The Hidden Secrets Of The Reverse Triangle Choke

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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

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BJJ World

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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

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BJJ World

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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

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BJJ World

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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

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BJJ World

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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

Wrist Locks BJJ – Sneaky Submissions That Nobody Can Defened

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BJJ World

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Gentle Art, as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is referred to, is anything but gentle on the joints of the body. The smaller and more complicated the joint, the worse it’s going to fare in BJJ. These weaknesses of the human body are the sole focus of joint lock submissions in Jiu-Jitsu. The armbar, for example, is a brutal submission, done on a straight limb, that hyperextends the elbow joint. The Kimura, on the other hand, is a bent limb submission that tears the shoulder joint apart.

Despite both of these being among the highest percentage submissions, their execution requires proper positioning and timing. While BJJ does emphasize control over snap submissions, getting a quick tap is sometimes exactly what is needed. In that sense, sneaky submissions are the best way to go. And, it doesn’t get much sneakier than wrist locks!

Speaking Of Sneaky, Here Are Some Leg Locks: https://bjj-world.com/leg-locks-ultimate-guide-positions-submissions/

Wrist locks are often associated with traditional martial arts such as Aikido and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. That said, there is an often question mark over the efficacy of the technique in BJJ. When grappling, however, wrist locks can be a very important addition to your current submission arsenal. People often scoff at wrist locks, saying that they do not work on resisting opponents and that they are a waste of time. That could not be farther from the truth. Unlike some other submissions on arms and shoulders, where someone strong can use their strength to escape, wrist locks take very little to submit to. The wrist is quite weak, and pressure upon it can be very effective.

For many grapplers, the wrist is a weak point that can be attacked easily. They play an important part in opening up a more conventional submission, like the armbar, for example.

Wrist Locks From Everywhere by Travis Stevens

Wrist Anatomy

The hand/wrist complex is comprised of a multitude of intrinsic bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The wrist complex is an amazing structure that forms many movements and ranges that adapt to touch, as well as stress. Due to the complexity of the wrist, it is possible that injury can occur, whether it is traumatic or chronic. To better appreciate the wrist complex, understanding your basic musculoskeletal anatomy can guide you in identifying problems associated with pain, discomfort, and loss of range.

The wrist is comprised of eight irregular-shaped carpal bones that are more like oddly shaped rocks. Conveniently, these bones articulate with one another seamlessly when there is no trauma or abnormal wrist patterns. Other bones that play an integral role in the wrist are the distal ends of the ulna and radius, along with the five metacarpals. These are the long bones that make up the forearm and the hand bones, respectively. Unfortunately, due to BJJ submission techniques, in addition to a fighter’s position of constant hands on the mat, chronic injuries are common within the sport.

How Wrist Locks Work In BJJ

To secure any position while grappling, you need a least one grip. The vast majority of grips involve the use of the hand, most often on the wrist. To escape any position, you need some sort of grip as well. Grips help to temporarily control your opponent or training partner while you apply a move. The wrist is one of the weaker joints in the body. It is mobile in all directions but that range of mobility is still limited. Once you can push it past that range, it becomes very fragile.

Wrist locks are available anywhere where you can touch the other person’s hands. Granted, it can be readily defended in many positions. However, the act of defending any given movement can be in itself an opening to other attacks. Just because you’re not likely to finish the wrist lock from certain positions does not mean you cannot use it to transition to a better position or another submission.

A key disadvantage that BJJ has in terms of wrist locks is that there only a few are taught regularly. A grappler looking to hone their wrist lock game is better suited to looking into some traditional martial arts. They can, however, be quite dangerous if done to unwitting participants. Keep this in mind and be careful when attempting them.

The next time you roll, take a moment to look at your training partner’s hand positioning. Try to wrap your hand around theirs and start playing with the bend of their wrist. It doesn’t take much to execute a wrist lock and you can be very effective from anywhere. When you see that the other person can get out, start folding their hand towards their wrist. Suddenly, their focus will be entirely on that.

A Wrist Lock Submission System

For starters, you can attack wrist locks anytime and anywhere. Submissions can be hit from standing, from inferior positions, from neutral positions, and dominant positions. As long as you understand the dynamics of the wrist, you can use the wrist lock. It is the proverbial jab of Jiu-Jitsu. It’s always good to hunt for it while at the same time setting up other submissions.

Wrist locks work very well from the triangle choke position, for example. The wrist lock is so easy from here that it is almost silly. When they are defending the choke, you can use both of your hands to press down on your opponent’s hand, locking out their wrist and get a nice finish. For anyone interested in wrist locks, start with this position. Here is a nice little video showing the wrist lock from triangle:

Wrist locks work especially well from top positions such as mount and side control. They also work as a submission to flow into other top submissions. It doesn’t matter if it is an armbar, a Kimura, or an Americana. From any of those subs and their positions, the wrist lock is there.

Become A Master Of The Mighty Loop Choke: https://bjj-world.com/the-loop-choke-from-everywhere/

As you can see, wrist locks work to a great degree. Some people scoff at them for being lesser techniques, and some even see them as dirty. But that is because they have not yet realized the efficacy of a wrist lock. Start incorporating wrist locks into your arsenal. You will see that wrist locks are everywhere. Don’t let preconceived notions of others play into you not using this easy-to-use, highly effective locks.

Scientific Wrist Destruction by Jamico Elder

The Most Common Excuses For Quitting BJJ

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BJJ World

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BJJ is an easily recognizable art with plenty of unmistakable traits. One of the most recognizing traits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, though, is not a technical one. When we come to think about what defines Jiu-Jitsu, we very rarely think about addiction. And I mean addiction in a very positive sense.

Training in BJJ for a long period time requires a passion for the sport that can withstand the injuries, ego-crushing moments, setbacks, and frustrations. BJJ is quite a black and white sport in terms of dedication. It either hooks people completely, or people stay for just a short time. Very rarely does someone fall in a category in between? Actually, BJJ is so addictive, that even those that end up leaving rarely just pack up and go. In that sense, people that end up quitting BJJ are very prone to making excuses for their actions.

Let’s be honest, most people involved in grappling martial arts are never going to do them professionally. There are just a handful of people that can make a sustainable living off of teaching Jiu-Jitsu. There’s an even smaller number that can make a profit from competing. That said, people that are truly dedicated always find a way to get to class. They might be able to train just twice a week or have to leave almost every class early. Those are not reasons to give up though, and they do not mean that progress in the art is impossible. So, anyone that’s been in Jiu-Jitsu for more than a couple of years has already heard every excuse possible that people quitting BJJ make. Let’s go over them one more time. And, if you recognize yourself in any of them, maybe it’s time to reconsider and get back on the mats.

Quitting BJJ For Rational Reasons

In all honesty, BJJ is not for everybody. Some people, after training for a few months, come to their senses. One day, they just out of the blue realize this not what normal people do. The scary thing is that they’re probably right Why would you pay money to get roughed up and choked? Why be sore the next day if you don’t have to be?

If you work in a blue collar job, you can’t afford to get injured. If you work in a corporate environment, you will look like a ruffian if you come into work with a black eye. All are legit reasons to employ a different approach to grappling. But, are they good enough to justify quitting BJJ?

Injury Related Quitting

If there’s one reason to give up on Jiu-Jitsu that is beyond reasonable it is because of injuries. Let’s make it clear, we’re not talking about a tweaked finger or a pulled muscle or two. Albeit not huge, BJJ has a rate of serious injuries that’s probably higher than we’d like to.

Many potential NFL, NBA and MLB stars were sidetracked by injuries. There is always a risk for injury in BJJ and some practitioners are just more prone to it. Usually, it is the people that have given BJJ ago several times after an injury. A bad back, knee, or arm can certainly get in the way. For some, their bodies just can’t handle the grind. And this is as legit as it comes in terms of reasons for quitting BJJ.

Contact Issues

Everything is cool until people start sweating. The first time a foreign bead of sweat glands in the ear or a sweat-soaked Gi suffocates the face could also be the last time for someone. A germaphobe is not too different than the rational person. Why would you want to roll around on the ground with another dirty, sweaty human being in weird looking pajamas? Or worse, with nothing but a pair of broad shorts on?

The solution? Invest in a Rashguard and a pair of spats. Nothing apart from your head is now in contact with other people’s fluids. If that doesn’t cut it, you might need to figure some things in life first, before coming back to the academy. Quitting BJJ should not be an option you even consider.

Weekend Warriors

One month the dabbling hobbyist is all in on Fantasy Football. The next month, its all about wine tastings. March just happens to be Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu month. The dabbling hobbyist has short-term interests and passions before moving on to whatever the next cool trend is. These kinds of people love to try out new things, but never really makes one interest or hobby a lifestyle or long term endeavor.

Benefits of sticking with BJJ? They’ll give the weekend warrior one real long term focus in life. Is probability of them actually sticking with it? Less than a white belt has of submitting the instructor on their first day. Regrettably.

Too Much Too Soon

Ever see the new person that attends every class, 7-days a week? Within a month of training, this person has all limited edition Shoyoroll Gis. They have subscriptions to half a dozen BJJ web sites and an impressive DVD collection. The study hours of matches and spend much of their time on YouTube. On the mat, they’re light years ahead of training partners who started at the same time. This person was usually the top of the class, natural athlete, picked up things quickly, and always ahead of the curve.

After a while, it all changed on the mats. Movements seem foreign, everything feels unnatural and they suck as something for the first time in their life. This type of person no longer has all the answers and isn’t the smartest guy in the room.

However, all of sudden this person completely disappears. Did go all creonte and switch academies? Did they get injured? Nope. It just came too much, too soon and they burned out.

Life Got In The Way

BJJ was just something to keep busy in between relationships. We all know the guy or girl who was all crazy about the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle. Then they swiped right on Tinder and disappeared. This person’s Facebook feed switches from selfies in a Gi and Acai to selfies with bae from Tinder. So much for their BJJ career.

Another aspect of life in the way comes in the form of career opportunities. Everything was going fine until that big promotion at work. When your former training partner scores the big raise and promotion at work, it usually results in more hours, stress, and increased chances of getting fired for poor work performance. Thus, the work week now gets extended significantly and heightened blood pressure and heartburn follow closely. While you are training, this person is slaving over spreadsheets and dreaming of choking out the boss. Not the best way to go out of BJJ, but an often seen one, nonetheless.

Leaving To Get In Shape

This is a very curious one. You can’t get into BJJ shape unless you do BJJ and put in the work. However, everyone wants to be in BJJ shape straight away. We see the out of shape guys and gals come in and they love the sport, but gas-out as early as the warm-up. Everything is a struggle and there is a need for constant breaks to recover. Class is so much more difficult when you lack the cardio to get through the class. You keep doing it to get in shape, but it is so hard to do because you are not in shape.

Those who are unwilling to go through the initial pains of getting in shape, can’t hang for the long term. And taking some time off BJJ in order to get in shape is never going to work. If you’re that set on getting in BJJ shape, stick with it. Quitting BJJ to go running is not the answer

Highly Selective Financial Issues

“I love BJJ, but classes are too expensive”. Well, news flash so is table service and going out on Saturday nights. However, you somehow manage to pull that off on a regular basis.

For many, affording BJJ is hard, but not impossible. With proper budgeting and allocation of resources, it can be done. However, some would rather spend their money on other discretionary expenses like clubbing or the latest iPhone. Then they would talk about how expensive classes are and how they don’t have money for it. That’s an example of priorities gone wrong if ever there was one.

BJJ Warm up Issues And How To Fix Them

Why Wearing A BJJ Rashguard Under The Gi in BJJ Is Important

Grappling Without Limits: Wrestling And Judo For BJJ

By

BJJ World

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the melting pot for all grappling martial arts. This description catches the very essence of the sport. Much like Bruce Lee’s philosophy of taking only what works and discarding what doesn’t, BJJ is a filter for the best grappling techniques in existence. In the quest to become the best grappling martial art of all times, BJJ has turned to every other art in the category in order to improve upon its base. Wrestling, Judo, and Sambo have been the three largest contributors to the Gentle Art since its inception. As such, they all continue to have a great influence in certain areas of Jiu-Jitsu. In accordance with the Bruce Lee approach, these arts cannot be incorporated in their entirety. As such, only the best techniques have been taken from Wrestling and Judo for BJJ.

Both Wrestling and Judo are grappling martial arts that are quite different from each other. While the purpose is the much-less the same, the path is very different. Judo is done with the Gi and emphasizes upper body control via grips in order to throw the opponent to the ground. Once there, Judo offers submission options to finish off a downed opponent. Wrestling, on the other hand, is done without a Gi and favors leg grabs and explosive takedowns. The format of the sport gives victory to the practitioner who can hold (pin) the opponent to the ground, rather than submit. Every BJJ practitioner needs to practice selected moves from Wrestling and Judo for BJJ in order to advance and develop into a well-rounded grappler.

How Cross Training Improves Jiu-Jitsu

Cross training in other grappling arts is the best way to go about improving your Jiu-Jitsu. They both offer techniques that translate perfectly to BJJ. The biggest gain that a BJJ practitioner gets from doing wrestling and Judo for BJJ is in the standup department.

Inherently, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s focus is on the ground. There’s no more elaborate system for dominating while on the ground than BJJ. However, for all its proficiency in a “prone” position, BJJ lacks the moves to effectively get the fight to the ground. It is not necessarily devout of original takedown ideas, it just has a smart approach when it comes to it. Use the best of the best in order to be maximally efficient with minimal effort. That’s when both, Wrestling and Judo for BJJ come in.

Why go for both Judo and Wrestling, you might ask? Well, it is exactly those fundamental differences between the two, we already mentioned, that make them a very potent combination. BJJ is mostly done in the Gi, so Judo’s grip-heavy approach is perfect. However, what Judo lacks, due to sports rules, is manipulation of the legs while standing. That’s where Wrestling shines. Now imagine controlling an opponent with grips on the Gi and setting up a powerful double-leg takedown. That’s just one of the countless possible combinations that cross-training offers to grapplers.

Judo For BJJ

Let’s begin with the predecessor of BJJ, the ancient Japanese art of Judo. BJJ originally came into existence as a direct result of Judo. It is, in essence, a modification of the sport with a heavy evolution of the ground fighting portion of the art. Today, Judo is an Olympic discipline and a worldwide martial art trained by thousands of people.

One very strong point to make about the usefulness of Judo for BJJ is the use of the Gi that is common for both sports. The Gi is more than just a ceremonial outfit to wear during training. It is a weapon that can be used against any opponent very effectively. Technically, Judo offers not just plenty of throwing variations, but also lighting quick transitions into submissions. Due to the ruleset, Judokas do not spend too much time on the ground and are jumping straight into submissions when applicable. This is a great way to connect the standup portion of Judo with the ground fighting portion of BJJ. A match made in heaven.

Apart from the technical aspect, Judo is a martial art known for its strong and well-conditioned competitors. Training Judo, even in very specific areas that relate to BJJ, is a great way to get in fighting shape. Expect your grips to improve tenfold after taking up Judo for BJJ. There are some great people, like Travis Stevens that prove how great the combination of the two grappling arts can be. Check out Travis Stevens’ DVDs to see what I mean.

Improve Your BJJ Conditioning And Body Composition: https://bjj-world.com/jiu-jitsu-workout-program-to-lose-fat/

Wrestling For BJJ

The original Olympic sport, Wrestling has been around for generations, in one form or another. Just like Judo, Wrestling is one of the top arts to cross train in for BJJ practitioners. The lack of the Gi benefits Jiu-Jitsu athletes in two ways. First, it gives the Gi player opportunities to grip and take opponents down in a different manner than Judo. Secondly, it offers those involved in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu a complete system for fighting on the feet.

Imagine yourself doing a sweep on your opponent, while they’re attempting to stay in base. When a sweep doesn’t quite work out, you’ll often end up in a position for a Wrestling takedown. Whether it is a single or a double leg, if you have no Wrestling experience, you’ve done all the hard work for nothing. The same positions often occur during side control escape attempts as well. In those terms, the takedown game that Wrestling offers to BJJ is unrivaled.

However, Wrestling is much more than just double and/or single leg takedowns and ankle picks. Remember Marcelo Garcia? He made Wrestling a huge part of his game, especially the arm drag. The front headlock is another position that translates beautifully to Jiu-Jitsu, offering both takedown and submission options. Relentless top position pressure, weight distribution strategies as well as immovable pins are all part of the Wrestling arsenal that is helpful to BJJ.

Wrestling Technique For BJJ: https://bjj-world.com/master-the-arm-drag/

On the same conditioning note as Judo, Wrestling is a much more fast pace sport than BJJ. The explosive nature of Wrestling is very beneficial to BJJ practitioners. It is a great way to improve conditioning, balance, improve your timing and develop mental toughness for competition.

The Dual Nature Of The Jiu-Jitsu Half Guard

By

BJJ World

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The BJJ closed guard is a thing of beauty. It is as simple as it gets, yet offers all the control you need to be safe. This holds true for both sports Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and self-defense. However, as people got over the initial surprise of the closed guard when BJJ first emerged they started figuring out how to open the full guard. Imagine people’s surprise when all they managed to do is get to the half guard. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Half Guard guard is a much better attacking position than the full guard, despite looking less structurally safe.

Through the years we’ve seen an incredible evolution of the half guard. From the basic position, through knee shields all the way to tornado guards and the deep half, they’ve all been the pinnacle of the half guard at one point in time. Bernardo Faria, Lucas Leite, Tom Deblass, Xande Ribeiro are just some of the notables that have won World titles with the help of the half guard. However, this variety within the position, along with the relentless evolution of grappling martial arts, raises another question. Which variation and approach is the best when it comes to playing this versatile position? Should you go the simple route or incorporate more “modern” variations into your game?

The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Half Guard

The half guard is a bottom position in BJJ where you control one of the opponent’s legs with both of your own. While it may seem like your just clinging on for dear life, this is not the case. Quite the contrary. When done correctly, the half guard is a position that’s easy to retain and attack from. Let’s take a look at a few rules of thumb for this versatile Jiu-Jitsu position.

The most important structural building block of a successful half guard game is staying on your side. Whenever you’re playing the half guard, always aim to be on your side, facing your opponent. Having both your shoulders on the ground is not a smart idea. As versatile as the half guard is, there are options from there, but creating an angle is your best strategy.

The next key thing in retaining the half guard is keeping your head safe. If an opponent can get to your head, you’re either going to end up in a guillotine attempt or get your shoulders pinned to the mats. Given the structural advantage of the half guard, it is very easy to protect your head and neck. All it takes is to have your bottom arm control the far arm of your opponent. Similarly, controlling the leg requires you to use both of yours in order to have a key lever to the opponent’s hip. With it, you can go for a multitude of sweeps or go for the kill. You can also transition between all the half guard variations until you reach your preferred position.

In terms of grips, Gi or No-Gi dictates the particular gripping patterns, but the principles stay the same. Get to your side and protect your head while controlling one leg. Easy, right?

Half Guard’s Traditional Simplicity

In the BJJ community, the half guard has a label as a lazy guard. Many of the older guys in BJJ often go for a variation of this guard because of the advantages it offers. The reason why people regard it as a lazy position is mainly due to its simplicity. As with most of the very fundamental techniques of BJJ, the half guard was a position the Gracies developed because it suited their style. It doesn’t take Eddie Bravo-like flexibility to work the half guard, neither any particular athletic capabilities. It actually really helps against aggressive opponents, especially wrestlers that thrive in the top position. The half guard is a very effective way to nullify an aggressive and stronger opponent’s athletic advantages.

Old Man Jiu-Jitsu Is Real And It Works: https://bjj-world.com/old-man-jiu-jitsu-training-tips/

As far as effectiveness goes, the half guard is undisputed. When in a strong half guard, all it takes to completely turn the tables on an opponent is getting an underhook. It is the simplest and most direct route to a sweep, often closely followed by a pass. It takes next to no effort, given that the positioning is pristine. If you’re looking for a simple half guard game that works miraculously all you need is to look at Bernardo Faria. The 5 time World champion has one of the simplest, yet efficient half guard games in the world. He even has a very detailed DVD on the subject.

The Innovative Complexity Of The Half Guard

As far as half guard evolution is concerned, you just need to pick a direction. During the years, the position has become the root of a very big tree that branches out in every direction. As simple as it is, it can get notoriously complicated and confusing. Depending on the variation of half guard you like to play, you are going to need different athletic abilities.

While finishing with an underhook is quite simple, transitioning to a single or double leg from the bottom is going to require you the same level of explosiveness that it takes to finish these moves on their own. Add in the cost of getting there and you can see why not every variation is a good fit for every grappler. Another problem with the position is getting pinned with your shoulders on the mats and a heavy opponent on top. The half guard does offer ways out, but none as simple as just inserting an underhook Unless you’re well versed in the lockdown (a quite advanced unorthodox variation) you might be in trouble.

Furthermore, there are plenty of lapel dependent variations and inverted versions like the Tornado guard that requires some serious dexterity. While the Tornado guard, for example, is great for people in the adult division, a master 4 competitor is probably going to remain folded if they attempt it.

How To Develop Flexibility For Grappling: https://bjj-world.com/how-to-get-flexible-fast/

As you can see, there’s a half guard for everyone, You just need to be aware of your capabilities and, most of all, weaknesses when choosing your favorite. Once you do though, You’ll be an unstoppable force from the bottom. Tom DeBlass can certainly help, thanks to this amazing release of his Half Domination DVD

REVIEW: The Catch Wrestling Formula Neil Melanson DVD

By

BJJ World

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Neil Melanson DVD Catch Wrestling Formula

BJJ, as a grappling martial art has always been open to cross-training in other arts from that category. The constant evolution of art is mainly due to this openness. Historically, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a mixed grappling art, to begin with. It was founded on the principles of Judo, which has roots in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and later embroidered with skills from Wrestling and Sambo. Even to this day, BJJ still accepts any grappling concepts that work into its huge toolbox. One of the major contributors to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has always been catch wrestling. In terms of bringing the two arts together, there’s probably nobody better than Neil Melanson. If there’s one catch wrestling digital resource you should own, it is the Neil Melanson DVD called “The Catch Wrestling Formula”.

ON SALE HERE:
Catch Wrestling Formula by Neil Melanson

Mr. Melanson is a real grappling expert that often puts out amazingly detailed content via YouTube. I, personally, am a huge fan of catch wrestling for BJJ. You can imagine my joy when I heard of a Neil Melanson DVD that focuses exactly on this subject! Suffice to say I never even read the content before ordering. The result – I became unstoppable from the top, more precisely top half guard, thanks to this Neil Melanson DVD. Here’s what I think about it:

Catch Wrestling For BJJ

The art of Catch wrestling is an old and very brutal one. In fact, in complete contrast to Jiu-Jitsu, it’s often dubbed as the “Brutal Art”. Catch wrestling is based very much on the wrestling principles of pinning. However, there is a “catch”. Whereas wrestling is only focused on the pin as the ultimate way to win, catch wrestling favors submissions.

The use of submissions in catch wrestling is exactly why it is such a good fit with Jiu-Jitsu. The main difference is in the way submissions are set. While in BJJ it is all about control before submission, catch wrestling utilizes submissions to set up pins. Despite the similarly reverse methodology, BJJ has a lot to learn from the catch wrestling approach. That’s exactly why every grappler needs this Neil Melanson DVD.

The ‘Brutal Art” tag is mostly due to the pain and discomfort that catch wrestling looks to create in every position possible. Much to that extent, catch really favors leg locks, which we all know have been proven to be highly effective at the highest level in BJJ. Now imagine going for heel hooks of a crushingly painful cradle. Pick up the Neil Melanson DVD “Catch Wrestling Formula” and you won’t have to imagine it any longer.

Who Is Neil Melanson?

Neil Melanson is an accomplished grappling coach with boatloads of experience. He spent a long time as the head grappling coach at Xtreme Couture and Alliance MMA. He specializes in catch wrestling, but also favors Judo, having worked with Gene LeBell. Some of the other notable coaches he’s worked with to develop his game are Gokor Chivichyan and Karo Parysian. No wonder Melanson likes leg locks so much. Triangles and a tight close guard game are also his forte.

Neil Melanson has produced some high level grapples himself, the likes of Randy Couture, Gray Maynard, Chael Sonnen, and many others. He has a very effective and submission oriented style that he demonstrates in high detail in his DVD release.

The Catch Wrestling Formula Neil Melanson DVD Review:

As far as catch wrestling goes, I’ve always looked at it from one perspective in relation to my BJJ game. Top pressure. Despite the fact that it is a well-rounded art both standing and on the ground, this was one area I personally was looking to improve. What I found was that catch wrestlers not only know how to distribute weight to perfection, but they also know how to make someone really uncomfortable while doing it. Moreover, they even know how to induce pain from pinning positions. This discomfort is key in both controlling an opponent and causing an opening for a submission.

Since acquiring the Neil Melanson DVD “The Catch Wrestling Formula” I ended my quest. Everything a grappler needs to know about pressure and passing into submissions is there. The DVD is mostly focused on submitting from and/or passing the half guard. Neil is very methodical in his explanation and devotes a lot of time to every move. This instructional is unlike most of the “classic” BJJ instructionals. Melanson spends between 20-30 minutes on every move, talking about every single detail.

The content is spread across four DVDs, each working on a very specific subject. Each DVD is an hour long and filled with techniques that connect to each other. Melanson’s instructions create a system that covers every “what if” that might arise from a specific position or submission.

Underhook Counters

The first DVD starts in the top half guard position. Neil focuses on dealing with the inevitable underhook from the bottom player. The underhook bottom half guard game is the most common one in BJJ, even at the highest level. Suffice to say, you’ll never suffer from it any longer after watching this Neil Melanon DVD.

The first option Neil demonstrates is how to pass while utilizing the opponent’s underhook. From the pass, he continues to offer great attacking options. His details on head control prior to setting up the Darce choke are impeccable. Neil also makes a very clear distinction between a Whizzer and an overhook, which I didn’t know before. He offers attacking options from both, as well as options to connect them. On a final note, the Mizzou choke is so effective and easy to get that it quickly became one of my favorites.

Cow Catcher

The Cow-catcher is a very interesting position that was always kind of a puzzle for me. After watching Melanson’s DVD it all became clear. For the uninitiated, the cow catcher is a variation on the front headlock which leads straight into multiple chokes.

Melanson offers not only the D’arce and Guillotine but also a variety of neckties as well as transitions to the rear-naked choke. All of the moves are explained in great detail and work as a tight system. Oh, and his “Half Helch” segment is a thing of pure grappling beauty. It is going to revolutionize your top half guard game, no matter how good you think you are now.

Cradle Series

As far as I’m concerned, this is the masterpiece of this Neil Melanson DVD. The third volume is all about a position that is a wrestling staple – the cradle. Since I’ve never done wrestling I had no prior knowledge of it. What I got from Melanson is not only the essential details on holding and getting to the cradle position but the catch wrestling aspect as well. namely, he uses the position to get to a number of submissions that are as tight as it gets.

The DVD outlines how to transition from one cradle position to another while constantly keeping the pressure on the opponent. Watch out for every little detail here, since they’re all crucial in maintaining control during transitions. The transition to the back is my favorite because it not only gets you a great position but sets you up for a choke immediately.

Closed Guard Shoulder Pin

In all honesty, the cradle series spills into the fourth DVD, at least in the beginning. Remember how I wrote that Melanson really likes going for leg locks? Well, he shows us how in this volume and it is groundbreaking. He uses catch wrestling positions like the cradle to enter into tight heel hooks and kneebars. For those who are proficient in the leg lock game, he offers very original ways in which to get into dominant positions.

The final part of the fourth DVD is dedicated to a bit of a bottom game and a guard that is Melanson’s specialty. The shoulder guard system he offers is a closed guard variation that gives a whole new dimension to the guard. it is a great ending to offer variety and demonstrate just how knowledgeable coach Melanson really is.

ON SALE HERE:
Catch Wrestling Formula by Neil Melanson