New York San Da welcomes Carmine Zocchi to our staff
New York San Da is extremely pleased to annouce the addition of
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor Carmine Zocchi to our staff. Carmine
is a student of Marcello Mello and spent over 10 years training in
the art. Carmine also has a wealth of experience not only as a
competitior (in Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling and Mixed Martial
Arts) but also as a coach and instructor. The addition of such a fine
instructor is truely an honor.
Beginning Monday, June 19, Carmine will be offering no gi/kimono (no
uniform required) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes on Mondays and
Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 pm. The classes are included in NY San Da
memberships at no additional charge. The classes are also open to non-
members for a single class fee of $25.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has of course become famous because of its
effectiveness in Mixed Martial Arts competition. The following
descriptive information comes from www.BJJ.org
Description: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, originally developed by the Gracie family, is
primarily a ground-fighting art. Most techniques involve both
fighters on the mat. There is a heavy emphasis on positional
strategy, which is about which fighter is on top, and where each
person's legs are. Positions are stable situations, from which a
large variety of techniques are available to both fighters.
The primary positions include:
Guard: The person applying the guard is on the bottom with his back
on the ground; his legs are wrapped around his opponent's hips (who
is said to be "in the guard").
Side control: Chest-on-chest but without the legs being entangled.
Mount: On top of his opponent (who "is mounted"), sitting on his
chest, with one leg on either side of his torso.
Back mount: Behind his opponent, with his feet hooked around his
opponent's hips and upper thighs.
Specific techniques taught are designed either to improve one's
position (for example, to "pass the guard", by going from being "in
the guard" to getting around the opponent's legs, resulting in side
control); or else as a finishing submissions. Most submissions are
either chokes (cutting off the blood supply to the brain) or arm
locks (hyperextending the elbow, or twisting the shoulder).
Belt ranks start at white belt, and progress through blue, purple,
brown, and then black. Rank is about the ability to apply jiu-jitsu
techniques in a competitive match. A student generally needs to be
able to reliably defeat most other students at a given rank in order
to be promoted to the next rank.