10th Planet site needs an introduction page to attract new members
My name is Justin Rapier, and I have been practicing 10th Planet for 3 years now. I am an English teacher in Iowa with a BA in Communications Writing, and I have been helping Scott edit Eddie's Blog. I am a huge fan of 10th Planet and Eddie Bravo, and I want others to be as well. I mean no disrespect to anyone involved, but the current site needs an introduction page to attract new members especially those not familiar with 10th Planet or jiu jitsu in general. I offer the following suggestion (it's just a suggestion) for the page. In addition, Eddie could post some highlight videos to entice potential members. Let Eddie know what you think.
What is 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu?
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu is the most innovative grappling system in martial arts, one could say, and that would still be a massive understatement. It is not another passing whim through the ageless chaotic storm that is the history of combat arts. 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu is the next leap forward in the rich and powerful martial art of jiu jitsu by using flexibility and arm, leg, and body wrapping/locking to control an opponent on the ground. We invite you to become apart of this historical evolution.
A Brief History of Jiu Jitsu
Originally designed by the Japanese samurai to aid in hand-to-hand combat with other armored samurai, jiu jitsu isolates the joints and throat that the samurai’s armor couldn’t protect. Fast-forward several hundred years to the immigration of Japanese to the Americas. The honorable Mitsuyo Maeda taught this incredible art to the Gracie family, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was born. Fifty years later, the Gracie’s started the Ultimate Fighting Championship, thus creating the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Thanks to the Gracies, jiu jitsu is now an integral part of the sport.
“Gi versus no Gi”
However, throughout this prestigious history the art was built around wearing pants and a jacket (the traditional gi) that dates back to feudal Japan. If the Japanese had worn different clothes, the art itself might have been different, but they didn’t. Now the gi is a tradition. While the Gracies advanced the art of jiu jitsu tremendously, they hardly moved beyond the gi. Ironically, the sport of MMA does not allow one. This means jiu jitsu must evolve.
What’s the real difference between jiu jitsu with the gi or without it. The gi gives one places to grab easily like sleeves, collars, or pant legs. It is easy to control someone’s arm, leg, or neck with these levers. No-gi assumes one doesn’t necessarily have these things. This forces the martial artist to be creative with grips by wrapping their arms and legs around the opponent in various ways. Let’s reemphasize, it forces creativity.
Who is Eddie Bravo?
Eddie Bravo created 10th Planet to do just that. Eddie got his start with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Jean-Jacques Machado, earning a black belt. After beating Royler Gracie of the original Gracie family in the 2003 Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championships (it was a no-gi match incidentally), Eddie started on the no-gi path to create 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu.
Why is 10th Planet so different?
Traditional martial arts are exactly that: traditional. They do not typically encourage creativity. One man who did encourage it was Bruce Lee. According to Lee, “Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it.” This was revolutionary thinking in the face of traditional martial arts. Eddie Bravo is following Bruce Lee’s example by finding what works.
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu uses arm, leg, and body wraps that emphasize flexibility to control opponents, so flexibility is encouraged. It is constantly evolving new ways to approach positions on the ground. 10th Planet draws techniques from anywhere and anyone for inspiration as long as the technique works. Jiu jitsu is said to be one of the most powerful martial arts, and 10th Planet is the cutting edge of that power. Come join us!
That's a good article too
Derek, that's a great article too. We really need to have something to introduce the system. I agree with the video suggestions as well.
