John Clarke - We train Sambo with a guy who was an active competitor in the USSR during the 80's. Everything he does centers around a "connection" to his opponent.I think the term "connection" is important when discussing leg lock principals. It's used in a very different way than Henry is using it in the video though.
I wonder if this is a theme in Sambo and Rickson picked this up while studying Sambo.
Buddhism talks about interconnectedness. I wonder if rickson got it from HH Dalai Lama
You guys are all missing the point. First and foremost Henry did not coin or come up with or decide to use the work "connection", Rickson did. Why Rickson specifically chose this word, I don't know. English is his second language. Maybe the term " kinetic chain" is not in his vocabulary. However it IS a very apt and suitable term for what is happening. You don't just touch the person you really connect yourself to them.
If we are standing doing judo and I have a very firm grip on your gi but the slack is not out of it, meaning I did not pull down to remove slack or even better pull down and transfer some of my body weight into my hands, you would have too much play and freedom to move. This is the difference between "grabbing" or "toouching" and really attaching me to my opponent.
In Rickson's recent videos he keeps on using the words, "efficient" and "effective". I think when he says modern bjj techniques are efficient it is self explanatory. However I think his lack of explaining the sentence, "not effective in life" can come across a bit vague. But he keeps just using these two words. This is his style of speach. I am guessing it means not effective is a self defense situation.
In Henry's videos, when applying the guillotine, the dude asked what's the difference, henry just said he was squeezing his legs and connecting them to his torso. He was not acting mystic what so ever.
This brings me to a second point. There is NOTHING mystic about it. It IS pure physics. Henry nor Rickson has ever said otherwise. I have seen many people on here say it is derived from internal martial arts. Or that it's something esoteric or that only Rickson and his select few could ever understand. No, it's not. However, when showing moves MOST instructors do not put emphasis on it. And NONE put as much emphasis on it as Rickson.
In my opinion, what makes Rickson's Ju Jitsu different than others is his use of his body weight and the principle of "connection". He uses these better than others and therefore I consider him to be an expert on the subject. Another thing that sets Rickson apart is that he preforms the same ol moves in a different fashion than is typically taught by others, even his family members. 
Cont...
The rear naked choke is done differently, the clock choke, the cross collar choke, the double lapel choke, flattening from the back, are all physically performed with different angles of force than other people teach. And in my opinion they are harder to defend and therefore more efficient and effective.
With regard to Henry, he is an excellent instructor. How would I know? I have had many classes with him. Who can I compare him against? Helio, Relson, Royce, Renzo, Royler, Pedro Sauer, David Kama, Chris Saunders,Nelson Monterio, Saulo, Xande, Rener, Ryron, Edwardo De Lima, Asopian, Franko De Camareo (rip), Kron, and the list goes on. I would put Henry in the top 3 spot. No question, hands down.
With regard to Kron, I was not up in LA too much during Kron's training but it is my understanding that Shane Rice and Henry and in the beginning Luis are the main people who trained Kron up to black belt. This alone is very impressive.
Back to connection, I made a video a while ago discussing this, but I was very unhappy with the quality of it but in it I discuss my understanding of the 3 points of connection in it. I'll reconsider posting it if you guys would like.
And lastly, you cannot teach someone who thinks they know everything or who holds a "fixed oppinion" so firmly. I would suggest that you try to put your basis aside of Rickson, Henry and Kron and the very horribly foul word "CONNECTION" and take time to observe what is taking place in Henry's recent viedeo. It's possible that maybe just 10 percent (or more) could be of use.
Sub
Thanks, Taufer.
And thanks, Akins.
I want more of this knowledge--not less--however either of you decide to articulate it.
And yes, please re-post that video, Taufer.
Animal Mother -He uses the term for everything, but especially throws, trips and sweeps.John Clarke - We train Sambo with a guy who was an active competitor in the USSR during the 80's. Everything he does centers around a "connection" to his opponent.I think the term "connection" is important when discussing leg lock principals. It's used in a very different way than Henry is using it in the video though.
I wonder if this is a theme in Sambo and Rickson picked this up while studying Sambo.
The way I see connection, weight distribution and posture is that they are the most fundamental part of JuJitsu. They actually underlie the basics. They are what make the basics or advanced techniques work. So I consider them important in my learning process. Also if I can break my opponent's posture, off balance him or disconnect from him I will be in a better situation.
Any of you here in SoCal can step into Henry's academy and take a lesson, private or group. Same goes for Kron. See if it works or not.
Rickson was teaching every single Mon and Weds recently so I went up and trained as much as I could with him. It was a very eye opening experience. I had trained with him in the past (over 8 years ago) but now training with his as a black belt was a whole new thing!!
The techniques he showed were all under the theme of connection. But as beat up and out of shape he is, I watched him run through about 20 black belts with ease. Some out weighed him by a lot. (I was included in this)
Anyway, I am obiously biased, as this is my lineage,my friends and my philosophy.
Try it for your self and see if it works.
deeeeeeep sigh
END RANT
ckaa - Yeah, exactly what I'm thinking.
The funny thing is that Akins is always describing himself as the heir of pure invisible jiu-jitsu, downgrading what everyone else is doing (while nearly no one cite him as a good teacher, even Kron never talked about him).
And Akins feels he is the one to teach it, the heir of the ricksonian perfect technique, he always says he can explain it better (better than Rickson can or did)
Rickson is the mythical beast, he is the legend and while he always talks about the same concepts when he is teaching he goes to the point and is much more precise in his explanations.
I don't feel any bullshit speach when Rickson is showing something (even if it's "self defense").
I've seen a lot of great videos from the Mendes Bros or Galvao online site and they could have use connection or invisibles concepts but they didn't. Just good technique and real physical key adjustments like you said.
Akins is mostly marketing himself as a yoda-like sensei.
I have nothing against non competitor guys but you never hear the same pretentious talk about other guy's jiujitsu from someone like John Danaher or Shawn Williams.
With that said, Henry may very well be a very good one on one teacher but he is pretty bad in videos and spoken teachings.
I wish I could vote you up for this but there is a limit to how many votes you can cast per thread. Nothing against Akins, i'm certain he's definitely good, but after hearing some of the stuff he says (especially his knocks on competition JJ), he comes off as an arrogant know-it-all who wants to be known in the community as the "Ricksons 2nd Coming". That alone is crazy in and of itself because the mythical legend wasnt Rickson, it was Rolls. I think far more attention should be placed on guys like Julius Park, who actually has proven that he has solid JJ knowledge.
To clarify the above post, im not saying Rickson couldnt kick my ass even in his old age, im simply saying that while Henry may be a good instructor, I think that he gets far more attention than those who are deserving (I.E Julius Park).
BackAddict347x -I am trying to find an interview where Henry says others bjj is inferior, or is not "the real bjj"
To clarify the above post, im not saying Rickson couldnt kick my ass even in his old age, im simply saying that while Henry may be a good instructor, I think that he gets far more attention than those who are deserving (I.E Julius Park).
Did not mean to quote in the above post. My mistake.
Teaching for jujitsu takes place in for realms. The first is the visual, the second is the auditory, the third is the tactile and the fourth is the experiential. It appears that Henry is not good with the auditory or visual style of teaching.
He may excel at the tactile and experiential but that will not come across well in books or videos. He has always said this in the past interviews. So I will cut him some slack with that.
Teaching for jujitsu takes place in for realms. The first is the visual, the second is the auditory, the third is the tactile and the fourth is the experiential. It appears that Henry is not good with the auditory or visual style of teaching.
I like that.
VU Jack and please post your video explanation on connection, it would be much appreciated!!
"Try it for your self and see if it works."<br /><br />Everyone who practices jiu-jitsu is already using connection. Every time you do a butterfly sweep you are using this mysterious "connection", only nobody calls it that. When I sprawl on someone who is trying to take me down, I am using connection, one could say. <br /><br />I was just watching Ryan Hall's guard passing dvd, his theory is truly top notch, he is battle tested on the competition scene, and has done mma, he is the real deal.
meatballcheeze - "Try it for your self and see if it works."
Everyone who practices jiu-jitsu is already using connection. Every time you do a butterfly sweep you are using this mysterious "connection", only nobody calls it that. When I sprawl on someone who is trying to take me down, I am using connection, one could say. Every time I read something about Henry Akins, the name "Rickson Gracie" is always close by, its pathetic, make a name for yourself.
I was just watching Ryan Hall's guard passing dvd, his theory is truly top notch, he is battle tested on the competition scene, and has done mma, he is the real deal.
If I hear connection one more time I am going to throw up.
Now, invisible connection, that is where its at.
meatballcheeze - If I hear connection one more time I am going to throw up.Do you mind stating your belt and who gave it to you...? I am curious as to why you have the know how to negate a 3rd degree? Thanks dude.