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The tap: the universal sign of submission. It is the tap that is the basis for the popularity and evolution of Brazilian jiu-jitsu–at least that’s how I see it. The tap is the great agreement made between two competitiors or two training partners. It is the symbol of submitting, the gesture for giving up, the [...]

. . . I have decided that I’m going to write a book. Yep, a book. Of course it must be about something that I’m interested in (jiu-jitsu) and it must be something I can intelligently write about (Jiu-Jitsu or the prepositonal phrase). So, I’ve decided to write and illustrate a book on what to [...]

My son is worried about his dad dying, just like I remember worrying about my mom dying when I was younger—she smoked. She smoked a lot, and to my elementary mind Smoking=Dead (to my adult mind Smoking=Dead, but it was more simple then). So I used to get her cartons of “Cools” and stomp the [...]

Competitions are great, but they do have some cons, one of which is an overly aggressive attitude to attain a victory. Not everyone is like this, but enough people are to make it annoying. For me, a tournament (competition) is a barometer to measure your own progress, to test your own composure and technique, it [...]

Being the giant isn’t an easy gig. It’s tough being the villain, being the guy everyone cheers against. You’re the over-dog–but everyone loves the under-dog–no one cheered for Goliath. Being the giant in jiu-jitsu is no different than anything else; it’s tough. I’ve been the big guy at West Side for many years, but recently [...]

We got word from our intrepid world travelers Sunday. Richard Cesena (West Side Instructor) and Blake Fluhart (West Side Student) traveled all the way to Thailand to compete in the Thailand Open. They both are returning home with hardware. These guys are the Jet Setters and Go Getters, and I’m glad they did so well. [...]

picture stolen from jiujitsumap.com There is something to be said for being a master. One day we all might be lucky enough to become one. West Side was invited to attend a seminar at One Hit MMA on Wednesday night. Master Sylvio Behring was teaching, so I got my $60 together and set out for [...]

When you’re on the mat drowning in your inadequate technique, you will soon see a vision of a tentacled devil that will wrap you up and take your air. It will relieve you of your consciousness; it will be terrifying; it will be horrendous; it will be West Side.

There are some schools that want their students to only learn and train at their school and only their school. Some times the rule is explicit but mostly implicit, the rule taught by instructors who show verbal disdain for other local schools. It’s a way to keep your students loyal, I guess, but it does [...]

Last night, in jiu-jitsu, I tried to wimp out and take a little break at the end of class, but my class wouldn’t let me. They wouldn’t let me puss out on training and I appreciated that. I went for the last 10 minutes (probably closer to six) and basically held on the entire time [...]

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