September 12, 2017
Training Krav Maga In Orange County vs Other Styles
Interested in trying an Orange County Krav Maga school? Before you decide which martial arts to training, first remember that most martial arts work for what they are intended to work for. For example, Taekwondo is striking intended for sport in point fighting tournaments, Muay Thai as striking in for a full-contact ring sport similar to boxing, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a grappling art to subdue a possibly larger attacker through leverage, positioning, and gravity to finish them with a choke, join lock, or strikes.
Krav Maga
Krav Maga is a martial arts system tailored for the Israeli military and similar to MCMAP (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program) or the United States Army’s Combatives program. Like any military martial arts program, such as MCMAP and the U.S. Army’s Combatives, Krav Maga is a crash course in how to fight using very practical techniques in high pressure situations. Moves from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Boxing (the core styles of MMA) are used in these military programs. The top military martial artists training in these styles off duty. However, military oriented programs are short, simplified, and limited in moves. This makes perfect sense; soldiers aren’t martial artists—they are gun fighters. They have one or two months to learn hand to hand combat and little application for it. MMA-style martial arts are designed to teach precise moves that are constantly improved upon at the highest levels of competition.
Advice
For real-life self-defense situations, commit to a minimum of 6 months studying Brazilian Jiu Jiu to gain a solid foundation in ground fighting before beginning a striking art like boxing or Muay Thai to complement your grappling. Specifically boxing is best to begin with before learning to incorporate Muay Thai elbows because your feet are always under you to flee the area if you don’t need to stay to protect someone else. Kicking can result in an inexperienced striker losing their footing and ending up in a bad position on the ground. You will surpass the level of grappling possessed by the highest rank of military martial arts by training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu only 2-3 times a week for 12 months.
July 14, 2017
12 BJJ Hygiene Tips for Athletes
It can be an embarrassing topic and one of sensitive nature, but as a martial artist, you need to know that good hygiene is important to stay healthy and for the safety of all our students.
These are the hygiene rules that every student needs to implement to keep our academy clean and our students healthy:
Wash your kimono (gi), rash guards, shorts, and all other training gear after each training session. This not only keeps you smelling clean (your training partners will thank you!), but it also keeps dangerous germs (staph infection & MRSA) from causing serious skin infections.
- Make sure fingernails and toenails are clipped short before each training session.
- Shower and put on deodorant before training. BJJ Hygiene products such as Defense Soap are available. The FDA released a consumer update recommending plain soap and water instead of antibacterial soap.
- Brush your teeth before training to prevent offensive bad breath.
- Shower as soon as possible after training to reduce the risk of skin infections.
- Treat dandruff with remedies such as Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo.
- Do not train with open cuts or scratches unless they are properly covered.
- Do not train if you are sick with common illnesses such as the cold or flu.
- Any skin issues need to be addressed immediately. Often, issues like staph infections and MRSA start out looking and feeling like a bug bite, or ingrown hair. If you notice anything suspicious on your skin, please consult a physician and do not train until it is all cleared up.
- If you think you may have a staph infection, get medical attention immediately. These infections spread throughout the body rapidly, and can be life threatening if left untreated.
- If you think you might have ringworm, consult a doctor, and make sure it is cleared up before training again.
- Wear compression shorts or Under Armour-style athletic underwear, boxers and briefs are not appropriate to train in.
- Be sure to collect all clothing and training gear from the locker room after each training session, leaving these articles causes foul odors and the spread of germs.
January 4, 2017
4 of the Best Kids Jiu Jitsu Programs in Orange County
This article highlights what we believe to be 4 of the best Kids Jiu Jitsu programs in Orange County. These schools are not ranked in any particular order.
Gracie Barra Garden Grove
Gracie Barra Garden Grove features is led by Professor Alex D’Hue. Alex is more than just a teacher… he is the epitome of how a head coach in any sport should help create better individuals in both athletics and life. In competition, GBGG boasts one of the top children’s programs on the NABJJF circuit, year in and year out. Click here to learn more about their kid’s program.
A-Team
Head Instructor, Master Ali is one of the most experience children’s instructors in Orange County. Before starting A-Team in Westminster, he was the main instructor for Cleber Jiu Jitsu kids program that was absolutely packed. Between the two schools, he has coached some of his students for over a decade—from when they were elementary school, to high school. In competition, A-Team has consistently been one of the top ranked teams on the NABJJF and IBJJF circuits.
Art of Jiu Jitsu
Art of Jiu Jitsu is located in Costa Mesa and is arguably the most well-organized school in Orange County and a mecca for competitors… some of which have moved across the country to train at. Their kids program focuses heavily in competition and finds themselves regularly atop the podium in team points, next to the aforementioned schools.
Brea Jiu Jitsu
Brea Jiu Jitsu is the youngest school on our list and is already thriving under Professor Dan Lukehart. Before starting Brea Jiu Jitsu, Dan taught music at several elementary schools throughout the city and offers a music and chess lessons in the academy’s after school program. The quick rise of this school is due to Dan’s hard work, being involved in the BJJ community. In addition to teaching at his school, Lukehart runs JiuJitsu.net and provides commentary for live streams of major tournaments.
December 16, 2016
Benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
