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.
I could be wrong, but I really never hear mention of Rickson in Akins' videos unless someone asks him about Rickson.
With regards to connection being in every technique, I believe the idea is that the specific way "connection" is being used by Akins refers to the most efficient use of mechanical energy and leverage to do the move -- rather than flipping the guy with a hook.
Carlos Machado does a butterfly sweep more effectively than a typical bluebelt. One could argue that this is rooted in his deeper understanding of body mechanics/leverage and perhaps some of this understanding could be categorized as "connection".
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.
It looks like you do not have a platinum ACCT. As you are more than a black belt please tell US BLACK BELTS what henry a 3rd degree is missing ( cuz he knows way more than me) ?
I liked the two videos myself. It is obvious that you have to have some sort of connection to your opponent to perform a techinique and at some level everyone knows that. But awareness is not a binary thing--it is more like a light with a dimmer switch. Henry, it seems to me, is trying to turn up the brightness in the viewers mind of the importance of establishing a connection or feeling the connection. Without doubt some will benefit from thinking more about that when they roll.
He presents a concept and then demonstrates it with applications. That is a time tested and effective teaching method. Some people like concepts, some like nuts and bolts details. Both are important. The videos are aimed at the conceptual side. I'm good with that, it's not a though there is any shortage of nuts and bolts instructionals.
The point is there are many good "fighter blackbelts" outthere who show some techniques with simpleexplainations but what they show doesn´t even give you the keys they have (and don´t even know) to move like them.
If you really want to help people to change you have to teach about the internal stuff and you have to use different words than most people do because you see it from a whole different perspective.....
So when Henry talks about connection it´s not because he want to use this word but it is that important when you touch someone. It doesn´t matter if standing or on the ground.
And I don´t think it is all about bodymechanics I think the most important factor is the ability to feel.
First to feel yourself which is hard enough. Secondly feel your opponent.
There's no doubting the fact that there is a connection, and that it is vital in performing a technique with maximum efficiency. My complaint is that often the term is used, but then no explanation of how the connection is made (or improved) is given, it's just repeated "Now I have a connection". My example that I made earlier is a perfect display of this. Henry just says "Now I'm connected", and it takes the other guy to articulate exactly that connection is made (take the slack out).
All I would like is for someone to actually say HOW the connection is improved. And it is completely possible for that to be articulated verbally - how else is it communicated in a class? Sure, we can't feel Henry's demonstration of it, but in a regular class scenario he must be verbalising how the connection is made, otherwise how can the students work out what the need to change? Just through touch? How frustrating would that be?
"Be more connected" "How?" "By being more connected" "But how?" "You need to have a connection"
This is how a lot of the instruction about "connection" comes across to me. It's almost so esoteric that it feels like something from a kung fu movie.
meatballcheeze - Now, invisible connection, that is where its at.
Who are you and what gives you the right to discount this?
Please correct us???
Relax man. Nobody is saying Henry is wrong, but his turning the word connection into some mystical thing is in fact annoying. He could easily use words like grip, leverage or weight like everybody else but he doesn't. I comes off as pretentious but I'm sure that's not his intent. I've been training for 10 years, but maybe it's a concept I'm just not advanced enough to understand. I dunno.
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.
I could be wrong, but I really never hear mention of Rickson in Akins' videos unless someone asks him about Rickson.
With regards to connection being in every technique, I believe the idea is that the specific way "connection" is being used by Akins refers to the most efficient use of mechanical energy and leverage to do the move -- rather than flipping the guy with a hook.
Carlos Machado does a butterfly sweep more effectively than a typical bluebelt. One could argue that this is rooted in his deeper understanding of body mechanics/leverage and perhaps some of this understanding could be categorized as "connection".
Watch the first 45 seconds again please.
He said "... is what Rickson calls 'invisible Jiu-Jitsu'..."
He's citing the person who coined the term, not claiming to be the perfect heir of all things Rickson. He doesn't even mention he trained under Rickson.
I am a nobody, Jack Taufer, I do believe in connection, all I was trying to say is that everyone is already using connection in almost every bjj school around us. Taking the slack out of a choke, or putting your opponents weight on top of you right before you sweep them, is nothing new. I respect Henry Akins and everyone in the community.
meatballcheeze - Now, invisible connection, that is where its at.
Who are you and what gives you the right to discount this?
Please correct us???
Jack, bro, relax, it was a joke lol. I know you've got a sense of humor, dont let the forum thread get you all worked up. We all know that you're a black belt that comes from the same lineage tree as Henry, so you're going to ride with the team, we get it. However, just think about it from the perspective of a person that isnt affiliated with Henry somehow, and they are looking at Henry from purely from an analytical perspective. The way he articulates things and carries himself will beg the question "Who is this guy?". That's not to say he isnt good, I mean for f*cks sakes he got his BB from Rickson, so salute to him for that. However there are other guys out there that are far more accomplished who have gotten BB's from Rickson and have not attempted to create a guru following.
Personally Henry wasnt my cup of tea. I've trained with a ton of people, from world champ black belts, to unknown black belts who had great insights to share, and out of all of the people i've trained with I've never picked up such an arrogant, pretentious vibe as I did with Henry. And this vibe was felt across the room. Granted, some of what he shared was fairly decent in regards to quality of content, but overall it was very over-articulated material that could've been covered alot more easily (his talk on his guillotine vs. the Marcelotine comes to mind).
All in all, no one is saying Akins isnt good (at least im not). Im just saying that I think the amount of skepticism and speculation he's getting should be expecting.
I've taken many privates with Henry. The invisible or hidden part of jiu jitsu is just a catch all for having all your biomechanics firing perfectly. He is a very tactile instructor. I think he is still refining how to share his insights with new audiences. Contrast that with someone like Rorion who is a master at explaining with his words. I can still remember Rorion's lessons from his tapes from 20 years ago! Private lessons with Henry are a great experience because he really tries to get you to understand how & why a technique works. Then he subtly corrects your movement which often results in a great effect.
I can only talk from my own experience and I can say currently there is maybe 50-75% in my pesonal BJJ which cannot be shown on a video. It´s not a about technical levers it´s about how to organize your body internally.
I don´t make any DVDs or even teach this stuff so by saying it I have not intent to advertise myself but that´s my own experience.
There is tons of stuff that is far beyond simpel bodymechanic that change the way someone is performing. It´s fascinating stuff but you can´t explain it on video or even interlectually. I mean you can in a way explain it but you will not have many people who can really do it.
In my opinion you can go 2 ways in Jiu Jitsu. The external way which means to be focused on techniques, counters, drills, etc.
Or the internal way which means being focused on the quality of your movements. And that´s when things happen that can only be felt and not be explained fully.
I mean look at Rickson. He was by all accounts the best on the mat. His students are good but not as good as him. Why? Because there is a lot going on which is beyound technique and simpel mechanics......
meatballcheeze - Now, invisible connection, that is where its at.
Who are you and what gives you the right to discount this?
Please correct us???
Jack, bro, relax, it was a joke lol. I know you've got a sense of humor, dont let the forum thread get you all worked up. We all know that you're a black belt that comes from the same lineage tree as Henry, so you're going to ride with the team, we get it. However, just think about it from the perspective of a person that isnt affiliated with Henry somehow, and they are looking at Henry from purely from an analytical perspective. The way he articulates things and carries himself will beg the question "Who is this guy?". That's not to say he isnt good, I mean for f*cks sakes he got his BB from Rickson, so salute to him for that. However there are other guys out there that are far more accomplished who have gotten BB's from Rickson and have not attempted to create a guru following.
Personally Henry wasnt my cup of tea. I've trained with a ton of people, from world champ black belts, to unknown black belts who had great insights to share, and out of all of the people i've trained with I've never picked up such an arrogant, pretentious vibe as I did with Henry. And this vibe was felt across the room. Granted, some of what he shared was fairly decent in regards to quality of content, but overall it was very over-articulated material that could've been covered alot more easily (his talk on his guillotine vs. the Marcelotine comes to mind).
All in all, no one is saying Akins isnt good (at least im not). Im just saying that I think the amount of skepticism and speculation he's getting should be expecting.
I can see where you are coming from. I don't get that condescending vibe from him. So I guess a little defensive due to that. I totally understand personality clashes.
I have not spoke to him about it but I think why he made the video in the first place is because so many people have heard that term over the last few years and he wanted to give several examples to answer it.
It sucks when someone puts themselves out there and are trying to share and help and people negate it.
I can only talk from my own experience and I can say currently there is maybe 50-75% in my pesonal BJJ which cannot be shown on a video. It´s not a about technical levers it´s about how to organize your body internally.
I don´t make any DVDs or even teach this stuff so by saying it I have not intent to advertise myself but that´s my own experience.
There is tons of stuff that is far beyond simpel bodymechanic that change the way someone is performing. It´s fascinating stuff but you can´t explain it on video or even interlectually. I mean you can in a way explain it but you will not have many people who can really do it.
In my opinion you can go 2 ways in Jiu Jitsu. The external way which means to be focused on techniques, counters, drills, etc.
Or the internal way which means being focused on the quality of your movements. And that´s when things happen that can only be felt and not be explained fully.
I mean look at Rickson. He was by all accounts the best on the mat. His students are good but not as good as him. Why? Because there is a lot going on which is beyound technique and simpel mechanics......
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.
It looks like you do not have a platinum ACCT. As you are more than a black belt please tell US BLACK BELTS what henry a 3rd degree is missing ( cuz he knows way more than me) ?
sorry for snapping at ya man. I got a little fired up. I have a rule not to do that, so my bad! I look like a condescending dick. :/
I really like Henry's videos but I believe he would be much better to learn from in person (Obviously) as sometimes I feel he isn't able to clearly communicate the essence of what he is trying to teachespecially to beginners through words alone. Rickson too has said a lot about this. No doubt he's awesome though!
Whereas I feel Jack Taufer's explanations are better for the average person as they are clearer, more articluate and easier to understand!
No doubt they are both great coaches who have different styles of teaching and everyone articulates the techniques and positions differently. We all learn differntly so each to their own and the more high level Jiu Jitsu that is out there for everyone, the better!
I hope Henry and Jack continue to make more instructional videos!
If Henry told what he knows to a video camera and put it on YT then it might lessen the demand for his private lessons. Perhaps that's why he's so vague and you need to "Feel" it in person? Smart, I suppose.
Regarding his teaching ability, I think one of the points the critics are overlooking is that this was intended to be a conceptual video explaining what "connection" means. It was going to be inherently difficult to show by its very nature.
He was likely approached to do such a video and took on the challenge.
Most of Henry's videos are quite pragmatic, to the point, well-explained, and easy to understand. For example,
meatballcheeze - Now, invisible connection, that is where its at.
Who are you and what gives you the right to discount this?
Please correct us???
Jack, bro, relax, it was a joke lol. I know you've got a sense of humor, dont let the forum thread get you all worked up. We all know that you're a black belt that comes from the same lineage tree as Henry, so you're going to ride with the team, we get it. However, just think about it from the perspective of a person that isnt affiliated with Henry somehow, and they are looking at Henry from purely from an analytical perspective. The way he articulates things and carries himself will beg the question "Who is this guy?". That's not to say he isnt good, I mean for f*cks sakes he got his BB from Rickson, so salute to him for that. However there are other guys out there that are far more accomplished who have gotten BB's from Rickson and have not attempted to create a guru following.
Personally Henry wasnt my cup of tea. I've trained with a ton of people, from world champ black belts, to unknown black belts who had great insights to share, and out of all of the people i've trained with I've never picked up such an arrogant, pretentious vibe as I did with Henry. And this vibe was felt across the room. Granted, some of what he shared was fairly decent in regards to quality of content, but overall it was very over-articulated material that could've been covered alot more easily (his talk on his guillotine vs. the Marcelotine comes to mind).
All in all, no one is saying Akins isnt good (at least im not). Im just saying that I think the amount of skepticism and speculation he's getting should be expecting.
I can see where you are coming from. I don't get that condescending vibe from him. So I guess a little defensive due to that. I totally understand personality clashes.
I have not spoke to him about it but I think why he made the video in the first place is because so many people have heard that term over the last few years and he wanted to give several examples to answer it.
It sucks when someone puts themselves out there and are trying to share and help and people negate it.
Im definitely happy he put the forth the effort to try to explain what has been a very "mysterious" topic over the years.
I'll chime in here. I'm a black belt. This means little other than I've been doing this stuff for a long time and I'm getting old. I've trained with world champions, Gracies, old-school masters, etc. I've also had the pleasure of training with Henry. I'm not his student (wish I were). I did not get my black belt from his lineage. I've got no dog in this fight. I'll tell you this about my 10 hours or so learning from Henry. It was mind-blowing to me. I will submit that watching his videos was intriguing to me prior to learning from him in person, but I did not fully grasp or understand what was going on. I did after taking some time with Henry. Now, those videos have much more meaning to me. Henry, for me, is a fantastic instructor. I greatly look forward to learning more from him in the future. The "connection" concept is very real and, once you understand it, not very mysterious.
My belief is that while most people, including Rickson himself, spend most of their time trying to improve their jiu jitsu, Henry spent his time, while with Rickson, trying to figure out what exactly it was that made Rickson's jiu jitsu so effective and superior to that of others. That is the basis for what I believe is Henry's superior understanding of jiu jitsu.
As far as Henry being conceited. He is a calm, introspective guy. He is a bit guarded I suppose, but if you hang out with him a bit, that fades quickly. I did not find him the least bit conceited, though I think he is resolute in his belief that he knows a lot that others do not. Again, I found him very nice. Keep in mind, he is a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. He's not a Brazilian. LOL. Let me point out another thing. He spend 10 hours teaching me what could be considered fundamentals. I'm sure he's taught the same thing many, many times before. Yet, he was FULLY ENGAGED EVERY MOMENT, making sure my partner and I understood EVERYTHING. There were no phone calls taken, no walking off the mat to chat with other people, etc. I went there to learn what I could in that time and Henry in no way disappointed. It was the best BJJ learning experience of my life. Again, I've been doing this a long time.
Ultimately, if you choose not to learn from Henry, that's your choice. I just think it's not a very good one if you want to learn some unbelievable material. I wrote up a long-winded review of my time with Henry (he did not ask me to do so). If anyone wants it, PM me.
