iBJJ V 3.0 Update – iPhone Review

The excellent iBJJ app just got better with the version 3 update which brings a number of new things and a brand new module which can be bought.

First, there are 9 new drills bundled in for free which are the same high quality and innovative approach that iBJJ have already shown capable of.

But the bulk of the work with 3.0 went into some design changes to make navigating easier and this is something they have really done. The app now looks great and the arrangement is broken down into categories which are simple and easy to use. The whole design of this belies the fact that this amazing app still only costs £2.39.

Also enabled is the iBJJ Store which has one module for sale at the moment Wrestling for iBJJ – Vol. #1 (review to follow shortly) Jimmy Quinlan teaches wrestling techniques and drills important for every Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner.
He has used these very same techniques in his own arsenal to take multiple Gold and Silver medals in the NoGi Pan Ams and Mundial tournaments as well as defeating Bruno Bastos Black Belt and 10 time Brazilian champion when Jimmy was a purple belt.

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I just got a copy of this app with the aim of reviewing it and hopefully some others out there on the market. I am reviewing on an iPhone 4 running IOS 4.2.1 (8C148). The app version is the latest version 2.0.1

This is a fledgling market and really only the Machado Brothers, Stephen Kesting, Darculino and Roy Dean have embraced it fully, with only Roy and Draculino going for a full course offering.

As with all new apps and technologies there are bound to be teething problems and issues so I have taken this into account in this review. It is not the same as reviewing DVD’s, Gi’s or belts as these are all established and should be at that point of perfection, or at least nearing it.

Overview

BJJ volume one is instructed by Nate Ryan, 1st degree black belt from Gracie Barra Boston and owner/head instructor at Mass BJJ more details can be found at their website

There is a nice clean logo for the app which says all it needs too.

There no standard disclaimer at the start of the app, about the risk of the sport and the fact that you take this on yourself and should always be aware of the risk but this varies.

There is no loading screen you are just presented with the app and the bottom task bar menu

Menu
The menu system is excellent offering Gi, No-Gi moves, then inside each section there are move broken down by position.

For example:

Gi

Back attacking

Lapel Choke

Lapel Choke Variation

Reverse Ezekiel

Each move has a star next to it so you can make it a favourite and then easily select it which I like.

You then can use the task bar menu which offers Gi, No-Gi, Favorites and Info

These do what they suggest with the info tab explaining tapping as well as the standard offerings such as links to the app on facebook.

There is no branding on this screen just a sparse menu but this is something which could easily be added as the app is updated.

The menus then take you straight to a set of moves without the small icon previews but have a good explanation.

Content

Now this is where it differs from all of the other apps, the videos have been shot and recorded but are not presented in video format. Instead you get a move system broken down in a series of still slides, which can then be ‘played’ at a selection of speeds much like a flick book.

You then have the option to change the angle of the move from front to reverse to give you a different perspective and also you can add text to the screen which explains what is happening.

Each screen has a help tab to explain how to work it but to be honest it is totally self explanatory.

The reason for the change from video to the flip book style I was told was to allow as much as possible to fitted into a light weight app and with over 90 moves this is certainly achieved. You also get techniques such as shrimping and bucking which I have not seen explained in an app like this before but are essential.

The only tiny complaint I would have is that sometimes for upper body moves such as rear chokes the text can slightly obscure the people doing the move however you can change the opacity of the text which does help alot.

Details

So what do you get:

iBJJ App £2.39 / $3.99
Over 90 moves
Full explanation of all moves
Flick book format
Web site support

Conclusion

I have to admit when I first saw the app format I was convinced I would not like it but I was wrong I love this app. It is portable compact and quick to load, it is packed with moves and explanations and it just works beautifully.

It allows you to have a look at each component of the move in detail which sometimes you could miss in a video. I would suggest that they could back this up with a small subscription or price rise to which then allowed you to maybe access the videos of the moves on line it would be very hard to better but I always want to shoot for the moon

I would suggest that of all the lower priced apps this is the one to buy and if you are not convinced there is a free trial version of the app available too which I am sure will convince you.

Exclusive News

A wrestling for BJJ app will be coming soon from these guys soon which I am looking forward to reviewing.

In news you will only see here an MMA app is being shot with none other than Kenny Florian who earned his black belt alongside Nate from Roberto Maia so I also hope to get my hands on that soon.

I am not sponsored or endorsed by any app programmer and my reviews are based on my opinion and nothing else, like it, hate it, respect it, all your choice but it is what it is.

Notes from a Samurai

In what I hope will become a regular feature especially as I continue my recovery and am a bit slow putting stuff out here is a column by the man Lagarto called Samurai.

Quiet down, quiet down!

My name is Mr. Samurai.

Meerkatsu! Stop doodling at the back of class.

Now…as you all know Mr. Grandao is unwell and as a result you have not had your regular supply of blog posts. I have been drafted in as your substitute poster until he regains his health.

Seriously, I’m honoured to be given a chance to post on Grandao’s blog. I hope I can maintain the standards he’s set and, above all, I wish Grandao a speedy recovery. We miss you big fella!

If you’ve not figured it out already, I also train at Gracie Barra Sheffield under the knowledgeable and watchful eye of John Goldson; brown belt under Lucio “Lagarto” Rodriguez.

On 22nd January we had the pleasure of hosting a seminar with Bruno Alves. He is a BJJ World Champion (2008) 2x European Champion, 2009 Pan American Silver medallist, 2010 South American Champion and 2010 silver Rio Open and World Cup medallist.

The session started with a short, focused warm up and good stretch. It was then straight into techniques…and boy did we see techniques!

Now as a humble beginner I often find that many of the techniques taught at seminars, whilst effective and impressive, are difficult to practically weave into my game. Now I’m not suggesting for a second seminars should be tailored towards the skill set of the weakest link present. However, I have wondered whether it is possible to devise a seminar that gave everything to everyone present. Well…Bruno did it.

I don’t intend to rehearse everything he did; not least of all because I couldn’t do it justice but also because you simply need to get to the man’s seminar yourself to experience it firsthand you cheap skates!

As a starter we began with pointers on controlling your opponent when he has turtled up; then moved on to rolling him over, taking the back and finishing with a choke.

Now if you like those 3 sided green sweets from a box of ‘Quality Street’ you’d have loved the main course as it was a triangle fest!

Bruno demonstrated ways of transitioning into the triangle from 3 different positions. These were positions which naturally flowed from one to the other so you not only had 3 individual techniques but also a chain of submission attempts.

Now these techniques didn’t involve multiple spins or hand stands but their beauty was in their simplicity. Simple moves should not be undervalued; one only needs to look at the success Roger Gracie has achieved through the masterful use of techniques we learn in our formative year of BJJ. Bruno was to later tell me that the techniques he had shown us were ones he had used consistently when competing.

After each technique was demonstrated every man on the mat was grinning…grinning because he understood something over and above the shear simplicity and effectiveness of the move; that, as John was to say at the end of the seminar, these were techniques that everyone present (from brown belt to white) could immediately slot into their game.

Bruno is a softly spoken man and he explained the techniques methodically and clearly. He was happy to take questions whilst demonstrating and answered them fully. The end of each technical demonstration was punctuated with a motivational “Go!” He made a point of moving around the mat and spending time with beginners and advanced students alike.

Dessert was half an hour of rolling. Bruno himself rolled with students at both ends of the experience spectrum. It was a mark of the success of the seminar that a number of students wanted to engage in positional sparring and pressure test what they had been shown.

We finished with a recap of some essential points and some obligatory photographs. Bruno was even brave enough to agree to have a photo taken with one of GB Sheffield’s future world champions, 5 year old white belt 4 stripe Sal – my son

It was a great seminar and everyone was buzzing at the end. Bruno is someone we will definitely be inviting back.
I suppose it’s a mark of how good the seminar was that I’m writing this blog on the same day and when I have a stack of pressing work to do!

BJJ European Open – The Black Belt’s

Have a look at the excellent blog that Gracie Mag have done HERE on the European open where our very own Lagarto is mooted as the pre book favourite for the Europeans.

Am afraid that I am still pretty poorly so the updates have not been as forth coming as they should have done but this will all change as hopefully next week will bring some progress health wise.

However a guest column, notes from a Samurai will be starting soon so that is something to look forward too as he will be reviewing the Bruno Alves seminar that I helped to arrange but sadly could not attend.

I also hope to have some app reviews up tomorrow all being well.

Train With A World Champion

This is a real opportunity Bruno just before he goes off to the European ADCC event will be coming to Sheffield and the Forge

Gracie Barra Sheffield are hosting a Seminar taken by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt BRUNO ALVES.

He is a BJJ World Champion (2008) 2x European Champion, 2009 Pan American Silver medalist, 2010 South American Champion and 2010 silver Rio Open and World Cup medalist.

This is your chance to train with a champion level BJJ Black belt, this seminar is open to ALL but please be advised that all places must be payed for in advance.

The cost is £25. The Date is January 22nd and the Time 11:30

Bruno Alves Comes To Sheffield

This is a real opportunity Bruno just before he goes off to the European ADCC event will be coming to Sheffield and the Forge

Gracie Barra Sheffield are hosting a Seminar taken by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt BRUNO ALVES.

He is a BJJ World Champion (2008) 2x European Champion, 2009 Pan American Silver medalist, 2010 South American Champion and 2010 silver Rio Open and World Cup medalist.

This is your chance to train with a champion level BJJ Black belt, this seminar is open to ALL but please be advised that all places must be payed for in advance.

The cost is £25. The Date is January 22nd and the Time 11:30

Draculino My Interview

With many many thanks to the awesome Colby who made this video for me here is my video interview with the legend Draculino – all my thanks to him too.

What an amazing start to the new year watch this space as I will keep the good things coming.

Draculino Interview

2011

No resolutions but goals for 2011:

Lose a few stone picked up my lipotrim this morning start it Tuesday.

Work less hours.

Train more often and harder at the gym and BJJ.

Progress my stripes.

Deadlift 200kg squat 200kg bench 100kg.

Compete more starting on feb 6th.

Build http://bigstewbjj.wordpress.com more and more along with Mmad website and magazine.

Help the forge all I can continue to be the best.

Keep Kerry as happy as she makes me.

A Tatami New Year

I have been speaking with Gareth at Tatami and trying to get some details out of him as to what this exciting company are bringing out next year. Now he tells me there are loads of things happening most of which he cannot tell me about………..yet

However there are a few things he has told me about and they sound great.

- New 2011 style of BJJ GI material coat with red fleece lining
- PIN UP rash guards white and grey
- PIN UP GI winner in grey
- Terere signature GI navy with gold stitching
- New ladies MMA range
- Full re design of the ladies GI
- New branding on the Estilo

This all sounds good and I for one cannot WAIT to see the Terere Gi and the new Estilo as I officially love the version that I have now, so if it is going to be improved that will be quite something.

An exciting new year, watch this space for updates on other companies and retailers.

Gazzy Parman Seminar – The Forge Sheffield

Introduction

It was shame that in the run up to this seminar over a foot and half of snow fell on the UK especially the north, temperatures dropped well below freezing and roads were impassible. So the fact that 20 plus folk were on the mat some from as far away as Dewsbury, cheers Hanif nice to meet you, and Leeds, the ever reliable James, was a testament to the star power of our seminar guest.

So the turnout was very good as befits someone of the stature of Gazzy a multiple time champion and pioneering black belt. It also shows that The Forge Sheffield is a good place for these seminars as we have a team of committed individuals who will turn up no matter what for the sport they love.

Seminar

This was unlike any seminar start I have ever know, initially because Gazzy was prepared to wait for folk to turn up and delay the start to make sure that people did not miss out. This is unusual for a seminar like this as start times are normally fairly strict and for Gazzy to wait for folk was very good.

Then we had a circle up and Gazzy allowed us to ask any questions that we had for her which was genuinely interesting and covered from Las Vegas to BJ Penn and it was really interesting to hear some of the great stories. We were also warned a number of times about the infamous warm up which Gazzy kept looking at me and smiling when she stated it was going to be “hard”

Warm Up

It was a very long warm up and also very good, there were a few things I have never done before and a few movements which I can see are very good for movement. This is something we are building on in the club now and though it is tough I can see the benefit it will give me. I think the thing I suffered most with was the fact that we did not stop moving through the whole thing, there was no respite so when I got to the end and felt no too bad I was pleased.

Techniques

This was cool, and we learnt a lot, the three moves all named after Gazzy we learnt were the Gazzinator, the Gazzitron and the Gazzicon. I could go into more detail and describe how these are done and how they were taught but I think it would be better if you went along and learnt from the master not the very junior apprentice. Anyway I had not seen these moves before so may be coming back for a refresher myself when this remarkable BJJ exponent returns to the UK as I just cannot make the London seminar this year.

I will also say that to those who look at myself and Gazzy together in the picture and think she looks tiny, that she is indeed, but was also able to almost triangle me unconscious from a front on move which was phenomenally tight.

The whole thing lasted over 3 hours and there was not a point where I felt that my game was not going to benefit from what I was doing which is incredible.

Conclusions

Quite simply, if you get a chance to train with a black belt then make sure you do, if you get chance to train with Gazzy then make even more sure that you do. She is a warm and compassionate person who truly believes in passing on her skills and teachings and does so in a graceful and elegant manner. Gazzy was also great with a couple of the guys kids who turned up which was great and made their day.

You cannot go wrong then to come along, even if you just take away one move or one position you will pick something up and for the new people and intermediate rollers you will learn a lot.

It will reignite your desire to improve more than ever if you are anything like me anyway.

Oh and she wears wicked Gi’s

For another view on this visit my team mate and bro Gregg over at his blog

Front Page – On The Mat

Well I am really chuffed as today I have had my second article and first ever review to hit the from page of the awesome website http://www.onthemat.com/

This is a great start to my fledgling blog and I would like to thank some folk for their help as well.

Colby, Drac, Justin you guys are awesome
Seymour my blogging Jedi master http://meerkat69.blogspot.com/
Gregg for pictures advice and bruises http://barragergus.wordpress.com/
Tony for amazing Gi pics http://bjj.isaninja.co.uk/
Richard for the amazing new logo http://drorinnoconclusions.blogspot.com/

All at the forge who are my second family and all who have sent me anything to review or even just replied to say no thanks.