Key Takeaways
- A wrestling for BJJ instructional that shares top tips on how to perform reversals when on all fours.
- Delivers tactical solutions for getting out that include lots of Granby and Shrug rolls.
- Features a system of stand ups, changeovers, and switches that you can apply in many different situations.
- BJJ World Expert Rating: 8.5 out of 10.
BOTTOM WORK TUTORIAL JACOB HOWLAND DVD GET HERE
The line between offense and defense is getting blurrier each day in submission grappling. A lot of the blame for that lies in the integration of wrestling into BJJ, which has been happening at lightning speed for the past few years.
Being in “bad spots” is no longer the Boogeyman of grappling, like it was 15 years ago. Now, it just means you’re using different tactics to win. The Bottom Work Jacob Howland DVD delivers a few of those wrestling-rooted ideas on how to always be the one on top when you start on all fours.
Controlling From Defense
Well, I wouldn’t really call the all-fours position defensive per se, nor the turtle, but let’s go with it because it’s easier to cover things that way. Whenever you find yourself in a turtle situation, or something similar in BJJ, the main thing to remember is that you don’t only have defense as your option.
We saw a guy use the turtle to get 7 or 8 leg lock finishes in a tournament a few years back. It was just one example of how you can surprise people from a position that makes them feel in control. It takes a bit of practice and experimentation, but at the end of the day, you can attack very effectively from the turtle.
In fact, you can attack with a lot more options than just leg locks. Back in the day, Eduardo Telles had the turtle guard, which offered plenty of triangle and head-and-arm options. From wrestling, you have a bunch of reversals that can reel your opponent in and land you on top in one swift move.
The best way to do it—combine all of these, and even add more. Of course, we’re talking about a full game here, which means dedicated resources for each aspect. The Bottom Work Tutorial Jacob Howland DVD covers the wrestling portion very well.
Jacob ‘Juggernaut’ Howland
Some people just know how to power through. Jacob “Juggernaut” Howland, or JJ Howland as most people know him, is a wrestler and an MMA fighter who is not just an incredible source of grappling knowledge—he also serves as an inspiration for life.
The Marine Corps veteran knows all about adversity and overcoming it. From war zones to the mats, and most importantly, in his daily life, JJ Howland has lived through more than most people will.
Overcoming addiction and reeling himself back from being homeless to creating a safe space for young athletes, where he teaches wrestling, is as incredible as real success stories get! Now, you can get a slice of that JJ Howland grappling wisdom as well through his Jacob Howland Bottom Work DVD.
Bottom Work Tutorial Jacob Howland DVD Review
Three volumes, no Gi required, and only straight-up useful info, without any fluff—that’s what the Bottom Work Tutorial Jacob Howland DVD delivers in just under two hours.
Part 1 – Slides & Stand Ups
In the first part of the Bottom Work Tutorial Jacob Howland DVD, JJ focuses on the cornerstone stuff you can do from the referee’s position, a.k.a. all fours, to reverse your fortunes.
First up, he shares a few drills to help you develop the necessary skills, presented through interesting concepts. Next, he goes into the basic grips that will allow you to turn the tables without giving even more away and ending up pinned.
Stand-ups based on sit-outs, power smashing, and chops feature first, followed by an array of slides set up by cradle baits, knee posts, and changeovers. A few bits of tactical advice on defending the switch, stand-up, and changeover round off this opening volume.
Part 2 – Granby Rolls
For all the BJJ folks salivating when they read “Granby Rolls,” these are not the rolls you’re thinking of. Most of the work here refers to the original, wrestling-inspired Granby roll and its applications.
The idea here is to get out from underneath and get the top position using the Granby. JJ Howland walks us through how to do the standard Granby roll, but also variations like the smash Granby, changeovers, and the standing Granby.
The moves in this part of the Bottom Work Tutorial Jacob Howland DVD are tailor-made for BJJ, especially for those finding themselves stuck in the turtle. While originally intended for No-Gi, these moves work perfectly in the Gi too, given the added grip options.
Part 3 – Shrug Rolls
Another type of roll that’s scarcely, if at all, used in Jiu-Jitsu and is a staple of wrestling counter moves is the shrug roll. The Juggernaut ties it to changeovers, stand-ups, and sit-outs again, providing even more routes to get back on top.
Variations include the Wayne’s roll, the Force roll, and the step-behind roll, as well as an interesting explanation of why the Peterson roll is missing. A few super-effective gripping hacks, such as the claw ride and wrist control, take us to the end of the Jacob Howland Bottom Work DVD.
Turning the Tables
One of the best tactical moves you can pull off is to use compromising positions as traps. Before people go wild about my use of the word “compromising” here, I’m noting that I didn’t use it as an absolute.
With that out of the way, let’s talk reversals. Getting out of a bad spot and on top is a reversal and, as such, doesn’t earn any points (a topic for another article), but it delivers something better—psychological advantage. Imagine holding someone down and not being able to finish them, only to end up as the person on the bottom and on defense.
Well, that’s exactly what you’re doing to your opponent when you go for offensive turtle tactics. You might not win any points for the initial move that gets you on top (depends on what you do), but you’ll certainly win the match. The Bottom Work Tutorial Jacob Howland DVD offers plenty of ideas on how.
DOWNLOAD HERE: BOTTOM WORK TUTORIAL JACOB HOWLAND DVD
Flip ‘Em!
No more panic when people force you to turtle up—you’ll just accept with a smile on your face and still end up on top. Actually, after going through the Bottom Work Tutorial Jacob Howland DVD, you’ll be going into the turtle intentionally, baiting people to follow you so you can flip ’em!
