Dave Camarillo Guerrilla Jujitsu

[Steve1]

Does anyone have an opinion about Dave Camarillos Guerrilla Jiujitu?

[Erik]

Yes, a strong one. I came from the same BJJ club as Dave in Mountain View and trained for a little while under his flag. Dave's BJJ is very aggressive, very intelligent, and very sophisticated. I've trained with him a few times over the past 8-odd years and found him to be truly exceptional. He has an incredible reputation around here as a fighter, as a trainer, and as a good guy.

I'm not the kind of guy to have sports heroes but Dave would be my #1 if I were. Nevermind Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, whoever.

So two massive thumbs up, without reservation, for him.

[Steve1]

Thanks Erik for that info; Is his art good for self defence?

[Erik]

Of course, like any BJJ. I don't know how much striking he covers in his curriculum but I know for a fact that he is a very capable striker.

If I were still training I would be in his class, no question about it.

[Webmaster]

Of course, like any BJJ. I don't know how much striking he covers in his curriculum but I know for a fact that he is a very capable striker.

So grappling has no place in self-defense Erik? Steve didn't ask about striking, he asked about Mr. Camarillo's emphasis as it relates to self-defense?

[Steve1]

Hey Robert how's it going. My understanding of his art is that he incorporates a lot of Judo and wrestling in his style of BJJ. There's a man in Houma, where I live, that opened a BJJ school that received his black belt from Mr Camarillo, and his name is Ernist "waffel" Ellender. His school is an affiliate of Guerrilla Jiujitsu called Evolution jiujitsu, and he pretty much teaches the same curriculum. Do you have an opinion of his art and if it has self defense value.

[Webmaster]

Hey Robert how's it going. My understanding of his art is that he incorporates a lot of Judo and wrestling in his style of BJJ. There's a man in Houma, where I live, that opened a BJJ school that received his black belt from Mr Camarillo, and his name is Ernist "waffel" Ellender. His school is an affiliate of Guerrilla Jiujitsu called Evolution jiujitsu, and he pretty much teaches the same curriculum. Do you have an opinion of his art and if it has self defense value.

Hey Steve, hope you are well.

So this Mr. Camarillo incorporates Judo and wrestling into his BJJ? That's novel considering that BJJ came from Judo and all the techniques of Judo were once a part of the art. So in reality, he's adding back that which was originally part of the art.

As far as Mr. Camarillo, don't know him or Mr. Ellender, so I would be unqualified to pass judgement on either. However, based on what you are asking with regard to the art and self-defense, it is likely (based on what I have seen of most BJJ folks) that his only emphasis is on the sport side of the art. You're better off staying with the Wing Chun and Kali, especially in your line of work.

[Steve1]

Thanks Robert! I've watched some of his classes and he has some pretty good handcuffing techniques and some good take downs. However the jury is still out on his style.

[Erik]

I know Waffle (Ernie). I remember when he wore a blue belt. Good guy, smart, friendly, communicates very well.

So, regarding self-defense, I didn't mean to side step your question (and you know, Robert, I consider grappling useful for real self defense, you goofball...) I was just trying to answer whether Dave incorporates a variety of other skills than sport-grappling in his curriculum. Truth is, I don't know the answer. I do know his striking and Judo are excellent. Not sure if he teaches that, though.

I think you should go check out Dave's school(s) and see if they cover what you're looking for. I can vouch for his personal skills, his competence, and him as an instructor (top notch).

Where are you located? And what do you do that would favor wing chun over BJJ? Just wondering.

[TonyU]

He's a police officer Erik.
If I may add my 2 cents. There are a few good legitimate self defense programs out there and even fewer martial artist that have put one together. You're not going to find a school that's going to have a complete and realistic self defense "package." per se. Even then, when you do find something, not all "packages" fit all needs.
I assume you have a few years under your belt. If so, you have a better idea of what you need for self defense then most "martial artists".

My recommendation is find a good art that you like and fits you then plug any wholes you feel you may have. Make that art your base/foundation and build upon it. For example. I'm a stand up stylist, so I then enrolled in BJJ and trained in it for 3 years. Although my stand up worked for me in almost any situation I wanted to add ground work to round out my self defense skills. Now, while I'm not looking to go to the ground I have some skills if I do wind up there. I was also fortunate that my karate sensei was a police officer in the same city I spend most of my time in.

There are others that did the opposite. They're BJJ stylists who supplemented their art with some standup.
I'm still of the opinion that a good martial arts school, that teaches the true curriculum, will give you the skills you need with the right mindset and training.
Also, if you can, take some of those 3 days or a week self defense seminars that are given to law enforcement. Again, even then it might not fit all your needs but you can take what you need and adopt your style to work or even better, add it your arsenal.
Also. keep in mind, where most self defense stuff fails is it may fail to take into consideration your State/City and/or department guidelines on the use of force.
So, while my passion and art may be karate my unarmed self defense is karate/judo/jujutsu/boxing/muay-thai/bjj/spit-in-your-face/bite-your-head-off ryu.
Good luck and be safe.

[Erik]

Police, hmmmm. I know Dave is affiliated with some groups of cops - he would know where to point you. There are some Union City cops at a gym that trains Guerrilla Joy Jitsu, for example. Also krav maga.

If you're local to me I can point you toward some people who could help.

[Steve1]

Hey Erik, I'm from Houma Louisiana. I have trained in Wing Chun and Kali for the past 10 years. What I've done is apply grappling to my core art of wing chun and it works very well for me. There's the stand up first and when I'm in position I do a take down and control technique while on the ground. In my line of work I can't beat the hell out of some one. I have to seize and control the suspects. I've been a Police Officer for the past 35 years and have learned one thing about defence tactics, they don't always work. I'm not saying that all defence tactics are bad, because they do have some that are good. I became interested in Dave's art because I have heard a lot of good things about it, and I wanted to find out about him from people I know and trust such as Robert. Yes, I did train with Robert briefly and he is an excellent teacher and extremely knowledgeable in the martial arts.

Wing Cun is a fantastic art and I know there are some out there that say that it's not a complete are. I beg to differ. If I wanted to destroy some one, wing chun would be the answer, but I don't and I can't and that's why I have to incorporate jujitsu into wing chun so I don't wound up in jail myself. I've put together what works for me, and I'm always in a state of learning.

[Steve1]

Oh by the way Eric, Waffle did receive his black belt from Dave.

[Steve1]

P.S. Robert, I have found that the throws of Judo work very well in a combat situation. I've used them quite a few times to get a suspect on the ground to control them. It's kinda funny, when you fight a untrained suspect and you throw him to the ground he gives you what ever technique that your going to use to control or submit him. In other words I take what they give me. Interesting!!!

[Webmaster]

P.S. Robert, I have found that the throws of Judo work very well in a combat situation. I've used them quite a few times to get a suspect on the ground to control them. It's kinda funny, when you fight a untrained suspect and you throw him to the ground he gives you what ever technique that your going to use to control or submit him. In other words I take what they give me. Interesting!!!

Glad to hear that my humble instruction has come in handy. It is kinda surprising that untrained folks just kinda give you whatever you want. I think the shock of being thrown on the concrete makes for some effective atemi!

[Steve1]

Agreed!

[Erik]

So Ernie is in LA now? I wonder if he is building up a new practice, too. He's a psychologist.

I've been itching to get into wing chun, too, but later.....

[Steve1]

Waffle does have a private practice, and he has a doctorate in psychology as for as wing chun is concerned it is a great art.

[TonyU]

Thank you Mr. Howard on your take on Wing Chun. I have always been fascinated by the art, as I am most arts, but it's good to hear about it's practicality.
It confirms my belief that traditional arts are still effective and practical in today's era.

[Steve1]

Hey Tony, The concepts and principles that I learned in wing chun over the years has helped me in the area of grappling immensely. Wing chun is a good art and it is applicable today and can be applied to many other arts as well. It's amazing to me that when you cross train in other arts you see the basic foundation of other arts in your art. Someone once ask me how could I train in Kali and Wing chun at the same time. That's because the basic structure is very similar.