Takedown to Pass | E17 BJJ Weekly Newsletter 19/01/2026
- e17bjj
- Jan 19
- 3 min read
Hey team,
A huge thank you to everyone who came down on Friday to help pack the mats out for our shoot. Sessions like that really help us grow as a gym, which in turn means more classes, more variety, and more opportunities to train for everyone here.
Special thanks as well to those of you who stayed behind and took the time to answer a few questions on camera — it’s massively appreciated and really shows the spirit of the E17 BJJ community.
Quick Hygiene Reminder
Just a gentle reminder to make sure finger and toe nails are trimmed before class. Long nails can accidentally scratch training partners, and in Gi classes especially they can get caught and ripped, which is horrible for everyone involved.
Please also make sure your Gi and training gear are clean — we train hard and close together, and everyone deserves a comfortable and respectful training environment. Thanks for helping keep the mats a good place to be
This Week’s Classes
Gi Fundamentals with Mouncif and Juan: This week we’ll be looking at what we can do at the start of a round — how to safely take an opponent down and then immediately connect that takedown to guard passing. The focus will be on simple, leg-based entries, finishing on top, and settling straight into strong passing positions. A really important link that often gets overlooked.
No-Gi Fundamentals with Chris: After spending the last couple of weeks working on closed guard attacks, we’ll now flip the script and focus on defence. We’ll look at posture, hand placement, and movement to safely open the guard and begin passing without giving up easy attacks.
Judo with Justin: This week’s Judo focus is Seoi Otoshi, a drop-style shoulder throw. We’ll break it down step by step, focusing on off-balancing, positioning, and timing, rather than speed or strength. A great technique for learning how to use your opponent’s momentum against them.
Wrestling for BJJ with Mehmet: We’ll continue working on fundamental shots and set-ups, focusing on stance, level changes, and clean entries that transfer directly into BJJ. Solid basics that pay off long term.
🌊 Rip & Roll Camp — April 15th–19th (Morocco)
Rip & Roll Camp is back this April, and it’s shaping up to be something really special. If you’re looking for a chance to train, switch off, and spend time with like-minded people in the sun, this is an amazing opportunity.
The camp runs for 5 days (April 15th–19th), with a bonus extra day available on request. Everything is hosted in beautiful beachside accommodation, with amazing rooms, rooftop chill spots, and plenty of space to relax between sessions.
What’s included:
Healthy, locally sourced breakfast and dinner every day
Free laundry service throughout the camp
Airport transfers to and from Agadir
4 Gi seminars & 4 No-Gi seminars (plus some bonus sessions)
3 surf lessons, with full surf guidance
Unlimited use of surfboards and wetsuits for the 3 surf days
Yoga for BJJ sessions
Meditation sessions
Beach wrestling and open mats
Daily evening activities
A supportive, like-minded community
As packed as it sounds, everything is optional. There’s no pressure to attend every session — the focus is on you enjoying yourself, relaxing, and taking what you want from the experience with zero stress.
You’ll be joining me, Juan, Chris, and Richard, and the first camp was honestly one of the best experiences we’ve shared — great training, lots of laughs, and proper community vibes.
There’s a special discount available for E17 BJJ members, and deposits start from just £200, making it really accessible if you want to secure a spot.
If you’d like to know more, catch me in class, send me a message, or check out the website:👉 www.ripandrollcamp.com
Tip of the Week - Connect the dots.
Whether it’s takedowns into passing, defence after attacks, or movement between positions — real progress comes when techniques stop living in isolation. Try to notice how one action naturally leads into the next.
Looking forward to another strong week on the mats and continuing to build together as a team. Thank you all for the energy, support, and positivity you bring into the space — it really does make E17 BJJ what it is.
See you on the mats,
— Mouncif
E17 BJJ
Comments