I got asked this question the other day and I really had to put quite a bit of thought into it. I've had zillions of breakthroughs in training just like everyone else.  Sometimes it relates to a specific technique, a way to escape, a moment something is available to attack or just a concept and idea.  But I think something that I have been constantly reminded of recently in life and something that has had the greatest impact in my training the last few years is this.

The more relaxed and less strength I use the more effective my jiu-jitsu can become.  

I know all our instructors have tried to beat this idea into our heads from day one but it's one thing to hear it and something completely different to experience it.  The first time I had actually experienced this was when I was a purple belt almost 18 years ago.  I was just getting back on the mats from taking almost a year off from training because I had blown out both my knees in a tournament. ...

I've been teaching jiu-jitsu now for over 17 years. I'm so passionate about jiu-jitsu and the positive effect it has in peoples lives that I'm constantly trying to improve and become a better teacher so I can serve others better. I've had a lot of people ask me about teaching so I just wanted to share my thoughts on what I think makes someone a great teacher.

First to define what a teacher is we have to define teaching. Teaching is the ability to transfer ideas and information from one person to another.

A great teacher is someone who can convey their thoughts and information to others in a way where it makes it easy or simple to absorb. There are many people out there who are amazing at jiu-jitsu but do not have the ability to articulate the information in a way so that it becomes clear to others.

A great teacher must posses a wide range and depth of knowledge. For myself as an instructor it is very important for me to not only understand the ground techniques of jiu-jitsu but also...

The importance of positional training, and why it should be at least 50% or more of your training.

I get a lot of questions about how to train Jiu Jitsu properly, whats the most effective use of time training and whats the best way to develop certain aspects of your game.

I'm a HUGE believer in positional training and I preach about the importance of it all the time but I don't think I've ever gone in depth and explained WHY it's so important and how it really helps to develop your game to an extremely high level... so here we go!

First off let me explain what positional Jiu Jitsu training is:

For positional training I will start a pair off in a position like the mount. One person is on top and the other person is on the bottom. Each person is given a very specific goal. For the person on top their main priority is to maintain the position, there is no urgency to finish, they are already winning. If they feel comfortable controlling the position their secondary objective is to...

In this video I'm demonstrating how to use weight distribution from the cross side position.

This will be a special 2 day Hidden Jiu-Jitsu Seminar Event with special guest NY Times Best Selling author of "The Paleo Solution"  Robb Wolf

There will be 4 two hour Jiu-Jitsu sessions covering different topics or positions.

Schedule will be as follows:

Saturday April 30 seminar will be from 11:00 - 1:00pm [closing the distance and clinching] with a break for lunch and taking notes then 2:00 - 4:00pm [takedowns from the clinch]

Followed by Robb Wolf's presentation on "Performance Optimization" from 4:00 - 5:00pm

Followed by FREE dinner for all participants to spend time and chat and hang out at 7:00pm

Sunday May 1 Seminars will be 11:00 - 1:00pm [open guard] with a break for lunch and taking notes then 2:00 - 4:00pm

This will be a small intimate seminar, so lots of personal attention

SPACE IS LIMITED AND TICKETS WILL GO FAST! >> CLICK HERE <<

A portion of the seminar proceeds will go to support the Team NorCal Youth Wrestling.

I shared an escape for a standing rear naked choke about a month ago, it's an escape I feel works better then what is sometimes traditionally taught which is the hip throw.

Movement based training seems to be all the rage now and its really nice to have such amazing athletes and martial artists like Conor McGregor and his coach Ido Portal bringing attention to it, but as you can see this type of light training to develop fluidity flexibility and strength in the body has been around for a while.

The beautiful thing about Jiu-Jitsu is there IS so much MOVEMENT in the expression and training of it.  Its a complete whole body workout as you all know.

There are not many other sports or arts that have movement from the feet: pushing, pulling, footwork, twisting, turning, bending, jumping, grabbing flipping, sitting

From your back: constant pushing and pulling with arms and legs, twisting, turning, standing sliding different parts of the body, rolling

From your butt: scooting, standing, rolling, pushing, pulling

From a crawling position: grabbing, jumping up, twisting, turning, pushing, pulling

From a kneeling position: sitting in balance while resisting...

"How do I ESCAPE Side Control?"

And here is my answer - Wanna escape side control?  Just tap.  Here's why....

Not what people expect but just listen.

Look we all find ourselves on the bottom of side control sooner or later.

And the truth is most people should just tap and reset.

Now don't go running off and tell everyone on reddit "Henry Akins said you should tap to side control pressure"....

This is how to NEVER get stuck on the bottom of side control again!

<< CLICK HERE >> Here's my "Crow Bar Side Control Escape System" publicly for the very first time ever...

I know that sounds like a HORRIBLE idea but think about MOST people's bottom of side control game?

I'm not talking about the best guys you know, I'm talking about  MOST people.

For MOST people bottom of side control results in 1 of 2 things

1. They're stuck there
2. They give up something (neck, arm, back) to escape (only to find themselves in a different but STILL LOUSY position

Both of these...

I hope everyone is enjoying the new videos I released for mount attacks!

As you know I'm really big on refining the basics and I hope the new details turn you into a mount finishing machine!

I'm here in Australia teaching seminars and spreading the Hidden Jiu-Jitsu but I didn't realize the Internet here is notoriously crappy. It's kind of a national joke.

So I'll be a little slow responding to emails and comments for the next week but please make sure to ask any questions you have in the comments section below the videos and I'll make sure to get to them when I get back in a week!

I was also working hard on finishing up some new modules to release just before I left so those should be out shortly. We are just trying to put some of the finishing touches on the videos.

Thanks for all your love and support and can't wait to share more of this amazing jiu-jitsu that's been blowing people's minds everywhere I go!