MMA Training - Mill Hill combat & conditioning - 18.4.10

As some of you guys may know, I have a very long association with BJJ Black Belt Nick Brooks and his Academy based in Mill Hill.

I am honoured to be their MMA coach and the journey to success from humble beginnings has begun.

On Sunday 18th we had our first clinic and (as promised) I set out below the things that we covered.

Basic Stance/Posture:

• For MMA
• Long range striking
• Close range striking
• Wrestling base
• pros and cons of each
• Ability to adapt physially and mentally

Basic Footwork:

• Positioning of the feet - keeping the right distance
• Directions of movement - left/right/front/back & pad circling
• single steps/shuffle
• double steps/shuffle
• Single complete steps - forward and backwards
• knee raises/bounces - vertical, outside crush and cross crush

CFS Progression No 1:

1. jab
2. double jab
3. jab, cross
4. double jab, cross
5. jab, cross, hook
6. cross, hook, cross
7. (slip) hook, cross, hook

BJJ Techniques of the month - April Madness

Hey guys

Seasons greetings to you all. Unfortunately, I was not able to put up BJJ techniques in February or March, so I am kicking off April with a host of techniques to make up for it. I don't think you will be disappointed. Performing some techniques and helping me with mine is Alliance BJJ Representative Miad Najafi, who is a very well respected Brown Belt (From Ricardo Vieira), living and teaching in Brighton. He recently returned from Atlanta where he trained with the Alliance team and in particular Cobrinha. He is a versatile martial artist with a background in JKD & Kali (Black belt), trained in wrestling, a former amateur boxer and versed in MMA. His website can be accessed via the links section on this blog.

In this series we cover attacks from the back, sweeps from half guard and some techniques from spider guard. Please enjoy and as always feel free to comment

Attack from the back - the detail is what is all important

The same technique shown again one more time

A nice sweep from half guard shown here

A similar sweep from half guard in response to the legs being crushed prior to an attempted guard pass

Here Miad demonstrates an Omoplatta attack from spider guard

Here i demonstrate another way to attack the omoplatta from the spider guard followed by a way to take the back from the same guard

Corey Donoghue - British BJJ Open Champion 2010 - Blue Belt - Masters/seniors - Middleweight

Congratulations to Corey Donoghue - The new British BJJ Open Champion 2010.

Corey did himself, his team and I proud at the tournament on Sunday 28th March 2010.

He fought in a division of 19 fighters where the standard was high. He had 5 fights dominating everyone and never lost a SINGLE POINT or ADVANTAGE.

He swept four out of his 5 opponents and racked up over a total 45 points, beating one opponent 19-0. What is equally as impressive is the fact that he seriously injured his knee and ankle in the second fight and the medics told him not to fight any more.....but they didn't know Corey very well as he had 3 further fights. He wanted to fight the Absolute division too, but as his coach I had to think of his safety and called it a day.

As a team we thank all our friends and supporters who are always there for us :)

CFS Sensitivity Training - 19.3.10

In this video, Corey and Jesus are training sensitivity material for speed and co-ordination. They did it very well plus had a lot of fun so I thought I would share. Enjoy ;)

Roger Barnes Memorial FMA Seminar - 14.3.10

Hi Guys.

On Sunday 14th March, in Honour of Guro Roger Barnes, as FMA seminar was held at the Bob Breen Academy to mark the first year of his passing. It was taught by Master Instructor Guro Bob Breen, Grandmaster John Harvey of Rapid Arnis and myself. There was a good turnout with close to 35 people and all the proceeds went to the Barnes family who also attended.

In the first video clip below, Guro Bob and I play whilst I attack and he defends.

In this second video, Guro has his revenge as we switch roles:)

Here Guro teaches some 'third hand' principles with the stick

Bob Breen Academy - 16.2.10 - Fighting Intelligently

Hey Guys!!

This week, I covered both the empty hands class as well as the weaponry class. The video material below only covers the empty hands section.

In the first video, I am explaining my theories on striking and what I look out for in an exchange. In essence, I explain that try to concentrate on the holes given to me by my opponent when they attack, rather than becoming pre-occupied with defending their attack

In the second video, I advocate training your striking and countering by staying in range. This means that you cannot run away and thus it helps you to focus on fighting in a realistic fashion.

Enjoy :)