Lapel Guard: The Best DVD And Digital Instructionals

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How do lapel guards in BJJ work? What do Keenan and all the others that love his stuff do when they set up those crazy cloth guards with even crazier names? It is not hard to figure it all out, and it should not take you several years to do so. Instead, use the knowledge that is already out there to build abase for your lapel game, and you can keep on experimenting as you go forward. This Lapel Guard DVD instructionals collection will help you achieve that goal.

Lapel guards are fun and very reliable, but that is only true for the person playing them. Those on the other end are usually highly frustrated and end up hating everything, from the GI all the way to the person playing the guard. That, however, is no reason not to figure out how they work. You don’t even have to play lapel guards in order to own a lapel guard DVD. Figuring them out will mean you won’t get stuck passing them.

The Best Lapel Guard DVD Instructionals Collection

Can you play any lapel guard that you see? Of course, you can, and it won’t take more than a month or two. All it takes is understanding the mechanics of what you’re trying to do with the lapel, instead of just holding to it and thinking it will magically sweep or submit people. The lapel is just a different part of the Gi you are holding to make things happen. that should be the first thought in your head when it comes to playing these types of guards.

The second step in figuring lapel guards out is the entanglement. In terms of entanglement, there’s really nothing more complicated in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu than the entanglements that happen during lapel guards. There are man little (and big) reasons behind the placement of the lapel behind a leg, or around it, etc., etc. The most important aspect of it all, as you might expect, is the grips. In those terms, you will have to accept that you will have to change your grips, and you can’t play lapel guards with just one grip from start to end.

This brings us to the thing that makes or breaks lapel guards – grip fighting. The grips you place on lapels are notoriously hard to break. However, you will need to pass the lapel from one arm to the other, and figure out when to switch the position of the grips until you achieve your goal of sweeping or submitting with them. And that will require the final piece of the puzzle – patience!

The TOP Pick

The Lapel Encyclopedia 9 DVD Set by Keenan Cornelius

Of course, Keenan Cornelius is going to lead the line when it comes to the best Lapel Guard DVD instructional out there. This is really not just an instructional, but more like the bible when it comes to lapel guards You get 10 + DVDs (including bonus material) that will cover everything from the worm guard to the weird stuff like the Gubber guard. Simply put, probably the only resource you’ll ever need to build a perfectly solid lapel guard game.

List Of Every Lapel Guard DVD Instructional Out There

Following suite are a few more titles of lapel guard DVD instructional out there that are definitely more than worth putting time into.

1. Open Guard: BJJ Fundamentals – Go Further Faster by John Danaher

Despite the fact that you might not associate Danaher immediately with the Gi, or much less lapel guards the man knows what he is talking about (as usual). His open guard series from the GI system does focus quite a lot on the various ways you can use the cloth to gain an advantage when on the bottom.

2. The Bull Sweep & Open Guard Tactics by Charles Negromonte

A simple approach to the lapel guards will benefit people that have not messed around with them a lot. A great one to start with!

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3. The Lapel Guard Blue Print by Alex Huddleston

A true blueprint to lapel guards, that starts with basics like grips and some old school guard and quickly graduates to full-blown lapel madness all around by the fourth volume.

4. Modern Lapel Guards Made Easy by Kauan Barboza

A different look at all the modern lapel guards from a perspective slightly different to Kennan’s but not less effective by any means!

5. Lapel Guard Killer by Osvaldo “Queixinho” Moizinho

This one is the wrench in this system, focusing on teaching you how to deal with lapel guards, rather than attack them yourself. However, if you lip the info in it, you’ll end up becoming better with lapel guards than you ever thought you could!

6. GREG MELITA – OUTSIDE LAPEL GUARD [ON DEMAND]

A curious lapel guard DVD, focusing on the outside lapel guard which is not one people use very often these days. Given how effective it is, this just means you’ll get a weapon not many people will know how to deal with!

In Conclusion

Lapel Guards DVD instructionals vary in terms of how effective or applicable the content in them is The above list, starting with Keenan and then continuing through all the other options is literally all it will ever take to understand how lapel guards work. From there on, you can either go deeper into exploring certain lapel guards or develop a variation of your own. Happy hunting!

10 Best Leg Locks DVDs and Digital Instructionals

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BJJ World

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10 best leg locks dvds and digital instructionals

If you untold someone in BJJ ten years ago that leg locks would not just be considered a normal thing, but even high-percentage submissions that people sought to learn, they’d call you crazy. Fast forward to 2021 and even the IBJJF has legalized knee reaping heel hooks (to an extent). In modern BJJ, there’s no going forward without the use of leg locks, Gi or No-Gi. In fact, the game has got so diverse and deep since Danaher’s Death Squad popularized them, that there is plenty of material out there to learn different aspects of lower body submission holds. To that extent, we put together a guide for you – the most comprehensive leg locks DVD instructional collection ever put together.

The issue with picking and choosing leg locks DVD instructionals is the same as with many other BJJ DVDs – figuring out which ones offer applicable information, and which are just smoke and mirrors. It is not that leg locks won’t work, it is more the case of which leg locks are the ones that work against t most people, under most circumstances, and without any special athletic requirements. Leg locks do require a bit more than just grabbing the ankle/ heel/toes and pulling. Danaher taught us the value of positioning, but the BJJ community, as usual, did not stop there. The following collection of leg attacks DVD instructional is the natural evolution of this aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. You can bet there will be more to come as well!

The Best Foot & Leg lock DVD Instructionals Collection

How do you know that a leg lock is a reliable one? One big hint would be the ability to tap people from white to black belts with it. An even greater indicator of success would be if you could achieve that feat without being a black belt yourself. If at the same time, you can tap people of all sizes, ages, and body types as well, you can more or less be certain you’re on to one of those leg locks that will rarely fail you. It also means you should probably specialize in it and evolve it further.

The thing you need to figure out with leg locks is control. That was the deciding factor in taking them out from the closet, dusting them off, and re-introducing them as some of the best moves in BJJ after decades of neglect. Nowadays, everyone understands control mainly due to the introduction of the Ashi Garami concepts. That said, you could go dextrally deep in figuring out all late concepts, or just focus on one or two general principles that make it all work. One principle I like to call fundamental to successful control while leg locking is keeping the opponents’ hips on the ground. In other words, if both their butt cheeks are touching the mats, you will have sufficient control to start setting up leg locks and get a tap.

In terms of legal and illegal moves, my approach is to train everything. Learn as many different aspects of leg locks as you can. this, of course, is a principle that applies across the board in Jiu-Jitsu. Know how to set leg locks up so that you’re not surprised when someone tries to go for them when you roll or compete. The legality puzzle can easily be solved – know the ruleset. Knowing the ruleset, though, does not stop you from training and understanding even the “illegal” moves. In our leg locks DVD collection, you’ll find all kinds of leg locks, legal and illegal, but they all have one thing in common – they work!

The Top 10

Let’s start with a bang. The best 10 BJJ foot and leg attack DVD instructional that you can get online. The 10 parts that make up the Holy Grail of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu leg locks. Enjoy the reviews.

1. Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 by Lachlan Giles

The first spot in our list goes to the man who proved not just that leg locks work, but that they also work perfectly against much larger and stronger opponents. Lachlan Giles was the shining star of the 2019 ADCC where he beat some huge names and people in the absolute division to earn himself ADCC bronze. His entire system of 50/50 leg locks is available in this 8-part instructional.

2. Down Under Leg Attacks by Craig Jones

Lachlan’s star student and the man beyond a doubt reinforced the notion that leg locks DO work when he broke Vinny Magalhães leg with a very tight heel hook. This instructional won’t just teach you leg locks, it’ll also serve as a guide to entering Asnhi Garami positions by using Craig’s innovative methods.

3. Leg Attack Domination by Tom DeBlass

The man who “groomed” Gordon Ryan and Gary Tonon into grapplers before Danaher took over is also a huge fan and connoisseur of leg locks. Tom DeBlass has an extremely versatile and tight leg lock game, with a huge emphasis on controlling, and transitioning in between different Ashi Garami positions. This DVD of his will open doors for you that you’\ve never thought existed.

4. Grand Master Leg Locks by Gokor Chivichyan

One of the few people that had very in-depth instructionals way before leg locks became popular was Gokor Chivichyan. This four-volume instructional is an updated and evolved version of his original system. That means that with this one you get the best of both old-school Sambo / catch wrestling and new-school BJJ leg locks.

5. The K.A.T.C.H. Leg Attack System by Dean Lister

Right up there with Gokor’s early work. Dean Lister is the man who inspired John Danaher to develop the system we use today, Lister’s DVD was the first complete BJJ-based leg locking system out there. To this day, the K.A.T.C.H. system works like a charm, both in its original and updated version. A must, for any self-respecting leg locker out there.

6. The Knee-Barges Leg Attack System by Gabriel Arges

For those that have an affinity towards kneebars more than other leg locks, Gabriel Arges is the man to seek. If you can’t get to him, his instructional on kneebars will more than suffice. Expect a detailed breakdown of kneebar mechanics along with some really slick entries.

7. The Estima Lock & New School Toe Hold by Braulio Estima

While some like kneebars, others like toe holds. Braulio Estima likes both, but this instructional is all about toe holds, given that his signature submission, the Estima lock is based on toe hold mechanics. More than just a DVD on the toe hold technique, this instructional offers a full system that connects various leg locking submissions. Legal for the most part.

8. IBJJF Legal Leglocks by Luiza Monteiro

Speaking of legal and illegal, Luiza Monteiro has an instructional that covers nothing but IBJJF legal leg locks. If you’re a Gi IBJJF competitor by train, these four volumes will teach you everything there is about what you can do to people’s lower bodies and win in a fair and square way.

9. Ground Marshal Leglocks by Neil Melanson

This is one for true leg lock lovers, and perhaps those with a bit of a sadistic nature. Neil has a pretty brutal grappling style, based on catch wrestling. While his leg lock system does employ modern positioning principles and tactics, it also leans a lot on the brutal finishing nature of catch-wrestling-style leg locks. In terms of this DVD, it is better to have it and not need it, than the other way around.

10. Budovideos Break a Leg DVD by Jeff Glover

Jeff Glover’s wacky and unusual leg locks also make it in our top 10 picks list. Perfectly named “break a leg”, this instructional covers interesting (to say the least) ways of setting up and finishing leg locks. As is the case with Glover’s instructionals, the creative entries into leg locks are really the thing that stands out the most.

List Of Every Foot & Leg locks DVD Instructional Out There

What if you want more than just 10 leg attacks DVD instructionals? Lots more? We got you covered. Below is every BJJ leg locks DVD that has at least one little thing to teach you. In other words, this is the most comprehensive list of leg attacks DVD instructionals that actually work.

1. Leglocks: Enter The System by John Danaher

Of course, Danaher’s leg lock instructional is going to make an appearance in the list of the best leg attacks DVD instructional. Bear in mind though, it is 8 volumes long and has approximately 12 hours of material. It is sufficient to say you’ll need to spend months just trying to make sense of it all, and even more to learn everything there is. It is definitely worth it, though.

2. Shoot To Kill: Wrestle, Scramble, Submit by Garry Tonon

Who can forget that Garry Tonon scissor takedown entry into a leg lock vs. Edwin Najmi at the 2019 ADCC? It was the perfect example of how to blend together high-level wrestling with the modern leg locking game. This Tonon DVD will teach you how to do exactly that.

3. Leg Lock Obsession by Quentin Rosenzweig

Beautifully named “Leg Lock Obsessions” this four-part instructional goes deep into the world of BJJ leg locks and will teach you things you never even thought of.

4. Getting Un-Stuck by Luiz Panza

Luis Panza’s escape system involves a lot of leg lock defenses and positional escapes, which can be very useful in learning, not just defense, but also leg lock offense.

6. Russian Grappling Hacks by Rustam Chsiev

Rustam Chsiev is a scary grappler that takes pleasure in devouring people’s limbs. When it comes to leg locks, he is hard to match, and he has every unique blend of Sambo and BJJ leg locks which he fully explains in this instructional.

7. IBJJF Legal Leg Attack Secrets by Dean Lister

While he may have been coerced into releasing this leg locks DVD, the fact is that Dean Lister also has an instructional out covering nothing but IBJJF legal leg locks and shot in the Gi. Well worth it, though!

8. Leg Attacks & Grappling Hacks by Dean Lister

As you might expect, Lister has a lot to say on the subject of leg attacks, so much so, in fact, that he has several ultra-high quality instructions. This one is all about quick hacks that will help you finish way more leg locks than ever before.

9. Sambo for BJJ by Vlad Koulikov

Sambo leg locks modified to fit the needs of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, taught by one of the utmost experts in the field. Sounds good? That is because it is!

10. Leglocks 101 by Charles Harriott

Charles Herriot is one of the best leg lockers of the new school. He puts lots of hours into perfecting and exploring leg locks and leg attacking positions and has lots of novel approaches. His instructional is well worth checking out.

11. Sambo Academy: Achilles Locks by Ivan Vasylchuk

Another Sambo gift for BJJ athletes, this time in the form of an Achilles locks masterclass taught by Ivan Vasylchuk.

12. The 411 Leg Lock Instructional by Alan Shade

For those that really want to specialize in the 4/11, AKA Honeyhole, AKA Inside Snekaku position. ALan has some crazy deep insights and tricks to share about never losing the position, and exposing many different leg attacks from it.

13. Wiseman BJJ by Rodrigo Cavaca (Footlocks, Closed Guard Attacks & Stopping The Guard Pass )

Rodrigo Cavaca has an interesting DVD out that use leg locks to bridge other guard attacks and pass prevention. Unique, and extremely useful, especially for competitors.

14. The No-Gi Formula: For Masters Competitors by Mario Delgado

In this instructional, Mario uncovers why leg locks are the ultimate tool at Masters athletes’ disposal, particularly when rolling/competing in No-Gi.

15. The Ashi LegLock System by Jay Wadsworth

What exactly si the Ashi Garami and how does it work? Learn everything there is about modern BJ leg entanglements from this great BJJ leg attacks DVD instructional.

16. IBJJF Legal Leg Attacks by Tiago Alves

Another release focusing on IBJJF legal leg locks, this time taught by black belt competitor Tiago Alves.

17. High Percentage IBJJF Legal Footlocks by Mikey Musumeci

Mikey Musumeci is one of the most famous grapplers alive. His instructional on leg attacks are filled with giant-killing techniques that will allow you to tap out people much larger than you. A perfect fit for ladies and smaller-framed grapplers.

18. The Belly Down Footlock From Single Leg X by Tarik Hopstock

One particularly;y brutal way of finishing foot locks is by going belly down into a tripod position. Tarick Hopstock will teach you many different ways of doing exactly that. Moreover, he’ll do so from one of the premier leg locking positon – the Single Leg X-Guard.

19. IBJJF Legal FootlockClick Heres by Jose Varella

Jose Luis Varella has a very fundamental guide on how to set up and finish leg locks that won’t get you in trouble under any ruleset. Perfect for beginners that love training with the Gi.

20. FOOTLOCK MASTERY BY OLIVER GEDDES [ON DEMAND]

Olie Geddes has a very underrated and dangerous leg lock game, that he shares in great detail in his footlock mastery course.

21. THE FOOT LOCK MANIFESTO BY ALEKSANDAR RAJACIC [ON DEMAND]

Focusing on foot locks this instructional covers both the Ashi Garami position, and some innovative alternatives that offer tight and brutal ankle lock-based finishes.

22. LEGAL LEG LOCKS FOR BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU [ON DEMAND]

A simple guide to leg locks for BJJ that has something to teach both beginner and advanced grapplers.

23. Leg Attacks Against Modern Guard by Tarsis Humphreys

Tarsis Humphreys has a very unique leg locks DVD, focusing on leg locks from the top. This three-part instructional will offer you plenty of interesting and unusual alternatives to passion the guard.

24. Unconventional Leg Attacks by Jesseray Childrey

As the name suggests, there’s nothing conventional about the two volumes filled with leg locks in this DVD. No-Gi.

25. Invisible Leglocks by Warren Brooks

If you want to set up leg locks without people noticing what you’re doing until it is way too late, this is instructional to focus on. Brooks really does have a way of making leg locks seem invisible.

26. ILLEGAL LEG LOCKS PART TWO [ON DEMAND]

After all the legal leg lock instructionals this one comes as a breath of fresh air to those leaning towards the dark side of grappling. In this DVD, you’ll learn all about the most illegal of leg locks and how to set them up.

27. The Modern Leglock Formula with Rob Biernacki and Stephan Kesting

One of the early go-to DVD sets for leg locking, this 6-part formula will explain the world of Ashi Garami leg locks and the importance of control before submission.

28. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Leglocks Vol-1 By Rigan Machado

An old-school approach to leg locks, as taught by the legendary Rigan Machado. Very effective. and straightforward.

29. Battle Tested Down Under Leglocks by Craig Jones

The second portion of Craig Jones’ original leg locks instructional. Here, he shares some experiences of his many matches and leg lock finishes and goes deeper into his system.

30. The Imanari Roll And Modern Leg Attacks From Japan by Masakazu Imanari

The Imanari roll is an integral part of any leg locker’s arsenal. In this instructional, the original Japanese leg locker who invented the move, Imanari himself, talks about his leg locking game and crazy spinning entries that will catch everyone off guard.

31. Brazilian Leg Lock Secrets by Rodrigo Artilheiro and Judge Walmory

Four volumes filled with secrets of BJJ leg locks, presented by Rodrigo Artilheiro and Judge Walmory.

32. MASTERING ANKLE LOCKS – REILLY BODYCOMB [ON DEMAND]

Wrapping this leg attacks DVD list up is an instructional by American Sambo expert and leg lock expert Reilly Bodycomb. In it, he covers his take on ankle locks, along with some interesting approaches to regaining control over the legs when people try and defend or escape.

In Conclusion

You can easily get overwhelmed by foot and leg locks DVD instructionals if you’re not sure where to start. As an experienced leg locker, you already have an idea of what you want and you can use any o the titles above to further specialize. If you’re a beginner, stick to the more general ones, or better yet, any of our top 10 picks.

The 4 Tournament Mistakes That Cost BJJ Competitors

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BJJ World

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The 4 Tournament Mistakes That Cost BJJ Competitors

While most people that do sign up to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will end up competing at one point or another, not all of them are going to become BJJ competitors. On the two ends of the spectrum of people that grapple we have recreational athletes and hardcore competitors. Most people fall somewhere in between, training with a certain intensity, but doing it for recreational purposes rather than thinking only about competing as much as possible. While this mindset means a different approach to training, what BJJ competitors do on the day of a tournament on and off the mats, matters even more.

Competing in BJJ is not an easy thing to do, but boy is it fun! If you are all about adrenaline, there’s hardly a better thing to do! That said, BJJ competitors are not just the folks that decide to step out on the mats and try their hand. In order for you to be known as a competitor, you’ll have to have a very specific approach to not just training, but a lifestyle in general, given how demanding regular Ju-Jitsu competition can be. However, at the end of the day, what matters is what happens on fight day both in preparation for your fights and once you are on the mats.

The Ups And Downs BJJ Competitors Face

As attractive as it may be for various reasons, being Jiu-Jitsu competitor is not an easy thing. It will require a level of dedication you might not be used to before. Moreover, given that you will have to compete often if you have goals of making it as a pro competitor, be ready to allow competition to pretty much steer what you do and don’t do every single day.

Simply put, the easiest part of competing is what happens on the mats on fight day, and that is something BJJ competitors know really well. The hard stuff is all done way before a tournament. As you probably presume, the most important part of the puzzle is actual BJJ training. However, slacking through warm-ups, doing a few random techniques and rolling without a purpose won’t cut it for BJJ competitors. training has to be precise, thought out, and measurable if you want to gauge any and all progress. I addition to that, tactics and mindset also have to be regularly discussed, developed, and trained in addition to just grappling.

It goes without mention that you will need to be in fighting shape, given that all your opponents will most definitely be in one. That just means that you will need to have great (not just good) cardio, a decent level of strength, and have a meal plan that you can pull off in order to me it to your desired weight class.

Finally, there are goals. As a competitor, you will feel the good and bad of winning and losing, and every victory will be immense. At the end of the day, though, until you turn pro, you will basically be paying to compete for a medal that’s not even worth the entry fee. IF you are ready to go over it without giving it a second thought, you are ready to embrace the life of a BJJ competitor.

The 4 Tournament Mistakes That Can Cost You A Tournament

In terms of writing about preparing for a BJJ tournament, I would need to write a book in order to encompass all the things people have at their disposal when preparing to compete. After all, not everyone will prepare the same way or has the same goals, abilities, limitations, etc.

A more helpful way of addressing helpful tips for BJJ competitors is focusing on common things people get wrong, even at the professional level, that might end up costing them a match. While there are lots of those as well, four common culprits seem to be popping up all the time, which is exactly what we’re going to focus on today.

Weight Cuts Gone Wrong

First and foremost, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a weight-class regulated sport. You have to fit within a certain weight class to be able to enroll in a competition. Sure, there are absolute divisions, but in order to reach those, in most cases, you have to place them among the top 4 of your own weight class. In other words, you’ll need to shed a few pounds if you are to make it since common practice dictates that you want to cut weight so you’re as heavy as possible within a given weight class. This should provide a slight advantage.

However, the only way in which you will actually gain that advantage is if you are able to compete and showcase your physical, tactical, and mental preparation. Most people resort to sub-optimal weight-cutting methods that leave them depleted and barely moving. Expecting to fight in such a state is dumb, especially considering that weigh-ins for BJJ competitors take place just moments before their first match. In other words, drop the most popular MMA cutting methods, and focus on something sustainable.

Solution: Check out Geroge Lockhart’s scientific System designed specifically for safe and effortless weight cutting.

Skipping Warm-Ups

This is a big thing even in training. I get how boring and tedious warm-ups are, I hate them as well. I will propose a new and improved method for BJJ warm-ups in a future article. Until such a time though, especially when it comes to tournaments, do not go in cold. I know you think you can do it, and most likely you can.

What matters is that when you go in cold, you might grapple well, and it doesn’t mean you will get injured for sure. However, you will tire out faster, you will feel more fatigue and after the match (or during, if it is prolonged or) you will experience the adrenaline dump more profoundly. Since that first match at tournaments pretty much sets the pace for what happens, later on, warming up is imperative and not something to consider as optional. Plus, it will help you calm your nerves down.

Just design a thorough warm-up for yourself, one that you know will hit all the spots that need to loosen up. Moreover, make sure you roll around wi that training partner, however light it may be.

Solution: Check out some key issues with common BJJ warm-ups and how to fix them to fit the needs of BJJ competitors.

Recovery Tactics

The stuff you do in between matches will make a world of difference in your performance. For starters, in between matches, you have to make sure you rehydrate and replace fluids you most likely lost as a result of a weight cut, no matter how small the cut was. Some coconut water, or using a mixture of salt, water, honey, and perhaps lemon and/or orange juice is a great way to quickly make up for lost electrolytes and get a kick of energy. Some commercial energy bars or drinks might also do the trick.

Having someone massage your forearms is also a great idea, especially if you are in a Gi tournament. That, or doing some simple recovery routine, given how much time you have.

Solution: Try out Joe DeFranco’s Limber 11 routine. Perfect for BJJ competitors of all belt levels.

Winging It (No Game Plan)

This is the one mistake that happens on the mats which you can control – to an extent. Namely, while you can’t predict how a match will unfold, you can definitely have a game plan of your own that will give you a blueprint of possible scenarios and solutions to problems before they even arise. That said, you will have to also know when to go off plan and improvise, as it is crucial to success. The one thing to keep in mind is that trying to wing everything and figure things out as they go is pretty much a great way to fall into the opponent’s spiderweb that is their game plan.

Do not go into a BJJ Tourmalet without a game plan. And yes, this applies to white belt BJJ competitors too!

Solution: Work on a precise BJJ gameplan for your tournament, and make sure it involves your coach and corner.

Conclusion

If you want to be a part of the BJJ competitor’s circle, you will have to put in the time needed to really become one. It is not as easy as putting a gi on and going to a tournament to compete. You can expect your opponents to take everything much more seriously, which means you should too. That said, doing fewer things wrong will mean you increase your chances of optimal performance much more than only looking to do “the right things”.

BJJ Hair: How To Deal With And Care For Long Hair In Grappling

Stephan Bonnar Kicked Out of Gym Over Mask on his B-Day, Mocks on Exit: ‘Wake Up You Sheep, Cowards…’

By

Filip Zanki

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Stephan Bonnar Kicked Out of Gym Over Mask on his B-Day, Mocks on Exit: 'Wake Up You Sheep, Cowards...'

UFC Hall Of Famer Stephan Bonnar was pretty angry this Easter Sunday when he was kicked from the gym for not complying with the gym’s policy on face masks. What’s even worse for him, it was his birthday.

In the video below, Stephan Bonnar is calling people working out in the background sheep while holding the inhaler in his hand saying that he has an asthma problem

He published it on his Instagram profile:

“-Easter is a good reminder of how Christ, despite being a cool dude, was pretty maligned.-
-When I was 10, I was thrown out of the playhouse at Celebration station for my own bday party for being too tall.-
Here I am 34 years later getting thrown out of the gym for exercising my right to breathe clean air.
That’s consistency!” – Wrote Stephan Bonnar

“I’ve been coming to this gym for 14 years. I’m getting kicked out on my birthday because one of these sheep was complaining that my mask was dropping.
Well, guess what, sheep! I got a medical exemption. I have asthma. I’m doing you a favor by even playing pretend. Masks don’t do anything. Wake up, you sheep, tattletales, cowards.” – said Stephan Bonnar on the exit

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A post shared by Stephan Bonnar (@stephanbonnar)

The Best Guard Retention DVD and Digital Instructionals

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BJJ World

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The Best Guard Retention DVD and Digital Instructionals

One of the most underrated, yet essential skills of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has to be guard retention. What is the point of trying to attack from the guard if you can’t stay in the position? If you’ve ever tried to sweep or submit people while they are trying to pass your guard, you know what I mean. Guard retention is one of the key skills to develop if you’re looking to become a well-rounded grappler. The following guard retention DVD instructions are pretty much all you need to start getting known as the grappler with the “unpassable” guard.

Guard retention DVD instructionals are not among those that you can collect with shovels. It takes a special kind of person to focus on the defensive aspects of guard because you will suffer a lot be for you manage to develop a system that helps you retain guard. It just so happens, these are the same people whose instructionals you’re should get in order to develop crazy guard skills. They’re not too many, but we did manage to put together the ultimate collection featuring each and everyone that you’ll ever need. Read on!

The Best Guard Retention DVD Instructionals Collection

It is the point of every guard to be able to stop people from passing your legs. You’ve probably heard that the legs are the strongest part of the body. Well, that one is true. They’re not just the strongest, but also the most dangerous body part. They are dexterous, flexible, you can use them to strike, you can use them to trip up folks, and much more. That is precisely why people that are on top have just one option in BJJ, apart from sitting back for leg locks – to get past the legs.

obviously, staying inside the guard is one of the top skills you need to develop, given that people will be looking to deal with them anytime you’re on your back. And no, you won’t get leg locked by focusing on guard retention because when you do it in a mechanically sound way, people won’t be able to get Ashi Garami positions and hunt for your legs.

On the subject of the best guard retention DVD instructionals, expect to see different directions in most of them. That is the best part about guard retention – most of the top instructors have their own take on it, and all of their stuff works. Of course, different things will work for different folks, which is precisely why we offer you such an in-depth selection of nothing but the very best guard retention DVD instructionals here today.

The Top 3

The following three-guard retention DVD instructionals are the ones you have to own. I’m not joking about this, these are not optional! You have to hear the stuff that’s in these volumes if you want to have any hope of playing guard against high-level folks in BJJ.

1. Guard Retention Anthology Bundle by Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak

Lachlan Giles has the ultimate guard retention DVD. In fact, it is a bundle consisting of no less than 16 different volumes covering different aspects of guard retention. it is sufficient to say that going through all of them will mean that you have a fortress of a guard that will be hard to beat for everyone. The instructionals are both in Gi and No-Gi, which is yet another unique aspect of these DVD series.

2. Guard Retention: BJJ Fundamentals – Go Further Faster by John Danaher

Danaher has his take on guard retention in the Gi, of course, and it is your typical John Danaher instructional – it is 8-volume, with lots of conceptual and philosophical talk and an enormous amount of techniques and scenarios.

3. Framing Domination and Guard Recovery by Tom DeBlass

As far as staying in guard goes, most people have their formulas, but at a certain point, people will get close to passing it, or get past it. That is when you have to figure out guard recovery first, and then how to retain. The framing system Tom utilizes is a highly effective one but it will take you a few months to make it work.

List Of Every Guard Retention DVD Instructional Out There

Let’s look at several other options out there that should probably be in your guard retention DVD collection if you are looking to truly become a BJJ guard player.

1. The Grilled Chicken Guard Retention System by Priit Mihkelson

My personal favorite and the one that makes the most sense is Priit Mihkelson’s Grilled chicken guard retention system. As funny as it sounds it will keep literally everyone from passing your guard, Gi or no-Gi, white belt or black. On top of it all, it is extremely simple, which is I guess the reason it is so effective. Priit has a very original take on defensive BJJ and this guard retention DVD is the perfect representation of it.

2. The Encyclopedia of Guard Retention by Lucas Valente

A simple method of guard retention by Lucas Valente explained over four volumes and demonstrated in the Gi.

3. The guard Retention Anthology: Around and Under by Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak

The Lachlan Giles bundle we covered in our top three can also be acquired separately 8 volume DVDs. This one, in particular, focuses on figuring out around and under in terms of guard retention.

4. The Guard Retention Anthology: Through The Legs and Close Range by Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak

Another one of Lachlan’s guard retention DVD instructionals, this time all about the distance and preventing people from going through the legs.

5. Power Switch Guard Retention and Genius Back Takes by Mikey MusumeciMikey is one of the most famous guard players in the world, and he has one of the toughest guards to deal with. All his competitive secrets are laid out bare in this DVD.

6. Keeping the Guard by Alec Baulding

The ADCC veteran goes through an easy-to-follow and very organized system of retaining guard without the Gi.

7. PAUL SCHREINER: GAME CHANGER [ON DEMAND]

Paul takes another route to most people, letting folks get to the half guard, but not leaving a way past it. This one is awesome for folks that like to do lazy BJJ or are injured.

8. Diamond Concept of Defense by Xande Ribeiro

The Diamond concept of defense is a full-blown defense system, but, of course, it starts and ends with the guard. Xande is one of the folks you want to listen to very carefully when it comes to guards.

In Conclusion

Guard Retention DVD instructionals might not be the hottest prospect out there, but they are absolutely essential. Pick up any of the above, and make sure you get the top three, and you will be amazed at how good your guard gets in very little time!

BJJ Fundamentals: The Best DVD and Digital Instructionals

By

BJJ World

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BJJ Fundamentals The Best DVD and Digital Instructionals

The fundamentals of BJJ are a funny thing. You can’t do without them, yet it takes getting to brown or even black beat in order to really start valuing them. In fact, there are two-point in our Jiu-Jitsu journeys where the fundamentals are something we turn to. The first is as fresh white belts. The second is as seasoned brown belts and beyond. If you’re one of the smart ones to leave a place for fundamentals throughout your journey, hats off to you. In any case, BJJ Fundamentals DVD instructionals can help. Especially when you know what all of them are and which are the absolute best.

There’s nothing without fundamentals, but then again, everyone likes to learn Berimbolos and Imanari leg locks first. Somehow, though, people realize that learning how to posture, grip, and similar fundamental stuff really does come before all the flashy spinning or flying techniques. So, instead of wasting all your time trying to copy the Mendes brothers’ highlights, pick yourself a BJJ fundamentals DVD or two and start learning the things that will actually one day provide you with a highlight reel of your own.

The Best BJJ Fundamentals DVD Instructionals Collection

In the modern BJJ world, people turn to digital instructional for everything, from learning how to hip escape and do solo drills, to figuring out specialized submissions and moves. Rarely, though, does anyone (apart from absolute beginners) look into BJJ fundamentals DVD instructionals. That has to change, given the amazing amount of information out there. If you focus more on learning the fundamentals, regardless of what belt level you are, you’ll be able to do much more unique things down the road.

The thing with fundamentals is, classes only allow professors so much time to try and explain things to students. Given that all students learn at a different pace this means that spending the right amount of time with everyone on a certain subject is impossible. Moreover, moving up the ranks usually means people feel they’re above the fundamentals and should focus on the advanced stuff. Well, understanding the fundamentals of BJJ is the most advanced thing you can do.

To that extent, we decided to make life easier for you. Looking for a BJJ fundamentals DVD? Below you’ll find a list of every digital instructional eve released on the subject. Not just that, but you’ll also see which the top 10 are, which can be very helpful for those that have no idea where to start. Despite any BJJ fundamentals DVD being a good choice for any grappler, start with the top 10, and make your way down the list as you need to further understand specific aspects of the sport.

The Top 10

1. The Guard Retention Anthology: Around and Under by Lachlan Giles & Ariel Tabak

There’s no point in trying to learn anything in BJJ if people can just brush past your guard. After all, the guard is the hallmark Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu position but it will only work if you can stay in it. Clachan Giles, the man with the plan to beat everyone, is uncovering all his gaur retention secrets in this incredible 8-part DVD instructional that will teach you all about the fundamentals of the BJJ guard and how to never lose it.

2. Foundations of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by Bernardo Faria

Bernardo Faria is the man with dozens of instructional and also one of the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu professors on the planet. Among all his high-level advanced instructionals he has one that often flies under the radar when it should be the first one people buy. His “Foundations of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu” instructional is exactly what you should expect to get from a BJJ fundamentals DVD.

In four information-packed volumes, Faria covers everything there is about the top and bottom positions in Jiu-Jitsu, what your goals are in each of them and how to mount offense and defense. The absolute must-have DVD for any grappler.

3. Scientific Gripping Systems For Jiu Jitsu by Travis Stevens

Anything you attempt to do in Jiu-Jitsu will only happen if you get a hold of the opponent. Doing so means you need to know how and where to grip people. Travis Stevens, a Judo Olympic medalist, and Danaher black belts seem like the obvious choice to go to for learning grips. He is. There’s no one better to explains the ins and outs of Gi gripping and it takes Travis four full-length volumes to do so. Learning everything this DVD has to offer will make you one of the best grapplers in your academy, without a shadow of a doubt!Click Here

4. Fundamentals Of a Jiu Jitsu Renegade by Kurt Osiander

Kurt is definitely one of the most unique (and strangest) personalities you’ll see in Jiu-Jitsu. he is, however, one of the best black belts around and is an impeccable teacher. His no-nonsense approach means he only teaches what is proven to work. In this BJJ fundamentals DVD, Kurt shares the secrets that make his brutal submission-based game work so well. Even if you do not aspire to be like him (which I don’t see why you wouldn’t), his take on the fundamentals of BJJ is something you have to see and hear.

5. Old School Efficient BJJ by Chris Haueter

A member of the BJJ dirty dozen, Chris is a joy to listen to. Haueter has a very old-school take on things, and in this highly modern BJJ environment we find ourselves in, it is a real breath of fresh air. it also works, and then some. Surprise everyone with highly fundamentals stuff that has been forgotten so much that people will think you’re doing something brand new!

6. Wrestling Fundamentals From The Bad Guy by Chael Sonnen

If you want to be good at BJJ you can’t just be a guard puler. That is the easy way out. Instead, you need to be able to take people down and defend takedowns. Wrestling will go a long way to help you achieve that, and with the right instructional, you can master it quite quickly. Chael Sonnen has exactly what you need in his four-part BJJ Fundamentals DVD that will take care of everything you need to know about wrestling for BJJ.

7. Going Upside Down: Beginner’s Guide to Inverting for BJJ

Yeah, you read that right. I don’t just consider inverting as a fundamental skill of BJJ, I’m also including an instructional about it in the top ten list! Learning how to invert correctly from the get-go will not only spare you lots of injuries but it will make all the fancy spinning stuff seem fundamental to you, once you understand how it works. If you’re looking to incorporate twister rolls, Imanaris, and Bolos into your game, this DVD will make you comfortable with being upside down. And then some!

8. BJJ Accelerator Blueprint by Stephen Whittier

Stephen Whittier is one of the SBG bunch which, in simple terms, means he loves deconstructing the “why” behind BJJ to the tiniest detail. In this one of a kind four-part instructional, Whittier teaches you everything there is not just about positions, but also the fundamentals about how to approach training and how to progress quickly. A different kind of BJJ fundamentals DVD, but one that’s absolutely crucial for anyone involved in Jiu-Jitsu.

9. No Gi Fundamentals: Top Game by JT Torres

Trainign without the Gi is something everyone in Jiu-Jitsu should know, and it just so happens to be a fundamental skill as well. Even if you never compete No-Gi, you need to understand how things work. To make everything painfully simple,. JT Torres, a multiple-time World Champion shares his take on the top game for BJJ in No-Gi, organized in a very precise and easy to follow manner.

10. No Gi Fundamentals Bottom Game by JT Torres

Part two of the instructional above, this BJJ fundamentals DVD is what JT Torres uses to explain the ins and outs of the bottom game for No-Gi. From guard retention, to guard variations that work best, grips, and attacks, everything you will lever need to be comfortable on your back in No-Gi is in this digital instructional.

List Of Every BJJ Fundamentals DVD Instructional Out There

Apart from the top 10 of BJJ fundamentals instructional which offer something for everyone, and are a great place to start, there are also plenty of other amazing options out there. Below, you’ll find each and every BJJ fundamentals DVD that you can get in order to understand The Gentle Art better.

1. Feet To Floor: Volume One Fundamental Standing Skills by John Danaher

John Danaher, teaching you his take on takedowns, with the Gi. Is there really something more that I need to say about his release? Oh, yeah, it has 8 parts to it with more than 10 hours of material.

2. Pin Escapes & Turtle Escapes: BJJ Fundamentals – Go Further Faster by John Danaher

Escaping tight spots in BJJ is just as fundamental as begin able to get to positions and maintain them. Perhaps even more. Danaher shares his amazing system of escapes as well as a very interesting perspective on the turtle position.

3. Strangles & Turtle Breakdowns: BJJ Fundamentals – Go Further Faster by John Danaher

It doesn’t get much more fundamental than strangling people with the Gi. Once again a John DanaherBJJ fundamentals DVD, covering everything about Gi chokes, and attacking turtled-up opponents.

4. Leglocks: Enter The System by John Danaher

This is an iconic DVD, really. The first-ever Danaehr instructional outlining the full leg locking system that launched the careers of the DDS. Today, an absolute must when ti comes to fundamentals Jiu-Jitsu techniques.

5. Open Guard: BJJ Fundamentals – Go Further Faster by John Danaher

The open guard is where lots of the fun in BJJ happens. However, you can only get away with every variation of it if you understand how it works. That is where this Danaher DVD comes in.

6. Half Guard: BJJ Fundamentals – Go Further Faster by John Danaher

Everyone’s favorite guard. Male or female, white or black belt, big or small, everyone has a half guard they love to play. All variations share the same fundamentals though, and it takes John Danaher 8 volumes to break them all down.

7. Guard Retention: BJJ Fundamentals – Go Further Faster by John Danaher

Another one on retaining your guard, once again by the BJJ mastermind himself, Danaher. As far as BJ fundamental DVDs go, you can’t go wrong with any of his work.

8.Half Guard Passing and Dynamic Pins: BJJ Fundamentals – Go Further Faster by John Danaher

The half guard has two faces, and passing it is just as fundamental a skill to have as playing it is. Danaher again, and one of the best BJJ fundamentals DVD instructional in existence.

9. Go Further Faster Bundle by John Danher

For everyone that likes to simplify things, you can just go for the entire “Go Further Faster” collection by Danaher. Inside, you’ll find all his DVD sets on BJJ fundamentals.

10. Enter The System Bundle by John Danaher

Similar to the bundle above, but those times containing all of Danaehr’s No-Gi DVD sets.

11. Closed Guard: BJJ Fundamentals – Go Further Faster by John Danaher

A closed guard BJJ fundamentals DVD, presented by John Danaher, in the Gi. An absolute must-have.

12. Systematically Attacking The Back by Gordon Ryan

Danaher’s students also have awesome instructional of their own. If you want to learn everything bout the back and attacking from there, Gordon Ryan’s DVD is what you should be looking for.

13. Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Escapes Gi & No Gi by Lachlan Giles

Another Lachlan Giles gem, this time all about escaping from bad spots. A highly underestimated skill that absolutely everyone needs.

14. Systematic Submission Dilemmas: High Level Triangle and Leg Lock Combos by Craig Jones

Lachlan’s top student and Australian grappling superstar Craig Jones have a real treat for submission hunters. This BJJ fundamentals DVD explains the basic concept of dilemma attacks, and how to blend submissions together when attacking.

15. The Single Strap Back Take Encyclopedia by Bernardo Faria

A Bernardo Faria DVD that focuses on the back takes, by using a slightly unusual method that in the single strap that is of paramount importance for Gi players.

16. Introduction To BJJ by Bernardo Faria

This is an instructional every new BJJ student should have. “Introduction to BJJ” is just what it sounds, and Faria leaves no stone unturned to help you understand what you’re becoming a part of.

17. BJJ Basics by Travis Stevens

Four more volumes of extremely high-quality basics by Travis Stevens, this time extending to all subjects rather than a specific one like gripping. One more all-encompassing BJJ fundamentals DVD.

18. Fundamentals & Concepts by Travis Stevens

Learning from concepts is always the best way to understand Jiu-Jitsu, and especially the fundamentals. Travis Stevens delivers precisely that in this four-volume set.

19. Timeless Sweeps And Submissions: The Side Butterfly Guard by Rafael Lovato

Rafeal Lovato Jr. is a household name in BJJ and one of the best professors in the sport. His unusual take on the butterfly guard might not be seen as fundamental by many, which is exactly why you need to learn it fast.

20. Defending and Countering Pressure Passes by Andre Galvao

The man that heads one of the top competition academies in the world certainly knows what fundamentals are all about. In this Andre Galvao DVD, you’ll learn all about dealing with pressure passes by using slick counters.

21. High Level Fundamentals by Gregor Gracie

Four DVDs of Gracie Jiu-JItsu fundamentals taught by Gregor Gracie. A lot to learn from this one, at every belt level.

22. De La Riva Fundamentals by Danny Stolfi

The De la Riva is an open guard variation that has become so common in Jiu-Jitsu that it is now considered as part of the fundamentals. Danny Stolfi has the perfect BJJ fundamentals DVD to make it as simple as possible.

23. White Belt Defense by Joel Bouhey

Before you can attack you need to be able to defend. For white belts that have no idea what’s going on, defending should be at the top of the list. That’s where this amazing Joel Bouhey DVD enters the frame.

24. White Belt Defense Vol 2. by Joel Bouhey

Picking up where the previous DVD left off, Joel shares his takes on really making the bottom side control position your fortress.

25. Dynamic Fundamentals by Raphael Carneiro

Learn about the fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu from a different perspective – a dynamic one. Never stop moving and yet, have every movement be a deliberate one.Click Here

27. Invincible Basics by Renato Migliaccio

Renato Migliaccio lifts the lid on invisible Jiu-Jitsu and will teach you all about that essential concept in this BJJ fundamentals DVD set.

28. WHITE BELT BIBLE BY ROY DEAN [ON DEMAND]

Esteemed black belt Roy Dean has a whole collection out on the requirements for every belt level, starting of course, with the white belt.

29. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt Requirements by Roy Dean-bjjfanatics

Roy Dean’s blue belt requirements DVD.

30. Blue Belt Requirements 2.0 by Roy Dean-bjjfanatics

The 2.0 version of Roy Dean’s blue belt requirements DVD.

31. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt Requirements by Roy Dean – bjjfanatics

Roy Dean’s purple belt requirements DVD.

32. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt Requirements by Roy Dean-bjjfanatics

Roy Dean’s brown belt requirements DVD.

33. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Requirements by Roy Dean-bjjfanatics

Roy Dean’s black belt requirements DVD.

34. NO GI ESSENTIALS BY ROY DEAN [ON DEMAND]

A No-Gi BJJ fundamentals DVD by Roy Dean, with everything you need to know about training without the Gi.

35. BLUE BELT REQUIREMENTS BY ROY DEAN [ON DEMAND]-DIGITSURoy Dean’s blue belt requirements DVD.

36. BLUE BELT REQUIREMENTS 2.0 BY ROY DEAN [ON DEMAND]-DIGITSU

Roy Dean’s blue belt requirements DVD 2.0.

37. PURPLE BELT REQUIREMENTS BY ROY DEAN [ON DEMAND]-DIGITSU

Roy Dean’s purple belt requirements DVD.

38. BROWN BELT REQUIREMENTS BY ROY DEAN [ON DEMAND]-DIGITSU

Roy Dean’s brown belt requirements DVD.

39. BLACK BELT REQUIREMENTS BY ROY DEAN [ON DEMAND]-DIGITSU

Roy Dean’s black belt requirements DVD.

40. 10th Planet Fundamentals by JM Holland & Zach Maslany

Drills are among the most fundamental things you can learn in BJJ and the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system certainly has a way of organizing them in a fun and challenging manner.

41. Guillotine Fundamentals by Pedro Marinho

Another specialized BJJ fundamentals DVD, this time about the guillotine choke. Similar to the De la Riva or the back mount, the guillotine is absolutely essential for anyone in grappling.

42. Gracie Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals DVD with Vacirca BrothersThe fundamentals of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu curriculum in great detail.

43. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu White to Blue Belt Program DVD by The Vacirca Brothers

The Vacirca Brothers explain their curriculum and requirements for earning a blue belt in their system.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt Program DVD by the Vacirca BrothersThe Vacirca Brothers explain what a blue belt in their system needs to master in order to progress further.

44. Tinguinha’s Open Guard for Beginners DVD – BJJ, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA

Tinguinha has some of the best guard instructionals around and is one of the few that approaches the most fundamental aspects of open guards in a way that beginners can easily understand.

45. BJJ Sweeps by Flavio Almeida

Gracie Barra’s Flavio Almeida explains the fundamentals behind sweeps in Jiu-Jitsu, with information that is crucial to all belt levels.

46. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Techniques and Tactics: Sweeps and Reversals DVD – BJJ Martial Arts

Another sweep-oriented BJJ fundamentals DVD instructional, this time incorporating competition tactics along with concepts and techniques.

47. BJJ Authority: The Complete Blue Belt Curriculum (6 DVD Set)

A huge 6-volume set covering literally everything you need to learn as a white belt in order to earn the first belt of Jiu-Jitsu.

48. BJJ CURRICULUM WHITE TO BLUE LEVEL 1 [ON DEMAND]

A complete curriculum of everything you need to get your blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

49. BJJ CURRICULUM WHITE TO BLUE LEVEL 2 [ON DEMAND]

A complete curriculum of everything you need to get your blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (part 2).

50. BJJ CURRICULUM WHITE TO BLUE LEVEL 3 [ON DEMAND]

A complete curriculum of everything you need to get your blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (part 3).

51. BJJ CURRICULUM WHITE TO BLUE LEVEL 4 [ON DEMAND]

A complete curriculum of everything you need to get your blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (part 4).

52. BJJ CURRICULUM BLUE TO PURPLE L Click Here EVEL 1 [ON DEMAND]

A complete curriculum of everything you need to get your purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (part 1).

53. BJJ CURRICULUM BLUE TO PURPLE LEVEL 2 [ON DEMAND]

A complete curriculum of everything you need to get your purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (part 2).

54. BJJ CURRICULUM BLUE TO PURPLE LEVEL 3 Click Here [ON DEMAND]

A complete curriculum of everything you need to get your purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (part 3).

55, BJJ CURRICULUM BLUE TO PURPLE LEVEL 4 [ON DEMAND]

A complete curriculum of everything you need to get your purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (part 4).

56. BJJ CURRICULUM PURPLE TO BROWN LEVEL 1 & 2 [ON DEMAND]

A complete curriculum of everything you need to get your brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (parts 1 and 2).

57. BJJ CURRICULUM PURPLE TO BROWN LEVEL 3 & 4 [ON DEMAND]

A complete curriculum of everything you need to get your brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (parts 3 and 4).

58. BJJ CURRICULUM BROWN TO BLACK LEVEL 1 & 2 [ON DEMAND]

A complete curriculum of everything you need to get your black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (parts 1 and 2).

59. BJJ CURRICULUM BROWN TO BLACK LEVEL 3 & 4 [ON DEMAND]

A complete curriculum of everything you need to get your blackbelt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (parts 3 and 4).

60. GRAY TO YELLOW KIDS BJJ CURRICULUM [ON DEMAND]

BJJ fundamental DVD instructionals extended well past just the needs of adults. Here’s a curriculum of basics for kids to get from grey to yellow belt.

61. YELLOW TO ORANGE KIDS BJJ CURRICULUM [ON DEMAND]

Here’s a DVD Instructional with the basics for kids to get from yellow to orange belt.

62. ORANGE TO GREEN KIDS BJJ CURRICULUM [ON DEMAND]

Here’s a DVD Instructional with the basics for kids to get from orange to green belt.

63. The Road To Blue Belt by Travis Lutter

Another take on fundamental requirements for blue belts, this time by Travis Lutter.

64. Immobilization Bible: More Than 220 Techniques 2-DVD Set

A very cool BJJ fundamentals DVD set with, probably, the biggest number of techniques that can fit inside an instructional.

65. LUCAS LEPRI SIT-UP GUARD PART ONE [ON DEMAND]

World champion Lucas Lepri shares his fundamentals of playing the sit up guard, one of the best open guards in the sport.

66. LUCAS LEPRI SIT-UP GUARD PART TWO [ON DEMAND]

The second part of Lucas Lepri’s sit up guard secrets.

67. Fundamental Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques by Renato Migliaccio

Fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu explained in four long volumes by black belt Renato Migliaccio.

68. Mastering Scramble Positions and Fundamental Offensive Attacks by Brett Pfarr

A very important skill in grappling si the ability to turn scrambles to your advantage. Brett Pfarr has the ultimate formula in this BJJ fundamentals DVD.

69. THE CRUCIFIX BUILDING BLOCKS BY DAVE JACOBS [ON DEMAND]

Fittingly wrapping up our top list of BJJ fundamentals DVD instructionals is a specialized one on the Crucifix position, something every grappler has to know.

In Conclusion

There’s really no best resource for learning BJJ fundamentals. however, you can definitely learn a lot from any of the BJJ fundamentals DVD instructionals on our list. Do not be stubborn and reach for the fancy stuff first. Take your time to master the fundamentals so that you don’t have to go back to them later on in your grappling journey.

BJJ Breakfast ideas: 9 Easy ways to enjoy your day

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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BJJ Breakfast Ideas: 9 Easy Ways To Enjoy Your Day

In Jiu-Jitsu, we love to add the prefix BJJ to things. We love our BJJ T-shirts and other apparel, we do our specific BJJ strength training, we have a BJJ recovery routine and we enjoy our BJJ breakfast. There’s nothing wrong with that, in fact, it shows our dedication and love for a certain lifestyle. When it comes to a BJJ breakfast, though (and all of the above stuff, for that matter) that prefix does not mean it is something that only BJJ people can do. It is still just a breakfast, only one aimed at optimizing the mat performance of the person consuming it.

In this modern hectic lifestyle, we usually take nutrition for granted. People that train Jiu-Jitsu, even those that are just recreational, do put a bit more effort into their nutrition for the most part. However, when we are in a pinch it is always the some – buy what is quick and easy, which usually does nothing for you in a nutritional or athletic sense. Eating breakfast is a very important thing, particularly when you are training. That is why we put together the top 9 BJJ breakfast ideas to fuel you up, while also being quick to prepare and extremely delicious.

Never Skip Breakfast!

People usually say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and that you shouldn’t skip breakfast. To be honest, there is no “most important meal” of the day – all meals have the very simple role of providing you with sustenance. That said, eating breakfast has its perks, especially when you are an athlete, whether it is grappling or some other sport or activity.

Breakfast is something that we take for granted most of the time. We either grab something to eat on the go, buy our breakfast on the way to work or the gym or go for the full eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc diner platter, or the ultra high-sugar version of cereals milk and orange juice. Or, we go completely the other route and skip it altogether. None of those are good ideas, especially when you are training.

The moment you wake up, you will feel hungry. There is a good reason for that – your body has been resting and fasting for some time during the night. Going against this instinct is stupid, given how often we all use the phrase “listen to our body”. Well, our body is saying that it wants food in the morning. The thing with breakfast, especially BJJ breakfast is that it also has to support your athletic goals a swell, particularly if you are training soon after eating it. The bottom line is, you should always eat breakfast. That, however, does not mean that breakfast should be complicated to prepare, or that it should not be tasty and different every day.

BJJ Breakfast Ideas For Different Training Schedules

Let’s tackle the subject of BJJ breakfast by systematizing it in accordance with your BJJ training schedule. There are more or less three periods of the day when most people train. They either go for a morning class, have an afternoon private or drill sessions, and/or have an evening class. In all of these instances, your day is going, to begin with, a breakfast, and that breakfast should be different, depending on when you put your Gi on. Let’s take a look at few delicious and quick BJJ breakfast ideas for people training in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

Morning Training

If you are one of those people that enjoys going to early morning classes, it is a good idea to have something to eat before you go training, particularly if you roll in those classes (which chances are, you will). First of all, you do not need to have a big meal, just one that will provide you with the needed energy to train. Moreover, that means you can still eat your bigger post-workout meal.

#1. Smoothie

The most obvious choice is whipping up a smoothie. A liquid BJJ breakfast will absorb much quicker and will provide you with instant energy. The building blocks of a smoothie are simple – you need at least a couple of different fruits, some liquid (milk, water, juice, coffee), some why protein powder, a sweetener of choice (honey or maple syrup), and perhaps some crushed seeds, nuts or the likes. A dollop of peanut butter is also never a bad idea.

#2. Peanut butter sandwich

Speaking of peanut butter, going for a peanut butter sandwich is one of the best pre-workout meal ideas for BJJ. You’ll get the carbs from the bread (preferably something whole grain) and fats and protein from the peanut butter. Jelly (in moderation) will also work, or you can switch it for honey and a banana, plus some sprinkled almonds. One slice will suffice.

#3. Yogurt, granola, and fruit

One of the most delicious BJJ breakfast ideas and a personal favorite of mine. Place a handful or two of granola in a bowl and pour over some yogurt. Top it all off with some berries or other types of fruit and enjoy a quick and easy breakfast that has everything you need for training. Plus, you can eat it on the go!

Afternoon Training

This is not an option many people in BJJ use, as it is only available in certain academies. However, scheduling drill sessions or privates, especially for people working in shifts happen more often than you think. Once again, your BJJ breakfast has to be in accordance with your level of activating and the time you have between the email and the practice. Given that you’ll probably eat nothing but breakfast, and train after several hours, this type of breakfast has to be really rich and nutritious. This is where you feast.

#1. Eggs and salmon

It may sound like the ultimate bodybuilder food, but it is not. Nor should you spend the morning baking salmon in the oven. Just pick up some of that sliced chilled salmon that you only pop on. Then prepare the eggs in any way you like (boiled, scrambled, omelet, frittata, poached..) and build yourself a good sandwich. Some whole-wheat bread, avocado, and condiments will guarantee you have all the nutrients you need along with an awesome taste.

#2. French toast

French toast is the best way to sneak in protein, fats, and carbs altogether. Plus, you get to use old bread. Whisk some eggs, let bread slices soak it up, and fry them off! The best part is that once you’re done with frying, you can take it to a salty or sweet direction with the toppings!

#3. Breakfast burrito

Easy to put together and extremely nutritious! Plus, I’ll tell you a hack to make things happen quickly. Namely, fry off your bacon first, using the grease to cook some diced, to even better, grated and drained potatoes. Throw in veggies of choice and mushrooms, and use eggs to get it all together. the goal is to spread everything evenly like a pancake and then cover it with a tortilla. After a few minutes, flip it carefully so the tortilla browns all over, on one side and then, you’re ready to simply roll it up, top it off and enjoy!

Evening Training

Evening training means you can enjoy any breakfast you want. However, with most people stating work in the morning, this means you need to prepare your BJJ breakfast quickly, make it delicious and nutritious. here are our best options, considering you’ll be having a big lunch later on in the day.

#1. Acai bowl

The ultimate BJJ breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack – Acai. It is simple – get a couple of bricks of acai, and throw them in the blender. You can do it pure, to throw in some extra stuff like cocoa, coconut, protein powder, etc. The real trick is putting it all together. Instead of just pouring it in a bowl and sprinkling some granola and topping it with fruit, think of layers. Put some acai in, then throw granola. another layer of acai, then go with something else like strawberries or toasted nuts. keep going and end with toppings as usual.

#2. Oats

With oats there’s just one thing to remember – a 2:1 ratio of liquid to oats. You can either boil some water and pour the oats in there or use cold water/milk. You could even go for overnight oats and just add toppings in the morning. I prefer them hot, so I boil the water. Add peanut butter, whey protein, nuts, seeds, cocoa, berries, bananas, pineapples, raisins….whatever you want for more than enough energy to get your day going.

#3. Quesadilla

A top choice for those that like to eat something more substantial in the morning. Grab a couple of tortillas. Grate some cheese on top of one, or grate different cheeses if you are feeling fancy. You can also fry some grated or sliced veggies like courgettes or eggplants and throw them in there as well. Crisp it up in a pan, slice it up and you’re ready to go!

What If you are Fasting?

If you are a fan of intermittent fasting, you don’t have to mess it all up by introducing a BJJ breakfast on your menu. Simply switch from not eating breakfast (which I see many people prefer) to not eating dinner. IT may sound like a hard thing to do but it is actually much better for you.

Our bodies recover and mend when we sleep. If our gut is empty several hours before going to sleep, our body can focus on detoxing and repairing, instead of digesting food. What you get is better sleep, a healthier gut, and better overall recovery. Plus, you get to eat a very delicious BJJ breakfast when you wake up. Anywhere from 13-16 hours of fasting will do the trick.

Closing Thoughts

Enjoy your life, eat breakfast. Even better, make it a BJJ breakfast, nutritious, delicious, and aimed at providing you with everything you need for training. With our ideas above, you have options for training any time of day! Bon apetit!

Dustin Poirier Rolling With Four-Time World Strongest Man as he Prepares for Conor McGregor

By

Filip Zanki

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Dustin Poirier Rolling With Four-Time World Strongest Man as he Prepares for Conor McGregor

Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor have unofficially agreed to fight in the lightweight category, which should take place on July 10 in Las Vegas.

In their previous two encounters, Conor McGregor took the first victory by knockout in the first round of the UFC 178 event, and Dustin Poirier in the second match by knockout in the second round at the UFC 257 event.

On the occasion of preparations for the trilogy against Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier chose an awkward training partner. Namely, it is about Brian Shaw, a four-time winner of the “World Strongest Man” award.

At one point Dustin Poirier took Brian’s back and secured a rear-naked choke and forced him to tap. As always, every story has two sides so does this one.

@DustinPoirier getting that choke on 4x World’s Strongest Man Brian Shaw because size don’t mean jack on the mats. pic.twitter.com/8SEdZQ0DtM

— Derek Hall (@aquabuddha7) April 2, 2021

Why Most Jiu-Jitsu Instructors Teach BJJ The Wrong Way

By

Dino Moskatelo

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Why Most Jiu-Jitsu Instructors Teach BJJ The Wrong Way

A question to all Jiu-Jitsu Instructors out there – How did you learn Jiu-Jitsu? Did you find things to be confusing, not working when explained, or re-taught after you reached a certain level? Unless you’ve trained with a very select few out there, you’ve probably gone through this “system” of teaching. Now let me ask you this – how much knowledge did you retain from the actual classes, and how much did you have to figure out on your own? The final question is – why would you teach your students in the same way, knowing what the results are?

Doing things just because someone said, or because the founders did them is a great way of never really getting to know what BJJ has to offer, and of stalling the evolution of the sport in general. Unfortunately, the way most Jiu-Jitsu instructors out there teach, this is exactly what is happening. It is easy to just do what was done, just like most teachers do in schools. In both cases, teachers/instructors are not achieving two key things. First, they are not providing students with their expression of the subject matter they are teaching. Second, and most importantly, they’re not teaching the students – they are merely demonstrating.

Why Jiu-Jitsu Instructors Have An Extremely Difficult Task

What is the goal of Jiu-Jitsu instructors? To teach their students Jiu-Jitsu. Logic would have it that said instructors would use all the teaching tools at their disposal to try and transfer as much knowledge to their students in the least amount of time. You’d think this would be the main goal for all Jiu-Jitsu instructors. And yet, it is not.

Being a BJJ coach is no easy task. You should transfer knowledge to people about things like leverage, timing, principles, concepts, and how things feel. That is no easy task right there. It also demonstrates that the task of BJJ instructors is not just to teach techniques in a meaningless step-by-step by step fashion and then let students figure things out. All that has been done in the past, is how most people that have picked up BJJ between the early 1990s and the 2010s have trained. It has also been proven to be a less-than-optimal way of learning.

The task that Jiu-Jitsu instructors have extends past just demonstrating. You need to find a way to explain BJJ to people in such a way that they understand it. They need to know why they are doing the things that they are doing, why they work best that way, and not just how you execute an armbar from closed guard in 12+ steps on the first days just because someone said that it is a foundational BJJ move that should be taught to beginners. It is not, and you can try and prove me wrong. I will wait.

Sport Vs. Art Vs. Science

Here’s where the big paradigm shift of teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lies. We train BJJ like people train martial arts. That means we employ the “if this – then that” model. That is the same way in which people learn Aikido, Karate, and similar stuff. But here’s the trick – while you can learn things in technical steps like that when it comes to using them, things are different. Not in Aikido and Karate, but very much so in Jiu-Jitsu.

The reality is that sparring and competing in Jiu-Jitsu is an extremely chaotic affair. In that sense, we can compare it to things like MMA, boxing, and wrestling. And still, you don’t see boxers and wrestlers train in that traditional martial arts type that BJJ people do. How come Jiu-Jitsu instructors expect people to learn a 12-step armbar setup from a guard and execute it in rolling or a match? An armbar from the guard is NEVER, literally NEVER going to look, feel, and work that way when done live.

The way we train BJJ is like a martial art. The way we compete in BJJ is like a combat sport. There’s a glaring and big divide there. the way to bridge it is to accept that BJJ is neither exclusively a martial art nor a combat sport. it is somewhere in between. That is where science comes into play f- we need to learn Jiu-Jitsu as a science, and we need to express it like art in the chaotic sports environment that rolling and competing presents. Jiu-Jitsu instructors, now you have a different task ahead of you – figure out how to teach this to your students.

A Word On Methodology

This is where things get interesting. First of all, let’s look at a classic BJJ class. You go in, warm up, then you have technical practice with 2-4 techniques, perhaps a series of drills or positional sparring, and finally, you go and roll. Question – how many times have you used the same move you were learning that class in a roll? If we are to optimize learning, it should be done in every class with every move.

That brings me to the sheer number of techniques taught. 3 moves per training, with 3 classes per week equals 9 moves per week. That is 36 moves per month. Do you know how many new techniques are in a year? 432 to be extremely precise. There is no way anyone is learning so many moves in a year and applying them in rolling or competing. So why are Jiu-Jitsu instructors so focused on teaching this way?

When it comes to the best methodology for teaching Jiu-Jitsu, it has not been precisely specified yet. However, we do know how not to do it (from decades of experience). We also know which approach to utilize – try and teach people WHY we do things in BJJ and WHAT the goal of every move is. Jiu-Jitsu instructors should guide their students to a fundamental understanding of what is top and bottom, how levers and frames work to help them obtain their goals, and why certain mechanics are superior when it comes to executing moves. Then, we should let people form their expression of what they have learned when the time comes to have them do it live.

Moreover, as Jiu-Jitsu instructors we need to formulate a curriculum that has people drilling and executing the things taught in class immediately when they roll. There’s a future full-length article coming on this particular methodology.

Final Thoughts

Jiu-Jitsu instructors do not have an easy task. Those who simply waltz into an academy and decide what they will teach then and there, are probably going to start losing students when they start reaching purple/brown belt. The same is true for those who blindly follow decade-old curriculums just because they are a part of an affiliation. BJJ teaching methodology is in for a revamp, and all Jiu-Jitsu instructors should jump on board and improve the way we teach the new generations of grapplers. Let’s make them better, faster!

Baby Bridge Posture – The Future Of Jiu Jitsu Escapes

By

BJJ World

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Baby Bridge Posture - The Future Of Jiu Jitsu Escapes

What is your favorite BJJ escape? If your answer is not the Baby Bridge then you absolutely have to read on, because you are missing out on a lot! It looks and feels nothing like the Jiu Jitsu Escapes you are used to. That is precisely why it works. Moreover, it is not just a way out of a specific thing but pretty much the foundation of an entirely unorthodox but highly effective way of approaching the defensive side of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

The one thing we can all agree on is that in Jiu Jitsu, one person is always on the offense, while the other is in defensive mode. As much as scrambles and situations where everyone has more or less equal opportunities are actually rare. The reality is that one person is going to be defending something, whether they are top or bottom, or anywhere in between. And still, the predominant focus of people is learning more and different ways of attacking. That is all fine and dandy until you run into someone that has actually spent time working on Jiu Jitsu escapes. That is when you’ll realize how much you’ve been missing out on.

Defensive BJJ – The Next Big Thing

Why is Defensive BJJ the next big thing? It is simple – we are oversaturated with attacks. So much so, in fact, that people try and counter attacks with attacks, thinking they’re doing things right. The reason why we see so many scrambles lately in both Gi and N-Gi Jiu Jitsu is precisely that – people are attacking like crazy.

To say that the submission-only movement has yielded such a result, though, would be wrong. The universally agreed upon best ruleset for BJJ is that of EBI, and that ruleset addresses defense as much as offense in the overtime rounds. And still, people hunt after the attacks, thinking that is the only way to win a match. As plenty of top strategists and tacticians would agree, that is not the case.

Mounting a solid defense is the first thing you need to do, especially in a combat sport like BJJ. A roll, or a match for that matter, is a very, very chaotic event. Unless you have a game build on unpenetrable defense and Jiu Jitsu escapes that work off of there, how can you have any hope of catching your peers or even those better than you in a submission? And yes, you can catch everyone in a sub, as long as you frustrate them enough by being defensively unbeatable. The Baby Bridge posture offers you precisely that.

The “Less Is More” Philosophy Of Defending And Escaping

What comes to your mind when you think of Jiu Jitsu escapes? There is a high probability that you’re thinking about escaping a position or a submission by utilizing a move that you’ve been taught is the way out. That is the most difficult and unreliable way to escape anything in grappling.

The basic escapes principle you should be following is to escape a bad spot either very, very early (i.e. as it is coming) or very, very late when the opponent thinks they have right where they want you. All those escapes that happen in the middle are the lowest percentage moves, because of one main reason – you’re in the worst possible position to be trying to get out.

Imagine if instead of defending and escaping bad positions, like say, side control bottom, you can use an approach that will prevent side control from ever happening. That does not mean you a person won’t be past your legs, on top of you, in a cross-body position. The side part of the position will happen. The control position, on the other hand, is something you actually she much more say in than you think. And all you have to do is – almost nothing.

Seriously, the best thing you can do in BJJ defensively s as little as possible. The less you move, the fewer opportunities you open up for your opponent. And, when you know about the basic principles of BJJ as a whole, you’ll know exactly what it is that you are protecting. All that is left is using a specific position, or posture like the Baby Bridge to make it all a possibility.

The Baby Bridge Posture: Ground Zero For Effective Jiu Jitsu Escapes

What exactly is the Baby Bridge? As the name suggests, it is a variation of a bridge, just not how you imagine it. It was named I think by Wim Deputter, a Belgian black belt, and top instructor. The name stems from the way babies bridge to roll over to their stomachs, which is a notoriously difficult posture to deal with as a parent.

Basically, for a baby bridge, you think o the bridge not just in a linear fashion, but more of a dome that starts at the mats has its peak where the usual BJJ bridge is and then can go to the other side completing the dome. The baby bridge is when you are lying on the ground, one shoulder off of the mats, and you extend your hips along the mats as far as they can go.

There is a highly specific positioning of the arms and legs, something that Priit Mihkelson explains in great detail. The idea of the position is to never allow both your shoulder blades to end up on the ground. That is when you get stuck with middle of the position Jiu Jitsu escapes. By not allowing people to pin you to the ground, you’re not escaping a pin, but rather keeping a defensive posture that will prevent chokes, armlocks, leg locks, or transitions into other positions from happening.

The best part about the baby bridge is that once you learn to do it it works against sweeps, submissions passes, as well as pretty much all top positions. MOreover, all it takes to execute it perfectly, apart from understanding the mechanics is having the patience to stay still.

In Summary

Jiu Jitsu escapes will be the next huge thing everyone will turn to in BJJ. IN fact, they already are. However, instead of falling behind what the most innovative folks are doing, and only going for the same old techniques, be ahead of everyone else. Focus on the baby bridge, focus on more static defensive postures that actually make sense, and try to understand what it is that you are actually defending. Suddenly, BJJ will seem a lot more fun.