Rodrigo Macedo com o kimono do Infant System BJJ. Foto: Reprodução

Nosso GMI em Massachusetts, o professor Rodrigo Macedo tem como missão formar futuros campeões no Jiu-Jitsu e na vida. Faixa-preta da Alliance nos Estados Unidos, Rodrigo é o idealizador do Infant System Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, metodologia desenvolvida para o ensino de Jiu-Jitsu e defesa pessoal para crianças de 3 a 14 anos. Além do incentivo à prática do esporte, o programa visa à formação social do aluno e engloba inúmeros benefícios, como a melhora na autoconfiança e coordenação motora.

Em bate-papo com a equipe do GRACIEMAG.com, Rodrigo Macedo listou os benefícios do Infant System para as crianças, abordou os desafios de ensinar Jiu-Jitsu no exterior e disse quais foram as principais lições que aprendeu ao ensinar os pequenos e pequenas.

GRACIEMAG: Quando você percebeu que viveria e trabalharia em prol do Jiu-Jitsu?

RODRIGO MACEDO: Comecei a treinar Jiu-Jitsu em 2002, mas já estou aqui nos Estados Unidos desde 1998. Depois de anos de treinamento, após pegar a faixa-roxa, passei a dar aula para as crianças como instrutor e gostei bastante da experiência. Foi nesse momento que tive certeza do que queria fazer na minha vida.

Quais são os maiores desafios de ensinar Jiu-Jitsu no exterior?

A meu ver, não há tantos desafios. Alguns pequenos empecilhos podem atrasar um pouco o professor, como o idioma. Mas acredito que uma academia que não tenha um plano de aula específico para crianças e adultos pode trazer dificuldades. Hoje em dia vejo muitos professores que pretendem abrir uma academia, mas não têm noção de como lidar com alunos pequenos. Ressalto sempre que as aulas infantis não são como as turmas de adultos.

Você criou o projeto Infant System Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Como funciona?

Usamos as cores para definir cada disciplina no método Infant System, estratégia que já é recorrente no Brasil. A diferença da nossa metodologia é que damos aos pais e professores o poder das cores, algo que não é aplicado somente nas aulas de Jiu-Jitsu, mas também nos ambientes familiar e escolar. Temos conseguido ótimas respostas dos pais, já que as crianças passaram a prestar mais atenção nas aulas da escola graças ao Infant System. Por meio da disciplina e respeito, despertamos o espírito competidor.

Que benefícios a defesa pessoal traz para seus pequenos alunos?

A defesa pessoal deveria ser obrigatória em todas as academias de Jiu-Jitsu. A prática do Jiu-Jitsu traz diversos benefícios às crianças, como a evolução do condicionamento físico, melhora na coordenação motora, agilidade, respeito à hierarquia, desenvolvimento do reflexo e a autoconfiança. As crianças que praticam a arte suave aprendem muito mais do que movimentos de autodefesa e aplicação de golpes. Durante as aulas, as crianças são estimuladas a melhorar as relações com os colegas e superam dificuldades que transcendem de obstáculos físicos.

Você se refere ao papel do Jiu-Jitsu na parte mental e psíquica, certo?

O Jiu-Jitsu é uma ferramenta que desempenha um papel importante na formação do caráter, já que oferece aos pequenos a possibilidade de pensar em pequenas ações que podem melhorar o convívio social. Os alunos também lidam com questões que os tornam mais dispostos a enfrentar qualquer desafio fora da academia. A falta de paciência é a maior dificuldade das crianças. Hoje em dia, ensinar nossos alunos a saber lidar com as frustrações faz parte do nosso plano de aulas infantil. Ensinamos que ganhar e perder faz parte. Além disso, defendemos que você alcança uma meta quando dá o seu melhor, independentemente do resultado. E ensinar nossos pequenos a lidar com essas emoções é uma delas.

 Você ensina crianças diariamente. Mas quais foram seus maiores aprendizados como professor?

Eu me especializei desde muito cedo no Jiu-Jitsu infantil. Passei por muitos desafios como professor. Mas a maior lição que aprendo diariamente com eles é a lealdade e o amor. Um professor de Jiu-Jitsu tem papel fundamental na formação do aluno. E tem a capacidade de influenciar, ensinar e inspirar. Meu objetivo é conseguir ensinar o aluno a lidar com os obstáculos que ele inevitavelmente vai enfrentar ao longo da vida.

Quais são suas próximas metas como professor à frente do seu projeto?

Minha próxima meta é tornar o Infant System disponível para todos os professores e instrutores de Jiu-Jitsu em uma plataforma digital, com ensinamentos de técnicas infantis por meio de vídeo aulas e planos de aula semanais para professores com três turmas: 3 a 6 anos, 7 a 10, e 11 a 14 anos. Estou focado no mercado americano, mas nossa plataforma terá versões em inglês e português. Meu objetivo é mostrar que qualquer professor pode ter uma aula didática e de muita qualidade com um rendimento 100% infantil.

O que mais deixa você realizado como professor?

O legado que deixarei para as futuras gerações, por meio de alguns ensinamentos principais – atenção, respeito, disciplina e o espírito competidor. É o que toda criança precisa adquirir para poder ser um cidadão consciente e respeitado. Destaco que o que aprendemos quando criança é o que levamos para a vida adulta.

Saiba mais sobre o trabalho do professor Rodrigo Macedo, aqui.

If you are in the Boston area, you have a great opportunity to put your Jiu-Jitsu to the test.

GRACIEMAG BJJ Premium Club member Carlos Terrinha, leader of Terrinha Draculino Team, is putting together the New England Open, this May 15, in Milford, MA.

One of the most traditional event promoters in the region, Terrinha runs smooth tournaments for all family.

The final deadline to register in May 10.

Click here for more info and to sign up now.

If you are into BJJ and lives in New England, you have a great option to compete next June 28, on Milford, MA.

The 2015 Mass BJJ State championship is offering cash prizes for some of the divisions.

The event will also feature a superfight with black belt and Worlds Master champion Carlos Alberto Terrinha.

Register today to be a part of one of the most traditional events of the calendar.

For more info, go to massbjjf.com. 

Quem vencer o confere fica mais perto da disputa de cinturão, que pertence ao Anthony Pettis.

No vídeo a seguir, relembre o Jiu-Jitsu de Cerrone contra Paul Kelly no UFC 126, em 2011, e estude a mecânica do mata-leão.

Diana receiving stripes from Professor Carlos Terrinha. Photo: Personal archive

Professor Carlos Terrinha of GMA Gracie Barra New England recently interviewed one of his students, Diana Weisbach, who is a 64-year-old blue belt.

In this video interview she explains how training at her age is healthy and benefits her in other areas of her life. Originally drawn to the self-defense aspect, she enjoyed training and came back for me each day despite being tired or sore.

As a woman training martial arts, she explains that women are normally timid when starting out but find that they can grab hold of the techniques rather easily which builds confidence. At her academy, Gracie Barra New England, the men are always helpful so being fearful of rolling with them isn’t an issue.

Learn more by watching the video:

Tap Cancer Out leader Jon Thomas presenting the grand donation. Photo: Gabriel Richard

The non-profit Tap Cancer Out raised more funds on Saturday, Aug. 16 to beat cancer through the support of the grappling community. At the Tap Cancer Out BJJ Open in Danvers, MA the tournament gathered over $20,000.

The organization is proud to announce that they will be donating a gift of $97,500 to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in order to fund two research fellows in 2014 at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital. This is the largest gift to St. Baldrick’s Foundation ever by a charity partner.

Prior to this beneficiary, Tap Cancer Out spent two years funding the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in which they raised $85,000.

Learn more about the St. Baldrick’s Foundation here: http://www.stbaldricks.org/

And learn more about how to support Tap Cancer Out here: http://www.tapcancerout.org/

Check out the photo gallery of the event courtesy of Gabriel Richard: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.691694277565947.1073741838.395910250477686

Renan Borges vs. Gianni Grippo. Photo: Erin Herle

The IBJJF will be back on the east coast later this month for the 2014 IBJJF Boston Summer Open on Aug. 23. If you missed the Spring Open, now is your chance to compete in Bean Town.

The divisions are stacking up with talent in every rank including black belt. Already set to compete are Rodrigo Freitas, Renan Borges, James Puopolo, Rafael Barbosa and new black belt Nathalia Amaral.

The venue is at UMASS Athletics located at 100 Morrissey Blvd. Boston, MA 02125.

You have until next Friday, Aug. 15 to register your spot for the cost of $110 per person. Don’t miss the last chance to compete in the northeast for awhile!

To sign up, go to www.ibjjf.org

Photo: Richard Photography

On June 22, New England came together for the 2014 Massachusetts State Championship.

The tournament was held at Mildford High School in Milford, MA and featured matches for kids and adults alike.

The team trophy results are as follows:

First  – Gracie Barra
Second – Kimura BJJ
Third – Aldo Batista Club

Over a hundred competitors battled it out and photographer Gabriel Richard was there to capture all the action.

Check out some of the photos here and the rest can be found at this Facebook photo album.

Stay tuned for the updated results of each division at www.massbjjf.com

The BTT Boston team. Photo: Personal archive

On June 14, 2014, head instructor of GMA Brazilian Top Team Boston Bruno Amaral and his fiancé Nathalia Azoff wed in Lexington, Massachusetts. The proposal happened just over one year ago in the middle of Bruno’s Jiu-Jitsu class and so it would only be appropriate for their Jiu-Jitsu family to share this special occasion. The wedding had Nathalia’s and Bruno’s family and friends present along with many of their teammates including Bruno’s uncle and owner of Brazilian Top Team Boston, Joao Amaral. This was a very special evening for the happy Jiu-Jitsu couple.

Just a couple of days after the wedding, rather than taking a honeymoon, Bruno and Nathalia were back on the mats for the BTT Boston belt ceremony.

On June 16, 2014, Joao Amaral, Daniel Gazoni, and Bruno Amaral awarded many stripes and belts to BTT students. Thayse Soares, the first BTT Boston female black belt was awarded her second degree on her black belt and Roger Woo, owner of BTT affiliate Woo Kickboxing Academy was awarded his first degree on his black belt.

To complete an already great evening, 5 black belts were awarded to very deserving students; Nathalia Amaral (our new bride), Aniss Al Hajjajy, Vincent Silvestre, Attila Javor, and Tatasuya Goto. This was the most successful belt ceremony to date. “I am proud of everyone and their accomplishments. Today was very special for all of us and I look forward to seeing all our students grow and evolve in this sport,” says Joao Amaral.

Needless to say, this has been quite an exciting few days for Bruno and Nathalia!

Learn more about the adventures of Bruno and Nathalia along with their GMA academy BTT Boston at www.bttboston.com

See pictures:

The ladies of the purple belt absolute. Photo: Erin Herle

The big winners of the lower belts came in the purple belt and brown belt open weight divisions at the 2014 IBJJF Boston Spring Open. Photos were captured by a few photographers other than Graciemag.

Horlando Monteiro redeems himself by winning the absolute. Photo: Erin Herle

In the purple belt male absolute, Horlando Monteiro of Nova Uniao had a redemption since getting submitted in the semi-final of his weight division by Devon Delbrugge. In the semi-final of the absolute, he returned the favor with a submission of his own. In the final he faced against another Team Lloyd Irvin affiliate student, Joseph Ruggiero. Winning with advantages, he secured his gold.

Maria Malyjasiak wins the absolute and gets promoted to brown belt. Photo: Erin Herle

For the females, Mario Malyjasiak took the gold after winning the heavyweight category as well. On the podium she received her brown belt from Abmar Barbosa of Drysdale Jiu-Jitsu.

The brown belt male absolute, the Mansher Khera of Alliance Marcelo Garcia also had a redemption.

Mansher Khera wins the absolute with a final against Tye Ryan Murphy. Photo: Erin Herle

After losing his first match in the weight division and still qualifying for the absolute due to placing third, he was able to win four matches in the open for the gold. His final against Tye Ryan Murphy of Team Lloyd Irvin was won by advantages with the use of his staple position, the x-guard.

Maxine submits with a triangle armbar in the final. Photo: Erin Herle

The brown belt female absolute was a round robin. Only three ladies were present in three different weight divisions. After the ladies all defaulted gold in their categories, Nathalia Azoff of BTT Boston, Maxine Thylin of Gracie Humaita and Ashley Proctor of Gracie Barra went against each other. Nathalia was able to defeat Ashley in the first round then Maxine faced Ashley and won on points. In the final, Maxine submitted Nathalia with a triangle armbar winning the absolute as a featherweight among a medium-heavyweight and a heayvweight.

Check out the full gallery found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/graciemag/sets/72157643592798643/

The photos by Douglas Kline for the IBJJF can be seen in an album here.

Pictures by Boston BJJ Scene can be seen in an album here.

Members and visitors alike can enjoy a special class at GMA Gracie Barra New England on Saturday, April 19 taught by Milton Bastos. The black belt of Caio Terra Association has experience teaching Jiu-Jitsu for many years up and down the California coast as well as in Brazil. He is also a certified IBJJF referee and international competitor having placed second at the 2014 Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship last month.

Milton’s relaxed approach to Jiu-Jitsu makes him a fun instructor. But his classes are full of serious knowledge so don’t be fooled.

The class will take place at Gracie Barra New England located at 31 Granite Street Milford, MA 01757.

It will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m and cost $30 per person.

You can reserve your spot and learn more information at www.carlosterrinha.com