Introduction to New Martial Arts Club

By: Aidan Sargent

An exciting new club has been created this year at Moeller: the Martial Arts Club.

The new club is run by Mr. Lynch and will meet before school on Tuesdays and Thursday at 6am in the wrestling room. The club focuses on training, particularly Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and is designed for anyone who wants to learn self-defense, gain physical and mental strength, grow confidence, and learn how to stay calm during conflicts.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a form of martial arts that uses principles of leverage, angles, and timing. Although other martial arts focus on kicking or striking, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu focuses on close-contact “grappling” holds and techniques, as well as the execution of chokes and joint-manipulations. It was a technique used by monks thousands of years ago, which then progressed to Japan and Brazil. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu not only hones physical strength, but also develops mental strength. It provides a challenge to learn a new activity that could be useful. It also helps provide reasoning by learning to predict opponents’ next moves.

Mr. Lynch set this club up, and he is very excited for it to start. He said, “Everyone should be doing it, especially young men, because it helps build confidence, helps understand how to defend yourself, and keeps your emotions in check.” He later went on to talk about the instructor for the program, Jeremy Pender. “We’ve got a really awesome instructor. He has a bunch of knowledge and experience in martial arts that will help anyone learn the skill, no matter how athletic or big you are.”

Once Mr. Lynch and other adults are trained to teach this club, it will begin. If you have any question about the club or want to join, talk to Mr. Lynch.