At the bottom of this post is a Youtube video I just created to show the easiest way to do the Berimbolo. Now if you're a Berimbolo aficionado then you've probably already scrolled down. But maybe you're on the fence about this move. Or maybe you don't even know what it is and why you should care about it. Well, give me a minute to put it into context for you... Over the last couple of … [Read more...]
Techniques
3 Great Knee Cut Counters
The Knee Cut Pass is one of the most powerful and most commonly used guard passes in all of grappling. This pass uses the knee to pin the opponent's leg, opening the opportunity to slide across to the other side of his body. It's used in BJJ with the gi, submission grappling with spandex and shorts, and even in MMA. The knee cut is a very powerful pass, and if you're a grappler you … [Read more...]
A Safe and Effective Open Guard Pull
If you do it wrong then pulling guard can be dangerous for both competitors; I've seen people pulling guard knock themselves out AND people pulling guard injure their training partners by pulling guard incorrectly. It's important to clarify that I'm not against pulling guard in competition. I mean, what if your opponent is much bigger than you, or is a much better at takedowns than you, or … [Read more...]
Rolling Kimura Guard Pass
The rolling Kimura is a surprising way to pass guard. This technique is increasingly being used at the higher levels of the sport, and especially in no gi competition. Here's Elliott Bayev showing you how to roll your way past the butterfly guard (aka sitting guard) and the half guard. With the details he shows I think you'll quickly find that it's easier than it looks! P.S. This … [Read more...]
5 Leglock Entries From Standup
Let's take a look at 5 leglock entries from a standing position. By combining your takedowns with these submissions you'll greatly magnify the power of both! It's always easier to apply a technique when your opponent doesn't expect it. And nothing is more surprising than thinking you're in a takedown battle but suddenly find yourself on the defensive, frantically defending a leglock … [Read more...]
Standing Armdrag Attack
The standing armdrag to rear naked choke is one of the most powerful combos in jiu-jitsu, used with great success by GOAT Marcelo Garcia. Here's a step-by-step on how to do it! Go tap out one of your training partners for me! Stephan P.S. This technique is from the brand new 30 Second Fight Finishes instructional in app, DVD, and online streaming formats featuring Elliott Bayev and … [Read more...]
Jumping Guillotine Choke
A lot of jiu-jitsu guys struggle on their feet, especially when they're facing a superior wrestler. Fortunately there's a way to use a wrestler's own reactions against him, and that's by jumping into a guillotine choke In this technique you first fake low and threaten a double leg takedown or a low single takedown. When he does the right thing and level changes to defend against the shot … [Read more...]
Deliberate Guard Passing Practice
If you're on top in the guard during sparring you've got a very important choice to make... Are you going to Fight him tooth and nail to get to a passing position, or Concede the engagement phase and let him have his guard of choice Both are valid options, but this is a choice you should make deliberately. Let's go through this in a little more detail... Option 1: Fight to Get to a … [Read more...]
How to Pass the Guards of Very Flexible People
It's can be a real pain to pass the guard of an extremely flexible guard player. Typically these are young punks throwing hooks at you from every direction... strange and unorthodox submissions... legs that always manage to pop back into play no matter what you do. One of the best things you can do against flexible players is to stack them. Drive their feet to the floor above their head. … [Read more...]
The 5 Main Variations of the Toreando Guard Pass
The Toreando guard pass (aka the Matador pass) is a very powerful way to pass the guard in gi jiu-jitsu and no gi submission grappling. (You even see it used in MMA where it combines very well with powerful overhand punches. The fact that you're controlling his feet or his shins makes it much harder for him to upkick you!) This pass is used in every high level tournament in the world, but … [Read more...]
What is Tripod Passing in Jiu-Jitsu?
My current favorite style of guard passing is called 'tripod passing.' This style of passing has been used with great success in gi, no gi, and MMA competition. Turning yourself into a giant stable tripod above your opponent when you're passing has several huge advantages. For example you can... 1) Put a TON of pressure on your opponent if you want, 2) Deny him the ability to put you in … [Read more...]
How to Apply the Bow and Arrow Choke in Jiu-Jitsu
The bow and arrow choke is one of the highest percentage finishing techniques in all of jiu-jitsu. Statistically it's used to finish a very large number of matches at high level BJJ competition like the Mundials, the Pan-Ams, and more. But some ways of applying the bow and arrow are better than others. Some methods are tighter, some finishes are more powerful, and certain tweaks make it MUCH … [Read more...]
Reverse Armbar from Closed Guard
The reverse armbar from closed guard is a great way to attack from the closed guard, especially against a younger, more athletic opponent. Using this submission is a two step process.... The first step is to get him under control and take away his movement privileges. The second step is to methodically advance your position until he's all out of options and you finish the … [Read more...]
A Simple Counter When Your Opponent Controls Your Pant Legs
Nothing good happens if you let your opponent control your pant legs in jiu-jitsu. Once he has those grips he can start his guard passing sequences with torreando passes, leg drags, stack passes and more. Here's how to use the cross lapel grip to shut that nonsense down before it begins! There's a cheat code that allows most people to jump up a full belt level almost overnight. You … [Read more...]
Why Older, Slower, Stiff, and Broken Grapplers Should Use the Butterfly Guard Against Standing Opponents
If you're an older grappler playing guard against a standing opponent then you should start in the seated or butterfly guard rather than starting flat on your back. Sitting up will give you the best chance of getting your grips and setting up your preferred guard of choice. If you lie down into a recumbent guard (i.e. with your back flat on the floor) then you're essentially conceding the … [Read more...]
How to Defend and Counter the Crossface from Bottom Half Guard
Getting flattened out, crossfaced, and smashed when you're in the half guard sucks, and in this article we're going to learn how to prevent that from happening. The key is to use your upper body frames to stop your opponent from getting chest to chest and flattening you out. Doing this also allows you to get back to offense from the bottom again. First, here's a breakdown of how not to get … [Read more...]
A Heavy Knee Cut Pass vs Butterfly Guard
The butterfly guard is a very dangerous position. It offers your opponent the ability to come after you with powerful sweeps, guillotine chokes, triangle chokes, leglocks, and many other attacks. If you're doing jiu-jitsu then you absolutely need to know how to shut down the butterfly guard and make your opponent regret even thinking about using it on you! The way to do that is with pressure … [Read more...]
How to Defend the Back Take in Jiu-Jitsu
There's a terrible feeling of inevitability when you're in someone's guard, he takes your arm across his centerline, and starts to climb to your back. But it doesn't need to be this way. Having your elbow across his centerline doesn't automatically lead to him taking your back and making your life miserable. Here's a technique to get out of this position that has saved my butt many … [Read more...]
Hip Bump Sweep from Closed Guard
In this video excerpted from The Closed Guard System renowned BJJ black belt Jon Thomas covers the advanced details of the hip bump sweep. The hip bump sweep is one of those classic attacks from the closed guard that still works incredibly well in the modern jiu-jitsu game. 00:10 - How to break your opponent's posture in closed guard 00:40 - How to exploit him defending the posture … [Read more...]
3 Open Guard Options vs. Standing Opponents
If you don't have a gameplan from the open guard then this position can quickly become a confusing and ineffective tangle of arms and legs . And open guard chaos gets much, much worse when you don't have a good grip on your opponent. Even a single solid grip on your opponent's arm, neck, foot, heel or gi allows you to control his posture, limit his movement, and set up your own attacks. … [Read more...]