Greetings:

First and foremost I want to let you know that I hope that you are
having a wonderful day. I’m sure as many of you know, Traci and I just
had a beautiful baby girl. Her name is Rhadi Isabelle Ferguson. She is
named after me and her middle name is the same as Traci’s
great-grandmother’s.  The new addition to the home has been a handful,
but it is a joyful experience and Traci and I are thankful for the new
addtion and the new challenges that come with it.  We believe that we
all should be thankful in and through all things.

===========
What’s New?
===========

Well, I’m making some MAJOR changes in my business.

MAJOR CHANGES.

I just had to fire my fulfillment company at the urging of my
accountant because we just couldn’t seem to get the ledger balanced
and the organization of the fulfillment house wasn’t what neither my
accountant nor I was looking for. (That’s the Christian way to say
what I really want to say. Please read between the lines).

So, at the urging of many of you I’m going to an INSTANT GRATIFICATION MODEL.

=============
Instant Gratification?
=============

What does that mean?

Well, after doing much reading and researching in the past 48 hours,
I’ve found out that most individuals from the ages of 16-45 who use
the internet also have some type of PDA device such as an Iphone,
Ipod, Blackberry, etc.,.

And although providing DVDs and audio CDs are great, this form of
media is becoming antiquated.  I’m sure many of you watch a lot of
television “on demand” and download movies and songs from iTunes.  And
you are able to get what you want, when you want it.

Well, as an educator, I MUST make sure that you can ACCESS my
information 24 hours a day from anywhere. If you are traveling you
should be able to get on your laptop and watch an exercise DVD from
Rhadi Ferguson or a technical series from Rhadi Ferguson INSTANTLY!

You should also be able to carry me around on your iPhone, Ipod or PDA
device and listen to interviews, coaching calls or some of my private
interrogations at your leisure. Or watch a video.

Therefore I’M GOING SOFT!!!!!

===============
Rhadi Ferguson is GOING
SOFT!
===============

That’s right, I’m going soft!

95% of my catalog is going to be INSTANTLY GRATIFYING.

Meaning, right after you purchase, there will be:

NO WAING FOR THE PRODUCT – you will get to see your video immediately
and be provided with the downloadable link for your Ipod IMMEDIATELY.
You will be able to watch your video whenever you want from whereever
you want. On you device or online.

NO SHIPPING COSTS!!!!!! -  going soft means that I will ELIMINATE the
shipping and handling costs. You will get what you paid for
immediately and you will not get hammered with shipping and handling
costs for the products which are “soft”.

NO MANUFACTURING COSTS! – As you know in business…. The sh— runs
down hill. So when I get hit with a cost, you get hit with a cost. As
a small business owner, I don’t have the volume nor ordering powre of
a Target or a Walmart so manufacturers hammer me a little bit harder.
(I guess that’s the American way LOL).  So I’m going to eliminate all
of those problems and issues and save both you and I a lot of money.
MUCH LOWER COSTS – low, low, low.  You will be pleasantly surprised.

So why am I REALLY doing this?

Well, for all of the reasons I mentioned and………

I LOVE TEACHING AND COACHING.

I’ll just be 100% honest with you.

There’s nothing better than staying up all night with the President of
the Judo Federation in the Bahamas and coming up with strategies for
success in the Bahamas on the whiteboard. And then having discussions
and arguments until 4:00am as he bases his positions and thesis
statements from a business point of view as a graduate of Kellog’s
Business School in Northwestern University and I provide dialectical
reasoning from the stanpoint of Moacir Gadotti and Hegel.  And then
trying to take a quick shower, grab some coffee and leave the house so
that we can make the 5:00am practice.  Or speaking with him on the
phone at 11pm while we are both online watching a video that he’s sent
over and critiquing it and taking notes and then shooting a video
right on the spot and sending it back to him to fix the problem that
we were talking about and then………

Watching the young men and women that you’ve been coaching and
consulting for perform the techniques which were part of the
curriculum that you’ve slaved, worked, and argued over in the wee
hours of the morning. It almost brings tears to my eyes as I write
about it. There’s nothing like it.

Or watching some dude step into the cage that you’ve helped knowing
that his life hangs in the balance based upon what you did or did not
provide to him.

Or helping someone save their business who just didn’t know what
marketing direction to take next.

There’s absolutely no better feeling.  You actually get to tap
directly into the Power of the Mastermind.

It is MY JOB, MY CALLING to ensure that you get the information that
you need and desire in your hands as quickly as possible so that you
may put it to use and then decide if you would like for me to continue
to coach you and help you.

Believe me when I tell you that there is much information and benefit
provided in the products which I’ve created. Your life will be
enhanced.  And you will further see what I can do for you through
coaching and consults.

But for right now I just want you to know what’s coming down the pipeline:

-       First up.  The reissuance of The Grind. My flagship product, “The
Grind” will be re-released in the “soft” version for IMMEDIATE view
and IMMEDIATE download on March 9th.   This will be absolutely SUPERB.

-       Second will be the re-release of Beyond The Rings by 2-Time Olympian
Taraje Williams-Murray and Rhadi Ferguson.  This will be absolutely
phenomenal for everyone to get coming off the winter Olympics. I can
tell you right now that you will be able to get Beyond The Rings for
only $7  That’s right. Seven bucks, not strings attached, no coaching
program addtition, just 7 bucks.  And with that you will receive the
video and the audio of the DVD to listen to at your leisure

-       Third will be the re-release of Judo Scouting Reports (which will be
EXCELLENT to carry around on your iPod!!) I don’t know about you, but
if you practice Judo or BJJ, you absolutely NEED this product.
SERIOUSLY!

-       And more will be forthcoming…

=============
Thank You So Much
=============

Thank you for your time and your patience.

For those that have  joined the legion of others on Live Judo –
http://www.LiveJudo.com I want to thank you.

For those of you who are a part of my 52 week eCoaching course, I want
to say thank you. If you’d like to get in the coaching course I’ll
provide more information on that just a little bit later.

If you’ve ordered anything in the past 48 hours, please bear with me
for the next 7 days, as I process your order and get it out to you.
I’ve right in the middle of a minor business restructuring and your
patience is greatly appreciated.

Other than that, you all have a super fantastic day. If you need me
for anything, just hit me up or hit me up http://www.AskRhadi.com

Take care,

Rhadi Ferguson, Ph.D., CSCS
2004 Olympian

P.S. Thank you to all of you who have been requesting and urging me to
provide downloadable and “soft” products for some time. It just took
me some time to put things into action as I wasn’t sure which delivery
system I wanted to utilize. I’m gratefull for your input and your

support. May God bless you and yours.

Wouldn’t it be nice to find a therapist who didn’t dwell on the negatives in your life … or your past life, then prescribe antidepressants? Isn’t there some other way to make you feel better?

Yes, there is. Some psychologists say the answer lies in talking about the good things in your life. That could include your interests, your talents, or your gratitude to someone.

Focusing on your strengths is part of seeing the sunny side of your life. The therapists recommend thinking about what makes you happy when times of stress and depression come.

The good news is that the technique works for everyone including people with no mental illness or disorder, those who function well but just want to function better. They are increasingly giving the upbeat method a try.

In applying “positive psychology,” therapists point up the affirmative aspects of a patient’s life with the goal of helping them feel more optimistic, capable, and fulfilled.

The new techniques may involve stressing such strengths as creativity or humor and using these qualities in everyday life. One goal is to teach people to put more positive experiences into their day, to appreciate and notice these experiences

This positive approach is being used with everyone from depressed patients and anorexics to disaster victims, and veterans returning from war with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Positive psychology was created by Martin Seligman of the University of Pennsylvania, who later became president of the American Psychological Association.

Quotes

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us.

Alexander Graham Bell

The only people to get even with are those who have helped you.

Anon

When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.

George Washington Carver

Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.

Dale Turner

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you until it seems that you cannot hold on for a minute longer, never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Victory is sweetest when you’ve known defeat.

Malcolm Forbes

Enthusiasm is that secret and harmonious spirit which hovers over the production of genius.

Isaac Disraeli

Close scrutiny will show that most crisis situations are opportunities to either advance or stay where you are.

Maxwell Maltz

When angry, count to ten before you speak; if very angry, a hundred.

Thomas Jefferson

The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.

Vince Lombardi

Nothing will work unless you do.

Maya Angelou

Take care and have a great day.

Dr. Rhadi Ferguson

http://www.ChumpRepellent.com

================
Introduction
================

In the past 12 months I’ve read more books that I’ve probably read in my life.

Here’s short list of what I’ve read, followed by what I’m currently reading:

OUTLIERS
TALENT IS OVERRATED
TALENT CODE
SLOW PRACTICE WILL GET YOU THERE FASTER
SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
GOOD TO GREAT
MADE TO STICK
THE SOULS OF BLACK FOLKS
WHAT THE DOG SAW
HOW TO WIN EVERY ARGUMENT
BLINK
THE 7-DAY LOW-CARB RESCUE AND RECOVERY PLAN
EXISTENTIAL PSYCHOLOGY AND SPORT THEORY AND APPLICATION
THE BOOK OF FIVE RINGS

And I’m currently reading:

THINKING STRATEGICALLY - THE COMPETITIVE EDGE IN BUSINESS, POLITICS, AND EVERYDAY LIFE
ROAD TO EXCELLENCE
THE SPORTS SCIENCE OF ELITE JUDO ATHLETES

And I’ve been reading all of the research of skill acquisition and expert performance that I can get my hands on.

In the past 6 months, I’ve created a system where I can improve VO2 Max anywhere from 15%-50% in a healthy young adult in 4 weeks time. We’ve already done it in the Bahamas with the young judo players there. This may not be amazing to some and is nowhere in the realm of remarkable, especially for untrained or detrained individuals, but it is a major milestone to have a STANDARD protocol which we know that everyone can do and improve so now we can disseminate the information because it has been tested and proven to work. Although the tests are practical and anecdotal in nature, they still are evidentially factual (for lack of a better scientific phrase, since one doesn’t really fit here)  LOL.

I have been reading, voraciously, all of the research on expert performance, talent, skill acquisition and chess strategy and studies that I can get my hands on.

I’ve actually found out the secret to development for short, medium and long term development for sports such as boxing, judo, jiujitsu, wrestling, etc.,. (but not MMA, the mixture of disciplines makes it very difficult. I’m going to have to start reading some research or pentathletes, triathletes, decathletes, and gymnasts. The multiple disciplines make MMA a very difficult study. I DON’T CARE WHAT ANYBODY SAYS!!! I KNOW!!!). It’s crazy because some people think that they know, some do know, but many are just guessing. And I will admit, I guess to. Sometimes you have to do, but I don’t purport my guesses as facts, but educated guesses.

Here’s what I do know. If you want to be super good at anything, there are 4 things that you are DEFINITELY going to need. You will need others, but you will definitely need these FOUR.

=================
Number One: Coaching
=================

I don’t care who you are or what you are doing, if you do not have QUALITY coaching, you can FORGET BEING GOOD AT ANYTHING.  I don’t care, if you think that you’ve coached yourself, if you are receiving some advice from different sources and its working out for you, its more than likely that you are getting some good coaching. Now your coaching can actually be better, but it is better than not having any at all.

This year, Jimmy Pedro and I created an online Newaza Coaching program from Judo, Sambo and BJJ players. Jimmy wanted to do another DVD and I told him, “No, let’s do an online coaching program where people can watch the videos from anywhere and also ask questions so that we can provide a quality exchange of information.”  He agreed. I’m glad that he did because we now have the ability to coach people from all around the globe. They don’t have to worry about differing codecs for DVD, PAL format versus NTSC, or shipping costs or not getting their video. Once they invest, they can start learning IMMEDIATELY.

Many of my customers had been asking for this option and I didn’t provide it at first for two reasons (1) I was terrified of it and (2) I really didn’t know how to do it or what format or method of deliver-ability would be best.  I found it >>> http://www.NewazaMadeEasy.com <<<

The importance of coaching in gaining a competitive edge in sport and life cannot be underestimated.  Right now I’m receiving coaching advice from a Northwestern MBA Graduate who has built up his business without the use of any internet, limited advertising and no use of credit cards and has a home of the beach in the islands.  The model is VERY different from mine, but there are so many things to learn about business that I DO NOT know. And although my marketing is good, there are still some things that I need help with through the understanding that social networking is not a new phenomenon but something that we think is new because of the online social networking portals.

Without getting deep into this discussion and rambling due the excitement of the moment, I will tersely say - COACHING IS IMPORTANT!! YOU CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF IT. And if you have a coach, who doesn’t think that you should get coaching from elsewhere as well, FIRE HIM OR HER IMMEDIATELY. They are jealous, ignorant and STUPID!!!!

>>> http://www.NewazaMadeEasy.com <<<

=================
Number Two: Practicing
Alone
=================

I’m sure you’ve seen boxers shadow box before.

The crazy thing is that you never really see judo players do shadow randori, but you do see wrestlers doing shadow drilling.

I’m not sure why more judo players don’t do this. One of my judo advisors Angelo Ruiz, a 3-Time Olympian and former head coach of Puerto Rico, was a huge proponent of this and recommended hours and hours of it.  As a matter of fact, when I was preparing Brian Picklo for the 2008 Olympic Trials, I flew Angelo Ruiz into Florida to help with Brian Picklo’s preparation (I introduced ANOTHER coach because I believe in coaching) and he and Brian did hours and hours and hours and hours of shadow randori and shadow uchikomi.  We even did shadow mock matches where I was able to call out the commands based upon the tendencies and Brian was able to perform on cue.

Brian was also able to practice by himself.  Practicing alone is VERY important. Self-directed learning and alone deliberate practice is important and IS DONE BY CHAMPIONS not by the average. If you want to be good, you have to do more than the normal levels of practice. You have to do more. That doesn’t mean that you have to “kill” yourself, but it does mean that you have to practice until you can absorb more.

WARNING!!!! There is one problem. If you practice by yourself, WITHOUT having learned properly from a seasoned coach, you can create problems for yourself because you can possibly create bad habits.  This is why coaching is so important.

>>> http://www.NewazaMadeEasy.com <<<

====================
Number Three: Environment
====================

Move.

Don’t have the practice partners?

MOVE!

Don’t have Advanced Placement classes?

MOVE!

Don’t have weightroom?

FIND A WAY TO GET STRONG WITHOUT IT

Don’t have S.A.T. preparation in your neighborhood?

START READING A BOOK A WEEK.

Don’t have a judo club or bjj club?

FIND AN ONLINE COACHING PROGRAM 

Don’t have good grades and need a tutor?

PUT AN AD IN THE NEWSPAPER AND BEG SOMEONE TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP YOU.

Here’s the bottom line.

FIND A WAY TO GET IT DONE.  DO NOT MAKE ANY EXCUSES. CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT AND EXPERIENCES THAT YOU NEED IN ORDER TO EXCEL.PERIOD!!!!!!

http://www.NewazaMadeEasy.com

==================
Number 4: Understand that
Strategy and Tactics ARE
More Important Than Technique……
After you have a sufficient level of
TECHNIQUE
===================

We can alway be more technical - that is a fact.

Deion Sanders can be more technical. Jerry Rice can be more technical. Jimmy Pedro can be more technical. Manny Ramirez can be more technical.

But here’s the issue… THE RESEARCH STATES VERY CLEARLY that there is a well-defined chronological window of time where you can be at the TOP OF YOUR GAME. And in that time, you have to make a decision of what you need, take inventory of what you have, and look at what you can gain the quickest and fastest during your “golden hours” of athletic prowess.  Gaining more technique is certainly key.  But it is NOT the only key.

If you had some great and blessed early development where you technique is SUPERB, well… I’m happy for you. Not everyone is so fortunate and most people learn a great deal more AFTER they have retired.  During your “golden hours” you need to find a way to win and what the research says is that strategy and tactics are key.

Don’t believe me, then do the studying for yourself. You will find the information in the area of chess development and study and expert performance in chess. You can spend the hours reading and researching because you want to fight what I’m saying or you can believe me and we can keep this party moving.

In newaza, I’m a pretty damn good technician. When it comes to gripping… I’m not to bad there either.  When it comes to tachiwaza, I’m not that great…. BUT, I don’t look at tachiwaza as you do. Tachiwaza, for me, is a system NOT a move or moves.  I implement strategic systems. This allows me and people like me to beat the  “pretty” uchimata people LOL.  REPEATEDLY!!  And they get made and pissed off and upset because while they are studying uchimata and judo, I’m studying “game theory” and dialectical relationship of “the technician” and “the grinder” and constantly analyzing the iterative process of synthesizing. (if you don’t understand this…. it’s okay. If not, just look up Hegel, game theory, and systems theory and start reading and studying).

==================
I could go on for days….
==================

I could go on and on for days on this topic, but I thought I’d just put these thoughts on your email/blog for today and allow you to access the information at your leisure.

You most certainly can’t beat someone like me, handing you their book list from the past 12 months. That’s worth it’s weight in gold. If I were you, I’d put those books on my Christmas, Birthday and wish list and get them are start diving into them. You will love them.

=================
Today, I put the following
on my Facebook page
=================

I’m laffing my butt off because all these people are racking their brains and bodies about how to get good in Judo and I know the secret. LOL. The answer is ALWAYS in the “0″. Judo is like a donut. The key to the donut is not the round part. The key to the donut and what makes it a donut is the “HOLE” LOL.

But here’s the key:  The improvement of your judo exists within that which you CANNOT see, not in that which you CAN see.  Just as in religion, the ability to jump over the spiritual chasm is for you to begin to WHOLEHEARTEDLY believe in that which you CANNOT see, so mirrors development in life and sport.  There is a level of “blindness” that is necessary to increase your “vision” which creates the “Ohhhhhhhhhh now I see it” phenomenon.  It’s crazy when it happens, but it is the truth.

THE ANSWER IS IN THE “ZERO”!!!!!!!!!

================
To My Haters……
================

There is a faction of people out there who enjoy relying on their “time” and “experience” in their profession or sport as their main point of argument for superiority in their area of expertise.  Usually when they are making their point they call out the “new experts” as overzealous, “young bucks”, or “marketers” without being “in the trenches” and usually they are talking or speaking with people in their demographic or their fans.

It is very difficult for them and others to understand that people like me can RUN circles around your knowledge because the marketplace provides more learning portals, more information and more opportunities at ones fingertips than before.

I can literally train 5 people in Strength and Conditioning a day, do 3 Mixed Martial Arts consults over the phone and then teach BJJ class at 5:30 and train boxing at 7pm to 830 and sit down and read my email when I’m done training, check my voicemail log for the day, and “write” a paper or email on the way home by speaking into my Blackberry and then having my assistant transcribe it by the morning and have it ready to go out.  And that’s only a SMALL portion of my day.

There’s NO WAY for one to understand how “we”, the younger generation can catch up and surpass the older.  There are things like maturity, etc.,. that you really have to “grow” into, but when it comes to knowledge, understanding, coaching….. I’m telling you right now… some of you older dudes are resting on your laurels, you are not reading, you are not learning, you are not doing what you are supposed to do. MOVE OUT THE WAY and allow others to do their work and stop hatin’ or start MOVING yourself.

You can’t do this thing “part-time” and have a “full-time” understanding.

I too will be where you are one day and when that time comes…. I would love to know that I can offer advice and NOT HATERADE.

Cool out on being threatened… it doesn’t look good on you.

Yep, the Olympian status is from the United States in the sport of Judo. You can hate on it if you want to, but that’s where I live.

Yep, the Ph.D. is from Capella University an online institution, I attended from 2002-2009. I was going to school while training for the Olympics AND training an Olympian and creating one of the best Judo businesses in the world today.

Yep, the Brazilian Jiujitsu Black belt is from Ricardo Liborio and the white to brown belt from Lloyd Irvin. They don’t GIVE those things away, and YES, my newaza knowledge is more extensive that 99.9% of the Judoka that you know.

Yep, my wife graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Georgetown University and went to The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and is one of the top Internists in the country.  Not my fault.

Yep, I attended Howard University and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1997 and a Masters of Arts of Teaching in 2002.

Sooooo…….. you can keep on hating.

It’s what you do. I’mma sit over here and keep doing me.

As you are hatin’, I’m creatin’.

Like my fellow Alumnus from Howard University, Sean “Puffy” Combs says, “Can’t Stop. Won’t Stop!”

===============
Closing
===============

If you have not joined the coaching program at http://www.LiveJudo.com please go there right now and join >>> http://www.NewazaMadeEasy.com

Take care and have a great day.

Rhadi Ferguson, Ph.D., CSCS
2004 Olympian
4-Time National Judo Champion
BJJ Black Belt

http://www.LiveJudo.com

==============
Thank You!
==============

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have sent the emails and voice mails to say congratulations.

Our daughter was born on the 11th of February, 3:35pm EST.  She was 6lbs and 5.5oz and 19.5 inches long.

She came home on the 13th of February and made our Valentines Day the best ever.

My daughter’s name is Rhadi Isabelle Ferguson.

I’ve been having such a great time with my wife, my son and my daughter.  We were all on the couch snuggled up watching my son’s favorite show Spiderman  ;-)  It was the greatest ever.

I think I had a smile on my face the whole entire time.

==============
What’s New? MMA
==============

I’m sure many of you heard that I’m training now to step in the cage.

Training is going well. I must admit, it is a little bit harder than I expected to get in shape. I’m not as fast as I used to be, but I’m not slow by any stretch  :-)

My strength is still good, but my power needs a little bit of work. I’m still squatting 315lbs for sets, and can whip out a set of 20 reps of 275lb, but I’m still a couple of weeks away from cranking out a set of 20 with 315lb. But TRUST ME when I say that as soon as I get there, I’ll be shooting a video for you.

My power cleans are still strong— I’m working out with 185lb for sets of 5. Taking it slow and have been really working on my boxing, which I absolutely love.

Right now I’m feeling good and training smart. I’m a lot better equipped intellectually than I was before. I know the right supplements to take, how to train, what to do and what not to do and I understand that Rome wasn’t built in a day. I’m very aware that I won’t be in tip-top form until about 12 months of solid training but that I can be in quality shape in about 6 months.

I’m cool with that.

I will provide you all with some of video of my training sessions in the near future.

===============
Tomorrow…. Din Thomas
===============

Tomorrow, I am going to work out with the man that has the fastest hands in Mixed Martial Arts…. Din Thomas.  Din, has awesome boxing skills and is arguably the best boxer in MMA today.  I was directed by the head coach of American Top Team, Ricardo Liborio, to go seek out Din Thomas, so I will take the 90 minute drive 2-3x a week and do what I’m told.

================
American Top Team
or Team LLoyd Irvin?
================

I get asked all the time if I’m with ATT or Lloyd Irvin and my response is that, “I’m with Rhadi Ferguson.”  The team which I’m a part of is American Top Team. But I am a member of both the ATT and Team Lloyd Irvin families.

Lloyd and I have known each other since we played football against each other in college in 1993.  He was, at one time, my MAIN and only training partner and has been and ALWAYS will be a technical advisor and coach for me if I step into any area of combat.

There are 2 people that I WILL HAVE AROUND ME IN SOME CAPACITY if I’m fighting in any sport and those 2 people are EDDIE LIDDIE AND LLOYD IRVIN!  Period.  That’s just a comfortability issue and they are people that I have worked with for years!!

I truly love American Top Team, Dan Lambert, Liborio and the awesome level of fighters there. In my opinion, it is the best fight school in the country.  So, just to squash all of the talk out the gate, let me say that. I have dual citizenship. I can train at both places, probably … and Lloyd and Libo get along great so there’s not problem there.

I fight under the American Top Team banner. Period.

I will not fight in ANY CAPACITY without Lloyd Irvin. I don’t give a damn if its checkers - PERIOD! We have history and he KNOWS how to CORNER me and what to say and what not to say.

===============
Kimbo Slice
===============

Dude is my hero.

I have a HUGE amount of respect for him, what he’s done for the sport, his family and how he handles his business on a professional level. We’ve spoke a couple of times and my how the tables have turned.  I actually need his advice now, instead of the other way around.  LOL  Life is funy like that.

He promised me that he work with me on my hands. This oughta be interesting.

==============
Jimmy Pedro and
Live Judo
==============

On the 14th of February, Jimmy Pedro and I launched our latest joint venture, Live Judo.

Live Judo is a website that houses Jimmy Pedro’s 12 Month Online Newaza Coaching Program.

It is absolutely phenomenal and a great opportunity for those who want to expand their repertoire on the ground.

If you are at all interested in improving your newaza, Braziliain Jiujitsu, Sambo or grappling then this program will truly be helpful for you.

You can access it here
http://www.livejudo.com/?page_id=22

==================
Wanna Sneak Peek of
Jimmy Pedro’s 12
Month Online Newaza Coaching
Program?
==================

Triangle (Sankaku) from Turtle Defense - Rhadi Ferguson’s Variation

http://www.livejudo.com/?page_id=124

Triangle (Sankaku) from Turtle Defense - Jimmy Pedro’s Variation

http://www.livejudo.com/?page_id=127

Hopefully you enjoy that.  Please give us a try
http://www.livejudo.com/?page_id=22

Jimmy Pedro and I would love to help you.

===============
Conclusion
===============

Take care and have a super fantastic day.

Regards,

Rhadi Ferguson, Ph.D., CSCS
2004 Olympian
4-Time National Judo Champion
http://www.RhadiFerguson.com

P.S. Please make sure that you take a good look at “Pushups From A to Z”  http://www.PushupsFromAtoZ.com If you want a very well chiseled chest or if you want to learn how to create one by just using bodyweight… well this is program for you.

January 2010 is here. And we’ve made it to another year.

Last year was quite eventful for me in the world of Judo and grappling. I had the opportunity to coach a gentleman by the name of Ray Marquez who place 3rd in the World at the Masters Judo Championships. I was also appointed as the Head Coach for the Bahamas for the World and Cadet World Championships and currently work with them on a consultation basis along with some other coaches and advisors to the President of the Bahamian Judo Federation D’Arcy Rahming.

2009 also was the year where I received the appointment as one of the Assistant Coaches for USA Grappling at the 2009 Grappling World Championships where the United States was successful in capturing 4 World Titles on the men’s and women’s side in both gi and no gi. It was a phenomenal experience and felt great coaching Olympians, Olympic Medalists and some of our best athletes in USA Judo.

In 2009 I also finished my dissertation and received my Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Professional Studies. I wrote a kinesiology based disseration to the surprise of my committee. They asked me, “How in the world did you do that?” I replied, “The amazing thing is this. There are books all around the place. You can learn whatever you’d like, if you just pick up a couple and read them.” We all laughed. I had one of the foremost authorities on Sports and a very well published individual in the field of Health, Physicial Education and Recreation, Dr. Newton Jackson and actually wrote about some of the cutting edge developments in sport that I was exposed to while training with Juan Carlos Santana, of the highly acclaimed Institute of Human Performance.

Most importantly, on the judo side, 2009 is the year which many will remember. It is the year in which Judo was changed forever.

In 2009 the International Judo Federation instituted a rule that banned all leg grabs from competition, except in some ambiguous cases which are very hard to clearly identify.

I would go into but I fear to because if I’m confused by the rules, I’m sure you will be to. All I can say is this. If you grab below the belt, and it seems like you did it intentionally and not as a counter-attacking measure, you will be disqualified from the competition. You will not only be given HANSOKU-MAKE but you will be out. The general rule for Hansoku-Make is that you are out of the tournament. It really doesn’t matter much because under the new rules, you are really ONLY guaranteed one match anyway. If you lose, the person that you lost to has to make it all the way to the finals in order for you to have a chance for more matches.

I’m sure you can see that grabbing below the waist is a risk that is not worth the possible reward of a score or disqualification.

All this means is that some of the best and most dynamic throws in judo have been removed. Throws such as kataguruma, morote gari and kuchiki taoshi are gone.

====================
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN
FOR MOROTE GARI?
====================

Well, for those of those who know me. You know that 2004 and 2008 Olympian Taraje Williams-Murray and myself created a product called “Morote Gari”. It was absolutely a HOT ITEM until this new rule change and then it died. BUT IT WAS RESURRECTED with the Grappling World Championships and the Brazilian Jiujitsu crowd.

===============
The Benefit of “2-0″
===============

There’s nothing like starting off a match and having the score of the match be “2″ to “Nothing” in your favor. What I noticed was that because of the high level of implied gripping in the development of my Morote Gari, it was and is HIGHLY effective in Brazilian Jiujitsu and in Gi Grappling. Many people think that you can just go out and hit a regular double leg in the gi. You cannot.

What Was Judo’s Loss Has Become Brazilian Jiujitsu’s Gain

Now one of the most devastating techniques that has allowed me to beat some of the best people and watch some get knocked partially unconcious is now all the rave in Brazilian Jiujitsu. It hurts me to see Judo just give MMA and Brazilian Jiujitsu a “push”. Lord knows we need the push in our sport, but I guess we have enough fans :-/

At any rate, I got a call from the one and only Lloyd Irvin the other day and he said, “Rhadi, I watched the Morote Gari DVDs. I even had my trained snipers ________, ________ and _________ watch it. I want more and I want you to give me some more specific stuff for the BJJ peoople. This stuff is deadly. I’ve seen you do it and teach, but not like this.”

I said no problem and then went into the “lab” which is my war room and began planning out some new stuff for the secrets of the double leg in the gi”.

Stay Tuned… In 2010 there will be a massive takeover on the mat!!! MASSIVE!!!!

=================
Hey, Rhadi how do you
feel about the rule change?
=================

The rules are the rules. I can coach across the board from Wrestling to BJJ to Grappling to Judo. Doesn’t matter to me. I just need to know the rules. The rules are the same for everybody. All rules have “holes”. You just have to find the “holes” or what needs to be done so that you can gain an advantage based upon the set rules. Simple.

Some can do this, some can’t. Like I told somebody before, “You are a part-time coach. This is my full time job. I study this. I study game theory. I study sport. I sit down ALL DAY while you are at work doing your other job, doing THIS. So please don’t tell me that you’ve been coaching for 20 years. You HAVE NOT!! You’ve been part-time, playing around for 20 years. I’ve read more books, watched more film, put in more hours and done more time than you could imagine. You haven’t drank from the waters which flow near my presence. Therefore, speak softly and walk away quietly and no one will ever know how much you don’t know.”

My only gripe is in the change within the quad. I wish that this change would have been made, either right after 2008 or right after 2012. To make this change in the middle of a training quadrennial is horrible. Especially for coaches who have put together the macrocycle based upon the former rules.

==============
TO THE JUDO
PURISTS OF THE
WORLD
==============

Many judo instructors around the world think that this change ONLY manipulates the techniques one can use in judo, when it fact this SMALL RULE changes EVERYTHING!!!!

It changes strategy, if change how metabolic currency is spent, it changes ones strength and conditioning program IN A MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR WAY. It also changes the on the mat training and preparation in a major way. If you don’t think so, please think again.

I’ll give you a little tip. A free one at that……

When “the game” changes, so does the “game plan”.

It’s all a “game” and can be figured out with a proper understanding of game theory.

That’s about all I can discuss on that right now, but the bottom line is this. If you are spending your time learning throws, that’s great, but that’s not what going to win or lose the match for you. Not at all.

Check out these videos:

Please enjoy this morning’s coffee with Rhadi and the “extra” video below:

================
Part One
================

================
Part Two
================

===============
Just A Little Personal
Inspiration
===============

Take care and have a great day.

P.S. Don’t hesitate. There’s no reason to go into 2011 as a chump, get Chump Repellent now!
>>> http://www.ChumpRepellent.com <<<

This morning, I’m giving Sokodjou “The Beep Test” along with my friend, strength coach and 2-time Olympic Medalist, Israel Hernandez.

Hanging out at Team Quest has been cool. I’m going to see if there’s some time for Dan Henderson, Sokodjou and I to roll a little bit tomorrow.

I’ve been really going a lot of stuff with Israel Hernandez. Israel and I shot a video, here what he had to say:

===========
Here’s What
You Need
===========

Please do yourself a favor and go to http://www.RhadiFerguson.com

How did you do?

This Thanksgiving I challenged you to make some quality decisions about your eating.

How did you do?  Let me know [ info@rhadi.com ]

Also I wanted to let you know that I’m doing a 1/2 Marathon this Sunday. I’m not going to try to break any records, I’m going to run for 4 minutes and walk for 2 minutes. I’m just going to turn on my Ipod and enjoy myself and take in the scenary and ambience.

Also I wanted to let you know that The Black Friday Celebration is still going on. Some things may be sold out, but others are still available.  Make sure you visit the site so that you can take ad.-van-tage of the great deals.

>>> http://www.RhadiFerguson.com/blackfriday <<<

Take care,

Dr. Rhadi Ferguson
>>> http://www.RhadiFerguson.com/blackfriday <<<