Immobilizing Submission Hold and the Fighter Mentality

Written & Photographed by Fred Ortiz

Edson Carvalha Academy:
85 -99 Hazel St
Paterson NJ 07503

Web:  http://www.teamcarvalho.com

 Dojo Phone: 973-553-5365  

Kosen Judo and the Fighter Mentality

The great grappling style of Judo prior to 1925 was known as Kosen
Judo. Kosen Judo is comprised of the same throws and techniques as
other forms of Kodokan Judo but the emphasis is on ground techniques.
This is the fighting style Edson Carvalho began in his youth.

Kosen Judo offers the Judoka the ability to drag his opponent down
while falling straight onto his back. Once on the ground, chokes or
joint locks to the arms and legs are executed. Application of proper
technique is primordial to success but, what sets the victor apart is a
fitness level that promotes endurance. Endurance in the most extreme
fighting situations is part of the basic fighting alphabet of the
grappling world, just as important as repetition and discipline.
 

The
traditional Japanese grappling style of fighting should include a
warm-up tough enough to wipe out those who are not in top shape. The
constant execution of drills and repetition does have its down side if
proper technique is neglected. In addition to extreme physical
training, mental discipline prepares the athlete for the game. Mental
discipline will separate the fighter from the player.

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Judo tournaments usually focus on the throw, due to sport rules.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments focus on points or a submission (the
“grand slam” of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). But if you have a fighter’s
mentality, ending the match is your goal using either a standing or
ground assault, depending on your opponent’s reaction.

In the world of MMA, it is clear that only fighters who are mentally
prepared are fit to win. Usually these fighters are known for one way
of winning, sometimes by strikes or slams. But the weapon that sets the
disciplined fighter apart from the rest is a focused goal to finish and
win. So by understanding both Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the arsenal
of attacks becomes larger and options are numerous.

If grapplers were to focus on finishing and not game play the evolution
would take us back to the day of the samurai. The fighting spirit that
knows no defeat and no surrender – no other options but winning. A new
student should never loose the level of enthusiasm that makes practice
and training new each and every time.

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Enthusiasm is what makes the sport rich in discovery and innovation.
However, when repetition becomes a means of merely copying, then
interest is lost. The need to improve looses its flavor or saltiness
and the need to fight goes down the tube. There are many players in the
grappling world who only have the goal of accumulating points. While
the practitioner with a fighting spirit requires mental discipline to
finish by submission and not points.

Edson Carvalho

As a student of Edson Carvalho I can say that this fighting spirit
dwells in his dojo – when we train we focus on finishing the fight.
When we train we focus on the worst situation because when you prepare
for the worst, you show others your best.

“Immobilization can be a submission if it works”, Edson Carvalho.

Sensei Edson Carvalho is a 6th Degree Black Belt(Rokudan)in Judo. He is
known for mastering NEWAZA (ground techniques), hold down techniques
specifically. In his dojo located in Paterson, NJ, Edson performs the
following technique with such effectiveness and finesse that he has
devastated opponents in world class tournaments by having them tap out
due to it’s crushing grasp.

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BJJ Technique: Immobilizing Submission Hold

Due to the nature of ground fighting and the unrestricted time limit of
pining in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, this hold down technique has evolved
into a submission. .This submission hold is attained after a throw or
guard pass and the opponent is placed in a side mount.

This hold, when applied correctly can work as a submission, plowing
down into the rib cage and lifting the back causing air movement to
collapse, minimizing oxygen intake to the lungs and in some cases also
blocking the wind pipe when pulling down on the head.

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At this point your hip weight should be next to your opponent’s hips.
The right side of your ribs should also be pressing into the opponent’s
rib cage diagonally. Finally exhale as you pull the opponents back off
the ground.
The pressure must be constant as you turn and post with the left foot. The Right leg should be tight under the right arm pit.
This immobilizing positions technique proves once again how the grappling world is constantly evolving.

About Fred Ortiz (Article Written and Photographed by)

• 1988-1991 Black Belt in Kyokushin-Kai Karate under
  Prof.Angel Coba (Ecuador) 
• 
  1991-1992 Purple Belt Washin-Ryu Karate under Master Hidy
  Ochiai
  
• 
  1993-1996 Opened Karate Club in Montclair State
  University while studying
  under Sensei Aziz Kheder (Shotokan Karate) and Sabunim Jae-Hwa Kwon (Traditional
  Tae Kwon Do).
  
• 
  1995 3^rd Black Belt Forms NJ Open
  
• 
  1996 3^rd Black Belt Forms Garden
  State Nationals.  
• 
  2000-2001 Aerobic Kickboxing Instructor – Sil Jeon Do
  Academy, Master Chang
  
• 
  2003 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Mike Mrkulic  
• 
  2005 to Present – Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu &
  Green Belt in Judo under Sensei Edson Carvalho.