coach other White Belts.
Furthermore, I explain why it is so important to learn good Brazilian Jiujitsu technique; along with why as a BJJ coach you must maintain the culture of your gym.
If you’re someone dealing with a similar situation in your gym then I hope this video is useful to you with your Brazilian Jiujitsu training or coaching.
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If you know me, and you know the way I treat new BJJ White Belts as they begin training and rolling. Then you know I like to ease people into hard training and help them out.
That said, there are times when you need to put the smash on newer White Belts as they begin training. I’ll explain with a quick story!
White Belt Submits A Brown Belt
Years ago there was a woman who began training at my gym. She was tough and gritty! And very quickly she was winning competitions and doing well for herself.
During rolling in the gym. Many of us that were higher belts would take it easy on her. I mean, even though she’s winning tournaments, she was still one of the new White Belts. And anyone that has trained knows that there are levels to BJJ.
All of that seems on the up and up right? Well here’s where it went wrong.
One day she mentioned how she submitted one of our Brown Belts Tony. Tony was a skilled Brown Belt who I jokingly called the BJJ Encyclopedia because he was always cooking up some new moves he saw in an instructional or something. And he was a tough roll for me.
So if he wanted to shut things down during a roll. . . he could.
At first I thought she was joking. But after talking for a bit I realized she was dead serious. She truly believed she had submitted someone with 6-7 years more experienced than her.
Brown Belt Gave Her Contrast
I told Tony about what was said and told him to give her contrast so that she knew what reality was. He wasn’t angry or mean of course. But with the finesse that comes after years of training he submitted her several times during a roll.
Then he went back to playing down in skill and giving her room to work.
Doing this gave her contrast as to where her skill truly was and gave her a better view of reality.
BJJ White Belts Still Need Contrast
Many of us who started BJJ “back in the day” were immediately thrown to the meat grinder of full rolling.
I mean on my 1st day of BJJ I got put in Kneebars and was full rolling. Luckily I had some Wrestling experience to help me.
But now in many gyms these days, including mine, more experienced people try to help the new people along. We know the rough road that lies ahead and so we reach out and extend a hand to those just getting started on the path.
But the newer practitioners still need contrast. . .
New White Belts still need to know “Just how good or bad am I?”
And this is where I will roll closer to full speed with a student or allow them to come to some of the more advanced classes where they can then test themselves. It gives them a sense of realness and reminds them to the depth of skill that can be attained.
I know that for me early on, feeling how helpless I was during training was motivating! I thought, “If someone else had achieved this, then surely with a lot of work I could too!”
It also gives the new White Belts a sense of how you’re helping them.
I talk more about this subject in the video below which was based on a question about a New White Belt who I believe mistakenly thinks they legitimately submitted a Black Belt.
But I will just throw this out there.
If you’re one of the many BJJ White Belts in training. If you submit a Black belt. I can almost guarantee you that the Black Belt is taking it easy on you. They’re trying to help you along the way.
Don’t mistake their help for weakness or lack of skill.
-Chewy
https://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/maxresdefault.jpg7201280Chewyhttps://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChewJitsu-Logo.pngChewy2019-07-16 08:16:402019-07-16 08:16:40Negative Effect of Higher Belts Not Smashing New BJJ White Belts
I’ve received a lot of questions. Not necessarily related to BJJ. But they come from people who follow me through Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. The question they ask is about producing content through videos, blogs, podcast, etc.
In this video I share a story from a recent email I sent out.
It was a story related to a guy who came and did a private lesson with me. You can receive my Monday – Friday email by going to this link: https://www.chewjitsu.net/focused-jiu-…
During our BJJ private lesson we rolled, broke down his game and then talked for a while after. While we were talking we discussed a situation he was in related to a potential business he was thinking about getting into. In regards to the business he says that content creation is a part of it and wanted some tips.
In this video I share a tip that I found useful in relation to my own content creation when it comes to writing blogs, making videos, podcast, etc. It’s nothing new or magical. But I think it’s helpful.
Because people seem to be focused on what they think people want to see rather than moving from a place of genuine enthusiasm. Not a BJJ question. But I hope it’s useful to you!
You know . . . social media isn’t really “social.”
Yes, I can exchange a message and share an idea. But I can’t see how it directly affects you at the moment you receive it. Inside of humans exist mirror neurons which allow us to pick up on the emotions of others.
It’s why, unless you’re a complete narcissist, you have some level of empathy toward others. Yesterday morning as I board my 1st flight. I ended up sitting near a young girl and boy (maybe 6-7).
They both kept looking back towards the seats further back with concern. I looked back to see an older woman making eye contact with them.
Her body language was concerned and anxious as well. I could FEEL their anxiety and nervousness. They said it was their grandmother and that this was their very 1st flight. I approached the grandmother and asked her if she’d like to switch seats. She hugged me and off she went to sit next to her nervous grandkids.
Seeing all three of them happy made me happy. Because emotions are contagious. And because I genuinely enjoy making people’s day just a little better if I can. Even if it’s just exchanging a seat on a flight.
This weekend there were lots of smiles as I got to meet a ton of you in person! We’d chat for a minute or two, take a picture and usually end it with a hug. I met several people after their matches telling me how they received some encouragement to compete from the videos.
Even a couple who said they used the techniques with success during the competition. One guy who came to me sporting a bronze medal around his neck said he used the grip breaking techniques to win 3 of his matches that day.
Which is the ultimate for me. Seeing someone put the techniques I share into action on a high level like that is awesome.
The only bad thing is that many of you started off by saying, “Hey sorry to bother you but . . .” Don’t be sorry if you see me in person and want to say hello!
Because then I get to hear in your words. . . But more importantly see through your body language, how the thoughts and ideas I share have impacted you. This completes the cycle and makes the social media more of a social thing.
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In this video I look at the situation where Tim who is a White Belt in BJJ was applying pressure to another White Belt.
The aim was to get a response and open up an armbar submission. The big idea I try to zero in on is that it’s not always what you do, but where does it come from.
Meaning are your actions on the mat coming from a place of desire and passion for Brazilian Jiujitsu? Or are you actions fueled by neediness to win and insecurity?
I’ve personally been on both sides of the fence in relationship to this issue. I’ve been the needy guy who was overly aggressive and only cared about winning.
Now I train hard, but always with a focus of excitement for training. Also, in an attempt to better myself and my training partners. If this is a situation you’ve found yourself in, I hope this video is helpful for you and your BJJ training.
https://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Screen-Shot-2018-11-06-at-12.01.30-PM.png448540akatbreeziiehttps://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChewJitsu-Logo.pngakatbreeziie2019-05-05 16:45:402019-05-05 14:45:50BJJ White Belt Accused of Being a Mat Bully
Strength training for BJJ is something I get lots of questions about. I have a hunch this is because my meathead-ness is expressed often in BJJ.
One exercise that is excellent but at the same time can be a bit of a bugger for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner is the Squat. The Squat is such a strong exercise for the whole body with endless variations.
One reason the Squat is so problematic for people who do BJJ is their hip tightness. This is caused by the constant flexion on the mat and the inconsistency with stretching to loosen and exercises to strengthen extension.
In this video I share a great piece of equipment the Belt Squat machine.
This is the type of squat I like to do and it’s easy on the lower back.
There are a number of different ways details and benefits I share in the video.
But if you’re a BJJ athlete or practitioner who wants to build stronger legs but avoids the traditional back squat because of pain in the lower back. I’d simply invite you to try this exercise if you can.
I’ve found with a number of our members in my gym that they’ve been able to use it with no issues whatsoever and have received an overall strength benefit.
This allows them to get stronger and still be ready for their BJJ training. Hope this video was helpful!
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