Monday, August 29, 2011

10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu


I want to say for the record that I am an unapologetic Gracie jiu-Jitsu Gi practitioner. I love the gi and will never abandon it. I know that many of you hate the very mention of the words “10th Planet” and the name “Eddie Bravo.” My personal goal in Jiu-Jitsu is to get better technique and I will study Judo, Wrestling, Sambo and yes, even the dreaded 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu in order to do it. I am unapologetic of this as well.

When I think of Eddie Bravo I think of a quote from Fredrick Nietzche, “Every Profound Spirit Needs a Mask.” Eddie Bravo’s mask is that of the Rock and Roll Messiah that has come to free us from the confines of the gi. I personally think of him as someone who has helped me to explore my gi game better.

Eddie Bravo hasn’t done himself any favors by alienating the gi practitioners in our sport but if you get past the rhetoric and the moves that require great flexibility you can find a lot of gems that will make your game better, especially since it appears to me that gi pants make a very positive impact on getting friction for many moves. Perfect for gi Jiu-Jitsu!

I am not a big fan of Eddie Bravo as a “Jiu-Jitsu Messiah.” but I am a fan of him as a very solid Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and innovator. If you ignore 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu then you are doing a disservice to yourself. So just grab one of his books and a flashlight, go hide in your closet and read it. You don’t even have to tell anyone.

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5 comments:

  1. I agree Keith. I trained under Eddie for about three years and he was always very nice to me and super passionate about jiu jitsu.

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  2. Yes indeed there is always advantages to knowing as many styles in bjj as you feel fit , or not so much as knowing but looking , with eddies system there are some aspects that will help your overall repitour if moves , no matter who there are Gracie, Eddie there overall main goal is to improve on this great art and make it known to the world , same love same passion , we share more than we think with 10 th planet

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  3. I just watched a recent interview by Eddy. One thing he said that made since to me is, you need to have a "clinch style guard" to avoid punches. This fit what I have learned so far about Gracie jiu-jitsu. The idea if you practice roll'n this way you don't have to change your style when punches are envolved.

    I don't even mind he makes up names for stuff. Loyts of people do that. Eddy just loses me with some of the techniques that require crazy dexterity and flexibility in the legs. That part seems to be counter to what Grand Master Helio taught about natural body movements.

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