Seminar Review: Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros

I just got back from the Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros seminar at Next Edge Academy of Martial Arts in Sioux Falls, SD, hosted by Bruce Hoyer. As expected, Comprido was as nice as could be and an awesome teacher. I learned something new on every technique or movement he taught. He covered quite a bit in a relatively short period of time. Without going into great detail about every technique, I thought I would highlight what I learned, or was reminded of. Overall, he kept it pretty basic with just one or two key points with each technique on avoiding common mistakes or how best to finish a move.

The seminar was four hours long with a 45 minute break in the middle. This was actually a good schedule. By the end I was starting to wonder if I was going to remember everything he taught, so was glad that he had kept it fairly simple. This made it easier to keep it all sorted out. I was actually starting to feel the workout towards the end.

I had a motivated training partner throughout the day, which made it all the more enjoyable. He was a purple belt from the Sioux Falls area. We got in a ton of reps and worked well together.

I'm sure I'm going to leave out some of the seminar, but I'll do my best to cover some of the basic principals that I learned.

Armbar from the Guard: During the practice drills, Comprido saw that I was grasping the trapped arm more on the forearm instead of the wrist and hand. He explained it this way. If you're wanting to get leverage to pry something open, you wouldn't work the prybar from the middle, you would work it from the opposite end, getting as much leverage as you could.

Breaking open the hands to get the Armbar from top side: Again, it was a lesson about getting the right leverage. Tuck your opponent's elbow and forearm underneath your armpit. Then slide your forearm under their wrist. Grasp your Gi lapel with that arm's hand and lean back.

Maintaining Back Mount: You must be behind their back. after briefly talking about the back Mount, Comprido laughed and talked about how one would think this principal would be obvious, but nevertheless, found it to be an important point to mention.

Back defense and escaping Back Mount: I learned a new way to block a choke with my arm and the importance of tying up their leg.

Kimura from the Guard: When your opponent is protecting their arm and leaning to the side, don't keep your outside (bottom) elbow tucked in close to your side. Keep that elbow out and away from your body to increase your leverage.

Sliding Collar Choke from back mount: I learned how to work a common collar choke in a different way. Rather than going under your opponent's arm to secure the lower portion of the opposite side lapel, you can work this by coming around the outside of the arm as well. the most important point was another lesson on leverage. Whichever hand is around their neck, lean to that side. Instead of keeping your elbow close to your body, support yourself on that elbow to gain the necessary leverage to finish the choke.

Defending the Guillotine Choke from standing position and from the Closed Guard: Suffice it to say, leverage, body position and hip movement are key. Secondly, depending on your position, use your shoulder to apply pressure on your opponent's neck or chest.

Kata Gatame (Shoulder Pin): Head down, hips down, chest down, weight down...push with your toes.

Defending the Kata Gatame: I learned a totally new method of defending the Kata Gatame.

Half Guard Sweep: We also covered some Half Guard movements.

Comprido was easy going and explained things well. You could tell he really cared about what he was teaching and wanted to make sure we understood. He got right in there to help us fine tune the techniques and answered all of our questions.

This seminar was definitely worth going to and I would recommend it to everyone.

Here are the photos and video.

Comprido teaches a collar choke


Comprido teaches an Oma Plata/ Omoplata


Comprido teaches a wrist lock