GB Online is excited to announce the outstanding performance of two of our instructors, Professors Alexandre Café and Lucas Norat, at the IBJJF Pan Ams held last weekend.

Professor Alexandre Café, a fifth-degree black belt, won the super-heavyweight division of the Master 3 category, securing his seventh gold medal at the prestigious tournament since 1998. This remarkable achievement is a testament to his unwavering commitment to the art and his ability to compete at the highest level.

Meanwhile, Professor Lucas Norat, a black belt, brought home a bronze medal in the heavyweight division of the Adult category, showcasing his hard work, talent, and skill in the sport.

We are immensely proud of their accomplishments. They serve as an inspiration to our community, motivating us to push ourselves further and strive for excellence in everything we do.

Congratulations Professors. We are honored to have you as part of our GB Online team and look forward to your continued success.

The wait is almost over -- the instructionals you've asked for are coming soon!

The GB Online community voted to have Professor Alexandre Café teach attacks from the Half Guard. Prof Café taught ten attacks from Half Guard Top and ten more attacks from Half Guard Bottom.

Attacks from Half Guard Top will be coming out this Monday, April 29th.

No-Gi takedowns for Jiu-Jitsu by Professor Pedro Marinho

Wrestling takedowns and hand fighting for Bjj.

If you vowed to work more on your standup game after your last BJJ competition this week on the GB Online Blog, we have some help with takedowns for you.

Professor Pedro Marinho is one of the top professional no-gi grapplers in the world in 2024 and recently taught a No-Gi takedown seminar at Gracie Barra headquarters in Florianopolis, Brazil.

The Arm Drag

The focus of the no-gi takedown seminar was the wrestling hand-fighting technique known as the Short Arm Drag for BJJ. The rules and points are different between Olympic wrestling and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu but the Arm Drag is a central technique to both sports.

The Arm Drag isn't a takedown by itself, but it is a critical part of the standup game. Getting a takedown on an experienced opponent isn't as simple as shooting in on a double leg takedown and scoring 2 points. You need to get past your opponent's defense by hand-fighting and closing the distance. That's where the Arm Drag comes in.

Professor Pedro Marinho teaches the gripping details and footwork for the Arm Drag and the bodylock takedown from the clinch in the seminar videos. But there is more to the takedown game than just knowing a few moves.

Professor Pedro demonstrates how he applies several important principles to his takedown game in the seminar. Check out the  No-Gi takedown seminar

Distance 
Professor Pedro says that the distance between the two opponents will determine what takedown you use. If you are too far away from the opponent when you go to enter into your double leg takedown, the opponent has sufficient time to sprawl and defend.

Have a Takedown System 
Professor Pedro teaches that it's not often that you can enter directly with a takedown and be successful. The majority of your attempts will be defended by your opponent and you need to know what move to follow up with. Connecting your different takedowns creates a system and allows you to flow seamlessly from one attack to the next.

Your favorite techniques will form the center point of your system. We say your system because, as Professor Pedro says, each individual will have specific techniques that work best for them. Professor Pedro loves the Knee Tap and Front Headlock, but you may prefer a Single Leg or Trips.

The system Professor Pedro shows in the seminar is based on the initial Arm Drag entry, and Professor Pedro chains follow-up techniques depending on the opponent's reaction...which leads us to our next takedown principle.

Attack the opponent's reaction
If you have watched the excellent GB3 with Professor Flavio Almeida, you will be well acquainted with the Jiu-Jitsu principle of "Attack the Reaction." In the course of teaching the seminar, Professor Pedro shows how he sets up each technique by attacking something and anticipating the opponent's defensive reaction.

Professor Pedro knows the finite number of possible ways the opponent will react and takes advantage of the timing and shift in balance by the opponent and attacks in the opponent's weak area. The smart Jiu-Jitsu student will study the opponent's reactions to their favorite techniques and use the opponent's defensive reaction to execute the takedown.

Some of the techniques covered in the No-Gi takedown seminar by Professor Pedro are Arm Drag, collar tie, Russian 2-on-1, Whizzer, Uchimata, Bodylock, Front Headlock, Guillotine choke, Armbar, and Kimura from Side Control.

Want full access to the complete library Gracie Barra BJJ instructional technique videos? Sign Up HERE to get started.

Week 6 (Apr 21 - 27, 2024):

In Week 6, we're studying:

➡️HEADLOCKS

➡️HIP THROWS OR HAND THROWS

➡️BACK OR TURTLE

World-renowned Black Belt, Prof Alexandre Café @alexandrecafebjj is visiting GB Arcadia on Feb 23rd for an exclusive seminar sponsored by GB Online. 🤩

Open to all GB students, all belt levels. 💪 GB Online is covering the cost of all registrations, so it’s FREE to attend! 🎉

An active subscription to GB Online is required to participate. Limited spots available, so act fast!

🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ Reserve your spot now at the link in bio @graciebarraonline. 🔗

Do you ever feel like you're not getting the most out of your Jiu-Jitsu training? It can be easy to get stuck in a rut and lose motivation. But don't worry – these three tips can help you stay focused, engaged, and excited about your Jiu-Jitsu journey:

1. Have clear goals. Setting specific, measurable objectives can help you stay on track and measure your progress over time. Maybe you want to compete in a tournament, or maybe you simply want to master a particular technique – whatever it is, write it down and keep it in mind during your training sessions.

2. Connect with your Gracie Barra community. One of the best things about Gracie Barra is the sense of camaraderie and support that comes with training with others. Whether it's your training partners, your instructor, or your fellow students, make an effort to connect with and learn from those around you. Not only will it make your training more fun, but it will also help you stay accountable and motivated.

3. Ask questions. Jiu-Jitsu is a complex and multifaceted sport, and there's always more to learn. Don't be afraid to ask your instructor or training partners for help when you're struggling with a technique or want to know more about a particular aspect of the sport. Asking questions shows that you're engaged and committed to improving, and it can help deepen your understanding and appreciation of Jiu-Jitsu.
   
   

Have you tried any of these tips in your training? What strategies do you use to stay motivated and engaged? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Gracie Barra 5 Best Women's Self-Defense Techniques

Many of the Bjj technique videos that we see in our social media feeds are sports Jiu-Jitsu in nature. The sweeps and advanced guards are a lot of fun to practice in rolling, but many of the positions may not seem applicable to self-defense situations.

The number one reason many women start training in Bjj is they are looking for self-defense. 

Women who start training in Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu will begin their learning in Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on self-defense Jiu-Jitsu techniques that address the most common real-life situations. Specific techniques that provide solutions for what someone is likely to encounter in an incident of a physical confrontation.

Check out the Top 5 Self-Defense Techniques for Women on GB Online

GB Online talked with Professor Dawn Korsen and Professor Jodi Walshe (who both started training together since white belts and graduated to black belt simultaneously) about women's self-defense at Gracie Barra. Both black belts teach women's classes at GB San Clemente, California, and share their thoughts about the Jiu-Jitsu techniques for women's self-defense.

GB Online asked: Why is training specifically for self-defense necessary for women?

Professor Jodi Walshe says, "After trying new self-defense techniques and being exposed to the concepts, the ladies in our class often express feelings of empowerment and confidence."

What is the difference between self-defense techniques and the sport Jiu-Jitsu techniques taught in many BJJ  schools?

Professor Dawn Korsen says, "The power of the self-defense techniques is uniquely different from sport Jiu-Jitsu because of the key component of distance management. In the sport Jiu-Jitsu, the key is to stay engaged with your opponent and to maintain or regain control of the match. In self-defense, the distance management looks quite different in that the goal is to escape safely."

Professor Jodi Walshe says that the students in her Gracie Barra women's self-defense classes tell her, "The techniques today were simple yet effective, and I can definitely see myself being more prepared and confident if a situation arises."

Knowing what to do in a bad situation 

"When a woman learns self-defense techniques, it begins to build a set of tools she can use in the event she needs them," says Professor Dawn. "Techniques are often combined with mindset training to teach women that they are stronger than they think and to not willingly accept the role of 'victim.'"

Check out the Top 5 Self-Defense Techniques for Women on GB Online

Self-defense for women begins with building self-confidence and not presenting oneself as an easy target.

Projecting a confident mindset immediately makes a woman less likely to be seen as an easy target for potential trouble. Equipping a woman with practical self-defense techniques provides her with a sense of preparedness in the event of a bad situation.

"Our number one theme is always about the mindset behind being in a position to use the techniques. Beyond physical skills, we emphasize the importance of mental preparedness and assertiveness," says Professor Jodi.

Professor Jodi sums it up best: "We've heard feedback such as "now I will feel more equipped living my daily life, watching my surroundings and really observing people & my environment."

Want access to the complete library of Gracie Barra BJJ instructional technique videos? Sign Up HERE to get started.