Goal Setting for 2011

       Right after Christmas and before the New Year is a great time to reflect on all the accomplishments of the year. It's also a great time to see things you could have done a little better or would like to change in the coming year. Many highly competitive and self motivated athletes will take the time to write out an entire years training schedule before the New Year; factoring in training, competitions, travel, and even rest. Writing out a one year plan is a great way to see the "Big Picture" and maximize your training outcome, but takes a great deal of time and thought. I would like to share with you a simple goal setting template I learned how to use in college. Filling out the sheet is a good start, but having to see the sheet on a daily basis is essential. In college my sheet was placed in my locker which I opened before and after early-morning workouts and before and after afternoon workouts for a total of four times a day. I believe seeing what you wrote on a daily basis forces you to focus and challenge yourself with every workout. The examples I listed are only there to help you, and the more personalized you can get the better. I wish you all a Great 2011! 

-Goal Setting Sheet-

Write these down and put them in a place you will see EVERY DAY!

My Goals for 2011 are:

ex: Win a Tournament. Lose 15 pounds. Run a 6 minute mile. 

1. ____________________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________

Things you need to do on a daily basis to accomplish your goals:

ex: Not get tapped. Score a sweep. Try to execute the technique of the day during a roll. Stretch.

1. ____________________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________

4._____________________________________________________________

5._____________________________________________________________

Things you need to do on a weekly basis to accomplish your goals:

ex: Go to 6 practices.  Stay after and do a match with someone. Stay after and practice the technique of the day.

1. ____________________________________________________________

2._____________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________

4._____________________________________________________________

Things you need to do on a monthly basis to accomplish your goals:

ex: Go to one tournament every month. Master a new sweep. Read Eliot's blog(had to throw it in there!)

1. ____________________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________

Things you need to do in 6 months to accomplish your goals:

ex:  Run a 1/2 marathon. Find one weakness and make it better. 

1. ____________________________________________________________

2.____________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________

Feel free to print this out and use it as a template to help guide your goal setting for 2011! If people have any insights or comments I would love to get some feedback to make things better. Happy New Year!! 

Eliot Kelly

www.edhbjj.com
 El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 

1st Jiu-Jitsu Tournament in El Dorado Hills

        On December 22 we finished off 2010 with an in-house Gi Tournament. Competitors were divided into two different categories: above 185 and below 185. Each competitor had at least two matches and awards were given accordingly. Although the competition was against people we train with on a regular basis, the atmosphere was a little more intense than a usual practice. It was also a great opportunity for students to introduce family and friends to Cia Paulista Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and show off the skills they had developed from their rigorous training. As an instructor, I was very impressed to see each student's progress and how each individual has internalized Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and made it their own! Congratulations to all the competitors!

         At the end of the competition, several individuals were recognized and earned their belt promotion. Afterwards, we all met up for ice cream at ColdStone Creamery in the El Dorado Hills Town Center to share a little time together off the mat. Merry Christmas everyone!

Eliot Kelly

www.edhbjj.com

El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 

Technique: Passing the Guard

12/13 ~ 12/16
         This week at El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu we focused on mastering the guard pass, and the ability to maintain your balance and a solid base at all times. It is important to learn how to clear your opponents legs using your entire body in order to secure the guard pass and end up in a 100 kilos position or better. There are many variations to passing the guard, but if you stick to the basics you should be fine! Maintain your balance, clear the legs, and look to secure a 100 Kilos position. 


Tips while in the Guard:
- Make a strong triangle with your body: Point A (where the hands touch your partner)         
                                                           Point B (your head and chest) 
                                                           Point C (your hips). 
- Push using the outer edge of the palm (Second Grip)
- Create distance between Point D (their hips) and Point C (your hips)
- Moving to maintain balance 


Guard Pass:
- Grip on the knee. One knee up. Same side arm under the leg. Circle arm to the other hip ~ into 100 Kilos (position 4)
-  Push knee down. Outside leg traps his leg. Hand on hip slides under arm and knee behind head. Clear legs ~ into 100 Kilos (position 2)
- Grip low on the pants. All the weight on your partner and walk around the outside. Shoulder in stomach. Trail knee to the hip. Front knee to the shoulder - into 100 kilos (position 2/3)


Guard Submissions (Counter-attacks):
- Leg Triangle Choke (When an arm is under the leg)
- Arm bar (when arms are posted high)


Guard Sweeps (Passer is on both feet):
- Feet on hips. Head goes over the head. Lift to backward roll sweep ~ into Mount
- Feet on hips. Grips on Sleeve. Partner is Pulling Back. Hook behind knee. Grab other heel. Push-pull to sweep ~ into 100 Kilos (position 2)
 ~ If they step back ~
- Switch grips. Alternate hand grabs heel. Hip foot to other hip. Knee foot to the ground. Push-pull and sweep the far leg ~ into Knee on belly/100 Kilos (position 2)
~ Transition Drill between both ~


Stand Up:
Double Leg Take Down: Hands post on elbows. Grab your guns before you shoot. Head up/Back Straight/ Hips in/Trail leg up.


"Take time to review and visualize the technique you learned in your mind. Go slow and picture every movement step by step. If you can see the steps in your mind, your body will be able to do it."

Eliot Kelly 

www.edhbjj.com

Learn jiujitsu in El Dorado Hills 

Why do we Bow in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

       This past weekend I was at the Grappling X Tournament in Elk Grove where there were many exciting gi and no-gi matches. In addition to some exciting moves, one thing that stood out from that day was the act of bowing. Some chose to bow and some didn't. It seemed many didn't really understand the significance of bowing. A few years ago I would have said that bowing didn't matter, and I didn't think much of bowing. However, a few recent experiences have helped change my perspective.

        At the high school in Japan where I taught English and coached wrestling, the wrestling club practiced alongside the Kendo Club. In general, Kendo clubs are known for being very meticulous about following protocol. I remember one time when a young student neglected to bow to one of the visiting teachers. That student ended up receiving a harsh lecture on bowing for a solid hour. In many Japanese Martial Arts, especially in Kendo, there is a phrase, "start with a bow and end with a bow"「礼」にはじまり「礼」に終わる. People explain that it is not enough to just remember to bow. Rather, it is important to have the spirit or feeling of respect and honor while doing so. Many similarities can be drawn between Jiu-Jitsu and Kendo.

        Jiu-Jitsu, like kendo, began as a Military Art with one objective, destroy your opponent. Over the years Jiu-Jitsu has changed into a Martial Art, a Self Defense, a way to build people with integrity and strengthen the body, mind and spirit. Going at it only with the intentions of obliterating your opponent would be uncivilized, and might as well be the same as a violent fistfight. Therefore, in Jiu-Jitsu, where character building is the emphasis, following proper etiquette is a must. 

Obviously, bowing is an important way to show your respect toward someone.  The act of bowing is also a way to quickly adjust your mind, body, spirit, and attitude. It is said that your body reflects your state of mind and spirit, and that the feeling of respect can be communicated through your bow. In Japan, where bowing goes hand in hand with greetings, bowing is considered a requirement for all human relationships. Bowing should not only reflect a sense of respect to your training partner, but also your thankfulness for your instructor, training grounds, and even to yourself and where you are in your daily life.

At the Grappling X Tournament some competitors would slap the mat out of frustration in defeat, and some would slap the mat and cheer out of joy for victory. Doing this would be looked down upon in many Japanese Martial Arts or not be tolerated at all. The reasoning behind this is that you should never forget to feel thankful and remain respectful towards your opponent who tried their very best in competition and trained with just as much emotional intensity for your battle.

From a layman's perspective, Jiu-Jitsu is a contest where two people are trying to break each others limbs or choke each other out. The reason Jiu-Jitsu is able to remain a contest and not turn into a brawl or quarrel is because the act of bowing is included. The bow signifies a spirit of mutual agreement to train together and make each other better. Since there exists a feeling of mutual modesty and humility, people are able to go at it with the utmost intensity and at the same time have no intention of hurting each other. 

        Some may say that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not a Japanese Martial Art and therefore you don't have to bow. If that's the case I recommend you go back to the top of the page and read the article again! 

Eliot Kelly

916-595-4064

www.edhbjj.com

       

Technique: 100 Kilos Position

12/6 ~ 12/10

         This week at El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we focused on mastering different side-control positions and how these positions could transition into a submission or into a more dominant position. It is important to learn the transitions between each position, and understand where your body needs to be positioned in order to maximize the distribution of your body weight to your partner.

Side-Control:

100 Kilos
Position 1, 2, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, Neutral-(Mount), Neutral-(North/South)

Submissions:

  - Americana Lock (with the arms)

  - Inside Lapel Choke

  - Gi Choke 

  - Americana Lock (with the body)

Positions to Potentially Apply a Submission:

  - Position 3 ~ Americana Lock (with the arms)

  - Position 3.5 ~ Inside Lapel Choke

  - From Position Neutral-(North/South) to Position 5 ~ Americana Lock (with the body)

  - Position Neutral-(Mount) ~ Gi Choke

Positions to Potentially Earn Points:

  - Position 3 ~ Neutral-(Mount)

  - Position 3.5 ~ Neutral-(Mount)

  - Position 5 ~ Neutral-(Mount)

Supplementary Material:

  - Modified Headlock Takedown: (using the under-hook and pinching the head while stepping in the middle) ~ Finish in Side-Control.
  - Inside Trip: Same set up for the Ippon Seoi-nage, partner steps back,  lead foot trips, lapel goes over shoulder. Finish in Guard.

"A teacher's responsibility is to guide the student and show them everything the teacher knows. The Student's responsibility is to follow the teacher and remember everything they have been taught."

I just made your job as a student a little bit easier ^_^. Maybe you could make my job a little easier too!! 

Eliot Kelly

(916)-595-4064

www.edhbjj.com

Fundamental Jiu-Jitsu Lessons from My Cat (Part 1)

I used to think cats were the laziest and most boring pets to own, but recently realized I was just never around long enough to appreciate their unique characteristics. In the last year my wife and I have acquired 2 cats, and it has been enlightening to see them play and roll around with each other. In my opinion, it sometimes looks like a simplified application of no-holds-barred Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Recently I have found myself observing my cats with a keen eye, hoping it would somehow enhance my awareness on the mat. Here are three very dominant traits that I have noticed from my cats, Maru (the runt of a litter born near our apartment), and Tomo (a tomboy adopted from the SPCA).

The first trait would be my cats’ ability to establish a solid guard. While observing my cat in the guard, I noticed how the back of the head was off the ground, the feet were up and positioned between the bodies, and the limbs were used to test the balance and posture of the other cat. Rather than keeping the back flat on the floor, the cat would roll from shoulder to shoulder and post up on an elbow (or whatever joint that could be comparable to an elbow) when there was a small gap between the two. When the cat on top would make a move, it forced the other to reposition in guard using a hip-escape.

The second trait would be the hip-escape. Also known as shrimp-ing, this action is one of the fundamental movements in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  Not only is it an essential movement when trying to move and position your body on the mat, but it’s also an essential action to create or take away space. Whenever it looked as though the cat on top was positioned a little out to the side, the cat in guard would casually push off the ground to distance the hips in order to maintain a position where their bodies were facing one another. Within this display of Jiu-Jitsu movements, I realized flexibility was a key factor allowing for the action.

The third trait would be flexibility within the back and hips. Although I have never seen my cats do the butterfly stretch, I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t have any problem doing so. Their flexibility allowed them to move freely and maximize the use of their body without strain or discomfort. They have also shown me the ability to curl into the smallest ball or arch backwards into a semi-circle.

Although it may be a little silly to compare cat’s play with Martial Arts, we should realize the movements we are acquiring follow principles that exist in nature. The movements we train our bodies to do instinctively “make sense” in nature and therefore are practical and applicable. We are essentially re-teaching our bodies to do what we have untaught ourselves. What tied all of these traits together were Maru and Tomo’s ability to adjust their speed and balance, maintain an element of surprise, and stay relaxed all while having fun.

Eliot Kelly
www.edhbjj.com

FROM CERAMICS TO JIU-JITSU

While I was working in Japan, I had the opportunity to start learning how to make ceramics. (Yes, this blog is going to be about Jiu-Jitsu. Bear with me!) I was fortunate enough to have the experience because I took a weekly trip on a single-track train up the hills to the small mountainous town of Shigaraki (信楽). This town was famous for their ceramics known as Shigaraki-yaki (信楽焼), and at Shigaraki High School, where I taught English, there was a well-established Ceramics Club. I was initially reluctant because the idea of sitting in one place and hovering over a pot of clay on a spinning wheel was not appealing, but I was willing to try something at least once.

The entire experience turned out to be a great learning opportunity. In many ways I was humbled as the students around me kept turning out nice looking cups and bowls while the clay in front of me just kept taking peculiar shapes. Hora-Sensei, who wasn’t a Sensei (先生) yet, but had just finished his apprenticeship (He said some days he had to make 100 ‘exactly the same’ bowls, cups, etc. “Exactly the same” meaning the same size, shape, weight, thickness, everything or he had to start over!), and was currently working on passing his exams to become a certified teacher. He liked learning English words that applied to making ceramics, and one phrase we coined was “soft touch” and “hard touch.”

Although I didn’t think much of the phrase at the time, the words have remained very distinct in my memory. Surprisingly enough, once I started teaching Jiu-Jitsu in El Dorado Hills I realized the phrase applied to Jiu-Jitsu. Obviously, “hard touch” equated to moments when direct pressure had to be applied, and “soft touch” equated to moments when light pressure had to be applied. After a while it became obvious when I wanted to apply “hard” or “soft” pressure, but it was very difficult to figure out when to start and stop as well as the amount of intensity meant by “hard” and “soft.” Trying to explain the right moments would be a very daunting task (and I invite you to comment on this) but I will try to compare and relate the two different “touches.”

A “hard touch” involved using your body weight, a lot of constant downward pressure, and was generally done with the wheel spinning slower than usual.  A “soft touch” involved strength and used just as much muscle, but was not backed up by your body weight. A “soft touch” was applied with the wheel spinning at a faster speed. Both resulted in plenty of control over the clay, and both required a concentrated amount of pressure on a specific area of the clay. If we allow ourselves to meditate on this for a little while, we may find it useful in the development of our Jiu-Jitsu game!

Eliot Kelly
www.edhbjj.com

Martial Art vs Martial Science?

This being my first entry, I would like to look at the word, Jiu-Jitsu (柔術), and try to better understand the meaning/naming of Jiu-Jitsu through a literal dissection of the word.  Let’s start by taking apart the word Jiu-Jitsu (柔術). There are many who like to emphasize the first part of the word Jiu-Jitsu (柔術) when explaining the idea to a new student (Notice I am referring to Jiu-Jitsu as an idea). Although there is great insight and specificity from the first part of the word, it is not going to be the main topic of conversation for today. However, for the sake of knowledge lets take a brief look at the word.

柔 (Jiu), standing on it's own could represent or be translated into these following words: cuddly (material) cushiony/cushy (of a chair) doughy, downy, feathery (like a feather), flexible/fluid/soft (thing), floppy, light (strength), mellow (fruit), spongy, squishy, tender, velvety,  or yielding.   Most of the time people cite smooth, soft, fluid, or flexible as the appropriate translation. Although I feel these words are an appropriate translation, I believe some digging around is required in order to justify an appropriate translation for the first part of the word Jiu-Jitsu. As I mentioned earlier, today I am more interested in digging around to find out an explanation for the second part of the word, Jitsu (術).

Jitsu (術), standing on it's own could represent or be translated into these following words: art, science, technique, skill, magic, means, resources, or trick. Most if not all of the time, people cite art as the appropriate translation. However, I think and feel that we should be cautious about relating to the idea of Jiu-Jitsu as art. I say this because there are socio-cultural implications attached with the word art in western America. As a result, we may misunderstand the idea of Jiu-Jitsu if we neglect to understand the meaning behind the transliteration of the word Jitsu (術). There are a lot of valid reasons to use the term “art,” but other translations are just as appropriate. Instead of being an abstract art, Jiu-Jitsu could be seen as more of a science built around the mechanical principles of the body.

In the same way that some artists would agree with me in thinking that art is somewhat of a definitive science, I think Jiu-Jitsu is built around the same principles. A great comparison can be made through observing the “art of ceramics.” In the “art of ceramics,” different types of clay are used to make ceramics of various “artistic” shapes and  “artistic” sizes. The clay is fired at multiple “artistic” temperatures for a specific “artistic” amount of time to reach a desired “artistic” hardness, and cooled at an “artistic” rate. The ceramic material is glazed by the “artist” only to fire the “artistic” material in the kiln for another chemical reaction to take place and come out as a magnificent “artistic” ceramic display.  Now please go back to the top of the paragraph inserting the word “science/ scientist/ scientific” in place of “art/ artist/ artistic.” It’s the same process, but the idea in your head is no longer the same. We should be aware of the impact we leave with the words we choose to describe the idea of Jiu-Jitsu.

 Clearly, there is meaning in the words we choose to use to translate the idea of Jiu-Jitsu. Understanding the idea of the name Jiu-Jitsu(柔術), should help us lead to a wider understanding of what it is we are actually doing and becoming. Are you a scientist? An artist? A trickster? A magician? A technician? All of the above? What and who are you becoming when you do Jiu-Jitsu?

Eliot Kelly
www.edhbjj.com