Certified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt - Professor Richard Raciti
BJJ is a style of martial arts unlike any other. It is a blend of traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu with modern day submissions and ground grappling movements developed by the Gracie family in Brazil in the 1940's. Since that time, many BJJ practitioners have fine-tuned this art to become the best style of self-defense, and the most popular style in martial arts competition. BJJ is designed to take the opponent to the ground and subdue him by placing him in an environment that he is not familiar with. From the ground, the BJJ man will simply use the ground fighting skills to finish his attacker.
BJJ is practiced mostly for sport. Unlike most styles of sports, BJJ does not require a lot of size or strength. This style relies on a vast array of techniques that center around leverage. When applied properly, these techniques will enable the small guy to defeat the big, strong guy. Gracie vs Severn, Gracie vs Kimo, Gracie vs Ken Shamrock. These are all examples that show a skilled, small guy can overcome the big, strong guy as proved in the Ultimate Fighting Championship by the legendary Royce Gracie. Thanks to the Gracie family and other great Brazilians, martial artists can add this style to their arsenal of fighting techniques or they can just learn this amazing art just for the fun of it. Perhaps one might venture into the sport arena.
The EDGE is the only Joe Moreira affiliated academy on the east coast for over 1,000 miles!. (The only other affiliated academys are in Maine)
The EDGE's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program is under the instruction of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Professor Richard Raciti. Professor Raciti and The EDGE is fortunate to be affiliated with BJJ legend Professor Joe Moreira. The 8TH Degree Black Belt teaches seminars around the globe and conducts private lessons. Considered a bona fide authority on jiu-jitsu, Moreira has issued 30 black belts and released a total of 38 instructional tapes that are considered among the best available in the United States.
Specific techniques taught are designed either to improve one's position (for example, to "pass the guard", by going from being "in the guard" to getting around the opponent's legs, resulting in side control); or else as a finishing submissions. Most submissions are either chokes (cutting off the blood supply to the brain) or arm locks (hyperextending the elbow, or twisting the shoulder).
Belt ranks start at white belt, and progress through blue, purple, brown, and then black. It generally takes about 2-3 years of training multiple times per week to be promoted to the next belt rank. However, there is no formal rank test. Instead, rank is about the ability to apply jiu-jitsu techniques in a competitive match. A student generally needs to be able to reliably defeat most other students at a given rank in order to be promoted to the next rank.
EDGE MMA
Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed Martial Arts or MMA is the term used for combat sports incorporating different styles of fighting such as Muay Thai, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Boxing. The sport of MMA has grown as a result of man’s desire to become better at combat sports resulting in a new and different style of hybrid fighting. The quest to become the best fighter not only in their own martial art style but the best fighter overall has encouraged practioners to take up other styles of fight training.
The EDGE has been teaching MMA since 1981. EDGE owner/ instructor Richard Raciti was combining techniques from different styles almost 30 years ago. Needless to say his style of fighting and teaching did not go over well with the traditional martial arts community, especially his own instructor. He has always felt that his first loyalty was to his students and that he had an obligation to teach what works...regardless of where it originated from. One of Coach Raciti's favorite quotes in regards to learning new techniques is, " If you steal from one person you're a theif...if you steal from everyone you're a researcher".
MMA has become the standard of the competitive side of martial arts. MMA training gives you an opportunity to find out what techniques are most effective, what techniques are sometimes effective and what techniques are not very effective at all. Through MMA training you can develop moves or come up with ideas that actually work for you based on your own individual abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and even disabilities and injuries. Students of the EDGE's MMA program get to learn and test out their ideas and techniques in a safe and friendly world class training facility to see how well it works in actual competition or self defense situation. Although we have a formidable fight team, most of the EDGE's MMA students are training because they enjoy MMA and want to get into the best shape of their lives from the ultimate conditioning drills utilized in MMA training. They have no desire to ever enter the cage and fight... they do however enjoy the challenge of training side-by-side with our fight team members, other MMA students, our great coaching staff...and cool music.
The EDGE MMA program combines the best of each discipline in order to make you the best and most well rounded student/ fighter you can be. The EDGE MMA Program allows the student to take unlimited classes in Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, No- Gi Submission Grappling, MMA Team Training, Boxing, and use of the EDGE's own 20Ft Octogon Cage.
Sil Jun Do®
The EDGE's Sil Jun Do® program is a unique and dynamic martial art that offers development on many levels. The program is a perpetual system of training that grows and changes as the students improve their skills.
Sil Jun Do®, literally translated means "The Real Way". It is is a trademarked tactical system of self defense that incorporates all aspects of modern combatives with the spirit of a warrior athlete who has confidence, self discipline, respect, and dedication. This system is a result of a lifetime study of the martial arts, boxing, grappling arts, and close-quarter combatives. Techniques and practices that are more for tradition than for practicality have been eliminated. Sil Jun Do® is a streamlined and effective technically enhanced system of modern martial arts skills and strategies that are time tested and battle proven. To put it simply, it is “the real way”.
Students learn and practice practical and diverse movements and techniques from far, middle and close range to defend against hostile or aggressive actions in virtually any situation. The class incorporates kicking techniques, boxing, blocks, strikes, evasion, suppressing, and stunning techniques as well as clinching, takedowns, throws, and ground fighting all taught in a way that utilizes each students natural body type. Emphasis is placed on practicality, not pageantry, inSil Jun Do® . The most comprhensive and well thought out Knife, gun, and stick disarms as well as justified force techniques are all incorporated into Sil Jun Do®. These are the very same techniques that Mr. Raciti teaches at the International Training Commission's elite Executive Protection Trainig program which has been seen on FOX TV, Montel Williams, The Colbert Report, as well as many other news segments .
The workout is practical and focuses on getting fit and healthy while developing personal awareness and the thought process of a fighter. The flexible structure allows students to eventually modify the techniques to suit their own needs and abilities. Creativity is unlimited, offering students movements and choices with a diverse blend of Eastern and Western styles, concepts, and philosophies. The training is infused with power, focus, intent, and mindfulness. Classes motivate students to get fit and healthy by supporting their desire to explore their ongoing growth process and potential in a fun and thought provoking way. Fitness, health, well-being, personal and family protection, potential, and improved self-esteem result from the magnetic experience of the EDGE’s Sil Jun Do® Program.
Sil Jun Do® is a trade-marked tactical system of self defense. The EDGE's Saddle Brook, NJ Academy is the ONLY school or academy where you can learn Sil Jun Do®. Certified instructors, permissions for use, and affiliated academys authorized to teach Sil Jun Do® are granted only by Master Instructor Richard Raciti.
BOXING
If you want to learn the basics of boxing and get a great workout than the EDGE's Boxing program is for you. Wether you have aspirations of becoming the next world champ, or you're just looking for a great workout and love the art of boxing you will fit right in at The EDGE. Many of our students have said that they love our boxing program after experiencing a "hardcore" boxing club. Boxing is an incredible and colorful sport but it does attract some unsavory characters. This is really just part of the mystique of boxing, but to some it's just not something they want in their every day life. If this is the case with you, try one of our boxing classes that caters more to the workout and technique aspect of boxing than strictly the competition side. If you do want to compete we can also accomodate you and get you ready for the ring
There's no need to explain yourself if you don't want to compete. Just think of it as saving brain cells for other things.
For the average person who has never boxed or been in a boxing gym, it can be an intimidating experience. Just stepping in the door might be the biggest hurdle. One big misconception about boxing gyms is that you are going to suffer a painful beating. At The EDGE you probably you won't be allowed in the ring or spar until you are qualified, and then under complete supervision.
From beginner to professional, The EDGE will treat you like a world champion.
The EDGE's boxing coach Jason Malec has worked with the EDGE's MMA and Muay Thai fight team to enhance their boxing skills. Coach Malec is a certified teacher and his boxing classes have received great reveiws.
