Josef “Ze Cobra” Manuel

Comments (20)

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  Rigo Asencio June 26, 2022 Reply

  My Professor!!!! A true inspiration for me and the reason why I have stayed on the mats all these years with all the bumps in the road. If I’m a Black Belt … He is the reason!

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  Steven Abill June 28, 2022 Reply

  Professor Josef Manuel is one of the most knowledgeable Jiu Jitsu practitioners that I have ever had the pleasure to learn from. I have been practicing jujitsu for over 16 years and currently run my own Academy, however we must remember that we are always a student of Jiu Jitsu and in order to be a great student you need a great professor and Josef is exactly that. I regularly scheduled private lessons with him because regardless of the concepts or techniques that I want to work on he always has something to offer. When I leave one of his private lessons I feel like a white belt again. I am very lucky to have found him, and even luckier to call him my professor. If you have the opportunity to take a private lesson, a workshop or a seminar with him I can guarantee you you will not be disappointed.

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  Louis June 28, 2022 Reply

  Professor Josef Manuel has to be one of the most proficient and amazing instructors out here in New Jersey (maybe in the whole country). You can’t compare the level of detail and instruction he gives when explaining Key movements and precise grips.I’m not kidding everyone, he’s like a walking encyclopedia. He’ll give you exact historical references where the moves originated from, where you can see the move performed in a match, and clear step by step detail of best practices. Whether you’re taking a seminar with professor Josef or a private make sure to bring a notepad to document EVERYTHING, his stuff is gold!

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  David Viz June 28, 2022 Reply

  Professor Josef Manuel is really a rare individual. Not only does he have the work ethic and grit of a champion but he is also a great communicator and speaker. This powerful combination makes him a fountain of knowledge that can give you glasses of knowledge rather than hose you with moves and information. When I first became curious about bjj and came into his academy, he took his time with the white belts and was diligent about ensuring we knew and understood the fundamentals. After a grueling year of learning by trial and error as a white belt professor awarded me my blue belt. I found my progress hit a bit of a wall, I wanted a more focused lesson that would help me evolve my game and help me move passed the areas I was struggling in. Professor’s private lessons completely over delivered on my expectations. We started with some drills for guard retention, moved into some sweeps from bottom half, and finally a few different finishes. The sessions are always incredible, it’s like paying for a 1:1 seminar tailor fitted for your game. My game was quickly elevated. I found myself catching my training partners with the moves I learned and even surprising some higher ranks with them. I highly recommend professor Josef’s private lessons and academy as a whole to anyone interested in the gentle art.

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  Cesar Negron June 28, 2022 Reply

  My Professor, friend and fellow warrior for over 20 years in the BJJ family he keeps me sharp with his attention to detail, current and creative new grips , technical positions and above all the warrior ethos -mindset. Private lessons are an awesome and important aspect to my style and overall jiu-jitsu journey as an ever growing student I am grateful for such a teacher.
  Thank you !!!

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  Wayne June 28, 2022 Reply

  Professor Josef Manuel is a consummate professional that works with his students, teaching, mentoring and demonstrating hands on, a beautiful and highly technical form of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. He is a leader of men. He leads by example on the mats demonstrating his best and most high percentage techniques. Then, Professor Josef applies those same techniques taught in class, on high level black black belts when competing.

  Even as a black belt, I regularly attend Professor Josef’s seminars. My favorite being the body lock seminar where Professor opened my eyes to alternative entries and high percentage passes using the body lock.

  I’ve said to Professor Josef, every session I have with him, he leaves me a few “gold nuggets” to add to my game.

  If you ever see a Professor Josef Manuel sponsored seminar, dont miss it. It’s worth the price and then some!

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  nick d June 28, 2022 Reply

  The private lesson with Professor Josef Manuel was full of details. Professor was explaining how and why that little detail is crucial for the technique to be good. I really like that Professor Josef does the technique to you showing the details step by step and also being able to feel the move being done to you helps to understand it. The private lesson was great, I love being able to pick at professor Josef’s brain to get more knowledge, techniques, little details that help you understand what my game needs work on.

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  Phoenix Carnevale June 28, 2022 Reply

  I have trained on multiple martial arts disciplines through the years and have been injured training in BJJ. Because of that I was very tentative to train. I’m a 5’2 woman and I understand the importance of training in this art for self defense but I really needed the right school and the right instructor because of my gender, size and injuries. Professor Josef is perfect for me. Not only is he highly experienced in the competition side of BJJ , he’s also very understanding of a students needs. As a woman I feel very safe training not only with him but with his student because the standard on how to roll with a smaller female is there. This does not mean they take it easy on me. It means they just know what NOT to do to be respectful and allow me to learn. I have also taken privates with Professor and he’s such a wealth of knowledge. It’s reignited my passion for martial arts.

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  Henry Rzemieniewski June 28, 2022 Reply

  Professor Manuel’s bio speaks for itself. His experience and creativity on the mats help make him the Jiu-Jitsu Mastermind that he is. Through countless private sessions, dropping not only high-efficient techniques but key concepts as well, he has helped shape me into the well-rounded black belt that I am today. When I think I have mastered a technique or position, he adds his twist to make it that much stronger. And the results are evident in training and competition. If you are ever in the Tri-state area, and looking to level up, schedule some time on the mats with him.

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  Gilberto Rivera June 28, 2022 Reply

  My professor is very inspiring and I am learning each day that I come in train that Bjj can be applied not just on the mats but in life as well.He proof of what a great teacher is.Much more to learn and it’s been a good journey this far.

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  Fill Macias June 29, 2022 Reply

  Having been a student under Professor Manuel for a little over a decade, it has been a privilege and blessing to learn this sport under his watch and guidance. Whether it’s a class, a seminar or a private lesson, the devil is in the details and he leaves no stone unturned when reviewing concepts and techniques. I’ve come out of privates and seminars with an improved game and a better mindset. Looking forward to the journey ahead.

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  Jesse Colon June 29, 2022 Reply

  Professor Manuel is an incredible teacher, mentor, and most of all he’s family. Professor Manuel is a World class BJJ competitor and teacher and is on his way to being a legend in the sport. Two years ago he took me in and worked with me patiently as a white belt even with all my schedule issues and inconsistencies. He always expressed that he saw greatness in me and helped me diligently to make it grow. I especially saw a big improvement in my game once I took a private class with Professor. He took his time breaking down techniques with me and working through the flaws in my game. I walked out of the private with tremendous confidence. I highly recommend taking private classes with Professor Manuel.

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  Emilio Ramirez June 30, 2022 Reply

  I’ve had the honor to having both a seminar and privates with Professor Josef.
  First off the seminar was amazing. Everyone walked off the mats happy. He is an outstanding instructor, very detailed in his techniques. His passion for Jiu Jitsu is incredible which makes the atmosphere great and easy to learn. (The man got me to invert, I’ve been doing jiu jitsu for years and have never been able to invert lol)
  Which brings me to our private session. What else can I say but, awesome. He’s motivating, dedicated, and extremely knowledgeable. So much so I scheduled my next private before i left the mat.
  Definitely recommend for both seminars and privates

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  Tom Randall June 30, 2022 Reply

  I had the privilege of attending a seminar with Professor Josef when he visited our school in Boise, Idaho. His reputation preceded him as an energetic and technical instructor. I was not disappointed. I was able to easily add some of things he taught at the seminar into my game because he taught with clarity.

  Beyond technical and energetic, Professor Josef is positive, gracious, humble and approachable when dealing with anyone who steps on the mat, from the newest white belt to experienced black belts.

  When it comes to competing, shortly after the seminar, I was able to see Professor Josef practice what he preaches and execute an exciting match at an IBJJF Open here in Boise.

  I would willingly go to any seminar I could where he is teaching, or get private lessons from him.

  Tom Randall, RMNU Purple Belt, Boise Idaho.

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  Marcus D. Nieves July 1, 2022 Reply

  Not enough can be said in regards to training under professor Josef Manuel, I am honored. He’s an excellent instructor and friend. He pushes you and guides you to your physical and mental limits to extract excellence out of you in training. He genuinely cares for his team. You can absolutely feel his passion in his teaching style and even when he opens up a little about his personal life for us to be better individuals inside and outside the mats, I greatly appreciate those conversations.

  I particularly look forward to my private lessons with professor because he’s going to help me tailor fit my game on the mats. He’s experience is world class and he contours the lessons for what fits me best or to counteract any difficulties I’ve had on the mats that week. I strongly recommend you book a private lesson w professor. All in all I’m blessed to be training under someone that has the years to back it up and the real world competition experience on the world stage. 🙏🏻🥋

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  Pedro Hernandez July 1, 2022 Reply

  I believe that a student must take private lessons with their instructor. These are the sessions that allow your instructor to really fine tune your Jiu Jitsu to your body type and style. Private lessons accelerate your learning and allow your instructor to give you the details which you are missing. For me, this is where Professor Manuel’s privates really ensure that this occurs and so much more. His private lessons really focus on creating and molding a Jiu Jitsu that fits to your level of understanding and athleticism. His attention to detail, enthusiasm, and professionalism in these sessions are without words. If you are looking into making a worthwhile investment in your training, he always over delivers in his lessons. I’m really lucky to have him as my instructor.

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  Abigail August 14, 2022 Reply

  The best seminar I have ever been to! Professor Manuel was kind, informative, detailed, and so skilled! I was lucky to spend a few hours in a room learning from him, and if I ever find myself in jersey I will be sure to train with him more

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  Sarah R August 15, 2022 Reply

  Amazing seminar from Josef Manuel. He covered many great techniques, good details, and really took the time and care to make sure we had insightful instruction. Also spoke on a number of important topics and shared a lot of positive life advice. Talked about competition psychology and jiu jitsu lifestyle. Great quality training and wonderful instruction! Grateful for the opportunity.

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  Colin September 28, 2022 Reply

  Had the opportunity to get a private from professor Josef while visiting from Ireland, it was unbelievable, the small details I’ll take away will no doubt change my game, I originally commented on one of Josef’s social media posts approx 4 years ago and since then always wanted to opportunity to learn from him, his attention to detail and skill level is 2nd to none, even after the private I had the chance to chat with him and his cousin for a while, absolute legend and thankyou for the opportunity

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  Tomas April 30, 2023 Reply

  I cannot stress how lucky you will be to study with Professor Manuel. I had the opportunity to train with him as a white and black belt. Nothing like training with a Student of the game, that has BJJ running through their veins. A person who’s constantly testing the limits of their BJJ, so he can teach you tested techniques and mindsets. A true master.