"There are just too many BJJ instructional choices!" I hear this a lot, so I put together a buyer's guide for you. Scroll down, and if anything resonates with you, check out the instructional links. Q: Do you struggle to find time to train? Focus on using the very best training methods to make all your training time productive with the approach used in BJJ Games and BJJ … [Read more...]
Should You Train Jiu-Jitsu Every Day?
It's true that some high-level athletes recommend training every day or even multiple times a day. And it's true that all things being equal, more training equals faster progress. The problem is that all things are NOT always equal in this formulation. And to some extent, this advice is the product of survivor bias; you only hear from the people who did this and were successful, and not the … [Read more...]
D’Arce Choke Defense
The D'Arce choke is super-popular right now. This is a choke that traps your opponent's neck and arm inside your figure-foured arms and you can apply it against the half guard, against turtle, from guard passing, and in a ton of scrambles. (Click here for a detailed breakd0wn for applying the D'Arce choke.) This choke is especially popular in no gi grappling because the decreased friction … [Read more...]
Inbound Soon – Improvements To Cutting Edge Leglocks
I spent the day with Rob Biernacki filming an insanely painful update to the leglock meta. The new and completely legal breaking mechanics will make the straight ankle lock as powerful as the heel hook, which is a terrifying thought. And yes, Rob celebrated with his now traditional post-filming gelato. In short, we're going to be covering a new breaking mechanism, which is to say, a brand new … [Read more...]
NEW INSTRUCTIONAL!! 30 Second Fight Finishes
Elliott Bayev is one of the most detail-oriented instructors I've ever met. His first instructional with Grapplearts was The Spider Guard Masterclass, which many people called the best BJJ instructional they've ever seen. Elliott is now back with 30 Second Fight Finishes. In this instructional you'll learn the absolute fastest ways to end your match, regardless of whether you’re on … [Read more...]
Why Older, Slower, Stiff, and Broken Grapplers Should Use the Butterfly Guard Against Standing Opponents
If you're an older grappler playing guard against a standing opponent then you should start in the seated or butterfly guard rather than starting flat on your back. Sitting up will give you the best chance of getting your grips and setting up your preferred guard of choice. If you lie down into a recumbent guard (i.e. with your back flat on the floor) then you're essentially conceding the … [Read more...]
Why Are Some Groups and Individuals More Susceptible to Conspiracy Theories than Others?
Let's be honest... The BJJ and MMA communities are a mess right now. Major influencers in the sport are busy using their social media reach to spread a TON of misinformation and disinformation. It started with covid-denial, then anti-masking, and now anti-vaccine (the last strikes me as particularly ironic, because if you want to get back to normal then vaccines are the way to do it). So … [Read more...]
Not Training Right Now? 50% Off All Instructionals
So everyone's all cooped up and it sucks. We want to train but we can't. Thank you Covid-19 :( But by staying inside, by not mingling freely, we're literally saving lives (including those of the nurses and doctors all across your country who could soon be dealing with New York style numbers soon). To help people with their quarantine I've recently given away more than 10,000 instructionals … [Read more...]
Back Attacks 5: How to Switch to an Armbar Submission When You’re on the Back!
Many people are surprised to learn that the straight armbar is a reliable, high-percentage, and super-powerful submission, from the back when you're grappling in BJJ, No Gi or MMA. Here's Rob Biernacki of BJJ Formula fame showing exactly how to do that. This is part 5 in a series on the so-called 'weak side' of the back we're releasing on Youtube and is a small part of the Back Control module … [Read more...]
Back Attacks 4: How to Systematically Apply the Triangle Choke from Rear Mount
The rear triangle choke, also known as 'ura sangaku' is a fantastic way to submit your opponent when you're on his back in rear mount. Here's Rob Biernacki of BJJ Formula fame showing exactly how to do that. This is part 4 in a series on the so-called 'weak side' of the back we're releasing on Youtube and is a small part of the Back Control module of the BJJ Formula instructional. You can get … [Read more...]
Back Attacks 2: How to Control the Rearmount with Grips & Hooks
How to control the back using grips like the claw ride, half nelson, motorcycle grip and Kimura grip. Plus a very cool way to teleport yourself onto your opponent's back when you're in his half guard. With Rob Biernacki of BJJ Formula fame. This is part 2 in a series on the so-called 'weak side' of the back we're releasing on Youtube and is a small part of the Back Control module of the BJJ … [Read more...]
Back Attacks 1: A Critical Concept That Stops Your Opponent from Escaping Rear Mount
If you end up on your opponent's back in rearmount then he'll be doing his very best to escape! Here's how to shut him down and stay glued on his back using cross body rotational control! This is part 1 in a series on the so-called 'weak side' of the back we're releasing on Youtube and is a small part of the Back Control module of the BJJ Formula instructional. You can get The Back Attacks Formula … [Read more...]
How to Escape Cross Side Mount
Getting crushed on the bottom of the cross-side mount is one of the most terrible feelings in jiu-jitsu. In the worst case situation his weight is heavy upon your chest making it hard to breathe. Your limbs are completely out of position making it impossible for you to frame or push him away. And his arm is anchored under your head allowing him to drive his shoulder into your jaw with a … [Read more...]
The Critical Importance of ‘Kuzushi’ in the Guard
Of all the articles and tips I've shared this year, today's might be the most important one... This concept and strategy has the potential to completely revolutionise your guard game. Ready? Good! Here it is... Use 'Kuzushi' (which is Japanese for 'offbalancing') before every single guard attack you launch! Here's a video on the topic of using Kuzushi from guard that you really should … [Read more...]
Mount Escape to Ankle Lock Position
If you're caught in mount the first thing you want to try are the conventional bridging and shrimping movements to escape. These are two of the gold standard escapes for a good reason; they work all the time. But as the old saying goes, man makes plans and God laughs. Even the best techniques are going to fail against some opponents and in certain situations so it's always good to have some … [Read more...]
BJJ Q&A Podcast with Rob Biernacki
There's a new Grapplearts Radio podcast out!! I recently brought Rob Biernacki - a BJJ black belt and the creator of the highly reviewed BJJ Formula apps - back into the studio for his second appearance on the Grapplearts Radio Podcast... We mostly did a Q&A format in which we answered reader questions about everything from passing the guard to organising your training, but we … [Read more...]
How to Take the Back from X Guard
It's almost impossible to use the Butterfly Guard without also using the X Guard... When you attack with the Butterfly Guard your opponent is going to be doing his absolute best to shut you down. For example, that means that he'll be posting hands and feet all over the place to stop you from sweeping him. When he posts his hands or otherwise gets them out of position it opens up … [Read more...]