It can be really difficult to train jiu-jitsu with an injured knee because the legs and the guard are so central to the art. 90% of what you do might put strain on an already wonky knee. That being said, there are guard retention strategies you can use that rely mostly on upper body frames and DON'T require fancy legwork. This allows you to keep your injured leg mostly straight while continuing … [Read more...]
The Easiest Way to Do the Berimbolo
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...]
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...]
The Single Leg X Guard – A Surprising Way to Pull Guard…
Should you pull guard in competition? And if you decide to pull guard, then how do you do it correctly? In a certain sense, I am uniquely unqualified to answer these questions... You see, much of my BJJ comes from 8th degree black belt Marcus Soares, and Marcus is very much from the old-school Carlson Gracie way of doing things. The Carlson approach to jiu-jitsu is definitely focused on … [Read more...]
3 Easy Throws for BJJ
People often ask me what the easiest throws or takedowns are for BJJ competition. My usual advice is that takedowns are great. They bring the fight to your opponent, score 2 points, set you up to pass the guard, and allow you to fight from the top. All of which are good things. Now I love wrestling and judo, and think that takedowns are essential skills, but training them to a high level … [Read more...]
This Skill is CRITICAL for Confidence on the Mats
The guard is the most important position in jiu-jitsu. And developing rock solid guard retention is one of the two highest bang-for-the-buck skills you can develop (the other is gripfighting). So whether you play half guard, spider guard, butterfly guard or upside-down inside-out reverse de-la-worm guard you absolutely have to know the principles and techniques to counter your opponent's … [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...]
Fancy Yet Effective: The ‘Shaolin’ Half Guard Sweep
Normally I advise against flashy techniques. Generally speaking it's rock solid basics and non-fancy fundamentals that win sparring sessions, tournament matches and MMA fights. But I have to make an exception for this technique... If you're already semi-competent from the half guard position then the Shaolin Sweep might be something you want to add to your game. First of all, the Shaolin … [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...]
What’s in Guard Passing for Old F***s
BJJ for Old F***s, the Passing Game is dedicated to giving older grapplers the techniques, strategies, and training methods they need to pass the guard of any opponent and stay effective on the mats. In this instructional you'll first get the critical concepts for passing the guard as an older guy so that you can smash those younger players while staying safe. Then you'll get 5 complete … [Read more...]
Guard Passing for Old F***s Now in iOS and Android App Formats!
The brand new Grapplearts instructional, "Guard Passing for Old F***s" is now available on the Grapplearts BJJ Master App for iOS and Android. Once you've downloaded it you can preview quite a bit of the material for free. Please check it out - a lot of people prefer their information in app format because of the portability and the ability to download the techniques. Click Below to … [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...]