Chicago Jiu Jitsu Brazilian in MMA Competition

MMA training Chicago Jiu Jitsu

Of all the many fighting styles represented in early MMA competition, none had a more decisive impact than Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Due to its unanticipated success against other styles, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu went from obscurity to international renown in a staggeringly short time. The biggest MMA events in North America – UFC, Extreme Fighting, WCC were all dominated by practitioners of BJJ. Especially surprising to most viewers was the fact that the Brazilian jiu jitsu fighters were almost always considerably smaller than their opponents. In addition, the victories were relatively bloodless affairs. The Brazilian fighters did not have to resort to bludgeoning their foes into defect. Rather, they quickly took them to the ground and then caught them in various strangles and locks, forcing them to give up. In the few cases where Brazilan Jiu Jitsu fighters were themselves taken down by their opponent, they were able to use their highly refined ground grappling skills to win fights from underneath opponents. This was quite radical at the time, for most people had the notion that the man on top in a fight was almost assured of victory. Unfolding before everyone’s eyes was the realization of the martial arts dream – to see a fighting style that allow a smaller, weaker man to overcome and defeat a larger, stronger skilled opponent with a minimum of violence and blood. Early response to this success on the part of the martial arts community was varied. Some claimed that MMA competition was immoral or somehow contrary to the spirit of the martial arts. Others gave grudging admiration of the results but claimed that the new style would not work in a real street fight where there was a danger of weapons and multiple opponents. progressive martial artists, however, quickly took note of the results and sought to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, either was a style the wished to emulate or at least so they could learn how to counter the devastating moves and techniques that were wreaking havoc in MMA competition. In either case, progressive martial artist were anxious to learn the new art. This was the shot heard around the martial art world – the revolution had begun…

Want to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Chicago? Carlson Gracie MMA Team in Chicago, Aurora, Naperville and Minooka is the best place to start and train. Dont take my word for it, check them out: http://www.ChicagoMMATraining.com

The Basic of Boxing Stance and Movements – Minooka, Naperville, Aurora and Chicago

The real basic when it comes to boxing training is the stance and movement. Correct stance and movement are the foundation on which to build your offense and defense. Just as a baby learns to crawl before it walks and to walk before it runs, so the beginning boxer must learn the correct stance before learning how to move about the ring and he must know how to move before concerning himself or herself with punching or with defense.

The Basic Boxing Stance:

In the basic stance the feet are comfortably apart with the left foot in front of the right and slightly turned in. The distance between your feet should be whatever gives you a solid, balanced feeling; but 12 to 14 inches should be a minimum, so that you cannot be pushed off balance easily. This position puts you sideways with the left side of your body in a straight line with your left leg. This offers a smaller target to your opponent.

Keep your left foot flat on the floor. Your right heel, however must stay off the floor. Keep your weight evenly distributed between the soles of both feet.

When you back up or move to your right, your right foot moves first, then your left. When you move forward or move to your left, your left foot slides in that direction, followed by your right.  Always slide forward and backward without crossing your feet. In this manner, you avoid being off balance. If you get off balance, your opponent merely has to shove you to put on the canvas.

As you move, keep coming back to the basic stance position, the quicker the better. Remember to stay on the toes of your right foot, never placing that foot flat on the canvas. And never bring your feet together or cross them.

Now as to the position of the upper part of your body for boxing: keep your left shoulder up and bend your head to the left, so that your chin is hidden in the hollow of your shoulder. It helps too if you crouch a bit. This offers protection to your jaw and chin, making them poor targets.

Holding your right hand high and close in beside your chin. Hold your left hand up at all times. Keep your left elbows close to your body to protect your mid section.

Always come back to this basic position, no matter what you do or where you go. You have to move fast, because whenever you throw a punch you leave yourself open temporarily for a counterpunch. Boxing is a matter of action and interaction. It is impossible to keep from exposing some part of yourself from time to time.

Part 1 of 2…

Training in Jiu Jitsu? Wear a GI but know how to take care of it! – Chicago, Naperville, Aurora and Minooka

You rolled around in it. You sweat in it. You bleed your own blood into. Your opponent blood is in it also but do you know how to take care of your Jiu Jitsu GI? Read on:

Day to Day care for your Jiu Jitsu GI:

Your GI is expected to shirk with the first wash. Heavier GIs less so but they will all shirk some. Most of the shirking will be in the length of sleeves or legs – not so much in the girth or dimeter. This is the main reason it is strongly recommend that you always it in cold water. This will minimize shrinking considerably.

Washing with like colors will also help your uniform stay clean looking. Keep in mind, a vertical agitator washing machine can put alot of stress on large, heavy pieces of clothing. Washing your GI with at least a couple other items such as a couple of towels will help lessen this problem and help the uniform last longer.

Do not use machine dryer. Line drying the Gi will minimize the shrinkage and prolong its life considerably. The dryer really beats the Gi up. We know it a pain in the behind but it really helps. Also make sure you avoid direct sunlight if it is drying outside.

Avoid the use of chlorine bleach (yes even the color safe bleach). Chlorine bleach weakens the fabric, especially the threads in the seams by damaging the cotton fibers. It will shorten your Gi life.

If you got stains or even worst smell that just will not come out, consider pre soaking first. If you do not have an automatic pre soak setting on your machine, just turn the machine off in the middle of the first agitation cycle and let the uniform soak for 20 minutes. Liquid soap will also clean better if you are washing with cold water.

If you do decide to use bleach, use it sparingly. It will shorten the life of the Gi.

For freah blood stains, the best way to get them clean is to act right away. Soak your Gi in cold water. Then rub liquid detergent into any remaining stain, rinse it once then launder. Dried blood stains should be pretreated or soaked in warm water then laundered. Still Bloody? You can try washing with bleach but see above… STILL a problem? Get a Gi that is not white!!!!

Fabric softener shortens the life of the Gi.  It is recommended that it is avoid using softener. If the Gi is too rough for your tastes, there is no other way around it. Bleach and hot water will make it softer but will kill the Gi in the long run.

– Wash your Gi after every use.

– Wash your Jiu Jitsu Gi right after you use it.

– Dry it right away.

– Lastly, Do not fold it right away. If you fold it while it is still moist, the whole “mildew thing” will happen.