Want to know how long I’ve been grappling?

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So I realized something today. . .

 

Starting with Wrestling, I’ve been grappling for almost 20 years! You know what this means right?

 

1st thing is that I’m getting old. 2nd is. . . well there isn’t a 2nd. I’m just getting old.

 

But seriously, I was thinking about this because today I have a high school wrestling team coming out to do some training with me at the gym. As part of my life’s mission. I really want to help out teenagers and kids who need it. And so I’ve been wanting to connect with some of the high school wrestling programs in my gym’s area and offer some special training for them.

 

Here’s why. . .

 

In high school I loved wrestling and would literally experience depression when the season was over. I missed the camaraderie. I missed the strong male role models I had with my coaches. I missed the training.

 

And many of the kids, after speaking with the coach, are just like I was. Growing up in a fatherless home, riding the poverty line and entering adulthood with a lack of possibilities for the future.

 

Grappling and the discipline it helped me create in myself and the people it brought into my life changed me in ways I still can’t quite grasp.

 

So I’m looking to find kids like I was and assist them just as I was helped by other strong men who were willing to help me.

 

But who knows, I might be getting ahead of myself. Hopefully this first session goes well.

 

Speaking about high school. Some things never change. Like in high school my favorite takedown was a single leg. And even now, after 20 years, all of my best takedowns are built around single legs.

 

If you’d like to see my personal favorites when it comes to takedowns. Check out my Wrestling for BJJ series. Inside there is a category that breaks down my personal highest percentage takedowns step-by-step.

 

(Click Here to get access to the series.) 

 

Alright, I’ve got a busy day ahead of me. Talk to you tomorrow.

-Chewy

 

P.S That picture at the top was from my 1st year.

Why I Flow Rolled With This Tough BJJ Blue Belt (Narrated Rolling Video)

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In today’s narrated rolling video I share a roll with one of my Blue Belt training partners. He’s normally a super tough roll. But for a couple of reasons which I talk about in the video we’re rolling a lot slower.

 

I’ve talked about the idea of flow rolling plenty of times on the channel as a ways of getting some BJJ training either for a warm up, to play with new techniques or simply stay active when you’re coming back from a injury of some sort.

 

 

While this narrated rolling video will not be the most exciting thing you’ve ever seen it will show you what a good paced flow roll looks like. Also, because the rolling is at a much slower pace you’ll see both of us playing with different techniques and positions.

 

Hope you enjoy the video.

Thanks for watching.

-Chewy

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bjj concepts

Practical Ideas On Learning BJJ Concepts and Techniques

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This video is in response to a video where I was talking about how to use instructional videos for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. I ended up receiving a comment on that video asking about BJJ concepts vs techniques.

 

I make 2 main points in the video.

 

1 regardless of whether it’s BJJ techniques, BJJ concepts, or whatever. If you don’t use it, it’s not going to work for you. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu isn’t just about knowing things in your head conceptually. It’s more about having all of that drilled into your nervous system so that the moves are ready in situations where you can’t think and have to react. Muscle memory.

 

The 2nd point is that as you progress and your Brazilian Jiujitsu “IQ” goes up and as you gain experience with grappling, the concepts make more and more sense.

 

 

In the video I discuss examples of these ideas and my preference on teaching. Keep in mind that my thoughts are not right or wrong, they’re just my experience as a coach and practitioner.

 

In the video I give a sort of working definition to a concept or principle and then techniques.

 

Thanks for watching! -Chewy —————–

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Spider Guard

2 Effective Spider Guard Sweeps for White Belts Wanting To Use Open Guard

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Recently I received a request for some simple Spider Guard sweeps that you can use in BJJ. So in this video I cover 2 Spider Guard Techniques that are, in my opinion, fairly easy to implement. I say this because a lot of grapplers want to develop some sort of open guard game eventually but picking the right sweep out of the thousands that exist can be tough. So these 2 sweeps are great starters for anyone trying to develop an open guard game.

 

 

In the video I show a basic opening to a open guard position discussing the importance of grips and tension. Then I get into the 2 spider guard sweeps.

 

The 1st one is the Spider Scissor Sweep. I call it this because it shares some similar mechanics as the traditional scissor sweep from full guard. The sweep can also land you in a great finishing position in mount where you’ll have both arms still tangled up and ready to attack.

 

The 2nd sweep is the Thread Sweep. This sweep used to be my “magic sweep” back in the day. People would step up to a combat base and I’d use the sweep. When you practice it you’ll definitely feel the power of the position.

 

So thanks again for the question, and for any of you wanting to open up your guard a bit more I hope this video is useful to you!

 

 

Thanks for watching.

-Chewy —————–

 

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Reaping in BJJ

Reaping In BJJ (Protect Your Knee & Avoid DQ in IBJJF)

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I’ve had a lot of request regarding reaping in BJJ competitions. Whether it’s to avoid being called for reaping if you use Single Leg X or if you want to defend against someone reaping your leg.

 

In this video I show some basics on what reaping in BJJ looks like and keeping your knee safe, defending the reap and avoiding allowing your position to get you in trouble in an IBJJF BJJ tournament. I also touch on how the reap wasn’t always a thing with a quick “Back in the day” story from Old Man Chew. But seriously it wasn’t. As a White and Blue Belt I never heard of being called for reaping. However we would get called for Can Openers and Neck Cranks. Wrestlers used them all the time and they got banned. And the refs would call them super quick.

And I feel like the reap position is similar. It’s not that hard to defend but since we’ve defined it as “bad” we stop using it, many newer students don’t know how to defend it and it probably won’t be a thing in a few years as education grows. Hope the video is useful to you.

Thanks for watching.

-Chewy —————–

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bjj

He owns an expensive car but is flat broke. . . no back up plan

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Yesterday at the bank there was a situation that reminded me of why you always need a back up plan.

 

When I arrived I walked in at the same time with a man who was getting out of his slick mercedes car. As we walked in, I went to my banker and he went to his.

 

While my banker was getting a few things done for me I couldn’t help but overhear the plight of the mercedes driving depositor in the thinly walled cubicle next to me.

 

Apparently his account was compromised and hackers spent several thousand dollars buying bitcoin and now he has absolutely no money. Checking account had $34, no money in savings and no cash and it’s going to be 14 days till he can get his money back.

 

I felt bad for the guy. I’ve had my account compromised before but I always have some money in separate accounts and I always have a little cash in case.

 

I always have a back up plan. 

 

You would think that wearing expensive clothes, driving an expensive car this dude would at least have a few bones in the savings to cover unforeseen stuff.

 

This is a reminder that you should never put all your eggs in one basket and always have a back up plan.

 

With you BJJ it’s just as important. You never want to rely on 1 position or technique alone. I did this from White to Purple Belt and I paid for it big time.

 

You want options if things go south. 

 

It’s why when I develop my own systems for position I focus a lot of attention on how to counter common defenses or counters to my techniques.

 

In my Half Guard Sweeper series there’s a whole section dedicated to just this type of material. And the sweeps themselves are show with an approach where if they are stopped then I show you what to do next.

 

(Click Here to get access to the series.)

 

But even if Half Guard isn’t your jam I encourage you. . . don’t get comfortable on 1 area of your game and become a 1 trick pony. Make sure to develop other areas. Always have options for when things don’t work.

 

Talk to you tomorrow.

-Chewy

no gi bjj rolling

7 Scrambles & Technique Exchanges (Chewjitsu No Gi BJJ Rolling)

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In today’s no gi rolling video we’ve broken it up into multiple chunks of scrambling and action. During the scrambles and action you’ll see several rolling kimuras, back takes, takedowns and even a couple of chokes. Hopefully after watching you’ll gain some possible ideas for your own BJJ training and techniques.
Technique Exchange 1 – Takedown to armlock attack.
Technique Exchange 2 – Rolling kimura fight with my student.
Technique Exchange 3 – Kimura attack to leg lock threat.
Technique Exchange 4 – Kimura counter to back take to passing situation.
Technique Exchange 5 – Defending a guillotine choke then getting to butterfly sweeping sequence.
Technique Exchange 6 – Guard passing to back take sequence.
Technique Exchange 7 – Leg lock defense to oma plata attack to back take I hope you enjoy the rolling video this week.
Thanks for watching! -Chewy —————–
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Aggression in bjj

Do You Lack Aggression In BJJ Or Have Too Much?

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Do you think you lack aggression in BJJ or do you think you have too much?

 

I ask this question because I get a lot of questions from people on both sides of the question. Some people who say they don’t know how to “turn it on” while others say they can’t “turn it off.”

And while there isn’t only 1 reason why this might be. I believe these questions stem in part from the fact that in today’s society the warrior in us is shamed and seen as bad. As far back as kids we’re told to “use our words” and adults try to stamp out any aggression in us instead of showing how it can be used in a healthy way.

Then as we get older if a man shows any aggression towards anything he’s a toxic asshole. If a woman does it, she’s a bitch. 

The problem with extinguishing this aggressive energy is that we all have a warrior inside of us and sometimes we need it to protect us or stand up for ourselves. But if we don’t learn to access it in a healthy way it either gets snuffed out completely (think push over) or bursts out in the absolute wrong places (think road rage). 

BJJ And Combat Sports Allow You To “Turn It On”

This is one of the most powerful things Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and combat sports, offers. Practicing gives you a chance to tap into your warrior energy, your aggressive side, in a healthy contained environment and learn how to use it consciously and bring it under your control. 

 

For example, like in my most recent video that I just uploaded today you’ll notice that my aggression is low. (You can watch the video here)

 

Contrast this by watching how I compete in BJJ tournaments where I attack my opponent with my full intensity and focus. Yet, as soon as the match is over, I’m done, I turn it off. Because I’m in control of the energy it’s not in control of me. 

 

When I was younger this wasn’t the case. I had high levels of aggression with not outlet for it and no means to control it. I had a temper, would jump into fits of anger and could not “turn it off” quickly like I can now.

Accepting And Controlling The Warrior In You

If you lack aggression, you might find that BJJ will slowly help you turn it on by accepting that the warrior in you is normal and not something to feel ashamed of or bottle up. You’ll also have a healthy place to experiment with it.  

 

On the flip side if you’re too aggressive you’ll learn that an intelligent warrior who has purpose does not swing their weapon wildly with full force at everything in front of them. When we train or compete we will be bombarded with a myriad of emotions and feelings like fear, self-doubt, anger, frustration, etc.  Some of these can lead to aggression, and if you’re like I was when I was younger (too aggressive), BJJ will give you a chance to become aware of the feelings and begin to have some control over them. 

Hope this helps with anyone who has a question about aggression in BJJ.

Talk to you next time.

-Chewy

P.S. If you found this post useful join my Monday-Friday email newsletter and receive more helpful message like it plus I’ll include 2 free BJJ Ebooks. 1 on drilling and 1 on developing your own BJJ game plan. Use the box below.

 

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Chewy and Chad show a bjj triangle choke

Triangle Choke Tips with Chad Hardy and Chewy

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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:
 
Chad’s Youtube Channel
 
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.
 
Hope this video is helpful!
-Chewy
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Should You Be Loyal to ONLY 1 BJJ Gym?

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Got a question about loyalty to a BJJ gym.

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.

-Chewy –

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