View Full Version : Is the juice worth the squeeze?
zaxonortesus
01-06-2010, 11:32 AM
I was in a roll the other day, and tried to use a move from a seminar that I attended. I have used that move to some good success in the past, but couldn't get it to work, but mid-roll, I figured out a way to adjust it a bit into a completely different move and ended up with an armbar from back vice a choke. My coach pointed out that it was a nice old school move that he hadn't seen in a while. It got me thinking though, I paid like $50+gas to attend that seminar and it has added two go to moves to my game and I have a ton of other stuff written in my blog to look back on as well. In retrospect, it seems like a no-brainer, but at what point do you decide a seminar is worth it? Does it come with more experience? Learning who puts on good seminars and who doesn't?
Tallsilkyslim
01-06-2010, 11:37 AM
I was in a roll the other day, and tried to use a move from a seminar that I attended. I have used that move to some good success in the past, but couldn't get it to work, but mid-roll, I figured out a way to adjust it a bit into a completely different move and ended up with an armbar from back vice a choke. My coach pointed out that it was a nice old school move that he hadn't seen in a while. It got me thinking though, I paid like $50+gas to attend that seminar and it has added two go to moves to my game and I have a ton of other stuff written in my blog to look back on as well. In retrospect, it seems like a no-brainer, but at what point do you decide a seminar is worth it? Does it come with more experience? Learning who puts on good seminars and who doesn't?
It all depends on what you want from the seminar. Some people just want to network, others hope for some magical moves to add to their arsenal. Different strokes.......
zaxonortesus
01-06-2010, 11:39 AM
It all depends on what you want from the seminar. Some people just want to network, others hope for some magical moves to add to their arsenal. Different strokes.......
Good way of looking at it, That's what I am after... what makes it worth the $$$ for people?
Tallsilkyslim
01-06-2010, 11:42 AM
Good way of looking at it, That's what I am after... what makes it worth the $$$ for people?
For me, it would depend on who was giving the seminar. If Ari was giving it, he is my friend so I would just be happy to go and get to chat and hang out. If Pedro Sauer was giving the seminar, I would expect to pick up some new magic ya dig? Simply because I don't know the professor on a personal level and would be there for the technique only. It's not that I couldn't pick up some great stuff from Ari also. It's just my reasons for being there would be different.
I was in a roll the other day, and tried to use a move from a seminar that I attended. I have used that move to some good success in the past, but couldn't get it to work, but mid-roll, I figured out a way to adjust it a bit into a completely different move and ended up with an armbar from back vice a choke. My coach pointed out that it was a nice old school move that he hadn't seen in a while. It got me thinking though, I paid like $50+gas to attend that seminar and it has added two go to moves to my game and I have a ton of other stuff written in my blog to look back on as well. In retrospect, it seems like a no-brainer, but at what point do you decide a seminar is worth it? Does it come with more experience? Learning who puts on good seminars and who doesn't?
I feel you have to be willing to sit through a couple of lousy ones in order to mine some gold. But when you do get that gold, ooh baby, it's all worth it.
The other thing is, sometimes a Martial Artist will put on a seminar and it will be blah. Same guy could do one several months later and it could rock your world. It's a crap shoot, really, but it's usually a fun crap shoot.
Ari Bolden
01-06-2010, 01:49 PM
I have only been to one seminar where the instructor was so bad that I just didn't learn anything. Actually, that isn't true...I learned what not to do in many cases. All the rest of them (I've been to MANY and spent thousands and thousands over the years), I have picked up stuff. I've given seminars and PICKED stuff up as well.
The rule of thumb I tell people (and that I have been told) is to try are remember 3 moves from a seminar. That's it. If it is important, you'll remember it. You have to also remember that each teacher is the sum of the knowledge from his/her teachers. That means, you can get tips from Keith Owen that Pedro Sauer has taught him. You can get tips from Eddie Bravo when you attend one of mine. Intermixed with that, each teacher has self discoveries and points of view that can really give you "AH HA" moments.
Scott Marker, one of Keith's purple belts, is also a 30 year Kempo practitioner and he has a lot to offer as well. Chris Herzog may have some sambo or judo he'd throw in. George Soteropolis may have a MMA tip?
Get my point? Seminars are great ways to get another point of view and add some tools to your tool box. We obviously have to pick and chose because money doesn't grow on trees but its always a good idea.
Dannicus is coming up to my place to attend the Keith Owen seminar. He won't be disappointed I am sure of that.
Martin
01-06-2010, 02:51 PM
Is the juice worth the squeeze? well, depends how tasty the juice is. If its moderatelt tasty then i wouldnt put all that much effort into it, but if its really nice, kinda like the juice of a pomegranite then i wud squeeze that muthafuka dry. I defy anyone that can deseed a pomegranite completely before eating the delicious red jewels inside. ok now i'm hungry.
I paid $50 for the Dan Severn seminar and the only move I use from it is the lateral drop that he taught us.
The greatest value was his oversimplified explanation of take downs that really demystified all the overly complex step by step instructions that our wrestlers were giving me.
So in the end it was totally worth it even if all I got was a glimpse at his perspective on grappling.
mattamatta
01-06-2010, 07:03 PM
I haven't had a real pomegranate in many moons.
younwha
01-06-2010, 07:14 PM
If you're serious about your training - every seminar is worth it. Unless we're talking like 500 dollars for a seminar in which case it better be taught by Helio's ghost.
jakem
01-06-2010, 07:24 PM
I haven't had a real pomegranate in many moons.
no wezzing the juice:D :D
http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv176/vneckapplesauce/mine/paulyshore1.jpg
buuddy
I feel you have to be willing to sit through a couple of lousy ones in order to mine some gold. But when you do get that gold, ooh baby, it's all worth it.
The other thing is, sometimes a Martial Artist will put on a seminar and it will be blah. Same guy could do one several months later and it could rock your world. It's a crap shoot, really, but it's usually a fun crap shoot.
I'd pay to attend an Otto seminar....well, if I could afford it. At the very least, I know for sure I'd get some sig worthy quotes :D
Martin
01-07-2010, 02:41 AM
I haven't had a real pomegranate in many moons.
Oh my good fellow you are missing out on one of lifes wonders. They are perfectly in season right now- a nice deep red clour. I had one yesterday and i kid you not it was so juicy and tangy. If the good lord were to take me there and then i would have went without portest.
Oh my good fellow you are missing out on one of lifes wonders. They are perfectly in season right now- a nice deep red clour. I had one yesterday and i kid you not it was so juicy and tangy. If the good lord were to take me there and then i would have went without portest.
Is it pomegranate juice that the Gracie's drink? or is it watermellon? they made special sif bags for it.
MatzeOne
01-07-2010, 02:55 AM
The gracies use watermelons
naturalbornfighter1
01-07-2010, 03:43 AM
Well the Gracies are missing out!
I was in a roll the other day, and tried to use a move from a seminar that I attended. I have used that move to some good success in the past, but couldn't get it to work, but mid-roll, I figured out a way to adjust it a bit into a completely different move and ended up with an armbar from back vice a choke. My coach pointed out that it was a nice old school move that he hadn't seen in a while. It got me thinking though, I paid like $50+gas to attend that seminar and it has added two go to moves to my game and I have a ton of other stuff written in my blog to look back on as well. In retrospect, it seems like a no-brainer, but at what point do you decide a seminar is worth it? Does it come with more experience? Learning who puts on good seminars and who doesn't?
I have attended quite a few seminars & as somemone who has some lecturing experience I think that as well as having the knowledge they must be able to communicate it effectively & this is not for everyone. John Will is a 4th degree black belt under Rigan Machado & in my opinion one of the very best teachers of BJJ I have ever witnessed. After 3 hours every time I walk out totally inspired & immediatley use my dictaphone to record as much as possible to relate back to at training. He keeps a log of what he does at each seminar (he does around 100 all over the world each year) & builds on it next time. He visits our club about 3 times per year.
In contrast although Royce & Royler Gracie are both fantastic exponents of BJJ thier ability to communicate effectively at seminars was very poor in my opinion.
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