Are you a White Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu who feels better when they roll with a Higher Belt?

This is the question I received from Brianda who asked,
” I’ve been training for four months and I know I’m improving a lot (everybody tells me), but when I roll with white belts. Why do I feel like I can’t do anything? When I roll with higher belts everything goes better and I can practice all the movements and submissions I’ve learned, is it normal?

In this Chewy ramble video I discuss this common situation in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. When it boils down to it this is caused by a couple things.

A higher belt (Blue Belt, Purple Belt, Brown Belt, Black Belt) is in much better control of the roll and is much more relaxed. And oftentimes higher belts will play down a little bit during BJJ training to allow the newer students to move around and attempt their techniques a bit.

This relaxed state is usually fueled by the fact that the higher belt can finish the roll and gain the upper hand at any point.

In contrast you might roll worse against a White Belt. This is because a white belt does not have the security of being more advanced technically. So, instead they are fighting life and death when pitted against another beginner during a Brazilian Jiujitsu class.

The roll then takes on a much more aggressive nature and makes it more difficult to execute techniques.

I go into more detail in the video and share a few stories. But in short, yes this is a normal situation.

If you’re running into this as a BJJ White Belt. I hope the video is helpful!

Thanks!
-Chewy

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Jose commented on a recent video asking about a Butterfly Sweep to Rolling Back Take combo that was in the video.

So while I was working on videos for my new White Belt series. I wanted to answer his question.

I’ve placed chunks of the BJJ class where Adam and I were rolling. In the video I countered his reverse Half Guard position and switched it into a Butterfly Sweep. I attempted to sweep him to one side, it failed so I came back up to a square position. Then I switched the Butterfly sweep to the other side.

Right after the sweep he shot into a Deep Half Guard. I countered this by keeping my hips back which caused us to land in a Quarter Mount position.

From there I did a very simple rolling back take. Literally, it’s a glorified front roll. So if you try this move. Don’t over think it.

When you watch these techniques being used. It seems that it’s some sort of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu combo that I have because they flow together smoothly.

But it isn’t! What happens often during Brazilian Jiujitsu is that you do moves based on the circumstances. Your opponent does this, so you do this. That kind of thing.

This is just a situation where I’ve done the Ghost Sweep (as I call it) countless times as well as the forward roll to the back. The moves connected together without any sort of grand design. I didn’t plan on taking the back when I initiated the sweep.

Lastly, in the video I share a few quick details on attacking the rear naked choke right off the back. Instead of just getting to back mount and holding. I really like coming in for the finish right off the bat.

Thanks for the question Jose! And I hope the video is useful to any of you playing from the Butterfly Guard or if you get caught in the Quarter Mount / Quarter Guard position.

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I learned this submission about my third week in Jiu Jitsu and I have been using it every since. A lot of newer white belts try to break guard by using their elbows, so this submission works perfect!

A key point to this move is learning how to shoot your hips in the air. You will start by shooting your hips up and crossing your feet to break your opponents posture, then adjusting to get the angle.

My most successful Triangle set ups http://www.chewjitsu.net/chad-

For any questions please click the link above and send them to my email or comment down below. Thanks for watching!

Adding to our BJJ Half Guard Series is the Push Out Toe Tuck Variation.

I use this Half Guard Sweep when I run into Wrestlers with a good base in BJJ. Because the Toe Tuck can be hard to come up against a good base. Even if I can’t use it as a stand alone sweep. The act of knocking them off balance allows me to keep them unstable on top.

If you’ve noticed a trend during this series. I often relate a lot of my sweeps to stories about Wrestlers. And the reason for this is that I play Half Guard primarily against wrestler types to keep from being straight in front of them.

Starting from the Toe Tuck Sweep / Old School style Half Guard. I’ll push the knee out to take the person off their base which allows me to come up for the sweep.

The 1st time I used this Half Guard Sweep in Brazilian Jiujitsu was during a rolling session with a strong college Wrestler.

During the roll I was able to get the Toe Tuck position. But I just couldn’t seem to finish the sweep because he was using a really strong over hook to smash me down.

So looking at the position. I just pushed the knee to see what reaction I got from him. And when I did it. I was able to throw his base way off and come up to top position.

So if you’ve been enjoying the Half Guard techniques I’ve shared so far and found them useful. Hopefully this addition to the Sweeping aspect of the series works well for you in your Brazilian Jiujitsu game.

Thanks!
-Chewy
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Just sharing a little rolling from one of our No Gi BJJ classes with ADAM!

Behind the usual. . . “Adam” that you see in the BJJ technique videos is a dedicated Brazilian Jiujitsu practitioners and training partner. Adam has been one of my best BJJ training partners for years!

In this video I was training with him and at the end we were looking at some of the problems he was experiencing. And I tried to help him break those down.

Mainly at the end we tried to break down his Reverse Half Guard position. He tried it on me during training and I countered him and so I wanted to give him an idea of how it work.

As you’ll see in the video. The Reverse Half Guard is one of my favorite positions. It’s incredibly strong and great for setting up Kimuras and Armlocks.

I hope you enjoy the rolling, silly stuff in between and the Reverse Half Guard Tips at the end.

-Chewy

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Does your physical appearance bother you at all when you’re doing Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, either in the gym or in competition?

Our friend, who wished to remain nameless, is having this issue. He isn’t comfortable with his physical appearance right now and it’s getting in his way with competing.

He says that he’s lost over 50lbs since starting BJJ. But he still isn’t comfortable. And he’s wanting to compete in bigger BJJ tournaments. But the big tournaments don’t allow people to wear rash guards or t shirts under their gi.

In this video I share experiences from my childhood when I was a fat chubby kid who had man boobs. And I had little to no confidence. My insecurity was so bad at one point that I developed a stutter.

I was in the same boat as Bob in regards to being overweight abd ashamed of my physical appearance.

Then I started wrestling, eating better food and lifting more effectively. By the time I got into BJJ. I was a successful wrestler and even had abdominal muscles showing. But. . . I still felt awkward with my shirt off in front of people.

So in the video I try to share how I overcame my awkward, insecure feelings with my clothing off and hopefully it will help Bob on his desire to compete at bigger BJJ competitions and BJJ tournaments.

Thanks!
-Chewy

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Do you ever get sore neck muscles after BJJ training? Then try using this $5 (or less) little too like I show in the video.

Recently I was doing a little No Gi training with a good Black Belt friend of mine. During our roll he was going after his Guillotine choke, which he has a good one.

I was able to defend the chokes but my neck took a beating.

Later on that night after the rolling session. I was sitting with my girlfriend for dinner and realized my neck was incredibly sore. And I realized it was from out session.

Anytime I run into sore neck or upper back muscles after Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training. Using a lacrosse ball or this lacrosse ball peanut is my goto for recovery and to relieve sore neck muscles. It really digs deep into the muscles and gives me a ton of relief.

On the day of filming this video I was doing a bit of lifting. And before I could do front squats effectively. I had to loosen up my neck.

Hopefully if you’re experiencing some sore neck muscles after Brazilian Jiujitsu training this little tool will be helpful for you and your recovery after training!

-Chewy
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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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If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.

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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This is another BJJ Half Guard sweep that I use against the overhook. We are using the Regrip again against the overhook to protect against the Darce choke and to secure the arm for the sweep.

In a previous video I showed a Half Guard sweep against a person (possibly a Wrestler) doing an Overhook. You can see that sweep here: https://youtu.be/AFnUUPjSCNs

When I’m able to get this low Half Guard position with the outside hook in Brazilian Jiujitsu. The Overhook is one of the most commonly used counters.

In some cases I can get under the person with my hips and sweep them.

However, people with strong bases will position themselves in a way where it makes that sort of sweep from Half Guard very difficult.

This is when I might switch off to this particular sweep.

When I use the Sit Out to Double Leg from the Half Guard, as I show in this video. It’s a counter move, or you might consider it a bait move. Meaning I’m countering something my opponent is doing.

These moves can be tricky at first and might require a little trial and error.

But when you use a good counter move in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu they are incredibly effective. They often make your opponent move right into the place you want them. Just think to your own training when someone baited you into something.

I like this move as it blends my Wrestling with my Brazilian Jiujitsu game. And I think it’s effective because it causes you to change gears. You’re going from Guard player on their back to coming up to a Double Leg style takedown.

I hope this technique is useful for you with your Half Guard in BJJ.
-Chewy

—————–
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If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.

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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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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If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.