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The back mount. One of the most dominant and versatile positions in jiu jitsu. While we all may know that the back mount is a great position to seek out in a roll, oftentimes, we don't take the time to learn and understand the fundamental philosophy of back mount. Today, we are going to share 5 tips that will help you better understand the importance of back mount and level up your jiu jitsu game. Why Is Back Mount A Good Position in BJJ? With all positions in Jiu Jitsu, there are pros and cons as well as a list of sweeps, chokes and escapes that can be applied from both competitors. However, the back mount specifically is one of the more dominant positions in BJJ where the person securing the back mount has more options to control their opponent and get the tap over most any other position. Once back mount is obtained, the competitor has the ability to run a series of transitions to chokes where their opponent must solely focus on reversing the position and/or escaping. Development of your back mount game in jiu jitsu is crucial. Certainly, getting comfortable in guard is a must, but it's just as important to get a good back mount game. Let’s explore 5 tips to develop a solid jiu jitsu back mount game. 5 Tips To Develop A Solid Back Mount Game 1. Learn To Take The Back Consistently You can't develop your back mount game in jiu jitsu if you don't know how to consistently take your opponents back. So, number one is going to be getting better and learning how and when to take back mount.  While there are many ways to enter the back mount position, it's important to start with one or two simplified methods that you can focus on when rolling. Practicing just 1-2 at a time gives you the opportunity to practice your back take without having your mind race through the 500+ Ryan Hall can take. Preferably, go with two entry positions to back mount that you can practice. By picking two methods, you can have an alternate entry from another common position (like mount or side control). Just like the first time you became proficient in a trap and roll sweep, you had to learn the timing, opponent’s movement, and angles to time your sweep just right. Learning to take the back is no different, you must learn to drill the fundamental movements, and then fine-tune your back take by repeatedly trying the entry in live rolls at class. At first, your back take will not work (just like learning a sweep didn't work at first), but, with time, practice and feeling out your opponent's movements, you will start to dial-in the timing and movements to consistently take the back. So, start slow, drill it, apply it in live rolls and get good at consistently taking the back. 2. Learn To Maintain Back Mount What good is the back mount that you finally learned to take consistently if you can't maintain back control long enough to enter into a submission attempt? Control in back mount has several fundamental steps that must be met before you will be able to maintain back mount without your partner escaping at will. Start by focusing on a strong chest-to-back pressure. Once your partner feels you taking the back, they will often immediately start to turn inwards, placing their back against the ground to prevent a choke and start their own escape. By maintaining a core fundamental like strong chest-to-back pressure, you start your back mount off with good control, limiting the space for your partner to roll towards you. Even if your hooks fall out, your partner may scramble, but with solid chest-to-back pressure, you can follow your partner and maintain the backpressure. 3. Use Your Hooks It's hard to discuss back mount while not discussing your hooks. “Hooks” in jiu-jitsu are referring to the control of your opponents’ hips and legs by “hooking” their inner thighs with your feet and ankles, effectively preventing them from kicking a leg out and escaping. Traditionally, with a back mount, you will use both feet (hooks) to control your opponent's movements. Using both feet is considered a standard method, however, you can also use a single hook and use your other foot to control the upper leg of your opponent. Play with both scenarios of a single hook and double hooks, you will learn that the single-leg hook coupled with strong chest-to-back pressure is an excellent method of limiting your partner's escape ability. 4. Focus On Your Partner Oftentimes in jiu jitsu when we get to a dominant position we start focusing on how we can finish the match and get the tap. However, if you take a mental step back and focus your attention on your partner's escape attempts, it can open a whole new world of opportunities to finish the match.  We can learn a lot from allowing our partners to escape a bad position. This “cat and mouse” approach really opens up your mind to the fundamental aspects of the move and also becoming aware of the vulnerabilities where you apply it. 5. Let Your Partners Break Free From Back Mount Yes, let them break free from your back mount. Why? Because it is inevitable that your back mounts will be challenged by those you roll with and you need to learn to stop it and regain control. By slowly starting to let your opponent escape, it's an excellent opportunity to study your opponents reactions as well as finding methods to regain that back mount control. Start small with this to really level up your game. From time to time, let a hook fall out, or let your opponent start to turn towards you. By allowing this to happen and then regaining that control back, you will find your problem-solving skills in this position will increase and your overall back mount retention will really start to improve. Final Thoughts Jiu jitsu is a marathon, not a sprint. You must learn to embrace the difficulties, the challenges and the confusion. By applying these small steps in your live rolls, you will start to slowly see an improvement in your back mount game as well as your overall jiu jitsu IQ.But, that's enough of us talking about jiu jitsu training, the real results are in the work. So, put a couple of these tips into action, drill to win them at every opportunity and go train!

So many people look at BJJ as a young man's or young woman's game. It may be the fact that a lot of it is fought with takedowns, and a full contact sport at an older age may seem a little daunting. But don't be fooled, BJJ is a sport for all ages, and if you're thinking of starting BJJ at 30, 40 or heck even 80, then there is room in this sport for you. Read on to find out about why BJJ is perfect for all ages. Are There Any Age Restrictions In BJJ? Absolutely not! If you're middle aged, a senior citizen, or somewhere in between, then you're still welcome to join the BJJ family. In fact, there are plenty of people picking up the sport in their 30s, 40s, 50s, all the way through to their 70s and 80s, and probably even older people that haven't been identified just yet. There are certain safety considerations that will need to be made, of course, but these are considerations to be made by you as a potential competitor within BJJ. No instructors or trainers will turn you away from BJJ classes because of your age. In fact, GBJJ is renowned for their ability to work with anybody at any age, so if you are looking for a place to start, check out our classes here. But you'll see more about that later. For now, let's focus on why you should think about practicing BJJ later in life! What Are The Benefits Of Learning BJJ Later In Life? First off, BJJ has some amazing physical health benefits, especially within the aerobic department. Hip mobility is something that decreases naturally as you get older, but BJJ focuses on moving the hips with some common techniques, and this will help you improve your hip function in everyday life too. Your grip is also strengthened in BJJ because of some of the holds and stances that you learn. In fact, our cells in our bodies age slower when we are involved in intense physical activity. BJJ certainly counts as that, so it will help your whole body age at a slower rate. As BJJ engages muscles across your entire body, you get these benefits everywhere. Not only will you feel great and look great, but BJJ can physically slow down the aging process too! BJJ for Mental Health Another key benefit is that your mental health improves, as well as your physical health. Practicing something as demanding as BJJ later in life helps you to remain focused and drives you to work towards certain goals. This is really rewarding for your mental health. As you achieve more by becoming stronger and fitter throughout your training, you'll feel much better in every walk of life too! Your mental health also improves because of the community within BJJ. A full contact sport such as this requires other people, so you'll naturally form connections with those you train with and compete against. Jiu Jitsu for seniors is especially important, because loneliness is something that a lot of senior citizens battle each day. With BJJ, you'll form new friendships and connections, and you'll be seeing them regularly as you train. One more benefit of practicing BJJ later in life is that you will be actively fighting against certain diseases and illnesses that are associated with older people. Things such as heart disease, arthritis, loss of muscle mass, and high blood pressure can all be addressed through regular physical activity. Given that BJJ is a full-body workout, you'll be giving yourself the best chance to avoid these illnesses and diseases that might otherwise impact upon your life. Finally, BJJ affects your metabolism too. Senior citizens have less effective metabolisms than younger people, it's a natural process that happens as you age. But there are things that can be done to improve your metabolism, which will, in turn, make you lose weight and burn calories much quicker. The best way to do this is through physical exercise. BJJ is an excellent form of exercise, so it improves your metabolism, making you fitter and healthier. Are There Any Drawbacks? There are some drawbacks associated with BJJ. The main one for seniors who are practicing BJJ is that you rarely get to choose your partner. That means a 60, 70, or 80-year-old may well be facing off against a 20, 30, or 40-year-old. Fortunately, if you're not competing, you can just communicate to your rolling partner in class if you have any pains, sore areas or any other aspect you want your partner to be cautious of. This in itself isn't a problem if you're physically fit and are able to keep up with your competitors, but it can become a little overwhelming at first. But remember, within BJJ you should always be able to say no. If you don't feel comfortable facing off against a much younger person just yet, then say so. Any BJJ instructor worth their salt will understand and support you in that decision. Another drawback is that if you're joining later in life, there may be others who have been practicing for years and are much stronger competitors as a result. Again, this shouldn't phase you. Everybody has to start somewhere, so as long as you go in prepared to see people who are excellent at BJJ, then you will be fine. And remember, practice makes perfect, so maybe one day you'll be as great as those who have been training for years too! Safety Considerations This section is all about you, and knowing what your capabilities are. BJJ is a full contact sport, and it requires lots of flexibility and mobility. While practicing BJJ will improve this, you require a certain base level. If you know that moving is a struggle for you, and you have no room for flexibility because of a medical condition, then think about whether a full contact sport such as BJJ is right for you. Consider whether you can realistically practice BJJ each week without causing yourself too many injuries. Yes, you'll naturally feel a little bruised after your first couple of sessions, but if you know that you're not in a position to train frequently to improve your stamina and physical health, then again, you need to think about whether BJJ is a safe sport for you. Having said that, if you feel physically capable and want to join in with BJJ, then be confident in the knowledge that any BJJ instructor would be lucky to have you join them. Signing Up For Classes Finally, if you're looking for classes that offer Jiu Jitsu for everyone, at any stage in life, then you should check our classes here at GBJJ.The c lasses offered here are suitable for beginners and experts alike, no matter your age. So if you're serious about BJJ and you want to improve your health and fitness under the guidance of understanding and professional instructors, then head over to GBJJ's classes page and sign up for a FREE week today!

Being awarded a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a major accomplishment. Someone who earns a black belt has demonstrated prowess on the mats, but there is more to a black belt than martial ability. Black belts should embody a high standard of personal behavior both on and off the mats. They should be ethical, humble, and honorable. After all, a person who has earned a black belt is going to be considered a representative of the sport no matter where they go in life. The opinions of their families, friends, and work colleagues about the art of jiu jitsu will be influenced by how the black belt behaves at work, at home, and in public.             That is all true, but it is also very abstract. What are the specific skills that it takes to earn a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu? What kind of jiu jitsu training is needed to become a black belt? What specific accomplishments must a black belt meet to earn this high honor? What does it take to master this art? The Skills of the Black Belt A black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu is someone who has spent a great deal of time and energy mastering this complex martial art. In fact, the average black belt has spent a decade or more honing their skills, competing, learning, and teaching. This dedication to the art helps the black belt hone their capabilities to a level of expertise that can only come with dedication and consistent practice. What are some of the specific skills of a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu? Teaching             Is teaching really a skill that black belts need? It absolutely is. A black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu is not just a master of the physical art, they are also capable of conveying their knowledge to others. The role of the black belt as a teacher is so important that in some BJJ academies black belts are referred to as “Professor.” Black belts must be humble enough to continue learning but skilful enough to pass their knowledge on to others. Planning             The long-term training and practice of the black belt gives them the ability to plan ahead. If you are fighting a black belt, chances are they are thinking much further into the combat than you are. Many students can relate to the sensation of believing that they have a fight planned out, only to find themselves baited into a mistake and quickly defeated. It is safe to assume that the average black belt is thinking several steps ahead of less advanced competitors. You may have a plan when you’re fighting a black belt, but chances are the black belt has a plan too - and they’ll impose it on you before you realize what’s happened. Energy use             Anybody who works out can tell you that rationing your energy is important. Even a simple jogger will know that beginning a run with a burst of speed is going to blast through their biofuel quicker than a more measured pace would. Similarly, a black belt has mastered the art of conserving their energy. They possess an air of calm and relaxation, and are able to conserve their energy until a more critical point in a match has been reached - whereupon they can use their stored energy to quickly dominate a match. Biomechanics             Black belts have a broad swathe of experience in fighting to draw upon when in a match. Years of dedicated practice have helped them learn to master their body positioning to maximize their effectiveness. A black belt knows how to move their body just right to gain leverage over their opponent and wrestle them into submission with minimal effort. Something as simple as moving one’s limbs or body a few inches one way or another can change the balance of the match in favor of the black belt. What it Takes to Earn a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Promotion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not just based on technical achievements. Just because one takes jiu jitsu training and masters a new technique they are not guaranteed to get a promotion. There is much more to earning a black belt than just beating opponents. Commitment The first thing it takes to earn a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu is commitment. It can take years and years to advance through the belts in jiu jitsu. One does not go from learning how to tie a jiu jitsu belt one day to becoming a black belt six months later. Those who want to earn the black belt must commit to the sport for the long haul. Perseverance Perseverance is another key trait of the black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Learning any martial art is going to come with a fair share of ups and downs, but this is especially true in jiu jitsu. A jiu jitsu fighter may feel on top of their game only to be routed by a novice fighter, or to find themself struggling with a specific sweep or grappling technique. Giving up and wandering off is not the way to become a black belt: those who earn this honor persevere even when the sport becomes demanding. Nobody ever got their black belt by quitting. Humility Finally, black belts are humble. Those who reach this level of mastery have been through a lot of matches and endured many painful learning experiences. They know that they are skilled fighters, but they also know that novices and lower-ranked competitors are on a similar path to mastery. They know the struggles of less experienced jiu jitsu fighters because they have been there themselves. They are not boastful or arrogant; rather, they maintain an air of dignity and humility that makes them a valuable resource for those who look up to and admire them. Skill             Those who earn their black belt all began with their white belt and little to no knowledge of the sport. It is through years of dedication, perseverance, and humility that one advances through the ranks in Brazilian jiu jitsu. The skills of the black belt can be taught, but only those who are willing to put in the effort and the work will ever achieve this high level of mastery. If you want to become a black belt, there is no day better than today to begin learning. Just remember to be persistent and stay humble, and someday, you could be among those who have achieved this remarkable level of mastery.

So, you are exploring self-defense options for your child and you keep hearing about Jiu Jitsu. Maybe you are wondering what jiu jitsu is and if it is even worth your child's time (and ultimately your money)? As a 5 year student of Jiu Jitsu and father of two kids who have actively been in Jiu Jitsu for the past 4 years, I can confidently tell you that Jiu Jitsu is the best martial arts program available today for your child, and I’m excited to explain why. What Is Jiu Jitsu? Jiu Jitsu is a grappling martial art with roots in Japan and Brazil. You may have heard it referred to as “Brazillian Jiu Jitsu” or just “jiu Jitsu”. In jiu jitsu, a person learns how to control another person using leverage, skill and very little strength where they can ultimately end a physical conflict with a submission. Jiu Jitsu was introduced to America in the early 1990’s and since its debut, it has become the premier martial art for adults and children alike. Why? Because it works, that's why. Why is Jiu Jitsu the Best Martial Arts For Protecting Your Kids? If you have been looking for martial arts programs for your child lately, you may be in a bit of sticker shock at the price of any martial art, let alone jiu jitsu. When you start spending upwards of $150-$200 a month, understandably, you want real results. Because of this, you do not want to enroll your child into a martial arts program just to learn that it's not something that could work in a real life scenario your child could become faced with. Remember, there's an old saying that applies to life (and jiu jitsu),  and it is “Cheap training isn't good, and good training isn't cheap”. So, let’s explore why jiu jitsu is not only worth the investment, but also a tool to equip your child with that will set them up for success in personal defense encounters, and life in general. Having Fun and Getting Fit One of the best parts about jiu jitsu is that kids just love it! It’s in their nature to roll around and wrestle with each other. You will see kids from all walks of life and in all socio-economic backgrounds laughing together, training together, and just having fun! When your child starts to grapple, there just isn't a way to do it without using a lot of physical strength, especially when you are new and not sure how to handle it. Your child will use lots of core strength, and overall, receive a full body workout each day in class, but don't tell them that, they are just having a bunch of sweaty fun. It’s A Practical Martial Art for Real World Encounters When jiu jitsu arrived in the US in the early 1990’s, no one knew what it was, but everyone quickly learned that jiu jitsu was the reigning king of martial arts when it was introduced in the very first UFC. The beauty of the first UFC events whas how it was arranged. Any fighter of any martial art discipline could compete and settle the debate of which martial art was the best. Well, the results are in, you cant even consider being a martial arts competitor (or even defend yourself) these days without knowing how to grapple. If you have ever been into a traditional martial arts studio, you may have noticed kids breaking boards, or maybe practicing kicks and punches from a standing position. But did you know, that the overwhelming majority of fights are taken to the ground within seconds, it's very rare two people fighting just stand there and trade blows. If your child has only practiced reciting kids karate kicks and punches, they may find themselves panicking the moment they are taken to the ground and not equipped to deal with this encounter. Kids Jiu Jitsu vs Kids Karate While karate schools do a good job of teaching kids moves, it's just not safe for kids to practice karate at full speed and strength in class each day. Kids would be getting concussions and other injuries from daily karate matches, even if they used pads and gloves, it's just not safe. On the other hand, Jiu Jitsu is the only martial arts program where each day your child will get to use what they learned in actual grappling matches where other kids are using all their strength against them. Injuries in jiu jitsu for kids are extremely low and rare. Because jiu jitsu is grappling on the ground, your child will not be punched or kicked while practicing at full speed. Once a child has a submission locked in, the other child taps either verbally or with their hand and the match is over, they “slap and bump” their hands and do it again. At first, your child may be let down when all of the other kids in their jiu jitsu class can “beat them”. But, your child's confidence will quickly spike the day a new kid comes into class and your child is able to control and submit them, and it only gets better from there. That's when they start to realize the power of jiu jitsu (and so will you). Real Confidence and Real Results Have you ever noticed in many traditional martial arts schools how there are so many children of all ages wearing black belts? A black belt is a designation that a martial arts student has spent an enormous amount of time learning, drilling and applying a martial art, and has reached a level recognized internationally as a competent practitioner. You will never see a child black belt in jiu jitsu, not because they aren't good, it's because the black belt is reserved for those that have been training jiu jitsu for MANY years, often over 10-15 years. Giving your child a black belt after two years of training in any martial art, is a good way to provide false confidence that they can deal with any physical altercation. It might be fun to punch and break a flimsy board as often seen in karate for kids, but it won't help you in real life, and any confidence gained from that will quickly deflate the moment a single punch or kick doesn't work in the real world.  Once your child leaves the jiu jitsu mats after months and years of training, they will enter the real world with real confidence as they have already put in the sweat equity and seen the results. You can't put a price on giving a child real confidence. Get Comfortable With The Uncomfortable Life is tough, there is no getting around it. You may be able to shield your child from danger for the first few years, but once they enter their middle school years (and beyond), they are in a position where they can't call on mom and dad for an immediate intervention, they need the tools now that empower them to take charge and control a bad situation whenever it arises.  One of the best parts of jiu jitsu is learning to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations. What does that mean? Well, jiu jitsu is almost like a metaphor for life, when weak minded people get into tough (or uncomfortable) situations, they may panic or just lack the tools needed to deal with a bad situation. Because Jiu Jitsu requires intense physical grappling on a daily basis in class, it teaches the students to learn to think when even in the most uncomfortable situations. Fortunately, this skill carries with your child throughout life. If you can learn to think clearly, strategize and problem solve when you are drenched in sweat with the weight of another human on top of you (who is actively trying to submit you), you can then take those same skills into any scenario in life and apply them. Does that mean your child will try to take their teacher down to the ground and choke them? Nope, but it does mean that the same child when faced with a bad situation, will have the mental fortitude to relax, think, and problem solve without losing their cool, panicking, or making a poor choice out of fear. How To Get Started With Jiu Jitsu Hopefully this was helpful in pointing out a few of the many ways jiu jitsu will change your child's life for the better and why jiu jitsu is better than any other martial arts for your child. Contact Granite Bay Jiu Jitsu today and change your child's life for the better with a Free week of Jiu Jitsu Training!

Interest in Brazillian jiu jitsu was strong from the beginning, and it continues to gain popularity in modern society. If you are searching for martial arts near me with an idea of taking a few classes, it may help to know a bit about jiu jitsu. There are many levels, and they can take years of hard work to attain. This is an easy guide to see what the levels are, what each one encompasses on a general level, and a ranking of the top five all-time sports figures who have mastered them for a bit of inspiration. From White Belt to Black Belt: The BJJ Belt Order  Perhaps owing to the exotic nature of the country of Brazil, the BJJ belt colors are far from boring. They begin with a white belt that signifies a person has yet to learn more than a few basic moves, and they go all the way through four different red belts which surpass even the famous black belt of jiu jitsu and other martial arts. Once you learn to master the first moves of a novice with a white belt, the blue belt is the next step. It is followed by the purple belt, and then the brown belt comes after that. Mastering many different techniques will take years of adult martial arts classes, but mastery of this level will lead you straight to the famed black belt lauded in many modern martial arts. Unlike other arts of this type, the BJJ belt categories do not stop at the black belt level. There are four levels of red belts, and three of them are attainable with more work, study, teaching, and accomplishments. Unlike other arts, the last level of red belts is reserved for the five founding members of Brazillian jiu jitsu.  What Are the Different BJJ Belts Capable of Doing Students attending jiu jitsu schools begin with a white belt, and they will learn in their first adult martial arts classes that survival is a key element of this sport. Their goal is to master the guard position, how to move into and out of it to make strikes, and how to escape a larger or stronger opponent. The blue belt is next, and you will find it means mastering more complex moves. The typical student at this level will begin to learn how to fight off a larger and stronger opponent with their own aggressive moves. These can include throws combined with escape moves in the form of sweeps and twists. Exploration of what works for you is also an important component. Moving up to the level of the purple belt comes with a heightened level of learning for those who originally chose to search for martial arts near me. They are now between two belt levels where it is important to be able to use the techniques they have learned against opponents in the categories above and below them. A sense of confidence must be gained, and it should come from mentoring and working with those at the blue level. They will be expected to use their combination moves to help them challenge those at the brown belt level before attaining it. The step just before black belt is brown, and it can take years of mastery before a student is ready to move up once again. Control over students at a lower belt rank is important, and dominance in competition is the definition of this level. When you attain it in jiu jitsu schools, it can take as little as a year or two to master and move forward. The black belt level is for those students dedicated to both the continued study of the sport and teaching. At this level, professional teaching begins, and it is required that first aid and CPR courses are passed before teaching. There is also a referee course to pass, and affiliation with an IBJJF gym as an instructor is a must. The red belt levels are considered the highest attainment in this sport, and they are mastered over a series of years. They consist of teaching, further study of the art, expanding and creating new moves. Top Five BJJ Fighters Ranked It can take many years before attaining mastery of Brazilian jiu jitsu, and yet it is a journey well worth the effort. As a student just starting out, you may find it a bit overwhelming to contemplate ever becoming a fighter or a champion. These five men have mastered their sport, and they have attained their goals along with the respect and admiration of their peers. From fifth to third, the top ranked fighters are Alexandre Ribeiro, Marcelo Garcia and Saulo Ribeiro. All three of these celebrated fighters have attained the highest rankings possible within the belts, and they have won countless matches and championships. Many of them are respected for the innovation and drive they have brought to jiu jitsu over the years. The top two fighters of all time are often dependent upon the person citing them, and they seem to be almost equally matched in their abilities to win championships. Further, each of these men have their own followings due to their teachings, their ambitious goals, and their ability to further the spirit of competition while adhering to the rules and objectives of the BJJ. They are Roger Gracie of the original Gracie family, and his equal in first or second place within the all-time rankings is Marcus Almeida. He does not have quite the same family history, but his connection with the sport and the ability to inspire his followers due to his competitive success and teachings has earned him the top spot according to many.