No egg and spoon race

Last night's JJ class was one of the best I have ever had the privilege to run. As it was the session after the grading, I thought we would do something a little different and devised a mini-tournament, dubbed 'The IJJC Sports Day'. Two teams were picked by brown belt team captains, David and John. Each participant had to compete in one of four different categories. I made sure there was something for everyone, from the crash and bang of sparring to the red-faced choking of groundfighting. There was also more sedate but no less skilled categories of random attack and syllabus demo. Red verses blue teams battled it out and the atmosphere was very good with each team cheering on their competitor. It was pretty much neck and neck all the way but in the end, blue team won thanks to a good groundfighting match between David and John. Props should go to man of the match Aubrey for a stunning display of sparring skill. We are all still mentally rewinding the amazing leg sweep that sent poor Charles flying. I'm glad the event went smoothly and everyone seemed to enjoy it. I look forward to IJJC sports day #2 soon.

In BJJ class, we are currently visited by a Brazilian cage fighter and BJJ purple belt Henrique 'Lagartixa' Santana. His fight name translates to the Lizard but after five minutes of sparring with him, he was more like a Komodo Dragon! Let me see, I remember shaking hands and then grabbing his gi lapel, the next thing I knew, he put me in a armbar never to escape. It took what must be one second for him to submit me. A club record surely. I fared little better as we continued. The lizard producing a seasoned repertoire of BJJ subs against me while I struggled like a small worm desperately avoiding being gobbled up. It was a great experience since advanced BJJ students are hard to come by. I look forward to more tangles as the Lizard teaches the Meerkat more punishing lessons from Brazil.

Finally, a shout out to club regular Effie, who has given up her job to train for the forthcoming Winter Olympics. Good luck!

byMeerkatsu

in

September 07, 2005

No egg and spoon race

Last night's JJ class was one of the best I have ever had the privilege to run. As it was the session after the grading, I thought we wo...

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A taste of Brazil

The first of the series of seminar extravanganzas was held last night at our club - Eddie and club regular Richard kindly came down to offer our members some BJJ techniques. For many of the 20 or so members that came down, it was quite an eye opener and from the look of rapt concentration on everyone's faces, it appears to have gone down a storm.

We had talked previously about what techniques Eddie would be doing, but in the end, he taught a sequence of mount submissions and guard sweeps that were along the lines of what we know in our syllabus, but modified to be used against a resisting opponent. They were fairly basic but the technical adeptness needed to perform some of them were what made the difference between a failed technique and a successful one.


I seem to get the hang of it!!


Despite some similarities between the two styles of ju-jitsu, there were obvious differences - an amusing one being the way our club formally lines up and performs a respectful rei to our instructor (sometimes with an added 'ooss', or 'yes sensei'!!). This was amusing because BJJ clubs simply do not have any of this type of formality and it seemed to slightly embarrass our guests. But if things are going to be done, I think it was right for us to go about them in the way we know best. Crucially, throughout the seminar, Eddie was keen to point out the self-defence applications of the many techniques he showed. BJJ is a great sport, but also an important platform for self defence, or self protection as we prefer to call it, whilst on the ground.


Eddie demonstrates a technique on Richard


All in all, a very worthwhile seminar and one I am proud to have hosted for the benefit of our members. One regular reader of my blogs has posted his views here, saying that in the USA, such seminars rarely, if ever happen, due to self interest and the worry that they will lose students if they see a better art. For me, this has never been a concern. If anything, you will gain the respect of your students if they can see that we are open to outside ideas, whilst still maintaining the integrety of our base art. BJJ is no different, in many respects to traditional jiu-jitsu. ie the idea of not using power or strength to defeat an opponent. Only the manner in which it is practised is the difference. And one we should all learn from.

Next seminar to come, the head of our association will make his debut on our mats in September. Another session definitely not to be missed.


Aubrey finds the funny side

byMeerkatsu

in

August 17, 2005

A taste of Brazil

The first of the series of seminar extravanganzas was held last night at our club - Eddie and club regular Richard kindly came down to offer...

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Special guests

One of the joys of running your own club is the feeling of spirit and community. Not only with one’s fellow members, but with the martial arts community in general. If you attend another style or totally different MA and mention that you already run a club, you get treated differently. It is only a small and subtle difference in tone of voice of mannerism but generally, my other instructors seem happy that another instructor has chosen to learn from them. I too fall into that category since one or two of my club students also do another MA at a very high level but still find it beneficial to learn from me. It is a humbling experience.
Going back to the community spirit thought – one of the things I love doing is making friends with other instructors and asking if they would give us a seminar. I like the idea of opening doors and opening minds so that our members get to experience and practice stuff outside the immediate circle. Last year, we had a very successful and much praised Systema seminar. Over the next couple of months, I am hosting seminars from: my BJJ instructor, our head of association, our friends at Mill Hill and hopefully, my old sensei from Kent. You cannot fail to learn something valuable at seminars. The benefit of having one in the club environment is intimacy – in a big sports hall with hundreds of jitsuka it can be very hard to follow everything.
So, our little club looks forward to the arrival of our esteemed guests and Meerkat will report on how each one goes here on this weblog.

byMeerkatsu

in

August 03, 2005

Special guests

One of the joys of running your own club is the feeling of spirit and community. Not only with one’s fellow members, but with the martial ar...

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All blue

It's been a strange old time this week. More terror attacks and drama on London as bombers strike again. Shootings, raids etc. It seems the bombers have done their worst to scare us and now, most people just shrug their shoulders and get on with life.

And life, for the Meerkat this week has revolved solely around BJJ. With Prof David Adiv making a rare visit to the UK, Meerkat took the opportunity to train with both David and black belt protoge Rosendo Diaz. These guys are truly at the pinnacle of BJJ in the world. They hold more knowledge and skill in their little fingernail than we could ever imagine. Half the chaps who trained with Rosendo last night were still beaming with gigantic grins. I too was beaming that I had obtained a few small but exceedingly valuable marbles of technical wisdom from Mr Adiv.
All in all, a fascinating and educational trip, made all the more worthwhile with the presentation of a blue belt by David to me. To top that, Eddie received his well deserved brown belt - he is now one of only a small handful of senior British BJJ instructors in the UK.


Top left to right - Richard, Jonathan, small but dangerous me, Gary, Brian.
Bottom - David Adiv, Eddie Kone, Rosendo Diaz.

byMeerkatsu

in

July 23, 2005

All blue

It's been a strange old time this week. More terror attacks and drama on London as bombers strike again. Shootings, raids etc. It seems ...

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Justice

A dark time in Meerkat world the past few days.
The London bombings last week have been an upsetting episode. Me and Mrs were close to Liverpool street around the time of the attacks. We extend our sympathies to those who suffered in the attacks.

Today at our JJ seminar, I threw a 15 stone brown belt and he landed bang onto his shoulder and nearly broke him. He was in such agony but refused medical attention. I felt terrible. Throughout the session I kept thinking 'This fella is big and I am going to get injured, I know it' but obviously it was him not me that got the injury bug. He sat the rest of the session rather forlornly with his arm strapped up, I suspect it will ruin his preparations for shodan grading.

To end my depressing week, just now I have come home to a scene outside my house. Some kid on a motorcycle crashed into a metal fence and flew head over heals over the fence. It made such a noise that everyone in the houses ran outside to see what happened. The paramedics were swiftly onto the scene but the kid was in a real bad way. One look at the metal fence and what remained of his bike and you could see he was speeding big time (in a quiet 20mph zone) - all the motorbike kids roundhere do it, it's a miracle no one got hurt before.

So Meerkat wishes all those who are injured this week a speedy recovery and justice to those that mean us harm.

byMeerkatsu

in

July 10, 2005

Justice

A dark time in Meerkat world the past few days. The London bombings last week have been an upsetting episode. Me and Mrs were close to Liver...

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Cauliflower pain

Meerkat has been suffering from a swollen ear for the past week. My ears must have got stuck during sparring when in various states of being headlocked. They are seriously red, swollen and very sore. One colleague at BJJ is quite annoyed at the bashing his own ears are getting so will be wearing a rugby style ear protectors. This serves a double purpose of protecting against cauliflower ear, and making him look like a seasoned pro, though may also make him look a tad silly. I am debating upon whether or not to wear one.



The Meerkat’s JJ club had five surprise newcomers pop in last night. Surprise because it is usual for beginners to contact me first so I can prepare for them, but nevertheless they turned up and it was a good session. I am now getting quite a few members who have trained in other ju-jitsu styles – some of them to a very high level. I used to wonder what my little club could offer them, but they seem pretty happy training here and I’m flattered they continue to come. It is certainly true that an instructor can learn just as much from his students as they learn from him.

byMeerkatsu

in

July 06, 2005

Cauliflower pain

Meerkat has been suffering from a swollen ear for the past week. My ears must have got stuck during sparring when in various states of being...

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Cage Rage 12

I attended my first ever cage fighting show this weekend. So far I have ignored MMA as it seems rather brutish. But I have to say, it was a great show. There was considerable skill and talent on view. Yes, there was blood, yes there was a knockout that the squeamish may wish to avoid seeing, but overall, it was the skilled groundfighting abilities of those that train in BJJ that seemed to win the day. Of the 12 or so fights, at least 5 won by armbar and another 2 or 3 from choke. BJJ club regular Brad ‘one punch’ Pickett defied expectations by not living up to his name. Instead, the featherweight boxer won by submission (something called a corkscrew arm bar). There was also a huge Brazilian chap fighting. He looked like Jaws from James Bond. No, he was bigger than that. His opponent, big as he was, was no match and lost with a ‘verbal tapout’ – translate that as: HELP!!!
I very much admire the guts and courage it takes for any competitor to get in the Octagon cage. I can understand if armchair punters may not like the ‘boring’ elements (tight close quarter grappling) but it’s all part of the skill and in any case, how many boring time wasting boxing matches have you seen? So MMA deserves to get a wider audience and due respect. The only downer of the day was that my instructor Eddie was supposed to fight but his opponent pulled out at the last minute.
In other news, the Meerkat is awarded yet another stripe to his white belt. It must have been my newly acquired ‘hooks sweep’ from the butterfly, which is quickly turning out to be a favourite of mine. Well, it beats just lying there in closed guard and clinging on for dear life!

byMeerkatsu

in

July 04, 2005

Cage Rage 12

I attended my first ever cage fighting show this weekend. So far I have ignored MMA as it seems rather brutish. But I have to say, it was a ...

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Business as usual

Meerkat is back from holiday, refreshed and ready for action. Or so one thought until I embarked on my first BJJ training after a two week absence. Boy! all that Greek food and lazing on the beach must have killed my fitness cos I was wasted after just one spar. The ankle and elbow is still niggling though and I was heavily strapped with neoprene.

Mrs Meerkat's pregnancy is in full swing. 20 weeks old and still growing. Things are fine for me to continue my usual training at present, but I can't help wondering how much of an impact a baby will be and how much training I will be able to do after she is born. I see a lot of jujitsuka who take a long break or only start training because their kids have now grown up and they have some time on their hands. I would prefer to continue as I am but know this is not practical.
So, Meerkat will simply have to play it by ear and see how it goes. Until then however, it's business as usual.

And that business will climax with a much anticipated visit by BJJ black belt David Adiv - top instructor under Royler Gracie and the man who's name we wear on our BJJ kimonos. A seminar in July has been planned and I cannot wait for it to happen. It would make a nice birthday present and a good way to forget that Meerkat will nearer 40 than 30 years old. Boo hoo!

byMeerkatsu

in

June 29, 2005

Business as usual

Meerkat is back from holiday, refreshed and ready for action. Or so one thought until I embarked on my first BJJ training after a two week a...

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Fledglings

Our fledgling sister clubs – the women only (WO) club and the Kentish Town (KT) club – have kicked off their tenures with an encouraging start. KT club has been running three weeks now and has attracted a core of regulars averaging around 5 to 6 each week. WO club started last night and the report from Marie Paule was that she had 6 newbies turn up. Which is a great start and hopefully a good base from which to grow. The pressure to succeed is slightly higher with these new clubs due to the start-up costs (mats, licences, insurance, new equipment etc) plus the fact that the rent is quite high. But with an average half dozen turning up each week, this is all one needs to survive.
Meerkat is nursing a double joint injury at present. After 10 months of solid BJJ training, I thought I was lucky not to have sustained any injuries so far. Last week it all came to a head as I received a punishing Americana lock on my arm, plus a rather silly self-inflicted twisted ankle. Time to dust off the neoprene supports as elbow and ankle suffer in pain and mobility. Still, the good news is that our instructor is billed to fight in the cage (Cage Rage in fact) this July. It’s mixed martial arts, not something I am a huge fan of, but it will be cool to see him in action. He promises to reveal some special trademark moves come the big day.

byMeerkatsu

in

June 08, 2005

Fledglings

Our fledgling sister clubs – the women only (WO) club and the Kentish Town (KT) club – have kicked off their tenures with an encouraging sta...

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In the zone

Meerkat spent the day badly driving his white van, as all good white van drivers should, honking horns at arrogant BMW drivers, swerving into the next lane before indicating etc. All in aid of fetching 36 nearly-new dayglo yellow sports mats from their factory in Leighton Buzzard (home of the martial arts mats) down to our dojo. Muchos thanks to our Fire Officer who secured free parking on campus.
So anyway, we laid them out and I had the bright idea of making a two-tone pattern, two rows yellow, one row black. The purpose was to divide the dojo into ‘zones’. The result though made our training room resemble a giant flattened wasp. Worse yet, some of the mats clearly had not stretched due to their newness and awkwardly started to rise upwards so as to look like a speed hump.
Still, these are minor complaints. It is just such a luxury to train on fully fitting training mats that are pleasant to breakfall on, that do not slip under your feet, and do not have holes missing. Oh, and the weird smell from the old mats is gone. They are however, exceedingly bright and after three hours of being in the room, my retina seemed to be permanently cast with a blue haze (the ‘negative’ of course of yellow).Other news: Meerkat gets his third stripe in BJJ class and immediately gets spanked by clubmates. Yep, the age old tradition of a rank promotion is coupled with a serious attempt by fellow club mates to pour cold water on any thoughts of thinking you are any good. I survived the onslaught and even managed to accidentally foot slap the big Ukranian’s face. Luckily he found it amusing cos I was fearful he would crush the Meerkat whilst laughing manically – he is that scary.

byMeerkatsu

in

May 27, 2005

In the zone

Meerkat spent the day badly driving his white van, as all good white van drivers should, honking horns at arrogant BMW drivers, swerving int...

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Cotton wool balls

Meerkat attending the debut session at Pete's new dojo on Saturday. All one can say is WOW! Situated in the main exercise studio of LA Fitness, it has all the modcons you expect from a first class fitness gym.
Mirrors all around meant that the Meerkat was too transfixed with the novelty of viewing himself in 360 degree glory, than actually doing any useful ju-jitsu. If that was not enough, through the sliver of glass next to the door one could see all the fancy hardbodies pounding away on the running machines and other contraptions - many of the svelte looking females were very, ahem, distracting to the eye...anyway back to the main point of this blog, suffice to say, the gym is a draw-droppingly fantastic place to host a dojo. They even offer complimentary balls of fluffy cotton wool in the five star changing rooms, what more could you ask for?
My only gripe, well, the new mats are too hard for me, but then I am a wimp when it comes to nice soft landings, so it's a much needed 'slap' of reality to hit the floor with that little give.
Looks like Pete has started off his new venture in a good place and with any luck, the punters will come flocking.

byMeerkatsu

in

May 22, 2005

Cotton wool balls

Meerkat attending the debut session at Pete's new dojo on Saturday. All one can say is WOW! Situated in the main exercise studio of LA F...

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Life, the Universe, and almost everything jujitsu

The Meerkat had to attend a days coaching seminar to earn his next level of coaching badges. But what I thought was a necessary chore ended up being a delightfully entertaining audience with none other than the man who founded our style of JJ. With over 50 years practising and teaching jujitsu, this man has definitely seen it all – and more.

The seminar was aimed at instructors and those thinking of instructing. The content was a list of do’s and don’ts approved by the BJJA-GB (governing body). What it turned out to be, was a series of personal anecdotes and memoirs by the great man himself. A lot of it funny, some of it poignant – for example, he went through two divorces and lost touch (or fell out with) with his kids and grandchildren – all because of JJ. There was a lot of content about the correct way to deal with vulnerable people – and the not correct way to deal with them. Whatever mistakes have been made in the past, they were usually done by him in the first place and he was there to offer us his advise and wisdom.

It is clear, when you hear from someone who has dedicated his life entirely to one activity, how much personal sacrifice has been involved. But he was happy to point out that JJ offers so much too, such as meeting new friends and partners, progression and personal development, and, maybe, a little extra income if you are lucky too.
The seminar was a humbling and honest account of a life in JJ. It gives people like me, a useful guide for the future. JJ means so much to so many people. I am happy to be a part of the family.

byMeerkatsu

in

May 18, 2005

Life, the Universe, and almost everything jujitsu

The Meerkat had to attend a days coaching seminar to earn his next level of coaching badges. But what I thought was a necessary chore ended ...

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