Neil Melanson DVD – Headhunter Guillotine Series REVIEW

By

-

Heeadhunter Guillotine Neil Melanson DVD

Neil Melanson DVD, Head Hunter Guillotine series finally hit the daylight. It is all about front headlock attacks and vicious catch wrestling-style chokes that’ll tap any opponent in any grappling martial art and BJJ is not an exception.

Back when I was a newly promoted BJJ blue belt I came to a realization. I had a lot of trouble with a more experienced blue belt who kept sweeping me from bottom half guard. He had and still has a very slick underhook game from the half guard. What I discovered, purely by chance, was that his underhook could be my gain instead of my downfall. The D’arce choke came about quite naturally and I haven’t looked back since. It not just solved my half guard conundrum, but it opened my eyes to the power of the front headlock position in Jiu-Jitsu. Once hooked on the front headlock I scoured the internet for every instructional that could further my progress. Lately, I came across a certain Neil Melanson DVD on the subject and I struck gold. The Headhunter Guillotine Series is the ultimate front headlock learning tool for grapplers.

ON SALE:
Neil Melanson Head Hunter Guillotine Series DVD

Don’t be fooled by the name of this Neil Melanson DVD. It’s not all about guillotines. D’arce chokes, guillotines, neckties anacondas, powerful control, and a smooth transition are all there. Neil has a very rich grappling and particularly catch wrestling pedigree, which makes him the top person to demonstrate such moves. Up to this point, I always believed that Mark Schultz was the go-to man for front headlocks in grappling martial arts. Well, I guess that mantle now goes to Neil Melanson. Get the DVD and decide for yourself.

The Front Headlock In Grappling

The front headlock position is one of the fundamental positions of wrestling. It is a very versatile position that’s easy to acquire from both standing and ground fighting positions. The point of the position in wrestling is to take a person to the ground when standing. The front-headlock opens up an amazing array of takedowns while keeping you fairly safe. When on the ground, the front headlock offers wrestlers a great way to transition to pinning positions.

In catch wrestling, submission grappling and BJJ, the front headlock opens up plenty more opportunities compared to wrestling. The presence of submissions changes the game significantly. The front-headlock offers a number of different chokes that take very little effort to obtain. The great thing is that since all these chokes can be done from the front headlock, they connect with each other perfectly. So, the front headlock is a very versatile attacking system for Jiu-Jitsu practitioners.

In a front headlock, you find yourself in front of your opponent, whether standing or on the ground. The basic concept of the position is to get your chest over the head of the opponent. Your arms need to control the neck, either directly or with one arm going around one of the opponent’s arms. From there it is all about angles and subtle details to remain in control and open up attacks. It is a very uncomfortable position to be in which is one of the basic topics in this Neil Melanson DVD. After all, he is a catch wrestler.

A Neil Melanson DVD: Headhunter Guillotine Series

Neil Melanson is a renowned grappler and MMA coach who has a very original approach to grappling. When we take into account that his original coaches were Gene LeBell and Gokor Chivichyan this is easily understandable. His grappling background is in catch wrestling, Judo, and Sambo, which resulted in his unique style of grappling. He is very aggressive and unorthodox and favors the concept of taking your soul through discomfort before finishing a submission. It wouldn’t be a true Neil Melanson DVD without his “sadistic” approach to strangling people from the front headlock.

In terms of content quality, you can’t really ask for more. Neil has a very distinct style of teaching as well as grappling. He doesn’t show a dozen moves per chapter, as is the case with plenty of other BJJ instructionals out there. Instead, he focuses on just a handful of moves but goes deep. In fact, I think that he is the only one who doesn’t spare details when demonstrating techniques. On the subject of structure, Neil has a systematic approach that thoroughly connects everything he shows in cohesive sequences.

DVD 1 – Arm In Guillotine And Control

It all begins in a typical Neil Melanson DVD style – slow and methodical with control in the forefront. Remember my underhook issues? Well, Melanson addresses precisely those to begin with. He also offers invaluable advice on how to protect your hands in the front headlock, preventing the opponent from getting out.

Neil’s unmistakable aggressiveness is present even when demonstrating control, but it goes off when he starts with the submissions. His concept of the arm in guillotine is by far the clearest oneа I’ve heard in all my years in grappling. Watch out for the elbow position tip- it’s going to completely change your guillotines! OF course, it wouldn’t be Neil Melanson if there’ weren’t a terrific variation on how to strangle people to finish the DVD.

DVD 2 – D’arce And Neckties

I have to admit – when I got the DVD this was the first volume I saw. I know, is should’ve kept the order but I had to check out the D’arce details. Well, it turned out to be the right move. I’ve been known as a D’arce guy for a while now, but this DVD has made people tap before I even try to choke them.

The reverse half approach that Melanson demonstrates is pure genius and I loved the fact that he didn’t stop at the D’arce. Since neckties of all varieties are right there, Neil has come up with a very good submission system. The Japanese necktie is a natural continuation of the D’arce but the German necktie is an added option off of both. It is such a powerful position that you’ll get the tap in an instant. On the subject of the Nelson necktie, I’m just going to say it’s unlike any other front headlock choke you’ll ever learn.

DVD 3 – Guillotine Variations

As the name of the DVD suggests, Neil loves guillotines. That love of his comes apparent in the third volume of the series. In all honesty, he keeps things interesting by starting off with the Boa choke, an improved variation of the anaconda.

The guillotine variations he demonstrates are three in total and that’s two too many. They’re astonishingly effective both on their own and as a system. The scoop guillotine is the simplest of the bunch but it is brutal when done right. The front face lock guillotine is a true catch wrestling submission that will have your opponents screaming in pain.

DVD 4 – Choke Galore Catch-Wrestling-Style

The final part of the Neil Melanson DVD series on front headlock chokes is a real cherry on the top of the cake. This is where Neil goes off to demonstrate his trademark chokes which most of us never heard of before. Two things really stand out when you see the principles of strangling people he employs. First, he likes to keep things simple. All of his chokes use the positioning you have to get a tap as easily as possible.

Secondly, they’re more brutal than they are simple. It takes almost no strength to get taps with the handgun choke. The cement mixer is a really useful move whenever an opponent attempts to get out of your front headlock. And, if you’ve never tried a cow catcher before, you’ll be able to learn everything you need with this DVD.

ON SALE:
Neil Melanson Head Hunter Guillotine Series DVD

https://bjj-world.com/neil-melanson-dvd-collection-review/

Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals By The King, Roger Gracie

By

BJJ World

-

Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals King

When we talk about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors, there’s no way we can skip over Roger Gracie. the esteemed Gracie black belt was an accomplished competitor both in BJJ and MMA. He is a multiple-time World champion and has beaten some of the best black belts ever. The most interesting aspect of Roger’s game is that everybody knew what was coming. Even then, only a few could do anything about it and none were effective. Much of this is due to the fact that Roger Gracie always focused on the Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals when competing.

Today, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has evolved into a very complicated competitive sport. The general approach is that of innovation and figuring out how to surprise your opponents. In that sense, people tend to move further and further away from the Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals. AS groundbreaking and, at the same time, obvious, it may seem, going back to fundamentals can be an innovative approach in its own. Roger Gracie never went away from the fundamental principles and go the highest accolades of the sport. But how did he manage to use the Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals to such great success?

Roger Gracie – King Of The Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals

Roger Gracie is a Carlos Gracie Jr. black belt that is arguably the greatest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor of all times. He won the World title an incredible 14 times to date. What’s more impressive is that 10 of those titles are at a black belt level.

Roger was born in Rio as the son of Carlos Gracie’s daughter Reila Gracie. much like the other members of the Gracie family, Roger started training Jiu-Jitsu at a very young age. By the time he became a teenager, Roger was already a great grappler. he moved to London when he was a blue belt and reinvented himself there. His uncle, Carlos Gracie Jr. awarded Roger with his black belt in 2004.

Roger (now retired) was an amazing competitor at every belt level. he is a true representative of the Gracie Jiu-jitsu style. As a “fresh’ black belt he won the ADCC, submitting all 8 of his opponents. his high submission rate is a constant across all his competitive outings. After conquering the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Roger moved on to MMA, signing with Strikeforce. He had a very successful MMA career in the organization, despite a short and less rememberable stint in the UFC. Today, he runs the Roger Gracie Academy out of London, with affiliates all over the world.

The Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida Fights

In a debate as to who was the greatest heavyweight grappler of all times, Roger went against young gun Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida on two occasions. The first took place under the Metamoris banner in 2012. Their second encounter took place just last year.

In a clash of old school vs. the new, Roger put his Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals to a stern testa gainst up and comers Buchecha at Metamoris in 2012. After a hard-fought 20-minute round, the match was declared a draw. Even then, it was an amazing accomplishment for young Marcus, who went on to dominate the heavyweight scene while Roger went on with his MMA career. The opinion of the masses was that in a point-based system, Buchecha would’ve won.

N their second match, Roger appeared to have taken things way more seriously from the get-go. As far as Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals go, this was a clinic. Roger demonstrated a masterclass of Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals, ultimately finishing Buchecha from the back. Later, the GOAT explained qhat he was doing during the match and how he choked out one of the world’s toughest grapplers.

Right after the win, Gracie announced his retirement from the sport. He left Jiu-Jitsu without a single submission defeat in his record and now focuses on his return to MMA inside the ONE Championship cage. Gracie, the ONE Championship light heavyweight titleholder, has an MMA record of 8-2.

Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals – The Cross Collar Choke

Roger Gracie is perhaps most famous for his mount and finishing opponents with the most basic cross collar choke from the top. It is a technique that a beginner might learn in a Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals class, yet Roger submitted world-class level black belts in competition using that same basic choke. His tips on the position are as follows:

“After I get the first hand in the opponent’s collar, that’s when I get the most vulnerable for the bump. So, what I do? I use my other arm to defend the bump and then I use the top of my head. That’s when I put the second hand in. If the opponent is defending well the collar, I go around his head and put only my thumb inside his collar before I go for the choke.”

Roger uses his leverage advantage and weight to apply big pressure to his opponent from the mount. Starting with the hand in the collar grip, Roger puts the opponent on the defense immediately. In the following video Roger explains an important gripping detail that makes his choke really tight:

Roger’s answer to submitting elite level black belts and the reason his “basic” techniques are so difficult to stop is that he attacks in combination. Which attack does the opponent defend? The choke or the armlock?

The opponent on the bottom fatigues due to the pressure from the top. That creates an opening for an arm lock when they defend the choke. If they do not defend the choke, the tap is soon to follow.

Best BJJ Closed Guard Instructionals – The Ultimate Guide

The Highest Percentage No-Gi Chokes

By

BJJ World

-

No Gi Chokes Gordon Ryan Chokes Romulo Barral on ADCC 2017 — Picture Owned by ADCC

No-Gi BJJ is a far more challenging discipline than it’s the counterpart, Gi Jiu-Jitsu. With the Gi, people have the opportunity to stay in control much more efficiently. Even people that have no idea how to use it, can just cling on for dear life and get a result. Moreover, it is of real help in setting up and finishing submissions. Whether it is your own or your opponent’s Gi, you can use it to choke people out or even do armlocks. No wonder wrestlers and No-Gi people that give the Gi a try are usually lost for a few sessions before they get the hang of it. On the other hand, in No-Gi you need to know how to be dynamic and which moves work. The submission rate in No-Gi is way different than in Gi due to the smaller number of opportunistic submissions available.

So, whenever rolling or fighting in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu, the submissions of choice are chokes. Yes, it may seem contrary to the No-Gi leg locking trend of today but bear with me. One major reason why chokes are on the top of the pile in terms of No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu submissions is positioning. Most chokes, or at least those that work, are done from very dominant positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The mount, back or front headlock are amazing controlling positions that offer a huge variety of chokes. Furthermore, another reason why chokes are optimal for No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu is safety. Executing a Rear Naked Choke poses absolutely no threat to you while giving you total control and high efficiency.

The Ultimate No-Gi Chokes

When talking about the potentially most devastating submissions in grappling martial arts, people tend to overlook chokes. Yes, a kneebar or an Armbar might seem to be more horrible than just putting someone to sleep, but the truth is very different. When you cut off the flow of blood or air the body goes straight into panic mode. The reason is that it is trying to protect its most vital asset – the brain. Now imagine that you’re just sticking with a choke for a couple of minutes. That’s a couple of minutes too long for the brain to be deprived of oxygen. The result is inevitable brain damage and certain death if a choke is kept long enough. As peaceful as it may seem, a choke is the most lethal weapon in a grappler’s arsenal.

When it comes to No-Gi BJJ chokes are the best way to finish a particularly strong and tenacious opponent. Some people have freakish flexibility and simply refuse to tap to joint locks on the arms or legs. Some are just explosive and very well versed at using the slippery environment in No-Gi BJJ to slip out of holds. In that sense, no neck flexibility is going to get you out of a choke. Neck strength is also not a factor, given that positioning and choke mechanics are in order. In terms of slipping out, it is a possibility with chokes, but to a far lesser extent than with joint locks. Chokes are also moves that don’t just work in a flash but can be applied over a longer period. That way you get both complete control and submission that slowly clamps around your opponent.

Let’s look at the highest percentage No-Gi BJJ chokes to increase your submission rate without the Gi.

Rear Naked Choke

The staple of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the proverbial king of chokes, the Rear Naked Choke is by far the highest percentage choke in the sport. While also applicable in the Gi, it is tailor-made for No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or MMA conditions. It is only fitting that the king of submissions is done by the king of positions – back control.

The Rear Naked Choke is the choke you see in movies that instantly puts people to sleep. While it is effective things do not work like that in real life, especially against a resisting opponent. You need to be in a perfect back position in order to get a Rear Naked Choke. The main control points are having two hooks that control the opponent’s hips, as well as a tight Seat Belt grip. The next thing to consider is your head. It has to be over the opponent’s shoulder and next to their ear as much as possible.

There are numerous ways in which you can thread the arms through to the figure 4 position which are beyond the scope of this article. Also, expect to grip fight for a while before you’re able to get into a choking position. As far as mechanics go, your forearm should be on one side of your opponent’s neck, and your upper arm on the other. The rule of thumb is having your elbow right below their chin. From there, it’s all about staying tight, squeezing, and pulling back. A real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classic.

High Percentage No Gi Chokes — Photo Taken by ADCC

Guillotine

The Guillotine choke is one of those chokes that people either love or hate. Very few people usually change their mind about it once they decide they like or hate it. I was one of the lucky ones in giving it a second chance. Now, it’s one of my top weapons.

The front headlock position is one that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu borrowed from wrestling. In No-Gi BJJ, when Gi grips are not a factor, it is a great position to be in. It is attainable from the first contact and can take a fight from standing all the way to a submission very easily. The guillotine is almost a given submission from this position.

There are plenty of Guillotine choke variations available out there, but only a couple are used on a regular basis. The arm-in guillotine and the Marcelotine or high elbow guillotine are the most effective variations of the choke out there. For a guillotine, you need your forearm (near your wrist) under the opponent’s neck. The other arm grips either directly on the other side (Marcelotine) or under the opposite side arm (arm-in guillotine). From there, it’s BJJ basics for the finish – elbows in, crunch to the side and twist. The guillotine is one of those slow chokes, where you need to count at least to ten before considering letting go or re-adjusting. it also has the added benefit of being either blood or an air choke.

D’arce / Anaconda Chokes

The D’arce and Anaconda choke are not only similar in terms of execution but are also very compatible with each other. Whenever you have an Anaconda choke on one side, the D’arce is there on the opposite. And vice-versa, of course. Both these chokes are an arm triangle choke variation, with one arm trapped and one directly across the neck. The only difference is in the direction the arm goes through.

For the D’arce choke, you thread your choking arm under the opponent’s armpit first, and then across the neck. For the Anaconda, you start with the neck and end across through the opposite armpit. A figure 4 structure is the finishing touch. For No-Gi BJJ, the guillotine choke is exactly halfway between these two front headlock chokes. That is a complete choke based submission system right there.

Triangle Choke Variations

The triangle choke is the only leg chokes contender here. Another symbol of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, its effectiveness has been proven across all combat sport competition formats. The beauty of the triangle choke is that has plenty of variations that increase control and/or the finishing rate.

The basic concept behind the triangle is having your opponent’s head in a triangle structure created by your legs. The crucial point is including one of their arms into the triangle since you need the opponent’s shoulder to finish the choke. It is one of the best options when you are attacking from your back. Apart from the fundamental variation, the inverted triangle and reverse triangle are also very high percentage chokes. They work wonderfully in No-Gi BJJ.

Neckties

Neckties might not be considered to be very high percentage chokes, but this is not due to lack of effectiveness. They’re one of those moves, that for an inexplicable reason are bang in the middle of the fringe moves category. Given their efficiency and the tendency to work great with one another this is surprising, to say the least.

First, let’s get the nomenclature right. There are about as many necktie variations in the world as there are countries. Given his huge number of variations, we selected the two that have the greatest No-Gi BJJ potential. Those are the Peruvian and Japanese Necktie.

Both of these chokes can double down as neck cranks as well, with slight adjustments. The Japanese necktie is very similar to the D’arce choke with just slight grip variations and different positioning. The Peruvian necktie ist he ultimate turtle guard killer submissions. It is particularly useful against extremely defensive players stuck in turtle.

You can Check all Necktie Variations on THIS LINK.

Arm Triangle Choke

To cap things off, there’s no way we can skip over the arm triangle. It is another submission grappling classic, effective in any format. As the name suggests, the arm triangle choke is very much like the triangle choke, only done with the arms. In terms of positioning, it can be set up from mount or top half guard but is the best finished from side control.

For this choke, you trap your opponent’s arm with your arm, that then goes all the way around their neck and back towards you. The other arm has the role of tightening up the choke and holding the opponent in place. The main difference with the D’arce and Anaconda chokes is in positioning. While these are done from the front headlock, the arm triangle is done with our body almost parallel to our opponent’s. The choking principles are pretty much the same. The arm triangle choke, like the guillotine, is a slow choke that needs a countdown. Make sure you do not give up on it too soon.

If you’re interested in every little nuance of No-Gi BJJ chokes make sure you pick up Neil Melanson‘s DVD releases. The Catch Wrestling Formula along with his Headhunter Guillotine Series are both amazing resources on the subject. And an added bonus, you get to learn Neil’s very own chokes that are invented exclusively for No-Gi.
There’s also another Digital and DVD Instructional coming from Lachal Giles. It’s called High Percentage No Gi Chokes. It’s exactly what you’re looking for if you’re into No-GI chokes of any kind.

Peruvian Necktie – A Tight Choke And A Brutal Neck Crank

A Collection Of The Best No-Gi BJJ DVD Instructionals

Darce Choke Encyclopedia – Origins, Mechanics and Variations [2024]

Peruvian Necktie – A Tight Choke And A Brutal Neck Crank

All The BJJ Necktie Variations You Need To Choke Everyone!

REVIEW – Bernardo Faria DVD: The No-Gi Half Guard

By

BJJ World

-

When the time comes for a grappler to take the Gi off and give No-Gi a try, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guard game changes significantly. Grips play a huge part in Jiu-Jitsu and the Gi is very often a crucial mediator in terms of control. Without it almost every guard needs adjustments. Even the closed guard is more difficult to play since it gets harder to break posture and manipulate limbs in No-Gi. However, one guard remains as effective as in Gi Jiu-Jitsu even when you’re only wearing a rashguard and shorts. The half guard requires minimal changes in order to be effective and is the best guard option for people transitioning to No-Gi. To ease that transition, we present to you the latest Bernardo Faria DVD on the subject. This time, Faria goes No-Gi.

ON SALE:
Bernardo Faria DVD: The No-Gi Half Guard

Best BJJ Half guard instructionals The No-Gi half guard — Techniques List

As far as elite-level half guard players go, only a few might claim to be better than Bernardo Faria. While his half guard is impeccable, Faria is no one-trick pony. He is both well rounded in every aspect of Jiu-Jitsu and in every variation of his favorite half guard. So far, he has only addressed the position in Gi and has done so in-depth. Their area numerous Bernardo Faria DVD releases on the subject of half guard, and they’re all worth your time, money and effort. This time, he’s gone above and beyond in regard to the half guard. His latest release addresses a myriad of strategies and tactics for playing the No-Gi half guard. You don’t have to take my word on it, get your copy and see for yourself!

The Battle Tested Half Guard DVD by Bernardo Faria: https://bjj-world.com/review-bernardo-faria-dvd-battle-tested-half-guard/

The Bernardo Faria Story

Bernardo Faria is a very interesting character in the world of grappling martial arts. The Brazilian was born in 1987 in Juiz de Fora. His Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey begun at the age of 14. He started training at Ricardo Marques’ gym. He quickly became a fierce competitor, even as a Junior. Bernardo went through the belts fairly quickly, especially from purple to brown. A couple of years after getting his brown belt, Faria received his black belt.

After deciding that he wanted to pursue a career in Jiu-Jitsu, Bernardo moved to Sao Paolo joining Gurgel’s Alliance Team. Since then, Faria boasts an impressive 5 World Champion Titles at a black belt.

Bernardo Faria is a very technical grappler that has a half guard game from the bottom and pressure passing one from the top. He is incredibly agile for a super-heavyweight and doesn’t overcomplicate things. His half guard game is directly responsible for his success as a competitor. Lately, he took it upon himself to release detailed DVDs on his half and closed guard game as well as submissions in the Gi. So far he only produced Gi related material.

The latest Bernardo Faria DVD however, is a novelty. Despite tackling a subject that relates heavily to Faria, it does so from a different aspect. Finally, Faria reveals his No-Gi secrets in the half guard to make your guard game even tighter. The most beautiful thing? These moves work just as well with the Gi as they do in No-Gi.

Bernardo Faria DVD: The No-Gi Half Guard

A Bernardo Faria DVD is nothing new. If you’ve ever had one, you know what to expect. Bernardo likes to start things off simple and up top. He tends to follow the natural direction of things, slowly advancing towards more complicated scenarios. What stands out in a Bernardo Faria DVD is the level of detail he explains. Most people tend to keep a couple or more crucial details to themselves when shooting digital instructionals. Faria spares nothing and explains everything about each technique he demonstrates.

The No-Gi Half Guard DVD is another Faria classic. You get tons of material along with a guide to systematic progression through it. Every half guard question you’ve ever had is going to get an answer and a No-Gi one at that. Here’s what I think about it:

DVD Structure

The material in Bernardo Faria’s No-Gi half guard DVD is spread across 4 discs of material. Each of the DVD’s has 10 or more chapters that go over a multitude of half guard variations. Each DVD lasts for over an hour, due to the extremely detailed explanations of each position and technique.

In terms of systematization, the first DVD starts at the same spot every grappling match does – on the feet. This disc outlines a complete strategy for pulling the guard off the feet. There are different directions in which to approach getting the half guard which offers multiple opportunities to grapplers with different styles.

Further along the way, the second DVD is a bottom half guard basics masterclass. Lot’s of counter moves are presented here, along with structural fundamentals and a few attacks. All in all A DVD for any grappler, regardless if they like the half guard or not.

As the material goes into more advanced positions, the structure remains clear. There is a clear connection between the standing, basic and more advanced techniques at all times. Faria himself points out when you can think about using one of the previously outlined moves in given situations. This release is not just a half guard system, but a complete and very comprehensive game that is going to be a problem for grapplers of all levels and sizes.

Content Quality

First and foremost, the quality of the recorded material is extremely high. You can hear Bernardo clearly from every position he gets in. The camera keeps him focused bang in the middle which is great for both recreational viewers and more analytical ones. If you’ve ever tried to analyze a fight or a DVD more closely, you know what I’m talking about. If you try to use the zoom function on a player in order to look a ta certain detail and the camera is off, all you’re going to zoom in is the background. Not with this Bernardo Faria DVD. If you want to zoom in you’re going to get exactly what you’re looking for.

From a Jiu-Jitsu standpoint, Faria’s quality is unquestionable. Everything he demonstrates works, once you understand the underlying concept. For example, when you understand how to pull the half guard you can give every standing variation a try. Faria demonstrates how to use the arm drag, single leg and a bunch of counters to enter the half guard.

As far as attacks go, you’ll have to limit yourself to a few. There are so many sweeping and submissions options that I doubt anybody but Faria can master them all. It is a great goal to do so, regardless. I personally loved the invisible kneebar setup and everything related to the half butterfly variation. That doesn’t mean that I’m not going to give the deep half guard a try. And yes, you can do the deep half in No-Gi. Bernardo Faria is going to teach you how.

Level Of Difficulty

So, should you get this DVD if you’re a white belt? How about a purple belt at, let’s say, 35 years of age.? What about all the recent black belts out there, or even more experienced ones? Well, there’s a simple answer for each and every one of these categories, and all others I’ve omitted. Yes, you need to get this Bernardo Faria DVD. You actually need this one more than his previous Gi releases.

The new student is going to learn structure, attacks, and entries that are a great base to build on as they progress. The more experienced and “old” grappler gets a position of extreme safety that requires next to no athleticism. And yet, you still get to sweep, submit and control al kinds of opponents. For the black belts with a decade of experience, it’s all about the details. That elusive little twist of the arm nobody explained about the Waiter sweep? Well, it’s here and Bernardo sheds light on it, and a bunch more others. So grab this DVD while it’s hot and get a leg up on your opponents and training partners!

ON SALE:
Bernardo Faria DVD: The No-Gi Half Guard

Bernardo Faria DVD Collection

By

BJJ World

-

Bernardo Faria is a 5 times world champion at black belt and one of the most accomplished grapplers in the world. His level of technical knowledge is immense and he is one of the best teachers in the sport. Luckily for all of us, he is regularly releasing DVD instructionals on various subjects that are his expertise. In fact, he’s so active in shooting digital content that there’s quite a collection of Bernardo Faria DVD instructionals available.

Before we look at the complete collection more closely, let’s talk about why a Bernardo Faria DVD is a great investment. First, you get to learn from a world champion, and multiple times one at that. Second, Faria is really easy to listen to and explains everything in tremendous detail. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Faria DVD that’ll raise more questions than answers. Third, he is a big fan of order and everything he demonstrates is perfectly systematized. In Bernardo Faria DVD you won’t find jumping from subject to subject or needles talk on various unrelated subjects. it’s all about the theme of the instructionals and how to integrate everything into your game as a whole system. Finally, the simplicity of his style means that it is going to suit anyone, regardless of belt level, age and/or athletic abilities.

Foundations of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Foundations and Basic technique are most of the time something that wins in sparring and especially in tournaments. The foundations are especially very important when you’re just starting with BJJ. But even when you’re higher belt there’s always a huge chance that you miss some of the basics that could change your game completely. There’s an even bigger problem if you’re missing something from Jiu-Jitsu basics. If you miss something from basics you can’t do properly advanced techniques. There’s always something missing in a puzzle. That’s exactly where NEW BeFariao Faria DVD – Foundations of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu steppes in.

In this Bernardo Faria DVD named Foundations of BJJ, he goes through all of it. It’s a compilation of everything that you need when you’re starting BJJ and also everything you need to learn in the first few years of training. It compiles (check the list) 90 techniques on 6 DVDs and that’s something you may not miss if you’re seriously into Jiu-Jitsu and especially if you’re at the start of your Jiu-Jitsu Journey

According to the list of techniques and everything that Bernardo Faria achieved we feel free to say that this is definitely the best basics and foundations DVD for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu EVER

The Battle Tested Half Guard

For all you half guard players out there, this is the bread and butter of the half guard position. Beginner or advanced, young or old, male or female, this Faria DVD is one that will benefit you immensely.

Across three DVDs you get to learn everything, from the very basics to deep half magic. Pull half guard, retain half guard, counter everything and attack with ruthless efficiency. The fourth DVD is a real treat, as Bernardo narrates rolls against top-level black belts while using his trademark half guard. A true bible of the position that you can get HERE.

The Closed Guard

If you’re a fan of the closed guard position than you can’t miss this Bernardo Faria DVD! If you’re not a fan of the closed guard in Jiu-Jitsu than you need it even more! The closed guard is a staple position that you’re going to encounter at every level of Jiu-Jitsu. So, why not be proficient at it? You’ll certainly surprise all of your opponents and training partners after watching Faria’s material.

In a four-disc bundle, Faria takes you through all kinds of entries into the guard, followed by a wide variety of attacks. Lear the very dangerous technique of jumping guard correctly so that you can take anyone into your closed guard. Make sure you follow it up with enormous control that’ll lead your opponent’s into a trap of your choosing. On the subject of traps, Bernardo Faria has developed such an elaborate system based on basics that it’ll take you next to no effort! many many sweeps are intertwined by basic close guard submissions and even a few more advanced ones, for those feeling particularly adventurous.

Omoplata Everyone

This Bernardo Faria DVD fits in perfectly with the two previous ones. Once you have a great bottom game from both the half and closed guard, why not master a skillful submission as well? Despite often considered a fundamental move, the Omoplata is not a simple technique. It involves complex mechanics and many “moving parts” that can easily go wrong.

Bernardo Faria is a true master of this devastating shoulder lock. This DVD is a great progression through the world of the Omoplata. Faria demonstrates amazing finishing variations, fit for all levels of Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. Some of his alternative finishing variations are forever going to change your attacking guard game. No matter how strong or flexible your opponent is, Faria’s setups are foolproof and work on everyone. Furthermore, there’s no position that is going to keep you from entering the Omoplata. Entries are available from mount, turtle, topside control, half guard and virtually every position if you know what you’re looking for. Most importantly, the Omoplata Everyone DVD is going to teach you to counter-attack common passes with a brutal submission!

Battle Tested Pressure Passing

Now that all of Bernardo Faria’s favorite bottom game positions are covered, let’s see if he has something to offer in the top game department. Well, it turns out he has. It comes in the form of another 4-disc digital release dubbed Battle Tested Pressure Passing.

Why struggle with the guards of your opponents when you can make them give up a pass? No need to try and go through their structure when you can pressure them into submission. Pressure passing is arguably the best passing concept in BJJ. And there is nobody better at it than 5 times World Champion Bernardo Faria. His DVD is going to teach you how and when to use the famous Faria over underpass to great success! The over underpass can be used against every guard in Jiu-Jitsu, as proven by Faria himself at the highest level. Time to make everyone feel the pressure of an elite level passing game!

Escapes From Anywhere

Do you remember the last time Bernardo Faria got submitted in competition? Neither do I and probably neither does he. That is because the Brazilian is notoriously hard to submit. Even if an opponent gets close there’s simply no way to finish a submission. And now you can learn the tricks of his trade yourself.

If you have a nagging position that you can’t seem to solve, this is the DVD to get. Bernardo Faria teaches you how to Escape From Anywhere regardless of where your opponent has got you. Mounted by a heavy opponent? No problem! People hanging on your back? Shrug them off with ease! Stuck in side control? No more! What you’ll get from this DVD is not only an escape option but also a route to a position of safety or a direct counterattack. Oh, and there is a complete volume dedicated to defending and escaping submission holds.

The No-Gi Half Guard

This is a red-hot release by Bernardo, one that affected the game of many grapplers both in Gi and No-Gi! While the half guard is a subject frequently visited by Faria, this time he ditches the Gi to freshen things up! The real hidden benefit of this Bernardo Faria DVD is that it can be used in both Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu.

Once again, it’s a bundle of four highly detailed DVDs with a total length of about 5 hours! That’s 5 hours of Faria’s best methods of entering, retaining and attacking from the half guard! Sweep, submit or simply frustrate your opponents without any effort whatsoever! Discover how the deep half and other advanced half guard variations work in No-Gi so that you can confuse every opponent you come up against! This is the first No-Gi DVD by Faria and I certainly hope it is not the last, as it is every bit as good as his Gi instructionals. Perhaps even better!

“Transition Mastery” Bernardo Faria DVD

The latest Faria DVD to extended his collection to a staggering 8 titles is a truly special one. this time, Bernardo outdid himself, and everyone else for that matter. The “Transition Mastery” DVD set is a unique BJ Jinstructional in both technical, organizational and every other sense. It is a view into the mindset and tactics of a multiple time black belt World champion like we’ve never seen before!

This four-part DVD set covers the invisible art of transitioning in Jiu-Jitsu. It’ll teach you why black belts always seem to know what step you’ll make next. It will also teach you how to do the same long before you get your black belt! The instructional focuses on how to pull half guard and go straight into sweeps, passes, and submissions. It also covers options for when your opponent sprawls in response to your guard pull. KNeebars, armbars and vicious chokes make sure you always finish the match. Furthermore, Bernardo covers double leg takedowns and all the transitions that come after completing one! Finally, you get to learn how to deal with people that beat you to the guard pull. After all, it’s much better to end up in an over-under pas position that someone’s guard, right? Well, now you also get to finish them while doing it.

Do not hesitate for a second to get this amazing release! It is going to change the landscape of Jiu-Jitsu, and the sooner you obtain it, the bigger advantage you’ll have on anyone trying to catching up!

Related with Bernardo Faria:

Bernardo Faria Over Under Pass And Common Mistakes
Check Out Bernardo Faria Doing the Only Omoplata on Everyone attending his Seminar

Bernardo Faria DVD Reviews:

Battle Tested Pressure Passing – Bernardo Faria DVD
Bernardo Faria – The No-Gi Half Guard
Battle Tested Half Guard by Bernardo Faria
Omoplata Everyone – Bernardo Faria

The Hidden Secrets Of The Reverse Triangle Choke

By

BJJ World

-

The triangle choke in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is far more than just a technique. First, it is a very very effective move to finish any opponent. It works at all levels, from white to black belt and across all competition formats. Furthermore, the triangle is one of the most recognizable symbols of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Plenty of associations out there have adopted the triangle into their academy logo in one way or another. Gracie Barra is arguably the most famous one that has the triangle as their representative. So, it is no wonder that a variation of the technique is so favored by one of GB’s standouts, Victor Estima. Victor and his brother, Braulio, are known for their prowess with triangle chokes and in particular, the reverse triangle choke.

What the Estima brothers did is take this variation to the highest level imaginable. The reverse triangle choke does not differ greatly to the traditional triangle. It’s only about angles and details, as we’ll see further on. The trick is that while the regular triangle is most often done from full guard, or, in some instances, from the mount, the reverse triangle choke can be set from a multitude of positions. This diversity means that those who master this less known Jiu-Jitsu choke are going to have enormous success with it.

The Reverse Triangle Choke

The original concept behind the triangle choke is that a grappler creates a triangle-shaped structure with their legs in order to strangle an opponent. Since an effective choke cannot be done just with our legs, the opponent’s limbs area big part of the puzzle as well. For a triangle, one arm of the opponent has to be inside the triangle structure created with the legs. The leg that is on our opponent’s neck creates two sides of the triangle. The thigh puts pressure on one of the carotid arteries, while the shin keeps the posture of the opponent under control. The other leg traps the opponent’s arm behind their armpit. It is the third side of the triangle structure. The final choking structure is the shoulder of the opponent’s arm. It is actually the direct source of pressure on the second carotid artery.

WIth the reverse triangle choke, the structure remains pretty much the same. It is only the positioning of the major structures that is a little bit different. For starters, the leg that builds two of the three sides of the triangle is now the opposite leg than that in a traditional triangle. Everything else is pretty much the same, the other leg threads under the arm and completes the triangle structure.

In order to finish the reverse triangle choke, one needs to think about angles before squeezing. In those terms, the best bet is to try and get your opponent’s head as close as possible to the mats. it is a crucial point in the tightness of the reverse triangle choke that you mustn’t overlook!

Sneaky Reverse Triangle Choke Attacks Off Your Back

one of the best characteristics of the reverse triangle choke is that it is very easy to get while in bottom side control. The bottom side is a position that is rarely seen as an attacking one in grappling martial arts. The Reverse triangle choke, however, changes that premise.

While on the bottom, the positioning of your partner’s body opens them up perfectly for the reverse triangle. Their head is already on the side you want it and it is fairly close to your legs. Moreover, you do not need to overexert and move in order to trap the head with your legs. It just takes a little reverse crunch and you’re there. Once you trap your opponent’s head you’re halfway there. The focus is now on trapping that opposite side arm so that you have shoulder pressure to finish the choke.

Getting to the opposite side arm is very easy if you’re proficient with the move. If you’re a bit slow, and your opponent is aware of the danger, though, you might need to work for it. Namely, once you get their head they’ll try like hell to posture up before you trap the arm. Luckily there’s a very easy solution on the subject. here’s the sequence of events you need in order to hit the reverse triangle choke from the bottom. The leg over the head si the first thing you need to look for. Then, look to control the arm that is closest to you with your hands. You might even threaten with a straight armlock to switch their attention. That way you both get better control, other attacking possibilities and the opening you need to close the other leg into the triangle. The tap is imminent.

Hidden Top Game Reverse Triangle Choke options

N terms of getting triangle s from the top, unless you’re into flying submissions, the mount is the only “classical’ attacking position. Even then, you’ll need some elaborate maneuvering against a seasoned opponent.

The reverse triangle choke, much like from the bottom, eliminates these obstacles. Since we already covered bottom side control, let’s see how to set up the reverse triangle from top side control. When on top, you need one of two things in order to get in place for the reverse triangle choke. You either need to have the arm of your opponent that’s closest to you in between your legs or pinned with your inner leg. This is the leg that closer to your opponent’s hips when in side control.

From there you need to get your other leg over their head. the beauty here is that you could do all this while attacking a kimura or armlock on the opposite side arm. If arm lock attacks fail, all you need to do is either lock your legs right there or roll your opponent over on top. Don’t worry about giving up a position as there are no points for side control reversal. Also, you’ll have them in a tight choke that’s extremely difficult to escape. Of course, the arm locks are still viable threats from there. So, however you look at it, you’re going to get the tap.

For more hidden Jiu-Jitsu moves and secrets, including the reverse triangle choke, make sure you look into Luis Panza’s “Hidden BJJ Secrets” DVD set. Check Techniques list and everything that Luiz Panza Offers in his Instructional.

Highest Percentage Jiu-Jitsu Moves To Beat Any Opponent

Everything about BJJ Chokes – Systematization, Anatomy, Efficiency

Most Effective Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Moves For MMA

Brutal Sprint Workouts For Jiu-Jitsu Conditioning

By

BJJ World

-

Conditioning for combat sports has been an unsolved riddle for years. In the beginning, people training boxing were all into long distance running as the best tool. High school an collegiate wrestlers, on the other hand, always emphasized circuit-style bodyweight fitness. As MMA emerged, people started coming up with more and more elaborate ways of getting into fighting shape. As much as this might seem to be a good option, it is just the opposite. Conditioning is the homework that a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete needs to do, not the sole focus of their attention. In those terms, it is always to go with methods that have bee around for a while and are known to work. Sprint workouts tick all of these boxes when it comes to getting grapplers in shape, fast.

The concept of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has been around for ages, it just wasn’t named fancily until a few years ago. Now, people swear in the effectiveness of Tabata on fancy machines but not many are willing to actually do roadwork. And by road work, I do not mean long distance running at a pace you can chat at. While this kind of cardio training has its place in Jiu-Jitsu conditioning it’s far from enough on its own. Sprint workouts are a surefire way to get into shape while spending minimal time doing your conditioning homework. They also tend to build mental toughness as well, especially if you’re going uphill.

Benefits Of Doing Sprints

Sprint workouts are essentially HIIT workouts. A sprint is a short burst of maximal or near-maximal effort that mainly utilizes the alactic anaerobic energy system. High demand sprints are usually followed by complete rest intervals or periods of very low activity. Sprint workouts result in an increase in overall athletic capabilities, they improve metabolism and aid in fat loss. Since they’re a muscle sparing, and to a certain extent, muscle building exercise, they’re a perfect fit for athletes in sports with weight classes.

Sprint workouts are one of the best conditioning tools available to athletes. They massively impact a grapplers aerobic system, despite being anaerobic events. Short duration (6-60 second) sprint workouts provide the same cardiovascular benefits as longer lasting low-intensity efforts. The less time it takes to put more work is an ideal combination for grappling martial arts athletes, who train long and hard on the mats daily.

The real gains from sprints are in the anaerobic department. Building your anaerobic capacity means you’ll be able to do very hard work for longer. Sustaining this level of high-intensity work is crucial for grapplers. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu matches are mixed aerobic and anaerobic events that require a high level of conditioning. Having the ability to explode for longer in the later periods of competition is a huge advantage.

Unlike the other forms of running, sprint workouts actually help increase strength. In terms of body composition, they drop fat faster than any other conditioning method. Retaining muscle while increasing conditioning and dropping bodyfat seem like too good to be true. Well, if it’s good enough for GSP and Roger Gracie, it is going to be enough for you.

Sprint Training For Grappling

Doing sprint workouts benefits grapplers in a number of different ways. The demands of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on the body are big and varied. Grappling requires all of the body’s energy systems in order to get you through a match. Now imagine having half a dozen more to go through, each progressively more difficult. Without conditioning, nobody can withstand the required levels of energy output. Sprinting massively increases the VO2 max. They also boost testosterone levels and decrease cortisol, which is what everyone is after.

The direct translation of sprint training is mainly in the anaerobic alactic department, which is huge in Jiu-Jitsu. Despite long periods of control and strategy, scrambles inevitably do happen in each Jiu-JItsu match. Even if there are no fast paced exchanges it takes a lot of work to get out of mount or side control in order to be able to grapple. The same energy system that’ll buck you out of mount is the one that sprint workouts address. These exchanges are very often the deciding factor in the outcome of a match.

Grapplers can use sprint workouts to increase muscle, drop fat for the desired weight class and build strong competitive mentality. It is important to remember that whether you’re sprinting outside or on a treadmill sprinting takes a big toll on the joints. This makes keeping sprints short and sweet even more important. Also, regular sprint workouts might not be the best choice if your knees are bust. However, you can get all the benefits with none of the side-effects on an elliptical as well.

Programming Sprint Workouts For Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

So, now that it’s clear what sprints are, and how they can help grapplers prepare, let’s talk about programming. As we said, people that train Jiu-Jitsu do not have the time nor the energy to dedicate long portions of the day to conditioning. Even when sprint workouts are in question, the goal is to keep them as short as possible while getting maximal results. It is preferable to do sprint workouts on days that you do not roll. In terms of frequency, twice a week is plenty for competitive grapplers of all levels.

Sprint intervals should not exceed 60 seconds of work. The ability to sustain a sprint for a minute is a sign of elite level conditioning. In terms of recovery time, the shorter you work, the less you get to recover. As a rule of thumb, start with about four minutes of cumulative sprint time in a workout. Rest at least twice the time you need to do a sprint, preferably in an active fashion. Aim to get to eight minutes of total sprint time.

Resisted sprints are also a great option for any grappler that has experience in sprinting. If you have never done sprint workouts before, you’re better off taking it easy. However, if you know what you’re doing, though, sprinting with natural resistance, like running uphill is an awesome conditioning tool. If you favor cardio machines, resistance can come in a few different forms. On ellipticals and bikes, resistance can be controlled directly while on a treadmill you have the added benefit of creating an incline. For those that have the luck to live beside a body of water, nothing beats swimming sprints.

All in all, sprint workouts are the best conditioning method for grapplers, given that they’re programmed and utilized correctly.

KIT DALE’s 12 Week Body Transformation Program E-Book

If you’re interested in an awesome 12-week body transformation program you should definitely check out Kit Dale’s one. It’s an e-book that contains a lot of material. There’s a Meal plan with all tasty and easy recipes. Personalized guidelines for your specific goals. Special nutritional details with calories and macros and advice for you to stay lean and the ways to change your habits.

The package also includes Detailed 2x 3 phase workout program and much more that you can check on THIS LINK.

Start your journey and don’t forget to take your BEFORE picture!

A Jiu-Jitsu Workout Program To Lose Fat And Improve Performance

Best Cardio For BJJ – The “Never Gas Out” Program

MMA Fighter vs Wing Chun Master Who Goes all Out on a Poor MMA Guy

By

BJJ World

-

MMA Fighter vs Wing Chun Master Who Goes all Out on Poor MMA Guy

MMA vs Wing Chun is always interesting. I mean, Wing Chun vs anything is always interesting. Probably because Wing Chun guys are one of the loudest Kung Fu Practitioners. Seems like they’re always ready to fight and challenge anyone, although they usually get the beating from any real martial artist.

Wing Chun is a traditional Southern Chinese Kung Fu martial art. Its specialization is fighting in close range combat. Wing Chun practitioners are trying to specialize in fighting on outside of their opponent. It’s easily described as “nose to ear” and not “nose to nose” fighting.

What usually happens is that Wing Chun noses are all over the place when they challenge someone. But they don’t give up. They’re always there ready to take a beating with pride in those nice looking suits with running shoes on. Those running shoes should have some better usage in their way of fighting, but it is what it is.

I really can’t remember if I ever watched a video of some martial artist in a suit without having some superpowers. Those superpowers usually vanish when they confront someone but they’re always back when they come to their gym. Especially if they are recording some video of their fighting style proving the world the “true” power of their martial art.

In the video below we can see a real Wing Chun warrior. He spent his life training “nose to ear” martial art and he was ready to challenge or take a challenge against some random MMA fighter. Now, he probably wishes he wasn’t ready but we must give him credits for toughness and bravery, or toughness and stupidity, not sure.

The most interesting part is when the Wing Chun master goes all out on an MMA fighter. He was all over this poor MMA guy who took such a beating that he could walk, run, punch kick, and beat the crap out of Wing Chun master after he was done with his demo.

Anyway, check out the video below and have some fun.

Wing Chun Kung Fu vs Karate ends in Vicious KO

Wing Chun Kung Fu vs BJJ Purple Belt – Real Fight

Side Control Escape – The Biggest Mistake That Everyone Does

By

BJJ World

-

Side Control Escape - The Biggest Mistake That Everyone Do

Side Control Escape is always a challenge against someone who knows what he’s doing. So, if you’re constantly making mistakes while trying to escape it’s going to take a lot of energy from you. And most important you’ll be frustrated with your performance, your training, the roll, and your Side Control Escape skills. And you don’t really want to spend valuable time on the mats in such an inferior position pinned in side control bottom.

Here is the tiny detail that is going to make a massive difference to your framing ability from the bottom. It’s also something that people in many side control escape instructionals are getting wrong. It’s about how to frame with a short frame correctly.

Anytime we do a frame we’re using a bone structure and not muscular structure to keep our opponent away from us. And that’s what is all about. We’re not trying to outmuscle our opponent’s whole body with just two hands. It’s hard, it’s exhausting and most of the time it’s impossible.

Side Control Top Position

Having Your wrist under the neck and another hand under our opponent’s belly or armpit and just try to bridge and lift will never work. If your opponents just clamp down having good control of your body and pinning your arm to your body you won’t make it. (see picture 1)

In that position, your opponent is using the best possible leverage. He’s pressuring your wrist to pin your arm. It’s terrible because you’re forced to use your tricep to create a distance. And against strong and heavy guy it’s gonna be impossible.

Bone Structure

So, what we really wanna do is to use a bone structure. (see picture 2)

People will say here that your opponent will just push your arm through an arm triangle you. But, what really happens then is, that you’re already ready to go for escape. Your opponent in this situation is actually pressing against your elbow and compressing your bone from your elbow to shoulder. And bones are designed to take force along their length.

So, whenever you get into position to use your wrist go a bit deeper with your arm to make your opponent pressure your elbow to shoulder bone. After that, it’s just a big and simple side bridge (see picture 3) and after that, you rotate and bring your knee, the one closer to your opponent, between you and him. (see picture 4)

You’re actually moving your opponent with your elbow and not with your hands. You should use the strength of a bone structure and not muscular structure to take the force.

We all know our framing and we all know our escapes and using this little detail of using the bone structure is going to take your framing and your escapes to another level.

Watch this concept of framing and escaping side control in a video below and remember to use it. It will make you a lot of good.

If you’re interested in all kinds of escapes from numerous submissions make sure to check out Tom DeBlass’ DVD instructional. It’s called Submission Escapes! It can really improve your escape skills. And when we talk about Tom DeBlass, he’s the guy who wasn’t submitted in competition for more than 10 years. Not even mentioning that Tom DeBlass’ guard is almost impossible to pass. He’s been working on it for the last 15 years and it’s nearly perfect. Check Tom DeBlass’ Half Guard DVD Instructional named Half Domination

Tom DeBlass DVD and Digital Instructionals

Deep Half Guard in BJJ – Everything About

By

BJJ World

-

Deep Half Guard is one of BJJ’s most effective positions in every format of the sport. For starters, the half guard is very effective for controlling, sweeping or directly submitting anyone and it has been proven to work at every belt level, Gi or No-Gi. Once you get the good knowledge of the Half Guard it’s time for you to move to Deep Half Guard and find how effective it really is.

First of all! If you’re looking for the best possible deep half guard DVD instructional there is a great one from Bernardo Faria. It’s Called Faria Guard. He’s probably the only deep half guard player in the world that won simply everything with it. 5 times world champion etc… So, if you’re interested in Bernardo Faria’s DVD you can check it HERE

Furthermore, there are numerous variations to the position which ensures a dynamic transitional game. From the regular half guard, you can easily go into a knee shield, undertook half guard, lockdown or a number of others. One of the most technical and dangerous half guard variations, though, is the deep half guard.

The deep half guard is considered an advanced position in Jiu-Jitsu and for a good reason. When mastered, it can be used to easily deal with stronger, bigger and/or more experienced opponents. It is a position of high security that offers good control and plentiful attacking options. And, even if, for some reason, you decide to bail on it you have a myriad of transitions at your disposal. No wonder the deep half guard is the go-to position for many of the highest level grapplers!

Deep Half Guard Essentials

Not unlike the 50/50 guard, the half guard was known as a stalling or a safety position until recently. As Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu evolved so did the position, claiming it’s placed in the hierarchy. Today, the deep half guard is one of the most technical and advanced guards available.

In the evolution of the BJJ half guard, the deep half guard emerged. This version of the half guard is one of the most high-percentage and offensive guards you can play. Sweeps are extremely high percentage from the deep half guard, and you can even look for certain submissions. There are also a bunch of reliable entries from half guard variations as well as from other bottom positions. It is even attainable from “bad” positions where you’re focused only on defense

When building a strong deep half guard game, you must first understand the fundamental principles of the position. In true Jiu-Jitsu fashion, the in the position is on isolating one part of the opponent’s body. In grappling martial arts, any effective movement boils down to how many limbs your opponent hs to work with. If they have two or more limbs in play it is far more difficult to really affect them. Deep half is essentially a method of isolation of one leg, followed by transitions into sweeps and/or back takes.

Regardless of level, the basic concepts must be mastered for an effective game. More experienced grapplers need the basics in order to mount attacks, while the inexperienced ones will never keep the position without strong fundamentals. Remember to control the full length of the leg lever, from the hip all the way to the ankle. Along the way, place a strong emphasis on knee control, as it prevents any turning of the leg.

Getting To The Deep Half Guard

A great thing about the deep half is that you can enter even from a completely defensive position (like when the opponent has your back). Effectively, the deep half guard can allow you to quickly turn the tables on any opponent, going from a very bad to a very good position.

As a basic rule, always look to perform a technique by doing the right steps, as opposed to waiting for a mistake. Acquiring some of the other guard positions in Jiu-Jitsu most often requires a certain error by your opponent. It might be a sleeve grip that you obtain, a De La Riva hook or no space in a closed guard situation. Deep half guard, on the other hand, relies less on the opponent making an error.

When you enter deep half one of your arms is always at risk. Remember that all the sweeps in the world will are highly unlikely to get you out of a tight Kimura. Watch out for sneaky chokes involving lapels and collars as well. Deep half can be a vulnerable place if you do not understand it. However, it is by far one of the best places from which one can hit sweeps and back takes.

The entry can be 90% of the battle with the deep half guard in BJJ. Instead of relying on strength, count on a particular action from your partner. The “combat base” position, one of the most common in both gi and no-gi BJJ is the position of choice for the deep half.

In more opportunistic fashion, having someone on your back with hooks in can also lead to a deep half guard for you. With this easy entry, you’ll quickly turn the tables, not just escaping but sweep to the top position as well.

Important Safety Points

If you play this position then you really have to watch out for two main submissions. First, your opponent is going to try to step over your head and get a kneebar on your bottom leg. Secondly, your arm is in danger of being a Kimura if you’re not careful.

The best way to defend is with correct leg and arm position. Triangling your legs with your top one going over the bottom is going to cancel out any kneebar attempt. In terms of Kimura protection, look to hide your bottom arm behind the opponent’s knee. This provides both a great grip and a safe position at the same time.

Also important for defending against these attacks is positional awareness. In order to develop it, grab a partner, and try to attack them while they play deep half guard. Understanding how attacks work is the best way to figuring out defenses and counters.

A Sweeping Game From Deep Under

From the deep half, always try to keep your body turned onto its side. From there, you can control either your opponent’s hip or their thigh via your top arm. The legs can do a variety of things, triangle, butterfly hooking underneath and more.

The “hook sweep” from deep half guard is one of the easiest moves people have success with. The hook sweep is likely to be the sweep you use first, too. It’s really easy and becomes second nature once your feet and hands are in the right position. Rocking your opponent forward to get their weight to shift backward also works great. As soon as this is in place, the hook sweep is as good as done.

The “waiter sweep” is the most famous and utilized sweep from the deep half. Whenever your partner puts their foot on the ground, it’s right there. The move is really hard to defend, especially if you’re properly hiding your arm. This sweep works in competition at all levels, from white to black belt, Gi, and No-Gi. The evidence is out there!

Lapel sweeps are another really cool option you have from the deep half guard when rolling with the Gi. One, or both, of the lapels, can give you increased control over your opponent’s body, as well as an improved sweeping lever.

Top Concepts For Passing Even The Toughest Half Guard

REVIEW: Battle Tested Half Guard – Bernardo Faria DVD

REVIEW – Bernardo Faria DVD: The No-Gi Half Guard