Blog 18: Third Answer

EQ:

-How can Gracie Jiu-Jitsu best train a fighter to, "Not Lose" in a sparring session?

Answer #3:

-Gracie Jiu-Jitsu can best train a fighter to, "Not Lose" in a sparring session by emphasizing breakdowns and debriefs after sparring sessions.

Three details to support the answer:

-Debriefs help the learner know what worked and what they missed so that way they can apply what they missed next time (Purther's Pentagon and section debrief).

-Receiving a second perspective of your spar provides an unbiased perspective of your fighting and opportunities missed/made (A mentor/coach giving advice from the sidelines of the spar).

-Since sparring is meant for continuous training, repetition of corrections and observations will create a better fighter....gradually (Practice makes perfect).

Research Sources:

-All the Gracie Combatives curriculum emphasises this as I also practice looking back at my spars and reflect with my partner. Technically there is also source number

Concluding Sentence:

-In accordance with the other previous answers given, reflection can be important due to the benefits of learning from mistakes and having another unbiased observer picking out your flaws and your better qualities.

Blog 10: Senior Project: The Holiday

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you over the break with your senior project?
-As my extra blog post suggested, I practiced Jiu-Jitsu with my brother. My school closes during the winter break because my teacher wants to give us family time but luckily for me, it reopened this week. My brother, as said in my blog comes down for winter break and summer break and when he comes over, we always try and have brotherly love fights. He learned Jiu-Jitsu from the East Coast and I learned from the West (obviously) but either way, we learned from different mentors and by doing so, we have different fighting styles. We normally sparred and broke down our technique after one of us tapped. It was rare for us to not spar in a day so I continuously gained practice. However now that my school reopened, I can now train there!

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did and why?  What was the source of what you learned?
-Well one technique that I grew fond of was a cross choke from side control. It was a weird technique that I didn't suspect when my brother tapped me out with it. Basically what it is is a arm blade choke that uses both arms; one to grab the opposite side gi and one to perform the neck slice. Because one arm normally grabs your gi in side control, I did not expect the submission as I thought it was normal and so it became a sneaky adversary. He kept on using it on me over break and so now I believe iv'e bettered my defences against it.

3.  If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers of your EQ, who would you talk to and why?
-I made it a goal early in the year to get an interview from one of the Gracie descendants since the beginning of this project and better yet they are most knowledgable of the subject and are based in Torrance so why not! The problem is that they're the Gracies and one does not simply go in and ask for an interview. Either way that is my goal.

Blog 9: EQ

1.   Review this.

• Provide a framework for studies (It calls for breadth and depth of research, Is not a yes/no question)
• Takes a stance (Allows you to argue some point, Cannot be a recitation of facts or a list)
•  Format (It is specific, The wording makes sense)

-"I have reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ"

2.  Review the following EQs and

• Tell us if it meets the rule of 3 criteria.
• Tell why it does or why it doesn't

a.  What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

-I believe this is a good EQ, it allows the student to revolve his research around the idea of weight loss and only on that. It does give him freedom to research possible answers to which he can develop his own arguable answer but the wording of the question limits him to only one, very detailed answer.Also the wording is much like all the other Senior project and Senior team EQ's ive seen before.

b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

- I feel that this has the potential to do well, and i see where it's trying to go but, the problem i see is that criminal proceedings are already done in a certain format; they cannot be changed for certain people. Also i dont know what the question is asking, is it asking what is most important to the suspect, or for the team of the prosecution? I think this is too specific of an EQ and limits the students ability to research more items to make a stand.

c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

- Im perplexed because it seems like a good EQ but i don't know if it is, The wording seems nice, and i am able to see what the question is asking. It does ask for a specific answer at the end of the whole question, but i guess the problem i see would be the framework for studies. There aren't really a set book or source on how to please customers in hair dressing. The problem i see is that the research will be too vague on variations of hairstyles instead of the physcology of how a customer gets pleased after getting a service done (in this case, the hair-do).

 d.  How can an Anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

- I don't think this is a good EQ, With today's medicine, there is already a norm of pain relief (Advil Tylenol) and for many, this is already considered great for them because it does what everyone wants and does so with convenience. Also i feel that their research will be limited too much with few amounts of variables in their question to define. Also the wording isn't asking for the best remedy, but he is asking for what is the best way to administer that remedy.

3.  Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project.

-Well my current EQ,"What are the best ways to "Not Lose" in a controlled environment" and upon reviewing these criteria i will slightly change the wording because that is what i feel weakens my EQ....My topic and idea of focus is there but it isn't as clear as it could be. "What is the most important factor to "Not Lose" in a controlled environment" will be my somewhat edited EQ.

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

1.  What is your working EQ?
-My current working EQ would be, "In what ways can one prepare themselves, physically and mentally, for a combative Jiu-Jitsu fight?"

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format.
-Having the maximum understanding of your Jiu-Jitsu arsenal; Being proficient in maintaining the current of the fight on your side in all positional controls (Guard, Mount, Side Control etc.) and building submission combos as a reflex with fall back techniques in case of failure.
-Building your body to peak fitness level; Train yourself with cardio workouts-controlling your heart rate and breathing means harnessing one factor, that if uncontrolled, can add another element of stress to the fight. Also focus on fueling your body with the best diet, it will keep your body energized at a maximum level.

-Prepare your mind for the haze of combat, Ex. practicing with your eyes closed: It forces your body to concentrate on it's limited senses without factoring the uselessness of obscured vision also it forces you to build a more nimble coordination. On top of this it trains your mind against the psychological effects of being in the middle of a fight.

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ? 

-Honestly, mostly all of my sources have been equally as helpful developing an equally important answer per source, "The Gracie Diet" book showed me the importance of diet in bodily performance and its effect it can have in a fight and personally i have started this diet just this week. "Mastering Ju-Jitsu" enlightened me to Grandmaster Helio's principle theories of Jiu-Jitsu and because of that i have been able to use principles of patience actively and better myself in training. And "Gracie Submission Essentials" opened my eyes to selected moves by the grandmaster and his son that they considered essential, some moves which i haven't even learned through my mentor and has resulted in some victories during training. However, if i was to choose only one i would have to go with my first source, "Mastering Ju-Jitsu." It was a source that showed me not only theory but also included some visual breakdowns of techniques and even inferred to some outside source ideas to which even led me to "The Gracie Diet." It also holds key information that i look back at.

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

-My Mentor is George Balares, a Gracie certified Jiu-Jitsu instructor and avid practitioner of many martial arts mainly focusing on Jiu-Jitsu. For mentorship, i learn as a student in his class and as a student of jiu-jitsu, what other way is there to get better than to actually practice...and that's what i do; train. It relates to my working EQ because i mirrored my EQ to what i focus on everyday in training; becoming a better Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. Not only can i apply theory that i learn from my research but i can also practice any technique introduced in there as well and during "Open Mat", a time designated for sparring and practicing with all you know. Jiu-Jitsu allows me to reflect on what my focus is as a practitioner and translate any experience into knowledge for my senior project.

Blog 5: Project Reflection and Working EQ

The Pentagon: 
(1) Positive Statement: What positive thing happen as a result of what you have completed so far?
-In reflection of my mentorship, my progress has been great. Personally, i have excelled to the highest point  have been with in Jiu-Jitsu technique and performance as i can roll with blue belts and hold my own. My instructor constantly uses me as an example and has even sneaked me into the advanced class which is only restricted to blue belt or higher ranks, considering i am a 2 stripe white belt, i say that's progress. I am  on track with my goal which is to be promoted to a blue belt by December as i am consistent with classes and always try to learn from everyone and through trial and error. Overall, my progress is consistent, every week i learn something new and as i apply those teachings i get better in training.

(2) EQ Content:  Pick a piece of research or your interview.  How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?

-The piece of research i am evaluating is my first book source, "Mastering Ju-Jitsu,"overall it underlined the main points and theory of modern Jiu-Jitsu emphasizing past influences and modern innovations that have made the art more effective in modern day fights and mma sportive tournaments. In specifics, i have used 4 15-20 page chapters that just expand on primary sources and accounts of grand masters and other great fighters that witnessed and firsthandedly change modern Jiu-Jitsu. I have been able to use these reads and apply the raw theory and/or techniques to my training and generally it only helps me more by understanding what actually makes Jiu-Jitsu such an effective martial art.

(3) What has worked for you so far in the senior project?

-So far, in my sortie of the senior project, all has been good for me. Many of my friends all complain about research checks or an unreliable mentor but honestly for me, i am stable. There are limitless ways to research my topic, as i can view Jiu-Jitsu from a medical standpoint on injuries, Scientific way through physics of a sport, or just through the entire sport of martial art fighting. I learned that the worst thing that can happen in an interview is "no" so i am not held back to email and schedule interviews with Gracie family black belts or even mma fighters as i am already trying to do so.  In regards to mentorship, mine is stable. My mentor is an instructor of Jiu-Jitsu and has class everyday so for that reason, applying my knowledge and being able to have my mentor available to me everyday is a huge advantage to me. Overall, my senior project seems to be on par and i aim to only make it better.

(4) What hasn't worked so far? 

-Not much has gone against me in my senior project, my interview is ready for Monday and research has been easy to find for me. The only thing that has been somewhat cumbersome is just keeping up with my blog. I want to make it better as that is the only direct way to display my senior project and that is my only way to the AE.

5) Finding Value:  

•  What is a potential question you would like to study this year?  (working EQ)
•  What do you plan to do for mentorship?  If you haven't found a mentor yet, then discuss where you are currently looking and who you are talking to to find it.

-My question for me has been pretty solid for my studies. I believe it was somewhere along the lines of, "What is the most effective way to use GJJ to get out of a street fight?" However the only worry is that it is too complicated, so to simplify it i am changing it to, "What components of GJJ are most effective in a street fight?"

-Currently for mentorship i am just studying daily at my instructors Gracie Academy. In it i practice my personal skills and learn new techniques of GJJ.