This past weekend, members of our team headed up to Toledo to visit our friend Deon Thompson (4th-degree black belt) at Brasa Toledo. The occasion? A masterclass from one of the most dominant forces in the sport today: multiple-time World Champion Erich Munis.
The "Squid Guard" and the Art of Control
Erich is world-renowned for his lapel game, and he spent a significant portion of the seminar diving into the Squid Guard. He showed us how to systematically set it up, whether you’re starting from a standing position or working from the bottom.
The Squid Guard is all about using the opponent's own gi to create a "knot" they can’t untie, and Erich’s details on how to use that leverage to sweep or transition were eye-opening for everyone on the mats.
Crushing Pressure: The "Crazy Dog" Pass
On the flip side, we looked at his top game, specifically the Crazy Dog pass (a heavy, tripod-style pressure pass). This is a "blue-collar" passing style—it’s not about being flashy; it’s about using relentless pressure and positioning to make the person on bottom feel like they have nowhere to go. Seeing a World Champion emphasize such a grounded, fundamental pressure game was a great reminder that "simple" is often the most effective.
"Time, Time, Time"
Perhaps the most impactful part of the day wasn't a specific move, but Erich’s philosophy on competition. Despite the language barrier, his message was crystal clear. He kept repeating: "Time, Time, Time."
For Erich, world-class Jiu-Jitsu is a race against the clock—not just the round timer, but the fractions of a second between transitions. His main points were:
• Don't waste moments: Every second you spend adjusting a grip that doesn't need to be adjusted is a second your opponent can use to escape.
• Efficiency is King: Whether you are passing a lapel or moving a hand, if you can save half a second by doing it more efficiently, you win.
• Simple is Fast: Getting to your position quickly using simple, direct movements is often better than trying something complex that takes "too much time."
Bringing it Back to Findlay
A huge thank you to Deon Thompson for being such a gracious host and bringing this level of talent to Northwest Ohio.
We’re excited to bring these "Squid Guard" setups and "Crazy Dog" pressure back to our own mats at the academy. If you see us drilling lapel wraps or working on our tripod pressure this week, now you know where it came from!
