Bedford Jujitsu

How to tie your belt [video]

rob.mustoe — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:44:40 +0000

This is our first video, and we thought it right that to start with we should show you how to tie your ‘obi’ ["oh-bee"] (belt). There are a number of methods used by various clubs and martial artists. This one (referred to as the ‘super-lock’ method by some) not only looks smart but reduces the tendency to come undone during a class, meaning you have more time to focus on your techniques!

Centre Line Theory

rob.mustoe — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:40:35 +0000

Following on from our last tip on foot movement comes the next in our series of tips: Centre-Line Theory. It is important to note that the term ‘centre-line’ is often used by martial artists to describe the imaginary line down the centre of the body (running through the nose down past the navel); a useful way of remembering the important atemi (vital points) that lie along this line. For our purposes, we use centre-line to mean something completely different, and our use is all about balance.

What is centre-line?

The centre-line is an imaginary line that guides a jujitsoka to effect the optimum angle and direction for unbalancing their opponent. This can then be used as a core principle for attack/counter-attack (using your opponent’s centreline) and defence (protecting your own centreline). The concept of centreline is a core principle for JuJitsu, and should form the core of any student’s training. Moreover, its importance cannot be stressed enough, as not only can it be used for executing throws and takedowns, but also for delivering more effective strikes, locks, chokes and holds as well.

How to find the centre-line

Imagine a line joining the heels of a person standing in a natural stance. Centreline crosses this halfway between the heels, forming a right angle in the process. Mathematically speaking, centreline is the perpendicular bisector of the line joining one heel to the other. By definition, this line is not impacted by rotation of hips, shoulders, arms or head, but rather by movement of the feet (more specifically the heel). Some examples of centreline are illustrated below for various stances (note centreline is marked in red)

Notice that the line is unaffected by the foot rotation (as in the example on the far right), and that the centreline is present both infront and behind the person (meaning that they can be unbalanced forwards and backwards).

Practicing with centre-line

Try gently pushing your uke in training with their feet in different stances. You will find that the least resistance is met when you push along the centreline. Equally, when your uke pushes you, you will find it easier to keep your balance when they are not along centreline. Initially you should look at your opponent’s feet position in order to work out where the centreline lies. Over time this will become natural enough that you can feel where it is without even having to look.

In our next tip we’ll look at how to use the centreline in jujitsu.

Footwork

rob.mustoe — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 08:07:54 +0000

Good Jujitsoka (exponents of the art of Ju Jitsu) are defined by their foot movement. The ease with which defence can be turned into attack, unbalancing an opponent while remaining in balance yourself, smoothly diverting an opponent’s energy through aiki (blending) moves, and generating power as required all starts with foot movement. Practice moving to an imaginary opponent to find your fighting distance for kicks, hand and elbow strikes, and throws. Due to physical differences in size, weight and speed, this distance is slightly different for everyone. Learn to adapt to your adversary by moving your feet to ensure good posture (staying balanced) and timing your foot movement so that you can unbalance your opponent or, if necessary , deliver effortless power to a strike. Check your feet position after break falling, and check your feet position when learning new throws before worrying about speed, power, effectiveness, etc.

As a general rule, your feet should remain the same distance apart as they are in a good fighting stance (roughly shoulder width or just outside). So when you move your left foot, make sure your right then moves to maintain this distance (avoid wide stances – these will slow your movement and expose your legs to attack, and also very narrow stances – which give you less balance).

The key to effortless throws that should work on all types of opponents is to use centre line theory, and that will be the subject of the next tip.

2012 Grading Dates

rob.mustoe — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:32:44 +0000

Make your grading plans now! Biddenham, Marston and St. Neots will come together to grade in front of the selected panel.

Below are the four occasions in 2012 when you will be able to grade for your next belt. Work hard, train as often as you possibly can, practice forms and the rewards will come.

The dates for gradings this year are:

Sunday March 25^th- Marston (10.00am start)
Sunday June 24^th- Biddenham (10.00am start)
Sunday September 30^th- Marston (10.00am start)
Sunday December 16^th- Biddenham (10.00am start)

Due to popular demand, we are going to try to increase the social side of the club by organising more opportunities to meet outside of official training nights. Therefore after each grading it is hoped to continue socialising in the nearby “refreshment centre” where we can celebrate achievement and chat about topics of interest. The Christmas social remains and details will be posted later in the year.

A New Year, A New Approach

rob.mustoe — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:35:58 +0000

Regular website updates on the blog

This year we’re getting all ‘digital’ at Bedford JuJitsu – part of our commitment to improve the clubs for 2012. It starts right here on the blog – every month we’ll be posting some tips and showing a breakdown of a technique or principle. We’re even open to suggestions of what you’d like to see (talk to us on Facebook). There will be articles ranging from belt tying to the history of the martial art, and then on to basic principles, advanced throws, locks and much more.

Free monthly email newsletters

To make these updates even more accessible, we’ll be sending them out monthly in an email newsletter, to which you can all subscribe absolutely free! In the email we’ll put details of the month’s classes coming up for each of the three dojo’s, talk about any club news that’s going on, and cover and headline articles from the blog too.

Your requests and questions answered on Facebook

On top of all this, our Facebook page is already up and running too, so any feedback you have, questions to ask etc can be posted there.

New Website Launched

rob.mustoe — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 17:59:27 +0000

We have a new website, which should be easier to use, faster, more reliable and have more useful content than ever before.

We’ve got a series of updates planned, and are hoping to add lots of pictures, videos and useful content during the course of 2012, starting this January. Keep checking back to see the latest updates!