One of the major contributors in the early Brazilian Jiu Jitsu “VHS Tape” instructional market was Mario “The Zen Machine” Sperry. He had a host of instructions including Vale Tudo (Anything Goes) Jiu Jitsu, Sport BJJ and No-Gi Submission. Sperry was able to ride the wave of successful wins as a champion of MMA, Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling as it was getting its start. Today these instructional continue to have solid information that every student of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu should continue to study. Over a long period, I collected many instructional VHS tapes, CD-Roms and DVDS for Jiu Jitsu knowledge. It was always great to see content that was new or cutting edge to bring to the academy to practice and see if it worked against my training partners and teammates. Sadly, a lot of instructionals started to show the same types of information and with some variations. Mario Sperry’s Master Series influenced a generation of instructors. One example of this, even to the time of this writing in 2021, is how BJJ competitors use a two-hand grip break to counter a lapel grab. If you are reading this right now as a BJJ student, I can almost guarantee that you have seen this in your academy taught by your instructor or you use this entry when initiating arm drags in the grip, cross series or just a methodology of using basic gripping for “standup” to guard pulling.
The two-handed lapel break in Judo was once legal; however, today this technique if not used in conjunction with a throwing attempt such as ko uchi gari is by itself illegal in Judo. Players and instructors have moved away from it. Nonetheless, it is continued to be taught, used and applied in the BJJ community. I can hear it now, “Okay guys, tonight we are going to do some takedowns. When your opponent controls your lapel, do this break with your two-hands on the sleeve…” Grip fighting (Kumi Kata) is a specialized skill in Judo. One of the most important aspects of developing proper Judo knowledge. There is why I would like to point out how easy it is to counter the two-handed lapel break. Below is an example of Sperry’s instructional from the Master Series; again, it was a major influence on the BJJ community in the late ’90s and is felt to this day.
So the question is if so many BJJ competitors use this technique, what is the counter? Well if you have not been introduced to Shintaro Higashi Sensei (6th Dan Judo), please begin to follow him on social media. Below he has a nice quick video and how to counter to common BJJ lapel break. Also, notice how Sensei grips and controls the bottom of the sleeve of his training partner. With his hand, he does not use a four-fingered grip in the sleeve. When it comes to improving your understanding of Jiu Jitsu, Judo and Grappling as an art form, to do better is to know better. There is a world of discovery on the topic of grip fighting, control and set up for a properly executed throw. My hope is with being re-covered with the BJJ grip breaking counter, many of you reading this will unfreeze your understanding of gripping, change your behavior and re-freeze to do better in the stand-up category of BJJ, Judo and Grappling. How you grip matters; do not hold on to techniques that have always worked.
To The Reader
The author will be most happy to receive your comments, including criticisms and suggestions. Noteworthy comments may be included in future editions or books on this series.
For more information Professor Mario “The Zen Machine” Sperry, visit www.mariosperry.com
For more information about Shintaro Higashi Sensei, visit www.kokushibudo.com
For more information about Tony Pacenski’s books and instructional in Martial Arts, visit:
www.soulfight.net – Books, Instructionals, and Gear.
www.gunjiuniversity.com – Military Arresting Technique – Books, Instructionals, and Certifications.
– Prof. “little” Tony Pacenski
Yokota Air Base – Tokyo Japan
www.tonypacenski.com
