Oss Fitness and Grappling LLC

https://guardpassnewsletter.beehiiv.com/p/the-guard-pass-issue-8-visiting-an-open-mat

Sam had been sitting in the same chair by the back wall for almost two years.
He knew which kids were improving. He knew the Professor's teaching patterns well enough to predict which technique was coming next.
He had never once stepped on the mat.
His reason was the same one it had always been. Just needed to lose a few pounds first. Just needed to get in better shape. Just needed to be a little more ready.
Then he met Big John at a black belt ceremony — a fifty year old man in a brand new white belt with the tag still on the sleeve — and Big John said something that stopped him cold.
"We could've gotten promoted together. If I'd just started back then."
Twelve years. Big John had been doing the math on twelve years.
New article up at The Guard Pass. The link is in the comments — and if you know a Sam, tag them. 🥋

https://guardpassnewsletter.beehiiv.com/p/the-guard-pass-issue-7-need-to-get-fit-to-start

The Guard Pass Issue 7 - Need to Get Fit to Start No highlight reels. No unrealistic advice. Just real stuff that actually helps.

https://guardpassnewsletter.beehiiv.com/p/the-guard-pass-issue-6-recover-hard-and-your-spouse-doesn-t-like-bjj

Gabe knew what Lucy needed to do out there.
He'd watched Khabib dismantle the entire lightweight division. He'd played linebacker at Jefferson High. He understood competition.
So when Professor John said "stay in your guard" and Gabe said "SMESH HER, LUCE" — he was just helping.
Lucy heard both voices. She froze. She lost.
Gabe didn't find out what that actually felt like from the mat until he overheard Lucy talking to another mom near the concession stand.
He hadn't gone there to listen. He just wanted coffee.
New article up at The Guard Pass. Link in comments. 🥋

https://guardpassnewsletter.beehiiv.com/p/the-guard-pass-issue-5

The Guard Pass Issue 5 No highlight reels. No unrealistic advice. Just real stuff that actually helps.

Sam almost quit BJJ after one month.
He made himself a deal on the drive home — do the tournament. If it doesn't go well enough, walk away.
The exit ramp was right there.
What happened next surprised him. What happened two months later surprised him even more.
If you've ever sat in your car after class wondering if this is worth it — this one's for you. New article up at The Guard Pass. 🥋

The Guard Pass Issue 5 No highlight reels. No unrealistic advice. Just real stuff that actually helps.

She walked into the most expensive BJJ gym in Phoenix and fell in love.
Then she found out the instructor she connected with most had been teaching five minutes from her house the entire time.
At a cardio kickboxing gym she walked out of on her first visit.
The right academy has very little to do with what you think it does when you're looking for one. New article up at The Guard Pass — link in comments.

https://guardpassnewsletter.beehiiv.com/p/the-guard-pass-issue-4

The Guard Pass Issue 4 No highlight reels. No unrealistic advice. Just real stuff that actually helps.

I walked into my first BJJ class convinced I was ready.

8 months of Gracie DVDs. A background in Kajukenbo. I was going to show out.

A two-stripe white belt submitted me with a triangle that had no business working.
Turns out he wasn't better than me because he knew more submissions.

He was better because he understood positions.

Read the whole article. Link in comments. 🥋

It’s not easy to say “The buck stops here”, you become the villain

It's time to let that go and ask yourself: what are you gonna do about it? ❤️

Most people try to muscle their way out of side control. That's why they stay stuck.

Here are two escapes that actually work for average grapplers — and they set each other up perfectly.

The shrimp to guard recovery. The moment you feel side control established, don't freeze. Bridge slightly to create space, then shrimp your hips away hard. Get your knee in as a frame and work back to guard. The key most people miss: you have to shrimp BEFORE they settle their weight, not after. Once they're heavy on you, you're already fighting uphill.

The underhook to dog fight. When the shrimp gets stuffed — and sometimes it will — switch gears. Shoot your near arm under their armpit and grab as deep as you can. Use that underhook to roll to your knees and get into what's called the dog fight position. From there you have wrestling options, a back take attempt, or at minimum you've neutralized the position.

These two work together because the threat of the shrimp makes them react, and that reaction opens the underhook.
White and blue belts — save this. You'll use it in your next roll.

What's your go-to escape from side control? Drop it in the comments.
Daniel Ortega Jr.Cutman Casey DekkerJim HickokDerek C. PriceKajukenbo Association of America - Ga***rd MethodGary VaynerchukTribrid Personal TrainingSerena MyersTigers Lair Martial Arts AcademyZach NovakNaomi WilliamsChristian Diaz