The Anatomy Of The Perfect BJJ Corner For Tournaments

Who Should You Have In You BJJ Corner When You Compete

Competing in martial arts is always a scary and intense experience. I don’t care if you have all the experience in the world, you’re going to get anxiety. You’re also going to act differently than you do in the same situations in training. It is just given. Being involved in a match, and watching one from the sidelines are two completely different experiences. Speaking of which, you need to make sure that you always have someone watching your matches. In fact, they need to be watching what you’re doing and not doing rather than the match. To this effect, you need to really put together a solid BJJ corner if you want to have any positive result in high-level competition. 

Whenever you’re at a BJJ tournament it’s impossible not to notice all the men and women yelling at the competitors. And I don’t mean yelling to cheer or boo. Under most competition settings, you can see the whole team cheering and yelling from the stands. that’s support and it plays a huge role in one’s competitive success. However, you also see either one, two or more people on the edge of the mats, trying to instruct the competitor. This person or persons are what we call the BJJ corner. They’re just as integral to your success as a grappler as is any sort of technical, tactical and physical preparation. So, make sure you choose them wisely.

Bernardo Faria Transition Mastery DVD REVIEWIf you really want to be a fearsome competitor, then you need to make sure your transitional game is on fire! Bernardo Faria, a multiple times world champion has an instructional out on precisely this subject. Check out the “Transition Mastery” Bernardo Faria DVD set to get the upper hand in tournaments. 

The Importance Of A Good BJJ Corner

The term BJJ corner is first and foremost not the most logical one. It is one that everyone in martial arts knows, though. It has its roots in boxing, where a few people stand in the fighter’s corner to support and instruct them. The same support team is also present in MMA, where despite the shape of the cage, they’re still referred to as the “corner”. So, regardless of where people are in relation to the Jiu-Jitsu mats at a tournament, they’re your cornermen.

The People You Need In Your BJJ CornerBut why do you need one? Well, let me use an example. Looking at, let’s say Gordon Ryan in a match makes it easy for you to analyze what’s going on. It may even make the opponent’s reactions seem completely senseless. However, try and roll with Ryan, and you’ll soon find out that the change of perspective matters a lot. It is way easier to gauge what both grapplers are doing when you see things in “third person” This is exactly what the BJJ corner is supposed to do.

While you’re performing against another trained opponent, you need someone to help you with perspective. Your corner has the task of yelling out instructions to you, both for offense and defense. They’re able to see what your opponent is doing much more clearly and can make better decisions. Moreover, they’re crucial to inform you how much time is left. Even more importantly, they also take note of the points and advantages and help guide you towards being more aggressive or calmer, depending on the situation.

In a manner of speaking, the people in your BJJ corner, particularly the coach is much like someone playing a game with you, just without the controller.

Who To Include

The number of people you include in your BJJ corner is not set. At the very least you need one person there, and it needs to be your coach. In some cases, it can actually be another team member, as long as they’re advanced enough to know how to corner you. What is important about your lead man in the corner is that they know your game. It is also crucial that they know how to asses the opponent and analyze their game on the go. As such, it may be a teammate that you drill and train with that fits you better than your coach. It doesn’t have to be the head instructor of your Academy that leads your corner. It needs to be the one that is going to guide you best.

The others in your corner are optional but do come in handy. The second person is the one that has the task of taking note of the points, looking at the time and “gently” trying to remind the referee about stuff. Finally, there’s the video guy/girl. Their task is to focus on keeping the camera pointing at you clearly during the match. In many cases, the points and time person can also record what’s happening.

How to Put Together the Best BJJ CornerIf you can ensure the presence of these three people in your corner, you’ve got nothing to worry about, Particularly if you make the correct choices about each of them. However, keep in mind that you can also overcrowd your corner. If you have many people shouting at you it might negatively affect your game. So stick to three if you can, or at least one. In many tournaments, only black belts have matside access. Moreover, the limit is often just one BJJ corner man per competitor.

The Emergency BJJ Corner

In certain situations, you’re going to end up competing somewhere alone. If you compete a lot, this is going to happen at least once. When you end up somewhere only with a friend or significant other who doesn’t train, you’ll still need a corner. It doesn’ matter if they do not know what you’re doing. Getting a good recording of you and perhaps letting you know what the opponent’s doing is enough.

Even if you’re completely alone at a tournament, you should do your best to get a makeshift BJJ corner. That means asking someone you know, or even someone you’ve competed against to help you out. BJJ people are generally very friendly so it won’t be an issue for anyone. At the very least, get someone to get a recording of your match.

Final Words

With everything said and done, you never actually fight “one on one” in Jiu-Jitsu. Despite the fact that two people are directly exchanging techniques, each has a team behind them. The people in the BJJ corner on both sides are just as important as the competitors themselves. Very often, whether a competitor listens to the corner or not determines the outcome of a match. So, think ahead and organize a good BJJ corner for yourself. You’ll be grateful you did once the referee says “fight!’

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North-South Choke – The “Hardest Simple” BJJ Choke

How to Learn The North-South Choke In BJJ The Easy Way

Some BJJ moves are really as mysterious as things can get. When you see them, they seem so easy and simple, they make you wonder why you haven’t thought of them before. Yet, the moment you give them a try, you’re as lost as Alice in Wonderland.there are plenty of examples of such moves in the sport, but none are as painfully annoying as the North-South choke. It is the one choke that should work the very first time you try it. After all, getting to the position is so easy. Well, there are a few reasons why the choke stalls, and a further few ways of ensuring you get in there near perfectly! 

How come this simple move doesn’t work? Well, as with plenty of other things in JIu-Jitsu, the devil is in the details. In this case, there are a lot of them to consider. For such a simple and “easy” choke, the North-South choke sure seems difficult. Let’s be completely honest it is not a beginners technique. As simple as it may seem, it needs a lot of body awareness and strategic on-the-go adjustment to really sink it in. However, once the choke is in, finishing couldn’t be simpler. And no, it is not a strong man move, but rather a very technical one. Let’ take a closer look at some key details that make or break this choke.

The North-South Choke

To be completely honest, it took me a purple belt and years of experience to get this choke down. It’s not that I didn’t give it a try at white and blue belt respectively. I did, and I even asked more experienced grapples for help, it didn’t really make much change. Even if you learn the choke form, Marcelo Garcia, himself, you’ll need to be aware of how you need to be positioned up to the finest details. It does turn into the easiest choke you’ll have at your disposal though.

The North-South choke works similarly to a no-arm guillotine choke. Essentially, is an arm triangle choke done upside down, but without including the opponent’s arm into the strangle? This is what makes it so efficient actually.

For the North-South choke, you want your arm around the opponent’s neck from the North-South position. In fact, your body needs to be so far back that your arm is the only part of you making contact with the opponent. Your legs need to be sprawled back, and you need to be falt on the floor as much as possible! Other than that, you simply have an arm wrapped around the opponent’s neck, and you reinforce it with a palm to palm grip. A simple squeeze and it is all over. Well, not so simple, as it turns out, but very easy to correct!

Lachlan Giles High Percentage Chokes No GiNorth-South choke, D’arce guillotine, arm triangle… You name the choke it is covered in the extraordinary Lachlan Giles DVD instructional “High Percentage Chokes: No-GI”. It will teach your every little detail plus how to tie all the chokes together in a lethal system! Check it out

Why So Hard? 

The reason this choke troubles som any grapplers is down to a few common mistakes everyone makes at the beginning. The real problem is that people give up on the choke before they resolve them. This, in turn, has lead to very few people actually understanding the choke completely.

North-South Choke Finishing Details That Solve it Once For AllFirst up, let’s talk positioning. Moreover, let’s talk about the positioning of your opponent before we discuss your own. The first thing that’s crucial to whether a North-South choke will work or fail is the opponent’s head position. It is as simple as this – always make the opponent raise their head off the mats. If you attempt to go under it while it’s on the ground, you’re setting yourself up to fail.

Next up, arm depth. When you circle your arm around the opponent’s neck, make sure you go as deep as possible. As you’ll see later, your lat plays a huge role in the choke. So, a key point is to go as deep as humanly possible, before you get your body into position.

When it comes to body positioning, the most impro0tant thing about the North-South choke is getting into choking position early. Unlike other chokes, this one doesn’t work in the position before submission style because the position is the submission. The caveats are to slide down and use your lat to push their chin so that it’s locked in place. Only then can you slide into position to finish.

For the finish, you’ll need to keep your head low. the higher the head is, the more space there is for the opponent’s arms to provide resistance. Also, in order to really tighten things up, make sure your toes are on the mats.

“Cousin” Submissions And Sneaky Setups

The North-South choke has one main flaw – it is fairly obvious. If you try to set it up form the North-South position directly, you’ll be telegraphing what you’re about to do. This is where advanced BJJ thinking come sin to play. You need to actually mask your North-South choke with other attacks so that you get into position without your opponent being any wiser about it.

One great option is hitting it off other chokes. The top contender here is the D’arce choke. How do people run from the D’arce? They go to their back and extract the trapped arm. That means they get straight into the choke. All you need to do is push the arm they extract and focus on keeping their chin stuck in place.

Sneaky entries to the North-South ChokeA classic way of setting the North-South choke up si the side control Kimura. Hunting a Kimura from Twister side control all but guarantees you get the choke. Opponent’s looking to hide their hand is going to raise their head by themselves. From there, you’re in a prime position to go straight to the North-South choke. Just as a tease, the move works awesome off a rolling Kimura as well.

In Conclusion

The North-South Choke is a great tool to have at your disposal. While hunting it directly won’t work at higher levels, using it as a follow up will achieve the complete opposite. Moreover, even if you’re stuck with it, you can use the position to get guillotines, Kimuras or other submission options. The key to success is avoiding common mistakes and making sure you’re not obvious about the setup. Apart from that, the choke will work like a charm!

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https://bjj-world.com/killer-ezekiel-choke-details/

Why You’re Never Really Stuck In Bad BJJ Positions

The Three Step Process To turning Bad BJJ Positions Into Great Ones For Yourself

Side control, mount, back, Ashi Garmi… Those are just a few of the positions everyone strives to get into. However, there are two ways of ending up there. One is getting there to execute any of the numerous high-percentage attacks available from there. Another is being forced there by someone attacking you from any of those, or any other “good” BJJ position for that matter. But what exactly makes certain BJJ positions bad? Are things really that bleak when you get there? If you really want a good answer to any BJJ question, a good idea is to turn to black belts or any higher belt available. So we’ll do the same. 

How come every time you end up in a great position against a black belt (yeah, those two times per year) they seem to just brush you off with ease? After all, certain positions are so-called “black belt killers” right? How come your latest bow and arrow modification doesn’t work even though everything is done right? The answer is in the approach. The real reason you get stuck in certain bad BJJ positions is, well, you! And it’s not down to tactics, but rather your way of thinking.

Bernardo Faria DVD Escapes From EverywhereThe real magician at fighting from bad spots is Bernardo Faria, the man no one can hold down. His take on dealing with bad positions is outlined in his “Escapes From Everywhere” DVD set. It is the most complete instructional on turning any position into your advantage!

Good Vs Bad BJJ Positions

Let’s face it, every position in BJJ can be both good and bad. And yeah, you can end up in a bad spot, regardless of experience, mindset or strategy. A fully extended armbar, a deep gripped heel hook, a sunk choke all pretty much spell the end. Yes, you have ways out some times, but they’re hard to get to if your opponent knows what they’re doing. Some other BJJ positions, though, that we often label “bad spots” and “you never want to end up there” are actually not that bad. They’re just a part of the game and you need to learn how to play it.

BJJ Positions - The ultimate escape guideThe usual “bad spot” culprits are side control, back, and mount. As of late, we can add some Ashi Garami positions like Inside Senkaku to that list. The reality is they’re awesome to hunt for submissions because they offer a lot of control. This is precisely why we consider some BJJ positions bad and others good. It is the battle of control that you need to win if you’re going to win a certain Jiu-Jitsu position. And it doesn’t matter if you’re on top or bottom, sort of speak.

Positions like those above are not inherently bad. They just have the potential of turning into really bad ones if you fail to gain control of them. And yes, out of the two grappling partners, one has an easier task of establishing control than the other. But that shouldn’t automatically mean that you’re in a bad spot, or that the person on top is in a good one. This is how black belt approaches the game and why they seem like they’re enjoying a day on the beach while you’re doing your best to get to your favorite “unbeatable” move.

The Problems

As with everything else in Jiu-Jitsu, getting out of tough spots is own to a few key problems. Once you manage to get rid of them, you’ll see that the number of “bad” BJJ positions greatly reduces.

One major problem is panic. When you end up in the mount, or in tight back control, alarm bells start tinging. We all think of this as the quintessential white belt reaction – which it is. But if you carefully analyze your reaction to ending up ion such a spot, you’ll see that you’re still going into panic mode. You could be a purple, brown or even a black belt and still react the same. The solution is easy, as you’ll see in a short while.

Another problem is negative thinking. No, it is not some esoteric hipster way of approaching BJJ. It is simple – the worse you think a position is, the worse it’ll feel when you get there. Being in the bottom mount does not mean the match is over – far from it. If, however, you do see things as done and dusted once you’re there, then it’s way worse than tapping out to submission. Luckily, this too has an easy fix.

Finally, there’s the battle for control itself. This is down to strategy. If your only strategy is to escape, you’ll only achieve one of two things. If your opponent is highly experienced, they’ll just use your movement to get to an even tighter, and potentially really bad position. The other one is that they could use any mistake you make to capitalize on your escape effort. The reason for this is down to you only thinking about one step – getting out and ignoring everything else.

The Solutions

As far as problem number one is concerned (panic) the solution is simple. There are two things you need to focus on in any Jiu-Jitsu position good or bad. The first one is learning how to breathe. Unless you calm your breathing, your body is going to tense and cause your feelings of panic and claustrophobia. Instead, focus on deep and relaxed breathing which is going to lead to the second part of the solution – getting comfortable. In order to achieve that, you’ll need to breathe and use the solution to our second major problem as well.

Tunring Bad BJJ Positions AroundThe best way to stop thinking negatively about positions is to suffer as much as you can. Yeah, it sounds counter-productive, but you’re in it for the long run. Step number one is to stop trying to avoid “bad’ BJJ positions all the time. Accept them and go there as often as you can. After you get beat up for a while you’ll soon realize that there’s nothing that horrible about them. Once you stop thinking about them as mysterious villains that you need to run from, you can focus on regaining control and turning things to your advantage.

Finally, a word on tactics. The more you focus on executing escapes, the less you’re going to be comfortable in a position. Instead, try to focus on regaining control. Start by ensuring there’s no opening for an attack. Next, try to connect to your opponent’s body effectively and begin to trap your opponent, limb by limb. You’ll soon find that as their comfort turns into discomfort they’ll abandon the position themselves, rendering the need for escapes useless. SO focus on control rather than escapes or defenses.

Summary

All in all, it is all down to approach. If you remember to breathe, you’ll relax. When you relax, you’ll start getting comfortable. That, in turn, results in a clear mind. Since all “bad” BJJ positions are the same over and over again, you don’t have to battle with new things each time. Instead, you’re somewhere where you’ve been many times before. So, deny your opponent control, and then take some yourself. It is a surefire three-step process to ensure you’ll never be stuck in a bad spot while grappling ever again!

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Lachlan Giles – Guard Passing Anthology: Half Guard

Lachlan Giles DVD Review Of the guard Passing Anthology: Half Guard instructional

Our favorite Australian BJJ mastermind is back with yet another huge DVD instructional. Lachlan Giles, the man that’s behind one of the top grapplers of today in Craig Jones has a brand new DVD out. It’s been a while but now “The Guard Passing Anthology: Half guard” is out and ready. It is another 8 part DVD set that leaves no stone unturned about the top half guard position. Luckily, we got our hands on it as soon as it emerged, so we were able to do a detailed Lachlan Giles DVD review for you all.

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There aren’t many people in the world that can pull an 8 part DVD off. Without a doubt, Lachlan Giles is one of them, as he has proved before. The “Guard Passing Anthology: Half Guard” DVD is the second installment in what seems to be a series. the first addressed Lachlan’s take on the bottom half guard, once again across 8 volumes. It was nothing short of miraculous, in terms of both technical quality and quantity. Since it is always a pleasure to do a Lachlan Giles DVD review, the length of the instructional just makes it better. Pick this DVD up, you’ll need it. if you still need convincing, read on!

The Lachlan Giles Half Guard Series

Before we go deep into the Lachlan Giles DVD review, let’s talk about him and half guard. It seems that the Australian is really fascinated by the position. It is apparent not just in his own game, but also that of his students. Craig Jones had tremendous success with it prior to becoming a leg locking machine. It is one position that those lads down at Absolute MMA in Melbourne sure love to work.

Okay, that much we knew, but what we didn’t know is that they favor the half guard whether they are on top or bottom. Usually, people that are great at half guard tend to avoid it whenever they can. Well, Lachlan sure is different as he thrives in it from both top and bottom. The fact that he is a huge No-Gi guy also makes this new DVD that much more enticing.

If you really like to turn yourself into a half guard magician, you need to complete just two steps. First up, go and get The Half Guard Anthology Lachlan Giles DVD. Then, repeat the process, but this time, get yourself the brand new “Guard Passing Anthology: Half Guard” instructional. These 16 volumes will give you enough material to study for a lifetime. Moreover, if you’re a smaller or older grappler, this is the DVD combo that’ll help you deal with everyone while not even breaking a sweat.

Lachlan Giles DVD Review – The Guard Passing Anthology: Half Guard 

Okay, so we have quite a lot of material to go through here. in that sense, I’ll try to get to the gist of everything without going too much into what Lachlan offers. After all, you need to hear what he has to say about passing the half guard from him rather than me.

What you’ll get from this crazy DVD are 8 discs packed with insane amounts of BJJ wisdom. Lachlan doesn’t like to leave out anything and he also loves categorizing every tiny detail. that translates to lots of chapters per volume, well in excess of 30 for most of them. However, he also has subcategories that help you make sense of things.

Since this is a passing DVD, you’ll learn every possible top position in terms of the half guard. you’ll then learn how to establish passing sequences that end up with a pass, submission nor back take. Lachlan also covers virtually all bottom half guard positions giving you a complete game. Before we get into the volume by volume Lachlan Giles DVD review, let us just mention that the last volume is filled with narrated rolls instead of specific techniques. More on that later.

Part I – Overview & Forcing Half Guard

The first part of volume one is all about Lachlan’s take on the top half guard position. While most people in today’s instructionals simply go over the introduction in one short chapter, Lachlan likes to use half a disc. in the overview portion, he covers his own guard passing history, philosophies, principles and passing methods. OF course, each of these gets a chapter of its own. What we marked as key during this Lachlan Giles DVD review was the chapter on passing methods, that covers the layers of half guard and direction in which you can pass. Extremely important for the rest of this instructional.

Since the overview takes up about two-thirds of this volume, the second third is all about concepts. Anything you can think of, from opening space to lower and upper body alignment is here. A lot of chapters refer to your base and how to establish it. Others concepts include preventing stuff like underhooks and the knee shield as well as creating openings for your own attacks. Not that these are just the concepts, and all the specific techniques will follow in subsequent volumes.

Lachlan Giles DVD Review Forcing Half guard PassFinally, before wrapping up, Lachlan talks about forcing the half guard which is an essential skill to have in BJJ. Once again a few key concepts open up the way to specific entries to the position. Basically, Lachlan divides his half guard to the cross and near side knee through, which open up half guard passes. he also offers options on forcing half against the knee shield and butterfly guard. Some narrated rolling wraps part 1 up.

Part II – Back Takes & Cross Knee Through

Back takes? Wati wasn’t this a half guard passing DVD? During the Lachlan Giles DVD review, we thought similarly. Yet there’s a method to the madness Lachlan sees back takes as one of the ultimate positions to end after passing the guard. As such there area alto fo concepts in Part two that refer to “the end stage of passing”. This is a great way of putting things at it’ll really shine through later in the instructional. Stuff covered here include techniques and multiple options in two main scenarios. the first is when the opponent turns into you, and the second when they turn away.

The second portion changes direction, exploring the cross knee through position. Options include common concepts and tactics, the likes of phases of passing and specific positioning. moreover, Giles offers core attacking concepts, divided into primary and secondary attacks. Counters and some problem-solving AKA troubleshooting chapters bring this volume to a close. Of course, not before a section that brings everything together.

Part III – Three-Quarter Mount & Near Side Knee Through

The three-quarter mount is actually a position we all use. The trouble is that not many people view it as a great spot to actually attack from. Giles explains the 3/4 mount to such a point that this volume is pretty much an instructional on its own. The rhythm is a lot like previous volumes starting with an overview followed by core concepts on holding and passing the position. Pay attention to the grip fighting chapter, it holds the secret to winning every exchange.

Attacks and counters are plentiful, taking up about a dozen or so chapters in this volume. Once again the focus is on primary, and then secondary attacks. There are also counters included, along with the “bring it together” chapter.

As far as the near side knee through position goes, it is just a glorified knee slice. However, it is a take on the knee slice, unlike the stuff that we’re used to. It all begins with entries, before going over primary and secondary attacks. Here, though, Lachlan does add something different. Namely, he goes over the concepts along with the techniques and positions. He also tackles the counters as he goes too. While doing this Lachlan Giles DVD review we got answers to all our knee slice questions.

Part IV – Smash Pass

I couldn’t wait to get to this part while watching. Still, I had to go through everything in order to do a solid Lachlan Giles DVD review. the wait was worth it, though, as you need some of the core concepts that come before. The smash pass is such an important part of Lachlan’s top game that he dedicates a whole volume just to it.

Of course, entries and overall information open the smash passing section. I really liked that Giles covers the opponent’s options before looking into what you can do. Applied concepts follow, where the focus in on how to execute the techniques while heading to a predetermined goal. There’s a lot of pressure information here that is applicable to passing any guard.

In the attacks portion, once again it’s primary before secondary options. One sequence that Lachlan clearly enjoys is smash passing directly to the mount, given how many variations of it he offers. But that’s not all. The best part of it is that he offers you the choice of attacking the mount or the back. This means you can easily use this DVD to compliment your game, rather than change it for its sake. Drills are included as well as a troubleshooting portion covering common errors.

Part V – Half Guard Proper

Yeah, the title of this one had me scratching my head too. IT does start to make sense though, right from the beginning. The half guard proper is actually the half guard that we all know and some of us love. Well, this DVD is going to be the death of it.

Ater entries, the focus of this volume is on control. Here Lachlan covers just about any underhook variation that you might think of. Far side underhooks and near side underhooks are just the tips of the iceberg. Every type of head positioning during both is covered in extensive detail. Moreover, there’s lot s of information on taking away space, controlling limbs and some neat passing mechanics.

Of course, some applied concepts once again find themselves in this volume. They’re crucial to really understand how the half guard works. From there on, you can head to use any underhook configuration to pass to a submission, mount or back control. No messing around. But it is not all underhooks in this one. What I liked most is the part where Lachlan demonstrates how to pass when you have absolutely no upper body control.

Part VI – Lockdown, Half Butterfly And Base 

The part most of us have been waiting for. Let’s face it, the lockdown has been a real hassle for years. Every gym has that one guy that’s crazy effective with it. The half butterfly is pretty much the modern day lockdown. It is the one position that everyone enjoys playing. Well, Lachlan has them both figured out.

This part of the Lachlan Giles DVD review was particularly enjoyable. I soaked in every little detail about options against the lockdown and particularly, weight distribution. Also, Lachlan has a really simple way of getting the foot out of the lockdown. The best part – the very late stage electric chair defense, without a doubt!

The half butterfly portion is just as impressive. It is quite longer than the lockdown one and includes a lot more options. Once again, concepts lead the way, covering ways n which you can defeat the butterfly hook. Attacks cover passes, submissions, and some key counters, particularly to leg lock entries.

Lachlan Giles DVD Review Switching baseA huge part of this Lachlan DVD is the one about switching base. When passing half guard this is a major concept that has been proven to work over the years. After this Lachlan Giles DVD review, I must confess I went back to it again. There’s no way of stopping the switch base with these innovative concepts.

Part VII – Underhook Counters, Deep & Reverse Half Guard

As I mentioned previously, Lachlan goes over every bottom half guard combination you can think of. In that sense, he includes a huge portion on dealing with the dreaded bottom half guard Underhook. Since he is a half guard expert himself, he knows the ins and outs of the underhook. He uses his bottom half knowledge to show the path to defeating any possible underhook scenario and pass any guard. Prevention, early defense, late defense, and counters are all there.

The reverse half guard, as such is one spot we don’t spend much time in. Why I have no idea. This Lachlan girls DVD review sure opened my eyes to how effective it can be. Especially after you see the control concept that Giles offers. Like before, this portion is divided into chapters on primary and secondary attacks, counters and core concepts. Oh, and entries, of course.

Lachlan Giles DVD Review Deep Half Guard PassFinally, the deep half. A half guard variation that is notoriously difficult to pass because the opponent is right underneath. The most useful information here for me was that on sweep prevention. the positioning Giles shares are pinpoint precise and once you have it down. you’ll be impossible to sweep. Then you can look to attack and get the back or use one of the knee through positions to start passing.

Part VIII – Narrated Rolls 

What I enjoy most about Lachlan’s DVDs is that he includes a lot of narrated rolling. Since he is really technical and extremely detailed, it helps to see things working in practice. The final portion covers the strategy about transitioning between all the passing positions covered earlier. After that, it is rolling time. There are six rolls in total, each featuring a different opponent. Lachlan goes step by step over every little thing he does to nullify all their guards and pass with ease. The perfect ending to a great DVD.

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Jiu-Jitsu Down Festival For Down Syndrome Grapplers

Jiu-Jitsu Down Festival To Raise Awareness For Down Syndrome Athletes
Picture by FlashSport

On March 23d, in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro the very first ever Jiu-Jitsu Down Festival took place. The event featured a bunch of famous grapplers like UFC fighters, Judokas, and others along with the Down syndrome grapplers of all ranks and ages. It was a premier event that had the goal of raising awareness about the inclusion of Down syndrome people int society. As such, we certainly hope that it is not going to be the last, nor that Rio is the only destination for such an event!

IF there’s anything Jiu-Jitsu prides itself on, it is versatility. Nobody is unwelcome in BJJ, regardless of race, sex, religion, size, age and anything else you can think of. People with Down syndrome have been a part of the art for long. Now, however, their inclusion is rising to the next level, and the Jiu-Jitsu community is loving it! Why not use Jiu-Jitsu to raise awareness about the capabilities of people with Down syndrome and dispell common misconceptions. The Jiu-Jitsu Down Festival is a great first step to make sure we spread the word. Oss!

International Down Syndrome Day

It is not a coincidence that the Jiu-Jitsu Down Festival took place on March the 23d. The International Down Syndrome Day is the 21-st of March. The date is due to the fact that it is the triplication (March is the third month) on the 21st chromosome that is responsible for Down syndrome. The day has the noble goal of raising awareness for people with Down Syndrome. As such, it has the backing of the United Nations since 2012.

This day is intended to help people realize that those with Down syndrome are not only capable of functioning perfectly asp art of society, but they can be athletes as well! the goal is the inclusion of Down Syndrome people in every aspect of our society. It also highlights the vital role they play in our community.

Down Syndrome Athletes

People with Down syndrome are not only not able to function perfectly, but they’re also more than capable of taking part in sports. Down syndrome athletes have been reaping success in many different athletic areas, including martial arts.

Down syndrome athletes have been taking place in competitive events ranging from swimming, through track and field to Judo and JIu-Jitsu. There are even instances of MMA fighters with Down syndrome. All these brave pioneers make sure the world changes its incorrect opinion on those that have the syndrome. And the Jiu-Jitsu Down Festival is BJJ’s way of helping that cause.

Jiu-Jitsu Down Festival

The Jiu-Jitsu down festival took place at the Carioca Arena 2, in Barra da Tijuca, Rio. The SJJSAF (South American Federation of Sport Jiu-Jitsu) is the organization behind the event. The event itself was of an open character so that people can interact with the Down syndrome athletes and get to know them better.

Jiu-Jitsu Down Festival For Down Syndrome Grapples
Picture by FlashSport

As part of the event, Down syndrome grapplers bought with professional grapplers. These included Olympic level Judoka Flávio Canto, the legendary Rogério Minotouro and even actor Raul Gazolla. Apart from the tournament portion, there was also a seminar, where the grapplers got to learn Jiu-Jitsu techniques. Looking to bring together the Down syndrome athletes and spectators, there were also games and similar interactive activities. The event was more than successful and went by in a positive and exciting atmosphere.

As SJJSAF president said: “The sport is for everyone, without distinction, and this event has exactly the function of increasingly inserting down athletes in our community“.

Final Тhoughts

We already see people with physical disabilities take the challenge of training, and even competing in Jiu-JItsu. This just proves that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu truly is for everyone. And that, by all means, includes Down syndrome grapplers. As proven by the Jiu-Jitsu down the festival, people with Down syndrome can train and compete in the art just like everyone else. here’s to the hope that such a type of events becomes more widespread in the future.

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Gold BJJ Gi Review: Ultimate Performance Lightweight Gi

Aeroweave Ultra Lightweight Gold BJJ Gi Review

So, I just got a brand new Gi! Well, not quite now, I’ve had it for a couple of months since I had to “take it for a roll” before I can offer my two cents on it. After training in it as much as possible I can share my experience with it. The Gi in question is the Gold BJJ Aeroweave Ultra Lightweight Gi, a Gi that came on the market with a huge claim. Whether that claim is substantiated, you’ll have to read the complete Gold BJJ Gi Review to find out. However, I can share a little spoiler before we really get into it – wearing this Gi feels completely different from any other Gi I’ve ever worn. 

Opening a new Gi is always a fun experience for a grappler. It is particularly exciting when it is a Gi from a brand you’ve never worn before. In all honesty, it was not the first Gold BJJ Gi I’ve seen, just the first that was in my possession. Since I’m currently hooked on lightweight Gis, of course, this had to be one, first and foremost. The claim that the Gold BJJ Aeroweave Gi stakes are that it is 40% lighter than any other lightweight Gi in existence. How could I not order one, given how biased I am when it comes to lightweight Gis? Even the risk of getting a brand I’m not familiar with did not deter me from getting one. Did I make a mistake? The Gold BJJ GI review is going to answer that question in detail.

Why This Jiu-Jitsu Gi? 

Let’s take things step by step. The reason I went with Gold BJJ and not any other brand out there is not just because of their “lighter than any other Gi” claim. The thing is, I already have quite the collection of lightweight Gis, but I’m not very big on repeating. So the need for a new Gi, the desire for something untested, and, of course, that by now famous claim, led me to the Gold BJJ Aeroweave Ultra Light Weight Gi.

Aeroweave Ultra Lightweight Gold BJJ Gi ReviewThe reason I like lightweight Gis is that I can’t stand feeling wrapped up in humid clothing. For me, No-Gi is quite the enjoyment, and I tend to opt for a rashguard whenever I can. However, as part of a mostly Gi-oriented Academy, and with classes to teach, I have to also wear a Gi. So, what is the closest a Gi can get to a rashguard? Well, the lightweight of course. Not just that, but ultra-lightweight. extremely lightweight and similar categories of Gi’s that tend to weigh next to nothing. Plus, it helps when the weather gets hot, and believe me it does.

More on why I chose gold BJJ. First, they’re a brand with some real quality BJJ gear. I mean, just look at their backpack (on my shopping list as well). Moreover, their products come at truly amazing prices. Plus, the Aeroweave Ultra Lightweight Kimono is quite a new product. Still, I was unable to find many reviews (or any) of it before my purchase. So, I decided to do a Gold BJJ Gi review myself and fill that particular gap. Enjoy.
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Aeroweave Ultra Lightweight Gold BJJ Gi Review

IF I wanted to get just chuck a positive comment I’d say go get this Gi, it’s awesome. In fact, it is what I think about this Gi, however, I’d much prefer to take it slowly, step by step, and take a brief (ish) look at each and every important aspect of buying a Jiu-Jitsu Gi. As a side note, I do train almost every day of the week and spend long hours in the Academy. That means any Gi I put on has a lot to prove. Let’s see how Gold BJJ’s Ultra Lightweight Aeroweave Gi did.

The Jacket

I’m going to start at the top here, literally. The Gold BJJ Jacket is most definitely lighter than any other Jiu-JItsu GI jacket ever. So far, the lightest I’ve had was 375 gsm (my Submission Sniper Gi). Ye, the Gold Aeroweave comes at a staggering 275gsm. This makes their claim that they have the lightest ever BJJ Gi 100% true. The jacket feels as close as it comes to wearing a rashguard only.

Aeroweave Ultra Lightweight Gold BJJ Gi ReviewOf course, the main concern about a Gi this light is a strength. So, even though it is brand new, I took it for a test. This Gi went through some real hassle against some of the best speed guard players and overall grip and thug enthusiast. Whether standing or on the ground, it more than held its own. Actually, unlike some other lightweight Gi’s, it didn’t even stretch a tiny bit. The cut is an athletic one, fitting perfectly, and the skirt is not too long, which often annoys me with other Gis.

The weave, is an innovative signature Aeroweave, something that feels as crazy as it sounds. It seems to work, though, for now at least.

The Pants

Ah, the pants. Perhaps I should’ve started the Gold BJJ Gi review with the pants, seeing how they’re usually the first to go. Well, with me, at least. To be completely honest, I have no idea how long these are going to last. I know that so far, they’ve performed admirably.

The pants, as expected,  are classic BJJ ripstop pants featuring a drawstring at the waist. There are significantly reinforced stitching across all potential stress areas. Apart from being lighter than most (only 10 oz.), the pants don’t really differ much from other Gi pants. But there’s a catch that makes Gold BJJ win the “best BJJ Gi” contest. They’re so confident that their Aeroweave Gi won’t rip and tear that they have a warranty on it. Whether it is the jacket or pants, if it rips, they’ll replace it. I can’t wait to test that one out, whenever I inevitably come to that.

Weight

Whatever this Aeroweave thing is (I couldn’t find much on it) it really does the trick. The gi is really featherlight, and you won’t even feel yo9u’re wearing one. It weighs barely a pound all together (A1 size). When you train and roll with it, you feel free to move, even when you’re soaking wet from sweat. In terms of being Ultra Lightweight, this Gi’s claim is more than substantiated. Seems I now have to cut one less pound when competition time comes.

Shrinkage

This has always been a huge one for me. I somehow always end up with the Gi that shrinks a lot, or the one that I’d expect to but no luck. As a note, most BJ jGi’s that I’ve bought with the label “pre-shrunk” still had some shrinking left to do. And, as much as I thought this would be the one blemish in this Gold BJJ Gi Review, I am so glad I turned out to be wrong.

I wore this Gi a couple of times per week at least and made a point to always wear it to open mats. This means training with lots of people on a weekly basis, and of course, lot’s of washing. Despite being reserved the first couple of times, I popped it straight into the washing machine and, well, hoping for the best. No shrinkage whatsoever. At least none noticeable. And, now that a couple of months have passed I can safely claim it won’t shrink anymore. Still, watch this space as I’ll probably update my Gold BJJ Gi review a time passes.

Comfort And Performance

Comfort is a huge one for me. I don’t mind being stuck in difficult positions while rolling, but I do not like the Gi to add to my discomfort. heavier Gis tend to make me feel like I’m trying to grapple with Samurai armor on, fitted with a heating system. Not fun.

Lightweight Gis do a lot to make training in a Gi more comfortable. The Gold BJJ Aeroweave Ultra Lightweight Gi is arguably the most comfortable one I own. It never gets in the way which is really something. Some other lighter weight Gi’s tend to be softer and have looser sleeves. This gives away a lot of grips and makes for uncomfortable rolls. Luckily, the style and cut of the Gold BJJ Gi make sure you have optimal performance. The EVA foam collar is just thick enough to make gripping troublesome while allowing you to use lapels as weapons. Another reason why lightweight Gi’s are awesome – they’re much easier to thread around if you like to play with lapels.

Sizing

Aeroweave Ultra Lightweight Gold BJJ Gi Review ChartAnother issue when buying a Gi online. How do you pick the right size for you? Even if you take into account shrinkage or the lack of it, it tends to be hard as different brands have different sized Gis for the same size number. The smartest thing – consult a size chart, carefully. On the same note, big kudos for Gold BJJ on really nailing down the sizes in their chart. Gis are available in sizes A0 to A5 with very precise instructions based on height and weight.

Color

When you buy a Gi it has to serve a dual purpose – training and competing. Personally, I prefer white Gis. Still, from time to time I like to change things up. A big thumbs up for Gold BJJ for providing both options. Color-wise, they have two IBJJF approved Gis coming in white and black. Moreover, they also have a grey and a navy version, the latter of which I got. Although this Gold BJJ Gi Review refers to the Navy, I expect the same is true for all colors. The color holds firmly for now, with no sign of fading even after multiple frequent washes.

The inside of the jacket has the words “For the journey” embroidered on the left side lapel. Another huge positive is the minimal branding, which gives the Gi a slick and minimalist look. If you’re in for a Gi swarming with patches, look elsewhere.

Pricing And Shipment

Finally, a few crucial technical details to complete the BJJ Gold Gi Review. The Gi falls in the medium-priced Gis category, which is a real treat for the quality you get in return. As far as pricing goes, Gold BJJ has nailed it once again! The shipment was fast and efficient, the Gi came in pristine condition and included a free white belt. Furthermore, there’s a no-questions-asked full money-back guarantee from Gold BJJ. Not that I’m looking to exercise it.

The Verdict

All in all, if it is not clear by now, you should definitely consider the Aeroweave Ultra Lightweight Gold BJJ Gi if you’re in the market for one. If you’re a light Gi kind of grappler, there’s no question about it. If you’re not, and you’re considering a change, beware, because trying this Gi out will have you hooked for life! I Hope this Gold BJJ Gi review helps the next person that’s unsure of getting this truly remarkable Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi.
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Guy “Gracie Challenged” BJJ Brown Belt and MMA Fighter – Things Got Messy

It really takes a lot of courage to come into some gym and challenge guys to a fight. But is it smart?

“So had a guy come into the gym today that wanted to do a Gracie Challenge. So here is the video of it thought I would share. Took a lot of guts to come into the gym and ask for a challenger.” – wrote Jason Aldrige on his Facebook Profile

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Best BJJ Finger Braces vs. Finger Tape – Reviews And Guide 2020

A Complete Guide to the Best BJJ Finger braces for grapplers to use in 2019

If there’s one trait that’ll have you recognize a grappler, apart from cauliflower ears, it is banged up fingers. There’s hardly a grappler that has been training for longer than 3-4 years that doesn’t pack finger tape first when they get ready for training. This is particularly true for Gi Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. Grappling is hard on all your joints, but the fingers get a particular beating. Finger tape goes a long way to alleviate pain and allow for enough range of motion to train effectively. Well, as much as it does its job, finger tape might soon become redundant. Namely, innovative concepts like finger braces are now available, and they’re miles better than taping. Today, we’ll focus on the best BJJ finger braces that you can get to replace finger tape in 2020! 

Training is about to get a lot easier and more enjoyable for everyone with banged-up fingers! No more joint pain, no more spending precious raining time taping up all your damaged joints together! Finger tap is a magnificent piece of equipment for grapplers, but it seems it’s now past its prime. The times have shifted and the latest product on the subject of joint preservation (or what’s left of them) comes in the form of BJJ finger braces. They’re easy to use, outlast even the sturdiest finger tape, and can even be personalized. Even better, they’re now available not just for your fingers but your toes as well! We reviewed all the best BJJ finger braces for 2020. Check them out below!

BJJ Grips – The Culprit Behind Grapplers’ Knuckles

Gripping has a key role in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Gi or No-Gi, nothing is going to happen unless you have your hands and/or feet on your opponent. That said, once you do you need two things. First, you need to know what you’re intention is with every grip. Secondly, you need the grip strength to hold on to those grips, which is where your finger health comes into play.

The way grips work in BJJ is the main reason why our fingers suffer so much. Gripping in Jiu-Jitsu is very variable and often includes rather unusual positions of the palms and fingers. When you factor in the Gi and gripping on all of its surfaces you see how fingers have to work overtime. Moreover, certain positions put a real strain on the finger joint just by holding them, let alone working offensively or defensively. Spider guard comes to mind right away when we think of a particular finger damaging position.

This puts grapplers in quite the hard spot. We obviously really need grips, but the more we use them, the more our finger joints suffer. The same holds more or less true for the toes. Giving finger support is one way of dealing with this issue. In that sense, taping the fingers up is the most commonly accepted method. until now. Now, it is time for the best BJJ finger braces to shine!

Best BJJ Finger Braces

What exactly are BJJ finger braces? They’re innovative pieces of equipment that ensure that your fingers get all the protection that finger tape offers and more while removing all of the hassles. With the best BJJ finger braces, you get immense support and even options to immobilize or support multiple fingers at the same time. The best part is that you can achieve all of this just by putting the braces on, much like sleeves. This makes using them much easier and convenient.

The one thing people think of first in terms of BJJ Finger braces is whether they would slip during live rolling. After all, the best BJJ finger tapes all boast a very strong adhesive. I have to admit to having this very concern when I first thought about finger braces. However, all those worries are unfounded, as the finger braces are designed in a way that addresses this specific issue. Read on to discover how exactly they work. Here are our top pics:


Luta Gear “GrippTap Double” BJJ Finger Braces

best BJJ Finger Braces 2019 Doubel Sleeves First up something that I personally use every time I put a Gi on to train. In all honesty, I also use them quite often in No-Gi training as well. Luta Gear has a fantastic series of BJJ Finger braces out, all of them specifically designed for grappling. In this instance, they’re so-called “doubles” meaning braces bind two fingers together.
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The double system is basically like the buddy-system of finger tapping. These best BJJ Finger races work by enwrapping each finger individually for complete support. On top of that, the sleeves are interconnected, so that two of your fingers remain together. The sleeves themselves are made of Neoprene and come in combinations for the middle and ring finger, or index and middle finger. Neoprene means the sleeves conform to your anatomy and remain tightly in place while not cutting off circulation. The braces come in a bundle, with 2,3,4,5,6, and 7 pairs available within single purchase.

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Buddy Loops BJJ Finger Braces

Best BJJ Finger braces 2019 Buddy Loops The buddy-system taping is one of the most popular finger taping methods that grapplers use. Its intention is to minimize further damage to a specific finger joint by immobilizing it. However, since gripping relies on mobility, immobilization has to offer some range of motion. Joining two fingers together is a great way to ensure both support and immobilization and sufficient mobility. This is exactly what the Buddy Loops braces offer.
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Unlike the previous braces, these do not come in the form of sleeves. They are more similar to rings, in the sense that they do not stretch the length of your finger. Instead, these ultra-soft foam-lined straps are just big enough to stabilize one joint at a time. Similarly to the Luta Gear braces, they come connected in a buddy-system. The inner lining ensures no slippage or irritation during training. They’re safe to wash in any machine and are completely latex-free. 3 width levels are available. They come in a pack of 5.

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Luniquz Finger Sleeves

Best BJJ Finger Braces 2019 Single Sleeves As the name suggests, these are full-blown finger sleeves. The one obvious difference between them and the previous two is that this area individual rather than adjoined in a buddy-system. While these do not offer too many color options, they do offer incredible stability. As far as best BJJ finger braces go, this feature quite high up the list.
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The material is a highly specialized blend of Nylon, spandex, and gelatine silk. The dense stitching of the composite material ensures complete breathability and a tight fit with absolutely no chance of slipping. They help relieve pain in joints, alleviate aches from injuries or inflammatory conditions, and stabilize the finger joints. There’s a distinctive compression effect that is particularly valuable for Gi grapplers. They’re very easy to put on and take off, washing machine friendly, and ultra-quick to dry. They come in a pack of 5, with varying lengths to fit all fingers.

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Grappz Compression Gloves

Best BJJ Finger Braces 2019 Compression Gloves PackThese are by far the most interesting BJJ finger braces on our list! I had a real pleasure giving one of these a try, and since it fit my needs it did perform admirably! Instead of just finger braces, the Grappz compression glove offers added support for your wrist as well! Not only that, but they also feature two buddy system finger sleeves that take care of your whole palm.
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Given how complete these compression gloves are, they’re a great fit for people that really have lots of finger issues. In grappling, this would be everyone above the purple belt, more or less. While these will have you looking like Spock, they will take care of dislocated or even broken fingers. They’re extremely durable and very comfortable, very elastic, and offer great compression. Moreover, since they’re gloves, they most certainly won’t slip. The material is a Nylon and spandex blend, 100 % antimicrobial. They come in a pair and are available in black and in sizes extra small to XXL.

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JBM Finger Brace Splint Sleeve

Best BJJ Finger Braces 2019 Individual Braces Our hunt for the best BJJ finger braces led us to the JMB splint sleeves. These are very similar to the Luniquz braces. They come in a pack of five, one per individual finger. They’re highly elastic, meaning one size fits all and you won’t have to consult size charts.
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These braces are extremely lightweight and comfortable, and you won’t even know you’re wearing them. At the same time, they provide immense support thanks to strategically cushioned areas. They reduce the pressure on the fingers, allowing them to rest even during hard rolling. A key feature of these braces is the highly specialized thumb brace, which offers support to a finger that is notoriously difficult to tape even with the best finger tape. These are perfect for grapplers, as they can be worn all at the same time, or individually according to needs. Great fit for those that do not like the buddy system.

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Luta Gear “GrippTap Quad” Braces

Best BJJ Finger Braces 2019 Quad Brace Luta gear Another one of the Luta Gear series, but this time, a hardcore version for those that have really damaged hands. For most grapplers, Luta Gear’s “GrippTap Double” is more than sufficient, particularly in the finger combinations, they’re available in. However, for those that virtually tape up their whole hand, the “GrippTap Quad” is the ultimate solution.
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What this is, essentially, is a buddy-system brace of four individual finger sleeves. It is a Neoprene only brace, available in black color, with red edges. This finger brace is washing machine friendly, but you should avoid bleach and choose air-drying whenever possible. Sizes range from extra small to extra large. Individual finger sleeves are tailored according to the length and needs of every finger. Expect tightness when you first put it on, which later on dissipates due to the Neoprene conforming to your fingers. Minimal interference and maximum flexibility guaranteed!

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Toe Splint Wraps

Best BJJ Finger Braces 2019 Toe Splints Let’s not forget our toes when we’re looking at the best BJJ finger braces. The Toe Splint Wraps by Yimanduo are as close to finger tape as you can get, without actually using one. These splints work as a single toe splint that has a wrap around the option to include a neighboring toe. This allows the splint to make use of the proven buddy-system on top of providing direct support.
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The splint works like a sleeve, basically. They come in a pack of 8, meaning you’ll have more than enough even if your toes are really mangled. These braces are so good they not only provide support to inflamed or arthritic fingers, but they also take care of broken bones as well. This is due to the fact that once you pull the sleeve on, you can then adjust which toe you include in the buddy-system. Moreover, the wrap-around with strong velcro technology means you can control the tightness of the wrap. Includes anti-slip technology and complete protection, compression, and support. One size fits all, 100% latex-free.

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Innovative Grappling Solutions

As someone who literally depends on finger tape to get through each and every BJJ training session, BJJ finger braces seem to be a real godsend. They are pretty close in price with some of the best finger tapes out there but they will last a lot longer. Furthermore, they’re extremely easy to use. If you have only one or two jammed fingers or toes this might not be a big deal for you. try taping a few fingers and then a few toes every training session. It takes time and if you mess it up you’ll have to do it all over again.

Finger braces are definitely the way to go. They are innovative, but they are made for grapplers by grapplers, which means every base is covered. In that sense, all possible finger combinations are available. Whether you like the buddy system with two, three, or four fingers/toes, single finger braces, specialized thumb braces, or full on gloves, you’ll find what you’re looking for in our guide above. In this instance, innovative technology has certainly done a lot for people involved in Jiu-Jitsu.

Final Thoughts

Put simply, it is time to drop the finger tape and pick up a finger brace or two. They’re easy to use, will last you very long, and are available in all shapes and sizes. Another caveat is that they’re just as easy to take off, and you don’t have to clean them in any special manner. Simply throwing them into the washing machine along with the rest of your gear will do the trick. Check out the best BJJ finger braces that are tested and actually work in grappling conditions and enjoy a pain-free 2020!

Best BJJ Accessories For 2020 – Reviews And Guide

A Comrpehensive Guide and detailed reviews Of The Best BJJ accessories For 2019

Wouldn’t it be great if you could let everyone know just how much you love Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? I mean apart from all the daily babble on the subject that has people rolling their eyes. Let’s face it, BJJ takes over our lives and we’re glad to let it. Our addiction to Gentle Art is apparent in almost every aspect of our daily lives, not just on the mats. That said, it is the small things in life that bring us the most pleasure. It is the same when BJJ is life and BJJ accessories are those small things that make us smile. To that extent, we take a look at some of the best BJJ accessories that can make your life better. 

When we’re talking about the best BJJ accessories, we’re talking about things from every aspect of life. It is not just about your T-shirt or cauliflower ears but also about stuff like your coffee mug, your car keys keychain, your toddler’s onesie… You can represent Jiu-Jitsu in virtually every aspect of your life outside the mats. Now, whether you decide to go with representing your Academy, or simply letting everyone know how much you love BJJ, the choice is yours. To make things easier, we’ll offer some key accessories that will leave no doubt about where your allegiances lay.

The BJJ Lifestyle

Just like with everything else, our lifestyles are highly customized in the world we live in. Everyone likes to both express their individuality and, at the same time, belonging to a group. Young people nowadays belong to one or more of a thousand currents or affiliations. Being part of the ever-growing BJJ community is certainly one of the best, but I’m very biased so it’s an answer you’d expect. Still, the BJJ lifestyle is about a lot more than just throwing Shaka signs and cramming in the acai bowl after the acai bowl.

First and foremost we have to talk about conduct. no amount of BJJ accessories is going to make you a good ambassador of the sport if you do not know how to conduct yourself. BJJ is about respect, positivity, and sportsmanship. The “no ego” talk so often heard on the mats should actually be an approach we take on every occasion.

That said, there’s no point in living the BJJ lifestyle if we can’t proudly display it for everyone to see. it’s not ego, it’s just love of what has us going every day. Granted, as grapplers, we’re really hard to talk to for “regular” people. We tend to bring Jiu-Jitsu, not every conversation, although, in our defense, not really intentionally. Still, there are other ways to portray our love for the sport. People tend to notice the small things much more than pay attention to a subject they’re not interested in. So, get the best BJJ accessories to both express your grappling lifestyle, and use it to start that BJJ conversation you crave for!

The Best BJJ Accessories For 2020

so what exactly are BJJ accessories? The beauty of this “category” is that it is wide open. You can consider everything to be an accessory. Well ok, anything apart from the equipment we need for training, and BJJ apparel that’s part of our wardrobe. After all, they’re essential parts of life or training and can’t be labeled as accessories. Everything else, on the other hand, is a go!

Today, we made a comprehensive list of the best BJJ accessories you can get this year. We include everything, from hats and everyday bags to patches, mugs, and keychains. Whether you like a good book to add to your library or some cool new threads for your toddler, we got you covered. You’re going to get these things anyway, so why not make them about the thing you love the most?


Eat, Sleep, BJJ Mesh Baseball Cap 

Eat, Sleep, BJJ Mesh Baseball Cap First up in our best BJJ accessories guide is a really cool looking hat. Having a hat on is a great way of representing BJJ. The hat in question is a black and white baseball cap, that’s perfect for both men and women. It is not overly conspicuous while at the same time feeding your BJJ addiction.
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This cap is made of polyester and is fully adjustable to fit most people. it is lightweight and breathable thanks to the moisture-wicking fabric and mesh design. It is made of overall very soft material and very comfortable. In terms of the design, it features the well known “Eat, Sleep, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu” slogan. It is written in black, on a white background, with the words Jiu-Jitsu highlighted more than the others. Above the letters, there are three images, one featuring a fork and knife, the second a sleeping bed, and the third two people grappling in Gis. A great accessory and also a top gift idea!

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Jiu-Jitsu Gear Belt Key Chain 

Jiu-Jitsu Gear Belt Key Chain This one is pretty self-explanatory just by the title. You get a key chain that has a BJJ belt theme. Actually, the key chain itself is a BJJ belt, although on a much smaller scale than regular belts (duh).
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In essence, it is a belt, that features one of the usual BJJ ranks (white, blue, purple, brown, and black). The way you know it is a BJJ belt and not just a generic martial arts belt is by the usual black patch at one end. In the case of this key chain, the black patch makes up half of the belt. It is a really simple and cool looking accessory that you’ll probably need to change every couple of years or so. Or, even better, buy all belt level key chains at once and be set for life!

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“Create Magic” BJJ Drawstring Backpack

"Create Magic" BJJ Drawstring BackpackBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu bags and backpacks are usually heavy-duty, specially designed gym bags. As such, they’re perfect for carrying multiple Gis and lots of additional equipment, as well as keeping things from retaining odors. However, they might not be very practical for everyday use, mostly because of their size.
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Instead of carrying your BJJ gym bag with you, choose a BJJ themed drawstring backpack instead. As far as best BJJ accessories go, I’ve been using one of these for almost a decade now and I’m more than satisfied! Today’s suggestion is a really cool black and red drawstring backpack with mesh water bottle pockets. It features a sublimated theme of two grapplers engaged in a match, with one having the other in an armbar from the back. the words Jiu-Jitsu also feature across the face of the backpack. The material is 100% polyester, machine washable, and extremely lightweight. A real caveat is the large zip pocket at the bottom that can hold anything, from your belt if you’re going training, to your phone or an umbrella.

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BJJ Shark Shoulder Bag

BJJ Shark Shoulder BagGrappling ladies, this one is for you. This shoulder bag is the perfect bag to take with you when you’re traveling, or simply for day to day use. given that it fits your choice of clothes and shoes, of course.
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What you get with this one is a premium material bag that comes in black. It is made out of canvas with leather. the bag is water-resistant, ultra-durable, and long-lasting. The bag has a very large capacity and can easily fit anything you might need on a daily basis. It has a huge main compartment that has a zipper on top, In it, there are two smaller pockets, also with zipper closures. The design has a cool drawing of a BJJ shark, meaning a human(ish) body with a shark’s head wearing a Gi. Something different for sure!

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BJJ iPhone X Case

BJJ iPhone X CaseThere’s no way we can go into the best BJJ accessories and not talk about phone cases! After all, if there’s one thing we always have with us and use everywhere, it is our phones. In this case, we have a really great iPhone X cover for you to get.
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First and foremost, this shell is completely bump-proof and highly protective. It also features an enhanced grip, as well as an anti-scratch surface. The design has a couple of grapplers in a match, while letters say “Academia Ju-Jitsu”. Everything is in black, apart from a red decoration on the edge of the triangle frame. The shell itself comes in a dark green color, working perfectly with the drawing.

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iPhone 6-8 Jiu-Jitsu Girl Case

iPhone 6-8 Jiu-Jitsu Girl CaseOne specially made for the finer half of BJJ here. Also, this is a case that covers a wide variety of iPhone editions, except the 9 and X. Namely, this is a slim, shock-absorbent TPU gel case. It offers much better protection than plastic cases.
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This case has precise cutouts to make sure it can hold any iPhone ranging from 6 to 8+. The design is also a particularly cool one. Basically, it reads “never underestimate a girl who knows Jiu-Jitsu”. the letters are arranged on top and bottom of an image depicting two girls grappling. Lots of colors and overall awesome design are the marks of this BJJ accessory.

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Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu Patch

Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu PatchBJJ patches are usually things people associate with Gis. However, they don’t just have to be Gi accessories. they are, in fact, among the best BJJ accessories for everyday use as well. Namely, you can use the patch as virtually anything, from jackets to T-shirts or caps, and even bags or backpacks.
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This particular patch is a badge that has a circular shape. It is black, with a yellow border running around its circumference. Letters that read “Grappling Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu” feature at the top and bottom. An inner circle portrays a couple of grapplers going at it, with a closed guard Kimura set up along the way. A yellow background takes over from the black in this center circle. Everything is embroidered and impossible to fade or peel off.

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Toddler BJJ Long Sleeve Onesie

Toddler BJJ Long Sleeve OnesieYes, you can go as far as dress your newborn children in BJJ themed clothes. it is one of the best applications of our best BJJ accessories ever! to that extent we have a couple of options for you today, the first coming in the form of this long sleeve sleepwear.
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This onesie is intended for children aged 6-24 months. It is 100% cotton with a special collar design. A footless bottom guarantees free movement and extra comfort. The design is unisex so its great for both boys and girls. It has long sleeves and comes in black color. The front area has a submitted design of the Brazilian flag. Above it, letters read “Brazilian”, while below it is the magic words “Jiu-Jitsu”. Available in sizes 2T-18M.

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BJJ Shaka Hand Girls’ Toddler Tunic

BJJ Shaka Hand Girls' Toddler TunicOne for all the beautiful future BJJ lady grapplers here. This tunic is perfect for baby girls between the ages of 2-4 years. Ultra-soft, 100 % cotton that’s perfect even for the most sensitive skin. The tunic comes in white and ranges from size 5T to 4T.
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The design is one of the grappling-famous Shaka sign. the whole hand doing the sign is in the middle of the tunic, painted in the design of the Brazilian flag. The inevitable “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu” letters, this time in green are over and under the image. The tunic is easy to dress up or down, it can be worn on its own or under a blazer. A stylish look for your child and a fix of BJJ for yourself.

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BJJ Ranked Coffee Mug

BJJ Ranked Coffee MugAnother staple of the best BJJ accessories has to be a drinking mug. Whether you’re a coffee or a tea person, you need a mug. Almost everyone has a few favorite ones, one at home, one at the office, etc. Why not use our best BJJ accessories guide to choose Jiu-Jitsu themed mugs for any occasion?
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This mug is a simple yet really cool one. It has an 11 oz capacity and comes in white color. The five adult belt colors run horizontally, with white on the bottom and black all the way up. In front of each bel,t there’s an empty checkbox. The writing on the top says “What’s Your BJJ Rank? Mark Your Answer And Start Training”. Now, whether you decide to mark your answer, or leave it as it is down to you. As far as we’re concerned, this is definitely one of the top BJJ mugs you can get. 100% Dishwasher and microwave safe. Buy Amazon button


“Jiu-Jitsu And Coffe” Mug

"Jiu-Jitsu And Coffe" MugAnother ceramic white mug that bears a Jiu-Jitsu design. Actually, this one is much more subtle compared to the previous one. The design here has a Starbucks-like logo in the middle. While the logo is really like that of Starbucks, the words say “Jiu-Jitsu and Coffee”.
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This mug comes in two possible sizes, one that can hold 11 oz, and another with a capacity of 15oz. The mug is of the highest quality, as is the printed image. Comes with a guarantee that the image will never fade or peel off. 100 % Dishwasher and Microwave safe. A simple and subtle cup for any coffee-loving grappler out there.

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Armbar Bumper Sticker

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Armbar Bumper StickerOnce again, you can’t think about the best BJJ accessories and not consider bumper stickers. To be honest, there is not a real lot of them out there. However, out of all available, the one we suggest is going to please everyone, guaranteed!
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This simple bumper sticker features a couple of grapplers performing the armbar. In this case, it is the mounted armbar, and one grappler has the extended arm of the other. The bumper sticker is white and is 5″ big. it has a state of the art adhesive that ensures it sticks to any surface you put it on. The print is also really precise, printed at 1440 dpi. The sticker will easily withstand sunlight, moisture, wind, etc, never fading or coming off. Made in the USA.

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In Conclusion

While our list of the best BJJ accessories is the most comprehensive one yet, it does not show every possible accessory. Nor is there any guide that can include them all. If your preference is to represent your own Academy, then your shopping is easy, yet limited to what they have on offer. If not, the sky is the limit, and we have everything between here and there that you might consider as a fun and cool BJJ accessory!

BJJ Grips & Grip Positions For Gi And No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu

BJJ Grip Positions

Today we’re going to talk about grips in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. But we’re not just going to talk about grips. We’re going to cover everything there is about BJJ grips and grips positions. Moreover, we’re going to look at all the best positions for gripping both Gi and No-Gi. Our guide is also going to explain all of the hand positions for different grips. Finally, we’re going to go over BJJ grip positions when you’re looking to connect your own hands. Grip fighting is the beginning of every grappling encounter, and you need to become a real master of it. Do not spend your white and blue belt time skipping overgrips, taking them for granted. You’ll have a hell of a lot to learn in order to catch up later on. They’re important, you can trust me about that.

The Art Of Grip Fighting

The thing with variety is that you need to know which variation fits which situation. You can’t look to use Gi pants grip on an opponent’s arm when rolling No-Gi.  No-Gi grips are a bit more versatile and can be used in both. However, you still need to have options in order to be able to select the best grip for the best occasion. And remember, grip fighting is a dynamic, always changing affair.

So, what is grip fighting exactly? it is the battle for dominant leverage that precedes the “all-out” battle of grappling itself. With grips, the most important thing you’re hunting for is control. you’re trying to attach yourself to strategic parts of your opponent’s body in order to be able to control their overall movement. Next, you’re moving through a system of gripping in order to obtain your preferred attacking position. Finally, when you’re looking to execute anything, from escapes and sweeps to passes to submissions, you rely on grips.

All of the BJJ grip positions that you go through in a single match have stages to them. Grip fighting begins from a stalemate Both you and your opponent have the same opportunities to place grips. That said, whoever is more effective is going to manage to get into the position they want, regardless if its top or bottom. From there on, the grip fighting game changes to an offense-defense one. If you won the initial grip engagement, you’re on the offense. Your opponent should be looking to break your grips and establish his own superior ones. You, on the other hand, need to be looking to establish your own game, by constantly switching grip positions to increase control and leverage.

Gi vs. No-Gi Gripping

When it comes to BJJ grip positions, we have two major categories: Gi and No-Gi grips. When you start training Jiu-Jitsu with the Gi for the first time, you’re going to find yourself in a world of confusion. People are going to be wrapping you up tightly in every direction, using every little piece of cloth they can get their hands on. Even if you’re a highly accomplished wrestler, you’re going to have a difficult time with the Gi on, at least at first. This is all down to grips.

No-Gi grips, on the other hand, are completely different. While Gi grips provide indirect leverage over a limb or body area, No-Gi grips are direct. That also means they are way more dynamic, which is why the No-Gi game tends to be faster paced. When you’re gripping directly, there are more ways out compared to the high level of control the Gi offers. This means you’ll be involved in a BJJ grip battle most of the time. You’ll need to use those instances of domination to get to the next stage of your game, or you’ll have to start over again.

In both instances, two variables define the outcome. The first one is your grip choice. Whether you grip with a monkey grip or a C-grip, can completely change the direction of a match, for example. The second variable is the grip’s suitability for a given situation. You can go for both a monkey and a C-grip on many occasions. However, one is better suited for pulling, while the other is for pushing away. You need to know which to use in order to maximize your chances of advancing.

The Points Of Control With Grips

The main points of attaching yourself to an opponent are as crucial as the BJJ grip variations you are using. While you can grip an opponent everywhere, certain spots offer a much better control compared to others.

In Gi BJJ, the main grip positions are usually around three distinct points. The first is the sleeves, especially the ends near the wrists. The second position is the pants, once again, mainly at their end, towards the ankles. Finally, you have the collars and/or lapels, depending on the Gi’s position. These grip positions are the most fundamental ones for Gi Jiu-Jitsu. While there are other supplemental ones, these are the grips you’re using to execute every single move when rolling. Try to pay attention to it next time you’re in class.

In No-Gi, the grips are mainly on the arms, legs, and behind the neck. The grips behind the neck are a substitute for the collar grips in Gi BJJ. Gripping the limbs again revolves around controlling the ends of the levers, at the wrists and ankles. However, due to the fact that you’re gripping directly, hand positioning, and conversely, body positioning is way different in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. No matter which discipline is your favorite, you need the grip proficiency of both in order to be a successful grappler.

BJJ Grips For GI And No-Gi

Let’s go over some of the most basic hand positions in BJJ grip fighting. While the application of these grips is mostly in No-Gi, they often get used in Gi Jiu-Jitsu as well. So, let’s have a look at all the weapons at your disposal.

  1. Monkey Grip

    monkey grip, scoop gripWell, start with the monkey grip. The monkey grip is a grip that involves using the four fingers of your palm, without the thumb. This doesn’t mean that the thumb is just floating there in mid-air. Instead, it is just tucked neatly next to your forefinger. For this grip, you’re removing the thumb’s main function – opposite direction movement. This makes your hand really strong for pulling your opponent towards your body.

  2. C-Grip

    c-gripThe C-Grip is the opposite of the monkey grip. Here, your thumb goes in its natural position, opposite of the other four fingers. This is a pushing grip, one that’s most useful to push your opponent away.

  3. Figure-Four Grip

    The figure four grip is mostly used for finishing although it might also be a controlling grip. For that, you need to have one palm gripping the other arm’s wrist in a figure four configuration. Think of a Kimura, Americana, Toe Hold…

  4. Gable Grip

    gable gripFinally, you have the grip positions that connect your own hands to each other. While there are numerous variations here, only two BJJ grip positions really matter – the Gable grip (palm to palm) and the S-grip (four fingers of one palm connecting to four on the other).

  5. S-Grip
    s grip

  6. Socket Grip, Ball Grip, or Seat Belt grip
    ball grip, socket grip, seat belt grip

  7. Pretzel Grip
    pretzel grip

  8. Butterfly Grip

  9. Gokor Grip
    Gokor Grip

BJJ GI Grips

For the Gi, you need to understand that you need to have a very tight grip on the material, in order to have control over an opponent. Since we already covered the main gripping spots, I’m just going to go over the few main positions of your arms. Gripping the material requires different positioning to No-Gi grips.

So, the most common one is using four fingers to create a “pocket” in your opponent’s Gi. In this case, the thumb goes on the outside to secure everything in place. This grip can also work in reverse, with the thumb in and four fingers out, although this is mainly for collar gripping. Next up is the pistol grip, when you grip the material like a handle of a pistol, thumb on top. For people that wear large-sleeved Gis, this is the grip to use.

Collar Grips

Collar grips have two main purposes. The first is to control the opponent’s shoulder girdle. The second is finishing an opponent via a choke. Unless you’re going for a rear-naked choke, you’re going to need the collars in order to finish an opponent.

BJJ Collar Grips
BJJ Collar Grips

For collar gripping, there are two main BJJ grip positions that you should rely upon. The first one is the most basic four fingers in the grip. For this, you need to place all your fingers except for the thumb deep inside the collar of an opponent. The goal is to grip the material tight by bending your fingers into a fist. The thumb has the role of securing the grip in place from the outside. The main uses of this grip are for control, from both the top and bottom position. In certain cases, you might even use it to finish, like with a loop choke.

The thumb in grip is the exact opposite of the previous one. For this, you need to have your thumb deep inside the collar, with your other fingers gripping the outside of the Gi. The main uses of this grip are usually from back control, although you can use it from the guard as well. There are plenty of cooking options with this grip.

Pants Grips 

When it comes to controlling the pants, you either need to keep them in place, in order to work from the bottom or move them aside to pass from the top. In both cases, you need a firm grip.

  • Four Fingers Grip or Pocket Grip on GI pants is usually the first choice. Just like before, you use four fingers to grip the material. The trick here is not to place the four fingers inside the pants, as this is illegal in competition. Instead, you need to form a pocket on the pants, using your fingers to make a fist again and trap the material.
    four fingers grip, pocket grip
  • The pistol grip is one that’s not used often for the pants. From the bottom, it doesn’t offer much, but it is a BJJ grip to consider from the top. It offers much tighter control over the material at the ankle level. This results in a much higher degree of control over the leg and easier passing in turn.
    Pistol Grip

Finally, remember that you can also create pockets at knee level, and below, for increased control of the shins.

Sleeve Grips

The sleeves have two major points of connection. The first and much more commonly used is the end of the sleeve just above the wrist. The second is either above the elbow (triceps level) or high in the armpit. Sleeve grips at wrist level are much more reliable though, given the type of material and the tightness of the Gi at upper arm level.

  • The Four Fingers Grip or Pocket Grip in BJJ is the king. It offers huge control in multiple directions. The gripping mechanism is the same as with pants grips. Again, gripping inside the sleeve is illegal, so make sure you keep all your fingers except the thumb out. Creating a pocket in order to obtain as much material as possible is once again the way to go.

    BJJ Sleeve Grip
    Four Fingers Grip
  • Pistol Grip is much more important with sleeves than they are with pants. Unless the opponent’s Gi is very tight around the wrists you can grip it like a pistol handle once again. This means your pinky is nearest to their wrist, with all your fingers holding as much of the material as a pistol handle. It is a great way to increase control over the opponent, plus add some discomfort due to the tightness of the sleeve.

    BJJ Pistol Grip
    Pistol Grip
  • Upper Arm Grips: For upper arm grips, the best place to grip is behind the triceps and the best method is with a modified four-finger grip. The trouble is that you do not have much material so upper arm grips need only be temporary solutions in a gripping fight.

No-Gi BJJ Grips

This is where things get interesting. Since No-gi grips offer much less control, there are much more of them. Do not be afraid of the sheer number of No-Gi BJJ grip positions. The gripping principles are similar to Gi Jiu-Jitsu and the goal is exactly the same – control or finish.

Arm Grips

Arms control is of the utmost importance in No-Gi BJJ. No-Gi is much more dynamic and submissions could come in a blitz. If you control the opponent’s arms, though, you’ll be able to prevent any surprises they might throw your way.

The basic control patterns of the arms are in regard to how many limbs of yours you’re going to use in order to control theirs. Gripping is done exclusively with the C-grip although you need to be able to change it from thumb up to thumb down as their arms move.

The best way to control someone is to use both your arms to control one of theirs.

  1. Basic Two on One Grip

    The basic two-on-one BJJ grip is with both your hands wrapped around an opponent’s wrist. This makes it extremely difficult for them to escape and opens up multiple avenues of control and attack for you.

  2. Wrist and Elbow Grip

    Wrist and Elbow grip
    Wrist and Elbow grip

    The second applicable variation is a wrist and elbow grip on the same arm. For this, you’re going to use one C grip behind the opponent’s elbow, and another on the opponent’s same arm wrist. It’s a great way to go into arm drags and similar attacks and offers much better control than the double wrist grip.

  3. Arm Drag 2 on 1 Grip

  4. Two C-Grips on Wrist

  5. One on One Grip

    Alternatively, you can go for one-on-one grips, controlling each arm with one of yours. This engages both arms but sacrifices a lot of control in order to do so.

Hooks

These are the quintessential No-Gi BJJ grip positions. That said, you’ll find these used in the Gi very often as well. Hook grips mean using your arms to control either an arm or the opponent’s torso.

Underhooks are crucial for both passing and sweeping. There’s no way past the half guard, or out of it unless you rely on underhooks. For this, you need to place your arms shoulder deep under the opponent’s armpit, your palm should come out behind and stay on the back of the neck. While this is not as much a grip as it is arm positioning, it still plays right into grip fighting. You can go for underhooks on one side only, or on both sides of an opponent.

BJJ Grip PositionsOverhooks aren’t the opposite of underhooks. For an overhook, you use your arm to go over and around an opponent’s upper arm, in order to control it directly. Double overhooks are not an option, unlike with underhooks, so stick to the single side only.

Head Control

Head control in BJJ without the Gi is rarely something you look for on its own. Having a Thai Cinch-like position might be helpful in very few instances. instead, people usually opt for head and arm control which is much better. Namely, you want one of your arms controlling either the wrist or the elbow of an opponent, as described before. The other one is going to go at the back of the neck, similar to a Thai clinch. This offers both direct arm control and postural control via the neck. It is another grip combination essential for No-Gi.

  1. Chin Strap

    A direct way of controlling the head is via a chin strap. Mostly it’s limited to the front headlock position but it is a crucial concept to have. For the chin strap, you need a monkey grip under the opponent’s chin while you’re in a front headlock position. This offers huge control as well as plenty of choking or transitioning opportunities. You can also use a chin strap grip to escape some submissions like head and arm choke from the north&south position.

  2. Collar Tie

Leg Grips

Leg control without the Gi is a very fleeting thing. As such, controlling the legs is usually only temporary, unless you’re going for leg locks. To that extent, the basic control points are the foot, ankle, and knee.

  1. Ankle Control

    Ankle control is by far the most common and useful one. With the legs, suing a C-grip is counter-productive, because they’re generally much stronger than your arms. So, a monkey grip to either hold them in place or pull them in the best option here. You can go for a monkey grip in both outside and inside directions, depending on your positioning and goal.

  2. Knee Control

    For knee control, once again you need to rely exclusively on the monkey grip. The best way to control the knees is to place the fingers right behind the tendons of the knee joint. This offers a great anchor for your grip as well as huge control over an opponent. Keep in mind that knee grips are much more useful when the leg is bent.

  3. Foot Control

    Finally, a BJJ grip that grapplers seem to often overlook is foot control. Grabbing the foot of an opponent with a C-grip can do wonders for your passing game. Give it a try next time when you’re on top.

Final Thoughts

Grips are among the most varied Jiu-Jitsu techniques you’ll learn. I only discovered the importance of grip fighting after a few years of training and had to spend a lot of time learning the nuances. Grip fighting is a topic for a completely different article, one that we’ll revisit in the future. We’re also going to skip over grip breaking for the time being. Today we focused on the ways in which we can place grips on our opponents. The idea of grips is to provide you with control over an opponent. Depending on the grip variety, you can have direct control (No-Gi) grips, or indirect control (Gi grips). Both have the task of providing you with maximal leverage over the important body parts of your opponent.

The same need for grips arises both standings, and on the ground, in every position, you’re going to find yourself when grappling. You might not consider the grip game very important yet but think about this for a moment. Can you really pull off anything without getting a hold of the opponent? In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, there’s no way to achieve such a thing. To that extent, all high-level coaches explain a great variety of BJJ grip positions early on and make students focus on the most effective ones.