#caringbah

In this video, our head coach Rodney Ellis demonstrates a simple, yet very effective half-guard sweep to counter when your opponent does a back-step. Plus, in additional footage, you can see (grainy) footage of Rodney hitting this sweep in training ... just 20 minutes after teaching it! If you like this video, please like and subscribe! https://youtu.be/iPd8_bqPz_0

In a way I’m glad that I am unavailable for any more grading days for the rest of the year …! 

I think this morning I must’ve done 10 “grading/evaluation rolls” from 8:30am to 10:30am and sheesh … I am feeling it now.  (am getting too old for this)

Those watching today would’ve seen what I do in these evaluation rolls - essentially, I’m working with you to see what you’re trying to do … and sometimes that does mean I have to be stuck in some uncomfortable positions   ☹️

But … like I said at the gathering last year, I really want to get 20 black belts within the first 20 years of SCJJA, and time is running out. 

Thank you to everyone who came for the technical grading at 10:30.

Unfortunately, the turnout wasn’t as big as I had hoped but it was still enough for me to able to test my tests for the coloured belts. There were certainly some confused looks, and at least everyone who was there now knows what to do when you’re mounted and grape-vined! 

Remember that a big part of classes like today’s is finding out what you don’t know, so that you can add it to your game. With the public holiday Monday making this week a short week, I’ll be taking questions from today as my lesson plans, starting with 9am on Monday.

Hopefully now that the days are longer, the numbers improve and with that I’ll award some belts between now and Christmas. I don’t like awarding belts when the numbers are small, I love doing it when there is a big group present to share the moment. 

Osss,

"Thursday Night Grading — Two purple belts and a blue belt — three stories worth telling"

Let's start with Keith. Because Keith deserves to go first.

Keith is 60 years old. Last Thursday night he earned his purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — one of the most physically demanding martial arts on the planet. But what Coach Rodney mentioned on the night wasn't Keith's age or even his belt. It was this: Keith almost never misses the warm-up. In fact he often leads it.

In a room full of people in their 20s and 30s who are still figuring out how to be consistent, Keith is the one setting the standard. His purple belt isn't just a rank — it's proof that showing up, every week, no excuses, compounds into something extraordinary over time.

If you're reading this thinking you're too old to start — Keith started his BJJ journey well into adulthood and just earned his purple belt at 60. What's your excuse?

Shane received his purple belt with his father watching from the side of the mat — having flown over from Ireland just a few days earlier. If you've trained BJJ you know how long the road from blue to purple is. Years of showing up, getting tapped, getting back up. To have your dad in the room when that belt gets tied around your waist — that's a moment that doesn't need any commentary.

Nick's path to blue was a little different. He'd missed the blue belt checkpoint due to being away for work, so instead of a single grading night, Rodney worked through it with him quietly over several consecutive Thursday sessions, filling in the gaps properly.

That's how it works at SCJJA. There's no schedule, no grading fees, no ceremony for its own sake. When you're ready, Coach Rodney will let you know. Nick was ready.

Congratulations on your blue belt Nick — the journey to purple starts now. 🤙

Two purple belts and a blue. One dad watching wondering what was going on. One 60-year-old leading the warm-up. One guy who got there his own way, on his own timeline.

This is why we train. Congratulations Shane, Keith, and Nick. 🥋