Product Description

Customer Reviews (70)

Very detailed
I've been practicing jiu jitsu for almost a year now, and wanted to get a technical breakdown of the basic escapes and positions.I'm only half-way through, but I've found this book to be exceptionally written.It is fully illustrated with most moves shot from both sides to better see what is going on.

Saulo (and his brother Xandre) are both world-class grapplers, and he includes a lot of little tips throughout the book.One thing I especially like is his "don'ts" notes, where he'll mention common habits people acquire, which he finds are dangerous and prohibitive.He also includes a very well written beginning on what each belt really means and what you should be focusing at each level.This book is an exceptional resource for anyone, who wants a good breakdown of the basics of jiu jitsu.

Jiu-Jitsu essential
Fantastic encyclopedia of technique and the rationale behind the technique in pictures with detailed explanations. Saulo shows (literally) you not just what to do, but what not to do and why.I have about 6 Jiu-Jitsu technique books and this is probably the best and certainly the most comprehensive.I just started Jiu-Jitsu about 9 months ago and after a few weeks of having this book I noticed several at the dojo saying how much I improved.

Buy the book it's worth every penny

excellent knowledge within
I bought this book as a friend of mine had it and I had previously consulted it... great basique techniques frame by frame along with explicative notes... great for helping you through your academy learning process... quality of the book could not be better... A little heavy if you are having it sent overseas.

Great Book
Amazing quality. Full size, full color pages. Excellent paper quality. The content is top notch and laid out from white belt tactics to black belt submissions. A great reference book for any BJJ practitioner.

One of the best books of its kind
This book not only gives great technique but puts out the necessary mindset to progress through each stage of your development in jiu jitsu. ... Read more

Product Description
During the last decade, the martial arts world has looked to innovative mixed martial arts competitions such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship to determine which fighting style is the best. These contests have repeatedly shown the grappling style of martial arts, headed by Brazilian jiu-jitsu, to dominate. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu style stems from the premise, garnered from analysis of actual street fights, that the outcome of any fight is decided on the ground. While most martial arts deal only with the initial punching and kicking stages of combat, Brazilian jiu-jitsu concentrates on ground combat. This guide shows how to use Brazilian jiu-jitsu to increase combat effectiveness. Photographs and step-by-step instructions show how to master the techniques used in this exciting new form of combat. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (134)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
great book to have to review techniques I've covered in class.
I received book from the vendor in a decent amount of time and in great shape.

MM
I ordered the book but I was not able to by it because the shipping price was wrong!

Great book
I am new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.This book is great because it shows BJJ for a beginner so it is not too technical.There are many pictures along with written explanations so you can see step by step how to do what is explained.It also shows you how to apply BJJ it to real world situations, much like what you will be facing against a bully (defense against a 2 handed choke, single handed wrist grab, two handed wrist grab, headlock, rear bear hug).That is just a small sampling of what this book has, it also has much much more and it has more technical techniques for more advanced skill levels.The techniques are easy to master with a little practice so you should have no problem performing them in a real world situation.I love this book and it is money well spent.

Great book for all martial artists
This is one of the best books I've read on BJJ. The photos and descriptions make the techniques easy enough for any student of grappling to understand, whether beginner or advanced. The only annoying flaw is Kid Peligro's constant harping on how much more deadly BJJ is than the striking arts because of some flawed competitions in the past. I have been in the martial arts since 1970 and teach both Jujitsu and Karate (also boxed, and do BJJ, etc.) and I know some Okinawan Karate practitioners who could kill a BJJ champion in a fight. But since killing opponents isn't allowed in tournaments, this can never (and should never) be proven. Therefore it's time to get off the comparison kick and understand that grappling and striking have always gone hand in hand (yes grappling is present through all karate kata.) It's the tournament training in Karate, TKD, Kung Fu, etc. that lost in those matches because the competitors were not martial artists, but martial sportsmen. Great difference! Take away the "killing" aspects of an art designed to kill, and how can you then compare? If my hand can grab a gi for a choke, it can rip through a throat or gouge out an eye. And also, statistically, most fights end in 3-15 seconds, usually from sucker or kill punches, not in a grappling session. Yet, BJJ is an awesome art and not just a sport and yes, those in the striking arts should know some grappling, just as grapplers should know about striking (Bruce Lee didn't grapple much but he could fight.) Aside from this, the actual instruction of BJJ this books offers is excellent, although there might have been a bit more at the beginning about shrimping, raising hips, off balancing, etc. Just viewing Royler and Renzo Gracie doing the techniques is enough to recommend the purchase of this book. If not for the silly diatribes, it would easily rate 5 stars.

Good primer on old school Gracie jiu jit!
This book has a nice little history about the BJJ first family and then goes thru the basics of their game. I find the longer I train the more I come back to this book to refresh on what we do on the mat. ... Read more

Product Description
Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu is a groundbreaking system of grappling that integrates the Olympic sport of judo with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, today’s most sought after grappling art. These are the techniques and strategies that allowed Camarillo to devastate the competition at some of the world’s most prestigious judo and jiu-jitsu tournaments and have led his students to more than a dozen victories in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu offers a leg up on virtually every opponent who refuses to stray from the parameters of his discipline. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

After reading this book, I caught Anderson Silva in a flying scissor heel hook
With advocates like Josh Koscheck, Forrest Griffin, and BJ Penn, there is no doubt the training and instruction of Dave Camarillo works.Bridging the gap between his extensive judo experience and his later love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has created an innovative fusion Camarillo calls Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu, a study of the flaws in each practice that, when linked, create a superior fighting style..

A brief introduction invites readers into Camarillo's life, his competition domination, and his legendary flying attacks.Knowing beforehand the author's experience and skill has been vetted in the gi and on the mat makes it easier to dive into the primary content - called "Incorporating Judo and Jiu-Jitsu" - that starts out with some very simplistic movements like rolls, falls, grips that appear trivial upon first glance.If, however, these fundamentals led to Camarillo's success, then who's to argue?

After the first section, the next two sections cover submissions and flying attacks; respectively, the latter being Camarillo's claim to fame.If you'd like to learn some of the basics of armbars, triangles, and various BJJ-oriented submissions, this may be a perfect supplementary addition to your resources.If you're looking for the absolute basics, however, this book may not be the best option.Absolute BJJ basics like the guard are overlooked...which is to be expected when a beginner wouldn't get into Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu.

Nonetheless, this book is packed with useful information, is from an impeccable source, is relevant for both judo and BJJ practicioners, and has tons of full color photos to demonstrate each move in easy to follow steps.Highly recommended for those interested.

The review title is both a joke and a nod to one of the most shocking finishes in MMA history.

Great book for Jiu Jitsu or Judo players
Regardless of whether you practice Judo or Jiu Jitsu, this book is for you.Great approach to take downs and submissions.Pictures are good.

Great combination of throwing techniques and submission set ups!
The title might be a little misleading. This is not a book about Jiu Jitsu ONLY, it is a book about Judo throwing techniques and Jiu Jitsu submissions. Camarillo is truly a master of the grappling arts.

Always wanted to blend Judo and Jiu-Jitsu?You got it!
Before I begin I want to say what a wonderful time we live in for MMA.Truly MMA is living up to it's title(MIXED martial arts)and this book will most definitely help you to mix your martial arts.

The book begins with an overview of Dave Camarillo, one of the best jiu-jitsu instructors in the world.And explains how he took the two sports he loved(judo was first till he turned 19 and was introduced to jiu-jitsu)and meshed the two together.In such a way that the resulting style is not only simple but incredibly effective.

The photos and layout are, usual with the latest Victory Belt publications, of excellent quality and design.Multiple angles, full color photos, and step by step instruction are just about everything you need.If you are new to either judo and/or jiu-jitsu you will be just as surprised, and delighted, to find training exercises to help you hone your skills when not working with a partner.

I can't forget to mention the "Flying Attack" section.Want to know how to do those crazy mid-air submissions?You can find out how!And how to defend against them too.

Overall, the instruction and concept are excellent.Mixing both judo and jiu-jitsu is fantastic and fun.This book is excellent and if you practice either style you will learn alot.For the beginner, let me ask you this question, how would you like to be setting up that armbar before you even clinch?Exactly, buy the book and find out.

To quote Dave Camarillo in the opening of this book,"Judo is more technical on grip fighting and throws, and its players develop strength and speed.Jiu-jitsu is far more technical on the ground.If you combine the two, you plug the holes in each.Having the ability to chuck and out-grip your opponent certainly won't hurt you in a jiu-jitsu competition, nor will being able to pull out technical submissions during a judo match.At the very least, it gives you options."

Must Have
Really informative technical book. Right up there with Isao Okano's Vital Judo vol. 1and 2 on a technical level. On a personal level, Dave's struggles to remain relevant in both sports as well as trying to follow the advice of both his Judo and BJJ coaches was one the best parts of the book. It was nice to read a brief history of a young man steeped in Judo tradition and how watching the first UFC led him to BJJ and how that art helped him develop the methods that makes him one of the most sought after pro MMA trainers today.
I am thankful for Dave's book, because his honest and progressive attitude in Judo and BJJ promotes open-minded cross-training that I hope will bring people together rather than continuing the "closed door" mentality that is currently keeping people apart.
... Read more

Product Description

An introduction to jiu-jitsu from one of its most dominant stars

Thanks to the dominance of its practitioners at Ultimate Fighting Championships and other mixed martial arts tournaments, jiu-jitsu has become one of the most popular forms of martial arts in the United States. This fighting technique features ground fighting and submission moves that bewilder even the most ferocious opponents.

In Jiu-Jitsu Unleashed, expert Eddie Bravo teaches you the moves that he used to defeat legendary Royler Gracie--a member of the reigning family of jiujitsu--the victory that made him one of the sport's most feared competitors. Jiu-Jitsu Unleashed features:

• Detailed instruction on stance, kicks, punches, takedowns, and submissions
• Step-by-step photos of basic and advanced moves modeled by "Fear Factor" host and former "NewsRadio" star Joe Rogan
• Various theories and strategies behind training and competing

Customer Reviews (26)

DEF A MUST HAVE!!!
THE GRACIE'S HAVE BEEN ON TOP IN THE BJJ GAME. ONCE I READ THIS GUY, EDDIE BRAVOBEAT ROYLER GRACIE I KNEW I WANTED TO GET THE BOOK AND SEE WHAT HE USED TO BEAT HIM. THE BOOK IS VERY GOOD AND DETAILED. IT IS WORTH EVERY BUCK. I GOT IT ON TIME AND I CAN NOT COMPLAIN... IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT BJJ GET THIS BOOK....

great book by eddie bravo
Not much to say. He's one of the greatest BJJ practitioner and instructor out there, the only minor flaws in this book are just:
1) need a lot of flexibelity and basic understanding of BJJ moves
2) not as great detail as Victory Belt Publisher in MA books

but the person himself and the technics are awesome and also he's very "generous" in his teaching. Good job, Bravo, I really wish he still competing, though, againts the best in the worlds, such as Marcello Garcia, etc, so once again he proves that he's still great in the nowadays super tough competition , not just in teaching.
Thanks
Andy

alternative jiu jitsu but i liked it
i was impressed with the book and illustrations. I practice with a Gi but enjoy using the "lock up" and moves that dont use grabbing the uniform. I will buy the other books soon. the only drawback I can see is if you are not flexible some of the moves will be impossible to pull off.

Jiujitsu unleshed
good book. lots of good storyline and technique instructions. Needs better angle for the pictures of the techniques.

put on your rubber guard!
This book is awesome.I have many Jiu-jitsu books.This book is revolutionary.The thing I love the most about it is how the thought process of each move was explained.Like why you move from one step to the next.It is not simply writen explinations of what you are doing.It is definatly not for the beginner but it will take any other level of player to the next level up.I recomend this book to anyone who has atleast more than 6 months of BJJ.Anyone who is trying to train for reality self-defense or nogi BJJ NEEDS this book.I disagree with the person who says that training with a gi is good for street fighting because "someone on the street will probably have a shirt on."That is b.s.When you train for a fight you don't train for "probably" or "most of the time".You train for worst case scenarios which would be fighting nogi.Anyone with BJJ experience can be taught to perform a collar choke in about half a minute.So skip the gi and go with nogi.You will thank yourself later when you choke someone out who's shirt ripped off in the fight! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

The Grappler's Handbook
This book teaches some of the most effective Gi and No-Gi submissions available for grapplers, including the Clock Choke, the Anaconda and the Peruvian Necktie. Every technique is explained and illustrated with great detailed.

A Must Have....
The Grappler's Handbook by Jean Jacques Machado and Jay Zeballos is a must have for any brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner! It is a great learning tool for any experience level!! The attention to detail allows the reader to easily understand and incorporate the techniques seamlessly into their training!! It includes a variety of both gi and nogi techniques - This is a great way to learn from one of the greatest grapplers on the planet! ... Read more

Product Description
Learn It Here. Learn It Right.Over the last decade, the growing popularity of mixed martial arts competitions has brought international attention to the powerful and practical art of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. BJJ fighters have taken title after title in championship after championship, and now, with Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Basics, you can learn the techniques that have made BJJ the dominant style in the world of mixed martial arts.

Author and acclaimed instructor Gene Simco teaches his students that a solid mastery of the fundamentals is essential in creating a foundation upon which the more advanced techniques can be built—and that’s where this book comes in. With photos and step-by-step instructions, Simco shows you all the moves you’ll need to master to take your training to the next level, including:

Primary positions: the Guard, the Mount, the Back Mount, side control, standing techniques, and Passing the Guard

Submissions: Armbars, Triangle Choke, Collar Choke, Kimura Lock, Guillotine, Mata Leo, and Omoplata

Defenses against punches, kicks, take-downs, and more!

Escapes from chokes, grabs, bear hugs, locks, and clinches

Plus warm-up exercises, tips on choosing a school, and Dojo etiquetteWhether you’re a novice interested in self-defense or a more experienced martial artist looking to raise your ranking, compete in mixed martial arts events, or supplement your current martial art with BJJ techniques, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Basics is the book to take when you’re taking it to the mat.

The Experts Agree ...

"Gene Simco is one of the most Technical Jiu-jitsu instructors on the East Coast. His students are a testement to that." - Brian Cimmins, Grapplers Quest Tournament Director

"I've been training bjj for 35 years and Gene's book is one of the best books in the market. I strongly advise everybody that practise jiu jitsu to buy it."

-- Romero "Jacare´" Cavalcanti (founder of Alliance Jiu-jitsu and one of 5 Rolls Gracie Black Belts)

"I am an old man and a martial arts grandmaster and I thought I knew a lot.I am physically disabled but I practice that which I can practice and even someone with physical infirmities like me can easily learn these straight forward common sense techniques that I somehow missed along the learning trail.But little did I realize how little I really knew until I read the 162 page book BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU BASICS.This is without a doubt the Cadillac, the Rembrandt, the Leonardo De Vinci, the Bruce Lee of jiu jitsu books at the lower belt level." Professor Kenneth L. Haugland

Grandmaster, Soke, Ph.d., 10th Dan

American Combat Judo and Jujitsu Association ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

Great Start Up Book and Sample DVD
Okay, I wanted to get more fundamentals learned in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). So I decided to pick up this book. It has great photos for instruction. You can follow them pretty easily. The dvd is a sample dvd. It's pretty good when it comes to showing you the technique. But in no way is it a complete basics dvd. You'd have to go to a dojo and put on a kimono and roll. But this book and it's author/instructor Gene Simco does a great job in explaining. People get caught up sometimes in this art and want to do the "fancy stuff". If you don't know the basics, you can't really do BJJ effectively. Because in reality, the fancy stuff is the icing...the basics is the cake that holds the icing. Peace and good training to you.

Good, but incomplete
I thought the techniques that were shown were good. The ground techniques were very good and would give you a pretty solid ground game. The standing techniques were also good but is missing alot. The book description says there are takedown defense which there are none, it also says Escapes from chokes, grabs, bear hugs, locks, and clinches there is 1 rear choke escape 1 bear hug escape from behind over the arms and no clinch escapes. So all it really needs is guillotine defense, front and back, over and under the arms bear hug defense and takedown defense and I would have given 5 stars.

Poorly Written book
This is a very poorly written book; for example, a sentence on page 63 says: "Once my opponent's leg is passed, I will shift my body toward my opponent's head in order to secure a better hold." Revising it yields: Once my opponent's leg is passed, I shift my body toward his head securing a better hold. Mr Simco repeatedly uses a passive voice and unnecessarily repeats subject phrases when simple pronouns will work; the cumulative effect of so many dead words is a very cluttered book that would have been much better if well edited. I have the sense reading it that the author knows far more about martial art than the art of writing.

Huh?
I really was interested in this book b/c it comes with a DVD.I don't understand moves very well just looking at pictures.Unfortunately, a lot of the moves in the book are not on the DVD included.He shows how to do a takedown from the clinch, and a few other things but I can't remember.

Also be aware that there is a lot of controversy regarding the legitimacy of this guy, check any MMA or BJJ forum.Nothing personal against the guy, but I haven't read anything positive about him - but I could be wrong so glean from that what you will.You would probably be better off buying Cesar Gracie's set.It costs more but it's worth it.

good, but basic
The book is ok, but there's nothing there that you wouldn't learn in the first couple months of training.So, if your just starting out it's useful. ... Read more

Product Description
Jiu-jitsu for all, from white belt to green belt, illustrated in full color.

Martial arts are more popular today than ever, and jiu-jitsu is one of the most practiced martial arts disciplines in the world. It is perfect both for beginners looking to exercise, or serious fighters looking to take part in the booming world of mixed martial arts competition. This book guides the reader through the requirements of winning novice jiu-jitsu belts. Using clear, step-by-step, full-color photography, it covers the history of jiu-jitsu; preparing to train (mentally and physically); strikes, throws, locks, groundwork, and weapon defense; the practical use of self-defense; and putting all of it together for belt grading. 200 color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Jiu-Jitsu, a nice starting place.
Jiu-Jitsu was big in the late 19th Century and an almost lost martial art by 1970 in the western world. Now thanks to the Gracie Family and the likes of Wally Jay & to some extent Judo Gene LeBell it has been rediscovered here in the USA and other english speaking countries.
So if you want to have an introduction to Jiu-Jitsu Well mate. Buy this book. It's a steal of a deal. Very well done. Nice photos and art and design. BRAVO!

just what he was looking for
This was a gift for my fiance, so far, he's found it to be just what he needed!

Great Book
This book is a great buy for anyone wanting to get general information about jiu-jitsu. The book is very detailed and helps the reader grasp the concept of what needs to be done. The pictures give clear explanations and is a great addition to those looking to expand their martial arts book collection.

A Real Jujitsu book...
Although I cannot endorse the Jitsu Federation or verify its' historical info; the book is well written and fairly accurate.There are the usual style differences among jujitsu ryu, even the spelling usage for chosing jiu-jitsu instead of Jujitsu...This is the first book that I have ever completely disagreed with other reviewers.I felt that I needed to write a review so that this book could get a fair description and appraisal.It is a very well written and any true jujitsu student would find it useful.If all you care about is sport and MMA, well then, don't bother with it.If you care about true self defense and the art of jujitsu, then I can recommend this book.I am not affiliated nor a member of David Walker's group, but would also invite others to view my website as well:[...]
Yours in the arts,
M. DaSilva

Misleading editorial. NO Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu here
Please, do not be confused by the editorial. The "booming world of mixed martial arts competition" uses BRAZILIAN Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), something that is altogether absent in thsi book. This book is about Japanese Jiu jitsu, and art that shares little with BJJ.

How little? Well, other than the name and the uniform, almost nothing. You will find no references to armbars, kimuras, or triangles in this book. Zero. And you will find no discussion of the guard here - any guard. You will be told that Kia means "heavenly scream". You will be encouraged to do Katas (forms), which are ABSENT in BJJ. In BJJ you learn what work in practice, pick move variations that work, and mold techniques to your body and style.... but that's not what this book is about.

In short, if you are looking for an introduction to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, stay away.

... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (14)

Advanced for me-will grow into it.
This book seems advanced for an entry level jiu jitsu practitioner, but I think that as the months go by I will come to appreciate it more and more.It seems well done and very clear.

Great Reference
I've been doing BJJ for a year and a half now, but have always had the trouble of forgetting details here and there, especially for some of the positions that only happen occasionally. A single miniscule movement can make or break a submission attempt, and so that is my trouble.

I was in the market for a good book of techniques and this seemed like a good one.

If you only need help with submissions, this is the book for you. A great deal of basic ones are covered, as well as some which may even catch the more experienced members of your class. Escapes, counters, and general movement are not covered here. The small little details are helpful though and it would be a valuable reference to have and look over before practice or a tournament.

Gracie
I like it! Helping me understand what my friend is talking about!! HotDog to Mission Control and the like...

The submissions of Royler and Helio
"Gracie Submission Essentials" is part of the "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Series", and like the other books in the series, it is well-done, with clear text, color-coded chapters, and color photos.The first part of the book just gives some background on Gracie Jiujitsu, specifically on the history and submission strategy of Helio and Royler Gracie, the two featured technicians.This book is all about submissions, and even the early discussions focus on that.Next, Grandmaster Helio shows a baker's dozen of his favorite techniques.Most are classics, like the Mata Leao/Rear Naked Choke and arm bar from guard, but others are a bit less conventional.

Next up is Royler, who is given the majority of the book to display his favorite submissions.He begins with attacks from standing.These run the gamut from chokes, takedowns to leg locks, flying arm bars and triangles, to a surprising amount of wrist locks.Next is a few submissions from guard passes (although one actually attacks the turtle position... trouble with the editing I suppose), then moves on to attacks from side control.These include basics such as the Americana, intermediate moves like leg locks, and some very unconventional arm locks and chokes.From there, we move to mount, which is given mostly the standard choke/arm bar mix, but also continues to have some unconventional moves, such as the knee split.After that is a chapter on back control; many of these techniques feature Royler's agility, where he slides up the back of an opponent who's trying to stand up in order to apply an arm bar or triangle.For some reason, the publishers decided to group techniques that attack the turtle and half guard in the same section, which was the last chapter before guard submissions.The guard chapter includes a variety of arm locks and gi chokes, as well as a number of different finishes from the omoplata.

This book is unique in that it offers techniques for every level from basic to advanced.In many cases, combinations of techniques are shown, giving the reader an idea of how the moves flow together.A surprising number of movements involved rolling the opponent over from a face-down position.Although I think such techniques are good to know, I have to wonder how many BJJ practitioners are going to have the necessary agility to pull them off.Another point to note, for good or ill, is that the book made no distinction between levels of technique.They were all simply classified by what position was being attacked at the time.Finally, some of the techniques are illegal in BJJ competitions; novice practitioners should know the rules of such events before attempting some of these techniques.

Taken for what it was, the favorite submissions of two very technical members of the legendary Gracie family, this is an excellent book.It was easy to follow, and technique details were clearly pointed out.A BJJ practitioner of any level, or someone simply wanting to expand their knowledge of submission holds, could benefit from this book.

The Contents Of This Book Will Submit You Quicker Than A Triangle Choke From A 4000 lbs. Irate Rhino
Like so many other books in the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu series, the authors did a superb job in the layout and format of this book and the information that it contains is nothing short of first rate, although I did feel that a couple of sections could have used a bit more detailed explanation than what was give, but that is a very minor complaint bordering on the trivial.

As I was with the other books in the series, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy each technique was to initially grasp when reading this book. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that the photographs are all in color and printed on glossy paper which makes it easier to distinguish the finer points and it really adds to the overall quality of the book.

The techniques themselves were clearly shown with numerous photographs per technique and the accompanying text to explain each technique was very detailed yet easy to understand and comprehend.

I particularly enjoyed the history of Helio Gracie and it was really quite something to see him demonstrating the various techniques in this book. I think that it would be safe to say that this book may one day even have some significant historical value because of this fact.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning jui-jitsu and/or MMA along with the following books.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu series)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: For Experts Only

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Submission Grappling Techniques (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu series)

Here are two other books on wrestling and grappling that I am sure you would also find very beneficial.

Wrestling for Fighting: The Natural Way

Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge

Shawn Kovacich
Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series. ... Read more

Product Description
Royce Gracie presents an array of fighting strategies specifically designedto succeed under the rules of mixed martial arts competition. Traditional Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques are combined with new grappling and striking maneuvers to offer practitioners an incredible array of attack options. Royce Gracie's personal tips on training, competing, and sustaining mental stamina, which helped him achieve an unprecedented string of victories at the Ultimate Fighting Championships, are also included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Want to know how?

This book gives detailed and excellent advice on the "Gracie" ways of this art.My husband, who is a fan, was absolutely satisfied and reads it over & over.An excellent choice.

Royce is the man!
This book will teach you the basics for a firm foundation in ju-jitsu. Very easy to follow, and great pics for every move.

MMA Techniques
If you are looking for nice MMA action from a long time winner of UFC, this book is it. Royce does a great job.

well illustrated
This book shows in detail many fighting techniques. It goes to the point. No fancy wording. Illustrated with plenty of nice color photos.

Awesome
I recently got into BJJ and MMA and found this book to be very helpful. Every move has a series of pictures associated with it, which helps for those who don't know all of the terminology yet. I use it as a reference book now, since it is near impossible to memorize every move without having done them. Pick a move, read it in detail, look at the pictures, go to class, try to set up your position and apply the move. Highly recommended for beginner to intermediate BJJ players. ... Read more

Product Description
In Mastering the Rubber Guard, Eddie Bravo, the only American to submit a member of the legendary Gracie family in jiu-jitsu competition, reveals the techniques and strategy of the Rubber Guard, a revolutionary system of grappling designed specifically for the street and mixed martial arts competition.
Through descriptive narrative and nearly a thousand color photographs, Bravo teaches dozens of unique moves and submissions. Widely regarded as not only the most offensive,
but also the most defensive, guard game in existence, the Rubber Guard will change the way you view and play jiu-jitsu.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (51)

Mastering the Rubber Guard
So everyone is correct about the first 25 pages or so of this book being mostly about Eddie's love of smoking. If you are into that, then great read it and get his viewpoint. If not, don't whine and complain, just skip it and hit the jiu jitsu section. Pictures are easy to see from multiple angles, and the captions clearly explain the action. This is a great book to use in addition to more standard jiu jitsu instruction. Eddie does give you a different way to execute attacks using his rubber guard, which in todays training means you might just know a little more than the next guy.

Goateed / tattooed filth-mouth dope-freak WARNING
!! NEEDLESS / GRATUITOUS OFFENSIVE MATERIAL ADVISORY !! Talk about a lack of full disclosure... Be advised this DVD's segments are intro'd by some deranged, psychotic, shirtless, overweight, 60+ year old slob hood-cussing an F-word/G.D.-word blue streak with sticky spit on his lips(complete with close-ups[one disk starts off with him shouting at the viewer, "Hey F###-O!"]), interspersed with the featured fighter blowing cannabis smoke into the camera, & cuts of him with his shirtless & saggy-pants angry-rant wanna-be rap group. The DVD has a 20min diversions into some kind of MTv "Real World", a few music videos, some lengthy into-the-lens dope-induced brain-damaged wandering & pointless cosmic introspection, an episode of "Punked", & more of the F(oul)-mouthed fat slob, & in between all that utter garbage and trash, oh yea, you get some glimpses of ground game instruction.

He might be the alpha & omega of the ground fight, but had I been aware of the tone/topic/theme of the surrounding material, I never would've bought it. I don't understand the modern fascination of attention-getting through offensiveness. It takes no talent, only a willingness.

I have no respect for this guy, his athletic talents notwithstanding, which is probably the only thing keeping him from some crystal meth'-fueled armed robbery with a stolen car if not doing his fighting in the state penitentiary.

One of the best movement progressions. . .
Yes, Eddie smokes pot and advocates it quite a bit in the beginning of the book.Just skip it.Yes, Eddie has names for his moves that are rather moronic.Ignore them.

Neither of these points detract from the quality of the content.There are plenty of reviews discussing the legitimacy of the techniques.I'll skip that and simply say that, with proper training the Rubber Guard can be a very effective tool in a ground game (although those with the long limbs might have some trouble).It is no gimmick.

What impressed me most about this book was the layout.It has one of the most intuitive layouts I've seen.It is certainly the best progression of the Victory Belt family (and that is saying something).While some books feel like a catalog of moves this one actually builds off of each previous move.The sections build off of the previous sections.And it does it in a way that is very natural.Some books you could just skip around learning a technique here or there.In this book you simply start at the beginning and drill your way through the whole thing.You will have learned the fundamentals of the system in a very clear, concise, and logical way.In some of the previous VB books on grappling I've found myself wondering why certain moves were put next to each other-perhaps just because they originate from the same position despite being appropriate in very different situations.

In MtRG, everything flows because the system is about achieving a goal using a set pattern.You simply work your way through the pattern.If you find yourself blocked you try the next technique and move on to the next segment of the list.It's a very cool and very simple way to get a grasp on a ground game.It isn't just a collection of techniques but an overall strategy that allows one to efficiently fight off their back and win.While much of it may seem quite unorthodox to traditional grapplers it is absolutely worth the try.Chances are it will only make you better.For beginners, I'd recommend something more basic, perhaps one of the Gracie books (Theory and Technique is a good start) or Jiu Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro.Because Eddie is unorthodox and bases much of what he does off of existing Jiu Jitsu structure it's good to have a solid base before jumping in to Rubber Guard.

Amazing book, bizzare intro
The techniques and the logical flow of this book are nothing less than spectacular. The intro and the move names are nothing short of dreadful. But then, we bought this book for the moves, right? Focus on that, and this book is an easy 5-star book.

Although, I must admit, it is VERY hard to ignore someone of Eddies prominence using this forum to advocate illegal behavior. What was he thinking? Oh yeah, he wasn't, he was stoned.

10th planet jiu jitsu FTW
Eddie Bravo is the man. His Jiu Jitsu system is very innovative and this book clearly outlines it in a way that a a jiu jitsuist at the blue belt level or higher will be able to replicate on the mat. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Excellent new book by BJ Penn
Excellent book, very clear instruction on each technique. Offers some very usable new techniques or variations on those you may already know. I think this book is up there with Saulo Riberio's offering. Apparently BJ is bringing out several books on different aspects of the game. I'll be buying them all, a top addition to your own personal knowledge base if you buy this book.

Best Book on the Close Guard
This book will help you improve your close guard regardless of your rank and experience. I like the idea of just covering one aspect of the art of jiu-jitsu (Close Guard in this case) and really covering it from learning the basics to advance moves and putting combinations together. The book delivers on its promise.

Great Detail
This book not only is full of great techniques but the detail and the photos illistrating the techniques are great. I highly recommend this book.

Decent.
I was hoping it would be more exhaustive / detailed, since it deals with one particular -- albeit very important -- aspect of BJJ.One example is in the posture-breaking section:how hard would it have been to show options when your opponent's hands are on your biceps, or else if he's postured up with both hands on your belt?Instead, all of only several posture-breaking techniques assume your opponent is using a staggered grip on your belt and lapel.It's a little thing, but BJJ is all little things.

What this book had going for it, potentially, was to provide a really inclusive roadmap of the closed guard, and I think it's lazy in that regard.You can find all the stuff in this book plenty of other places.

BJ ok
A good insight into the basic but highly effective guard. Recommend it to anyone who understands the importance of getting the basics right. ... Read more

Product Description
This fascinating book here in its complete and unabridged form makes a worthy addition to the bookshelf of all those interested in this craft. This volume presents in its entirety, the kano system of Jui-jitsu , devised by proffesor Jiguro Kano with the additions thereto that have been made by those famous jiu-jitsians, Hoshino and Tsutsumi.Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork ... Read more

Product Description
This comprehensive guide to “the gentle art” by one of its foremost practitioners and teachers helps readers master the fundamentals on which a confident self-defense or professional competition career are based. The book covers the history and theory of jiu-jitsu; contains extensive sections on practical techniques such as strikes, holds, locks, throws, and evasions; distinguishes Brazilian lineages such as ground fighting and sudden attack techniques from other traditions; and shows readers how they can overcome any attacker, with as little effort and physical strength as possible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Good Addition to Your Training Materials Library...
While this book may not have as many techniques as some other books on groundfighting out there, it is nonetheless a good book, and a great manual for someone who is trying learn the basics. The material is well written and has very illustrative pictures that together make it a great tool for learning.


My copy is already starting to get dog-eared from use...

Very Well Done Basic Guide to Basic Jiu-Jitsu Techniques
I was pleasantly surprised at how well done this book actually was. The author did an outstanding job at covering a lot of the basic jiu-jitsu techniques in a very well thought out and easy to understand manner. This book was never intended to be a highly detailed examination of any particular technique, but more of a basic guide to the basic techniques that one would most often learn when first starting to learn the martial art of jiu-jitsu.

Now I will admit that I felt there should have been a bit more detailed text to go along with the exceptionally well done photographs, but when I remembered that this was meant to be a basic guide, I understood why the detailed explanations of the techniques were missing.

This may not be your first choice for a jiu-jitsu book to learn from if you already have an extensive background in the art, but if you are a beginner or someone who would just like to check things out and see what jiu-jitsu is all about, then this may very well be the book for you.

Shawn Kovacich
Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Absolutely one of the best BJJ book I own.
I bought both the basic and advanced books and the techniques represented actually work!I train at a Relson Gracie Academy and Fabio's techniques are simply easy to follow and effective.He presents self defense and competitive BJJ techniques.My instructor is very harsh on most BJJ books but approves of Fabio's techniques.Again, you will not find flying arm bars or flying triangles in these books.What you will find are solid core BJJ techniques that were developed and taught by the Gracie Family.I believe Fabio has trained with both Rolls and Rickson.It's also cool to see Marcelo Garcia in the advanced book with Fabio.

Fabio Gurgel is an eight-time martial arts world champion
Fabio Gurgel is an eight-time martial arts world champion and co-founder of more than forty academies around the world. He is president of the Professional League of Jiu-Jitsu which is based in Brazil and continues to teach at his own academy in Sao Paulo. Fabio therefore writes with a very special expertise in "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Basic Techniques", a superbly organized and presented, step-by-step, illustrated introduction to a very special and effective form of the martial arts. Fabio begins with a brief history of jiu-jitsu, a martial art that originated in India more than 4,000 years ago as a self-defense technique employed by monks. Ideal for the absolute novice, "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Basic Techniques" is a confidently recommended instruction manual. Also very highly recommended is the companion book by Fabio Gurgel and also published by Blue Snake Books, "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Advanced Techniques (97815893941669, $19.95) which goes on to instruct the reader in additional self-defense techniques including passing the guard, sweeps, side attacks, mounted attacks, rear attacks, guard attacks, mounted escapes, and throws. Together, both volumes of "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu" comprise a complete and comprehensive course of do-it-yourself instruction.

Great Fighter, bad author
This is by far the worst BJJ book I have ever read.Fabio should just stick to competing.I was so let down by this product that I returned it.The photos were awful and the text may as well have been in Portugese. ... Read more

Product Description
The hallmark of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is the guard position. BJJ not only teaches you how to defend from your back, but how to be comfortable off of it and attacking from it. If you cannot fight from your back, you are not fully prepared to fight. Strategic Guard is a detailed, organized examination of the open guard with a particular emphasis on obtaining and maintaining the guard and attacking from the open guard. Strategic Guard features seventh degree black belt Joe Moreira's unique brand of jiu-jitsu, developed over the course of his 40 years of experience in iu-jitsu and judo. The essence of the guard is core body movement. Strategic Guard clearly and concisely demonstrates Moreira's methods for mastery of these core body movements, which make the guard the potent weapon it is. Strategic Guard is packed with over 2800 color photos arranged in intuitive, easy-to-follow spreads. Grappling Arts Publications prides itself on innovative visual presentations that have redefined how martial arts books are made, and this volume raises the bar again. Techniques are shown from multiple angles so you don't miss a thing. Illustrations highlight key points and demonstrate directions of movement and pressure. Thorough text descriptions provide insights and a wealth of detail for even the advanced practitioner. Topics are summarized into flowcharts using thumbnail pictures so that you can easily get the big picture. The secrets of obtaining and maintaining the guard position are organized logically and systematically. Subject matter is examined intensively. This is not some diluted attempt at covering all things grappling; it is a focused examination of critical aspects of the guard position. Table of Contents 1. Side Control Escapes 2. North/South Escapes 3. Deflection 4. Half Guard 5. Protecting the Side: Loose Passes 6. Protecting the Side: Tight Passes 7. Knee Through the Middle Counters 8. Under-Hook Pass Counters 9. Submission Counters 10. Sitting Guard 11. Sweeps (sitting guard) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Whole series is great
I have been practicing BJJ for close to three years and it often seems like class flies by and the finer details of techniques get lost. The books in this series are huge helps to go back and examine techniques in great detail. The narratives and multi angle pictures let me dissect the moves and work towards perfecting them.

The books also serve as a fantastic situational reference. If I find myself having problems dealing with a situation that comes up in class I can always look it up to find solutions to bring back with me for next time.

Another winner from Grappling Arts
As a smaller and weaker practitioner this book was particularly helpful. All of the books in this series are very good, but this one covers the detail of how to use proper technique at any size to be lethal when your opponent thinks he has you. Large full color photos show multiple angles and variations on each technique. The first half of this book deals with escapes and the second half deals with submission counters and how to keep from needing an escape in the first place. As a lower belt I felt the first part of the book was very applicable to me, but the second part more advanced than the other books and I would come back to the second half as I get better. This book has really helped me get out of dangerous situations and get back to attacking instead of surviving. All of the techniques are presented in the same way your teacher would show and provides multiple angles with basic applicable note. I think all of these books are far more helpful than a video or other books because of their level of detail and book lay out that builds one technique upon the other and factors in the typical areas a practitioner might lose position. There are usually three sets of photos for one technique and the subtle details that make them effective is clearly highlighted either in words or in the picture. Check out their website for an idea of how the books are laid out and a technique of the week. www.grapplingarts.net

Best BJJ Book on the Market!
The trilogy of BJJ books by Ed Beneville is by far the best series of BJJ books on the market, which includes the Strategic Guard.

Unlike many other BJJ books, you can ACTUALLY learn BJJ from these books; of course, I'm assuming you are practicing the moves with a partner and not merely reading it like a textbook. The photos are very detailed and presented from multiple angles. Key points are highlighted both visually and in the text. The author made sure that the participants used different gi colors so that the reader could tell what each person was doing and how his partner was reacting.

There are certainly other good BJJ books on the market, but the Guard series (Passing the Guard, The Guard, and Strategic Guard) differs in many important respects. While the Kid Peligro books are visually appealing, they tend to lack detail and subtle nuances. Thus, a reader gets a glimpse of many techniques but larger conceptual ideas are often missing. Beneville's books are rich in both photos and concepts. Moreover, he often shows a few variations on a technique and how to deal with common opponent counters or reactions to an initial technique. He also includes useful drills in his books.

There is easily something for every BJJ level, from beginner to advanced. There is years worth of material here all the way to black belt. No joke! I highly recommend his Guard series. It helped my Guard tremendously (but yes... you do have to actually attempt and practice the moves in class. Sorry to disappoint but kata just won't get you very far in BJJ).

FULL STARS
A BRILLIANTLY organised and depicted book,with an in depth focus on the theory.
After purchasing the book i was a little overwhelmed by the amount of technique involved, but with the bigger picture review at he end of each chapter everything flowed beautifully to memory and application on the mat.
I cannot even begin to explain the impact this series of books(i bought all three)has had on my technical knowledge and application on the mat, and has left me with the question of, if only i had known earlier.
ESSENTIAL

Better and Better
As the third installment it does wonders with teaching you things to overcome. nice little hints and secrets. Has improved my game. With this whole series you would be promoted. ... Read more

Product Description
Brazilian Ju Jitsu Black Belt is written by the Master Jean Jacques Machado. 246 pages full color this book is an absolute must have if you study the art of grappling. 112 techniques shown in close up easy to follow photos you will be able to learn how these techniques should be performed and why Brazilian Ju Jitsu is so popular. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Great organization
Unlike some other reviewers, I found this book very well organized and clear. I had felt that my cross mount attacks were few and ineffective. This book is grouped by body positions thus it was easy for me to home in and study that section alone.
I did not feel that the illustrations needed more info since that is what my class and instructor is for. The book's forte is where JJ shows multiple counter attack dependent on the the opponents reaction.
I did not have unrealistic expectations that the moves in this book will be effective against all my opponents. Especially since all techniques shown are nothing new. The book is informative to me because it showed transitions and options that are available with these finite techniques.

All-Belts Excellence!
Another in what has become a rapidly growing series (mostly co-written by Kid Pelligro) from Invisible Cities Press, backed by the same UAE Shiek who holds the ADCC Submission Grappling Championships (now every two years), Jean-Jacques Machado (nephew of Carlos Gracie sr.) turns up this time to share his ideas on sport Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling.

Like his cousin, Royler's, Submission Grappling book, this volume is a HUGE improvement over the first two. Machado starts off by giving his thoughts on competition, everything from his noted 'attacking' style to how to deal with injuries, however the bulk of the book is the big, glossy, full-color photo section, split into two parts: one with the Gi/Kimono, and one without.

Machado is one of the very few BJJ people to prove himself a finisher in no-gi Submission Grappling as well. His 'go for the finish' mentality not only shows his own creativity and energy, but electrifies a sport just as often known for stalling.

Some of the techniques shown are risky, dependant on speed and surprise, but the sheer number of different entires shown for most of the old standards (armbar, omoplata, triangle, etc.) will almost certainly prove 'new' to most readers.

If you want a book from this series, and you enjoy both the Gi/Kimono and the no-gi, this is the one to get.

Good Technique - Even for lower level belts
This book shows ALOT of tech. that you can apply to your game no matter what belt you currenty hold. I'm not a black belt (YET)but found many moves that I have aready been taught in class.

Great great book
This is simply the best grappling/BJJ book I've ever seen. First of all this book is not for begginers, it's for intermediate and above level grapplers. This book isn't an encyclopedia of techniques, it's more like a general strategy guide. The main idea is to open up your mind so you will think of some of your own combinations and variations of moves and setups taught. I'd like to use quote from the book to explain:

"One thing I've noticed is that often instruction is too rigid. Students often are taught to commit moves to memory and to repeat them the same way every time. You can get by with this at the beginning levels, but by the time you reach the advanced levels-the focus of this book-you will find yourself at a serious disadvantage if your moves don't flex to deal with the dynamics of each individual situation. That's why in this book I've tried to give you lots of options, and encouraged you to think for yourself. Because in the real world things don't always go down like they do in a textbook, and if you are the one who can create on the spur of the moment, you are going to win."

This is EXACTLY what happens by reading and practicing the things in this book.I've never seen this idea conveyed in any books before, which is one of the main reasons I rated it so high.
The book has techniques for both gi and no-gi, although most of the gi techniques will work for no gi too. This is because, if you didn't already know, Jean Jacques Machado was born with no fingers on one of his hands. With that said it is truely amazing how skilled he is with such a serious handicap. Since he has no fingers he can't grip the gi obviously, so he uses his legs alot more than usual. JJM simply thinks differently than most people because of this and it shows in his matches.
My only complain with the book is the actual detail given to the moves, but it is only a minor complaint and I still easily give this book 5 starts, and recommened that every grappler needs to buy this book.

No katas????
This book is like a reference for Jean Jacques Machado's class. Almost every technique in the book is one that he teaches in class. It is not a book for beginners but you also do not have to be Jean Jacques to do the moves. You should have some training under your (blue or higher) belt. As with all of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there are many details that effect the outcome and execution of your technique as well as the reaction of your partner in defending the move. Not all of the details and variables are (or can) be covered in the book. It is a very good reference especially if you are training under a black or high belt that can help you refine your techniques. As anyone in jiu-jitsu should know, there are no prescribed movements. Everything is dependent on "action-reaction" because the guy you're fighting is going to be fighting back for real! There are no katas to practice. ... Read more

Product Description
A unique approach to personal finance that tackles money like a jiu-jitsu fighter would tackle an opponent

In martial arts and personal finance, fundamentals are important. But while failing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu may be disappointing, it's nothing compared to failing to build wealth and creating a better future for your family.

Nobody understands this better than Scott Ford, a top-ranked financial advisor and Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast. Now, in Financial Jiu-Jitsu, he shows you how to overcome your emotions and state of mind to excel at your investing endeavors. Along the way, Ford teaches you fundamental skills such as automating your savings and investments, the importance of paying yourself first, and managing credit wisely.

• Compares the patience and practice of the martial arts, specifically Jiu-Jitsu, to investing
• Offers an approach to adapting to financial change as you move through life, while maintaining the same guiding principles
• Author Scott Ford is ranked in the top one percent of all financial advisors

The guiding principles in this book are the foundation of your financial fight plan and the keys to reaching your financial dreams. No matter what punches the market or the economy throws at you, if you follow these principles you'll always react well in the face of adversity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

X guard only.
This book is X guard focused! A typical Kruass/Cordoza layout, with step by step pictures and well written commentary. This is all about the use of the X, from set up to execution, it does have a repetitive nature but I think is what ingrains the concept into your mind. Some great insights into the butterfly guard obviously as a precursor to the X. Good instructional but don't expect any esoteric or secret learning to take place.

Not sure about the feasibility.
I have flipped thru this book several times and came up with a major problem.

This book is most definitely not for MMA.My class have tried the X-Guard and found it to be worthless.The setup for it is too long and leaves you too exposed to punches and kicks to make it feasible.

If the title were changed to "The X-Guard: For Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and No Gi Grappling."I think it would be an excellent book for such.

Truly none can deny that Marcelo Garcia is one of the best in the world of jiu-jitsu.And after reading some of the book have found the submissions to be excellent.But the X-Guard itself is too open for counters in MMA especially from a striker.

I recommend this book for jiu-jitsu competition only.

New dimension to the game
If you want to add new dimension to your game, get this book. Better yet get his DVD as well.

Advanced Jiu Jitsu and Everything You Need to Know to Get There
It's no secret that I really enjoy Victory Belt's books. I think they've nailed the format for describing individuals' games and their specialities. They are definitely the market leader in the arena of working with a fighter to extract the information they need and put it into print.

It shouldn't surprise any readers, then, that I really liked the X-Guard by Marcelo Garcia.

The book has all the hallmarks of Victory Belt's previous works. The large format and detailed colour photography don't disappoint and actually go one better with this edition.

Not resting on their laurels, the guys at VB have introduced detailed inset photos where warranted. This is not a completely original concept by any means, but it is done as well here as with any other publisher.

One of the problems I thought I might have with the book is that I wouldn't be able to identify with Marcelo and the X-Guard. This was an issue with Eddie Bravo's books on the Rubber Guard. I don't really use the Rubber Guard and am not built well for it. I pretty much have had the same problem with the X-Guard.

That was until I read through this book. You see, my butterfly guard is a little...... agricultural. And that, it seems , is my problem with the X-Guard. Not my long legs and extraordinary height - my previous excuses.

The book is split into two sections. The first is on the butterfly guard and the second on the X-Guard, itself. Both are split into three subsections each. The butterfly guard section is the most detailed treatment I've seen of the topic in a book. The three subsections are titled "Basic Positioning & Grip Defense", "Sweeps & Transitions" and "Submissions".

Now, Marcelo Garcia can work his butterfly guard in a way I find amazing. It's something I'd never been able to do terribly well. I could work it well enough against white belts, but always had to let it go against people nearer my own skill level. This book, though, gives solutions to most of the problems I'd encountered in the past.

I had the same problem with the X-Guard. There was just no way known I was ever going to get my giant legs in position. It shouldn't surprise you to find I was doing it wrong, though. The details shown for the X-Guard helped me a great deal, but I believe it's my better understanding of the butterfly guard that has ealed the deal for me.

The X-Guard section is is split up in a similar way to the butterfly guard section with subsections called "Establishing the X-Guard", "Sweeps" and "Submissions".

All-in-all, I'd say this is one of those rare $24 books that have made a heck of a lot more than $24 worth of effect on my game.

It just keeps getting better, too. Erich Krauss and Glen Cordoza have been getting steadily better at writing, too. In the past, I've criticised their spelling and grammar in the introduction sections. Is it better in this book? The truth is, I don't know. I got so engrossed in Marcelo's story, I never bothered to check.

That's got to be a big tick in the box.

After a review like this, I like to put a little disclaimer to it......

I am no Marcelo Garcia fanboy. I've not watched his DVDs all the way through and I've seen maybe three of his matches. I have also been known to give Victory Belt some very pedestrian reviews, but they do impress me with their ability to improve with each publication. This book is the second of their catalogue to go in the Best of the Best category, but probably not the last if the quality continues this way.

A must have.
This is a must have for anyone willing to think outside the box when it comes to BJJ.The introduction itself is worth its purchase.Marcelo defines what it means to sacrifice for any goal or passion we all have inside.The detailed pictures and explaination leave no room for error.Get this ASAP. ... Read more

Product Description
The faces and stories of the sprawling Gracie family, who transformed Brazilian jiu-jitsu from an unknown street technique into the dominant form of martial arts today, are captured here. Introduced are Grandmaster Helio Gracie, who as a frail boy in Brazil in the 1930s developed the art, creating leverage techniques that allowed him to overcome other martial artists, regardless of size or strength; Rickson Gracie, the mystical family champion who has never been defeated in combat; and Royce Gracie, the most famous active martial artist in the United States, who put Brazilian jiu-jitsu on the map by winning the first three Ultimate Fighting Championships before the largest pay-per-view audiences in history. In addition to stunning action shots of the Gracies in all the legendary matches and their unique perspectives on what really went on during those fights, this book includes archival photos of the family, from their beginnings in Brazil in the 1930 to the present day and the new generation of champions. Fans will learn of Renzo's transformation from Rio street brawler to New York celebrity and revered teacher; of Royce and Royler's exploits as mischievous kids; and of Rickson's battle against one of Rio's toughest drug gangs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

An example of a great purchase.
The book is pure gold for anyone interested in Jiu-jitsu and in martial arts history. I got a great deal and it arrived exactly as expected. I got it a few days before I met Royler Gracie and was able to get him to sign it after a BJJ class. I found the books description of Royler perfect. The man was as described, direct, friendly and knowledgeable. This book helps one to understand the people behind the most effective self-defense martial art in the world, and in that, it helps you to understand the art itself. I highly recommend the book as well as the seller.

A triangle choke on objectivity, but worthy nonetheless.
"The Gracie Way" is a serviceable history and tribute to the first family of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.Each stand-alone chapter profiles a member of the Gracie clan, starting with Helio and finishing up with Renzo.The book is lavishly illustrated with quality color photos - nearly coffee table book quality.

For anyone interested in BJJ, the Gracies or the history of the UFC, this is a fun read.

Other reviewers have commented on the bias in the book, and this is a valid criticism, though nit fatal.Author Kid Peligro is obviously enchanted with the Gracies and so he tends to mythologize their every move.The few defeats suffered by Gracies are dealt with in a way that suggests that "they was robbed" or that the fix was in.Peligro makes no pretense of objectivity.Still, this does not render the book useless in my view.

"The Gracie Way" was perhaps written before Royce fought Matt Hughes, who rag-dolled him.It also does not address the issue of Royce testing positive for steroids after one Elite XC event.(Perhaps the BJJ success was not due solely to drinking acai juice!!).

Whether you feel the Gracie legacy is tarnished or burnished, "The Gracie Way" is a worthwhile read for historians and fans of BJJ and MMA.

Gracie clan
Kid Peligro nails it from an (almost) insider's perspective.As someone who started training with the Gracie family before there was even a UFC, I believe Kid is dead on with his take on the family and the martial art of Brazilian jujitsu.A lot of MMA fans today don't even realize there would be no UFC (or formerly Pride, or any other MMA organization) without the Gracies. Must read for Gracie and MMA fans.

Peligro knows everything
I thought I knew somethings about the First Family of Mixed Martial Arts, But this book tells almost everything. Their truimphs,tragedies and hopes for the future. If your a fan, Than this book is worth reading.

Good, but biased
I love the mystique surrounding the Gracie family martial arts. I was enthralled with Royce Gracie as a kid, and still revere him as a hero of sorts. So, I really enjoyed this book, mostly because it talks about something there is simply not much literature written about.

That said, it is biased. It's okay to lose, and Kid P. should recognize this. All the greatest fighters in the world have lost, or certainly end up losing, eventually. Muhammed Ali lost his share of matches, but always fought to stay on top. He eventually didn't, but he revolutionized boxing and more because of his greatness.

The Gracie's are the same way. Like it or not, the Gracie's changed everything, and made today's fighters what they are. They popularized vale-tudo fights, and taught the world (without reserve) their style. It constitutes half of MMA today. Without it, MMA would be Tank Abbot slugging it out with Ken Shamrock, or whatever.

This celebrates the Gracie family in a non-academic approach. Get it, enjoy it. ... Read more

Product Description
Norman Leff has been training in the martial arts for half a century.Back in the days when martial arts were still considered mystical and mysterious in this country, Norman was already earning his first black belt.His training took a dramatic turn in the 1960's when, living in South America, he met a former Royal Japanese Marine who revealed to him the secrets of combat jiu jitsu - a non-sport oriented style of jiu jitsu used by the Japanese military in hand to hand combat situations.Later, as a bouncer in New York, Norman learned to apply these techniques in a real street encounter.Learn the atemi-waza strikes, takedowns, finishing holds and fight stoppers of combat jiu jitsu. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

don't buy it
Thought the book gave insight in real life combat techniques. But only the VERY basic techniques are demonstrated (and even not so well demonstrated).

Please spend your money on more interesting jiu jitsu books than this one.

God what dreck
In the martial arts genre there is no shortage of sillyness to deal with.When you aren't being annoyed with death touch this, and pressure point magic, you are getting garbage like this pretending to be something street effective.Every picture demonstrates that Leff and his collegues have no clue what real live punches, kicks, and take downs look like at all.His "defenses" betray this on every picture.THe pictures also betray the lack of skill he and his students have in even the most basic punches and kicks.
So technically the book just completely sucks.We also have a biography section to dismantle.This takes up a few pages at the begining of the book.Its just as silly as the rest of the book.What really gets the most laughs for me though, is numerous pictures of Norman Leff the young fighter.Almost all of them have the caption "at his fit fighting weight of 250."And what is so funny is just a big fat guy.No muscle tone at all.Just a big fat guy in a gi.Ridiculous.

Excellent practical jiu jitsu book
Although brief, this is a very practical and useful book on jiu-jitsu by Mr. Leff, whose training has an interesting history. While a foreign language teacher in South America, he met a Japanese instuctor by the name of Tanaka who taught a very aggressive form of jiu-jitsu that was still not widely taught to the public. Mr. Leff became a student and eventually a master of this system. He also worked as a bouncer for many years in New York city, where he learned that what he had been taught worked in real life situations.

In this style of jiu jitsu, atemi waze or strikes and kicks are well integrated with the more typical throws and holds and locks. The chapter on "Fight Stoppers" shows this very well, which usually involve a more serious countering technique or blow combined with a hold or lock and/or takedown or throw. Other chapters shold holds and locks throws, and other techniques. The system is very self-defense oriented, which Leff mentions in the introduction was always a focus of his, and often his instructors didn't seem to emphasize it, especially the karate instructors, but also the judo and jiu jitsu ones as well.

Mr. Leff also has some very sage advice about not resorting to violent behavior unless you absolutely have to, as a result of the possible legal fees and fail time. Although you might feel justified in defending yourself, it's possible the courts might not see it that way. Also, he points out that going to the ground, which one hears so often these days, is a very dangerous piece of advice and should not be done under any circumstances unless one falls or trips, since placing yourself on the ground just insures that if the guy has any companions that they will kick or stomp you on the ground.

This is an excellent book on self-defense oriented jiu jitsu with many useful and practical techniques. My only complaint is that I would like to have seen even more of Mr. Leff's very practical and effective system and would like to see him do a book covering his complete system someday.

MARTIAL ARTS LEGEND
HAVING READ THIS BOOK AS A MARTIAL ARTS PRACTICTIONER I FELT IT WAS AS DETAILED IN THE MANUEVERS AS A BOOK CAN BE. IT LEFT ME WISHING FOR A VIDEO TO SUPPLEMENT THE PICTURES. MASTER LEFF WENT BRIEFLY INTO THE HISTORY OF HIS JIU JITSU KNOWLEDGE AND BACKGROUND WHICH WAS INTERESTING, MORE OF THE FORTY YEARS OF MARTIAL ARTS TALES WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE. A LARGER, MORE DETAILED BOOK WOULD BE NICE, BUT IN COMPARISON OF THIS VERSES OTHER MORE EXPENSIVE BOOKS, I FOUND THIS BOOK COMPREHENSIVE, EASY TO FOLLOW, AND BASICALLY A GOOD MARTIAL ARTS GUIDE. I LOOK FOWARD TO A MORE DETAILED BOOK WITH POSSIBLY MORE OF THE HISTORY OF THIS DYNAMIC SYSTEM AS WELL AS STORIES OF HIS LIFE,( WHICH I'M SURE MUST BE INTERESTING WITH OVER 40 YEARS OF MARTIAL ARTS STORIES, ECT..) AS WELL AS MORE COMPLEX MOVES. OVERALL AN EXCELLENT BOOK FOR THE PRICE..........

GREAT SYSTEM OF SELF DEFENSE
NORM LEFF IS ONE OF THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE JIUJITSU INSTRUCTORS IN THE COUNTRY. THIS SIMPLISTIC YET STREET EFFECTIVE SYSTEM IS EASY TO LEARN. THE PHOTOS SHOW A LOT AND MUCH INFORMATION CAN BE GATHERED FROM THEM IF YOU HAVE THE SLIGHTEST MARTIAL ART INSIGHT. ... Read more

Product Description
No Gi, No Fear, No Prisoners!

The fastest-growing martial art in the world is submission grappling, a style that sheds formal rules like old clothing and allows combatants to get down to the pure physics of fighting: two men, no gis, one winner. Whether it is in no-holds-barred events like the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride, or in the ADCC World Submission Wrestling Championships, submission grappling is the style that the world’s greatest athletes are using to pit themselves against one another and determine who reigns supreme. It can be considered the ultimate evolution of the martial arts.

The greatest successes in submission grappling have come from Brazilian jiu-jitsu backgrounds, and of those none has surpassed Royler Gracie. Not only has the 145-pound Royler won three consecutive ADCC titles, but he also has pioneered techniques that have given him an unbelievable string of successes against opponents of all sizes, from 200-pound jiu-jitsu champions to 300-pound behemoths. In Submission Grappling Techniques, Royler spills his secrets for the first time.

Submission Grappling Techniques includes 102 positions designed specifically for the slippery, fast-paced, unpredictable world of no-gi grappling. It offers Royler’s tips on successful combination moves, garnered from his more than 300 professional fights, as well as advice on training routines, mental stamina, and avoiding injuries that twenty years as an instructor has taught him. If you come from a jiu-jitsu background, you will want his guidelines on how to adjust your game when you have no gi to grab. If you come from judo, sambo, wrestling, or any other martial art, you will want to get the goods from the master who has defeated the other champions.

Royler Gracie won his first title at age seven and hasn’t stoppedsince. Considered the most technically proficient Brazilian jiu-jitsufighter of all time, he has won the world title four times, along withmany national titles. In no-gi fighting, he has won the ADCC WorldSubmission Wrestling Championship an unprecedented three consecutiveyears, along with victories in Pride, Vale Tudo, 21st CenturyWarriors, and many more. Coauthor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory andTechnique, Royler is head instructor at the Gracie Humaita Academy inRio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Kid Peligro holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is one of the world’s leading martial arts journalists, with regular columns in Grappling, Gracie Magazine, and ADCC News. He is the author or coauthor of three of the most successful martial arts books in recent years: The Gracie Way, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense Techniques. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Timeless - My First Grappling Book!
I started training No-Gi Brazilian Jiujitsu in 2004. This was the first book that I bought to help improve my game. Youtube had not even been created yet and there were very few books out there. I studied this book religiously and was able to immediately incorporate a lot of the techniques into my game. The pictures are big and the instruction is very clear. Although BJJ and submission grappling has exploded outside of Brazil (and Japan) and many new flashy no-gi techniques are floating around this book will be a tool to help you build a solid foundation that will make your grappling game a nuisance for anyone who happens to match up with you.

I believe it has something to offer to everyone but I would definitely recommend it to beginners and intermediate practitioners.

Posted by Bakari Akil II, Ph.D., author of Grappling for Newbies: What every new BJJ and Submission Grappler should know!
and Pop Psychology: The psychology of pop culture and everyday life!

Very Pleased
Somehow when I ordered this book, I had something different in mind than what I got.Probably error on my part. But after a few pages into the book, I was sold on the change.A lot of the techniques offered more detail into techniques that I had vaguely gone over at some point in the past.And there was a suplex counter in there that I can't wait to try out as soon as I get back to the gym.But if you are looking for a good book to show you a number of ways on how to get to a submission, this would be a great book in your arsenal.

Light on usable content...
I've been doing jiu-jitsu for a little over a year now, and I was looking for something to help expand my no-gi game.I finished this book in two days, primarily because a lot of the techniques are introductory (white belt level).As an example, I think there are 16 pages that cover a basic trap & roll mount escape, and the only difference between each "technique" was the grip setup.For me, pages 1-180 could have been completely left out of the book, as it was all very basic introductory stuff anyone with any submission grappling experience already knows.

If it weren't for pages 180-260, I would have given the book 1 star.The last sections of this book have some good techniques, nothing groundbreaking or really beyond the blue belt level, but I found some techniques that I might be able to apply to my game, so 2 stars it is.

This is the first book I've found specifically targeting submission grappling, but I really would not recommend this book to anyone.If you are looking for general jiu-jitsu knowledge, I would highly recommend Saulo Ribeiro's Jiu-Jitsu University, or the guard series books by Joe Moreira & Ed Beneville.If DVD's are more your style, you can't go wrong with the Roy Dean series.

great no gi bjj book
this is a great no gi bjj book and actually a really good gi bjj book, too, since I believe that if you can utilize all our opponents limbs fluently it's gonna be much easier for us to utilize their gi and limbs. So this book is actually a great book since you can learn the higher level one but at the same time, of course, it's not for the beginner, especially when they are beginner who learn a gi bjj. Hey, there's always two side of a coin, isn't it? ;p anyway, if anyone is interested in learning a basic bjj (which usually start with the gi bjj) you can get that from Saulo Ribeiro Brazilian Jiu Jitsu University or Royler and Helio Gracie book for BJJ. But this book is great in a little bit higher level not as advanced as Marcello Garcia's X Guard, Eddie Bravo's Twister and Rubber Guard but this book need a basic understanding of grappling.

Royler is a great BJJ competitor and teacher, two thumbs up. Thanks

another one bites the dust
This is the third and last gracie book I will buy. This book is not something for beginners, its a bunchrandom techniques as most of there books are and the grcies always seem to leave important postions/moves out of there books which keeps you buying more and more books to complete the puzzle. I personaly think Gene Simco products are much better and does not hold back on showing you counter moves. (Gene Simco Master text the most complete BJJ book and will save you money in the long run). I dont have anything personaly against the gracies I love there bjj its just that there out to make money, common they dont want to give everything away in one book. ... Read more