Let's take a look at how to get faster in BJJ. Here's the basic premise in video format, and then we'll break down this idea a little bit further in the text below... https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_wp-WXBVKW4 How To Be Fast There are different ways to be fast, including choosing the right parents so that you've got great genetics, being in shape so you're not hobbled by exhaustion, and … [Read more...]
Video
Two Powerful Armbars from Side Control
Side control offers you many effective submissions, but here are two cool armbars you may not have seen before... Let's break these down step by step... Armbar 1: The Near Side Kimura Control Armbar This is a powerful and very surprising armlock that I learned from watching Rob Biernacki's students at Island Top Team train. The first time I saw it I had no idea what they were doing, but … [Read more...]
Backtake from de la Riva Guard
One can divide the world of guards into inside guards and outside guards. Inside guards are defined as guards that dominate the space between your opponent's legs. Examples might include the butterfly guard, the single leg X guard, and the full X guard. Outside guards dominate the space outside your opponent's legs and include de la Riva guard, K guard, and the closed guard itself. But … [Read more...]
Dual Purpose BJJ Techniques
Murphy's Law says that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Which is why you need both backup plans and redundant functions. That way, when things go to hell, you're not out of options. Plan A might fail, but you've got Plan B in the wings. This is why the best techniques can serve two functions. For example, the omoplata is a shoulder lock submission, but it’s ALSO a powerful … [Read more...]
27 Red Flags for Toxic BJJ Clubs and Instructors
In episode 423 of The Strenuous Life Podcast I break down the telltale toxic traits of BJJ schools that you should avoid like the plague when you're looking for a place to train. I'll qualify my choice of red flags by quoting former NYC mayor Ed Koch who said, "If you agree with me on nine out of 12 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, see a shrink." In … [Read more...]
The Macarena Turnover for Wrestling, Judo and BJJ
I've got something new for you... It's called "A Turtle Turnover into a HELLISH Pin." But as we filmed it my friend Ritchie teased me; he said that it should be called The Macarena on account of the hand position changes. Fair enough... challenge accepted! Here's the Macarena Turnover that you can use in multiple grappling arts! Fundamentally, this video is about two different … [Read more...]
Countering the Stepover Counter in the Omoplata
The omoplata has been one of my favorite submissions since I started training BJJ in the early 1990s. But like any submission your opponent won't just go gentle into that good night; it's an absolute certainty that he is going to try to escape your attack. And one of the most common counters is your opponent stepping over your head to get to the far side of your body and freedom when you're … [Read more...]
How to Pass Half Guard Using the Kimura
The Kimura is a powerful submission, but it's ALSO a giant handle. The really cool thing is that you can use that handle to move your opponent around OR move yourself around your opponent. In the video below I'll give you a fantastic example of using the Kimura as a handle to immobilise your opponent while you pass his guard. This is one of my very favorite Kimura setups... Important … [Read more...]
Triangle Chokes from the Back, a User’s Guide
Being on someone's back is one of the most dominant positions in all of jiu-jitsu. This is for good reasons: all his weapons are facing away from you, he can't see what you're doing, and you're only half a second away from finishing him with the rear naked choke. One submission you're seeing more and more from the back is the triangle choke with the legs. This is showing up all over the place, … [Read more...]
No Gi and No Grips Guard Pass vs Headquarters
Guard passing is always tricky. Most guard passes require you to get grips with your hands, but if you're reaching for your opponent then there's always the chance that he can tie up your arms and take you over. This weekend I just put up a video I shot with Erin Herle on a style of guard passing that uses from the headquarters guard passing position where you use your legs, chest and … [Read more...]
Five Techniques to Counter the Kimura
Countering the Kimura The Kimura is one of the most powerful submissions in BJJ, and having your arm cranked by one can lead to serious injury if you don't tap out in time. Therefore you need some Kimura defenses you can rely on. Here are five of my favorite Kimura escapes. Not only do these techniques get you get out of danger, in the course of the escape they ALSO teleport you to your … [Read more...]
The Fastest Way to Boost Your BJJ Cardio
Years ago a big name MMA coach told me that Tabata sprints were mandatory for all his fighters. He argued that this particular exercise acted like a tank of nitrous in a street car; it gave his fighters the ability to generate an extra burst of speed and power when they need it most. In an MMA context this might be a wild flurry of sprawls and punches. In grappling it might be a desperate … [Read more...]
How to Fix Your BJJ Armdrag
After Marcelo Garcia arm-dragged his way to ADCC glory back in 2003 the arm drag became one of the most powerful attacks from the guard in BJJ overnight. The arm drag is so successful nowadays at every level of competition that I'd go so far as to say it's a mandatory technique, especially if you train without the gi sometimes. A well-executed armdrag from the guard teleports you directly … [Read more...]
The 16 Most Important Techniques for the BJJ Beginner
What's the most common problem (aside from getting caught under side control) facing the BJJ beginner? It's probably feeling overwhelmed by the staggering number of techniques that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu contains! There are a thousand variations of sweeps and locks and chokes and pins and escapes and guard passes. It's enough to make your head spin! So where then do you start? Which … [Read more...]
Taking Your Training Out of the Dojo and Into the World, with Tom Callos
Martial arts pioneer Tom Callos came onto The Strenuous Life Podcast to discuss the California martial arts scene in the wake of Bruce Lee, the importance of taking your training out of the dojo and into the world, how your students can become your school's most effective advertising, being BJ Penn's first BJJ instructor, and his thoughts about BJ's current struggles. Tom has owned several … [Read more...]
How to Deal with Doubt and Stress in Competition
In episode 427 of The Strenuous Life Podcast I pick the brain of sports psychologist Dr. Haley Perlis, who delves into the competition mindset, developing mental toughness, managing stress, avoiding burnout, the psychology of extreme sports, and how your core values shape your life and sport. Episode 427 is available right now in audio and video formats here: Apple Podcasts … [Read more...]
3 Great Ways to Pass Butterfly Guard
The butterfly guard offers your opponent two different types of control that set up his attacks and make it difficult for you to pass his guard. Screw up even a little bit and you'll find yourself hoisted into the air and swept or caught in a devastating leglock. To shut him down and pass his guard you first need to understand the control points he potentially has in butterfly … [Read more...]
K Guard Leglock Entry
The K Guard is really hot right now because it solves three very difficult problems. These problems include... How do you maintain control of your opponent if you don't have a strong grip on his arms or upper body (especially in no gi)? How do you deal with opponents who stand up in your guard (the most popular form of guard passing right now)? How do you attack with leglocks when … [Read more...]
BJJ After Age 35
On today's episode of The Strenuous Life Podcast, I'm joined by wrestler, jiu-jitsuka, and author Chris Jessulat (https://www.thewrongsideof35.com/) to discuss the best practices for staying relevant on the mats as you enter your fourth decade and beyond... 00:00 Training as an Older Grappler 02:48 The Transition from Competitive to Recreational Training 05:46 Physical Changes and … [Read more...]
Training Your Techniques in Chunks for Faster Learning
Mastering a new technique can seem overwhelming. There are so many steps, and for every action you take, your opponent might have 10 different reactions. But there's a relatively simple solution to the paralysing amount of material you need to internalise... A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and so does adding a new technique to your game. Start by mastering the first … [Read more...]