Hot Weather, (relatively) Cool Mats - E17 BJJ Weekly Newsletter 22/06/2026
- e17bjj
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Hey team,
Looks like we're in for a seriously hot week ahead.
Hopefully that won't stop too many of you from making it down to train. The good news is the gym stays surprisingly cool, and there are few better ways to spend an evening than escaping the heat, getting some training in and spending time with good people.
As always, remember to stay hydrated throughout the week, especially if you're training multiple sessions.
Summer Grading
A huge congratulations to everyone who graded on Saturday.
It was fantastic to see so many of you recognised for the hard work you've been putting in over the last few months.
Belts and stripes are always exciting, but they're really just a reflection of the effort you've already put in. The real reward is the improvement you've earned through consistently showing up, training, learning and helping your teammates improve too.
Whether you received a stripe, a belt, or simply came along to support your teammates, thank you for helping make it such a great day. Now it's time to get back to work!
This Week's Focus
Gi Fundamentals with Mouncif & Juan (Monday & Wednesday)
We'll continue working from closed guard, looking at different ways to enter and attack from the overhook position.
The overhook is an incredibly powerful control that opens up a huge range of sweeps, submissions and transitions when used correctly. We'll focus on creating strong angles and understanding how the various attacks connect together.
No Gi Fundamentals with Hugo & Ryan (Tuesday & Thursday)
This week we'll continue focusing on escapes, specifically looking at back escapes and common submission escapes including the armbar and triangle.
Learning how to stay calm, defend correctly and work your way back to safety is one of the most important skills in Jiu Jitsu.
Gi Fundamentals with Ryan & Hugo (Tuesday & Thursday)
We'll continue looking at lower body guards such as Single Leg X and X Guard, with particular focus on how we actually enter these positions rather than simply arriving there magically.
Understanding the entries often makes the difference between a guard you know and a guard you can actually use.
BJJ Gi/No Gi with Christopher Macken (Friday)
A reminder that Friday's class is open to both Gi and No Gi students.
This week Chris will be looking at Headquarters (HQ), one of the strongest passing positions in modern Jiu Jitsu. We'll explore how to establish the position, maintain control and branch into a variety of passing options depending on your opponent's reactions.
Wrestling for BJJ with Mehmet
This week you'll be looking at attacks and controls from the front body lock.
The front body lock is an incredibly useful position that allows you to control posture, limit movement and create opportunities for trips, lifts, mat returns and takedowns without having to shoot on the legs. Expect lots of practical details that transfer directly into grappling and Jiu Jitsu.
Teens with Ryan & Hugo
We'll begin spending more time addressing bad positions, starting with mount escapes.
Learning how to escape properly builds confidence, improves defence and makes you far harder to control when things don't go your way.
Hero HQ & Combat HQ
This week we'll begin our new topics - The children will be learning a new takedown and exploring how we can get our opponent to the floor safely and effectively before connecting those skills into our sparring.
We'll also begin looking at ways to escape bad positions, helping build confidence and understanding across all areas of grappling.
New Partnership: Arvo Sauna
Later this week we'll be officially announcing our partnership with Arvo, the new sauna facility located less than a minute's walk from the gym.
E17 members will receive:
A free first sauna session
15% off future bookings
I've had the chance to check it out and it's a fantastic facility. Whether you're looking to recover after training, unwind after a busy day or just try something different, it's well worth a visit.
Keep an eye on our socials for the full announcement and details later this week.
Tip of the Week
Train the Person, Not the Technique
Sometimes we become so focused on hitting the exact technique we learned in class that we stop paying attention to what's actually happening in front of us.
Good Jiu Jitsu isn't about forcing your plan regardless of your partner's reactions.
It's about responding to what's there. Pay attention to your partner's balance. Notice where their weight is. Look at the reactions they give you.
The technique is important, but the person in front of you will always tell you what the next step should be. The better you become at reading reactions, the more natural your Jiu Jitsu will feel.
See you on the mats!
-Mouncif
E17 BJJ
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