Video: Jiu-Jitsu, pointers, north-south defense and life lessons from Carlson Jr.

Carlson Gracie Jr. during seminar in Recife—always tuned in to GRACIEMAG / Photo by Junior Samurai/GRACIEMAG.com

The son of the late Grandmaster Carlson Gracie (1933-2006), Junior was in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco last weekend to teach a highly sought-after seminar at team Gutenberg Melo, the Carlson Gracie team branch in those parts. The black belt taught control techniques, side-control escapes, choke attacks, the traditional americana, knee-on-belly and sweeps, not to mention lettting GRACIEMAG.com in one the greatest teachings he received from his grandmaster father: “The lesson is to never think you’re the best, and most of all to never think you know everything. There’s always something left to learn in Jiu-Jitsu,” said “Juninho”, as he is known. “I hope that wherever my father is today he is happy with the work I’m doing. I want to always honor my father’s name through my work in Jiu-Jitsu.”

Carlson Jr. took the opportunity to teach the following escape from north-south position. Take note of the importance of breaking the grip through hip movement, to then grab the belt and get out from underneath. And once you’ve got that down pat, rush to your local bookstore to get GRACIEMAG #185, with all the tips on how to turbo charge your hip, the pivot on which your Jiu-Jitsu rides.