Category Archives: Training
The X Guard Position
The ‘X guard’ is a position that I’ve been using a lot recently. Depending on your point of view, it’s either a form of the open guard or the half guard, but whatever you call it, it’s effective as hell! You end up in X Guard a lot when you use the Butterfly Guard, especially when your opponent posts his foot to stop your sweeps. (more…)
Butterfly Guard / X Guard Q & A
The questions in this article arose, in part, from a discussion of my Butterfly Guard and X Guard video, which is part of the Guard Sweeps DVD Package. Of course everyone is welcome to read on, but for maximum benefit it’d probably be a good idea to pick up a copy of this 2 DVD package
Action vs. Reaction in Grappling (or why Yogi Berra was right)
An article by Jeff ‘Wombat’ Meszaros
When Yogi Berra said, “half of this game is ninety percent mental”, he was talking about hitting a ball with a stick and running around an empty field. He wasn’t talking about rolling around with some sweaty dude who’s trying to tear your arms off. (more…)
Submission Grappling vs. Classical Ju-jutsu; when cultures and concepts collide
Introduction
There are many similarities between the sport of Submission Grappling and the classical Japanese Ju-jutsu systems. Both arts emphasize grappling over striking. Both arts recognize the importance and efficiency of ground-fighting. (more…)
Marcio Feitosa Talks Techniques, Training and Teams
Marcio Feitosa is the head instructor Gracie Barra, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu team headed by Carlos Gracie Jr. that has produced such competitors as Renzo Gracie, the Machado brothers, Nino Schembri and many others. (more…)
The Drills of Shaolin
When Vitor ‘Shaolin’ Ribeiro started talking the drills he uses I paid attention. Shaolin has won the World BJJ Championships 4 times, holds the 140 to 155 lb belt in Shooto, and has a long list of other titles. He is an outstanding competitor in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, submission grappling and mixed martial arts, so he knows how to train effectively and efficiently! (more…)
Accelerate Your Jiu Jitsu Path To Black Belt
Achieving a blue belt level of Jiu Jitsu may take only a year or two. But what if you’re not content with intermediate Jiu Jitsu skills? What if your goal is to get your black belt and become a submission machine? (more…)
Gracie Magazine Jiu-Jitsu manual
20 tips to enhance your play
If you only read and keep the teachings presented here, you’re not going anywhere with your ground techniques. The following advices – useful in tournaments with gi, grappling, MMA and for the athletes personal evolution – ought to be studied between trainings. (more…)
Starting BJJ: What to Expect on your First Class
The purpose of this article is to answer any questions you might have about starting to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and your first class in particular. Every school is different, but this article will help you understand how MOST Brazilian Jiu-jitsu schools operate. (more…)
Not using too much power is important if you want to develop your technique, but if you want to develop a game you can really use against another competitor at a similar level, you have to be very active in your training and avoid the laziness of relaxing. (more…)
Grappling Breakthroughs
In January, 2006, I sent out a Grappling Tip of the Week discussing a breakthrough I had had in making the transition from gi to no-gi training, specifically with regard to controlling the head in the open guard (read the whole tip here). (more…)
A Guide to Grappling Gear
You’re training in a sport that, at its core, consists of two human beings rolling around trying to submit one another. This all seems very simple, and you don’t need a lot of gear to get started other than a mat (and maybe a gi). But In this article I am going to discuss a few additional items might make your time on the mats more enjoyable and productive. (more…)
Grappling with Claustrophobia in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
This article grew out of an email conversation I had with a reader of the Grapplearts newsletter about his problems with claustrophobia while grappling (read about the initial conversation here). How could he possibly control this awful feeling? (more…)
16 Tips for your Closed Guard
by guest author Jason Scully
Jason Scully (in the green shirt) is a teacher and competitor with 12 years of grappling experience. He owns The Grapplers Guide Academy and also operates The Grapplers Guide Forum. (more…)
A Glossary of Guards Part 3: The Half Guard
By Stephan Kesting and Elliott Bayev
Principal Photography by Keith Haist
Originally Published in Ultimate Grappling Magazine
This is the third and final article in a series introducing a wide variety of guard positions. (more…)
A Glossary of Guards Part 2: The Open Guard
By Stephan Kesting and Elliott Bayev
Principal Photography by Keith Haist
Originally Published in Ultimate Grappling Magazine (more…)
A Glossary of Guards Part 1: The Closed Guard
By Stephan Kesting and Elliott Bayev
Principal Photography by Keith Haist
Originally Published in Ultimate Grappling Magazine (more…)
What Makes a Good Training Partner?
Jason Scully (in the green shirt) is a teacher and competitor with more than 12 years of grappling experience. He is a BJJ brown belt and owns The Grapplers Guide Academy and also operates The Grapplers Guide Forum. (more…)
The Way to Train
The Way to Train – Jiu-jitsu Idealism
An article by Tal Williams of Elite Martial Arts.
I was put to task to write something about Brazilian jiu jitsu. I’m not going to teach you any bad ass moves that will ensure metaphoric death to your foes because I don’t know them, and it also doesn’t go with the title. (more…)
In December, 2008, I sent out a Grappling Tip Email with a tip about not letting your opponent control your hips (see the first tip below). I asked readers to share their best tips for preventing or blocking the guard pass…
Unorthodox Positions and Attacks
There are six major positions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts and Submission Grappling. If you learn these positions you’ll be off to a great start, but you’ll also be a bit predictable…
Michael Jen BJJ Interview
Stephan’s Note: Michael Jen is a BJJ Black Belt based in Northern California. He’s contributed a LOT to the art via his videos, seminars and forum posts, so I was glad to get his input on improving your BJJ skills (and it turns out that it’s all YOUR responsibility). (more…)
So You Want To Train BJJ in Brazil?
An Article by Mark Mullen
Introduction
As I lay gasping on the cold pavement of the Trans Canada Highway, the 18 wheeler that had just plowed me over belching diesel exhaust into my face, my life essence slipping into the next plain of existence, my last thoughts were “Shit!! I never made it to Rio de Janeiro!” (more…)
17 Tips for an Active Bottom Half Guard
These are some important aspects to focus on and remember when it comes to being on the bottom in half guard
- Don’t just hold on. (more…)
Four Reasons You Might Be Getting Tired in BJJ
by Guest Author, Mark Mullen (BJJ Brown Belt, Judo Brown Belt)
I’ve been grappling for many years, and here’s a situation that comes up all the time…
I often spar younger, heavier, beginners. At the end of the round they’re usually fighting for breath, arms trembling from fatigue. (more…)
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