CFS - Empty Hands - Basic striking/padwork series - Curriculum - 2011 for Instructors & Students

Ok Guys, further to requests from some of you, I have put on video the current basic striking series I am using for all levels. It is essential that all students and instructors familiarise themselves with this material.

The series is centred around five pasic punches and is really useful for the pad holder as well as the striker. In my view, in order to gain a better understanding of striking you really ought to be able to pad hold in as many different ways as possible.
The videos are self explanatory but the five punches are as follows (using the numbering system)

1.Jab
2.Cross
3.Lead hook
4.Lead uppercut to head
5.Rear uppercut to head

I also want to thank Glen Akwei for his help. Glen is one of only 2 coaches on the CFS MMA program, and has extensive experience in the art of Muay Thai having trained in Thailand many times as well as in Holland. He has competed in Muay Thai as well as amateur MMA. He is a former student of Guro Bob Breen and Winston Fraser and has been training with me for many years now. He currently teaches the Muay Thai classes at Mill Hill CCA academy and assists me in the MMA classes.





Video 2



Video 3



Video 4



Video 5



Enjoy and feel free to let me know how you get on with it

OCTOBER - Video techniques of the month & BONUS interview with Master Julio Cesar Pereira - Head of GF Team - 6th Degree Black Belt

On Tuesday 4th October, thanks to the kind assistance of Daniel Pintado, I had the opportunity to train with, learn from and interview another BJJ Legend. This time it was none other than Master Julis Cesar Pereira, 6th Degree Black Belt and head of the GF Team Brazil.

I was introduced to him in Nottingham at the recent ADCC without knowing too much about him prior to that. I was particularly keen to train with him but not so much because he was the teacher of Rodolfo Vieira but because he was the teacher of Huanderson Pavao. Pavao as he is commonly referred to used to reside in the UK and taught out of the London Fight Factory. He was a master technician with and without the gi coupled with awesome strength and a big heart. I trained with him privately every week for about 9 months prior to his return to Brazil. I owe him alot.

Anyway as you can imagine, I was particularly keen to see the source of Pavao's teaching and I was not disappointed. In our session we concentrated on passing the guard followed by sparring. He then kindly answered some questions about himself and put some techniques on video to share with you guys.

Rather than present the information in a question and answer type format, let me tell you what I learned about this very humble man with World class BJJ.

Julio Cesar Pereira was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 22nd December 1964. He commenced his training in BJJ under Prof Monir Salomao in 1974 and it was he who gave him his Black Belt some 25 years ago. He was awarded his 6th Degree by the federation in 2005 and gained his Black Belt in Judo in 2001.

He describes his specialities in BJJ as takedowns and passing the guard. He knows one or two things about leglocks too!

He has an enviable competition background, and in his own words 'I love to compete'. He won the Rio state championship 21 times, the first coming in 1974. He won the Masters and Seniors World Championships in both 2005 & 2006. He told me that his greatest competition success came in The American Cup in 1996 when he contested the final with a student of Rickson Gracie. There was literally no support for him but he managed to take home the Gold. He also had 3 memorable fights with Royler Gracie, losing the first 2 by submission and the last on points.

Having just come from ADCC, I asked him his views on how much time a BJJ player should train without the gi. He told me that normally he spends the majority of the time in the gi, but obviously depending on the competition , then the training would be adjusted.

I asked him if he trained Rodolfo any differently to any of his other students. He explained that where he is from, whilst the passion for BJJ is high, the standard of living is not the same. As a result most players would begin their training after a full day of work, rather than having the luxury of training 3 times a day. He told me that Rodolfo was the first person in the GF Team to completely dedicate himself to BJJ after he completed his studies. He had many other famous students but they all had to work and could not fully commit themselves to BJJ alone.

As a result of Rodolfo's success, he now has many students who want to dedicate themselves in the same way.

I was happy to learn that Mestre Pereira is a long time friend of Mestre Ricardo De La Riva. He told me that even though he was awarded his Black Belt one year before DLR, DLR is like an idol for him and a personal friend. They trained together for many years and DLR was the first person form Zona Sul (South Zone) to open up his academy doors to teach all manner of people whether affluent or not.

This was the Mestre's first trip to Europe and was happy that through his love of BJJ he had been able to travel to Spain, france, Switzerland, Germany and of course the UK. He stated that he had met a lot of new people and friends old and new.

The GF Team currently has one official affiliate in the UK, Gabriel Rainho who is both a BJJ & Judo Black belt. You can contact him at gabrielrainho@yahoo.com.br. He is based in London.

Video Techniques

Video 1 - Escaping the De La Riva Guard

Video 2 - Passing the half guard

Video 3 - Guard passing in action

I want to thank Mestre Julio for his time and teachings and it was such an honour to spend time with such a down to earth man without the politics that rears its ugly head in BJJ.

Enjoy

Training With the best Grappler of 2011 - Rodolfo Vieira

Following a great training session on 4.10.11 with Mestre Julio Cesar Pereira, 6th Degree Black belt and head of the now famous GF Team, it was time for another great session, but this time with his student, Current weight & absolute World champion, Rodolfo Vieira.

I managed to arrange the session so that he could teach the Thursday evening class (6.10.11) at the home of my good friend Prof Nick 'Sloth' Brooks and my second home, namely Mill Hill BJJ.

What was great is that we managed to keep it quiet so that the students had no idea....until he turned up. Priceless!!!

He taught a session on guard passing, covering 1 simple but very effective pass with 3 variations.

He then sparred with a lucky few, including yours truly and it really was an experience being spanked by the current no 1 ranked BJJ fighter in the World this year. One thing that surprised me most I confess, was how quickly he moved for a big guy. Very slick and very impressive.

Some pics of the crazy crew below :)

When Black Belts unite........16.9.11

Great training with the Guro Bob Breen Blackbelts new and old................We trained advanced aspects of the knife as well as foot sectoring and sweeps from Guro Dan's Maphilindo Silat.

A great way to set up your weekend :)

New CFS BJJ Manchester Blue Belt - James Stafford - September 2011

Congratulations to James on his promotion to Blue Belt. It was given to him following recommendation by Manchester Head Instructor Martyn Cahill and well deserved by all accounts.

Well done ;)

Bob Breen Academy - Black Belt Grading - 11.9.11 - Report

Julian Getting choked out by Winston Fraser just before he got hit again...

Rich Lee getting pounded in 2 on 1 by 2007 Blackbelts Corey Donoghue and Lloyd Walters.......

The Happy Group with the Guro

Sunday 11th September was an important day internationally for a number of reasons an indeed it was also for the 12 participants selected to take the infamous Bob Breen Academy Black Belt test.

Let me begin by giving you a little bit of history about the test and what it invloves.

In order to be able to take the test, you will ordinarily have been training with Guro Breen for several years and have taken the tests at the previous levels. There are 2 at Brown belt level. The test is normally reserved to those who are class members but on the odd occasion Guro will allow students who train with him on his instructor camps and who have shown the appropriate level of skill, determination and heart to test. Taking and passing this test gives you the right to say you are a personal student of Guro Breen and hence claim lineage back to Guro/Sifu Dan Inosanto and SiGung Bruce Lee.

The main arts taught at The Academy are :

1. 
   
   Filipino Martial arts


2. 
   
   Jun fan gung fu/JKD concepts


3. 
   
   Boxing


4. 
   
   Muay Thai
   

In addition techniques and strategies are also drawn from

1. 
   
   Silat


2. 
   
   Wing chun


3. 
   
   Combat submission Wrestling


4. 
   
   BJJ
   

It is because of this, it normally takes along time to reach the level suitable for testing.

The test itself is HARD and long, typically lasting 4-5 hours. You need to know your stuff and you need to be in shape. The test respects no one. Men, women, old and young are all treated equally. If you have any weaknesses....they will be exposed...whether you knew they pre existed or not.

There are technical elements tested:

Padwork - Boxing and Muay Thai

Empty hands techniques - Kali & JKD

Trapping - Wing Chun/Jun Fan

Weaponry - single & double stick, knife

Then there is sparring:

1. 
   
   Boxing


2. 
   
   Kickboxing


3. 
   
   Stick


4. 
   
   Grappling


5. 
   
   2 on 1
   
   

*you may spar in all areas or some but must be prepared for all at the direction of Guro Breen.

2 on 1 is a heartbreaker. There is no where safe to hide from the experienced Black Belts who seemingly push you beyond your limit.

The Muay Thai padwork is not for the faint hearted either especially when you are 'worked' over by 2 x European Muay Thai champ Winston Fraser or Long term Black Belt and student of Guro Inosanto, Savash Mustafa.

On the day....

The twelve called...answered and were successful. All were tested, rocked, pushed but came through the other side as individuals and as a group. The oldest participant was 49 years of age who told me he had been training 5 times a week for the past 6 months and was now going to take it a bit easy and cut it down to 4 times a week......Class!!

First of all I give praise to Guro Breen for his leadership and training over the past 30 plus years. Anybody who is anybody in JKD/Kali in the UK has been taught by him at some point. Secondly I praise the group for their hard work and entertaining the spectators. Thirdly I am extremely proud of Husna Nessa (the only female), Richard Lee and Barry Harte all of whom I have had a hand (or arm) in training over the years.

In closing....I say what I have said many times before in the past....attaining the Black Belt is fantastic, but it is ONLY the beginning. It all starts from here, as did mine in October 1996. Where will you be in 10 years time?!!

Oooooossssss!!!

Good times......

It was good to get a visit to 'HQ' from Blue Belt Coach (and 2 time European Champion Steve Payne) and a couple of his students. It was the first time his students got to roll with a purple & Black belt. Great to have them time and as we say.......Good times :)

Technique of the month - September 2011 - Special Bonus Video - Mestre Ricardo De La Riva

This is a special bonus technique and one not to be missed. The Mestre does what he does best and shows an innovative way to deal with a person who tries to counter a reverse DLR sweep by standing up.

Enjoy!!!

Daniel Strauss - ADCC Preparations

The training so far has been going really well. His S & C training is still at the highest level under the guidance of Fitness Guro Andrew 'Android' Marshall. We continue to work his ground and standup game at CFS HQ but now enters the final phase of training.

The 'Team' have sent The Raspberry Ape to NYC to train with Renzo Gracie, Roger Gracie and GSP to name but a few.

This is just what he need to be taken to the next level.

We wish him all the best ;)

CFS BJJ Manchester/Fighting Fit - London Road trip - August 2011

Earlier on this month, a hardcore group of 'guys n gal' came to london to sample some of London's finest BJJ as well as celebrate the birthday of one of their own.

We had a great training and sparring session on the first day followed by training and sparring facilitated by my compadre Nick Brooks of Mill Hill BJJ.

Check out their report :)

http://parttimegrappler.blogspot.com/2011/08/bjj-road-trip-roger-gracie-hq-cfs-hq.html

CFS BJJ Manchester - Competition Success - 20.8.11

On Saturday 20th August 2011, the CFS BJJ Manchester/Fighting Fit team entered and fought in the 'Grab & Pull' North West open BJJ competition.

They did themselves proud ending up on the podium for their efforts. Competition is never easy for a number of reasons and indeed it's not meant to be. but that's what makes any type of success sweeter.

Below is a link to a fantastic report of the event by CFS Purple Belt Liam Wandi AKA ' The Part time Grappler with pics and vids

http://parttimegrappler.blogspot.com/2011/08/bjj-tips-winning-bjj-competitions.html

Well done guys!!

CFS BJJ - Manchester Labs - Seminar/Affilliation - 5.6.11

It is with great pleasure following 6 months of training, that I formally announce and confirm that the BJJ program/team at Fighting Fit, Manchester Labs, Manchester are now officially affiliated to me via the CFS BJJ Team.(http://www.fightingfitmartialarts.co.uk/)

The group in Manchester are a great bunch of guys and girls headed by Brown Belt Martyn Cahill who was awarded his Brown Belt in April 2009 by Karl Tanswell. They have been on their own path for quite some time now and I am glad that it eventually led them in my direction.

The team has a strong group of purples and blues as well as white belts and I look forward seeing them go from strenght to strength.

On Sunday 5th June there were some promotions:

1. Martyn Cahill - Brown Belt - 2 stripes


2. Liam Wandi - Purple Belt -1 stripe


3. Graeme Kidd - Purple Belt - 1 stripe


4. Paul Bodley - Purple Belt - 1 Stripe


5. Ian Wilson - Blue Belt - 3 stripes


6. Jay Cahill - Blue Belt - 3 stripes


7. Jake Cross - Promotion to BLUE BELT


8. Martin Matiasko - Promotion to BLUE BELT


9. James Stafford - White Belt - 2 stripes


10. Neil Kirwan - White Belt - 1 stripe

Congratulations!!!

Technique of the month - June 2011 - Mestre Ricardo De La Riva

This is the Third in the series by Master DLR - Fitting as he teaches the triangle trilogy from the 'Split Guard ' position. Enjoy

Technique of the month - April 2011 - Mestre Ricardo De La Riva - The first of a series.