Kungfoolss
07-10-2003, 03:17 AM
Martial art is very grounded
Getting an opponent down is a key focus of style of fighting called Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
http://www.indystar.com/images/pics2/image-056748-1281.jpg
Instructor Greg Elred (top) demonstrates a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu move on student Chris Keidel. -- Rebecca Koenig / For The Star
By Paul Shepherd
Star correspondent
July 10, 2003
In certain circles, Royce Gracie is known as the dominant fighter in the pay-per-view bonanza known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Those in-the-know know that Gracie's three UFC championships in the past decade have been earned fighting in the style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Gracie's popularity has transcended into a mass demand by fans to learn the style that is also referred to as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
"I have requests for more classes," said Greg Eldred, who trained for three years under the Gracie family and now teaches classes Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Indianapolis Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team Caique studio at 335 W. Main St. in Westfield. There are no other known studios in the Indianapolis area teaching the martial art, although Eldred said there are branches of home studios. Participants can pay $60 per month or $12 a session to train at Eldred's studio. Gracie, whose first name is pronounced Hoyce, is one of Helio Gracie's seven sons who brought the style from Brazil to the United States nearly two decades ago. Helio Gracie's oldest son, Rorion, started the UFC in 1993 to showcase the style.
Leverage and technique are the key elements in a form that caters to those of small size. The primary objective is to take down an opponent regardless of size. A series of moves can provide escape and counterattack positions. "I used to wrestle in school, so I was pretty used to grappling and stuff," said Chris Keidel, a purple belt. "Seven or eight years ago, I was watching the UFC and I saw Royce, and he's this little, skinny guy using all these smooth techniques to beat guys. I was thinking, 'Hey, I could do that.'" Eldred's argument for learning the style is its practicality. "The other styles are good for what they are, but when it comes to what might really happen in a fight, it's guys (clenching) and getting on the ground. "If I'm a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, because I'm skilled on the ground, I'm going to want to take the fight to the ground."
There are five belt systems -- white, blue, purple, brown and black, with various stages of stripes on each belt. Eldred is one of two known brown belts in central Indiana. There are no known black belts in the state. Eldred said he has about 50 students enrolled, with a typical class size of 10 to 12 students. Eldred has one female student, Kim Jackson. She said that while it took her time to overcome the idea of grappling on the ground with her male counterparts, she sees benefits for women. "One of the strongest positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the classic rape position," said Jackson, 26, who has a daughter and has studied the style for more than five years with her husband.
"This teaches you how to get away. It's just wonderful self-defense for women. I just stuck with it because of that."
http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/6/056748-5316-036.html
Getting an opponent down is a key focus of style of fighting called Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
http://www.indystar.com/images/pics2/image-056748-1281.jpg
Instructor Greg Elred (top) demonstrates a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu move on student Chris Keidel. -- Rebecca Koenig / For The Star
By Paul Shepherd
Star correspondent
July 10, 2003
In certain circles, Royce Gracie is known as the dominant fighter in the pay-per-view bonanza known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Those in-the-know know that Gracie's three UFC championships in the past decade have been earned fighting in the style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Gracie's popularity has transcended into a mass demand by fans to learn the style that is also referred to as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
"I have requests for more classes," said Greg Eldred, who trained for three years under the Gracie family and now teaches classes Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at the Indianapolis Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team Caique studio at 335 W. Main St. in Westfield. There are no other known studios in the Indianapolis area teaching the martial art, although Eldred said there are branches of home studios. Participants can pay $60 per month or $12 a session to train at Eldred's studio. Gracie, whose first name is pronounced Hoyce, is one of Helio Gracie's seven sons who brought the style from Brazil to the United States nearly two decades ago. Helio Gracie's oldest son, Rorion, started the UFC in 1993 to showcase the style.
Leverage and technique are the key elements in a form that caters to those of small size. The primary objective is to take down an opponent regardless of size. A series of moves can provide escape and counterattack positions. "I used to wrestle in school, so I was pretty used to grappling and stuff," said Chris Keidel, a purple belt. "Seven or eight years ago, I was watching the UFC and I saw Royce, and he's this little, skinny guy using all these smooth techniques to beat guys. I was thinking, 'Hey, I could do that.'" Eldred's argument for learning the style is its practicality. "The other styles are good for what they are, but when it comes to what might really happen in a fight, it's guys (clenching) and getting on the ground. "If I'm a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, because I'm skilled on the ground, I'm going to want to take the fight to the ground."
There are five belt systems -- white, blue, purple, brown and black, with various stages of stripes on each belt. Eldred is one of two known brown belts in central Indiana. There are no known black belts in the state. Eldred said he has about 50 students enrolled, with a typical class size of 10 to 12 students. Eldred has one female student, Kim Jackson. She said that while it took her time to overcome the idea of grappling on the ground with her male counterparts, she sees benefits for women. "One of the strongest positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the classic rape position," said Jackson, 26, who has a daughter and has studied the style for more than five years with her husband.
"This teaches you how to get away. It's just wonderful self-defense for women. I just stuck with it because of that."
http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/6/056748-5316-036.html
