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Jumping rope is an awesome exercise for MMA training. Fantastic for conditioning, co-ordination and footwork it’s definitely a very important part of a fighter’s training routine.

I like to challenge myself when I’m jumping rope by busting out a bunch of different tricks and movements throughout my routines. It also keeps things fun for me.

Here’s one technique I think you should try out in your training…

The One Hand Rope Spin 360

In this video training series you’ll learn to tap your opponents quickly by surprising them with quick counter attacks.

The workshop series contains some quick counters to a variety of your opponents attacks. I also made sure that the counters I taught ended up with you applying a submission hold of your own so that you can end the fight quickly.

From single leg takedowns, to omaplatas, kimuras and footlocks we counter them all, firing back with a bunch of different attacks inclduing toe holds, armlocks, shoulder crushes and more.

You’ll find yourself looking forward to having your opponent attack you so that you can instantly turn the tables on them and get the tap out!

Your confidence on the mats will soar when you master the 14 videos in this training series…

Below is a video from the series showing one of my favourite ways to work against an opponent that is attempting a single leg.

To pick up the entire video series visit the PREMIUM SHOP.

MMA/BJJ/Boxing/Kickboxing Training Tip – Take notes

Writing down what you learn at  BJJ, Boxing, Kick boxing or Wrestling practice is a great way to help your remember attacks, defenses and escapes better than ever before. The writing process will bring the techniques you recently learned back into your mind, which is almost as good as practicing them all over again, as you focus on getting every little technical detail out of your freshly punched or squished head and onto the paper.

Here’s a few tips that I’ve used over the years to help me take better notes:

- Pay attention to the even the tiniest of details and keep a record of every technique, concept and strategy you learn in class, from another student, through observation of sparring sessions or during a private lesson with your instructor. Before you know it you’ll have a ton of stuff to practice outside of your regular training schedule.

- Do not…I repeat do not attempt to remember any detail, no matter how memorable it may seem at the time, in your head. If anything is forgotten, your technique will be much less effective and may potentially not even work at all.

I’ll say it one more time because it is so important. When taking notes be sure to include every single detail!

I’ve run into trouble in the past when my technique description was lacking. For instance, I would often write to use one of my hands for some movement within a technique but forgot to specify if it was my left or right hand. At the time I thought I would easily remember something as small as that and a week later I probably did. A month later that vital information was often lost from my mind. I quickly learned that taking ten minutes or more after class or a seminar to write down everything was worth the effort.

- A pen and paper system has always worked well for me. If you can type pretty fast I also suggest entering into a computer program such as Microsoft Word as it may help you keep more organized. Typing your notes into the computer will give your mind another look at the many techniques that you are hoping to put to use in your training in the near future. The more time you spend thinking about martial arts, the faster you will improve.

- The notes you take won’t be of any value to you unless you go back to them often and practice them with a partner. At first I suggest you work on them several times per week, before class, after class or even at home if you have a good spot to practice. I used to meet up with a different training partner –so I wouldn’t burn them out– every morning for two hours and go over six to eight different techniques.

- Once you’ve mastered the technique’s static application –which they say takes at least a thousand repetitions—the notes are not as important as the movement will have become embedded into your subconscious. You’ll start finding yourself pulling the movements off during training and maybe even competition. That’s when you can begin to move onto to practice the many other techniques in your training notebook.

Keep in mind that carrying your notebook with you to martial arts class, and writing notes in the midst of a seminar might not seem like the coolest things to do but don’t worry it’ll all be worth it. The quick gains you’ll make in skill will soon have you submitting anyone who laughs at your methods.

Anytime I come across kids showing great skill in martial arts/boxing/wrestling or some other combat style I always post it up.

This is one of those times!

Check out Floyd Mayweather Prodigy, Floyd, Cashflow” Diaz smack the pads around with Roger Mayweather.

Fabricio Werdum did it! He beat Fedor Emelianenko, the man many people believed was unbeatable and he did it with one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most effective attacks, the triangle choke position. He ended up finishing by applying pressure to Fedor’s elbow with an armlock but it all started with the threat of the triangle choke.

Well more accurately, I believe it was because Fedor punched himself into the triangle choke position which Werdum did a great job of taking advantage of. With little respect for Werdum’s guard, Fedor tried to finish his Brazilian opponent with some intense ground and pound after dropping him to the canvas with a solid shot to the head moments earlier. The only problem was that his repeated one arm bombardment placed himself within the triangle choke several times in a row. He shook out of the first few fairly easily but then found himself in one of the most threatening positions in the game of MMA, trapped within a fully locked triangle choke which left his neck and arm in some serious danger. Even worse was the fact that it was a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion that was applying the submission hold on him.

Escaping that type of  situation would be like trying to run from an attacker that is holding a gun to you head. Chances are ultra slim that you’ll be able to do but there’s always a chance.

In this video I show you the escape that I use when I am completely stuck inside a fully locked triangle choke position. A final shot at avoiding this excellent submission hold. It must be done as soon as you feel your trapped arm passed across the opponent’s stomach and before he is able to start attacking that arm by straightening it out.

It’s one of over 20 videos from my Submisson Escape workshop that is available in the PREMIUM SHOP.

Try it out in your training.

On Sunday July 11th I’ll be teaching another BJJ workshop (with gi) at Joslin’s MMA in Hamilton.

The focus of this one will be counter attacks; covering many ways to surprise you opponent by using his own attack against him. You’ll learn how to knee bar them when then try to sweep you, tap them out when they attack your arms and many other cool way to turn the tables on them in your training and competition.

Whether your a beginner or advanced student you’ll leave this workshop with many new tricks that will keep your training partners guessing on the mats…or tapping I guess I should say instead.

Workshop: BJJ Counter Attacks (with gi)

Date: Sunday July 11th, 2010

Time: 1pm-3pm

Place: Joslin’s Mixed Martial Arts (Map)

Cost: $30 members ($40 non-members)

Register soon as space is limited to 20 people

To register online ==> CLICK HERE

Way back in the early 1990’s I had been training in karate and kickboxing for some time when I came across a video tape (yes a VHS tape ) that changed my life forever. It was entitled “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu” and had been created by Renzo Gracie.

I literally watched three minutes of the first tape in the 12 volume series and I was completely hooked!

I began practicing the movements found within those instructional videos over and over again until I was comfortable with every single technique that I could find on them.

Not having access to a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teacher, as there were very few outside of Brazil at that time –if they did relocate it was usually to Miami or someplace warm, never Canada–, I ordered every single BJJ instructional video set that came out and continued to practice, practice and practice. Sometimes even two or three times  a day with anyone of my students or friends that would offer themselves up as a partner.

As I started to travel North America to train at BJJ seminars and many of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools that were starting to pop up within the United States, I really wanted to remember every single bit of knowledge that I came across. If I were to forget even the smallest detail when I returned home, I knew I would never improve as fast as I wanted to. To help me to not forget things, I started creating a manual. In the video below, I explain the extent I went to making it and the amount of detail that was put into the 700+ page monster of a book…

MMA Training Tip – Patience Will Keep Things Fun!

I really don’t believe that becoming the perfect mixed martial artist is ever possible. Well at least not in the average life span that we as human beings can expect. I’ve been training close to thirty years and sometimes there are some days I still feel like a beginner at some things.

In the beginning mixed martial arts can be a little overwhelming for many students. New students are constantly asking me how long it will take them to become good. I always tell them that there is no easy route or quick shortcut to mastery, that they should focus on attending class as often as possible and always do their best to be a good student. If they are expecting to become a professional fighter overnight, they have no clue how much dedication an accomplishment it actually takes to do so. Mind you they could just jump in and fight pro but they better have some good health insurance.

In terms of your own training, be patient. It will take some time but with some dedication and hard work you’re guaranteed to improve. In a few shorts months you will possess the skills and confidence necessary to defend yourself against the average person in the street. That is a very empowering feeling. I call this time stage one and at this is the point where things really become fun.

Like watching your own child grow, you don’t notice the technical changes and growth you are making daily but before you know it you’ve matured into an experience mixed martial artist. So be patient, have fun and remember that the enjoyment isn’t in achieving the goal, it’s in the journey along the way.

I’m excited to say that the next workshop that I’ll be teaching at Joslin’s MMA (on Sunday, June 27) will be focusing on one of my favourite aspects of striking: Angles, Evasiveness and Movement.

Come out and join us as I share some of my best ways to keep yourself out of harm’s way when when striking on the feet. A small angle change after you’re done punching or some proper footwork at the right time can cause your opponent massive amounts of frustration because they will be unable to hit you. Best part is that you will still be able to hit them!

Whether you are a beginner or advanced student, this workshop will give you the tools of evasion that most fighters lack. Like I always say, it’s all about the right technique.

Date: Sunday, June 27th
Time: 1pm-3pm

Cost: $30 members ($40 non-members)

Place: Joslin’s Mixed Martial Arts (436 Concession Street, Hamilton)

Note: Bring whatever striking gear you have (ie. boxing gloves, shin pads etc.) If you don’t have anything, don’t worry, I’ll get some for you when you arrive.

TO REGISTER ONLINE  ==> Click Here

See you soon!

After watching a few videos of guys getting knocked  out when their cowardly opponents threw cheap shots while they were touching gloves, I decided to make this video.

Remember to protect yourself at all times once the referee starts the fight but if you do want to touch gloves with your opponent, following the 3 simple tips in this video will keep you from getting knocked unconscious in seconds.