By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Miller]Jeffrey Miller
Are you brand new to martial arts or brand new to the area?
Have you been going to dojo after dojo trying to find the right instructor who can teach you self-defense arts? Or, are you just beginning your search?
With all the choices out there and everyone under the sun claiming to be the next great hope, it's hard to decide who is worth training with and weeding out the who are just trying to make a buck teaching ineffective techniques to people who don't know any better.
If you are a newbie (we all were once), it makes it even harder to know what is real and what is not. This article provides a few tips to help you find exactly what is right for you.
Tip # 1: First and foremost, you need to decide what it is that you are seeking to gain from the self-defense arts. Are you looking for a hobby to do once or twice a week that will enable you to go to tournaments and compete, or are you looking to learn practical self-defense that you can be used for self-protection in a real-life situation. The point is, there is a HUGE difference between these two approaches.
Tip # 2: Whatever school you choose, ensure that you click with your instructor. If your self-defense teacher doesn't like you, or you do not like them, then it's not going to work. You should also take into account that what they're teaching and ask yourself, "Is this in-line with your beliefs, ethics and morals?"
Tip # 3: Investigate the instructor's credentials. There are a lot of people out there that have attained their rank in the self dense arts through "black belt mills" - schools that just promote students for "time" rather than effectiveness - and pass on bogus information. Remember -- Just because someone is wearing a black belt, or call themselves a grand master, doesn't mean they are worthy of the status they proclaim.
Tip # 4: Be careful of instructors who proclaim that "their" self-defense art's style is the only real style that will hold up in a street attack. The truth of the matter is that every style of the self-defense arts has its inherent strengths and weaknesses. In addition, there is so much more to martial arts than just the fighting aspect. If that is the only aspect of your self-defense or martial arts classes, then you're not really learning true self-defense.
If you would like to learn more about serious, real-world self-defense training, then I suggest reading my new book called, "Fight Smarter - Not Harder." You can download it for free at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/street-fighting-self-defense-book.html
Or, if you're looking for a solid, reliable self-defense program that will teach you more than just a few "martial arts tricks," check this out: [http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/self-defense-karatemyth.html]best self-defense
Jeffrey M. Miller SPS, DTI is an internationally-recognized self-defense instructor, trainer, and consultant. He is the author of over 800 articles, several video-based home study programs and self-defense books.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Self-Defense-and-Martial-Arts---4-Tips-for-Choosing-the-Right-Self-Defense-Instructor&id=6563775] Self Defense and Martial Arts - 4 Tips for Choosing the Right Self-Defense Instructor
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Training For Martial Arts With Elastic Exercise Bands
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Bradford]David Bradford
Would you like to know the benefits that you can experience as a result of training with elastic exercise bands for martial arts? Do you want to be able to generate explosive muscle power when you need it? Would you like to develop massive strength, endurance and flexibility that will help you kick anyone's ass? If so, read on.
Using elastic exercise bands, it is possible to improve your fighting skills. You will be able to make your kicks harder and throw knockout punches as you wish. And you can also block attacks faster, move faster and ground your opponent to submission much faster with these bands.
As a martial artist, the most IMPORTANT thing you need is speed. You don't need to have huge muscles in order to kick a thug's ass. You just need the right set of skills and the speed to execute them. But there's always a chance that your techniques won't work against a big guy if you are too skinny. Those challenges can be overcome with the right skills and the speed of execution of each and every move.
If you want to succeed at martial arts, you need to be able to move lightning fast and generate explosive power every now and then. You need those short bursts of power that will allow you to go in for the kill when your opponent makes a mistake. The best way to develop the speed and power you need for martial arts is with the help of resistance training.
Unfortunately, not all kinds of resistance training equipment can really help increase your speed. Doing things fast with free weights and such machines will actually cause injury and may put an end to your martial arts career. Free weights and machines rely on gravity for resistance.
On the other hand, there are elastic exercise bands which rely on elastic for resistance. Elastic resistance is the best form of resistance for martial arts training. With the elastic tubes, you can train as hard and as fast as you want without any worries of injury and overstraining your muscles.
There are a few more advantages of using elastic exercise bands for your martial art workouts. Most of the traditional exercise equipment can harm your flexibility. But training with the bands ensures that you do not lose your flexibility. For certain locks, you will need to be flexible in order to be able to get out of the locks quickly and lock the other person. That's why training with these bands is much better.
Another benefit of these bands is that you can progressively increase resistance up to over 300lbs. With the right handle and the right set of bands, you will be able to get over 300lbs of resistance for training. You can start low and keep going higher.
The other beauty about the elastic exercise bands is that they allow you to work out your entire body. Unlike other forms of equipment that have a limited set of exercises you can do, these bands allow you to do over 100s of exercises targeting various muscle groups. This is a gift to every single martial artist out there.
Now Listen Up:
If you are thinking of purchasing [http://bodylasticsexposed.info/blog/elastic-exercise-bands/]elastic exercise bands for your martial arts workout, I recommend that you only buy the right set of bands from a high quality manufacturer. A cheap quality unit can actually ruin your workouts. The best exercise band manufacturer I know of is [http://bodylasticsexposed.info]Bodylastics
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Training-For-Martial-Arts-With-Elastic-Exercise-Bands&id=6610520] Training For Martial Arts With Elastic Exercise Bands
Would you like to know the benefits that you can experience as a result of training with elastic exercise bands for martial arts? Do you want to be able to generate explosive muscle power when you need it? Would you like to develop massive strength, endurance and flexibility that will help you kick anyone's ass? If so, read on.
Using elastic exercise bands, it is possible to improve your fighting skills. You will be able to make your kicks harder and throw knockout punches as you wish. And you can also block attacks faster, move faster and ground your opponent to submission much faster with these bands.
As a martial artist, the most IMPORTANT thing you need is speed. You don't need to have huge muscles in order to kick a thug's ass. You just need the right set of skills and the speed to execute them. But there's always a chance that your techniques won't work against a big guy if you are too skinny. Those challenges can be overcome with the right skills and the speed of execution of each and every move.
If you want to succeed at martial arts, you need to be able to move lightning fast and generate explosive power every now and then. You need those short bursts of power that will allow you to go in for the kill when your opponent makes a mistake. The best way to develop the speed and power you need for martial arts is with the help of resistance training.
Unfortunately, not all kinds of resistance training equipment can really help increase your speed. Doing things fast with free weights and such machines will actually cause injury and may put an end to your martial arts career. Free weights and machines rely on gravity for resistance.
On the other hand, there are elastic exercise bands which rely on elastic for resistance. Elastic resistance is the best form of resistance for martial arts training. With the elastic tubes, you can train as hard and as fast as you want without any worries of injury and overstraining your muscles.
There are a few more advantages of using elastic exercise bands for your martial art workouts. Most of the traditional exercise equipment can harm your flexibility. But training with the bands ensures that you do not lose your flexibility. For certain locks, you will need to be flexible in order to be able to get out of the locks quickly and lock the other person. That's why training with these bands is much better.
Another benefit of these bands is that you can progressively increase resistance up to over 300lbs. With the right handle and the right set of bands, you will be able to get over 300lbs of resistance for training. You can start low and keep going higher.
The other beauty about the elastic exercise bands is that they allow you to work out your entire body. Unlike other forms of equipment that have a limited set of exercises you can do, these bands allow you to do over 100s of exercises targeting various muscle groups. This is a gift to every single martial artist out there.
Now Listen Up:
If you are thinking of purchasing [http://bodylasticsexposed.info/blog/elastic-exercise-bands/]elastic exercise bands for your martial arts workout, I recommend that you only buy the right set of bands from a high quality manufacturer. A cheap quality unit can actually ruin your workouts. The best exercise band manufacturer I know of is [http://bodylasticsexposed.info]Bodylastics
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Training-For-Martial-Arts-With-Elastic-Exercise-Bands&id=6610520] Training For Martial Arts With Elastic Exercise Bands
Friday, November 25, 2011
Kids' Martial Arts In And Out Of The Cage
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Chris_M_Boyd]Chris M Boyd
With obesity on the rise many parents would see Martial Arts classes as the perfect choice to get some exercise into their offsprings regular routine. Given the widely reported furore about the recent kids cage fight at an adults event, many of these parents may be having a bit of a rethink.
Of course, on the face of it eight year old kids, cage-fighting for the entertainment of boozy adults, baying for blood can appear a bit uncivilised at best, but the media being the media have hyped it all up a bit. The cage fight in question was nothing more than a demonstration. The rules were tempered so that the kids were safe while demonstrating their MMA skills. It was little more than wrestling really and was perfectly safe.
The word cage conjours all sorts of warped logic, as the word suggests that the bout was against the wishes of the kids involved. Radio listeners were compelled to complain about the story with their protestations having the ring of opposition to modern day Victorian chimneysweeps. It was no more than a couple of kids showing off their Martial Arts skills to an interested crowd.
Much was made of one of the kids crying. The tears could as easily have been due to nerves as to pain from a nasty technique. This gives credence to the assumption that Martial Arts training does wonders for kids as often they need a push to achieve something worthwhile, these pushes are common in martial arts classes.
Martial Arts in whatever form, is fantastic for kids to learn, that anything worth having involves determination and pushing yourself to get it. This breeds confidence as they achieve what once seemed impossible. This can occur while learning a difficult kicking technique, for instance, or a particular sweep on the ground. With practice and determination a kid will finally 'get it' and over time 'it' will become easy. As this is repeated so confidence is built continuously.
Despite frustrations at times determination gleaned from boosted confidence means any obstacles can be surmounted, time and again. With the right teacher, kids involvement in Martial Arts classes can be the perfect environment to develop determination, a never say die attitude and confidence as a result. These attributes will transfer into school, thereby better equipping kids to deal more effectively with any difficulties at school. Parents reconsidering entering their kids into a Martial Arts class because of hyperbole surrounding the kids cagefighting episode should ignore it and enroll their kid.
For Kids Martial Arts in Birmingham UK that doesn't involve cages but does push kids to achieve click through to read about the [http://birminghammartialarts.co.uk/childrens-karate-classes]Children's Karate classes on offer. There are also reports on [http://birminghammartialarts.co.uk/kids-karate-grading-report]recent gradings where Kid's Karate efforts are rewarded. Tempted? Contact us for more details.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Kids-Martial-Arts-In-And-Out-Of-The-Cage&id=6601154] Kids' Martial Arts In And Out Of The Cage
With obesity on the rise many parents would see Martial Arts classes as the perfect choice to get some exercise into their offsprings regular routine. Given the widely reported furore about the recent kids cage fight at an adults event, many of these parents may be having a bit of a rethink.
Of course, on the face of it eight year old kids, cage-fighting for the entertainment of boozy adults, baying for blood can appear a bit uncivilised at best, but the media being the media have hyped it all up a bit. The cage fight in question was nothing more than a demonstration. The rules were tempered so that the kids were safe while demonstrating their MMA skills. It was little more than wrestling really and was perfectly safe.
The word cage conjours all sorts of warped logic, as the word suggests that the bout was against the wishes of the kids involved. Radio listeners were compelled to complain about the story with their protestations having the ring of opposition to modern day Victorian chimneysweeps. It was no more than a couple of kids showing off their Martial Arts skills to an interested crowd.
Much was made of one of the kids crying. The tears could as easily have been due to nerves as to pain from a nasty technique. This gives credence to the assumption that Martial Arts training does wonders for kids as often they need a push to achieve something worthwhile, these pushes are common in martial arts classes.
Martial Arts in whatever form, is fantastic for kids to learn, that anything worth having involves determination and pushing yourself to get it. This breeds confidence as they achieve what once seemed impossible. This can occur while learning a difficult kicking technique, for instance, or a particular sweep on the ground. With practice and determination a kid will finally 'get it' and over time 'it' will become easy. As this is repeated so confidence is built continuously.
Despite frustrations at times determination gleaned from boosted confidence means any obstacles can be surmounted, time and again. With the right teacher, kids involvement in Martial Arts classes can be the perfect environment to develop determination, a never say die attitude and confidence as a result. These attributes will transfer into school, thereby better equipping kids to deal more effectively with any difficulties at school. Parents reconsidering entering their kids into a Martial Arts class because of hyperbole surrounding the kids cagefighting episode should ignore it and enroll their kid.
For Kids Martial Arts in Birmingham UK that doesn't involve cages but does push kids to achieve click through to read about the [http://birminghammartialarts.co.uk/childrens-karate-classes]Children's Karate classes on offer. There are also reports on [http://birminghammartialarts.co.uk/kids-karate-grading-report]recent gradings where Kid's Karate efforts are rewarded. Tempted? Contact us for more details.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Kids-Martial-Arts-In-And-Out-Of-The-Cage&id=6601154] Kids' Martial Arts In And Out Of The Cage
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Best Self Defense Martial Art Confrontation
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Charles_Garnett]Charles Garnett
If you want to know what the best self defense martial art is for facing a violent or potentially lethal confrontation, you might be in for a big surprise. The truth is that a lot of what is being taught these days for self defense won't do you a lot of good if you have to defend your own life or the life of your loved ones. Much of what you'll learn in most fighting schools is not effective for real life combat.
Fighting effectively is a lot more than just learning hundreds of different techniques. It's more than just learning how to punch and kick. As a matter of fact, if you punch the way most people are teaching, you'll just end up breaking your own hand or injuring yourself more than your opponent.
Real fighting is more about principles, proper mindset, science, physics and geometry. That might sound a little crazy to you now, but this is what real fighting consists of. It is easier to learn and retain principles than to remember hundreds of different techniques.
Why do you thing that the Navy Seals, Army Rangers, Delta Force and other special ops groups are considered the most lethal fighters in the world? It's because they learn how to really fight in a violent confrontation. They are not taught what the everyday civilian is taught. These people are taught what really works when your life is on the line. And that's all they are taught. They don't spend time on useless techniques, training and philosophies.
So if you really want to learn how to defend yourself or your loved ones when everything is on the line, you will have to learn the things that make that possible.
Today's violent criminal does not care about how much martial arts training you have had. Many of these guys have not trained in the traditional fighting arts, but they have trained in violence. And violence is what they will use against you. When you pit your training against their extreme violence then most of the time violence will win. The reason is because most martial artists today are training using martial arts techniques against other martial artists. But when faced with a confrontation of pure violence, many times they have no response for it, because violence does not play by the rules. It does not respond the way you were taught in class. Violence has its own set of rules. It simply uses what is effective to cause injury to the other guy.
This is not to say that what you have learned in karate class won't be useful in saving your life in a real situation, but there are more effective and useful ways of fighting. It is better to have some tools than none at all.
There are now people who are teaching the same systems of fighting that are being taught to the Special Forces teams. If you really want to be able to protect yourself and loved ones, I would suggest learning one of these systems. Once you see how simple and easy they are to learn, you will wonder why you spent so much time on the other ways.
Want to know more about how you can learn to effectively defend yourself and your loved ones during a violent assault? Go to [http://ultimateselfdefensetraining.blogspot.com]Ultimate Self Defense.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Best-Self-Defense-Martial-Art-Confrontation&id=6611686] Best Self Defense Martial Art Confrontation
If you want to know what the best self defense martial art is for facing a violent or potentially lethal confrontation, you might be in for a big surprise. The truth is that a lot of what is being taught these days for self defense won't do you a lot of good if you have to defend your own life or the life of your loved ones. Much of what you'll learn in most fighting schools is not effective for real life combat.
Fighting effectively is a lot more than just learning hundreds of different techniques. It's more than just learning how to punch and kick. As a matter of fact, if you punch the way most people are teaching, you'll just end up breaking your own hand or injuring yourself more than your opponent.
Real fighting is more about principles, proper mindset, science, physics and geometry. That might sound a little crazy to you now, but this is what real fighting consists of. It is easier to learn and retain principles than to remember hundreds of different techniques.
Why do you thing that the Navy Seals, Army Rangers, Delta Force and other special ops groups are considered the most lethal fighters in the world? It's because they learn how to really fight in a violent confrontation. They are not taught what the everyday civilian is taught. These people are taught what really works when your life is on the line. And that's all they are taught. They don't spend time on useless techniques, training and philosophies.
So if you really want to learn how to defend yourself or your loved ones when everything is on the line, you will have to learn the things that make that possible.
Today's violent criminal does not care about how much martial arts training you have had. Many of these guys have not trained in the traditional fighting arts, but they have trained in violence. And violence is what they will use against you. When you pit your training against their extreme violence then most of the time violence will win. The reason is because most martial artists today are training using martial arts techniques against other martial artists. But when faced with a confrontation of pure violence, many times they have no response for it, because violence does not play by the rules. It does not respond the way you were taught in class. Violence has its own set of rules. It simply uses what is effective to cause injury to the other guy.
This is not to say that what you have learned in karate class won't be useful in saving your life in a real situation, but there are more effective and useful ways of fighting. It is better to have some tools than none at all.
There are now people who are teaching the same systems of fighting that are being taught to the Special Forces teams. If you really want to be able to protect yourself and loved ones, I would suggest learning one of these systems. Once you see how simple and easy they are to learn, you will wonder why you spent so much time on the other ways.
Want to know more about how you can learn to effectively defend yourself and your loved ones during a violent assault? Go to [http://ultimateselfdefensetraining.blogspot.com]Ultimate Self Defense.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Best-Self-Defense-Martial-Art-Confrontation&id=6611686] Best Self Defense Martial Art Confrontation
Monday, November 21, 2011
What an MMA Workout Plan Entails and What It Takes to Be a Great MMA Fighter!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mike_Shilo]Mike Shilo
The increased popularity of mixed martial arts workouts (MMA workouts) can be attributed to the rise of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), as well as other MMA fighting promotions, as mainstream sporting events.
There are many elements to an MMA workout, such us working on submissions, striking, grappling, conditioning and wrestling. Workouts can either be focused on the defensive nature of the sport, or on the offensive nature. An MMA workout is a workout highly recommended not only to those looking to lose weight or keep in shape, but especially to those who are actually looking to try their luck in the MMA fighting world.
Due to MMA's high demand for conditioning, many athletes from different sports attempting to make a shift to MMA have found difficulties and have not been so successful. This is due to the fact that the skills and conditioning required to be successful in MMA are not similar to the skills and conditioning required in other sports like basketball, baseball, football, soccer or track and field.
However, most athletes who have made the leap to the world of MMA and have been successful seem to come from two sports - boxing and wrestling. One of the most well-known athletes who have found success in MMA after making the shift from another sport is Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar was a former standout in college wrestling, as well as a huge success in the World Wrestling Ent. (fake wrestling) before testing his skills in the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Brock Lesnar is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion.
A good reason why athletes with boxing and wrestling backgrounds find success in MMA is that the workouts in these sports are almost similar to some facets of an MMA workout. Also, skills and conditioning required in these sports are similar to that of MMA. Boxers are used to striking, while wrestles can depend and use their technical skills in grappling.
Finally, one essential part of MMA and MMA workouts, usually ignored but is very important, is the mental aspect. To be successful in the sport of mixed martial art, fighters must not only be well-conditioned and be prepared physically, they must also be mentally prepared as well.
At the end of this you need to keep in mind that everything worth doing in life takes hard work. It is through the struggle that we achieve victory. It is only through dedicating yourself to the sport of MMA that you will ever achieve true success. Keep fighting hard both mentally and physically.
I do not reveal my top secret weapon on public pages. If you want to see the one thing that brought my training to a whole new level of [http://www.zelitenutrition.com]MMA Success check this out. There you will learn the secret that brought me from chump to training with the pros:
--> You will be surprised about what the big secret is: [http://www.zelitenutrition.com]MMA Surprise
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-an-MMA-Workout-Plan-Entails-and-What-It-Takes-to-Be-a-Great-MMA-Fighter!&id=6603747] What an MMA Workout Plan Entails and What It Takes to Be a Great MMA Fighter!
The increased popularity of mixed martial arts workouts (MMA workouts) can be attributed to the rise of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), as well as other MMA fighting promotions, as mainstream sporting events.
There are many elements to an MMA workout, such us working on submissions, striking, grappling, conditioning and wrestling. Workouts can either be focused on the defensive nature of the sport, or on the offensive nature. An MMA workout is a workout highly recommended not only to those looking to lose weight or keep in shape, but especially to those who are actually looking to try their luck in the MMA fighting world.
Due to MMA's high demand for conditioning, many athletes from different sports attempting to make a shift to MMA have found difficulties and have not been so successful. This is due to the fact that the skills and conditioning required to be successful in MMA are not similar to the skills and conditioning required in other sports like basketball, baseball, football, soccer or track and field.
However, most athletes who have made the leap to the world of MMA and have been successful seem to come from two sports - boxing and wrestling. One of the most well-known athletes who have found success in MMA after making the shift from another sport is Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar was a former standout in college wrestling, as well as a huge success in the World Wrestling Ent. (fake wrestling) before testing his skills in the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Brock Lesnar is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion.
A good reason why athletes with boxing and wrestling backgrounds find success in MMA is that the workouts in these sports are almost similar to some facets of an MMA workout. Also, skills and conditioning required in these sports are similar to that of MMA. Boxers are used to striking, while wrestles can depend and use their technical skills in grappling.
Finally, one essential part of MMA and MMA workouts, usually ignored but is very important, is the mental aspect. To be successful in the sport of mixed martial art, fighters must not only be well-conditioned and be prepared physically, they must also be mentally prepared as well.
At the end of this you need to keep in mind that everything worth doing in life takes hard work. It is through the struggle that we achieve victory. It is only through dedicating yourself to the sport of MMA that you will ever achieve true success. Keep fighting hard both mentally and physically.
I do not reveal my top secret weapon on public pages. If you want to see the one thing that brought my training to a whole new level of [http://www.zelitenutrition.com]MMA Success check this out. There you will learn the secret that brought me from chump to training with the pros:
--> You will be surprised about what the big secret is: [http://www.zelitenutrition.com]MMA Surprise
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?What-an-MMA-Workout-Plan-Entails-and-What-It-Takes-to-Be-a-Great-MMA-Fighter!&id=6603747] What an MMA Workout Plan Entails and What It Takes to Be a Great MMA Fighter!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Maximum Grip Strength for Judo and BJJ
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matt_D'aquino]Matt D'aquino
Grip strength is a must in both Judo and Brazilian Jujitsu. A stronger grip simply means a stronger overall game. If you are stronger than your opponent then you instantly have an advantage over them. I like to perform a range of forearm and finger circuits that will not only have your forearms screaming but also seriously increase the strength of your Judo game.
You can choose whenever you like to perform these grip strength circuits. Some of these circuits are more suited to when you are working out, at home or in the dojo. It all depends on where you are training at the time. If you are doing these circuits at the gym I suggest you do them at the end of your workout and if you are going to complete these on a Judo day I would advise you to do them after Judo practice, (unless of course you want to fight with extremely fatigued forearms.)
Obviously there may be some pieces of equipment that you do not have but you can swap and change some of the exercises to suit you and your individual needs.
The whole aim of these circuits is to not only increase the strength of your forearms and fingers, but also raise the lactic acid buffer. Lactic acid occurs when you exercise at a high intensity and it feel like your muscles are on fire and very lethargic. Put simply the muscle or muscles that are full of lactic acid will fell like they weigh 100 pounds.
These grip strength circuits are designed to put as much lactic acid into your forearms as possible which will assist in raising the lactic acid buffer. If you complete these 2-3 times a week you will begin to see that your forearms can not only last longer when training, but you can grip harder and break grips easier than before.
Here are a few of my favourite forearm and finger strengthening circuits. I have a variety of circuits that can be completed either at home, gym or dojo.
Circuit 1:
1 Minute Wrist roller
1 Minute Dead Hang (hang off a chin up bar)
Repeat 2 rounds
Circuit 2:
30 Seconds Farmers Walk
30 Seconds Pinch Grip Farmers Walk
30 seconds Dead hang
Repeat 3 rounds
Circuit 3:
Place a newspaper on the floor and time how long it takes you to crush up ten pages using only one hand. Repeat three or four rounds and record your best time. Rest between one and two minutes between sets.
Circuit 4:
Perform an intense round of grip fighting. Be out the front for 2 minutes but get a fresh partner every 30 seconds. This is the best way to build not only forearm and grip strength, but also help you use it in a very sports specific way.
I always recommend my athletes to train their forearms on a regular basis because if you can grip your opponent gi really hard your opponent will get an uneasy feeling that they are in for a hard fight.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games.
To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Maximum-Grip-Strength-for-Judo-and-BJJ&id=6608592] Maximum Grip Strength for Judo and BJJ
Grip strength is a must in both Judo and Brazilian Jujitsu. A stronger grip simply means a stronger overall game. If you are stronger than your opponent then you instantly have an advantage over them. I like to perform a range of forearm and finger circuits that will not only have your forearms screaming but also seriously increase the strength of your Judo game.
You can choose whenever you like to perform these grip strength circuits. Some of these circuits are more suited to when you are working out, at home or in the dojo. It all depends on where you are training at the time. If you are doing these circuits at the gym I suggest you do them at the end of your workout and if you are going to complete these on a Judo day I would advise you to do them after Judo practice, (unless of course you want to fight with extremely fatigued forearms.)
Obviously there may be some pieces of equipment that you do not have but you can swap and change some of the exercises to suit you and your individual needs.
The whole aim of these circuits is to not only increase the strength of your forearms and fingers, but also raise the lactic acid buffer. Lactic acid occurs when you exercise at a high intensity and it feel like your muscles are on fire and very lethargic. Put simply the muscle or muscles that are full of lactic acid will fell like they weigh 100 pounds.
These grip strength circuits are designed to put as much lactic acid into your forearms as possible which will assist in raising the lactic acid buffer. If you complete these 2-3 times a week you will begin to see that your forearms can not only last longer when training, but you can grip harder and break grips easier than before.
Here are a few of my favourite forearm and finger strengthening circuits. I have a variety of circuits that can be completed either at home, gym or dojo.
Circuit 1:
1 Minute Wrist roller
1 Minute Dead Hang (hang off a chin up bar)
Repeat 2 rounds
Circuit 2:
30 Seconds Farmers Walk
30 Seconds Pinch Grip Farmers Walk
30 seconds Dead hang
Repeat 3 rounds
Circuit 3:
Place a newspaper on the floor and time how long it takes you to crush up ten pages using only one hand. Repeat three or four rounds and record your best time. Rest between one and two minutes between sets.
Circuit 4:
Perform an intense round of grip fighting. Be out the front for 2 minutes but get a fresh partner every 30 seconds. This is the best way to build not only forearm and grip strength, but also help you use it in a very sports specific way.
I always recommend my athletes to train their forearms on a regular basis because if you can grip your opponent gi really hard your opponent will get an uneasy feeling that they are in for a hard fight.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games.
To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Maximum-Grip-Strength-for-Judo-and-BJJ&id=6608592] Maximum Grip Strength for Judo and BJJ
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Injured at Judo? Now What?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matt_D'aquino]Matt D'aquino
Judo is a tough sport; there are times when doing randori or practicing technique that you are susceptible to attaining an injury. This is due to the fact that there is a lot of impact, falling and twisting going on each and every throw. It is important to make sure you are confident in your break-falls as well as being aware with what's going on around you. So often Judokas get thrown and then another person gets thrown on top of them, or sometimes people defend a throw with one hundred percent resistance and injure themselves. It is very rare to get hurt if you go with the flow and let someone throw you. By resisting and not letting yourself be thrown cleanly you risk landing awkwardly and maybe twisting a joint.
Common Judo injuries include sprained fingers and wrists, bloody noses and tennis elbow. The more serious injuries are broken collarbones -and torn ligaments in the knees or elbow. When you are injured it can be very frustrating as you may be preparing for a big competition or grading and you need to be in the best shape possible.
If you become injured there are a few things you can do that will still keep you involved in judo. The first thing to do is come to terms with the fact that you are injured. This sounds easy but I recommend that you visit a good sports doctor who can diagnose your injury and get you on the road to recovery. If you are dying to get back on the mat but scared of re-injuring yourself then I encourage you to do something to keep yourself active. This may include attending a Judo class and taking notes about the techniques your Sensei is teaching. I always encourage injured Judoka to attend practice because you might pick up a few useful tips. Depending on your injury you may want to attend class and do the techniques that don't further injure you. You could work on some turnovers or sweeps from guard. You may want to assist the lower grades in learning and drilling techniques. You could even attend a kid's class and help out teaching break falls or basic judo techniques.
Use your injury time to attend a yoga or stretch class and recover from the stresses of judo and everyday life. It doesn't matter how good an athlete you are yoga, Pilates and stretching are fantastic forms of exercise and have fantastic benefits. In the end it is important to stay positive. There are plenty of things to keep you entertained, just persevere through your time off, stay focussed and you will be on the mat before you know it.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games.
To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Injured-at-Judo?-Now-What?&id=6582502] Injured at Judo? Now What?
Judo is a tough sport; there are times when doing randori or practicing technique that you are susceptible to attaining an injury. This is due to the fact that there is a lot of impact, falling and twisting going on each and every throw. It is important to make sure you are confident in your break-falls as well as being aware with what's going on around you. So often Judokas get thrown and then another person gets thrown on top of them, or sometimes people defend a throw with one hundred percent resistance and injure themselves. It is very rare to get hurt if you go with the flow and let someone throw you. By resisting and not letting yourself be thrown cleanly you risk landing awkwardly and maybe twisting a joint.
Common Judo injuries include sprained fingers and wrists, bloody noses and tennis elbow. The more serious injuries are broken collarbones -and torn ligaments in the knees or elbow. When you are injured it can be very frustrating as you may be preparing for a big competition or grading and you need to be in the best shape possible.
If you become injured there are a few things you can do that will still keep you involved in judo. The first thing to do is come to terms with the fact that you are injured. This sounds easy but I recommend that you visit a good sports doctor who can diagnose your injury and get you on the road to recovery. If you are dying to get back on the mat but scared of re-injuring yourself then I encourage you to do something to keep yourself active. This may include attending a Judo class and taking notes about the techniques your Sensei is teaching. I always encourage injured Judoka to attend practice because you might pick up a few useful tips. Depending on your injury you may want to attend class and do the techniques that don't further injure you. You could work on some turnovers or sweeps from guard. You may want to assist the lower grades in learning and drilling techniques. You could even attend a kid's class and help out teaching break falls or basic judo techniques.
Use your injury time to attend a yoga or stretch class and recover from the stresses of judo and everyday life. It doesn't matter how good an athlete you are yoga, Pilates and stretching are fantastic forms of exercise and have fantastic benefits. In the end it is important to stay positive. There are plenty of things to keep you entertained, just persevere through your time off, stay focussed and you will be on the mat before you know it.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games.
To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Injured-at-Judo?-Now-What?&id=6582502] Injured at Judo? Now What?
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
3 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Judo
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matt_D'aquino]Matt D'aquino
You will never be a master at Judo, this is due to the fact that there is always something to learn. There are a few things you can do at Judo that will instantly make you a better Judoka. This first of these to bend your knees. You can never bend your knees enough. Many people say that Judo requires a lot of upper body strength but with no leg power behind your throws you will not have a very strong throw. Performing throws such as Koshi guruma and Seoi nage are great examples of how and why you need powerful legs. Other techniques such as Uchimata and Harai goshi require you to support your own weight as well as your opponents' weight on 1 leg. None of these techniques would ever work if you did not bend your knees. At training when you are performing Uchikomi and you feel like you have 100% got the technique always ask yourself the question, "Are my knees bent low enough?"
The next thing that will instantly improve your Judo is to concentrate on the Hikite (sleeve arm). The sleeve grip is designed to rotate your opponent over onto their back. Without the sleeve grip it is very hard to throw your opponent on their back. This is why it is very important to do a lot of single arm pulling actions in the gym. By having strong rear deltoid and back muscles your sleeve pull will be stronger, resulting in a better Kuzushi and rotation of your opponent. When you are performing Uchikomi and you feel like you have 100% got the technique always ask yourself the question, "Am I pulling the sleeve hard enough?"
Thinking about the principle besides the throw is another great way to get better at Judo. Do you actually understand the principle behind the throw or do you just do the throw because you Sensei told you to? Do you know why you pull the sleeve up instead of down? Do you know why you sweep the foot at a particular angle? Ask these questions each and every training session. Think about how and why a technique actually works opposed to just doing the technique. If you find you cannot perform a particular throw properly have a look at your own technique and cross-reference that with the principle behind the technique. Sometimes once you understand the principle behind the throw you can then understand the throw and perform it correctly. Without knowing the principle it is almost like walking in a dark room with no light on. It doesn't matter what happens you will always run into obstacles.
In the end it comes down to self-reflection and critical analysis. It is easy to say that you know and understand the technique but if you really want to instantly improve you Judo, bend your knees more, pull the sleeve harder and spend time understanding the principle behind the technique.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games. To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?3-Ways-to-Instantly-Improve-Your-Judo&id=6612428] 3 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Judo
You will never be a master at Judo, this is due to the fact that there is always something to learn. There are a few things you can do at Judo that will instantly make you a better Judoka. This first of these to bend your knees. You can never bend your knees enough. Many people say that Judo requires a lot of upper body strength but with no leg power behind your throws you will not have a very strong throw. Performing throws such as Koshi guruma and Seoi nage are great examples of how and why you need powerful legs. Other techniques such as Uchimata and Harai goshi require you to support your own weight as well as your opponents' weight on 1 leg. None of these techniques would ever work if you did not bend your knees. At training when you are performing Uchikomi and you feel like you have 100% got the technique always ask yourself the question, "Are my knees bent low enough?"
The next thing that will instantly improve your Judo is to concentrate on the Hikite (sleeve arm). The sleeve grip is designed to rotate your opponent over onto their back. Without the sleeve grip it is very hard to throw your opponent on their back. This is why it is very important to do a lot of single arm pulling actions in the gym. By having strong rear deltoid and back muscles your sleeve pull will be stronger, resulting in a better Kuzushi and rotation of your opponent. When you are performing Uchikomi and you feel like you have 100% got the technique always ask yourself the question, "Am I pulling the sleeve hard enough?"
Thinking about the principle besides the throw is another great way to get better at Judo. Do you actually understand the principle behind the throw or do you just do the throw because you Sensei told you to? Do you know why you pull the sleeve up instead of down? Do you know why you sweep the foot at a particular angle? Ask these questions each and every training session. Think about how and why a technique actually works opposed to just doing the technique. If you find you cannot perform a particular throw properly have a look at your own technique and cross-reference that with the principle behind the technique. Sometimes once you understand the principle behind the throw you can then understand the throw and perform it correctly. Without knowing the principle it is almost like walking in a dark room with no light on. It doesn't matter what happens you will always run into obstacles.
In the end it comes down to self-reflection and critical analysis. It is easy to say that you know and understand the technique but if you really want to instantly improve you Judo, bend your knees more, pull the sleeve harder and spend time understanding the principle behind the technique.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games. To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?3-Ways-to-Instantly-Improve-Your-Judo&id=6612428] 3 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Judo
Sunday, November 13, 2011
6 Vital Aspects of Uchikomi Practice
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matt_D'aquino]Matt D'aquino
Uchikomi is a fantastic judo drill that is a must when it comes to practicing judo technique. There a few key areas that need to be addressed when doing Uchikomi. These areas are where to grip, Kuzushi, distance, entry, throw and the speed at which you do it.
Grip:
Where you grip when performing Uchikomi is extremely important. You want to make sure that where you take hold is the same spot you grip in Randori. There is no point practicing all of your technique from a traditional collar and sleeve grip when you fight with a top grip or double lapel. Start looking at how you grip in Randori and make sure you grip the exact same place in Uchikomi if you do this you will see that your technique will improve immensely.
Kuzushi:
The Kuzushi (breaking the balance) aspect of the throw is one of the most important aspects. Put simply, without Kuzushi there is no throw. Kuzushi is important because it not only breaks your opponents balance but also breaks their posture leaving them weak and vulnerable for attack. Remember that your number one goal in Uchikomi is to make your opponent off-balance each and every repetition. If you are performing a forwards technique your opponents' weight should be on their toes and if you are doing a backwards technique their weight should be on their heels.
Distance and entry:
Distance and entry, I believe, go hand in hand. You can have the best entry but if you come in too close you will have no room for breaking your opponents balance. Make sure when you perform Uchikomi you are leaving room for your opponent to be pulled off-balance. By coming in too close to your opponent you will leave your opponent 'on balance,' giving them a chance to counter you or avoid being thrown.
Throw:
So many judoka do hundreds of repetitions of Uchikomi each and every week but fail to throw anyone in Randori. One reasons for this could be the fact that although they perform many repetitions of a particular throw they never actually complete a full throw. I understand that there are times when you have the best entry and great Kuzushi but still cannot finish a throw because your opponent may have great movement and balance but if you do a lot of throwing (Nage Komi) with little to no resistance, you will begin to throw people a lot more in training.
Speed:
The speed of your Uchikomi is extremely important. In training you want to have a fast entry into a throw with a slow exit. Concentrate mainly on having a fast entry rather than a fast entry and exit. This is due to the fact that in competition you don't want to exit a throw once you are in. Exiting a throw in competition means you probably won't throw your opponent and you also risk being countered. In training practice a fast, crisp entry and don't worry so much about the exit. The entry is what you are looking to improve.
The common rule to get good at a particular technique is the 10000 repetitions rule. You must perform 10000 repetitions of a technique in order to have a successful throw in competition. Uchikomi is a great way to practice your technique but make sure you grip, Kuzushi, entry, throw and speed are correct each and every repetition. If your technique is a bit off then continue working at a slower pace in order to correct any faults. Make sure you ask your Sensei to analyse your technique and assist in correcting anything that needs fixing.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games. To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?6-Vital-Aspects-of-Uchikomi-Practice&id=6609983] 6 Vital Aspects of Uchikomi Practice
Uchikomi is a fantastic judo drill that is a must when it comes to practicing judo technique. There a few key areas that need to be addressed when doing Uchikomi. These areas are where to grip, Kuzushi, distance, entry, throw and the speed at which you do it.
Grip:
Where you grip when performing Uchikomi is extremely important. You want to make sure that where you take hold is the same spot you grip in Randori. There is no point practicing all of your technique from a traditional collar and sleeve grip when you fight with a top grip or double lapel. Start looking at how you grip in Randori and make sure you grip the exact same place in Uchikomi if you do this you will see that your technique will improve immensely.
Kuzushi:
The Kuzushi (breaking the balance) aspect of the throw is one of the most important aspects. Put simply, without Kuzushi there is no throw. Kuzushi is important because it not only breaks your opponents balance but also breaks their posture leaving them weak and vulnerable for attack. Remember that your number one goal in Uchikomi is to make your opponent off-balance each and every repetition. If you are performing a forwards technique your opponents' weight should be on their toes and if you are doing a backwards technique their weight should be on their heels.
Distance and entry:
Distance and entry, I believe, go hand in hand. You can have the best entry but if you come in too close you will have no room for breaking your opponents balance. Make sure when you perform Uchikomi you are leaving room for your opponent to be pulled off-balance. By coming in too close to your opponent you will leave your opponent 'on balance,' giving them a chance to counter you or avoid being thrown.
Throw:
So many judoka do hundreds of repetitions of Uchikomi each and every week but fail to throw anyone in Randori. One reasons for this could be the fact that although they perform many repetitions of a particular throw they never actually complete a full throw. I understand that there are times when you have the best entry and great Kuzushi but still cannot finish a throw because your opponent may have great movement and balance but if you do a lot of throwing (Nage Komi) with little to no resistance, you will begin to throw people a lot more in training.
Speed:
The speed of your Uchikomi is extremely important. In training you want to have a fast entry into a throw with a slow exit. Concentrate mainly on having a fast entry rather than a fast entry and exit. This is due to the fact that in competition you don't want to exit a throw once you are in. Exiting a throw in competition means you probably won't throw your opponent and you also risk being countered. In training practice a fast, crisp entry and don't worry so much about the exit. The entry is what you are looking to improve.
The common rule to get good at a particular technique is the 10000 repetitions rule. You must perform 10000 repetitions of a technique in order to have a successful throw in competition. Uchikomi is a great way to practice your technique but make sure you grip, Kuzushi, entry, throw and speed are correct each and every repetition. If your technique is a bit off then continue working at a slower pace in order to correct any faults. Make sure you ask your Sensei to analyse your technique and assist in correcting anything that needs fixing.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games. To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?6-Vital-Aspects-of-Uchikomi-Practice&id=6609983] 6 Vital Aspects of Uchikomi Practice
Friday, November 11, 2011
Judo Ne Waza - 6 Basic Positions
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matt_D'aquino]Matt D'aquino
There are 6 basic pins used in Judo in order to control your opponent on the ground. These techniques are called Osaekomi Waza. In a Judo competition you can pin your opponent for 20-25 seconds in order to win the fight. The 6 basics hold downs in Judo are
- Kesa Gatame
- Kuzure Kesa Gatame
- Mune Gatame
- Tate Shiho Gatame
- Ushiro Kesa Gatame
- Kami Shiho Gatame
If you can get very good at controlling your opponent when you are on top you will have a really good chance of not only winning the match, but also going for a submission such as an arm bar or strangle.
Kesa Gatame (Scarf Hold)
Kesa Gatame is a position you find yourself in after throwing your opponent with forward techniques, for example throws such as Harai Goshi, Uchimata and Koshi Guruma. In the scarf hold, your arm is wrapped under your opponents head, and your left armpit should control your opponents arm with your left hand clasping their elbow. Your legs should be splayed like the picture above. This will stop your back leg from getting wrapped by your opponents' leg, while your other leg is set up as a post in case your opponent tries to bridge and roll you. Your head should not be too far back, or too far forward. If your head is too far back, it will be hooked by your opponents' leg in an attempt to escape. If your head is too far forward, you may give away too much weight in that direction and be swept.
Kuzure Kesa Gatame (Broken Scarf Hold)
Kuzure Kesa Gatame is a position you may end up in if you have just thrown your opponent. In this position your right arm has under hooked your opponents' right arm and your right hand will rest on your opponents' right shoulder. This hand is used to post if your opponent bucks that direction. Your left armpit should control your opponents arm with your left hand clasping their elbow.
Your legs should be splayed like the picture below in a way to stop your back leg getting wrapped by your opponents' leg and your other leg is designed as a post if your opponent tries to bridge and roll you.
Your head should be neutral. This is due to the fact that if your head is too far back it will be hooked by your opponents' leg in an attempt to escape and if your head is too far forward you may give away too much weight in that direction and be swept.
Mune Gatame (Side Control)
Mune Gatame is one of the main position in any sort of grappling. The arm underneath your opponents head is designed to control the head. Your shoulder should control your opponents chin and make sure that it is pointing in the opposite direction. This will make your opponents' job of pulling guard a lot more difficult.
Your right arm shoulder be under hooking your opponents' right arm to prevent that shoulder getting off the mat and turning towards you. Your chest should be on the side of your opponents ribs. Not on top of theirs as the sternum is your opponents' strongest part and won't have any impact on their breathing. By having your chest on the side of the chest will impair your opponents breathing when in competition.
Your knees should be blocking your opponents' hip to prevent them from pulling guard. If you must move your knee from blocking the hip replace it first with a hand before removing it from blocking. This will further control your opponents guard pulling attempts. If your knee is not there, replace it with your right hand.
Tate Shiho Gatame (Mount)
Tate Shiho Gatame is one of the best positions to get into when grappling on the ground, and is regarded as a position of dominance. While in mount your knees should be tight against your opponents' hips, and you can even control the position further by wrapping your feet around your opponents' legs. Your hands should be posting on the ground, on either side of your opponents head to stop them bridging and rolling. Be sure not to wrap your opponents head, as this means you have given up a base and you may be swept.
One of the advantages of being in Tate Shiho Gatame is that your opponent can feel claustrophobic, and can fatigue quite quickly as all of your weight is on them. You can use this to make your opponent feel dominated, and to make them give up an arm or their back long enough for you to capture a rear naked choke.
Ushiro Kesa Gatame (Reverse Scarf Hold)
Ushiro Kesa Gatame is a position you will find yourself in if you are looking at advancing position to Tate Shiho Gatame from Mune Gatame. My left elbow is squeezing my opponents head to my left hip. Controlling your opponents head will restrict their defensive movements. My right arm is controlling my opponents' right arm, and my left knee is blocking my opponents' hip to stop any guard pulling attempts.
Kami Shiho Gatame (North/South)
Kami Shiho Gatame is a very tough position to escape from. When in Kami Shiho Gatame, both of your arms are underneath your opponents arms, with your opponents' head being controlled by your hips driving into it. You may either be on your knees when in Kami Shiho Gatame, or sprawled onto your stomach. In each position, controlling your opponents head is critical to holding position.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games. To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Judo-Ne-Waza---6-Basic-Positions&id=6609984] Judo Ne Waza - 6 Basic Positions
There are 6 basic pins used in Judo in order to control your opponent on the ground. These techniques are called Osaekomi Waza. In a Judo competition you can pin your opponent for 20-25 seconds in order to win the fight. The 6 basics hold downs in Judo are
- Kesa Gatame
- Kuzure Kesa Gatame
- Mune Gatame
- Tate Shiho Gatame
- Ushiro Kesa Gatame
- Kami Shiho Gatame
If you can get very good at controlling your opponent when you are on top you will have a really good chance of not only winning the match, but also going for a submission such as an arm bar or strangle.
Kesa Gatame (Scarf Hold)
Kesa Gatame is a position you find yourself in after throwing your opponent with forward techniques, for example throws such as Harai Goshi, Uchimata and Koshi Guruma. In the scarf hold, your arm is wrapped under your opponents head, and your left armpit should control your opponents arm with your left hand clasping their elbow. Your legs should be splayed like the picture above. This will stop your back leg from getting wrapped by your opponents' leg, while your other leg is set up as a post in case your opponent tries to bridge and roll you. Your head should not be too far back, or too far forward. If your head is too far back, it will be hooked by your opponents' leg in an attempt to escape. If your head is too far forward, you may give away too much weight in that direction and be swept.
Kuzure Kesa Gatame (Broken Scarf Hold)
Kuzure Kesa Gatame is a position you may end up in if you have just thrown your opponent. In this position your right arm has under hooked your opponents' right arm and your right hand will rest on your opponents' right shoulder. This hand is used to post if your opponent bucks that direction. Your left armpit should control your opponents arm with your left hand clasping their elbow.
Your legs should be splayed like the picture below in a way to stop your back leg getting wrapped by your opponents' leg and your other leg is designed as a post if your opponent tries to bridge and roll you.
Your head should be neutral. This is due to the fact that if your head is too far back it will be hooked by your opponents' leg in an attempt to escape and if your head is too far forward you may give away too much weight in that direction and be swept.
Mune Gatame (Side Control)
Mune Gatame is one of the main position in any sort of grappling. The arm underneath your opponents head is designed to control the head. Your shoulder should control your opponents chin and make sure that it is pointing in the opposite direction. This will make your opponents' job of pulling guard a lot more difficult.
Your right arm shoulder be under hooking your opponents' right arm to prevent that shoulder getting off the mat and turning towards you. Your chest should be on the side of your opponents ribs. Not on top of theirs as the sternum is your opponents' strongest part and won't have any impact on their breathing. By having your chest on the side of the chest will impair your opponents breathing when in competition.
Your knees should be blocking your opponents' hip to prevent them from pulling guard. If you must move your knee from blocking the hip replace it first with a hand before removing it from blocking. This will further control your opponents guard pulling attempts. If your knee is not there, replace it with your right hand.
Tate Shiho Gatame (Mount)
Tate Shiho Gatame is one of the best positions to get into when grappling on the ground, and is regarded as a position of dominance. While in mount your knees should be tight against your opponents' hips, and you can even control the position further by wrapping your feet around your opponents' legs. Your hands should be posting on the ground, on either side of your opponents head to stop them bridging and rolling. Be sure not to wrap your opponents head, as this means you have given up a base and you may be swept.
One of the advantages of being in Tate Shiho Gatame is that your opponent can feel claustrophobic, and can fatigue quite quickly as all of your weight is on them. You can use this to make your opponent feel dominated, and to make them give up an arm or their back long enough for you to capture a rear naked choke.
Ushiro Kesa Gatame (Reverse Scarf Hold)
Ushiro Kesa Gatame is a position you will find yourself in if you are looking at advancing position to Tate Shiho Gatame from Mune Gatame. My left elbow is squeezing my opponents head to my left hip. Controlling your opponents head will restrict their defensive movements. My right arm is controlling my opponents' right arm, and my left knee is blocking my opponents' hip to stop any guard pulling attempts.
Kami Shiho Gatame (North/South)
Kami Shiho Gatame is a very tough position to escape from. When in Kami Shiho Gatame, both of your arms are underneath your opponents arms, with your opponents' head being controlled by your hips driving into it. You may either be on your knees when in Kami Shiho Gatame, or sprawled onto your stomach. In each position, controlling your opponents head is critical to holding position.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games. To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Judo-Ne-Waza---6-Basic-Positions&id=6609984] Judo Ne Waza - 6 Basic Positions
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
5 Awesome Grappling Dummy Throws
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matt_D'aquino]Matt D'aquino
If you own a grappling dummy there are so many techniques you can do that will help you get better at grappling. On my grappling dummy I do heaps of throws but Osoto gari, Seoi nage, Tai otoshi, O goshi and Harai goshi are some of my favourite techniques to throw my dummy with. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to throw your dummy.
Osoto Gari
- Start with a standard grip
- Step forward with your left foot and pull your opponent off balance
- Keep your opponents arm tight to your chest
- Bring your foot forwards ready to sweep your opponents leg
- Keep this leg slightly bent with toes pointed downwards
- As your leg sweeps your opponents leg, make sure your head travels forwards towards the mat (simulating a seesaw movement)
Seoi-nage (Shoulder throw)
- Begin with a standard grip
- Start your entry by stepping forwards with your right leg as you simultaneously open up his right arm
- Simultaneously punch your right elbow up into your opponents' armpit, as you pivot on your front right foot so that you are facing the same direction as your opponent
- Make sure both your feet are inside your opponents' feet
- Make sure your knees are bent and your back is straight
- Pull your opponent forward and straighten your legs to lift your opponent off the ground
- Finish by bringing your right arm down alongside your left knee
Harai-goshi
- Begin with the standard grip
- Step forwards with your right leg, as you simultaneously pull your opponent off balance
- Pivot on your right foot and place your left foot inside your opponent's feet, as you simultaneously wrap your arm around your opponents head
- Quickly start the sweeping action with your leg
- Keeping your sweeping leg slightly bent, hit your opponent in the knee with your hamstring to finish the throw
Tai-otoshi (2 on 1 Grip)
- Begin with a standard grip
- Step forwards with your right foot as you pull your opponent forwards with your left hand
- Pivot on your front foot so you are facing the same direction as your opponent. Make sure your left foot isn't too wide
- As you pivot, simultaneously bring your right hand into your opponents elbow and step across your opponents' legs, then sharply pull him over the leg to finish the throw
O-goshi (Hip Throw)
- Begin with a standard grip
- Step forwards with your right foot as you under hook your opponent with your right hand
- Pivot on your front foot so that you are facing the same way as your opponent, and both of your feet are in between their feet
- Keep your knees bent and back straight
- To finish the throw, straighten your legs and rotate your opponent over your hips.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.grapplingdummyguide.com/
I have written a book called "The Complete Guide to the Grappling Dummy." This eBook contains over 100 techniques for Judo, BJJ and MMA as well as 65 workouts catered for Judo, BJJ or MMA. The Complete Guide to the Grappling Dummy also comes with 2 bonus eBooks. The first is "40 Kettlebell Workouts for MMA, BJJ & Judo" as well as "99 Tips for fighters" which is a collection of nutrition, fitness and technical tips that helped me become an Olympian. For more info visit http://www.grapplingdummyguide.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Awesome-Grappling-Dummy-Throws&id=6609986] 5 Awesome Grappling Dummy Throws
If you own a grappling dummy there are so many techniques you can do that will help you get better at grappling. On my grappling dummy I do heaps of throws but Osoto gari, Seoi nage, Tai otoshi, O goshi and Harai goshi are some of my favourite techniques to throw my dummy with. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to throw your dummy.
Osoto Gari
- Start with a standard grip
- Step forward with your left foot and pull your opponent off balance
- Keep your opponents arm tight to your chest
- Bring your foot forwards ready to sweep your opponents leg
- Keep this leg slightly bent with toes pointed downwards
- As your leg sweeps your opponents leg, make sure your head travels forwards towards the mat (simulating a seesaw movement)
Seoi-nage (Shoulder throw)
- Begin with a standard grip
- Start your entry by stepping forwards with your right leg as you simultaneously open up his right arm
- Simultaneously punch your right elbow up into your opponents' armpit, as you pivot on your front right foot so that you are facing the same direction as your opponent
- Make sure both your feet are inside your opponents' feet
- Make sure your knees are bent and your back is straight
- Pull your opponent forward and straighten your legs to lift your opponent off the ground
- Finish by bringing your right arm down alongside your left knee
Harai-goshi
- Begin with the standard grip
- Step forwards with your right leg, as you simultaneously pull your opponent off balance
- Pivot on your right foot and place your left foot inside your opponent's feet, as you simultaneously wrap your arm around your opponents head
- Quickly start the sweeping action with your leg
- Keeping your sweeping leg slightly bent, hit your opponent in the knee with your hamstring to finish the throw
Tai-otoshi (2 on 1 Grip)
- Begin with a standard grip
- Step forwards with your right foot as you pull your opponent forwards with your left hand
- Pivot on your front foot so you are facing the same direction as your opponent. Make sure your left foot isn't too wide
- As you pivot, simultaneously bring your right hand into your opponents elbow and step across your opponents' legs, then sharply pull him over the leg to finish the throw
O-goshi (Hip Throw)
- Begin with a standard grip
- Step forwards with your right foot as you under hook your opponent with your right hand
- Pivot on your front foot so that you are facing the same way as your opponent, and both of your feet are in between their feet
- Keep your knees bent and back straight
- To finish the throw, straighten your legs and rotate your opponent over your hips.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.grapplingdummyguide.com/
I have written a book called "The Complete Guide to the Grappling Dummy." This eBook contains over 100 techniques for Judo, BJJ and MMA as well as 65 workouts catered for Judo, BJJ or MMA. The Complete Guide to the Grappling Dummy also comes with 2 bonus eBooks. The first is "40 Kettlebell Workouts for MMA, BJJ & Judo" as well as "99 Tips for fighters" which is a collection of nutrition, fitness and technical tips that helped me become an Olympian. For more info visit http://www.grapplingdummyguide.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Awesome-Grappling-Dummy-Throws&id=6609986] 5 Awesome Grappling Dummy Throws
Monday, November 7, 2011
Rotational Core Strengthening Exercises for Judo
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matt_D'aquino]Matt D'aquino
Your core muscles involve not only your abdominal muscles, but also your lower back, pelvic floor and hip muscles. Your core strength needs to be included in your weekly strength and conditioning program because your core muscles are used in nearly every single aspect of Judo. Training your core is usually associated with sit ups, crunches and the plank but in order to more specific for Judo you must include only exercises that 'rotate' the trunk of the body. Whenever you attempt to throw your opponent you are never performing a movement like a crunch, you are rotating your opponent around. Therefore your core training should involve exercises that I like to call 'rotational core."
Rotational core exercises are important for Judo but so is upper body strength. Therefore you if can include rotational core and the upper body you are in for a winner when it comes to training your core for Judo.
Exercises that include your upper body and rotational core include:
Wood-choppers:
Starting with the medicine ball at your right hip bring the ball up past your head in a 'wood-chopper' motion.
Wood-chopper Tips:
- Keep your arms slightly bent through the entire movement
- This is a great exercise to warm up your arms and shoulders
- I recommend using a ball 4-6kg.
Hanging leg raises:
- Hang from a chin up bar
- You can either have your hands facing away or towards you
- Contract your abdominals and raise your straight legs up as high as you can
- Lower and repeat
- Inhale when lowering and exhale when lifting your knees
Hanging Leg raise tips:
- If you contract you abdominals before you raise your knees it will assist you in not swinging
- If you cannot hang off the bar your fitness facility may have a harness that allows you to rest on your elbows
- You may also use a roman chair to perform this exercise
- If you have had shoulder injuries I suggest you replace this exercise
Cable Twists:
- Clasp a handle with outstretched arms
- Keep a slight bend in your elbows
- Using your core muscles rotate from the right to the left
- Once you reach your limit in terms of rotation, slowly return to the starting position
- Repeat
Cable twist tips:
- Really try to use your core muscles opposed to your arms
- Don't use too much weight as this may force you to use your arms opposed to core
- You may also use a Theraband to perform this exercise
Barbell rotations:
- Place a barbell in a corner with a heavy dumbbell on top of it
- Hold the barbell at the end
- With arms slightly bent rotate your body to the left
- Be sure to turn your feet and hips as well
- Contract your abdominals and turn to the opposite side
- Repeat for desired number of reps
Barbell rotation tips:
- Concentrate on using your abdominals, not your arms, when performing this exercise.
- This exercise is rather hard and due to the fact that a barbell is already 20 kilograms you should not have to add much more weight
Push up twists:
- Assume a pushup position
- Bring your shoulder blades together
- Contact your abdominals as you slowly begin to raise one hand above your head
- Maintain balance
- Look at where your hand is travelling as you slowly reach the top of the movement
- Return the hand to the starting position and repeat on the opposite side
Push up twist tips:
- Go slow - this exercise is a slow and control exercise.
- For added difficulty you may place your supporting hand on an unstable surface such as a Dura disc or pillow
Remember in order to train your core for Judo you must be using 'rotational core' movements besides a crunch or traditional leg raise.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games. To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rotational-Core-Strengthening-Exercises-for-Judo&id=6612717] Rotational Core Strengthening Exercises for Judo
Your core muscles involve not only your abdominal muscles, but also your lower back, pelvic floor and hip muscles. Your core strength needs to be included in your weekly strength and conditioning program because your core muscles are used in nearly every single aspect of Judo. Training your core is usually associated with sit ups, crunches and the plank but in order to more specific for Judo you must include only exercises that 'rotate' the trunk of the body. Whenever you attempt to throw your opponent you are never performing a movement like a crunch, you are rotating your opponent around. Therefore your core training should involve exercises that I like to call 'rotational core."
Rotational core exercises are important for Judo but so is upper body strength. Therefore you if can include rotational core and the upper body you are in for a winner when it comes to training your core for Judo.
Exercises that include your upper body and rotational core include:
Wood-choppers:
Starting with the medicine ball at your right hip bring the ball up past your head in a 'wood-chopper' motion.
Wood-chopper Tips:
- Keep your arms slightly bent through the entire movement
- This is a great exercise to warm up your arms and shoulders
- I recommend using a ball 4-6kg.
Hanging leg raises:
- Hang from a chin up bar
- You can either have your hands facing away or towards you
- Contract your abdominals and raise your straight legs up as high as you can
- Lower and repeat
- Inhale when lowering and exhale when lifting your knees
Hanging Leg raise tips:
- If you contract you abdominals before you raise your knees it will assist you in not swinging
- If you cannot hang off the bar your fitness facility may have a harness that allows you to rest on your elbows
- You may also use a roman chair to perform this exercise
- If you have had shoulder injuries I suggest you replace this exercise
Cable Twists:
- Clasp a handle with outstretched arms
- Keep a slight bend in your elbows
- Using your core muscles rotate from the right to the left
- Once you reach your limit in terms of rotation, slowly return to the starting position
- Repeat
Cable twist tips:
- Really try to use your core muscles opposed to your arms
- Don't use too much weight as this may force you to use your arms opposed to core
- You may also use a Theraband to perform this exercise
Barbell rotations:
- Place a barbell in a corner with a heavy dumbbell on top of it
- Hold the barbell at the end
- With arms slightly bent rotate your body to the left
- Be sure to turn your feet and hips as well
- Contract your abdominals and turn to the opposite side
- Repeat for desired number of reps
Barbell rotation tips:
- Concentrate on using your abdominals, not your arms, when performing this exercise.
- This exercise is rather hard and due to the fact that a barbell is already 20 kilograms you should not have to add much more weight
Push up twists:
- Assume a pushup position
- Bring your shoulder blades together
- Contact your abdominals as you slowly begin to raise one hand above your head
- Maintain balance
- Look at where your hand is travelling as you slowly reach the top of the movement
- Return the hand to the starting position and repeat on the opposite side
Push up twist tips:
- Go slow - this exercise is a slow and control exercise.
- For added difficulty you may place your supporting hand on an unstable surface such as a Dura disc or pillow
Remember in order to train your core for Judo you must be using 'rotational core' movements besides a crunch or traditional leg raise.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games. To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Rotational-Core-Strengthening-Exercises-for-Judo&id=6612717] Rotational Core Strengthening Exercises for Judo
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Solo Judo Techniques You Can Do at Home
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matt_D'aquino]Matt D'aquino
There are times when you are just too busy and you cannot get to Judo practice. There are plenty of solo exercises you can do at home that can improve you Judo training. These exercises include:
Mental Imagery of Uchikomi:
You may be on the bus or on the couch but there is always time to do Judo with mental imagery. Simply close your eyes and practice a few Judo techniques in your mind. Try to picture yourself entering for a throw and throwing someone. Attempt to feel your whole body moving into position while you are sitting down. Once you are in the feel of mental imagery Uchikomi begin adding in some combinations or speed Uchikomi into the mix. This will really help you not only you getting in tune with your body but also gets you to think about each and every aspect of a throw. When I had my knee reconstruction back in 2007 I had 11 months off Judo completely. Every night in bed I would do 200 Uchikomi of Ippon Seoi Nage. Then when I came back onto the mat it was like I had never left. Id didn't lose the feel of Judo at all.
Shadow Uchikomi:
If you have enough space in the lounge room or garage then move around and attack as if you had a partner with you. Concentrate on keeping your knees bent and back straight. Try to 'feel' your throws opposed to just doing them for the sake of it. Shadow Uchikomi is great because it gets you thinking and moving like a Judo player. I highly recommend my students do shadow Uchikomi as a warm up because they can never have an excuse for not having a partner. If you are good at shadow Uchikomi you sometimes don't need a partner.
Ashiwaza
If you don't have enough room to do some shadow Uchikomi then walk up and down the hallway attacking with Ashiwaza techniques such as De Ashi Barai, Okuri Ashi Harai, Harai Tsuri Komi Ashi, Ouchi gari and Ko uchi gari. Make sure when you are practicing these techniques that you are using your upper body simultaneously with your feet.
Hip escapes
Many Judoka neglect the Ne Waza aspect of training at home. There is plenty of mobility and agility exercises and drills you can do at home that will greatly increase your awareness on the ground. Practicing hip escapes over and over again will not only strengthen the legs but also make you an extremely hard person to pin. The hallway is the perfect length to practice hip escapes and the small width of the hallway will really sharpen your technique.
Gymnastics
Basic gymnastic drills will always benefit a Judoka. Forward and backward rolls, cartwheels, hand-stands and basic gymnastic movements assist in keeping you supple as well as increase your spatial awareness. If you don't have enough room in your house then head out to the local park or tennis court and do some basic movements.
Here are just a few ideas of things you can do by yourself that will improve your Judo. Now you will never have an excuse about why you haven't done Judo in a while.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games. To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Solo-Judo-Techniques-You-Can-Do-at-Home&id=6614018] Solo Judo Techniques You Can Do at Home
There are times when you are just too busy and you cannot get to Judo practice. There are plenty of solo exercises you can do at home that can improve you Judo training. These exercises include:
Mental Imagery of Uchikomi:
You may be on the bus or on the couch but there is always time to do Judo with mental imagery. Simply close your eyes and practice a few Judo techniques in your mind. Try to picture yourself entering for a throw and throwing someone. Attempt to feel your whole body moving into position while you are sitting down. Once you are in the feel of mental imagery Uchikomi begin adding in some combinations or speed Uchikomi into the mix. This will really help you not only you getting in tune with your body but also gets you to think about each and every aspect of a throw. When I had my knee reconstruction back in 2007 I had 11 months off Judo completely. Every night in bed I would do 200 Uchikomi of Ippon Seoi Nage. Then when I came back onto the mat it was like I had never left. Id didn't lose the feel of Judo at all.
Shadow Uchikomi:
If you have enough space in the lounge room or garage then move around and attack as if you had a partner with you. Concentrate on keeping your knees bent and back straight. Try to 'feel' your throws opposed to just doing them for the sake of it. Shadow Uchikomi is great because it gets you thinking and moving like a Judo player. I highly recommend my students do shadow Uchikomi as a warm up because they can never have an excuse for not having a partner. If you are good at shadow Uchikomi you sometimes don't need a partner.
Ashiwaza
If you don't have enough room to do some shadow Uchikomi then walk up and down the hallway attacking with Ashiwaza techniques such as De Ashi Barai, Okuri Ashi Harai, Harai Tsuri Komi Ashi, Ouchi gari and Ko uchi gari. Make sure when you are practicing these techniques that you are using your upper body simultaneously with your feet.
Hip escapes
Many Judoka neglect the Ne Waza aspect of training at home. There is plenty of mobility and agility exercises and drills you can do at home that will greatly increase your awareness on the ground. Practicing hip escapes over and over again will not only strengthen the legs but also make you an extremely hard person to pin. The hallway is the perfect length to practice hip escapes and the small width of the hallway will really sharpen your technique.
Gymnastics
Basic gymnastic drills will always benefit a Judoka. Forward and backward rolls, cartwheels, hand-stands and basic gymnastic movements assist in keeping you supple as well as increase your spatial awareness. If you don't have enough room in your house then head out to the local park or tennis court and do some basic movements.
Here are just a few ideas of things you can do by yourself that will improve your Judo. Now you will never have an excuse about why you haven't done Judo in a while.
Author: Matt D'Aquino http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Matt is the founder of Beyond Grappling fitness and conditioning. He is a 2008 Beijing Judo Olympian as well as nationally ranked freestyle wrestler and National Champion in Brazilian Jujitsu. Matt has a passion for teaching all aspects of grappling especially the fitness and conditioning aspect. Recently he has been traveling the world aiming to qualify for his second Olympic Games. To learn more about Matt and his fitness and conditioning training visit http://www.workoutsforjudo.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Solo-Judo-Techniques-You-Can-Do-at-Home&id=6614018] Solo Judo Techniques You Can Do at Home
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Extreme Martial Arts Body-Conditioning: Shaolin 'Iron Cloth Shirt'!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Allsop]Peter Allsop
The 72 Secret Fighting Exercises or 'Kungs' of the Shaolin Temple fall into two separate categories: Soft Yin/Rou Internal Energy Training; or Hard Yang/Gang External Power Training. Iron Cloth Shirt or 'Tie Shan Bu Gong', a defensive example of the latter, provides extreme external body-conditioning for those acquiring this Art. As ever, these Shaolin Temple Secret Arts involve prolonged, intensive training extremes but can produce amazing results.
Technical Analysis
Iron Cloth Shirt/Tie Bu Shan Gong is designed to develop the back, shoulders, chest and arms. The skin, elastic and flexible, frequently remains intact, even when muscle damage occurs and bones are broken. This extreme Shaolin Wei Gung Exercise uses external body-conditioning to strengthen the body's interior.
Iron Cloth Shirt strengthens the muscles and bones, particularly the latter. Bones' hard and brittle nature makes them prone to breaks and susceptible to fractures. Tie Bu San Gung develops the bones until they become hard, strong and resilient enough to withstand all kinds of Fighting and Training.
Method
A wooden-frame needs to be constructed using two wooden posts approximately eight feet long. These are buried three-feet deep in the ground, approximately four feet apart.The two upright posts are then joined together with an iron-bar fixed across them, about one foot from the top and a pit around one foot deep is dug immediately below. This is filled with fine-sand, sawdust or a mixture of both.
Best practised in the mornings, the Tie Bu Shan Gong student should mount the apparatus and squat down upon the iron-bar. Then, falling forwards, straightening the legs simultaneously, with arms out-wide, chest outstretched and chin pulled back, the student falls chest-first, into the pre-prepared pit.
When Iron Cloth Shirt is first practised, the torso is wrapped-round liberally with cloth and other suitable materials, for protection. Thorough chest-massage, with Chinese Medicinal Wine/Dit Da Jeow, to prevent internal injuries should, similarly, precede each practice-session. After approximately two years of regular practice these precautions can be dispensed with. The left and right shoulders and fore-arms can then be conditioned in a similar manner.
Special Requirements
'Iron Bullock Arts' an External Power Training Exercise of the abdomen (1) should always be performed before Iron Cloth Shirt practice. The combined result should be a body hard as stone (2) impervious to attack by any weapon.
Overall
Shaolin Monk Si Yi is credited with the development of this exercise, which is a compulsory part of Shaolin Monk Training.
Notes
(1) See 'Iron Bullock Arts!', EzineArticles, for full practical details.
(2) ' Wu Shu and Kung Fu Massage for Performance Improvement', EzineArticles, describes contrasting forms of daily conditioning.
Sifu Peter Allsop M.Ed. teaches Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong in Yorkshire and Derbyshire U.K. With almost 40 years experience he is Shaolin Fists International Area Instructor for this region and Senior Student of Grandmaster Yap Leong.
Trained in the U.K. and China, Peter teaches Changquan ('Longfist') Wu Xing (5 Animals), Wu Tzu (5 Ancestors) Kung Fu and 5 Elements Qigong. Sheffield Chinese Lion Dance Team Member, he also publishes 'Red Dragon Martial Arts Ezine'. Explore the free resources at: http://www.sheffieldkungfu.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Extreme-Martial-Arts-Body-Conditioning:-Shaolin-Iron-Cloth-Shirt!&id=6555825] Extreme Martial Arts Body-Conditioning: Shaolin 'Iron Cloth Shirt'!
The 72 Secret Fighting Exercises or 'Kungs' of the Shaolin Temple fall into two separate categories: Soft Yin/Rou Internal Energy Training; or Hard Yang/Gang External Power Training. Iron Cloth Shirt or 'Tie Shan Bu Gong', a defensive example of the latter, provides extreme external body-conditioning for those acquiring this Art. As ever, these Shaolin Temple Secret Arts involve prolonged, intensive training extremes but can produce amazing results.
Technical Analysis
Iron Cloth Shirt/Tie Bu Shan Gong is designed to develop the back, shoulders, chest and arms. The skin, elastic and flexible, frequently remains intact, even when muscle damage occurs and bones are broken. This extreme Shaolin Wei Gung Exercise uses external body-conditioning to strengthen the body's interior.
Iron Cloth Shirt strengthens the muscles and bones, particularly the latter. Bones' hard and brittle nature makes them prone to breaks and susceptible to fractures. Tie Bu San Gung develops the bones until they become hard, strong and resilient enough to withstand all kinds of Fighting and Training.
Method
A wooden-frame needs to be constructed using two wooden posts approximately eight feet long. These are buried three-feet deep in the ground, approximately four feet apart.The two upright posts are then joined together with an iron-bar fixed across them, about one foot from the top and a pit around one foot deep is dug immediately below. This is filled with fine-sand, sawdust or a mixture of both.
Best practised in the mornings, the Tie Bu Shan Gong student should mount the apparatus and squat down upon the iron-bar. Then, falling forwards, straightening the legs simultaneously, with arms out-wide, chest outstretched and chin pulled back, the student falls chest-first, into the pre-prepared pit.
When Iron Cloth Shirt is first practised, the torso is wrapped-round liberally with cloth and other suitable materials, for protection. Thorough chest-massage, with Chinese Medicinal Wine/Dit Da Jeow, to prevent internal injuries should, similarly, precede each practice-session. After approximately two years of regular practice these precautions can be dispensed with. The left and right shoulders and fore-arms can then be conditioned in a similar manner.
Special Requirements
'Iron Bullock Arts' an External Power Training Exercise of the abdomen (1) should always be performed before Iron Cloth Shirt practice. The combined result should be a body hard as stone (2) impervious to attack by any weapon.
Overall
Shaolin Monk Si Yi is credited with the development of this exercise, which is a compulsory part of Shaolin Monk Training.
Notes
(1) See 'Iron Bullock Arts!', EzineArticles, for full practical details.
(2) ' Wu Shu and Kung Fu Massage for Performance Improvement', EzineArticles, describes contrasting forms of daily conditioning.
Sifu Peter Allsop M.Ed. teaches Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong in Yorkshire and Derbyshire U.K. With almost 40 years experience he is Shaolin Fists International Area Instructor for this region and Senior Student of Grandmaster Yap Leong.
Trained in the U.K. and China, Peter teaches Changquan ('Longfist') Wu Xing (5 Animals), Wu Tzu (5 Ancestors) Kung Fu and 5 Elements Qigong. Sheffield Chinese Lion Dance Team Member, he also publishes 'Red Dragon Martial Arts Ezine'. Explore the free resources at: http://www.sheffieldkungfu.com/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Extreme-Martial-Arts-Body-Conditioning:-Shaolin-Iron-Cloth-Shirt!&id=6555825] Extreme Martial Arts Body-Conditioning: Shaolin 'Iron Cloth Shirt'!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Martial Arts Science Is Revealed Through A Study Of The Five Elements
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Al_Case]Al Case
That there is a martial arts science is a fact which none can dispute, the sad news is that people hold to art, and refuse the science in their thinking. This science, however, lives and breathes in the fighting disciplines and is described in many of the books, strategies and philosophies of the arts. In this piece of writing we will discuss the distinct progression of arts that will reveal this science.
The universe can easily be separated into five distinct elements. Interestingly, though there can be disagreement as to what makes up these basic elements, the science will still be revealed. Thus, select whichever elements you choose, and apply your arts as is done here, and it will still work.
The first element one must understand is air. Air is breathed in and utilized to generate chi energy. Thus, one could do any physical discipline, yoga is very good, the study of zen is quite adequate, and begin the transmutation of the universe into personal energy.
The second element one must understand is fire, and this is the generation of chi within the body generator, known as the tan tien, or 'one point.' Fire can be created quite easily by practicing the more violent arts. This would include such fighting skills as Karate, Kenpo, Taekwondo, some of the more violent forms of Kung Fu and so on.
The third element one must understand is earth. One takes in air and generates the fire, and then connects the fire downward to the ground. This can be done in any fighting method, but a study of Tai Chi Chuan or Pa Kua Chang is usually the best for this.
The fourth element is water. Once one learns how to connect to the earth, one must learn how to be fluid and changeable, and this holds for movements, strategic shifts in fighting skills, and so on. This can be studied, again, through wudan style martial arts, but also through Aikido, and some of the more esoteric Indonesian styles.
The fifth element one must understand is void. Void is the fact of awareness, and comes through an analysis of all arts. To practice one discipline is to study a piece of the whole, is like examining one vegetable and assuming you know them all.
The conclusion here, the message, if you will, is that one must apply oneself to all arts and learn their juxtapositioning. One must examine and see their inter-relationships, and understand them as a whole. This is the only way to truly master the fighting skills, and to understand the complete and whole Martial Arts Science.
Matrixing is the [http://www.monstermartialarts.com/]martial arts science of putting martial arts together. Learn about Matrixing, head over to [http://www.monstermartialarts.com/]Monster Martial Arts.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Martial-Arts-Science-Is-Revealed-Through-A-Study-Of-The-Five-Elements&id=6614538] Martial Arts Science Is Revealed Through A Study Of The Five Elements
That there is a martial arts science is a fact which none can dispute, the sad news is that people hold to art, and refuse the science in their thinking. This science, however, lives and breathes in the fighting disciplines and is described in many of the books, strategies and philosophies of the arts. In this piece of writing we will discuss the distinct progression of arts that will reveal this science.
The universe can easily be separated into five distinct elements. Interestingly, though there can be disagreement as to what makes up these basic elements, the science will still be revealed. Thus, select whichever elements you choose, and apply your arts as is done here, and it will still work.
The first element one must understand is air. Air is breathed in and utilized to generate chi energy. Thus, one could do any physical discipline, yoga is very good, the study of zen is quite adequate, and begin the transmutation of the universe into personal energy.
The second element one must understand is fire, and this is the generation of chi within the body generator, known as the tan tien, or 'one point.' Fire can be created quite easily by practicing the more violent arts. This would include such fighting skills as Karate, Kenpo, Taekwondo, some of the more violent forms of Kung Fu and so on.
The third element one must understand is earth. One takes in air and generates the fire, and then connects the fire downward to the ground. This can be done in any fighting method, but a study of Tai Chi Chuan or Pa Kua Chang is usually the best for this.
The fourth element is water. Once one learns how to connect to the earth, one must learn how to be fluid and changeable, and this holds for movements, strategic shifts in fighting skills, and so on. This can be studied, again, through wudan style martial arts, but also through Aikido, and some of the more esoteric Indonesian styles.
The fifth element one must understand is void. Void is the fact of awareness, and comes through an analysis of all arts. To practice one discipline is to study a piece of the whole, is like examining one vegetable and assuming you know them all.
The conclusion here, the message, if you will, is that one must apply oneself to all arts and learn their juxtapositioning. One must examine and see their inter-relationships, and understand them as a whole. This is the only way to truly master the fighting skills, and to understand the complete and whole Martial Arts Science.
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Martial-Arts-Science-Is-Revealed-Through-A-Study-Of-The-Five-Elements&id=6614538] Martial Arts Science Is Revealed Through A Study Of The Five Elements
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