At the bottom of this article is a new video talking about the correct and incorrect side of rearmount. But first a little background... Nowadays most grapplers are realising that their default grip in the rearmount should be the over-under grip (also known as the 'seatbelt' or the 'harness'). This arm position offers a ton of control over your opponent but also many different attacking … [Read more...]
Rob Biernacki
Rearmount from A to Z
The newest Grapplearts instructional was officially released today, and it's called 'The Back Attacks Formula!' And it's one of the very best instructionals that I’ve ever been involved in or have seen on the market. Not surprisingly Back Attacks Formula about taking the back from every position, staying on the back no matter how your opponent tries to escape, and then submitting your … [Read more...]
The Reverse Armbar from Closed Guard
I was a white belt when I first saw the reverse armbar from closed guard (also known as the 'arm crush', the 'razor lock, and the 'cutting armbar'). At first I was pretty skeptical. I had all kinds of reasons why it probably wouldn't work. And then I started running into more and more people who had been submitted by it... And then I started getting caught in it too... And then I … [Read more...]
Can You Cross Your Ankles in Back Mount?
"Never cross your ankles when you're in back mount!" This rule is often taught as gospel to BJJ beginners. Truly, it's not a bad rule of thumb to start with. But there are exceptions to every rule, and that's what this article is all about... The back mount is one of the very best positions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. From the back you can submit your opponent with some very powerful … [Read more...]
Podcast EP 34: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Principles with Rob Biernacki (plus Ninjas, Insane Martial Arts Instructors and Martial Arts Cults)
The latest episode of the Grapplearts Radio Podcast is out. In it I talk with Rob Biernacki, a friend, BJJ black belt, and contributor to Grapplearts (see the videos and articles he's been involved with here). Rob is known for his analytical style of teaching BJJ. He doesn't focus on being a 'technique collector, but rather specialises in sharing the underlying principles and concepts that … [Read more...]
A Trick to Set Up the Grips You Need to Pass Your Opponent’s Guard
One of the keys to passing the guard effectively and efficiently is controlling the grip battle. But a quality opponent always be trying to block your grips. Not only that: he wants to attack you with sweeps and submissions so at the same time he'll be trying to ensnare you with his own set of grips. As a result, when you're passing the guard you'll often end up in a pseudo-symmetrical … [Read more...]
How to Stop the Double Underhooks Guard Pass
The double underhooks guard pass is one of the low passes you see most in high level competition. It's favored by big, strong dudes who love to smash people. Once they get your hips hoisted up and your body bent in half you feel pretty vulnerable. At that point they can pass your guard, take your back, move to the crucifix, or any number of horrible, nasty finishes. So you've GOT to have an … [Read more...]
How to Tape Your Fingers for BJJ
Some BJJ players - including myself - train and compete with their hands au naturel. But BJJ can be rough on the hands and fingers, especially grip-dependent positions like Spider Guard and de la Riva, and some competitors have so much tape covering their fingers that they look like mummies shambling out from beneath an Egyptian pyramid. In the video below BJJ black belt Rob Biernacki and I … [Read more...]
A Surprising Kimura Setup from Kesa Gatame
I don't know what exactly went wrong with the settings on the camera the night we filmed this. The colour in this video is far from perfect: things are weirdly washed out and at the same time it looks like I've got a horrible sunburn. But it really doesn't matter, because the teaching is really solid. In this video, under the guise of teaching a fancy and surprising setup for the Kimura, my … [Read more...]