The Perfect Excuse

Here is a picture of the perfect excuse for missing training.
Mini-Meerkat No2 was born 03:50am on Nov2nd a healthy 6lb11oz.
He feeds like his dad, poos like his dad, and has very sparrow-like but deceptively strong legs - erm maybe like his dad, maybe.

So, with Meerkat comfortably asleep whilst Mrs Meerkat gave birth (yes I really did fall asleep in the labour ward, waking up just in time to witness the birth) it was up to my troops from Imperial JJ to kick ass at the Southend Jikishin tournament.
And what a show. Rob Line won silver in brown/black belt random attack category. Nazarella, won silver in groundfighting (I predicted she would win a medal), Holly George won a bronze in groundfighting, and Sensei Grant, not happy with 1, won 2 gold medals. Phew! Everyone else did exceedingly well as the field gets tougher and tougher each year. Well done to you all. Meerkat sincerely hopes to join the crew and compete again next year.

byMeerkatsu

in

November 04, 2007

The Perfect Excuse

Here is a picture of the perfect excuse for missing training. Mini-Meerkat No2 was born 03:50am on Nov2nd a healthy 6lb11oz. He feeds like h...

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Blue

My second visit to Mill Hill JJ club last night and Nick worked on guard passing. Now if there is any technique in the myriad of BJJ techniques that reveals the differences between clubs and styles, guard passing is it. At RGDA, one of the passes we learned was the Gracie trademark one arm under one leg and stacking guard pass. Done correctly, it should work a treat, but many people, like me, don’t do it so well and get easily triangled or it falls apart. At Mill Hill, they follow the Roger Gracie ethic and consider placing one arm under as a definite no-no. Instead, they work on opening the guard and pass by walking or hopping over the legs, or the really cool both arms under the uke’s legs and flipping them to the side or the really flash flipping them upside down. I really liked these guard passes, they worked easily and were hard to counter.
Then came sparring. I must admit, I am finding it hard to adjust to the more full-on sparring style here. Many of these guys are just too good (and big) for me and I got swept and subbed by the blue belts with consummate ease. One guy, 85Kilo blue belt Ollie, just ripped me apart with endless subs. I think the most I lasted was about 20 seconds at one point. He finished me off with the evil knee on belly where you use the knee to force down into the gut and he pulls up with both grips so you get squeezed to hell. Then I sparred with a couple of white belts with four stripes (so blue belts in all but name) and they were very tough to break guard and swept me easily, but I avoided the humiliating tapouts of before. The drive home was a bit sombre for me. The new club is a bit of a step up for me and I struggled to cope. I hope I can improve over the coming weeks and months.

byMeerkatsu

in

October 26, 2007

Blue

My second visit to Mill Hill JJ club last night and Nick worked on guard passing. Now if there is any technique in the myriad of BJJ techniq...

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Oldboy, Newboy

Last night, the chance came for me to finally check out the nearest BJJ club in my new location – the Mill Hill Ju-Jitsu Club, a newly anointed representative of the Roger Gracie group run by Nick Brooks. It is only a few minutes drive away from me and I was looking forward to continuing my BJJ training there. I’ve known Nick for several years through ties with my traditional ju-jitsu training, but Nick has converted his club fully into a BJJ and subgrappling club.
So I turned up and the class ran pretty much as I expected – the same as any BJJ class around the world – a short series of simple warm-ups, then drilling of techniques (Nick went through escapes from side control) and then sparring. And it was the sparring that gave people the opportunity to check out the newboy – oh, that’s me. In a slight change to my experience at RGDA, the partners at Mill Hill are chosen by the sensei. At RGDA, we just partnered up with whoever we wanted. So I was partnered up by probably the youngest member there, a slight framed by youthful blue belt called Daniel. Oh my god, within split seconds Daniel had me tied up with omoplatas, rear nakeds and armbars seemingly out of nowhere. All the time, Nick was standing watching over me and I felt a sense that I was being set up with the brightest spark in the pack – kind of a way of sussing me out.
(I’ve since discovered that Daniel is someone with form – he recently won gold at the ADCC UK Nationals to become the youngest ever national champion at….16 years of age.)
The time thankfully ran out and then Nick offered to spar with me. I think I did a little better this time, but was still reeling from the shell shock of being subbed at will by a kid half my age – make that more than half my age. Nick was a little more forgiving, pulling me to guard and trying to sweep or counter which I was more comfortable with and countered myself with almost success. I didn’t get subbed this time, but I’m sure Nick was only playing with me. It was interesting to see the subtle differences between sparring with Eddie and Nick. Both highly accomplished brown belts, but both with quite different games.
Next up was the only female in the club that night, a firey and feisty challenge which had me trying everything I knew just to get out of a rather punishing lapel choke. Finally, I sparred with one of the bigger guys. This time I wasn’t gonna lay around helpless, so I pulled, yes you guessed it, spider guard. He found it infuriatingly tricky to pass but I found it tough to sweep him. We ended stalemate, I was pleased not to get subbed four in a row – that would be humiliating. But I think I mostly held my own.
Overall, it was a good night of training and a good op to blow away some cobwebs. The guys and girl at Mill Hill are a friendly bunch and I don’t think I made too much of a twat of myself. The young prodigious talent of Daniel was jaw dropping, and, since we are roughly similar in weight, I suspect there will be many more opportunities of being – to coin a vulgar term – bitchslapped. Although people were curious about my BJJ background and wanted to check me out, it was also a chance for me to check them out. Nick is a good instructor and explained the techniques very well, so looks like I have found a new BJJ home for the time being.

byMeerkatsu

in

October 19, 2007

Oldboy, Newboy

Last night, the chance came for me to finally check out the nearest BJJ club in my new location – the Mill Hill Ju-Jitsu Club , a newly anoi...

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Gracie time

The MEERKAT is back.
I’m back! After a brief hiatus spent moving home, I am finally settled into my new den in leafy Borehamwood. But before severing my ties with Hackney altogether, I had one more commitment – to attend a seminar at Eddie’s RGDA-UK gym given by the dashing Rodrigo Gracie.
Rodrigo is what some refer to as one of the ‘new’ generation of Gracies. Actually he is a bit older than the current crop of ‘new’ generation Gracies (Rener, Ralek etc), but he is clearly still a fighter in his prime.
The session didn’t begin until Rodrigo completed a TV interview, so we all sat around listening to him bat away some rather strange and off the cuff questions by the WOMA interviewer.
Rodrigo, like many Brazilian BJJ instructors, cuts an air of laid back calm with perhaps the added twang of having spent many years in the good old US of A. He seemed to come alive only when talking about fighting (both sport and ‘street’ fights) and girls - no difference to the rest of us then ;)
The seminar began with Rodgrigo introducing some simple self defence techniques against a head lock, then almost immediately progressed to sport BJJ where you use your own gi to strangle the uke. This was my favourite technique which, although a bit tricky, is probably one of the flashier moves in groundwork. After a few more gi techniques, Rodrigo moved to subgrappling techniques, and it was here that he clearly relished teaching – and spent most time on. I must admit, that my fading energy levels and concentration on the camera lens meant I did not really take in what Rodgrigo was teaching us so this part of the session flew over my head.
After the taught part of the session, Rodrigo offered to roll with students. Sadly, this Meerkat missed out yet again, as there were simply too many queuing up for their chance to be tapped out by the master…and he did not disappoint as tap after tap, all of our toughest guys got subbed within seconds. It was pretty amazing to watch.
The night ended with photos and smiles all round. Everyone warmed greatly to Rodrigo and he carries the Gracie name with honour and pride.
My night was not quite over as I offered to spar with long time training pal Ozy. Oz has just spent a year in Korea and has been training hard in BJJ over there, and cor blimey it really showed as this poor old Meerkat was rather ripped to shreds with Ozy’s now trademark butterfly and x-guard sweeps. Gulp, back to the drawing board for me! But nice to visibly see a fellow BJJer make such a great improvement and rise to his potential. It makes me wish I could devote more time to training. Still, I’m happy to take whatever I can get and this seminar was a great experience. Thanks once again to Eddie and the RGDA crew.

byMeerkatsu

in BJJ, eddie kone, rodrigo gracie, seminar

October 18, 2007

Gracie time

The MEERKAT is back. I’m back! After a brief hiatus spent moving home, I am finally settled into my new den in leafy Borehamwood. But before...

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So long, farewell, alf wiedersehen, goodbye

It's all over. My final session at RGDA-UK finished without incident (ie I thankfully didn't get injured). And, I must say, with a little tear in my eye, I will really miss the club.

For over the past 6 months my house move has been dragging on and on and now it is finally happening, it has dawned on me that due to the distance, I will no longer be able to attend my beloved Hackney BJJ club.

I started training there about 3 years ago and, although I had done a bit of BJJ at Carlson Gracie’s before, I was pretty much a raw beginner and was classic matt fodder as I got subbed time and time again. But I loved it then and I still do now. I’ve enjoyed my training there so much and really appreciate how Eddie and all the crew made me part of their ‘family’. It’s been a great ride. During my time there, I’d got to train with Royce, Royler and Rolker Gracie and rolled with numerous guys and girls who have become good friends. More importantly, I truly adhere to the club philosophy that BJJ should be more than just winning competitions and subbing everyone in sight. It is much deeper than that, and Eddie teaches it the way that Helio, Royler, Royce etc all teach it - as a martial art and self defence system to be enjoyed by all.
Thanks to everyone there, I consider myself very much still part of the RGDA crew and definitely hope to pop down every now and again.

So, the question is, where to now?

A quick scan on google reveals very few subgrapp or BJJ clubs in the Hertfordshire area. It got so depressing at one point I half considered joining a TKD or karate club (which there are in abundance in Herts), but, shudder the thought, I quickly put that one to rest.
There are however one or two clubs within driving distance that I may try. So, a new journey awaits and Meerkat will of course continue to report all his martial arts endeavours for your reading pleasure.

byMeerkatsu

in

September 30, 2007

So long, farewell, alf wiedersehen, goodbye

It's all over. My final session at RGDA-UK finished without incident (ie I thankfully didn't get injured). And, I must say, with a l...

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Poked

New addition to the syllabus?
Actually, this photo, by Ozzie snapper Brenton Edwards, is the 2007 winner of the Commonwealth Photographic Awards, and shows eleven-year old martial arts expert Giang Trong La balances on a bed of swords and spears. An exponent of Chang-Moo-Kwan Academy in Adelaide, South Australia since he was six, Giang has been learning the technique of being supported two metres in the air by eight razor sharp spears and swords for the past two years. This was one of the first times he had achieved this feat. Edwards had to get the image right pretty quickly as he could only tolerate being up there for ten seconds.
They sure to breed 'em tough down under.

Meerkat is gearing up once again for the annual Jikishin Ju-Jitsu Tournament. I may not be able to compete myself as it coincides with the due date of baby Meerkat#2, but it doesn't stop the rigorous training for the rest of the Imperial Club members. Groundfighting is once again high on the agenda and so far, Wayne 'Rage' is offering to represent Imperial in this category. There's a lot to do between now and the comps, so let's wish all out competitors good luck.

byMeerkatsu

in

September 27, 2007

Poked

New addition to the syllabus? Actually, this photo, by Ozzie snapper Brenton Edwards, is the 2007 winner of the Commonwealth Photographic Aw...

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Girl Fight

English MMA fighter Rosi Sexton has been getting lots of press recently. It's understandable since she is a very good fighter and, as a female fighter attracts negative and positive publicity alike. She is also a Cambridge-educated maths post grad wh is not short of an opinion or two. Meerkat has followed Rosi's progress since she was a regular poster on Planetjitsu forums. Especially her account of training whilst heavily pregnant and studying for her degree. There is another clip on youtube where she subs a Brazilian fighter using a classic BJJ technique. It's like selling rice to the Chinese.

So it seems a shame but she will probably be reknowned as the girl that caused a horrendous injury to her Japanese opponent in a recent MMA fight. The clip above is not for the squeamish (the cameraman certainly wasn't).
The takedown looks innocuous enough. A rear leg sweep of some type, but the Japanese girl obvious got her foot stuck whilst the upper leg and body rotated. It's a horrible injury and one that reminds me of David Busst, ex-Coventry player who was tackled and suffered probably the worst football injury of all time.

Speaking of injuries, Imperial Club member Daniel popped into the dojo this week to say Hi. He showed off his thick scars and described the permanent metal pins that hold his shattered forearm together. Docs say that if this arm breaks again, he will lose the arm! Daniel is quite wisely staying away from jujitsu until he heals completely.

byMeerkatsu

in

September 20, 2007

Girl Fight

English MMA fighter Rosi Sexton has been getting lots of press recently . It's understandable since she is a very good fighter and, as a...

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Iron-baby gong fu

What to do during four days of bone aching flu, stuck at home, bored witless...I know, let's conjure a new kata, and with such a willing young protege as Baby Meerkat, a new form is born. It may look easy, but there are secrets hidden in there.

byMeerkatsu

in

September 11, 2007

Iron-baby gong fu

What to do during four days of bone aching flu, stuck at home, bored witless...I know, let's conjure a new kata, and with such a willing...

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Ban Everything - especially dull stuff

Two honed and highly trained athletes pit their skills in a bid to win the title, but one of them is vastly superior in strength and size. It seems almost unfair and, sadly, it is, the bigger competitor falls on top of the other and crushes his spine, he ends up paralysed. But he is the lucky one, others who have competed, have died. The result is calamitous and the press call for a ban in this barbarous sport. Just another day in the life of a cage fighting contest? Well you would be wrong, the event I am describing here is horse racing. But it could be rugby, motorsport, boxing, hell, even wrestling has its fair share of death and serious injury.

Spoilsports from the British Medical Council today released a press release in an all too predictable knee jerk reaction to a sport that is practised by thousands and enjoyed by millions. For a contact sport, the safety record is incredibly good and the rules ensure that this continues to be the case.

To be fair, shows like the UFC and Cage Rage don’t exactly help by building up the hype to promote their shows with words such as ‘Extreme Fighting’ and ‘No holds barred’ but this is just marketing. The critics say it is human cockfighting. No, it is a sport governed by rules where both competitors choose to enter at their own free will and the loser has the chance to always ‘tap’ out. Roosters that fight – nearly always do so to the death.

I don’t follow MMA as avidly as most of my training buddies, but I have been to many shows and even participated in training. It’s not my first love but I can understand the ‘art’ of the sport and appreciate how much conditioning and skill is required. Of course, there should be people who voice their concerns as this helps make it safer. A call for a complete ban on MMA (the press release also asks to ban boxing) is singling out one sport when there are others that create far worse damage. Personally I can’t stand golf and think it should be banned on the grounds that it eats up precious countryside and is pointless (oh and also includes it’s fair share of eye-watering injuries), but that’s another story.

byMeerkatsu

in

September 05, 2007

Ban Everything - especially dull stuff

Two honed and highly trained athletes pit their skills in a bid to win the title, but one of them is vastly superior in strength and size. I...

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Power to the people, the real people

An interesting couple of incidents occurred to two of Meerkat’s friends.

First was one by BJJ pal Mark. You can read the full details here:
But in short – he was practising BJJ in the dojo on Sunday when a Pencak Silat class was going on on the other side. The instructor, totally out of the blue, came up to Mark and challenged him to a fight. It was clearly a stunt designed to impress the Pencak instructor’s students, but he was wrong. Within seconds, Mark was able to armbar him to within a millimetre of breaking his elbow, there was no tap so Mark released but immediately manipulated him into a rear naked and sank in for the choke. Class witnesses say the instructor went limp, but when he came to, he carried on fighting, so Mark duly caught his back again and sank in even harder – to which he DID tap out this time. The instructor got up, refused to shake hands and waltzed off back to his students with nary a look back. He was later overheard dissing BJJ - clearly trying to cover up for his foolish inadequacies.

The other incident that happened is the menacing approach by a certain martial arts governing body to stop Meerkat friends Cobra Martial Arts Ltd (makers of the excellent Martial arts multi-weapon) to trade under this name. It seems they have a similar variant to the name and have threatened legal action. Now let me see, if you own the name as a registered company and own the trademark to the name, does this not give you the right to trade under this name too? As far as I see the two organisations do not compete with each other in any way (one is an associating body, the other a seller of equipment), so there is more to this story than meets the eye, and word on the street is, it ain’t pretty. More on this as I hear about it.

Martial arts is a fun and empowering hobby. Sometimes though, bad things happen by people who take things just WAY too seriously. It is up to us as well-rounded MA citizens to do what we think is right at the time.

byMeerkatsu

in

August 28, 2007

Power to the people, the real people

An interesting couple of incidents occurred to two of Meerkat’s friends. First was one by BJJ pal Mark. You can read the full details here :...

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Sports Coach - UK stylee

As a club owner, one of my responsibilities is to ensure I get full coaching qualification renewed every 3 years. In the past, all you did was to attend a one day seminar given by the BJJA-GB (the governing body) and you got a tick in your book to say you are now a coach.
Today, things have changed. In order to keep in line with what the national sporting body (quango or whatever it is), that is Sport UK, instructors must now have the following:

• Enhanced CRB (criminal records bureau) check
• Current first aid certificate
• Personal indemnity insurance
• Membership to Sport Coach UK
• Complete a distance learning package
• Pass a written exam (series of short essays)
• Attend a one or two day seminar
• Complete specified number of monitored hours actually coaching

What you end up with is a NVQ or equivalent certificate, endorsed by Sport Coach UK. All in all it costs about £250-£300 every three years.
Apart from the expense, the whole process is pretty complicated and being an admin-phobic something I would rather avoid. But I think these days, there are some bare essentials that every martial arts club must have - mainly; first aid, basic safety of equipment and dojo, and insurance. And you wold be surprised how few clubs actually have even that!
MA is a contact sport that involve a diverse array of people. Things happen occasionally that are bad and unavoidable. The whole coaching certificate and mandatory requirements should go some way to helping manage such situations a bit better. Like it or lump it, coaching qualifications are here to stay.

byMeerkatsu

in

August 23, 2007

Sports Coach - UK stylee

A s a club owner, one of my responsibilities is to ensure I get full coaching qualification renewed every 3 years. In the past, all you did...

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Dummy Aid

Meerkat has just spent a day renewing his First Aid certificate. I have to be honest, the thought of a whole day in Canvey Island was not the most attractive concept for me and with the morning beginning with drizzly rain, it didn't bear good omens. But the training session really surprised me, it was a really well taught by a very experienced paramedic who not only ran through the usual slings, wounds, rescue breaths and CPR - he added hundreds of truly interesting personal anecdotes about his life rescuing people. Most surprising, and saddening, were the stories where an accident victim tries suing the first aider for alleged assault/sexual contact/etc when his or her life was being saved. Really sad.
Of course we had fun mucking up our attempts at CPR on the dummy, I truly hope I never have to use these skills, but it is better to know and try, than live life in ignorance.

So my thanks to the modest and out of the way Thames Ambulance training centre, I got a hell of a lot more out of this session than a dozen slick and corporate 'well known' first aid centres.

byMeerkatsu

in

August 18, 2007

Dummy Aid

Meerkat has just spent a day renewing his First Aid certificate. I have to be honest, the thought of a whole day in Canvey Island was not th...

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