BJJ Over 40 (Roy Harris)
Salepage : BJJ Over 40 (Roy Harris)
NOTE: I just observed that the things isn’t working 100% completely since the colors are off, for example, roy harris’ face seems to be red and then blue…as a result, I’m going to change this to free leech…for those who think it doesn’t matter, the rest is ok….
Language:English
Format:mpeg
A DVD Instructional BJJ Over 40 Review
2006-04-24
I just completed watching Roy Harris’ latest “Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Over 40” DVD, which I acquired today. There are seven chapters: a brief introduction, movements, postures, positioning, techniques, escapes, and training. When it is finished, a companion CD with extra content and essays will be available for purchase.
Please be aware that I have never studied with Roy or any of his students. I am, however, over 40 (47) and, due to other duties and commitments, am unable to workout as much as I would want. I’ve also been injured when attempting to keep up with younger, sometimes stronger, and typically more athletic sparring partners. So this DVD was produced specifically for me.
Introduction: Roy explains that the DVD is intended for “those of us way past our twenties,” as well as “those of us who have busy careers, families, and other responsibilities waiting for us after class”; for those who may no longer be interested in competing in local tournaments, but who pursue BJJ for health, fun, the friends we made, and so on. The techniques and tools in the DVD are not intended for the 20-year-old stud who can afford to train every night and is interested in the latest flashy techniques from Brazil; rather, they are intended to help older BJJ players survive on the mat against that guy and to keep training and enjoying the sport – to reduce how many times you tap, and to help you stay competitive and injury free.
Essential Motions – Roy breaks down the fundamental body movements utilized in BJJ for efficiency of movement. Roy observes that as you get older, your gas tank doesn’t hold as much – your endurance is less in comparison to a younger and possibly more athletically gifted training partner, so you need to be more efficient in your movements to use less energy and not try to muscle your way through escapes or from position to position. Roy argues that “basic” motions are actually “high-frequency movements” – the ones you will employ more frequently – such as thrusting your hips forward (arm bar or sprawl) vs. dropping your chin to your chest (rubber guard) – a technique that will likely be beneficial mainly to a much younger rival. Although these motions appear to be quite basic and straightforward at first, Roy demonstrates how to do them with optimum effectiveness. These actions will be repeated later in the DVD.
Defensive Postures – Roy demonstrates stances to buy time to escape – actually, one posture (an innovative posture to avoid chokes and arm bars that I hadn’t seen before) with variants for other positions. The game Roy recommends for an older BJJ practitioner is to focus on survival rather than getting smashed or matching strength to power. and to push your partner to change balance and minimize pressure on you to strike, offering you opportunities for an escape or submit. When you are mounted, side mounted, or within the guard, you utilize the same fundamental position.
According to Roy, these postures will reduce the incidence of injuries and tapping, you’ll be less tired, like sparring more, and so go more rounds and maybe improve. Roy recalls using these strategies or variants on the seminar circuit to survive when huge, aggressive, gifted younger players would frequently wait until he had rolled many times and was hot and out of breath before coming in to roll with him.
Defensive Positioning is the use of your complete body to achieve leverage over an opponent’s body, even if you are in a weaker position, by denying him the position he needs to acquire control of your body from the mount, side mount, or in the guard. These positions need your partner shifting his weight away from you in order to apply additional pressure on your arms and necks, allowing you to escape.
Fundamental Techniques – Roy demonstrates 10 techniques most commonly used by his students aged 40 and up, as well as his smaller students, with the greatest degree of success. Roy emphasizes some small details to make the movements more efficient and effective, thereby conserving energy – some of these small details will be very helpful in improving anyone’s game, regardless of age. These techniques build on the defensive posture and positioning demonstrated earlier, presenting a “old man game plan” rather than a collection of disconnected techniques – Roy demonstrates two mount escapes, two guard passes, and a side mount escape; a very sweet and simple sweep from the guard that would also work well in a vale tudo or street defense application to avoid eating punches; the kimura from guard and side mount; (including an interesting “cheat” I haven’t seen to make it
