Blue Belt Requirements by Roy Dean
Blue Belt Requirements is the latest release by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Roy Dean. For those of you who don't know Roy, he is a black belt under Roy Harris. The two DVD set is 157 minutes of instructional and demonstration footage which helps guide the viewer in the fundamentals of BJJ. I've personally seen quite a few white to blue belt instructional videos, but this one has set a new standard. The instruction is clear and concise and the production itself is top notch. I work as a Media Specialist at a local university with video production as my main job and I was very impressed with the quality of work Roy has put into the DVD set.
The first disc in the set covers the following sections; Welcome (An intro to BJJ), Escapes, Submissions, and Guard Passes.
WELCOME
In this section Roy talks about the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as well as his own philosophy behind it. I know a lot of people at times skip this section on a DVD and go straight to the technique itself, I should know, I’ve done it myself. Please take my advice and don’t’ do it. Listen to what Roy has to say as he addresses various aspects of BJJ, especially what a new student may face. He talks about the effectiveness, benefits, and how its an evolving experience. Your journey in BJJ can be a frustrating one at first, but you cannot let this distract you. You have to remain disciplined and this is just one example of what Roy is trying to educate you on. As I said before, do not skip this section, as Roy truly gives you the advice you need to hear.
ESCAPES
When you select this title on the DVD you will be directed to another sub-menu with the following chaperts of Mount Escapes, Side Mount Escapes, and Sweeps. In the Mount Escapes section Roy teaches you the Elbow Knee Escape, Trap the Arm, Arm Under the Neck, Foot Drag, and the Foot Lift. Throughout this section, as with the rest of the DVD, you will see various angles of each technique so that you do not miss a single detail. Each technique is shown in a simple step-by-step process.
In the Side Mount Escapes chapter you will learn a basic way to bring your opponent into to your closed guard, a spinout escape, how to go to your knees, and a section of follow-up techniques. These are definitely the fundamental side mount escapes that everyone should learn. The side mount is probably one of the most common positions to escape from, as well as, maintaining. Roy mentions how important side mount escapes are and recommends you to invest your time in training these escapes.
The follow-up technique section builds off of the Going to your Knees Escape and shows you more options on what to do once you get to your knees. Roy shows you how to take your opponent down once you get to your knees and end up in the scarf hold as one example.
Finally the in the Sweeps section you will learn the Scissor Sweep, Knee Push Sweep, Hip Bump, Flower Sweep, and the Hook Sweep. What I really enjoyed about this section were the details I’ve picked up. A good example is with the Flower Sweep. I remember having so much trouble and getting very frustrated trying to execute this technique when I was first learning it. Roy starts out by showing a very simple solo drill to help you perfect the movement. Another example that really stood out for me was a follow-up to the Knee Push Sweep in which you end up applying an armbar on your opponent. Normally when I perform this move I always end up in the Mount as Roy shows, but now I have one more option. After you sweep your opponent, you end up sliding a knee under your opponents arm that you have control of as your opponent lies on his back. The key is in the hip movement as you slide your hips into position to apply the armbar.
SUBMISSIONS
As with the Escapes section, this section is broken into a sub sections as well. Here you will find Chokes, Armlocks, and Leg Locks. In the Chokes section you will learn the Palm Up / Palm Up Collar Choke, Palm Up / Palm Down Collar Choke, Sleeve Choke, and the Triangle Choke. Take note that the techniques are all shown from the Guard position. Roy then moves onto chokes from the Mount position. You will learn the Palm Up / Palm Up, a variation of the previous choke called the Shave Variation, the Fist Choke, Triangle Choke using the legs, and finally the Head and Arm Choke.
In the Armlocks section you will learn the Straight Armlock from the Guard, the Kimura, and the Telephone from the Guard. Now you maybe wondering what exactly is the Telephone Armlock. The Telephone is a good move to tie in with the Kimura in which your opponent resists the Kimura attempt and you end up sliding out your hips, so you end up hugging your opponent’s arm while driving your knee on the back of their shoulder to apply pressure for the submission.
Next Roy moves onto armlocks from the Mount position. Here he starts out with the basic straight armbar from mount as an opponent pushes up, plus some variation to it. You will also learn some sensitivity drills to help you with your timing on when to execute the armbar. Roy then moves onto the American Armlock, American to a Straight Armlock, and Americana Bait where you bait your opponent by using the American Armlock to open up a new technique for you.
Leglocks is the last section in the submissions section of the DVD. Roy begins by going over footwork and entry techniques starting by standing in his opponent’s open guard. Now that you have a way to entry into a leglock, Roy moves into teaching how to apply a Heel Hook, followed by the Straight Footlock, the Toe Press, and the Knee Bar. For me personally this is a section I’ve been looking forward too, since I’ve never really had any formal training in leg or foot locks. It will be nice to learn the various entries and ways to apply these moves the way Roy teaches.
GUARD PASSING
In this section, you will learn how to pass the guard Over the Leg, Under the Leg, and Common Resistances when passing the guard. These two passes, which are all taught from the knees, are the most common passes that we all learn when starting out in BJJ. Roy teaches you the finer details of each pass and the do’s and don’ts. You will also learn a couple of ways on how to counter the most common resistance when your opponent places his hand on your hip. What I liked about this section is how Roy gives an explanation about guard passing before he shows the techniques. The principles he describes will definitely give the viewer a better understanding of what Roy is trying to convey.
The second disc in the set covers the following sections; Ukemi, Takedowns, BJJ Guidelines, and Demonstrations.
UKEMI
Ukemi is the art of falling and rolling. This is a very important skill to learn that not only helps you become a more rounded martial artist, but it also helps prevent injuries as well. Roy covers forward rolls, backward rolls, and break falls. If you’re a new student just starting out, do not neglect this section.
TAKEDOWNS
Now Roy moves onto Takedowns. This is appropriate since in the last section you learned how to fall. Takedowns have always been the weakest area in BJJ in my opinion. I know of a lot of grapplers would seek out training in Judo or wrestling to compliment their training.To start things out Roy shows a nice solo drill that will help you establish the proper footwork and body movement you need to know.
The Hip Throw is the first throw you will be shown and Roy builds off of the solo drill previously taught to teach this throw. Next Roy teaches you the Inside Trip or Major Inner Reap. You will not only learn the details of this trip, but you will learn a nice follow up that allows you to pass the guard and establish a more dominant position. Next Roy moves into the wrestling realm. Here you will learn the High C to Double Leg takedown, Pummeling, Head and Arm Throw, Lateral Drop, and the Double Leg Tackle.
BJJ GUIDELINES
In this section, Roy addresses what to do from various positions in BJJ. Here you will learn some tips on what to do with the techniques you’ve learned. For example, how do you grip while in someone’s guard or when you have someone inside your guard are shown. He also shows how to use your body to your advantage when performing certain moves or holding a position. What Roy explains is good solid advice that anyone can learn from.
DEMONSTRATIONS
This is the final section on the DVD. Here you will get to watch a variety of videos consisting of Blue Belt testing, some competition footage, a video of BJJ combinations, and the trailer for his Year One DVD. Personally I liked the Blue Belt testing the most. I don’t know how many times I have read on the various forums online where people ask, “What does a blue belt test consist of",or something similar in nature. Here you get to see first hand how Roy tests his students for their blue belt. One must remember that every instructor has their own way of promotion and testing, but I think the videos shown will give you a good idea of what to expect.
The BJJ Combinations section is where Roy demonstrates various combinations of the techniques of BJJ. Roy doesn’t actually explain each move, but you get to see him in action with two of his students as he performs them.
Overall I think this is a very educational section in which the beginning student can see how everything taught is tied together and demonstrated in not only a classroom setting, but in a competitive environment as well.
SUMMARY
I was really looking forward to this DVD when Roy first announced he was going to put it out. After seeing Roy’s previous work, I had high expectations and I want to say that this DVD lived up to those expectations. The DVD is well organized and I would recommend it too anyone starting out in BJJ or to anyone who wants to brush up on the basics.
Roy’s style of teaching is easy to understand and makes learning fun at the same time. He displays a sense of tradition, dedication, and discipline that is a model for all practitioners of the art. I can only hope that Roy chooses to produce more videos in the future for all of us to benefit from, especially for purple belt and higher. If you would like to learn more about Roy or purchase this DVD, please go to www.roydeanacademy.com for more information