Professor Keith Owen Gracie Jiu Jitsu Seminar – July 2017

Robin French with Professor Keith Owen and Peter Squire - July 2017

It started with a tag on Facebook… One of our guys from Team Pedro Sauer UK tagged my PSBJJA co-affiliate Peter Squire and myself into a status update from Professor Keith Owen; a status saying that he was coming to the UK in July, and whether there was anyone that would like to host him for a seminar.

‘Yes please!’ And that night, the date was set…

After what seemed like a lifetime, the weekend finally arrived; officially started early by the arrival of my good friend Halldór Sveinsson, travelling in from Iceland on the preceding Thursday.

The day of the seminar itself started with an early start, travelling up to Westminster to escort Professor Keith and his wife across London, and back out into the countryside of Essex.

Heading up the B-Team, my Partner in Crime Peter, had spent the morning getting the venue ready; transporting all available mats to South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre, for what would turn out to be our best attended seminar to date.

The plans all came together, and everyone was on the mats ready to train by 12pm; with even the very important issue of coffee and bananas seen to…

Professor Keith started the session with the Americana; both from side control using the ‘Rhino Horn’ and from mount using ‘Piano Fingers’.

Moving on, Professor Keith worked through a particular nice s-mount armbar variation; which yielded a photo where everyone seemed to enjoy me folded up like a pretzel.

Next up were some ways to get the face-up armbar when the guy locks his arms together; both of which I will start using in my game straight away.

Technique-wise the session finished with strategies and principles to maintain mount; with partners taking turns to give them a go whilst the guy on the bottom thrashed about.

A common theme throughout the session was ‘agreeing until you disagree’, and even then only using ‘just enough’ strength.

I particularly liked Professor Keith’s laid back, chatty style; which was helped further by his ultra dry sense of humour.

After the seminar, a couple of us went out for food. This was a great opportunity to chat more broadly about Gracie Jiu Jitsu, as well as delivering the best service for our members; which was invaluable!

After dinner, Professor Keith and his wife, escorted part way by Halldór, made their way back to their Hotel and the airport respectively.

Yet another awesome weekend of Gracie Jiu Jitsu, all made possible by our closeness to the source; being part of the Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association.