The Weekly Roll: ED1
Craig Jones goes airborne ✈️🔺 & Jeff Lawson shares his view 🧘
Welcome to the first of many Weekly Roll editions! From this edition onwards you can expect:
TL;DR News
Athlete Interviews
Coach Interviews
Community Content
Upcoming Events
You can leave your comments at the bottom and we welcome your feedback and ideas for future editions!
TL;DR News
Kaynan Takes Gold at IBJJF Absolute No-Gi Grand Prix
ADCC South American Trials 1 took place - results
Craig Jones takes flight and gets a flying triangle submission at Karate Combat 44
Nicky Ryan gets invited to ADCC 2024
Helena Crevar wins via heelhook from a backside entry at Grapple Fest 18
The B Team Bulls go 3-0 at UFC FPI 6
Interviews & Profiles
Athlete Interview
“Scramble” Dan
Dan, a distinguished Black Belt under the tutelage of Jeff “Ippon” Lawson, originates from Poland and currently trains in Bournemouth, England. In addition to his prowess on the mat, Dan is renowned within the Jiu Jitsu community as "Scramble Dan", a key figure at the esteemed UK-based Jiu Jitsu brand, Scramble. His expertise extends beyond the mats as he masterfully orchestrates the behind-the-scenes operations of the prestigious Polaris Events, showcasing his versatile talents within the realm of Jiu Jitsu.
Path to Discovery
Q: “Can you share the story of how you first discovered Jiu-Jitsu and what resonated with you? Was there a specific moment or experience that solidified your passion to pursue the sport, and what keeps you consistent?”
A: “Since I can remember, I wanted to train some form of martial arts. When I was 13/14 my dad was doing Krav Maga, but because of my age and the fact that Krav Maga is fairly brutal, my dad didn't allow me to do it with him. I got older, meanwhile, my dad switched from Krav Maga to MMA. When I was 16, he said that if I still wanted to try, he could take me with him, and that's how everything started. That was 2007. I got older, went to university, had to move to another city and find another gym. The new place I went to had a very strong MMA group but they also had a solid GI class with a very strong comp team. I thought I'd give it a chance and bought my first pyjama ~circa 2011, and that's how I slowly transferred from MMA to BJJ.”
Innovative Techniques
Q: “Every athlete brings their own unique flair to their sport. Is there a technique or strategy you've developed or particularly enjoyed over the years?”
A: “KIMURA 4 LIFE” (Editors Note: I can confirm)
Creative Cross-Training
Q: “Is there an unusual or unexpected form of cross-training you've found beneficial to your Jiu-Jitsu practice, something that might not seem immediately related, but you found synergies in?”
A: “I joke that an MCL injury was the best thing that ever happened to me. I couldn't do BJJ for 6 weeks, and that's how I started lifting weights more regularly. I realised how important it is to prevent injuries and keep my limbs "attached" and stay in one piece. I also do believe that strength matters in jiu-jitsu, If your opponent is as skilled as you and his gas tank is as big as yours, strength can be what makes a difference.”
The Soundtrack of Success
Q: ““If your Jiu-Jitsu journey had a soundtrack, what three songs would be a must-have on it?”
A: “ACDC - Thunderstruck. Acid Drinkers - 25 cents for a riff. Rage Against the Machine - Guerrilla radio.
I can't say that those songs represent any specific moment in my BJJ journey but if I could pick only 3 songs that I'll train to until the end of my life I know that those 3 will never let me down and I'll have a solid session every time.”
Passing the Mic
Q: “What question do you want to ask the next person? It can be about anything, Jiu-Jitsu, life, philosophy, or just something you’re curious about.”
A: “Do you think the quality of your life would be worse if you hadn’t discovered BJJ?”
Coaches Corner
Jeff “Ippon” Lawson
Jeff "Ippon" Lawson, a distinguished veteran of UK mixed martial arts, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, brings a wealth of experience from his successful career in MMA, highlighted by notable appearances in the Octagon. Now at the helm of the acclaimed Ippon gym in Bournemouth, Jeff leads an exceptional team, showcasing an impressive lineup of black belt athletes. His transition from a celebrated competitor to a respected gym owner and mentor reflects his dedication to the martial arts community and his commitment to fostering talent and excellence.
Path to Coaching Mastery
Q: “As a grappling coach, what pivotal experiences or insights led you to transition from being a practitioner to coaching Jiu-Jitsu? Can you share a defining moment that shaped your coaching philosophy, and how has it influenced your approach to training athletes?”
A: “I consider myself to be more of a teacher at the moment. As with our industry, there are no coaching qualifications to achieve as such, so I am happy with being someone who passes knowledge on rather than offers individual-based attention (which is where I consider the difference).
I gently progressed into teaching BJJ off of the back of my MMA career. It felt like I no longer wanted to teach people how to punch each other's heads in and decided to focus on the all-consuming art of jiu-jitsu. I teach all age ranges from 4 years and up, I guess it’s just the content that changes.
I prefer to teach the older style of jiujitsu because I enjoy the simplicity and effectiveness of the technique. I don’t think that I could pinpoint a decisive moment that has influenced me it’s just been more of a gentle growth and learning to teach different students in different ways over the years.”
Building Community and Culture
Q: “The community and culture within a gym can significantly impact a student's growth and experience. What steps do you take to cultivate a positive and supportive environment, and why do you believe it's important?”
A: “This is where I think we do well. Creating a space where people feel comfortable to train and be themselves is what I value. To see people enrich their lives through jiu-jitsu and build friendships and lasting relationships is very rewarding for me.
One thing I truly love is transitioning my juniors into adult grades. This almost feels like a rite of passage and almost something that our culture has lost. A little deep but profoundly character building”
Adversity and Resilience
Q: “Coaching often involves guiding athletes through ups and downs. Can you share a story where you helped an athlete overcome a significant setback or challenge, and what lessons were learned?”
A: “With combat sports ups and downs are part and parcel. I’m constantly talking to students to reinforce the ground-level effort after a loss or lack of progression. Stories like “I haven’t submitted anyone for ages” or “I’m terrible at takedowns” I hear all the time and I just keep pushing the idea of patience and work ethic to the athlete. Jiujitsu is a game of patience.”
Coaching Conundrums
Q: “Considering your role as a grappling coach, what intriguing question would you pose to your peers in the coaching community? It could be related to overcoming challenges in training, unique coaching methodologies, or fostering a positive team culture.”
A: “With rising international stars coming from UK-based gyms now, I would ask what they think separates the top gyms from gyms that are on the fringes. Location? Number of members? Or elite coaching?”
Community Catch Up
Reader Submission
This editions Reader Submission is from Adam Pulfer (find him here) a talented photographer & videography from the UK who has made his home in Helsinki. Adam is also working on a secret video project that we will share in a later edition!
Upcoming Events
Main
March 8th: Fight2Win 248 - Schedule
March 9th: ADCC South America Trials 2 - Schedule
March 10th: ADCC Brazil, São Paulo Open 2nd Edition - Schedule
March 10th: 2024 Finishers March Madness - Watch/News
Local
UK March Comps - Grapple Comps UK
US March Comps - Grapple Comps US
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