'Cobrinha' Toronto Seminar Review

Sunday, 10 January 2010 23:24

Article Index
'Cobrinha' Toronto Seminar Review
Day 2 - No Gi
Final Review
All Pages

4 time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion Rubens 'Cobrinha' Charles from Alliance Jiu Jitsu was in Toronto during the 2nd week of January to teach at a number of seminars and classes in Toronto, Hamilton and Burlington.

Not knowing what to expect at my first 'out of academy' seminar I went with an open mind.

The venue was 'Take Down MMA' ...

Day 1 - Gi

Waiting in the hall for some of my team mates to hopefully show up and it just felt strange. I felt out of place.

Teammates - we discover the changing rooms lol on Twitpic

The seminar started later than I expected, there were fewer people than I expected (maybe a dozen with 4 members being Toronto BJJ) and ended sooner than expected.

There were no changing rooms as such there was a 'room' (see picture)

So we few started off and I ended up being the odd one out so I was put with 2 total strangers.

From the warm ups on - we really focused on being on the guys back with him in turtle position and how to get the hooks in from there by controlling the movement with the lapel etc. He covered the clock choke with variations and mostly concentrated on how to use action reaction to control.

I could get to lots of the positions from S Mount which is cool. And I learnt the leverage behind the bow and arrow choke much better.

But he moved so fast and it was like position, try it, next, position, try it, next, position, try it, next...

1 thing he did teach which is fundamental was the correct lapel grip if you have the guys and you are looking to choke him...back so he can just rip it out of your hand...(leverage) - video to come

Then all of a sudden that was that and 'Cobrinha' called rolling time. I was like "really? whatever" and decided to continue drilling the moves we were shown with Peter from Toronto BJJ.

After recording 'Cobrinha' sampling some Canadian Jiu Jitsu with a Local Brown Belt, it was pictures and 'see you tomorrow' (before the expected time but I think it was the clock being an hour fast)

I did manage to get some time with Cobrinha to record this video interview for my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blog.

All in all I would give this day a 2.5 /5.

Day 2 - No Gi

I wasn't expecting too much today as No Gi is still something I am getting used to..and I had the taste of yesterday still in my mouth

I went down on time...and today we ended up sharing the hall with... the wrestling club (it seems to be double booked).

We started off by sharing the mats then eventually they cleared out and we cut the radio blasting...

We started again with drills leading into technique and Cobrinha focused on 'Butterly' and 'X-Guard' positions (offense and defense) with sweeps and arm lock submissions.

He also taught his side control positioning with seat belt grips and went over how and what parts of the body he prefers to control.

Today I was training with a team mate Udi so it felt more natural and I actually had more fun at the No Gi day. There was a better energy and I was enjoying the fact that Cobrinha and I had broken the ice the day before with the interview so he seemed to give me closer attention and I made sure to tap into his knowledge as often as I could. I wanted my money's worth and when else am I going to get to work with this guy again...maybe never! I appreciated he spent some time paying closer attention to me today.

I feel I learned some very useful tips. And the arm lock submissions are sickening. I cant wait to use them as they are stupidly easy.

He then matched me up with a guy called Paul and I grappled with him for about 15 minutes in a fun back and forth sparring session. I noticed Cobrinha was rolling with guys so I bailed in favour of hoping to roll with him...which happened...watch the video here...

This was a great experience. He has some many years in BJJ and Capoeira that his movements are so unique. It was a great pleasure to be given the chance to spend some time with him sparring.

After he again played with the brown belt again he did a Q&A session - pictures and then we wrapped it up...

I'll give today a 4/5.

I really think if the venue had been a dojo and not a schools grappling mats it would have made a huge difference. I'm pretty sure the other classes he will be involved in will be more of a dojo setting and that he will get a better feel for Ontario BJJ

If more people had been there and the correct clock had been kept and we were not training on blood stains that would make a difference also. I wanted Cobrinha's Toronto Jiu Jitsu experience to be a great one but I honestly don't know how it went over (although in the interview he is very 'excited'). And Rubens - he is great guy.

Very humble and very hopeful that he taught us even a few things that might help our game. If he ever comes back I would go again

So...I mean I did get a few new tips, I did learn new things and I did get to spend time with a world champion in my neighbourhood. If you go to Toronto BJJ you get a seminar every day. I now realize this. And I felt for another time a few other belts and I felt the level of training we have compared. Even the care we have for each other. My partner at 1 stage smashed me and I just thought of Saulo taking about 'trying to work against the move' and what makes a bad partner. We have it so good at Toronto BJJ. I now have something to base our club against.

To connect with Rubens 'Cobrinha' Charles you can Follow him on Twitter @cobrinhacharles, Become a fan on Facebook and visit his Website for more details.

I want to personally wish 'Cobrinha' all the best in his 2010 quest to become the first 5 time world BJJ Champion and thankyou again for the interview. May the time spent in Canada prove successful.

And we asked him how he kept his hair like that all the time - he said "My Jiu Jitsu I tell you but my hair - it's a secret"

Overall Seminar Review 4/5.

Toronto BJJ Representing at the 'Cobrinha' Seminar