Do you feel like you’re not progressing in BJJ like you should? Do you feel like you’re in the gym training but not making any headway?

This is the problem our friend who is a BJJ Blue Belt and is having an issue. He recently sent in a question asking for advice on how to deal with his progression in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and aggression during rolling.

In the video I don’t touch on the idea of aggression because it often gets used as a cure all for every problem many of the beginners. Whenever issues happen. Instead of fixing the technique issues, they just think they need to be more aggressive. Which is not the right idea I believe.

But during the video I do talk about the idea of setting expectations during Brazilian Jiujitsu training. And the idea that it’s dangerous to set them.

Setting expectations for BJJ training is the same as setting expectations for a situation that is not guaranteed.

It makes you focused on the fruits of your actions rather than the moment to moment action which is required to make progress happen during grappling.

So if you’re training Brazilian Jiujitsu and you feel like you’re not progressing like you should. Watch this video and I hope it helps!

-Chewy
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In this video myself and Mike ( Aka Mr Jiujitsu from Facebook) sat down and answered a few questions. Mike was in town so we’ve had the chance to train together a bit and decided to have fun and do a video together.

We definitely answer the BJJ questions in different ways and from different perspectives.

The questions look something like this. . .
1. What should I do when my significant other is trying to take time away from my Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training?

2. My Brazilian Jiujitsu coach is wanting me to start wearing the gym gi. I’m wondering if this is normal or if it’s McDojo.

3. What’s are our thoughts on cross training at other Bjj gyms in the area.

But I hope you enjoy the video!

-Chewy

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The Scissor Sweep is one of the first Sweeps from Guard that most BJJ White Belts learn. And in a recent video where I covered some simple adjustments to the Keylock. Several of the White Belts that watch the channel asked for some tips on some of the really basic Brazilian Jiu-jitsu techniques that White Belts use.

So I decided to cover the Scissor Sweep since this is one of the 1st sweeps most White Belts learn. In addition, the movement used for the Scissor Sweep will be used over and over again in Brazilian Jiujitsu. Whether you’re trying to sweep of if you’re trying to open guard and transition to other positions beside the full guard.

In this video I show some simple adjustments and tweaks to the Scissor Sweep that have made this BJJ technique useable for me as a higher level belt and in addition been very helpful to many of my students.

Simple things like turning the wrist over, grinding the hips up rather than simply coming up to the knees in mount have really helped.

Try combining these adjustments with some of the instruction your BJJ coach teaches you at your gym.

I hope this video helps your BJJ Scissor Sweep regardless of whether you’re a White Belt or not.

Thanks for watching!
-Chewy
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Do you struggle with getting choke in BJJ? Does it freak you out a little or make you panic?

Recently I received a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu related question from Aline who said she was struggling with getting chokes during her training.

In spite of training hard doing Brazilian Jiujitsu, MMA and other combat sports. She still struggles when she get’s choked. In particular she says the triangle choke freaks her out. She even says that sometimes she will cry because of the feelings that happen.

I relate to her. Because in the beginning when I was a BJJ White Belt I used to freak out and hyperventilate when I would be stuck in Mount. To the point that during training I would just tap out. Later on I found myself struggling with the same choke as Aline in BJJ. The triangle choke.

It became my kryptonite and when someone applied the choke in a BJJ competition or rolling. I would freeze up and just give up mentally.

In this video I discuss the problem our friend is having and I also go into detail with how I overcame the issues. The biggest piece of advice in the video is simply desensitize yourself by going into these positions more and more.

If you’re having a similar issue as this, then I hope the video and short Chewy Ramble is helpful.

Thanks!
-Chewy

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Want a simple grip tweak to make your Keylock better? The trick I show in this video is great for making the Keylock in BJJ tighter.

This is one I show to my White Belts in my BJJ classes because it’s a mistake I made all the time when I used the Americana in Brazilian Jiujitsu.

I would get excited and not secure the position to finish the submission effectively. I had several tournaments as a BJJ White Belt where I had this locked up and then would lose it to poor finishing technique.

My students have really enjoyed this tweak and experienced a lot of success with them during rolling and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competition.

Thanks! Hope it helps.
-Chewy
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Do you like curriculums for BJJ? I personally have a love hate relationship with curriculums in relation to Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

In some ways a BJJ curriculum can be incredibly as a guide to lead the way and to ensure that the bases are covered and maintaining a standard.

The negatives that I associate with a curriculum if forced on the students to rigidly is the fact that the focus then moves from exploration, discovery and the expression of the art and can move towards more memorization.

I also believe that one of the best benefits of Brazilian Jiujitsu is the ability to learn the love of practice and the grind. To do something, not because of what you will eventually achieve. But instead because you just enjoy doing it. And finding reasons why you love the day to day training. This lesson that I learned from Wrestling and BJJ has helped me in so many areas of my life. Because I’ve learned to grind out through difficult situations and learned to enjoy the struggle and challenge of tough situations.

What are your opinions on BJJ curriculums? Do you like them or dislike them? Do you think a hard curriculum should be imposed or should students be able to go off in different directions?

Thanks for watching.
-Chewy

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From my experience as a White Belt and from what I’ve seen with my students. Often after the initial survival phase that begins at the start of someone’s Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training.

The Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner often then enters a point where they begin to find an ability to maintain offensive positions for longer and longer durations. And while in these BJJ positions, opportunities begin to present themselves. But because of the inexperience of the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner and potential fear of letting go of the recently acquired comfort of the offensive position. They either miss the opportunity to secure the secure the submission or they are too afraid to pull the trigger and go for it.

This is the question I received from a Brazilian Jiujitsu White Belt, Jake, who is running into this very issue.

He’s finding that his defense has become good enough to afford him some comfort. But he is unable to really go after the submissions he see’s because of the fear of failing.

He believes that he needs for aggression to fill the gap in his Brazilian Jiu-jitsu abilities.

In this video I share how I don’t believe that added aggression is necessarily the issue. I believe it’s more of a problem with fear than sheer aggression that is hindering his growth and abilities.

I also attribute this point in his BJJ training to the natural progression of most White Belts who are trying to progress and “win.”

I hope the video is helpful to you with your training and being able to go after submissions or any technique for that matter, more effectively and without the encumbrance of fear or worry. Or at least, if it’s there you learn to cope with it better.

Thanks!
-Chewy

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This sweep has been a mainstay for my BJJ Half Guard game when pitted against people using the overhook to fight against my underhook when I’m in Half Guard.

Often people who wrestled or have done MMA will use the over hook to counter a low Half Guard position

In this video I show a super easy, but super effective, Brazilian Jiujitsu Half Guard sweep that works great at combating the overhook.

In the video I show what I call a “Re Grip” which essentially means I’m gripping off of my opponent’s grip. Then from there I use my legs in the Half Guard to shift my hips under the person and execute the sweep. Keep in mind that this sweep is not a roll but rather a digging under the person with your hips.

I’ve been able to do this sweep with very large people and was still able to execute the Half Guard sweep.

I hope this video is helpful to you with your Brazilian Jiujitsu Half Guard game, especially if you run into this problem.

-Chewy

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Do you keep a BJJ journal? Do you think a Jiujitsu journal is a good idea?

If so what style of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu journal do you keep?

For me personally, I’m an avid journal keeper. I’ve had some ongoing journal since I was 18 years old. Both personal and Jiujitsu related. And over the years I’ve tried different styles of journals to document my experiences, training and just life in general. And the styles of journals I’ve had related to training have changed over the years through my journey from White Belt to Black Belt.

In this video I share some of the journals that I use currently use in my training and discuss some ways that might be useful for you in your own training.

One of the big things I discuss in this BJJ video is how I dislike keeping a Jiujitsu journal solely for BJJ techniques. Often over the years when I look back at these journals. I don’t really remember what I was talking about.

So one of the more important aspects I document in my BJJ journal is the experiences I have during situations like tournaments and competitions, great training sessions, and really any big experience that’s happening in my life related to Brazilian Jiujitsu.

I also use a journal to write down what BJJ drills I plan to drill during a practice. This helps me stay on task and make sure I hit my goals.

Anyways, you can watch the rest in the video. I hope it helps!
-Chewy

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It’s really important to remember the delicate balance of emotions that exist on the mats during BJJ training. Especially after a Submission or successful technique is executed.

For every successful BJJ technique or submission you execute during Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training in the gym. It’s only possible because of the failure or mistake of your training partners.

Now, it’s not a terrible thing to make a mistake in Brazilian Jiujitsu. But ultimately, anytime we make a mistake. It doesn’t feel particularly good.

Just think of a situation when your were training and you failed. Again, it’s a great learning experience, but it doesn’t feel awesome.

So when you’re training at your Brazilian Jiu-jitsu gym. Never make the mistake of being boastful about your wins during training. This is especially important to remember as a new BJJ White Belt when scoring a submission for the 1st time is super exciting.

So I hope this video is helpful with your BJJ training!
-Chewy

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Comment and possibly win a Free Chewjitsu T Shirt.

Also, if you’re interested in getting a Grey Chewjitsu BJJ Gi when I have them made. Sign up to my email list. I’ll also give you a Free BJJ Ebook and Video.

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The 2 main questions I answered in this video are:

Have I ever been in a Steet Fight? / Have I ever used my BJJ in a Street Fight?

What’s my opinion on the Belt Gauntlet in BJJ?

I rambled on pretty long about these two. But I found them interesting. I know that Brazilian Jiu-jitsu being used in street fight situations is always an interesting topic.

And the Gauntlet in Brazilian Jiujitsu is a bit controversial. Some people claim it’s brutal, barbaric, awful, etc etc. I tried to touch on my idea about it and share the reasons why I like it and why I continue to do it.

If you have thoughts on the gauntlet, list them below and share your ideas.

I hope you guys enjoyed this sort of random question video. It’s a different format that the typical ones. But hopefully it’s entertaining.

Thanks for watching!
-Chewy

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One of my favorite submissions in Brazilian JiuJitsu is the Kimura. It’s a versatile BJJ technique that can be done from both bottom or top. As a submission or a setup to other attacks and positions. And there are so many variations of the technique itself.

And it seems to favor people with shorter stronger arms. Which is a physical quality I have.

In this video I take a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu question from Jeffrey on Twitter who inquired about tips on finishing the Kimura against someone who is pushing against his hip which prevents him from stepping over. I didn’t have a video of it but I assumed he’s trying this from side control.

In this video I show one of my favorite Kimuras to use in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. I do it in BJJ competitions and rolling in the gym. I bypass the stepping over part completely in lieu of just going around to North South to execute the technique.

Just be careful with it, because they catch comes fast on this one.

If you’re looking for another variation of the Kimura in BJJ. Give this one a try. If you do, I hope it works for you!

-Chewy

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In this video I show a “fly on the wall” video series of some BJJ X Guard Drills we were working on.

During the drilling cause we started with X Guard entry drills then moved into X Guard sweeps with some of them being cyclical style drills. Meaning I sweep you, then get up and then you sweep me. And the drill is continuous.

We spent the better part of an hour and half going through these different BJJ drills and this was after a week of drilling these same movements over and over again.

We all got a ton of value from it. Many of us after this week of X Guard techniques found ourselves hitting the sweeps and options effectively.

X Guard is one of my favorite positions in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu because I honestly don’t have incredibly long legs for my size and I often find myself there after working from positions like Butterfly Guard and Half Guard.

Since I have shorter legs and a thick torso. I can kind of ball myself up under a person to keep them off balance and achieve a sweep. I’ve used this style of sweeping against people much larger than me with great effect during rolling and Brazilian Jiujitsu competitions.

So if you’re looking for some BJJ drills to boost your X Guard. Whether it’s just getting to the position or sweeping. Hopefully these drills will be helpful to you and your Brazilian Jiujitsu game.

Thanks!
-Chewy
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Ever had an Armbar but were unable to finish whether in a BJJ competition or just rolling?

Of course you have. . . we all have!

After training the other day 1 of my purple belts asked me about some tips on how to break a strong grip when finishing the Armbar.

So I figured I’d pull up the camera and show the details with you too!

In the video I identify some simple tactics you can use in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu when you run into a strong grip when finishing the Armbar submission.

1 which is always a good option is to attack the wrist with a wrist lock. Even if the wrist lock isn’t successful as a finish. The Armbar defense they were putting up typically falls apart and you can move in to the submission.

But assuming that you can’t use wrist locks or can’t get them to work either. One of my favorite Armbar grip breaks is to stuff the elbow into the armpit and then rock to the side.

Along with placing a lot of heavy weight on the persons face, which is uncomfortable, it also creates torque on the elblow and should and will force them to let go of the grip defense.

Watch the grip break video and if you’re experiencing this sort of problem in your Brazilian Jiujitsu training or competition. Give it a try!

I hope the video is helpful!
-Chewy

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