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Why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Is Playing A Vital Role In Self Defensive Art Techniques

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When it comes to self defense, it seems many people – both women and men – are getting in on the idea these days. After all, in a world that seems to be getting progressively more and more dangerous in some ways, you can never be too safe. There are various forms of self defense from carrying pepper spray, whistles and other types of protective weaponry all the way up to taking classes in various forms of martial arts as a form of self defense. One such martial art that is taking the world of self defense by storm is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. But what is it, and how does it help self defense? Read on to learn more about how this fantastic martial art is playing a huge role in self defensive techniques.

What Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a form of martial art that focuses on real world situations in combat, training practitioners to be able to beat much larger and stronger opponent by taking the fight to the ground and using various holds and grappling to neutralise the threat. Instead of focusing on fancy footwork or moves, it focuses on things that could potentially happen in a real fight so that its practitioners will be able to hold their own, as well as stay safe and overpower a potential attacker. Companies like Elite Sports can teach you the physical skills as well as the theory of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while also offering the best BJJ gear to get started.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was developed from a number of different disciplines including judo, wrestling and regular jujutsu, with holds and grappling as one of the main facets and ways to bring an enemy combatant down. Eventually Brazilian Jiu Jitsu became known as its own specific variety of martial art, and grew wildly in popularity.

Moves, Holds and How They Can Apply To Self Defense

The moves, holds and grappling in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are its key factors in self defense. The premise of the sport is that a smaller opponent can overpower a larger one through the use of choke holds, side control and a special move known as ‘the mount’ which is notoriously difficult to get out of. Choke holds, while immensely useful in self defense due to their power and ability to neutralise enemy combatants within seconds, must be properly taught and practiced so as not to cause damage to the throat or windpipe. That being said, to the skilled practitioner, this is probably one of the best moves to use in true self defense.

Getting Into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

If you find yourself thinking that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu might be the thing for you in order to help protect yourself, you will want to find decent, qualified teachers in your area as well as the proper gear to start training. Elite Sports is one of the best places to get all your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gear at good prices with knowledgeable staff that can answer queries related to your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu equipment and uniforms. For the best BJJ gear, you will want a dependable retailer you can trust, such as Elite Sports.

So if you’re looking into learning this unique martial art for self defense hopefully this article will have helped point you in the right direction as well as provide some great information with regard to this skillful sport and self defensive art.

3 Serious Injuries that Plague Rugby and Football Players

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While rugby and American football are definitely not the same, they do share some key features with each other. This is exactly why the athletes involved in both the games also experience some of the same injuries as well. If you or anyone close to you play any of the two sports, here are a few injuries you should be aware of while playing because these are highly dangerous contact sports; a fact that people often forget.

Concussion

A concussion is, by definition, an injury to the brain. It is caused when the brain hits the skull with significant force. The extent, effect, and damage caused by a concussion depend totally on the intensity of the impact which caused it. Now, concussions can even be deadly and, sometimes, athletes don’t even realize how bad it is until it’s too late. Never keep playing after a concussion and don’t go back on to the field until your doctor gives you the permission to do so. Aside from becoming unconscious, which doesn’t always happen, some common symptoms of concussions include the following.

  • Temporary amnesia
  • A headache and pressure inside the head
  • Balancing problems
  • Fatigue, confusion, and dizziness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Nausea and throwing up
  • Speech problems
  • Impaired cognitive and motor functions

Myelomalacia

Myelomalacia typically refers to softening of the spine and both football players and rugby players are at high risk of developing it, alongside other full-contact sports such as ice hockey, wrestling, boxing, martial arts, etc. Any activity that involves getting hit repeatedly and dropping on the ground with impact can give rise to myelomalacia, and since both rugby and American football are pretty much based on those two concepts, the athletes in both sports are at high-risk of developing the disease over time. It can even cause death due to asphyxiation if not treated properly, due to a paralyzed respiratory system. Some of the early symptoms of myelomalacia are a loss of motor function in the fingers and toes, high blood pressure, reduced sensitivity to pain, gradual paralysis, numbness, etc.

Shoulder Dislocation

An extremely painful, but also very common injury experienced by sportsmen is the dislocated shoulder, where the upper portion of the humerus, aka the “ball”, comes out of the scapula, known as the “socket.” As a result, the shoulder becomes dislocated, therefore, disabling the athlete. This happens particularly when the arm is rotated outwards with force during a collision or a nasty fall. Surgery might be necessary if there are associated injuries such as fractures and ligament tears, or if the injury doesn’t heal naturally within a few months. In any case, the first thing the doctor, chiropractor or the physiotherapist will do is pop the ball back into the socket. Getting back to full strength will take time and rehabilitation.

There are. of course, tons of other injuries that plague athletes in these two sports, such as fractured bones, torn ligaments, other dislocated joints, broken teeth and broken noses. Nevertheless, these three are some of the most serious and common injuries that every aspiring athlete should look out for.

How Athletes Can Get More Energy

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Energy is the life-blood of the athlete and what they need to perform to the best of their capabilities. Trainers like Peter Benedict St. Andrews use every technique they know of, to get their athlete clients more energy, so they can win more. It is an ongoing challenge that requires constantly examining the athlete and their habits to determine what to modify. In the end, suggestions are offered that should help. Here are some of the most frequent suggestions trainers offer their athlete clients.

Better Diets

Athletes typically need more calories because of the amount of energy they expend when training. But these calories need to be from the right sources and in the right proportions for them to be most effective in providing them with the energy they need to compete at their highest level. The average American diet consists of three large meals that happen throughout the day with many hours between each and snacks at random times in between. The problem with this strategy is you often receive too much food at the wrong times. The large amounts overload you system and require lots of energy to digest, so you end being really tired for long periods after you eat. A better diet is an Asian approach where the athlete eats smaller meals many more times throughout the day. This approach provides a smaller yet steadier supply of energy creating nutrients to the brain and body. Because you are not packed up with so much food, your body is not overtaxed trying to digest it and so it has more energy to delegate to other things.

What the athlete eats is also important in creating the right energy level. The athlete should turn away from the typical western diet that has way too much simple carbohydrates. These foods digest really quickly and give an energy boost that subsides quickly and leaves the athlete feeling drained. Instead the athlete should eat complex carbs and plenty of proteins which stay in the bloodstream longer and provide a consistent release of energy. There should also be a good amount of healthy fats which are important to the body’s internal organs and various systems.

Detox

A detox is a process that cleans toxins and other bad things out of the body’s digestive and working systems. The liver and kidneys provide us with a good detoxification system, but because of environmental pollution, bad diets and other factors, they often get overworked and cannot do the job an athlete needs. As a result the athlete feels sluggish and low on energy.

One particular area of focus for a detox are the intestines where lots of bad bacteria and toxins can build up from waste that does not get excreted. When the intestines are in this state they do not absorb as much nutrients and demand more energy from the body to do their jobs. As a result an athlete can feel sluggish and low on energy constantly. Detoxes take anywhere from a few hours to days to work depending on the areas focused on and the extent of the problem. The result of a good detox is weight loss and vibrancy. They should be performed every few months to ensure the athlete is getting all of the energy available.

There are dozens of detoxes with some focusing on the kidneys others the liver or intestines and some focusing on a myriad of the body’s internal organs. Each has its own claims and some get combined with other beneficial things like diets so you get multiple benefits from the detox.

Naps

Some people think that naps are only for old people, but for an athlete, a nap can be one of his most important tools. Naps give the body the chance to reset itself and to put aside any stress that has built up during the day. It allows the body to recharge and is the perfect solution you’re your batteries are running down. It also gives the body a chance to heal and bumps and bruises. When you rest the body can put much more energy towards this type of healing. The best naps to take are for about 20 minutes and in a darkened room. These types of naps will not affect your night’s sleep.

Great ideas for sporting holidays

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If the idea of relaxing on the beach in the sunshine for a week sounds boring to you, then you obviously need something a bit more exciting. Holidays that you can combine with your favourite sports are an ideal solution to make sure your holiday is full of fun and excitement.

Here are some ideas for sporting holidays that you could book:

Watersports in Costa Rica – Costa Rica is a fantastic destination, even if you do just want to relax and take in the scenery. However, due to its large coastal span, there are loads of watersports activities for to participate in. From surfing, to canoeing and jet-skiing, there is a wide range of watersport activities to get involved in. There are also some fantastic trails through rainforests that you can take, and the chance to go on a very thrilling zip-wire!

Go to a football match/tournament – If you prefer to watch sport than actually take part, then how about going to watch one of your favourite teams. Across Europe there are some fantastic teams to go and watch in magnificent stadiums. In the UK, you could go to a Premier League match, maybe catch Manchester United or Chelsea in action. Or head to Spain for Barcelona or Real Madrid, and see some of the top football stars in the world. Even better, you could go to an international tournament and watch a number of teams in action.

Golf – Golf is a hugely popular sporting holiday and there are some amazing courses across the world that you can visit. Head to Scotland to play at some of the best courses in the world, or if you want a warmer holiday where you can actually sunbath, Florida or Spain are both great options for golfers. Golf package holidays are great because you can arrange for your equipment to get stored, have all your meals on the complex, and relax around the pool in between a few rounds of golf. You are very well looked after when you book a golf holiday package deal.

Skiing – If you like to ski, or you’ve always fancied learning to ski, then why not book a skiing holiday? A highly popular destination is in the French Alps, where there are numerous great ski resorts where you can take on all levels of ski runs. Even if you have never skied before, if you book some lessons, you will be up and skiing in no time at all. You could even try some snowboarding instead, before relaxing in the lovely wine bars afterwards.

Have those ideas given you some inspiration? Why give into another boring holiday destination, when the world is full of so many exciting opportunities for fun-loving holidaymakers. Get out and see the world, and have the time of your life, doing what you love the most. Once you have had a sporting holiday, you may never want to go back to the dull beach holidays again.

5 tips to increase shooting accuracy

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Shooting is one of the most important skills in soccer, especially if you’re a forward. If you can’t shoot accurately, your team’s going to have a hard time scoring goals and winning games. There are several ways you can significantly improve your shooting accuracy and put more of your shots on target.

1. Align Your Body Correctly

There’s more to shooting accurately than your kicking leg. Your supporting leg and the rest of your body are just as important. Your supporting leg should be in line next to the ball and pointing in the direction where you plan to shoot. This is simple enough when you’re stationary, but it becomes more difficult in the heat of a game when you’re running full speed. In these situations, make sure your supporting leg lands in front of the ball. Since the ball will be moving with you, it will roll forward and end up next to your supporting leg when you kick it.

2. Keep Your Eyes on the Ball

To get the most accuracy out of every shot, you have to look at the ball as you kick it. Resist the temptation to look up or look at the goal as you’re shooting. Instead, look at the goal as you prepare to shoot. Pick your target, and then look down at the ball. This helps you keep track of it and strike it correctly with your kicking foot.

3. Shoot Low

Where you aim the ball depends on the situation and the position of the keeper, but it’s usually better to keep your shots low. A study found that 62 percent of goals came on low shots, with the majority of those coming on low corner shots. Middle and upper shots were both considerably less accurate. These shots may look spectacular when they go in, but there is also a much greater chance that the ball will sail on you.

4. Strike the Ball with Your Instep

To score the most goals and to kick most effectively whether you’re shooting or passing, you have to master kicking the ball with your instep. This method provides the best mix of accuracy and power. While using the side of your foot may help your accuracy, the loss of power makes it unsuitable for anything but close-range shots with the keeper out of position. Striking with the front of your foot provides plenty of power, but makes it hard to control the ball. Stick to the instep and follow through to guide the ball where you want it to go.

5. Practice Often

The only way your shooting will improve is if you commit proper technique to your muscle memory. Find drills that you can do either on your own or with a partner. As you practice, the correct shooting technique will start to feel natural, and your confidence will improve. When it’s time to take a big shot in a game, you’ll be ready.

Jessica Kane is a writer for SteelLocker Sports. A leading provider of sporting goods and training programs for coaches, players, parents and institutions with a primary focus on youth sports.

Five Sports-Related Travel Ideas For The Olympics Enthusiast

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The Olympics bring together people from all around the world on many levels. First, and perhaps most importantly, are the athletes who compete against each other on behalf of their nations. While many of these athletes compete individually in their sport of choice, even amongst competitors,there is often a spirit of brotherhood or sisterhoodthat unites them. They are, after all, competing in a very unique stage at the true pinnacle of athleticism, which is something they all should be proud of, no matter how they inevitably place. In addition to the athletes, every four years the Olympic Games also bring people of various nations and cultures together, as they cheer for their athletes and for sporting excellence as a whole.

No matter your reason for loving them, if you can’t get enough of the games and want a little more sporting excellence in your life, you should consider taking a themed trip for your next vacation. Many past venues of the games in North America now have museumsand attractions that showcase the events they held and give some additional information on the games in general. This would be a great road trip or, if you live nearby, day trip for the serious sports fanor Olympics aficionado. Here are five of the best trips on the North American continent:

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The ROX: The Olympic Experience at the Richmond Oval is located in Richmond British Columbia, near Vancouver – the host of the 2010 winter games. This new attraction offers you the chance to experience the Olympics in a personal way, with sports simulators that will allow you to experience a ski jump, white water kayaking, and many other kinds of winter sports at the venue. If you are looking for things to do in Vancouver, this is absolutely a must for any true fan of the games.

The United States Olympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is set to open in 2018, and will offer adventure to anyone interested in the Olympics or Paralympics. It is located beside the Colorado Springs Training Center, which gives visitors a view into the daily lives and the amount of training athletes go through in preparation for the games. It will also be home of the U.S. Hall of Fame for the games, so it will be a good place to gather exciting historical facts about the games as well.

Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows is the location of a recently renovated museum at the ski resorts that hosted the 1960 Winter Games in California. There, they focus on the 1960 games, with memorabilia, films, and newspaper articles from that era, allowing you to relive all the highlights of those games. As an added bonus, if you are already at the resort to ski, admission is free.

The Lake Placid Olympic Museum in New York offers great history on the 1932 games, the first Winter Games held in North America. It has many artifacts here from the 1932 games, as well as some history on the development of sport training methodology and how some individual sports were created.

Montreal hosted the 1976 games, and while it does not have a museum dedicated solely to this event, the sites from the games are still important there and, among other things, you can even see the torch!

So what have you got to lose? Embark on a truly inspirational journey throughout North America, and experience the sights through the eyes of an incredible athlete.