The Gracies and the Birth of Valetudo

Victor Cesar Bota it looks like is still working on his debut film bring the story via film to the massess. 
I love it when I see some jiu jitsu in movies but I think it is also extremely important that the movie is well-made and shows jiu jitsu for what it is. I think the major problem is that it continues to be misunderstood as there is still a very small proportion of people that have ever trained in a grappling martial art. People see jiu jitsu still as "rolling around on the floor" and I think it is a duty of every jiu jitsu soldier to really take these guys to the gym and show the beauty behind the sport.

Marcelo Garcia X-Guard

I was just watching this video below of Marcelo Garcia sparring and just amazed how nice he uses that x-guard position to get under his opponent and sweep. Very often I get in this position where my opponent tries to pass from the top with the knee-slide and I have to prevent that. He does this beautifully and and the sweeps him from the x-guard. Very cool.

Marcelo is really a pioneer in a way because he is one of the few guys that has brought new techniques and showed that they can be applied on the elite level.

Roger Gracie Back Take

Roger Gracie is a great inspiration for me. Below is a demo I found on youtube of his amazing back take technique which I will be working on in the next couple of weeks. What I like about it is it is something I think I can get to work against almost any opponent, whether big or small and it doesnt require me to be athletic.