Will / Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Australasia

(A.K.A why I like chokes)

The ultimate aim in one on one combat, is of course, to incapacitate the opponent. Switch ‘em off or break ‘em! (one of our old T-shirt prints)
The choke, obviously, is all about the ‘switching off’ part – and has huge advantages over other types of ‘finishing’.
Things I like:
- Easy to apply; requires little or no strength
- The opponent passes out, no doubt about who won!
- No arm or leg in plaster afterward to remind the opponent of who did what to them; so less chance of violent repercussions/payback
- Works on drug-induced assailants with equal effectiveness
- Buys time to cuff/strap the perp for law enforcement

One of the nice things about learning some effective choking methods, is that beginners really get a sense of Wow – I can actually stop this person in their tracks – and that is an empowering thing.
I remember one time some 15 years back, when my wife Melissa and I were in LA doing some training with Rigan and Jean Jacques Machado. She was a blue belt at the time – but weighed in around 55 kilos; and very lean. Four wrestlers had just arrived from Canada, in Los Angeles, to do some training on our mat. Rigan told them to warm up with the girl before they got into the main class.
The first guy, around 95 kgs, squared off against Melissa, who pulled him to Guard and into a triangle choke. The guy, reluctant to tap to a girl half his size, promptly passed out. He was lying there on the mat, with his three friends gaping at him, unconscious, with drool coming out the side of his mouth. After he came to, she wrestled te other three and taped them also. (at least they were smart enough to tap)
The point though, is this: the day after, Melissa’s confidence shot through the roof. Suddenly, she was empowered! Although she had ‘taped’ plenty of people out – she had never actually followed through to the point where the opponent lapsed into unconciousness. This had now become REAL for her.

That’s one cool thing about chokes – you get to shift a strategy from the Theoretical List to the Practical List. And unless you have broken a couple of arms/legs – then even with these subs, it is still on the theoretical side of the board.

Once we know something actually works – we are far more inclined to become impassioned about it.
Chokes come in a wide variety of sizes, colours and shapes – can be executed from almost all positions. Chokes are fun – chokes are friendly. Put them on your Christmas list.

Train Smart – train safe!
JBW

Hi Again,
evry month or so, I try to get out a small newsletter offering training tips and ideas to those who are interetsed. If you are not already on our list - and you would like to get this newsletter - just drop your e-mail address into the form here and we shall add you in.
I will not be passing on your address to anyone else - this is for BJJ australia’s use only, with the idea being to offer help with training ideas to as many BJJ afficionadoes as we can.
Train smart - train safe!
JBW

Here’s a simple set up for the flipover armbar from the Mount position.
It is a high percentage move against an opponent who is hell-bent on throwing you off to the side, rather than simply pushing up at you with his arms. I hope you all like it. If anyone wants to add depth and understanding of how to better add armbars to their attacking arsenal, I strongly recommend you to take a look at the first of my new DVD mastery series: Mastering Armbars

Maryanne Mullahy just beat four out of her five opponents to win the Ausralia Cup with these armbars. The devil is in the details! And the set-ups!!
Train well - train safe.
Best regards,
JBW

hello again …
it has been a great wek with Rigan. We have been having a load of fun. And a few of my students had the chance to get on the mat with him - as he took all my private classes for me whilst he was here - I have been dealing with a bulging disc at L3, and so am only running at 20% - Rigan, in typical Rigan fashion, has refused to allow me to train, and has taught every lesson for me during the week. He is such a nice person - a part of the family.
Anyways - he has just been dropped off at Melbourne airport to get on a plane for his wekend trip to Perth - where he’ll run seminars from Adam Metcalf and Troy Flugge. You guys (’n gals) in Perth are in for a fun time.

I have a weekend of lying down in front of me after an injection of Cortozone into my spine yesterday - not good - wish I were either on the mat or walking a nice stream.

Take care all - stretch well before training - keep your spine in good shape.
best wishes,
JBW

Sitting here with Rigan and Geoff Aitken the morning after the big weekend - digesting the crepes that my wife has cooked up for all of us. A relaxing day ahead of us - a bit of training just before lunch, then maybe catch a movie before heading to the school late this afternoon.

Yesterday was a huge success - we ran two seminars at Dominance Jiu Jitsu academy in melbourne which were both packed. Everyone enjoyed the great material we covered during both of the two hour sessions. It was fantastic to see the hardcore BJJ afficionadoes come together from the country over (as well as new Zealand) - for a really fun day. What a weekend!

The feedback I have had so far has all been positive - with most people saying they thought it was the most smoothly run comp they had ever been to. And with the added special action of all the brown and black belt matches - as well as the two new black belts being awarded - made it a day to remember.

For myself, this week will now drop back into a pretty normal routine. Private classes in the morning - some time off in the afternoons - then classes in the evenings. The big difference of course, being that Rigan will be there with me in all the classes. Bonus for everyone!

On Saturday, I am shipping Rigan off to Perth so he can conduct some seminars at good friend, Adam Metcalf’s school, followed by another at Troy Flugges Sub factory the day after. Then he’ll come back to Melbourne for another week.

That weekend will be my weekend off with my family - who havn’t spent much time alone with me of late. I am looking forward to it.

Anyways - time to get the big guy on the mat. here’s a pic of some of our Aussie Black Belts with Rigan after yesterdays sessions - I’ll get back with some pics over the next day or two.
Safe training all,
JBW

Five days and counting! It’s all happenning here in Melbourne right now with preps being made for our upcoming nationals this weekend. We have seen a great response from most everyone so far, with teams making huge efforts in getting here, quite a few coming from Perth and new Zealand. In Western Australia, log time student and friend Adam Metcalf is in hospital as I write this, after undergoing unplanned surgery this morning. He is discharging himself tomorrow so he can get on the plane and head over to join his team and the rest of us here in Melbourne. This exemplifies the unique spirit of our organization - we all wish you a speedy recovery Adam!!!

Rigan Machado is packed and fully prepared for his trip downunder. Rigan is a very close personal friend and one of the most giving, selfless and gifted martial artists I have ever met. I am pumped to have him coming - and for all those who can possibly make it, get to his seminar at Dominance Academy in Richmond on Sunday. It is going to be amazing!

SO if you can - by any means necessary, come and support our years biggest event. And make sure to get to Rigans seminars on Sunday. think about it - you don’t need to buy a plane ticket, take time off work, pack a suitcase, spend thousands of dollars - you just need to go to Richmond with $85 in your hand. Think about it.

See you all on the weekend,
best regards,
JBW

What a weird title? Not really - when you think like of it like this:

Type soemthing into the google search engine -and in an instant you either get a list of responses - each ranked in order of importance or relevence (decided on by google) OR you get a ‘Your Search has Returned No Matches’ response.

Your basic ground game - (pre-fight - or sparring game or that matter) can be looked upon as those unique set of responses that your brain delivers up to you during the chaotic state of action.

So I put this question to each of you: Map out your game like this:
write down (in landscape format preferably) each and every position you can think of on the ground. Eg: On the mount, under the mount, on side control, under side control, underneath with oppoent in 1/2 guard, on top and in your opponents 1/2 guard .. etc.
Now ask this question of yourself - what is your number one (googled response) to each of those situations/positions. if you have to think or scratch your head to much, then what you have is your personal equivalent of ‘Your Search has returned No Matches’.

What you need to do now, is fill in those blanks - have at least one or two responses written in underneath each position you have listed. THAT IS YOUR CURRENT GAME!
Do not judge it - it IS WHAT it is! it is a great start to determining where you need to do some work - to fll out and ‘google optimize’ your game.

Type in BJJ - you get our BJJ Australia site.

That’s because this site is google optimized.

Google your game today. Your job is to create a game in a such a way that you never get the answer ‘Your Search has returned No Matches’.

GOOD TRAINING,
JBW

Hello all,
here is a good clip of the basic instruction for Clock Choke. take a few minutes to watch it and you will easily grasp the basic elements that go into the design of this fundamental but highly effective choke.
Hope you like it,
best wishes,
JBW

Checking my diary this morning, the first thing I notice is that it is only 12 days to go until the 2006 Nationals are upon us. I must confess, my wife melissa is the mainstay of the organization of this event. Today she is making sure the trophies are all squared away - new T-shirts printed especially for the comp - and that thank you plaques have been correctly worded for our generous sponsors. I have to begin putting together the various, mat-layout teams, referee squads, etc.

I was video-chatting Rigan Machado on the weekend - he is very keen to be out here. We are all looking forward to the event - but there is a load of behind-the-scenes work to do before the day - so when it is all done - I will be sighing with releif!

I am also looking forward to seeing those teams coming from afar - new Zealand and Perth especially. What a great effort! it wouldn’t be the same without you! See you all there - we are doing our very best to make it a great day for everyone.
Best wishes,
JBW

PS; I have extended the deadling for ebtry forms till Thursday September 14th - if you need more forms, etc - go to the top of our news page and download from there.

Here is a short clip of Rigan MAchado - taken when he, myself and Dave meyer were on the mat together recently. here Rigan is talking about the importance of keeping the knees bent at a 90 degree angle when using them to elevate an opponent for this particular sweep. By keeping the opponent on ‘the structure’ of our knee, rather than the ‘end of the lever’ (the hook) - we can far more easily keep him floating and more ’sweepable’.
Try hitting the mat and working on your hooks - but when floating your opponent, make sure to use your knee - with that angle of flexion around 90 degrees. it will make life easier!
Safe training,
JBW