Professor Pedro Sauer Talks BJJ History and the Origins of Animals in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

 Interview with Professor Sauer on how he got the Nickname ...the Cobra!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FvA8t_Pmmc&feature=youtu.be&hd=1


If you like this video please go on Professor Sauer's facebook fan page and hit the like button

www.facebook.com/pedrosauerbjj








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Why You Should Take Private Lessons!

You want to get better fast you say?  Well here is a sure fire way.  Take Private Lessons!  Private lessons are a way to get to the bottom of the problems you have.  It is often difficult for your instructor to give you the individual attention that you might need in a regular group class setting, especially if that class is huge. I would suggest taking a private with him at least once a month.  If your instructor is top notch then you will be amazed at your quick improvement! 

I know what your thinking…"But it’s going to cost me money!” Yes it will cost you money but to have an hour private with someone that can transform your game is always worth it!  I personally charge $100.00 an hour.  My private lessons are worth twice that because the entire hour I focus on nothing but the student’s  questions and what THEY want to work on. I hide nothing from that student!

“But I can’t afford it”, you say…. Then it’s time to get creative.  Do something to trade out with your instructor.  If you’re a mechanic, electrician, plumber, contractor then start there.  Ask your instructor what he needs.  I’m sure you can work out some kind of deal. 

 

Pay for a half hour lesson or go in Halves with someone on an hour lesson OR go in a quarter with three other people to make the hour lesson more affordable.  If you are a purple belt , then ask a brown belt for private lessons and start with that. 

Go to morning classes.  Many times a morning class is a little slower and you can tend to get a more personalized lesson out of your instructor.  Be the person to ask questions during class.  I know I love getting questions.

As for me, I am planning on taking more private lessons for myself in the future.  Who would I take private lessons from…A judo guy, Wrestling Coach, Sambo dude, Anyone with a BJJ black belt. I want the knowledge and I’m not too proud to take lessons from anyone.

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Why Black Belts Should Attend More Seminars.

I noticed that when I would personally attend seminars (not teaching) I typically one of the only black belts other then the Instructor giving the seminar (except at Pedro Sauer Seminars).  I decided to talk about this subject when I was giving a seminar in British Columbia. Enjoy.

 Why Black Belts Should Attend More Seminars!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XEzQ2oRk290

Know the Rules, Win the Game

I was watching the Pans on BudoVideos.com  last week-end and over my viewing time I watched several people get disqualified for rule violations.  This amazes me!  You spend all the time training your heart out and then pay the cost of getting to the Pans and you lose because you didn’t pay attention to how the  rules go?  You, my friend,are known as a dumbass!  Darwin’s Theory on the “Survival of the Fittest” doesn’t only pertain to strength and health but to mental capacity, problem solving and strategy as well. Knowing the rules is the fundamental  strategic  first step in winning your matches.

I have been to numerous Ref Clinics and I am always amazed at some small  “point” that I had overlooked.  I submit to you that if most competitors and coaches would actually go to a serious IBJJF clinic they would walk out blown away at what they didn’t know.  Reading, studying and knowing the rules is not a one off thing in this “Game” we call Tournament Jiu-jitsu.  It is about constantly refreshing your memory so that you know ALL the ends and outs rule- wise.  If you are of the mind that, “I read the rules once three years ago and I’m good to go,”  you are going to be in for a big surprise. 

I know that reading the rules is not sexy but you MUST master the intricacies of  this “Game.”  Coaches should have a rules meeting in their school, verbally and visually going over the rules and provide all their competitors and parents with a copy of the rules.  I would also add that students should practice refereeing matches with fellow students, as well as practice coaching skills with music blaring to make you shout.   

Winning is not only about Submission it’s about scoring points and advantages, once you know all the ways to score points, the wins will come a lot easier. 

My purple belt Matt Owen (no relation) won Gold in his Purple Belt Division and Silver in the absolute at the Pans this year.  He has been to a number of Ref Clinics as well.

Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/keithowen or Friend me on Facebook at Keith Owen's Facebook Page.

Robson Moura

In my never ending search for Amazing Jiu-Jitsu I want to bring to your attention Robson Moura.  This man is one of the best competitors and one of the best teachers around.  Some of the nuggets of wisdom in the following video are pure gold and every student of the game should take heed to what Mr. Moura says. He is very impressive!  I stole this video from Roy Dean.  Anything Roy posts has got to be good.


Robson Moura-Jiu-Jitsu Has No End



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Throws and Take-Downs (TNT)

I think it's time!  It’s time to take Throws and Take-downs (T. N. T) to a new level!  My friend, Pedro Sauer Black Belt Ricky Lundell has been preaching for some time the need to improve the throwing and take-down ability of BJJ students. It took me a while to pay attention but now I am wholeheartedly on board!

Why?....Because if you score a take-down at a tournament you’ll get two points. Those two points in a match puts the ball in your opponent’s court to get a move on and push the action. This allows you to control your position better and less on having to take chances (I know it's a game). It could be just the points you need to win the match and give you that small margin to victory. If you’re a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu purist then your take down game makes for proficient self-defense. You can’t ground fight if you can’t get the attacker to the ground in a real self-defense encounter.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners are the worst at getting their T N T house in order.  The BJJ community needs to make a paradigm shift in training toward getting better in the stand-up arena like our wrestling and judo counter parts. For the longest time many BJJ players have been content to simply jump guard and call it good. It just wasn’t something that was stressed highly in BJJ. Everyone knows it too! Times they are a changing. Invest more effort in your T N T. You don’t have to become a master take-down artist (or should you?) but know how to grip fight for starters, put together a few moves and drill the HELL out of them EVERY class. Work on your killer attitude! I’m going to take this guy down! Add a few counters to your arsenal like what do after your failed sprawl attempt or he has you in a single leg. If you’re reading this right now and saying “Where the hell have you been? We do all that on a regular basis at our BJJ school.” then I say, “You are way ahead of the BJJ curve. “ I salute you!

I have one of the top wrestling coaches in the state of Idaho teaching my students take-downs. His name is Kevin Wood and he is a very bad man AND a great coach. My students are getting better all the time with his help. If you’re a school owner or instructor and aren’t versed in T N T then bring someone in on a regular basis like I do and have them teach T and T. Be sure to video them so that you can watch later and get the subtle nuances of the move. Put your ego aside. It’s time to get better! Drill it to Kill it!


CHECK THIS OUT!

Here is a sample video from my new download series the “Art of the Choke” .. now available! This is some of my best work and many of these chokes you will not see anywhere else! Most of these videos were NOT on my recent “Lights Out” Choke DVD series either. You can download the entire “Art of the Choke” series with a HUGE number of bonus Vids at my website www.keithowenonline.com.

Here is the FREE Sample Called The Russian Carp Choke!

Should you go to Seminars?

I JUST RETURNED FROM A GREAT SEMINAR IN PORTLAND with my instructor Professor Pedro Sauer hosted by 1st degree Black Belt Anibal Lobo (www.oregonmartialarts.com). I just want to say I love seminars! I think that after having a great instructor, going to seminars is the best way to learn Jiu-Jitsu! Instructors will pull out their best material, things that they would never show on YouTube. I know that this is the case for me. I bring my "A" game material to all my seminars! I know that people pay good money to see me so I always try to bring “the wow factor!”, but for simple and common moves,like Professor Sauer.

IF YOU ARE "THAT GUY" WHO NEVER GOES TO SEMINARS because you’re too cheap or you think that your instructor is giving you everything you need then I would ask you to reconsider. You are missing out on moves and concepts that can potentially revolutionize your game! Ideas that you may never see again! Be the guy who will go to anyone’s seminar, especially other associations! This will really widen your knowledge base and give you a fresh perspective on BJJ.

I WANT TO ALSO LET YOU KNOW THAT SUPPORTING YOUR INSTRUCTOR when he or she brings others in for seminars is the best way to show you care about them and your school. They are bringing instructors in to better the students at your school, take part and help them out Mr. Cheap guy. Your instructor will know when you aren’t attending the school seminars too! You know how I know? Because the number one question I get at my seminars from people who bring me in is, “How do you get “some people” who never attend seminars TO ATTEND seminars?” Your face is in the back of his mind! I kid you not.

IF YOU JUST CAN'T AFFORD MANY SEMINARS then put a few bucks aside every month in a seminar fund, then carpool to the seminar and share a hotel room with someone ( I have slept on the floor a lot in my time), or drive right back the same day, getting back at 4 am. Been there, done that. If there is a will…there is a way!

IF YOU ARE A FINANCIALLY STRAPPED SCHOOL OWNER my advice is to bring in BJJ Brown belts. These guys have a lot of great ideas and moves to offer, They just don’t have the color. They will probably do the seminar for way less and it will rock! One day they will be a black belt and you will have been their supportive friend, get my drift?

SEMINARS ARE A GREAT WAY TO NETWORK and meet new people! I have made many lifelong friends this way! On a personal note, It also never gets old when people come up and tell me how much one of my techniques has influenced their game. It’s a great feeling!

SO LETS SUM THINGS UP 1.Go to Seminars 2.Go to everyone’s seminars 3.Don’t be a cheap guy…I think that about covers it.





For More info on how to host a successful seminar go to my website at www.bjjmoves.com and hit the seminar tab. I have videos with pointers on how to do it right. Follow me on twitter @keithowen