1. 1. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU Questions and Answers Part One
2. 2. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com Since the fall of 1994, I have answered thousands of martial arts questions online: Questions about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do Concepts, Filipino Martial Art, Self-defense, Streetfighting, physical fitness, law enforcement defensive tactics and more. To date, I have written over 800 pages of answers. I would like to begin sharing some of them with you in this new format (which is a mixture of text, pictures and video). I pray you enjoy and benefit from them! Good training to you, Roy Harris
3. 3. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com Question #1: Mr. Harris, when an opponent hooks his leg to defend against the knee bar, is there another attack I can perform? Answer: When someone hooks their foot under the bend of the knee of their other leg, do the following: 1) Pry the second leg off of the first leg and then attack the first leg again. In other words, if you are attacking your opponents left knee and he places his left foot in the crook of his right knee or crosses his ankles so that his left ankle is underneath his right ankle, grab a hold of his right foot and pull it to the left side of your body (underneath your left armpit). This will expose his left leg and allow you to finish the knee bar on his left leg. 2) A second way to attack your opponents left knee is to pry the right leg off of the left leg. However, when the op- ponent resists by keeping his left leg bent, keep your left forearm underneath his left thigh, between his thigh and his calf. Take your right leg and put it over top of the opponents left ankle. Triangle your legs by placing your right foot in the bend of your left knee. Pull your heels to your but- tocks and squeeze your knees together.
4. 4. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com Additionally, you will want to turn your left wrist so that it is perpendicular to your opponents left leg. This will cause the radial and ulna bone to cut into the top of his left calf. This is not a lock. Rather, it is a compression of the knee. Pain can be felt in the upper calf and the middle of the knee. Question #2: Mr. Harris, how do you promote your students in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? Do you give a belt test and give stripes? Or, how do you determine when a student is ready for the next belt level and if you can give examples of the type of knowledge to go from the bottom at white to top at black? Answer: I promote my students by giving them an examination. I do not use the stripe system just yet. However, I will begin to use it in 2003. When a student shares with me their desire to move on to the next belt level, I sit down with them and discuss their current level. Sometimes, we roll first and then I give them an evaluation. I explain to them where their game needs improvement, where it should progress and how I can best help them. For example, the blue belt examination is a technical examination. I require my students to know a certain set of techniques, as well as require them to have a basic level of skill in certain areas of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I also interview them and give them a practical, hands-on evaluation. Click here to see the blue belt examination The purple belt examination requires the student to possess a specific set of skills. They must also be able to perform the blue belt curriculum. When a blue belt student asks me what they need to do to obtain the purple belt, I tell them what I am looking for in a purple belt and how they can best train for the examination. This same process goes for the brown and black belt examinations. (I require specific skills for the higher belt levels.)
5. 5. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com Each promotion requires a lot of my personal attention. I do not promote students based upon their knowledge of technique. Rather, I look for a com- bination of technical proficiency, skill on the mat, time in service and attitude (I am a firm believer that the darker a persons belt color is, the more a giver he or she should be! For example, purple and brown belts at my academy are the favorite training partners amongst students. Everyone loves to train with these guys because of their skill level, but more importantly, because they give back to the students. These purple belts dont kick everyones butt, every class. Rather, they allow the junior students into the game. They teach them by example! This is a very important quality for a purple belt to possess.) When I promote a student to one of the higher belt levels (purple, brown or black), I consider the following: 1. Technical proficiency. 2. Performance (skill) on the mat. 3. Time in service. 4. Attitude towards other students. I require my higher belts to have ALL of the above, not just one. I do not believe that just because a student knows a certain amount of techniques, or because he can hang with a purple belt at the academy that he de- serves the purple belt. In order for him to qualify for this belt, he must demon- strate the following: 1. A high level of technical proficiency with the basics. In other words, most of the techniques he uses should be good, solid basics. There should be a minimal amount of force being used to accomplish his objectives. 2. Skill on the mat. The purple belt is the belt of combinations and momen- tum. What that means is this: When I see an individual who powers his way through every escape and explodes into every submission, he is not ready for the purple belt. What I need to see is this: I need to see him use his basics together in combinations that set up sweeps, submissions and other
6. 6. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com positional exchanges. I also need to see him use and create momentum. With the use of combinations and momentum, the amount of energy a purple belt uses in comparison with a white belt or beginning blue belt should be much less. 3. With respect to time in service, I require my blue belts to spend at least 18 to 24 months of time working on their basics and combinations before I will even consider them for purple. Yes, I have made some exceptions to this rule. However, the students who were the exceptions to the rule were athletes when they came to the academy. They were also visual learners who attended every class. Because of their athletic background, their vi- sual learning skills, and, because the frequency of their attendance, they progressed faster than everyone else. Keep in mind, these kind of students are not the norm. They are the anomalies! I have found that it takes the average student 21 months to make the leap from blue to purple. 4. Finally, theres the students attitude. I require my purple belts and higher to have a higher standard of moral. I require them to be kind, gentle, re- spectful and considerate. Obviously, they also have to have the ability to kick butt. However, anyone can be taught to kick butt, and, anyone with skill can kick butt......but, it takes more strength of character to withhold that power. I also require my higher belts to give more, especially with beginning students. Too often, Ive seen higher belts from other schools stop by to train and all they do is try to kick everyones butt, including the beginning white belts. I watch them tap out the beginning white belts repeatedly, without giving them any kind of advice or recommendations. While that may be acceptable at other schools, it is not at my academy. The bad boy, look at me kick butt attitude is not welcome at my academy.
7. 7. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com I want my students to learn how to give AND take, how to win AND lose gra- ciously. Students need to understand that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a sport and a hobby. It is supposed to be fun! With that fun attitude comes respect and consideration for others. Now, am I saying that my higher belts are never given the opportunity to kick butt? No. However, before they do, they must tell their training partner the following, If you dont mind, Im going to train a bit hard tonight. Ive been going easy all week and I need a good work out. So, since I am going hard and fast, please know that I am not upset with you or purposely trying to hurt you. I just need to train hard. Question #3: Hey Roy, do you have any ideas on solo drills I can do to develop a good guard in terms of movement for attacking or maintaining an open guard? Answer: Unfortunately, there are no solo drills that one can do to improve ones guard. The reason is simple: Theres no pressure or movement to re- spond to! To be effective with any type of guard, you need to learn how to deal with pres- sure and movement. You must learn how to follow it, move with it, lead it and con- trol it. Unfortunately, you cannot do this by yourself. Someone needs to give you that type of energy so you can first learn to follow. Now, there are exercises you can do to strengthen and lengthen the muscles in your legs so you can use them more effectively. However, they do not help you with attacking or maintaining an open guard. Only another person can help you accomplish that.
8. 8. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com Here are some stretches and exercises that will help your use of the guard more effectively. Keep in mind these strengthening exercises are designed to help you push and pull stronger: 1. Adductors. 2. Abductors. 3. Leg press. 4. Squats (without weights) 5. Leg curls. 6. Inward/outward circles with leg weight, on your back. 7. Inward/outward circles with leg weight on, standing. 8. Seated rows. 9. Bicep curls. 10. Crunches. Here are the areas to stretch: 1. Hamstrings. 2. Quadriceps. 3. Inner thighs. 4. Outer thighs. 5. Hip flexors. 6. Gluteals. 7. Lower back. 8. Middle back. 9. Upper back. 10. Back of your neck. Developing a good guard is something that will take time, effort and pa- tience!
9. 9. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com Question #4: Do you have any solo drills to help overall body movement or for side mount escapes? Answer: What I wrote earlier holds true for side mount escapes as well. To effectively deal with pressure (and movement) a person will need to have another person to move and apply pressure at random intervals. You can train the muscles in your arms, shoulders, chest, back and hips to make certain movements stronger. However, you will need another person to help you respond to pressure and movement. The reason for this is simple: When someone is side mounted on top of you, and you attempt a specific escape, they provide a specific type of resis- tance (movement and pressure) to counter your escape. When you respond to their counter with a counter of your own, they may or may not respond with another counter. Or, you may pretend to attempt a specific escape, and when your opponent moves just like you thought he would, you immedi- ately follow up with a specific technique you intended to bait him with. For example, placing an opponent back into your guard by using the basic elbow/knee escape is a great way to bait your opponent into moving to either the scarf hold, north and south position or knee on the stomach. When he does, you can follow-up with a pre-planned technique. However, to do this will require you to have a training partner. Unfortunately, you can not accomplish this by yourself.
10. 10. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com Question #5: Mr. Harris, what are some good ways to practice keeping things tight while going for your submissions? Slow motion drills are fine, but every- thing changes at 80-100%. Answer: It is true that a lot changes at 100%. However, the purpose for train- ing at slower speeds is to be precise with your movements. When you are precise, speed rarely changes anything. If you are able to obtain a minor position of control and keep it for any length of period, you should be able to finish. Contained within the mechanics of each submission are the minor control positions used just before you finish your opponent. When I use the terms, minor control posi- tion I am not referring to the major ones such as the mount, guard or side mount positions. Rather, I am referring to a minor position that gives you the same amount of control as a major one. The only difference is the minor one is related to a specific submission, such as an arm lock or choke. Many are unfamiliar with these control positions. However, they do exist. And, they are the reason why I stress mechanics! To finish a submission, you must be able to do the following: 1. Control the limb which you are about to manipulate. 2. Control the movement of the head. 3. Control or at least monitor the movement of the hips. 4. Monitor the movement of the knees.
11. 11. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com If you cannot accomplish the above, you will have to use speed to finish the submission. My suggestion to you is this: When you practice your submissions, practice enveloping your entire body around theirs. Dont focus on the submission. Rather, focus on enveloping their body. This will keep you close to them at all times. Yes, it will make it more difficult for you to move. Yes, it will mean that your body will be closer to theirs, which will make it easier for them to bridge and roll out of the submission. However, practice doing this and your submissions will become tighter over time. Also, it would be a good idea to do some isometric training in the gym. Question #6: Can you give me any advice on how to structure a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class to fit in all aspects of training? I think Im doing pretty well as it goes but how much time would you give to syllabus training, grappling ground- work stamina etc. Im always glad of advice from other instructors. Answer: Structuring a class to address all aspects of training can only take place over a long period of time. You can not fully address all areas of train- ing in one month or even one year. For example, here is a brief list of areas to train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: 1) Escaping the mount. 2) Escaping (passing) the closed guard. 3) Escaping (passing) the open guard. 4) Escaping the side mount. 5) Escaping kesa gatame. 6) Escaping kuzure kesa gatame. 7) Escaping head locks. 8) Escaping the front mount. 9) Escaping the knee on stomach.
12. 12. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com 10) Escaping the half guard. 11) Escaping the back mount. 12) Escaping the sprawl. 13) One counter to each technique. 14) Dominating from the mount. 15) Dominating from the closed guard. 16) Dominating from the open guard. 17) Dominating from the side mount. 18) Dominating from kesa gatame. 19) Dominating from kuzure kesa gatame. 20) Dominating from head locks. 21) Dominating from the front mount. 22) Dominating from the knee on stomach. 23) Dominating from the half guard. 24) Dominating from the back mount. 25) Arm locks from the closed guard. 26) Arm locks from the open guard. 27) Arm locks from the mount. 28) Arm locks from the side mount. 29) Arm locks from kesa gatame. 30) Arm locks from kuzure kesa gatame. 31) Arm locks from the front mount. 32) Arm locks from knee on stomach. 33) Arm locks from the half guard. 34) Arm locks from the back mount. 35) One counter to each technique. 36) Chokes from the closed guard. 37) Chokes from the open guard. 38) Chokes from the mount. 39) Chokes from the side mount. 40) Chokes from kesa gatame. If you trained each area consistently for a period of two weeks, it would take you more than a year and a half to complete the training. Plus, training these
13. 13. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com aspects for two weeks does not give your students a skill in each area. Rather, it only familiarizes them with the different positions and submissions. Additionally, these 40 areas of training make up less than 10% of all of Jiu Jitsu. So, as you can see, theres a lot to train. So, theres no way youre going to cover all aspects of training in one class setting. During one class, I would limit the amount of technical training to three or four techniques in one hour. If you do more than that, the students will not retain the information for very long. They may think its cool to have seen 20 tech- niques, but their ability to remember them all will not be so good. You can have the students warm up with exercises if thats what they want. However, it would be better to have them warm up with specific drills that are related to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, such as open guard work or side mount escapes. And as always, try to end each session with sparring! Question #7: What do you think about twisting foot locks, leg locks and heel hooks in both competition, Mixed Martial Arts and training? It seems to me they are becoming the cobra kai evil techniques, especially in sparring and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition. I know many schools do not allow them until one is a purple or brown, but with all the instructional tapes and schools that use them, do you think they should be taught in order for one to AT LEAST know the defense for them? Answer: In one sense, twisting foot locks and leg locks are no different than any other technique. All techniques must be performed with great care. All techniques can injure. However, in another sense, I believe they are very different and should be treated as such. Since the twisting locks have come on the scene here in the US, there have been a lot of injuries related. I believe a part of that has to do
14. 14. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com with peoples lack of knowledge and responsibility. I remember when I began learning them back in the early 1991. I got called a bunch of names because I was doing that leg crap. Well, now that people are more aware of the leg crap, they are generally accepted, except for those pesky twisting ankle and foot locks. Teaching and training in martial arts bears a responsibility. An instructor must be cautious when teaching certain techniques because of their injurious na- ture (I believe the twisting leg locks falls into this category). Additionally, students must be cautious when using these techniques, as well as when they are being applied to their body. Twisting leg locks can and do cause injury, but so do other techniques. How- ever, because of the implied pecking order of certain schools, and because of the male ego, some students tend to get more bent out of shape over a heel hook than they do an arm lock! So, to sum it all up, I think these locks should be used with care and caution. I also believe that those instructors who allow these locks in their schools and tournaments should bear the responsibility for the safety and training of all students!
15. 15. HARRIS INTERNATIONAL Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Questions and Answers - part one 8250 Camino Santa Fe, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121 pfs@sprintmail.com 858. 550. 2021 www.royharris.com I hope you enjoyed this first segment. There are more to come! Good training to you, Roy Harris