Combat Sports

The mission is to promote, educate, and celebrate the art and science of wrestling and 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu. With decades of experience and a deep love for these disciplines, I aim to share tips and insights with fellow enthusiasts. 

Equipment & Gear

• No-Gi Gear:

  • Rash Guards (long and short sleeve)

  • Grappling Shorts (without pockets or zippers)

  • Spats/Leggings

  • Mouth-guard

  • Athletic Supporter/Cup (optional but recommended)

• Training Accessories:

  • Water Bottle (BPA free or steel)

    • Electrolytes packets

  • Sandals to walk around outside of the training mats

  • Training Journal (to note down techniques and progress)

    • Pen with multiple colors to highlight key items

  • Mesh breathable training bag to ensure gear is clean, dry, and can get UV sunlight to naturally sanitize

  • Vaseline petroleum jelly aka combat grease to apply to neck, nose, ears, cheeks, jawline, forehead, and temples

  • Hard case glasses protector, if you need prescription glasses

  • Towel (Microfiber)

    • Set of clothes to shower after training

    • Anti-bacterial soap

    • Tea Tree oil (Skin Safe) to apply to scrapes and skin damage

    • Sterile 70%+ alcohol  wipes to cleanup

  • Afrin nasal spray to stop nose bleeds and gauze

Wrestling: Freestyle and Folkstyle

• Freestyle Wrestling: Learn the dynamic and international style of wrestling where the objective is to throw and pin your opponent.

  • Takedowns:

    • Single Leg Takedown: Grabbing one leg of the opponent and using leverage to take them down.

    • Double Leg Takedown: Attacking both legs simultaneously and driving the opponent to the mat.

    • High Crotch: Similar to a single leg, but with a grip higher on the opponent's thigh.

    • Arm drag, duck under, throw-by, picks, etc.: leverage opponents position and momentum to pass neutral positions.

    • Fireman's: Use one arm to control the outside arm or neck from neutral then drop to your knees turning perpendicular to the opponent with throwing the other arm between the legs forcing the opponent onto the shoulders then throwing them over  pulling the controlled until the opponent lands on their back.

    • Iranian Peek Takedown: Failed double leg takedown with the opponent sprawled onto your back. The attack then drops to ankles and peek between legs by rocking up the opponent's legs into the air while standing up. The control is from using one arm to outside control the ankle while the other arm and torso swims between the legs. As swimming between the legs turn into the ankle control arm using the swimming arm to grasp the thigh with a hook pulling the opponent backwards having them land flat onto the floor.

  • Throws:

    • Suplex: Lifting and throwing the opponent over your head and shoulders.

    • Hip Toss: Using your hip as a pivot point to throw the opponent over your hip.

    • Lateral Drops: Using an under hook, twist, and clothesline to throw the opponent onto their back.

  • Pins and Controls:

    • Full, Three-quarters, Half Nelson: Using arm to control the opponent's head and neck, turning them onto their back.

    • Arm Bar: Locking the opponent’s arm and applying pressure to control them.

    • Russian 2 on 1 Arm: Using the position of wrist, shoulder under hook, chest pressure to the outside of the arm while standing to control the opponents posture.

    • Leg lace: using the arms to lock around the opponents legs to roll the opponent on the ground to expose the back.

    • Gut wrench: Using two arms lock around a downed opponent on the ground then compressing and tilting to one side then rolling to expose the opponents back.

  • Escapes and Reversals:

    • Stand-Up: Quickly rising from the mat to a standing position to escape a hold.

    • Flying Granby Roll: Rolling to break free from the opponent’s control and potentially reversing the position.

• Folkstyle & Collegiate Wrestling: Delve into the traditional American wrestling style known for its focus on control and dominance.

  • Takedowns:

    • Similar to Freestyle with emphasis on control after the takedown.

  • Top Position Techniques:

    • Ride: Maintaining control over the opponent from the top position. These include: spiral, Iowa ankle/leg ride, crab, monkey,

    • Leg ride: Position of using your legs to wrap around the opponents legs or torso such that you are position above their lower back and able to apply pressure to the opponent's upper body.

    • Cradle: Locking the opponent’s head and leg to control and potentially pin them. Involves locking position with the opponents neck and leg locked with a gable grip to control them with a crunch of their head to the front of their knee to expose the back to downward orientation.

  • Bottom Position Techniques:

    • Switch: Reversing the position by moving from bottom to top.

    • Stand-Up: Quickly moving to a standing position to escape control.

    • Granby Roll: Rolling to break free from the opponent’s control and potentially reversing the position.

  • Near Fall Points:

    • Techniques that expose the opponent's back to the mat for scoring near-fall points without securing a pin

10th Planet Jiu Jitsu

• Innovative System: Explore the no-gi Jiu Jitsu system founded by Eddie Bravo, known for its creative and unorthodox techniques. Understand the core concepts of the 10th Planet system, from the Rubber Guard to the Truck position. The essential books are:

• Jiu-Jitsu Unleashed

• Advanced Rubber Guard

• Mastering the Rubber Guard

• Mastering the Twister

• Guards:

  • Rubber Guard: A flexible and versatile guard focusing on controlling the opponent’s posture and setting up submissions. Essential techniques include: Mission Control, New York, Chill Dog, Homie Control, Crackhead, invisible collar.

  • Lockdown: A specific type of half guard entry that immobilizes the opponent’s leg, allowing for sweeps (Electric Chair Sweep) and submissions.

• Submissions:

  • Twister: A spinal lock that twists the opponent’s torso and neck.

  • Gogoplata: A choke using the shin and foot to compress the opponent’s throat.

  • Electric Chair: A submission and sweep from the lockdown position that applies pressure to the opponent’s groin and lower back.

• Transitions and Sweeps:

  • Old School Sweep: Using leverage and control from the lockdown position to sweep the opponent.

  • Dogfight: A transition from half guard to a dominant top position by engaging in a wrestling-like scramble.

  • Butterfly: Using leverage and control from neutral sitting with neck and or arm and legs to elevate a forward pass attempt to then sweep or throw-by the opponent.

  • Truck: leg ride control with a roll to setup the opponent into a back exposing position with numerous options.

• Escapes and Defenses:

  • Whip Up: A movement from the lockdown to regain guard or sweep the opponent.

  • Prison Guard Escape: Techniques to break free from the opponent’s dominant positions and regain control.

• Mount

  • Golden baby: full mount or monkey mount control with one arm around the back of the neck to the opposite armpit then chest pressure onto the other free using your free arm to crawl upwards so the arm is above the head.

• Top

  • Flat-mode with Wall of flesh: north-south control such that the one arm is under hooking the shoulder and other arm is pushing the hip away exposing the ribs thus controlling the opponent. 

  • Twister side: Opponent on their back and bumping the hips backwards with the torso perpendicular and using the free hand to block the far knee and elbow blocking the near knee.

Reasons to Avoid Training

1. Infectious Diseases:

   • Contagious Illnesses: Cold, flu, COVID-19, or any other communicable diseases.

   • Strep Throat: Can easily spread through close contact.

   • Blood born illness: If you have any of these it is essential to seek doctor approval. Bring awareness to coaches/training partners. Furthermore, do not train if you have any cuts or scrapes or compromising conditions.

   • Infection: any infection that can spread through skin contact.

     • Ringworm: Fungal infection that spreads through skin-to-skin contact.

     • Impetigo: Bacterial skin infection that is highly contagious.

     • MRSA: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a serious bacterial infection.

     • Warts: Any type of warts should be medically treated and removed before attempting to continue training.

2. Medications (Ask doctors before training)

   • Antibiotics: Especially if they cause side effects like dizziness, fatigue, or gastrointestinal issues.

   • Painkillers: That can mask pain and lead to further injury.

   • Immunosuppressants: Increase susceptibility to infections.

3. Conditions

   • Severe Depression, Anxiety, Anger: When mental health conditions make it unsafe to train.

   • Stress and Burnout: Can lead to a higher risk of injury and decreased performance.

4. Exhaustion and Fatigue:

   • Overtraining: Leading to physical and mental burnout.

   • Severe Sleep Deprivation: Increases the risk of injury and impairs performance.

5. Procedures

   • Stitches or Sutures: Training can cause wounds to reopen or become infected.

   • Recent Surgical Procedures: Need proper healing time and clearance from a doctor before resuming training.

6. Pregnancy:

   • High-Risk Pregnancies: Certain complications may require avoiding strenuous physical activities.

   • Later Stages of Pregnancy: Risk of injury to the mother and baby.