Gee, do you think Brazilian fighters like Yoshida?

[Mr. Heel Hook]

Here are some quotes for ya:

"I will TKO him within 5 minutes. I kept my promise when I said I'd beat Oyama within a couple minutes, so don't doubt me" - Ryan Gracie on Yoshida

"I will make his Gi red with his own blood" - Wanderlei Silva on Yoshida

"He will not escape my triangle"
- Rodrigo Nogueira on Yoshida

"I'll kick his ass if he wants an MMA fight." - Royce Gracie on Yoshida

[Great Sage]

I admire the Brazilian fighting spirit and prowess, but I was never a fan of their arrogance, ego or financial demands... Recently, my gym paid and received two Brazilian representatives from the Rickson Gracie Association to come and train with us. The fact that they were Brazilians meant that we were paying a lot more... To attend a class within our own gym, each of us had to fork over $300.00 ($200 for first day, $100 for second).

However, the highlight of the entire affair was this: A purple belt had me in a knee on stomach, in which I couldn't get out since I was drained at that point. I had to tap, since he was pushing his knee down my sternum... Later, I asked one of the Brazilian guys what I should do in that position. His response was: "Don't be there..."

And I had to ask myself, that's your professional opinion?... That's your $300 answer?...

[eXcessiveForce]

he was right though

[Szczepankiewicz]

Sage,

now you know better than to spend your money foolishly.

Indeed $300 to get 'don't be there' when I could have told you that for free.

Oh, and remind me not to train with Xforce. Paying money for stupid answers is not my idea of funny...


And you wonder why postal workers go postal?

[eXcessiveForce]

I've never paid more than 100 bucks for a seminar in my life. I have paid several hundred for a book.

You know they saying though

Ask a stupid question get a stupid answer.


It would have been better to ask How could I have kept that from happening.

Thats like asking how do you get out of a triangle choke when the guy already has it locked down and you are seeing spots.

[Sean Dempsey]

"don't let!"- Pedro Sauer.

[Szczepankiewicz]

(None of this is directed at XFORCE, just venting my opinion on seminar instructors)


[rant]

Ask a stupid question and any instructor worth his salt is going to attempt to understand what it is your wanting to know and then try to give you an answer worth the time and money you put into the training.

If I'm forking out big money to train with you I don't want to hear stupid answers even if I'm asking stupid questions. You're on my time. You're working for me. Save your smartass comments for dealing with your regular students whom you can eventually work through it with.

I've only attended the one seminar with Alain Burrese. Yeah, he cracked wise a few times but only to entertain the class. He was professional the entire time and answered every question whether it was stupid, obvious or whatnot.

To me this is how a seminar instructor should behave. You don't fork over big bucks to bring in talent and have them blow you off. Shortly thereafter supply and demand kicks off an no one wants to come back next time.

The other side of the coin: When I ask my instructor stupid questions he does come back with the smartassed answers, essentially forcing me to figure it out on my own or at least ask better questions. But I keep in constant contact with him so there's more of a cushion.

Bottom line, I pay, you teach. Simple economics.

You no teach, I no pay no more.

One pissed off customer is equal to 10 satisfied.

[end rant]

Now, after I got that out of my system, I can't WAIT until next March when Alain comes back down to teach again. That seminar was a blast and I learned a ton of stuff.

Ya'll should come out. You get to train with a guy who really knows his stuff AND you get to have your picture taken with SPANKY!

[eXcessiveForce]

I remember one knife seminar where the guys came out and they locked there elbows and put there knives above their heads.

they told us. Okay, no bend elbows. If no one bend elbows day be over real quick.
And made little stabbing motions downward.

The guy was funny and sadistic all at the same time.


It was a fun seminar

[Mr. Heel Hook]

Sage, I am truly sorry that happened to you. But still, don't be turned off by seminars. That are usually worth it. How ever, $300 to be taught by a purple belt? That's flucking retarded.

Listen dude, I know we have had our deference's where we probably would have been at each others throat if face to face, but here is same damn good advice for you. If you have a chance to go to a seminar with either Rener or Ryron, do it! They are truly great and are always excited to tell you anything you want. No BS answers like "don't be there."

They break down moves to the degree that you want and go over them as much as YOU feel like, not them. Every time they are here (which is around every three months) the help they give is simply impeccable.

Listen, I'll make a deal with you. If you have the chance to go to one of their seminars, and you don't like it, I will drive to your house and you can punch me in the face -- two or three times.

[Szczepankiewicz]

I wish Bitty would make me a deal like that...

[Great Sage]

Originally posted by eXcessiveForce
You know they saying though

Ask a stupid question get a stupid answer.

Honestly, dude... That's not a stupid question. At some point or time, everyone will be in a position that they cannot escape because the other guy is more experienced. By your logic, we should tell someone who can't swim, but would like to learn, not to go into the water.

[Great Sage]

Originally posted by Mr. Heel Hook
Listen dude, I know we have had our deference's where we probably would have been at each others throat if face to face, but here is same damn good advice for you. If you have a chance to go to a seminar with either Rener or Ryron, do it! They are truly great and are always excited to tell you anything you want. No BS answers like "don't be there."

Thanks for the advice... You're alright. And don't sweat it, I've been over it long ago. Besides, I was mostly to blame, but was too caught up in the whole incident to back down... I apologize.

Originally posted by Mr. Heel Hook
Listen, I'll make a deal with you. If you have the chance to go to one of their seminars, and you don't like it, I will drive to your house and you can punch me in the face -- two or three times.

Nah, I wouldn't do a thing like that. Regardless, I appreciate your feedback and look forward to other posts.

[Mr. Heel Hook]

Hey, don't worry about it. It's long gone from memory. But, aside from that you really should try and go to a Gracie seminar with the two sons. It's a hell of a lot cheaper and you won't get retarded answers like "Don't be there."

I think I would have been furious if he didn't answer my question and I spend that kind of money for only two days. We spend 1/2 that amount and get 4 hours each day. I can't relay enough how much you pick up from them two.