Mastering Jujitsu - MMA Training in Naperville, Chicago, Aurora, Schaumburg, Merriville - Hobart, IN

Most people think of a marital art as a collection of techniques, and they tend to associate a given fighting style with its most distinctive technique. This response is a natural enough consequence, seeing that most styles put an emphasis on technique as the basis of their art. But it is a rather unfortunate state of affairs. The truth is that technique by itself is on little value. Technique is only as useful as the degree to which it can be used by a practitioner under combat conditions. All the technique in the world is useless if it cannot be applied well. The missing link in most fighting styles is an adequate training method that allows a student to successfully master a technique under combat conditions.

We saw earlier that Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, was the man most responsible for the adoption of a superior training method as the basis of his style. What was fascinating about Kano was the fact that he taught a relatively low number of techniques, few of which were original. Despite this fact, his students were able to totally dominate their competition in the grappling matches of the 1880s that quickly took judo to absolute prominence in Japan by the end of the 19th century. The underpinning of his success was the adoption of live training as the basis of judo training. By engaging in live training, the kodokan team was able to utilize their techniques far more efficiently than their competitors could.

Kano realized that there was a tremendous gap between theoretical knowledge of a technique and practical knowledge of a technique. In other words, the knowledge of how to do the technique ans apply it on an unresisting training partner is radically different from the ability to apply it under combat conditions on a fully resisting opponent. Repetitive drilling and kata can build great expertise in the former but does not guarantee expertise in the latter. It was this gap between theoretical and practical knowledge that Kano was able to exploit and thus destroy his competition.

For more on Jujitsu and MMA Training, check out: MMA workout

Sprawling - Wrestling in Schaumburg, Aurora, Naperville, Merriville IN

Sprawling comes into play when your opponent drops his level and penetrates in for a takedown. Although there are many ways to block your opponent's takedown, such as changing your angle, utilizing those options won't always be possible, especially if your opponent is an experienced wrestler and has a mean shot. Whether you plan to wrestle or fight, it is imperative the you develop a strong sprawl.  Shooting your legs back and dropping your hips tot he dirt might seem like an easy technique to master, but this is far from the truth. Sprawling is an art form the needs to be practiced on a daily basis.

Having a good sprawl is mandatory in both wrestling and fighting. When your opponent shoots, the goal is to get your hips to the mat as quickly as possible to prevent him from reaching your legs and completing the takedown. If you bury your opponent's head underneath your hips, it becomes very difficult for him to lift his head up and get the elevation he needs to shoot a second time. It also becomes very difficult for him to squirt his body out to the side. The biggest mistake I see people make with their sprawl is they throw their hips up into the air as they shoot their legs back. This can give your opponent the space he needs to seize your legs. When training, you should practice dropping your hips to the dirt as quickly as possible so your opponent runs into a brick wall.

After you sprawl, it is important to maintain proper posture to keep your opponent trapped beneath you. To apply as much downward pressure as possible, you want to stay up on your feet and keep your head up. Dropping a knee to the canvas removes a large portion of your weight from your opponent's head and shoulders, and dropping your head forces your hips backward, which also takes pressure off your opponent's head and shoulders. The less downward pressure you apply, the more mobility your opponent has to lift his head, increase his elevation, and finish the takedown. To keep your opponent from tipping yo to one side or the other, it is also important to maintain a wide base with both your arms and legs.

Sprawling correctly should be second nature, and the way to make it so is by practicing your sprawls as much as possible. When warming my guys up for practice, I'll have them move around in their stance and execute shots and sprawls for fifteen minutes. They do it every single practice, day in and day out. If you have to think about the proper way to sprawl while wrestling or in a fight, you haven't put in the necessary work.

For more on Sprawling and Wrestling programs, visit: Bulldogs Wrestling Program

Two views of the Ground Phase - Wrestling in Schaumburg, Aurora, Naperville, Merrillville - Hobart, IN

When MMA competition first revealed the importance of the ground phase of combat, there were two types of reaction. Grapplers received it with delight, a vindication of their styles's effectiveness. Traditional strikers, however, were generally horrified, since ground combat largely negated their game. Over the last decade, this dichotomy in viewpoints has persisted, even with the evolution of MMA. In fact, most fighters still have a definite preference for either the ground game or the standing game; only a small percentage are equally comfortable in both. This loyalty to style is due to the fact that most fighters come from a background in one fighting style that puts an emphasis on one phase of combat. Boxers and kick boxers tend to prefer the standing game; grapplers, the ground game. Depending on their background, fighters still have a definite tendency to consider the ground phase of combat as either heaven or hell, which leaves us with two fundamental outlooks.

1. The first outlook is that the ground phase is the place to take a single-combat, weaponless fight, since this is where the greatest degree of positional control is possible. This is the means by which a fighter can negate an opponent's striking offense and by which he can set up submission holds to allow the fight to be won efficiently. Obviously, this attitude is the trademark of grappling styles of jujitsu have been the prime examples of this outlook. Mataemon Tanabe, Yukio Tani, Maeda and more than anyone else, the Gracie family, have all extolled the ground phase as the way to dominate and control a fight.

2. The second outlook is that the ground phase is an inevitable, but undesirable, phase of combat. A fighter needs to know how to get out of the ground phase and back into the standing position as quickly and efficiently as possible. Failing this, needs to know enough grappling skills to survive on the ground- such a as how to avoid submission holds and dangerous pins-until the round ends or the referee intervenes. This outlook tends to be that of fighters who come from a strong background in striking. Their real interest is in keeping the fight in their favored phase of combat, free motion. They recognize, however, the likelihood of being taken out of the phase and into a ground fight - hence, the need to address the question of ground grappling.

A third outlook that does not merit serious attention is often voiced by many in the traditional marital arts community. This is the claim that the ground is the worst place to be in a real fight and that, consequently, they would simply never go there. This attitude was common in the early days of MMA, but it has since been rejected by virtually all rational martial artists. Experience has proven time and time again the inevitability of ground combat in a real fight. To claim that you simply would not go down is to turn your eyes from the massive store of empirical evidence that demonstrated the contrary. Even those who do not favor ground combat almost always concede the need to address this phase of combat seriously, at least for the purpose of avoiding it as much as possible. As such, we need not consider this third attitude as being relevant.

For more on ground phase and wrestling in these areas check out: Aurora, Naperville, Minooka, Schaumburg, Chicago MMA Training

Two on One - Wrestling in Schaumburg, Naperville, Aurora, St. Charles and Merriville - Hobart, IN

Two on one control is when you grab one of your opponent's arms with both of your hands and then pin his arm to your chest. This essentially makes his arm a part of your body, so when you move, he is forced to react to the  a movement. The key to becoming proficient with take downs off two on one control is learning what movements will create the reaction you need to set up a specific take down.

The nice part about the tow on one is that it's a very low-risk control position, which means you can execute your take downs without exposing yourself in the process. However, two on one control isn't as well suited for MMA because both of your hands are tied up, giving your opponent an opportunity to punch you in the face. I feel the under hook is more effective for MMA because you have a free arm at your disposal, which you can use to either throw punches or defend against strikes. The two on one is still important to learn for MMA because you'll sometimes end up there, but it is generally not a control position that you should focus on establishing in a fight.

For more on Wrestling moves and to join a program near you check out: http://www.chicagommatraining.com/wrestling.htm

Wrestling Stance - Wrestling in Aurora, Schaumburg, Naperville, Merriville - Hobart, IN

In wrestling there are tow stances that will serve you well; the square and the staggered stance. To assume a square stance, spread your feet a shoulder's width apart, keep your head up, slightly bend your knees and press your elbows tightly against your sides. Instead of having one foot farther back than the other, both feet should be planted on the same horizontal line. Although this foot positioning makes it difficult to drive forward and attack, it squares up your hips and provides strong defensive posture. If you opponent should attack, he'll have to confront your power head on.

The staggered stance isn't as strong in the defense department, but it's more offensive because on foot is positioned behind the other, allowing you to drive forward off your rear good and penetrate in fro the take down. How much you stagger your stance is a matter of preference. With my stagger stance, I draw an imaginary horizontal line between my legs. I bring the toes of my back foot up to the line, and I bring my heel of my lead foot up to the line. It is very important not to get too spread out. You want to be in a position that not only allows you to shoot in on your opponent, but also sprawl if he should shoot in on you. Just as with the square stance, you want to keep your head up, arms tight to your sides, and your knees slightly bent.

Whether you are standing stationary or moving your feet, it is critical with both stances that you maintain proper posture. When your opponent attacks, you have three primary lines of defense - your hands, elbows and head. If you get sloppy or tired and let your elbows float away from your sides, it gives your opponent a chance to slip past your first two lines of defense an gain access to your body.

It's important to remember that having a strong stance is more than keeping your feet in the right places, it's about creating an impenetrable wall. It doesn't matter if you have been wrestling for two months or twenty years, stance is something you must work on developing and maintaining on a daily basis.

For more on Wrestling Stances and to find local programs check out:  http://www.bulldogswrestlingprogram.com/

Slide out from Under - Wrestling in Schaumburg, Aurora, Naperville, Chicago

When the wrestler's opponent moves his leg back too far for the wrestler to get a lock at the hip, the wrestler should step around with his trailing leg and assume a side single leg hold at the thigh. At this point the wrestler should ensure that he has a tight lock around his opponent's thigh before he tries to take him down. If there is space between the wrestler's body and his opponent's thigh, his opponent can get movement and therefore energy to counter. The wrestler should apply pressure down on his opponent's thigh. The wrestler's arm should pull up at his opponent's knee. The wrestler's feet are back so as to form an arch from his feet to his opponent's knee an form his feet to his opponent' s foot that remains on the mat. When,  and not before, this position is achieved, the wrestler should perform a side step with his inside foot and a back step with his outside foot. He remains on his feet with his hands locked at his opponent's knee.

At this point, the wrestler has a hand lock behind his opponent's knee. He is not in a position to lift or turn his opponent. In this case, the wrestler should swing his opponent. A locked position below the knee will not allow the wrestler to perform an of the aforementioned movements efficiently, although some variation of those movements can be applied. The simplest way to take a man down form here without a lot of hand changing and fancy foot sweeps is to base his weight on the heel of the foot that is supporting him. The wrestler should then lock his opponent's knee with his chest and lock his opponent's heel with his hand. Then pull his opponent's legs apart and sit him down.

As a defensive move, some wrestlers will catch their opponent in front of their opponent's shoulder with their arm.

For more on different techniques on wrestling and to join a wrestling program near you, check out: http://www.bulldogswrestlingprogram.com/

Top Position Control - Wrestling in Naperville, Aurora, St. Charles, Schuamburg

The following top mat position is called the "chest ride". This is because the point of contact and pressure on teh wrestler's opponent is applied from the chest of the wrestler, which is touching his opponent. The wrestler can apply pressure to his opponent's upper body by lowering his front hip.

To pull his opponent's hips to the mat, the wrestler should direct his force to his right near corner, through left and right front corners. Front hip pressure may result i the wrestler's opponent collapsing his front left corner support. If his opponent collapses his front left corner support, the wrestler should move his front hand to gain control of the near wrist. The wrestler should use his front arm as a lever to drive forward and collages his opponent to the mat. The wrestler should move the long axis of his body to a side position that pins his opponent's shoulder tot he mat. The wrestler should force his opponent's head toward the controlled shoulder with his knee, and pull him to his right hip to keep him on the mat and gain control of his arm.

At that point, the wrestler should change his hand positions to a waist lock and half-nelson pin. Many other arm bar and hammer lock combinations can be worked from these basic movements. If the wrestler's opponent's right front corner support collapses, the wrestler may do other actions. The wrestler should group his opponent's far wrist and use his body to drive tot he right front corner and collapse his opponent to the mat.

The wrestler should keep constant pressure through the opponent's near shoulder into his far shoulder. The action should not be rushed. The wrestler should then move his hips slowly around his opponent's arms to allow his opponent's shoulders to touch the mat.

On some occasions, the wrestler's opponent will move in the direction of the pressure applied by the wrestler. If this occurs, the wrestler should pull his opponent's hips to the mat with his rear elbow and secure a near wrist ride. An opponent who creates a strong base and does not fall readily into the aforementioned situations may present another opportunity.

The wrestler should create a situation where his force and weight go through his opponent's shoulder and into the far front support point. This will take his opponent's weight off of the near arm. When the wrestler feels the weight come off of his opponent's near front support, he should change his front hand position an sweep the near support into his lap.

At this point the wrestler may apply a far half nelson to a pin. The trapped arm should be kept in a  position that locks all joints of the arm. This provides a longer and stronger lever for the wrestler to use and puts his opponent's arm in a position where maximum use of his opponent's muscles is not possible.

For more on wrestling and to join a program check out:  http://www.bulldogswrestlingprogram.com/

Basic Hip Throws - Wrestling Program in Naperville, St. Charles, Schaumburg, Aurora

To make a successful hip throw, it is necessary to create a situation where the wrestler's center of gravity is below his opponent's. The wrestler's hips must be positioned to create a fulcrum over which his opponent will be lifted and thrown.

1. Back-step
2. Step around
3. Pull around
4. Sequence for back-step:

• position front foot
• position back foot
• pull opponent to wrestler
• rotate hips to throwing position
• bend and hop punch
• cast opponent out to mat
• thrust lead leg back so the wrestler will and on his stomach
• pull opponent's arm tightly around the wrestler's body- no space should be allowed between the wrestler's chest and his opponent's armpit

5. Sequence for step around:

• position front foot - lead foot is opposite one from lead foot on the back step
• pivot on front toe
• step around to get hips in throwing position

6. Sequence for pull around:

• move opponent to position where the wrestler's hips are in thrown position 
• finish throw as above.

To learn more wrestling moves and to join a program; check out this site: http://www.chicagommatraining.com/wrestling.htm

The Stance - Schaumburg, St. Charles, Aurora, Naperville Wrestling Programs

The wrestler's feet should be placed on the mat so the wrestler's body weight is distributed through the arch of this foot tot he balls of his feet. All movable joints are flexed. His knee and hop joints are positioned so they are under his shoulders and in a balanced position over his body's center of gravity. The long axis of his body is inclined forward and erect. The vertebrae are in a vertical position and not bent to the left or right. His shoulders are held ina position perpendicular to the long axis of his body. his head is held up and not allowed to drop toward the mat. his upper arm is close to his body and essentially parallel to his backbone. His forearms and hands are in front of his body forming a 90 degree angle to his upper arm.

These positions are designed to keep the major muscle groups in a functional position in relation to the body's center of gravity and the individual muscle's maximal functioning position. The totality of mind, muscle, nerve and heart must be in a relaxed state ready to initiate or react.

A great deal of time must be spent learning a correct stance that enables the wrestler to be ready to wrestler and to be free of any self-imposed emotional, psychological and physical limitations.

For more on wrestling stances and to join wrestling programs in your area check out: http://www.bulldogswrestlingprogram.com/

Wrestling Basics - Scahumburg, Naperville, Aurora, St. Charles Wrestling

There are two major components of wrestling that are essential for a fighter to master: the clinch and the take-down . A clinch occurs when two fighters grapple for positions and lock hold of one another. The clinching techniques found in MMA are often derived from Greco-Roman wrestling and Muay Thai kick-boxing. In Greco-Roman wrestling, attacks below the waist are not allowed. As a result, more throws and sweeps are utilized in their Olympic style of the sport.

The second component of wrestling in MMA is the take-down. Many fighters have adapted the take-down techniques of freestyle wrestling, which is the second version of Olympic wrestling. This style incorporates the use of the legs for both offense and defense and has its origins in catch wrestling. To the take match to the ground, a fighter often shoots in against his opponent and tries to secure a take-down. The most widely practiced techniques are the single-and double-leg take-downs.

For more on wrestling and local gyms, check out this website:  http://www.bulldogswrestlingprogram.com/

MMA Training in Schaumburg, IL

COMING SOON!!!!!! NEW CARLSON GRACIE MMA TRAINING GYM IN SCHAUMBURG!!!!!!!

CARLSON GRACIE will be opening on September 1st, in Schaumburg IL. The CARLSON GRACIE new gym will be located at: 

1207 Remington Rd., Suite 105, Schaumburg, Illinois,60173

This extraordinary gym will feature everything listed below among others. The Gracie name is synonymous with honor, tradition, and dedication – the values that the team at continues to uphold. The history of the Gracie name is very important to our coaches. 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a form of self-defense that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. It promotes the principle that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger assailant using leverage and proper technique; most notably, by applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat them

Boxing

Boxing has existed as a means of combat and sport for thousands of years. In-fighters, out-fighters, punchers and brawlers, boxing has an extensive and broad wealth of technique and skill. 

Wrestling

Wrestling is an ancient martial art that uses grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, generally between two people, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position

MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)

MMA is a blending of various standing and striking techniques such as Muay Thai and traditional Boxing as well as ground fighting techniques from judo, jiu-jitsu and wrestling, MMA utilizes a vast array of combat techniques to knock out or cause an opponent to submit. 

Beginner Programs

We offer a beginner Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes.

Kids Programs

Carlson Gracie Team MMA provides an outstanding kids program that is both engaging and entertaining

Private Instruction

Carlson Gracie Team MMA offers private instruction sessions 7 days a week to addresses specific disciplines and aspects of your martial arts that you may need to improve upon

For More on the CARLSON GRACIE TEAM and other locations please check out our website: MMA fighting 

The Implement - Naperville,Chicago, St.Charles, Aurora Wrestling

Wrestling is a series of positions one moves into, out of, or maintains. The relationship of these positions to a wrestler's opponent, the mat an the wrestler's posture in space determines whether or not an adjustment of the wrestler's position is required. Some positions are better wrestling positions than others. The constant maintenance of a good wrestling position is essential.

To participate in the sport of wrestling, it is not necessary to learn to use an implement such as a ball, racquet or bat. The implement in wrestling is the wrestler's body. Therefore, each movement pattern and position must be considered as a total body function. These functions are prepared and learned so the proper position for a wrestler's body in it;s relationship to his opponent, the mat and his own center of gravity is maintained.

For more on Wrestling in Naperville, St. Charles, and Aurora, check on this link: http://www.bulldogswrestlingprogram.com/

Youth Wrestling: A Foundation For all Sports - Naperville, Aurora, St. Charles Wrestling

Wrestling as a physical activity has a unique advantage to offer children. It is an activity that requires no unnatural implements. There is no ball too big, no bat too heavy, no basket too high. Every child can push, pull, stretch, and hold another body of like age, size and weight. A minimum of equipment is required and total participation can be easily arranged.

When a person is young, his body weight is light, his level of flexibility is at its maximum and his level of strength is not developed to the point where on e child typically has advantage over another. Therefore, competitive activities can be arranged on as close to an equal basis as possible. Age, weight, height and ability grouping are all that are needed before a child begins to learn how to wrestle. The obvious size advantage that occurs in other sports simply does not occur in wrestling.

The basis for all movement activity begins witht he ability to control one's body. The relationship among balance, movement and body position is crucial to body control. Teh act of wrestling is a series of body movements and adjustments that demand and dictate bio-mechanically correct positions in order to perform the activity. If your movement pattern puts up in a bad anatomical position, strength and the ability to move are lost. You cannot wrestle.

The body control and balance of movement, which a child learns naturally when wrestling, has extraordinary carry-over value to the exevutionof other spports activities. Just a few of these are:

•   The gymnastic nature of wrestling movemtns lends to the development of space awareness
• Wrestling on the mat is a series of isometric and isotonic movements and positions. Strength and flexibility are natural byproducts of the activity.
• The pushing, pulling, lifting, turning and holding that occur in wrestling demand an understanding of food balance and position without the threat of serious injury.
• The one-on-one nature of the sport offers opportunity for the development of personal confidence and self-relaince.
• The open and easily observed competition readily displays emotional, psychological and character flaws.
• The opportunity for displaying individual and team good sportsmanship is created but the manner win which the activity takes place. 

For more on Kid's Wrestling Club and Wrestling Clubs in Chicago, check out this website: Bulldog Wrestling Program