March 12, 2008 Atlanta

Back in March 12, 2008 I got to train at Alliance Atlanta with Cobrinha and Jacare. It almost sounds like I was training at the zoo, as both their nicknames are based off of animals.

It was part of a 4 month 40 state road trip I decided to take, living out of my car, training at every possible academy. Here is what I wrote about the experience.

"I finally got the chance to train at Alliance BJJ. I had heard about it for years. Jacare is the head of Alliance Team and they have produced a lot of champions like Jacare himself, Chris Moriarty, Marcello Garcia, Franjinha, Fabio Gurgel and Cobrinha.  Their academy is top rate with some great techniques. 


They were getting ready for the Pan Ams when I arrived. Everyone was working hard and I learned some invaluable lessons. They had a great mix of older and younger grapplers. This academy produces champions as they say. 


They had us work a lot of takedowns, which were great. Every time I just grabbed any old way, I was corrected. Proper grips! They are highly technical. 


There were also a lot of Brazilian guys there. There's a lot of brazilians in Atlanta? I never knew. Jacare's guys were all tough. He pairs everyone up and has us do 10 min rounds and oversees and along with Cobrinha coaches everyone. It was really great to know the instructors are watching and observing you at all times. Makes it safer and makes you better. 


They were generous and we talked about the person in common we knew. Jacare even gave me a souvenir. And I left a toe nail there as a souvenir haha. Hopefully some day I will come back." Read the original post here.

It's poignant now that I reread this because I have now had the opportunity to be coached by Franjinha and Cobrinha. My last statement was of wanting to come back was quite ironic because it ended up Alliance came to me, and Cobrinha moved to LA. The attention to detail and flawless technique I remembered then still remains present now under Cobrinha in his own academy.

About the Author:

Sam Y. is a Personal Trainer, Coach, Performane Enhancement Specialist, Corrective Enhancement Specialist, Yoga and Pilates instructor, and holds multiple certifications. He is also an avid Martial Artist, training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Boxing, and MMA. He is also the author of the popular fitness blog All Out Effort as well as the popular martial arts blog Inner BJJ. You can find him in the Los Angeles area personal training his clients, or at home annoying his wife, or on Facebook at his personal fitness page.