Junior kids mmak7bjj Thailand

Well done everyone…lots of fun, techniques, hard work..oss

Thank you to my son for his teaching, thank you to my students who made an amazing commitment to learning, thank you to the parents who endure the teaching schedule…..we will succeed no matter we have no support, no money no anything…..only the commitment of everyone involved…thank you

Lots of activity today’s class…oss

Judo (柔道, jūdō) literally translates to “the gentle way” (“ju” = gentle/yielding/soft, “dō” = way/path). This philosophy, created by Jigoro Kano in 1882, emphasizes maximum efficiency with minimum effort (seiryoku zen’yō) and mutual welfare/benefit (jita kyōei). It prioritizes using an opponent’s force, momentum, balance, and leverage against them rather than meeting strength with strength (“strong way”).

How Judo Throws Embody the “Gentle Way”
Judo throws (nage-waza) are defined and executed through principles like:
• Kuzushi (breaking balance): Off-balance the opponent subtly.
• Tsukuri (positioning/fitting in): Position yourself efficiently.
• Kake (ex*****on): Apply the throw with timing and minimal force.
The “gentle” aspect means yielding to or redirecting the opponent’s energy (e.g., pulling when pushed, or turning their forward momentum into a throw) instead of brute power. A smaller, skilled practitioner can throw a larger, stronger one by exploiting physics and timing—not muscle. Throws should be controlled for safety (with proper ukemi or breakfalls).

That said, judo is dynamic and powerful in practice. It feels gentle when done right (efficient and low-injury), but throws can be explosive. The “strong way” would be raw power or resistance, which judo avoids in favor of efficiency.

Standard Classification of Judo Throws
Judo throws (nage-waza) are systematically defined and grouped by the Kodokan (judo’s headquarters) for teaching and competition. There are two main divisions, with further subgroups based on the primary body part or action used.

1 Tachi-waza (Standing Techniques) — Executed while mostly upright:
◦ Te-waza (Hand Techniques): Primarily use arms/hands for pulling, lifting, or dropping (e.g., Ippon-seoi-nage — one-arm shoulder throw, Tai-otoshi — body drop).
◦ Koshi-waza (Hip Techniques): Use the hips as a fulcrum/pivot (e.g., O-goshi — major hip throw, Uki-goshi — floating hip throw).
◦ Ashi-waza (Foot/Leg Techniques): Use legs/feet for reaping, sweeping, or blocking (e.g., O-soto-gari — major outer reap, De-ashi-barai — advancing foot sweep).
2 Sutemi-waza (Sacrifice Techniques) — Involve deliberately falling to the mat to throw the opponent (higher risk/reward):
◦ Ma-sutemi-waza (Rear/Supine Sacrifice): Fall backward (e.g., Tomoe-nage — circle throw).
◦ Yoko-sutemi-waza (Side Sacrifice): Fall to the side (e.g., various yoko-guruma or winding throws).

There are officially ~68 Kodokan throws (plus variations), traditionally taught in the Gokyo-no-waza (5 sets of teaching throws). Other biomechanical classifications exist (e.g., turning vs. striking couples of forces), but the body-part-based system is the standard.

Gentle vs. Strong in Practice
• Gentle Way: Focus on kuzushi and timing so the throw flows naturally. Example: Using an opponent’s push to set up a hip throw with minimal lifting.
• Strong Way (what to avoid as primary strategy): Relying on raw strength to muscle through a throw, which tires you faster, is less effective against skilled opponents, and contradicts judo’s principles.
Many effective competition throws blend elements (e.g., leg reaps with hand pulls), but the core remains efficiency over force.

If you’re learning, start with basics like O-soto-gari, O-goshi, or De-ashi-barai—they’re accessible and illustrate the gentle philosophy well. Practice with a qualified instructor for safety and proper form. Judo’s “gentleness” also extends to respect, control, and personal development beyond the mat.

Side control (also called side mount or cross-body) is widely regarded in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and grappling as one of the most versatile and practical positions in ground play. It strikes an excellent balance of control, safety, mobility, and attacking options, making it especially effective for beginners to advanced practitioners.

Why Side Control Is So Versatile
• Abundant Attack Avenues: It offers more submission and transition options than most positions. Common attacks include Kimura, Americana, arm triangles, north-south chokes, bow-and-arrow chokes, and more. You can chain these fluidly while maintaining pressure.

• Seamless Transitions: From side control, you can easily move to knee-on-belly (for pressure and setup), full mount, north-south, or even take the back. This makes it a “hub” position that connects your game rather than a dead end.

• Control Over Key Areas: The perpendicular (90-degree) angle lets you use your chest, hips, arms, and legs effectively to pin the opponent’s head, hips, and shoulders while limiting their ability to face you or generate power. Variations (e.g., scarf hold/kesa gatame, underhook, crossface) adapt to different opponents and scenarios.

• Works in Gi, No-Gi, and MMA: Strong pressure game translates across rulesets. It’s effective for both control-focused play and finishing.

Why It’s Often the Easiest to Use
• Stable and Low-Risk: Unlike full mount (which can be swept or reversed more easily if you lose balance), side control is defensively robust. You don’t need leg hooks or entanglements, just solid weight distribution, grips (e.g., crossface + underhook), and hip/shoulder pressure. This makes it forgiving for maintaining position against bigger or stronger opponents.

• Easier to Maintain and Recover: Good side control emphasizes pinning with body weight and leverage rather than pure strength. Escapes are harder for the bottom player compared to mount in many cases, as they can’t easily bridge or shrimp without dealing with heavy cross-body pressure.

• Accessibility for All Levels: Beginners learn it quickly after guard passing. It rewards fundamentals (pressure, posture, control of head/hips) over athleticism or complex setups. You can stay here to wear down an opponent while setting up attacks or advancing position.

• Energy Efficient: Apply constant pressure to exhaust the bottom player while conserving your own energy. It’s less taxing than constantly chasing submissions from more precarious spots.

Comparison to Other Positions
• Vs. Mount: Mount is higher in the positional hierarchy for control/submissions, but side control is often easier to hold and transition from, with fewer reversal risks. Many prefer side control for its stability before advancing to mount.

• Vs. Back Control: Back is dominant for chokes, but harder to achieve and maintain.
• Vs. Guard: Guard is offensive from the bottom; side control is a dominant top position.

In short, side control excels because it combines high control with low risk, broad attacking options, and fluid mobility — all while being relatively straightforward to learn and apply effectively. Mastering it (pressure, variations, and transitions) dramatically improves your overall ground game. Focus on drills for the 5–6 key variations and points of contact for the best results.

Train consistently, drill both sides, and integrate it with your passing and submission chains for maximum impact.

Having a basic “101” knowledge of open guard techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is crucial for developing a dynamic, versatile, and modern game that goes beyond static defense.

Open guard (where your legs aren’t locked closed around the opponent) builds directly on closed guard fundamentals and becomes increasingly important as you progress.

1. Fluidity, Mobility, and Adaptability
• Closed guard is stable and great for control/submissions, but open guard allows you to create distance, angles, and movement. You can respond quickly to passes, adjust to different body types/opponents, and chain techniques more effectively.

• In live rolling or competition, opponents will try to pass or smash your closed guard. Basic open guard skills (e.g., grips, foot placement, hip escapes, retention) let you stay active instead of getting flattened or passed to side control.

2. Better Offense: Sweeps, Transitions, and Attacks
• Open guard excels at sweeps (e.g., tripod, scissor variations, butterfly hooks) and setting up submissions or back takes. It turns defense into offense more explosively than closed guard alone.

• It teaches distance management and timing — key for controlling the pace and frustrating pressure passers. Basics like collar-sleeve grips, spider elements, or de la Riva setups open doors to more advanced guards later.

3. Guard Retention and Survival Skills
• One of the hardest parts of BJJ is keeping your guard. Basic open guard retention (framing, regaining hooks/angles, shrimp/hip movement) prevents you from being passed constantly as a beginner or intermediate.

• It develops hip mobility, coordination, and body awareness that transfer to every other position. Many instructors note that open guard work accelerates overall improvement in these areas.

4. Relevance in Modern BJJ and No-Gi
• Contemporary BJJ (especially no-gi, MMA, or competition) heavily favors open guards because they’re harder to shut down and offer more options against athletic, aggressive opponents.

• Relying only on closed guard limits you against good passers. Basics prepare you for the “guard passing wars” you’ll face.

5. Foundation for Long-Term Growth
• Starts simple (e.g., basic butterfly for sweeps/mobility, collar-sleeve for control) but scales infinitely. It prevents you from being a “one-dimensional” grappler and builds tactical awareness: when to close the guard, when to open it, and how to transition.

• Mentally, it reinforces problem-solving under pressure and adaptability — core BJJ principles.
Recommended Beginner Open Guard Basics:
• Guard retention and recovery drills.
• Simple sweeps (e.g., from butterfly or collar-sleeve).
• Posture breaking and distance control.
• Transitions back to closed guard or to dominant positions.
Focus on quality drilling and positional sparring rather than memorizing many variations. Many coaches suggest getting solid in closed guard first, then layering in open guard concepts early.

This knowledge makes you harder to control, more offensive, and better prepared for real rolling. If you’re a white belt, dealing with specific issues (e.g., getting passed easily), or want example techniques/drills, give more details! Oss — keep building that foundation.

Tying your belt properly (especially in martial arts like karate or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) matters for practical, symbolic, and cultural reasons.

Practical Reasons
• It stays secure during training: A well-tied belt (often with a specific square knot or “kata knot” variation) keeps your gi (uniform) in place and prevents it from coming loose or falling off mid-roll, sparring, or kata. This avoids distractions, interruptions, and potential safety issues.

• Comfort and focus: A sloppy or loose knot shifts around, bunches up, or unties easily, pulling your attention away from technique and training.
Symbolic and Cultural Reasons
• Discipline and respect: Tying the belt correctly is a small daily ritual that demonstrates attention to detail, humility, and respect for the art, your instructor, training partners, and yourself. A neat knot signals you’re serious and prepared; a messy one can imply carelessness.

• Balance and mindfulness: In karate traditions, starting by folding the belt evenly in the middle and placing it below the navel (around the hara or center of gravity) symbolizes balance — spiritual, technical, and physical (Shin Gi Tai). It reminds practitioners to balance physical training with study and to center their energy.

• Rank and tradition: The belt represents your progress and journey. Tying it properly honors the lineage and traditions of the martial art. It’s more than fabric — it’s a symbol of resolve, dedication, and the path from beginner to mastery.

Fashion/Context Outside Martial Arts
For everyday clothing belts (leather, fabric, or self-tie styles):
• It looks polished and intentional rather than sloppy.
• Proper tying (e.g., neat knots for fabric belts or correct buckling) improves fit, silhouette, and overall outfit appearance.

• Functional belts (work, safety, or formal) need secure ties/knots to serve their purpose without failing.
In short, it’s a low-effort habit that reinforces bigger principles like discipline and presence. Many schools teach specific methods to beginners for exactly these reasons.