Pedro Sauer- Path to The Black Belt

[giallo]

lol. What exactly is "training properly?"

Do you drill the rear bear hug defense on a daily basis?

haha, but no. Nor the knife attack. to be clear, training properly to us means drilling the moves CORRECTLY over and over to build that muscle memory. By the time the "test" comes around the moves will be second nature. 100 classes = blue belt testing. 100 lessons is roughly 200 hours, the majority of the class is spent on drilling/instruction. Each class Pedro goes over about two moves in perfect detail. The blue belt "test" doesn't cover all of the 88 moves anyhow, more like 25-30, hope that helps

 

[mvan3030]

I have been to two Pedro Seminars and train at a Pedro affiliate. I don't think you need the dvd's to get blue belt, but it helps because there is a lot to know.

He doesn't believe in training bjj for competition only, and he thinks that the current tournament format is not how it should be.

Great instructor, super nice guy etc.

 

[anaconda]

haha, but no. Nor the knife attack. to be clear, training properly to us means drilling the moves CORRECTLY over and over to build that muscle memory. By the time the "test" comes around the moves will be second nature. 100 classes = blue belt testing. 100 lessons is roughly 200 hours, the majority of the class is spent on drilling/instruction. Each class Pedro goes over about two moves in perfect detail. The blue belt "test" doesn't cover all of the 88 moves anyhow, more like 25-30, hope that helps

ok, fair enough. But thats my point - how many times have you drilled the knife attack defense?

Unless you are drilling it and then practicing it during sparring, its not going to help you in a real life situation (even if you think it otherwise would, which is also debatable). How will this move ever become second nature? Why is it even necessary to learn?

Why should a purple belt who had been training for more than 7 years have to learn some self defense moves and then PAY for a "brown belt test." Thats bullshit, imho.

 

[cravn_mohd]

I train under Pedro Sauer and I just want to set the record straight about a few things. You do not need the videos to be promoted. Paying to test may happen at the affiliate schools, but you are probably paying for the seminar and he also tests you, for in-house guys there is no cost to test, but the monthly rate you pay is probably higher. I do not have the DVDs so I can't comment on that, but someone said he is very set on one approach and it is static, that is not how he teaches. He always enphasizes that different people take to different moves and you need to become familiar with what you do best. His instruction is top notch, but it's b/c of all the little details, you won't see a lot of flashy things like the X guard and flying triangles, he's more about the basics. I trained BJJ for almost 5 years before going to his school and I still learn a lot of tweaks and details to basics I thought I had down.

 

[giallo]

I want your feedback about the structure of Pedro's classes and your opinions.

Pedro teaches his students twice a week in two - one hour and a half sessions. He usually misses one class every two weeks due to seminar scheduling so on average students see him four and a half hours every two weeks.

Classes begin with a warm up run then stretching and drills (shrimp, roll, etc.). This lasts for about fifteen mintues. Next the head instructor teaches a move (the next highest belt under Pedro)

Pedro shows up 30 minutes into class and corrects a move the head instructor is demonstrating or shows a move of his own. He ususally shows two or three moves per class from the same position (i.e. side control, guard, etc).

Pedro demonstartes moves in PERFECT detail, leaving nothing out and is able to field the "what if" questions confidently. Partners drill the first move about three times each (unless your partner is slow like molasses), then Pedro adds more details and you drill it another three times and move on to the next variation. Pedro does not walk around and watch people execute the move. He talks to people and if soeone has a question they come up to him. Partners rely on partners for feedback, basically.

Then what happens is that higher belts stay on the floor and lower belts line up against a wall. Lower belts walk to the higher belts and start from the position (position practiced in class) and if they are swept or submitted they go back in line, if they beat the higher belt they stay on the mat. This usually lasts from 5 - 15 minutes.

This is the format for every class.

Ocassionally Pedro talks ****phorically about jiu-jitsu philosophy and tells a story Gracies in Brasil. He admittedly never talks about points or sport jiu-jitsu competition. he believes in submissions and finishes, not wins by points. He emphasizes collar chokes. He doesn't get into leglocks or feet submissions. He is very respectful and outgoing. He shakes everyone's hand before class and after class. He doesn't stay after class.

So I was hoping for a compare and contrast to your jiu-jitsu school and teaching methods. begin.

 

[giallo]

I want your feedback about the structure of Pedro's classes and your opinions.

Pedro teaches his students twice a week in two - one hour and a half sessions. He usually misses one class every two weeks due to seminar scheduling so on average students see him four and a half hours every two weeks.

Classes begin with a warm up run then stretching and drills (shrimp, roll, etc.). This lasts for about fifteen mintues. Next the head instructor teaches a move (the next highest belt under Pedro)

Pedro shows up 30 minutes into class and corrects a move the head instructor is demonstrating or shows a move of his own. He ususally shows two or three moves per class from the same position (i.e. side control, guard, etc).

Pedro demonstartes moves in PERFECT detail, leaving nothing out and is able to field the "what if" questions confidently. Partners drill the first move about three times each (unless your partner is slow like molasses), then Pedro adds more details and you drill it another three times and move on to the next variation. Pedro does not walk around and watch people execute the move. He talks to people and if soeone has a question they come up to him. Partners rely on partners for feedback, basically.

Then what happens is that higher belts stay on the floor and lower belts line up against a wall. Lower belts walk to the higher belts and start from the position (position practiced in class) and if they are swept or submitted they go back in line, if they beat the higher belt they stay on the mat. This usually lasts from 5 - 15 minutes.

This is the format for every class.

Ocassionally Pedro talks M etaphorically about jiu-jitsu philosophy and tells a story Gracies in Brasil. He admittedly never talks about points or sport jiu-jitsu competition. He teaches jiu-jitsu as a self defense. he believes in submissions and finishes, not wins by points. He emphasizes collar chokes. He doesn't get into leglocks or feet submissions. He doesn't get into strategy or discuss what moves have the best rate of success. He gives out knowledge slowly. He is very respectful and outgoing. He shakes everyone's hand before and after class. He doesn't stay after class.

So I was hoping for a compare and contrast to your jiu-jitsu school and teaching methods. thanks.

 

[Luther]

giallo does Pedro teaches this way to his competition team too?

 

[giallo]

giallo does Pedro teaches this way to his competition team too?

He doesn't have a particular set of guys (at his home base school) that he pulls aside and talks competition. Guys from the school just decide if they want to compete in events and help out one another. Pedro doesn't know who competes in his school unless you or the head instructor tells him. Pedro flys to his affiliate schools and teaches seminars every weekend.

If you see guys with Pedro Sauer patches at tournements it usually just means they are ranked by him, which could be an affiliate school that he flys to once or twice a year where he holds seminars. But if the guys are in the DC Metro area they are probably training at his home base school directly under him.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but Pedro Sauer competition team is basically anyone that attends one of his affiliate schools and shows up to a competition. I suppose guys would rather not show up wearing a patch saying John Doe jiu-jitsu if they could sport a Gracie certified instructor's patch. If you were referring to his blackbelts in Utah or his standouts like Ricky Lundell I can't speak for them, but guys that compete at his home base school do not get any sort of special instruction from him, nor does he comment on the way you roll in class.

 

[idahofireman]

Some guys need slo mo belt tying. It bugs the crap out of me to see a higher belt ties all F'ed up.

 

[MMA made EASY]

I have bought his DVD series. Its pretty good, actually. I bought it for its original price, its only $50, now. Worth it, IMO.

 

[boisefireman]

I train at a Pedro Sauer Affiliate. I have never paid for a belt test, but my son and I do have to do 50 or so moves in front of Pedro in September to get out brown belt. Just what Keith wants so its what I'll do. Have to wait for him to come close to Idaho. Idaho Falls In September.

 

[Spoonman7]

I have his newer DVD on the mount, nothing groundbreaking in it but the detail is exceptional. worth checking out.

 

[Guerilla_Radio]

Does anyone have this DVD series? Ive heard great things about him and his teaching ability, and the fact that he was voted most technical instructor in the world doesnt hurt either. Any reviews or opinions?

I have the Brown Belt Mount DVD....Excellent stuff....lots of GI Chokes from the mount....Lots of subs...lots of positional control tactics and strategy. His best DVD imo.

 

[Guerilla_Radio]

I have his newer DVD on the mount, nothing groundbreaking in it but the detail is exceptional. worth checking out.

Its all about the small details in any position...moreso the mount as the small details and mastery over them help you to dominate in the mount. DVD took my mount to another level...im a brown btw.

 

[Cross]

Pedro is the guy that taught my instructor. I haven't met him yet since I just started my BJJ in March but he visits a few times a year. I have heard great things about him as well. He trained under Rickson and the black belt that runs my gym tested under Rickson as well. Looking forward to when he comes and getting in on his seminars!

Thanks for making this thread. He's not as well known as some of the other guys out there but he needs to be.

 

[Cross]

many seem to forget that jiu jitsu is meant for self defense and not for compitition

being a BB under Rickson and a diploma from Helio he will teach the traditional way of self defense before competition jiujitsu

i think it would be a good investment, i am gettting the set myself

I agree with this. BJJ is here for self defense first and while competition can help alot, that's not what it is about.

 

[Cross]

I train at a Pedro school too. He teaches all the Tues/Thurs night classes in person and has never mentioned a DVD at all to any of us during classes. I'm pretty sure a majority of those promoted didn't get the DVD too. He does set a curriculium for what a blue belt should know and teaches based on that. His technical knowledge of bjj is unreal.

Well i think the whole DVD thing is debunked now....

/that argument

 

[Cross]

I want your feedback about the structure of Pedro's classes and your opinions.

Pedro teaches his students twice a week in two - one hour and a half sessions. He usually misses one class every two weeks due to seminar scheduling so on average students see him four and a half hours every two weeks.

Classes begin with a warm up run then stretching and drills (shrimp, roll, etc.). This lasts for about fifteen mintues. Next the head instructor teaches a move (the next highest belt under Pedro)

Pedro shows up 30 minutes into class and corrects a move the head instructor is demonstrating or shows a move of his own. He ususally shows two or three moves per class from the same position (i.e. side control, guard, etc).

Pedro demonstartes moves in PERFECT detail, leaving nothing out and is able to field the "what if" questions confidently. Partners drill the first move about three times each (unless your partner is slow like molasses), then Pedro adds more details and you drill it another three times and move on to the next variation. Pedro does not walk around and watch people execute the move. He talks to people and if soeone has a question they come up to him. Partners rely on partners for feedback, basically.

Then what happens is that higher belts stay on the floor and lower belts line up against a wall. Lower belts walk to the higher belts and start from the position (position practiced in class) and if they are swept or submitted they go back in line, if they beat the higher belt they stay on the mat. This usually lasts from 5 - 15 minutes.

This is the format for every class.

Ocassionally Pedro talks ****phorically about jiu-jitsu philosophy and tells a story Gracies in Brasil. He admittedly never talks about points or sport jiu-jitsu competition. he believes in submissions and finishes, not wins by points. He emphasizes collar chokes. He doesn't get into leglocks or feet submissions. He is very respectful and outgoing. He shakes everyone's hand before class and after class. He doesn't stay after class.

So I was hoping for a compare and contrast to your jiu-jitsu school and teaching methods. begin.

I train at a school where Pedro's class structure is mimicked and this is what we do almost to a tee. It was funny reading that, btw....

Except my instructor does walk around and watch and step in if something is not being executed properly.

 

[Guerilla_Radio]

I train at a school where Pedro's class structure is mimicked and this is what we do almost to a tee. It was funny reading that, btw....

Except my instructor does walk around and watch and step in if something is not being executed properly.

Its a good structure and ensures that solid bjj practicioners are created.

 

[Cross]

Its a good structure and ensures that solid bjj practicioners are created.

Exactly. Focused on details and perfecting the techniques. I wouldn't train anywhere else. I liken his style as old school in a good way, a soul-roller.....:wink: