Stephan Kesting is nearing the completion of his latest grappling video and from what I have seen, this will be another masterpiece. This weekend is the Pan-Am's down in LA and I’m sure everyone will put on a good performance. I hope the tips by Marcus Soares black belt Stephan Kesting has helped you train and become a better grappler. Brazilian jujitsu is an ever evolving sport and just the little intricacies are what determines a tap or submission. To all our fighters that are traveling to the Pan-Am's I’m sure they will do well.

This week's article is one of the best I have read in a long time. The Art of the Tap is a must read for any level of BJJ fighter as Roy Dean tries to explain the protocols of grappling and not the thug-jitsu that some clubs have become. Thug-jitsu reminds me of the instructor from the Karate Kid movies that does not know the beauty and art of martial arts. This is a must read for all fighter no matter what discipline.

------------------------------------------------

Busy, Busy, Busy

It is an exciting time at Grapplearts.com. After hundreds of hours in front of the computer I'm almost finished my latest instructional video mega-project. The next step involves waiting for one or two last bits of footage to arrive, and then to do about 5 final minutes of editing. After that, 'High Percentage Leglocks' will be ready for authoring and replication. It's so close I can taste it...

In addition to video editing I'm doing a fair bit of writing, photographing and planning for some interesting tips and articles that will be appearing on the Grapplearts website in the next few months.

Finally I'm also doing a lot of sparring with friends and team-mates who're heading off to compete at the Pan-Am's next weekend. Good luck to everyone who is making the trip, whether they're from our club or not!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Stephan' s note: the following tip is courtesy of Roy Dean, who is a black belt in BJJ under Roy Harris, as well as a third degree black belt in Seibukan Jujutsu. Today he shares with us a refreshingly different perspective from the 'thug-jitsu' that has become the norm at many schools.

The Art of the Tap

There are many ways to view things, and the most popular viewpoints are not always correct.

Many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and submission grappling students look down on tapping to your opponent. Surely, it signals submission. Some see that submission as losing- a loss of face, a diminishment of your stature in your academy hierarchy, proof that the person you just wrestled is "better than you."

In the beginning of your training, tapping others is the goal. Later, generally at purple, brown, and black belt levels, tapping other people (especially lower ranks) becomes easy. What was once so difficult to do, and took so much struggle to attain, becomes boring and routine. Just "doing it" no longer thrills you, and how you do it becomes much more important. The quality of experience takes precedence.

BJJ is a dance, a sophisticated martial interplay where warriors jockey for position and leadership. One person may lead, and in an even match, the dynamic will switch back and forth between the two partners. After dominating the dance a thousand times, allowing others to lead refreshes the dynamic of the game. And if you're really good, you can guide your partner into submitting you gracefully, without tipping them off on how you opened that door for them to walk through.

Every time I tap to my students, I share a little more of the art, and empower somebody else to experience success. During my blue belt tests, I am the last person to spar with the candidate. At that point they are exhausted, and although I may tap them once or twice in the last 5 minutes of their exam, the challenge is to have them dig deep and conjure that warrior within. I create a genuine struggle for them to not give up, to stay mentally strong, and seize the opportunity to finish the fight that will eventually present itself.

True martial arts is about service: to the art, to your students, and to your teacher. Part of my service is to teach those that train with me how to lead, and how to follow. This creates a much friendlier, safer, and open training environment, where experimentation is encouraged and another's success is equal to your own. Ultimately, this will accelerate the moral and technical development for all participants.

Roy Dean
www.jujutsujournal.com
www.roydeanacademy.com

Stephan Kesting
www.grapplearts.com

Bet at Bodog Life MMA Fighting Today