Severna Park MMA | Technique Progression

January 14th, 2013

The previous several days on the mats have demonstrated as being worthwhile for the students of Severna Park MMA. Monday night set the tone of strategies for the week. Each Monday, I introduce a all new technique set. However, if the recent week’s techniques have not been consumed from pupils at Severna Park MMA, the technique course is recited.

This week we have been executing techniques that start from the knees. Monday set the structure for supporting yourself from the knees and learning ways to promptly place your competitor on their back.

Wednesday night, we worked counters to where your adversary is sitting and 1 leg curled in and the other out in front. This situation is certainly arranged for you to be swept if approach mistakenly. Therefore, it is vital not to rush ahead and be seduced into this particular situation.

The previous night, the position switched into the butterfly guard. The moment stabilization of the butterfly guard is achieved, sweeps and many other techniques to develop your position can be executed.

It is equally critical to grasp the details of these sorts of methods in order that you are not automatically put on the defensive . Such positions are connected and flow effortlessly along with one another.

Today, we remained to build on these types of techniques to make sure that students of Severna Park MMA may become proficiency using this series.

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Severna Park MMA | After Christmas Workout

December 26th, 2012

Severna Park MMA - I have a confession.  I’m addicted to Jiu Jitsu.  It seems as though I think about it morning, noon, and night.  Almost 20 years on the mat, I still get excited about doing Jiu Jitsu as if it were my first day.  My students at Severna Park MMA see my passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) through my instruction and how I dedicate myself to my students.

Even though the school is officially closed for the holidays, some of the students of Severna Park MMA and I meet this morning for an open mat rolling and MMA sparring session.

After the open mat session, I answered some technical questions regarding the triangle choke.  These questions were sparked due to a member of Severna Park MMA being a triangle choke specialist.  This kid can slide in and out of the triangle choke from various positions.  Since the majority of the students in attendance at Severna Park MMA this morning found themselves tapping or fighting out of the triangle choke, it prompted some questions.

Severna Park MMA student, Technical Dave, is my triangle choke technician.  He does an excellent job of setting up the technique prior to catching anyone with the technique itself.  Therefore, the answer to the question begins with what is Dave doing to set up the technique, and at this point, the question shouldn’t be how to escape the triangle choke.

I’ve mentioned this before to students of Severna Park MMA.  Students tend to learn Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in reverse.  They will get the basics.  Then when confronted with a problem, they want to immediately learn the solution instead of asking or wanting to discover what initially got them into trouble.

All in all, it was a good after Christmas workout at Severna Park MMA.

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Severna Park Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) | Honor

October 13th, 2012

Severna Park Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – The other night, I was up late surfing the net and came across an article on Stephan Bonner.  For those of you that may not know who Stephan Bonner is, on 1 Apr 05, he fought Forrest Griffin in the Season 1 finale of The Ultimate Fighter.  In a fight that Bonner lost, it was labeled one of the greatest fights in UFC history.  He is also slated to fight Anderson Silva at UFC 153 in Brazil.

The article detailed that Stephan and his wife, Andrea, are expecting a new baby and contemplating on naming the baby Griffin.

I know what you may be thinking.  Why would someone name his or her kid after someone they lost to?

Now, before you comment one-way or the other, let me site some facts.

At the time of the epic Griffin-Bonnar fight, the UFC was buried in $44 million dollars of debt. Dana White was given orders to pursue options to sell the UFC.  In 2009, Dana White told Yahoo Sports, “We wouldn’t be talking today were it not for that fight”.  Dana further said, “Once that fight happened, things started to turn the other way.”

The Griffin-Bonnar fight changed UFC forever and remains one the best fights in UFC’s history.

If you fought one of the best and most memorable fights in UFC’s history, and brought the UFC out of almost being possible sold and/or bankrupt, would you name your kid after the foe of that epic fight?

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Severna Park Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) | UFC 152

September 27th, 2012

UFC 152 was incredible.  It took place Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.  The main event was between UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones vs former champion Vitor Belfort.

In case you didn’t know, Jones was originally slated to fight Dan Henderson at UFC 151.  However, due to Henderson receiving a MCL injury during training, he couldn’t fight.

An interesting side note regarding UFC 151, Jones was offered to fight Chael Sonnen as a replacement for Henderson.  Jones declined.  This resulted in UFC 151 being cancelled.

Back to the fight…  Early in the first round, Belfort locked in an armbar that almost ended the fight.  However, Jones fought off the submission attempt and turned the fight around to submit Belfort with an Americana Lock in the 4th round.  Belfort’s armbar was set so well that it may have caused possible permanent nerve damage to Jones’ arm.

Before demonstrating techniques at the Severna Park Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class Monday night, I broached the subject of the Jones fight.  I asked the class what Jiu Jitsu techniques they saw in the fight.  To my pleasure, each student was able to identify and demonstrate the two critical techniques mentioned above without hesitation.  Moreover, some of them were able to demonstrate and explain some variations and escapes.  At Severna Park Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, students learn the same techniques used to win major Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) world titles and championships.

My point in this is that even at the highest level of mixed martial arts, basic techniques always prevail.  Referring to the armbar that nearly cost Jones the fight, he stated in an interview that “I definitely need to embrace Jiu Jitu more”.

If you would also like to embrace Jiu Jitsu, click the following link to get started with your Full 1 Month Risk Free Trial:  Annapolis Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

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Mount Escape – Severna Park Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and MMA

September 17th, 2012

Severna Park Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – In this video, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Jon Garfield, shows 3 things you needs to know on how to escape the mount.  Enjoy!

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How Should You Train? – Severna Park Martial Arts

February 23rd, 2012

Severna Park Martial Arts – There is no magic solution to becoming the best Jiu-Jitsu athlete. Practice, is obviously a mandatory requirement needed to build skill and confidence, but patience is a virtue. With that said, I’d like to focus on two main points that can make you a better student on the mat.

A few years ago, I watched an interview with Mixed Martial Arts extraordinaire, Egan Inoue. Egan was a top competitor and knew the rigorous road to MMA stardom didn’t come automatically. He described Jiu-Jitsu training, as enjoying a cross-country vacation through the mountainside.

When you think of vacations, you think of something you want to enjoy. So why would you trek through the beautiful landscape of mountains and wilderness at a 100 mph? You would miss the intricate details that Mother Nature has left for you.

In a sense, new Jiu-Jitsu students go through their training similarly. Instead of trying to master every technique in the first few weeks of practice, students should absorb their surroundings and carefully trek through the landscape of the sport.

When you try to hurry things, especially in Jiu-Jitsu, you’re putting yourself in a vulnerable position. Lack of focus on gradual improvement can lead a student to possible injury with hurried performance. A student isn’t good to their self or the class if they’re hurt during training.

Being communicative with your partner or trainer is essential towards your success on the mat. In many of today’s martial arts training grounds, partners act as if they are competitors, as it’s common to withhold information on new techniques or proper training, in order to gain an advantage over another.

This is counter productive to our training and my motto. The Gracie family taught me to share and discuss new ideas at the end of each session to make the entire group better. If one person can make another better, a domino effect of positive results will occur. This is the type of training and focus we lean towards at Garfield Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

I hope these tips will help you to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu greatness.

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Benefits of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) for Women – Severna Park

February 10th, 2012
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Benefits of MMA for Women

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a combat sport that requires a lot of grappling and striking.  It is a full contact sport that involves Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and striking such as kickboxing.  At Severna Park MMA, Mixed Martial Arts is not only stimulating but also inspiring because of the obvious discipline and mental strategies that are applied to MMA.

Many sports these days have transcended gender and have even crossed nations from their place of origin.  MMA is no different.  Mixed Martial Arts is a derivation from Japanese, Brazilian, and even American combat sports.  What used to be the arena for men MMA fighters and practitioners is now being flocked by women doing Mixed Martial Arts as well.  At Severna Park MMA, techniques are designed for women MMA fighters and practitioners as well as the men so the essence of the sport isn’t lost.

There are various benefits of Mixed Martial Arts for women. Aside from the mental discipline that it brings, as in other sports, there is a list of things that can be an advantage while taking classes at Severna Park MMA.

Be Fit and Healthy. Surely, the routines and training can be intense and more than just a workout, MMA is a total body exercise that will make you sweat, build stronger muscles, and supports flexibility and agility.  This will definitely make your body healthy and powerful.

Self-defense. When you observe a MMA match between two fighters, you can see that it is more than striking, grappling, or a display of martial arts movements.  It is a total self defense system.  Some of the moves are about blocking.  Some of the moves are about striking your opponent before they can attempt to take an advantage.  Even if you are taken own, there are techniques designed to help you fight back.  In essence, for women learning Mixed Martial Arts at Severna Park MMA, it is great if you are ever confronted in a self defense situation.  A bully or assailant will be greatly surprised once trying to confront a MMA practitioner.  You will learn how to attack and counter-fight an attacker’s move.

Improve Self Esteem. Being involved in sports in general, and MMA specifically, gives a player or athlete higher levels of confidence.  Make MMA your lifestyle.  It will improve your posture, personality, and the way you interact with people knowing that you are fit, healthy, and can defend yourself.  At Severna Park MMA, this kind of life changing energy is taught.  These things will spill over into other facets of your life as well as boost your spirit and energy.

More importantly, with Mixed Martial Arts, hard work, and the guidance of instructors at Severna Park MMA, you can learn to become very proficient at MMA.  Constant practice will allow you to achieve the status as well as gain the benefits your mind and body want to receive.

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Severna Park MMA – Bicep Slicer

January 29th, 2012

In this video, 1st Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Jon Garfield, shows a Bicep Slicer.  This technique can be used with or without the gi.

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Misdirection in MMA | Severna Park

January 18th, 2012

Misdirection in MMA – Severna Park

severna park mma

Misdirection in MMA

Severn Park MMA – This article is going to address the concept of misdirection specifically as it pertains to grappling in Mixed Martial Arts.

If your opponent can anticipate your attack the chance of successfully pulling it off goes down dramatically.

This has many applications in MMA.

The Technique of Misdirection is Frequently Taught at Severna Park MMA

For instance if your opponent knows that you want to take him down it will be almost impossible to do it.

But if you first distract your opponent with even the threat of a strike it will turn his attention to the striking battle. This opens up the takedown by taking your opponent’s attention away from the takedown.

On the ground when you are attempting to pass the guard, striking first, or even feinting a leg lock attack will draw your opponent’s attention to the strikes or leg lock which will make passing the guard much easier. Conversely if you want to strike, first show your opponent that you want to pass the guard. When he lets his guard down to stop your passing attempt it is the perfect opportunity to land blows to his unprotected face.  This is a successful tactic of the fighters at Severna Park MMA!

When you have your opponent mounted striking can also open up submission attacks.  Another option is to fake an arm lock attack this will cause your opponent to recoil his arms close to his body that will expose his neck to many chokes.

Conversely, if your first attempt is a choke, this will cause your opponent to raise his arms to defend his neck. This exposes him to many armlocks.

Some fundamentals of misdirection at Severna Park MMA:

  • If you want more chokes, go for more armlocks.
  • If you want more armlocks go for more chokes.
  • If you want to pass the guard go for a leg lock.
  • If you want to submit your opponent with a leg lock try to pass his guard first.

This is not an all-encompassing list. This concept of misdirection has many more uses then this article could ever possibly list.

But the key is to show your opponent “A” and he will expose “B”.

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Severna Park MMA – Drills In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

January 6th, 2012
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Drills In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Severna Park MMA – Drills are used in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) to practice many things:

-Transitions in common sequences that happen during a fight.

-Tightening up an area that you are having a problem with.

-Adding new skills that you have learned to your arsenal.

-And many, many more

A common drill goes like this:

Trainee A starts out in the mount position on Trainee B.

Trainee B executes the trap and roll escape (One of the first things you should learn in BJJ).

Trainee B is now in the guard of Trainee A (A position which you learn in your first classes in BJJ).

Trainee B then passes the guard and moves to Side Control (A strong position that you will learn).

Trainee B then moves from Side Control into the mount on Trainee A.

Trainee A now executes the trap and roll escape and follows the same sequence as above.

This allows you too drill many moves in a short period of time. It also sneaks in repetitions of moves without the boredom that comes from drilling one move over and over.

Also because of the nature of drilling it teaches you to anticipate your opponents next move.  Anticipation is a critical concept to stay a couple moves ahead of your opponent.

Drills can be used as a warm up.

Drills can be used to develop strength and conditioning.

Drills will develop muscle memory faster then static technique repetitions ever will.

Drills are also great when you don’t have a training partner. There are literally hundreds maybe even thousands of drills you can do all by yourself that will keep you sharp on the days that you cant make it to training.

They also will give you an edge over people who are only doing the minimum in class.

There is no limit to the way Drills can help you in BJJ. You are only limited by your imagination.  Many drills are taught at Severna Park MMA!

I hope this short article has opened your eyes to the power of drilling in BJJ.

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