The Kimura is a powerful bent armlock that primarily attacks the shoulder joint, but in addition to being a very powerful armlock it's also a control position. Here's the condensed form of this argument in video format. Check it out and then scroll down for many concrete examples of new ways to use the Kimura. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/B-XT1JfhTF4 The Kimura is Both a Submission AND a … [Read more...]
Elliott Bayev
How to do the Low Single for No Gi Grappling
The low single is a variation of the single leg takedown, which is one of the staple techniques of wrestling. Probably the most famous low single in history belonged to John Smith, who used this move to win multiple world championships and multiple Olympic gold medals. Not only is the low single is good for winning Olympic medals, it's also a great technique for submission … [Read more...]
Fake Low, Go High; How to Use Level Change Fakes to Set Up Takedowns and Submissions
There's a universal combative principle known as 'fake east, go west.' This idea has been valid since forever. It has been used effectively in small-scale fights between individuals and also at the grand strategic level in huge wars. That's because it only always works. The idea is to distract your opponent by doing one thing over here and then hit them hard somewhere else. One … [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...]
What Is Required for Your BJJ Blue Belt?
In episode 380 of The Strenuous Life Podcast I talk you through what's generally required to be a competent blue belt, including... The 8 basic positions in jiu-jitsu A 3 phase strategy for beating a bigger person The real purpose of the guard The 2 types of submissions The hierarchy of positions How to stay safe in bad positions...and what to do next. The importance of … [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...]
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...]
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...]
The First Sweep You Should Learn from Spider Guard
Modern BJJ is unimaginable without the Spider Guard. In this form of Open Guard you grip your opponent’s wrists or sleeves and have at least one foot controlling at least one of his arms. Usually your feet will be placed against his biceps, and/or one leg will spiral around his elbow with your toes hiding underneath his upper arm (this is called a 'lasso'). Controlling both of his arms … [Read more...]
How to Counter the Toreando Guard Pass
So there you are, on your back and fighting your opponent with your legs. Maybe you're using the Spider Guard, the Butterfly Guard, or any other variation of Open Guard, but regardless, both you and he are jockeying for grips and position. You’re trying to set up your guard sweeps and submissions, and he’s trying to pass your guard. Then - disaster! Your opponent grips both your pant … [Read more...]
Top 10 Throws and Takedowns for BJJ
I'll go ahead and say it: every practitioner should have at least a couple of throws and takedowns for BJJ. Yes, it's true that pulling guard is an option in sport BJJ competition, but ultimately this is a martial art, which means we have to at least occasionally consider the self defense aspects of what we're doing. Are you going to pull guard in a streetfight? Not bloody likely. In this … [Read more...]
Jiu-Jitsu: The Art of Facing Challenges
In episode 308 of The Strenuous Life Podcast I talk with BJJ black belt and entrepreneur Elliott Bayev about using jiu-jitsu to face challenges, how to test new ideas, how the basics change over time, how to use jiu-jitsu in sales and running a business, and much more. Elliott has been featured in several Grapplearts instructionals including The Spider Guard Masterclass and The Self Defense … [Read more...]
New Self Defense Focussed Module for Your iPhone or Android Phone
People have been asking for me to include more self defense material on the Grapplearts BJJ Master App. And, as always, your wish is my command! The Self Defense Guard - a 2 module instructional for iPhone and Android - is now the newest module with the Master App. I did this instructional together with BJJ black belt Elliott Bayev. In it you'll get the techniques and strategies from … [Read more...]
Can You Use a Collar Choke in a Streetfight?
BJJ has a ton of gi-based techniques, and while not all of them are very street relevant, some people tend to throw out the baby with the bath water. The bottom line is that many people wear either coats or jackets, especially in the winter or at night. And if your attacker is wearing a potential noose around his neck you'd be a fool not to take advantage of it. You want to take advantage … [Read more...]
Latest Grapplearts Instructional: The Self Defense Guard
Ultimately BJJ is a martial art, and that means knowing how to handle yourself in a real fight. I wouldn't advocate pulling guard in a streetfight, but if things go wrong then there's always the chance that you’re going to end up on the bottom. And if that happens the guard could save your life. But the way you use guard is different when you’re dealing with punches, bites, headbutts and … [Read more...]
Closed Guard to Shin Shield to Technical Standup
Getting back up to your feet against pressure is a critical skill in BJJ. Most fundamentally you use this standup motion to get back to your feet should you find yourself on the bottom in a real fight, but you can also use this exact same movement to finish sweeps, escape bad positions, and counter your opponent's attacks. So it's a movement that you need to know inside out and … [Read more...]
Flying Guillotine Choke Submission
The flying guillotine is one of the most surprising submissions in BJJ, no gi grappling and MMA. You and your opponent are both circling each other, looking for an angle to shoot or initiate grips, when suddenly you jump for his neck, lock on the guillotine choke and before you know it he's tapping out - it's all over! But it's a little more complicated than that... The best way to attack … [Read more...]
12 BJJ Black Belts Give Their Best Tips for Starting BJJ {Video and Podcast}
Today you're going to get 12 BJJ black belts give their best tips, strategies and advice for people just starting out in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. White belts looking for help getting started and organising their training will really benefit from watching this. Although there are a few themes the fascinating thing is how diverse the advice is. There is no one path, no one BJJ tip to rule them all, … [Read more...]
The 10 Second Rule for Effective Choking
How many times have you been trying to choke out a training partner, straining and straining, then give up in disgust only to have him say, "Man, I was SO close to tapping out!!" Or what about those times when you've been caught in a choke, see no way out, and your only defense is to hunker down and hope that your opponent will give up before you run out of air or blood to the brain? The … [Read more...]
A Simple Tweak for a Killer Triangle Choke
In the late 1990's I had the pleasure of training with UFC fighter and Sambo champion Oleg Tartarov a number of times. And it turned out that not only was he a tough, skilled and relentless competitor, but he was also a very skilled teacher. Here's a detail about the triangle choke that he showed me that I share just about every time I ever teach this move. It's all about how hiding the … [Read more...]