Winner vs Losers
/in Uncategorized /by savareseLearning is difficult in beginning of BJJ
/in Uncategorized /by savareseLearning is difficult in beginning of BJJ
Time always catches up in BJJ
/in Uncategorized /by savareseTime always catches up in BJJ
Time always catches up in BJJ! Brazilian jiu-jitsu happens in real time, so there are always new decisions to be made. We prefer to make proactive choices wherever we can, but with resistance in the mix, you also have to become comfortable with reactive choices (where you don’t initiate the action but must still work to advance your plan anyway). Proactive or reactive, ‘bad” decisions happen when you’re in a rush and can’t process information fast enough. You miss an important part of the signal and head off in the wrong direction. This happens in guard-passing, when the passer can change directions faster and with greater ease than the guard player and clears the legs as a result. Panic also inhibits good decisions, leading to a freak out and a cascade of emergency choices that are less than optimal. Bad decisions also happen when the effects of your choices aren’t evident right away – you’re swayed by short-term comfort and ignore long-term repercussions. Exploding out of the mount works until it doesn’t. Many bad decisions work out OK in the short run because you can be short-term successful…but time often changes changes this. To work on making better long-term decisions requires elevating the value of the long run. It can be worthwhile to sacrifice immediate gratification, to look closely at the gap you’re covering up and the mistakes you make. With attention, you can start this process where you are and learn do it regardless of how much noise there might be around instant results.
Changes in BJJ harder than they first appear
/in Uncategorized /by savareseChanges in BJJ harder than they first appear
Changes in BJJ harder than they first appear. The definitely can be harder than you thought. Changes, in the form of new technical additions to your arsenal, or more farther-reaching adjustments to perspective or strategy, are often more difficult than they first appear. This usually equates to a struggle. We work to refine and adjust one thing at a time until we end up with something we can use. The problem is that our fantasies about how change happens are just that – fantasies. We’re surprised that hand fighting to a collar grip is so tough. We think we’ll be ready to roll out a new D’arce defense after a few times practicing it. We are not masters of the guillotine in 3 days. And so on. It can be discouraging. But if you struggle without quitting, you will make it into the next phase of development. That space is where you can refine and polish these new changes and turn them into something really meaningful for your practice long term. Here at Savarese BJJ (www.njbjj.com) Academy, we try to teach our students to ALWAYS think long term. What happens on a tuesday night in March when you are a bluebelt, no matter how bad you think it is at the time, will not be remembered as a brown and blackbelt. Just keep showing up.
Why wearing the kimono is important in jiu-jitsu
/in Uncategorized /by savareseWhy wearing the kimono is important in jiu-jitsu
Students and teachers in BJJ
/in Uncategorized /by savareseStudents and teachers in BJJ
Students and teachers in BJJ is always a great subject to discuss. There is good, but can be bad between students and teachers if loyalty isn’t produced by either side. Some of my happiest coaching memories come from watching my students teach. I have always been insistent on the idea that my students have a deep understanding of the underlying principles and concepts that underlay our approach to the game and that they be capable of explaining them well to others. As a result, my students can in almost every case, do a fine job of teaching our methods and philosophy to students of all levels and backgrounds. Here at Savarese BJJ Academy (www.njbjj.com). I try to get my students to start teaching at purplebelt. It gives them a better understanding of our concepts and by having to answer questions of the newer students, it makes them think about the techniques and concepts in a more in-depth fashion. In particular, most of my purple and brownbelt students have a complete and deep knowledge of my approach to art art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self defense. I would also go further and say that all of them have developed an independence and originality of thought that has taken them beyond my teachings and into their own distinctive style. I have watched my students teach and am constantly amazed by the maturity and depths of their views and their skill at conveying it to others. They all take immense pride in their knowledge and constantly work to refine and improve it. It is no exaggeration to say they are light years ahead of where I was after a similar time spent in training. This bodes well for the future of our Academy as they have so much more time to develop their skills and knowledge. All have started as beginners teachers, just like as students, and I can attest to how much learning material they offer when they teach. I love to watch them teach so that you can learn more about their method and philosophy. Watching and correcting and suggesting new things to them will help them going forward but only teaching creates the framework for the health and growth of the sport into the future.
Varations in BJJ
/in Uncategorized /by savareseVarations in BJJ
I like to talk about Varations in BJJ. Variation: A common strand of thinking that I observe in coaches and athletes is the idea that there is a correct way of performing a given move and any deviation from that is a step in the wrong direction. This kind of sentiment works well in a beginners class where you are trying to give students a firm foundation upon which to take their first steps, but as you progress higher in the sport, there comes a realization that there is almost always more than one correct way of performing that move. Much more important than the move itself is the set of mechanical principles that underlay eachmove. beginner students try to stay true to the move as it was originally taught to them, but more advanced students try to stay true to the underlying principles behind the move and go from there. This allows them considerable leeway in their actual performance of any given move so that fascinating variations and improvisations can occur, but which still work in accordance with the essential mechanical foundations upon which the move is based. This sometimes has amusing consequences – you will see a beginner claiming a world champion is performing a move incorrectly because he is using a variation different from the one he was shown, but in truth, that champion is operating in accordance with the same over arching principles.
Intentions vs. Goals in Jiu-Jitsu
/in Uncategorized /by savareseIntentions vs. Goals in Jiu-Jitsu
Intentions vs. Goals in Jiu-Jitsu: Intentions vs. goals is something we speak about a lot at Savarese BJJ academy (www.bergencountybjj.com). Because the submission is usually so heavily weighted, in jiu-jitsu we can have a tendency to develop a very strong goal-orientation. Goals can be critical tools when you have a specific outcome you want. But they can work against you if the rigidity of fixed goals grow into sources of anxiety and procrastination. Instead of worrying about needing to make things follow a specific path or go a certain way, put less attention on the GOAL and instead focus on your INTENTION for each training session. Why are you on the mat today? You may find that loosening a hyper-focused grip on your goals frees you from needing things to turn out exactly as you planned, and leaves you open to a different kind of training and learning. Focus on this and let me know if your training improves!
About Savarese BJJ
Originally developed by the Gracie family for smaller guys in the country of Brazil, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu has evolved into an effective self defense system, a thriving sport, and an essential component of Mixed Martial Arts fighting (MMA).
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu does not incorporate many of the fancy movements and complicated theories that other martial arts employ. In the real world, most fights end up on the ground and you have to be prepared for that scenario. The Savarese Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy teaches practical self defense techniques with a no attitude, no ego mentality.
Students learn sport aspects and practical methods that don’t require strength or athletic ability. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was made for everyone.

Professors Chris Savarese and Sean Bermudez
A typical class begins with a light warm up and stretch. Once everyone is loose, instructor Chris Savarese teaches students practical techniques and delivers personal care to ensure the class is learning and applying. Once the technique has been covered, live sparring for students who wish to participate is permitted. With Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, live sparring is an integral part of the art and what separates Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from most other martial arts. In Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, sparring is encouraged and fun!
The benefits of our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self Defense programs are endless! A greater sense of self leads to positive results in a world full of challenges. Our staff’s lineage goes directly back to the Gracie Family who created the art. Teach your children that perseverance wins over any obstacle in life, and let our program prove it to them! Develop functional muscles, not bulky, do-nothing muscles! Anyone who has trained at our academy for over a year will tell you that their life has been drastically improved!
If you want to join the fastest growing BJJ Academy on the East Coast, Savarese BJJ is waiting for you!
Highest ranking NJ BJJ blackbelt teaches in Lyndhurst
/in Uncategorized /by savareseHighest ranking NJ BJJ blackbelt teaches in Lyndhurst
On his own David is an accomplished BJJ competitor. He has competed in many tournaments distinguishing himself with his technical and methodic style. At the “First Annual Rickson Gracie International Tournament” David not only brought home the Gold Medal but also won the award for most technical fighter. All Professor Adiv’s experiences have helped him to develop into and to be recognized by many as one of the most technical Black Belts in the world. He is able to teach all aspects of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu: Self-defense, Sport Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Grappling and Vale Tudo (NHB). David is also highly sought after Instructor for Law Enforcement and the Military, teaching Gracie Jiu Jitsu Defensive Tactics seminars for Law Enforcement Departments at Federal, State and local levels.
David has also spearheaded the development of the Royler Gracie-David Adiv Jiu-Jitsu Association in the US. Through seminars, affiliated instructors and the annual Royler Gracie Championships, the organization has seen a tremendous growth in the past years. As a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and as Royler’s top representative in the United States, David carries on the tradition of the Gracie family. What a great night.



SAVARESE BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU ACADEMY
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