Leg Lock Strategies: Navigating Entanglements Jack Stapleton DVD Review [2024]

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Leg Lock Strategies: Navigating Entanglements Jack Stapleton DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A two-part No-Gi instructional demonstrating the importance of transitions in leg lock exchanges.
Features overview of different guards and how they relate to Ashi Garami positions.
Offers top and bottom transitions based on leg lock control.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 7.5 out of 10.

NAVIGATING ENTANGLEMENTS JACK STAPLETON DVD GET HERE

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What’s the most important thing about leg locks? It is the same as with every other aspect of BJJ – stay in control long enough to kill resistance and get your lock. You won’t get anything without resistance, so you might as well plan for it.

The best way to deal with resistance is to attack it from multiple positions. In terms of leg locks, this means knowing how to move seamlessly from one Ashi Garami position to another, something that’s covered pretty well in the Leg Lock Strategies Navigating Entanglements Jack Stapleton DVD.

Ashi Garami Flows

One of the best things about the Ashi Garami positions is that there are so many of them. If you know what you’re doing, you can easily flow from one to another without ever abandoning your leg lock target, or losing control.

In fact, it is one of the key aspects of leg locks I insist my students work on constantly – how to tightly transition between different Ashi Garami variations. They are all close, but there are still distance management aspects to master when learning how to navigate them.

Once you get this flow, though, there’s no stopping you. Now, you have more than simply an array of interconnected leg-locking positions – you also have a very effective guard. All Ashi positions provide sweeping opportunities and some also double as great spots to attack the back from.

You can even set up Darces from there, ending up with a foolproof system that is highly reliable and fairly easy to master by BJJ standards. The Leg Lock Strategies Navigating Entanglements Jack Stapleton DVD offers a great blueprint to achieve this mastery.

No-Gi Champ Jack Stapleton

Jack Stapleton is a first-degree black belt who teaches at and owns Ascension Athletics MMA and BJJ in Bristol, Connecticut. In the few years he has been a black belt, Jack has spent plenty of time competing and has several huge titles to show for it.

He is the reigning IBJJF Pan Ams Champion in the adult divisions, as well as ranked number three in the World Rankings. Despite being only 21 he already has a 2-0 MMA record, as well as plenty of super fight victories and high-level performances in the professional grappling circuit.

Jack has a very submission-heavy game, always on the lookout for the next finish. He is not a mindless opportunist, though, but rather a cunning strategist who expertly navigates transitioning between positions. He shares his transitioning tactics in the Leg Lock Strategies Navigating Entanglements Jack Stapleton DVD which is definitely worth looking into.

Navigating Entanglements Jack Stapleton DVD Review

The Leg Lock Strategies Navigating Entanglements Jack Stapleton DVD offers two volumes of No-Gi strategies covering leg locks from a transitional and more dynamic perspective. There is about an hour of material in this instructional, covering vertical and horizontal applications of leg control and finishing:

Part 1 – Working From X-Guards

There is no time wasted in this DVD as the first volume opens up with transitions between the Single leg X and full X-guard. Stapleton covers movement patterns against standing opponents rather than technical transitions which I found to be helpful and effective.

He then goes on to address different leg entanglements (outside and cross) and how they relate to the X-guards. A truly valuable aspect of the Leg Lock Strategies Navigating Entanglements Jack Stapleton DVD is that the transitions connect offensive and defensive cycles as well, providing plenty of counterattacking opportunities.

The final portion addresses the reap, covering how to force your way into it and how to deal with opponents who try to attack you with reaping. A smooth back take helps provide a deeper dimension to the traditional attacks, with even more leg lock opportunities arising.

Part 2 – Leg Locks and Passing

The second and final part of the Leg Lock Strategies Navigating Entanglements Jack Stapleton DVD goes over a different transitional combination that you must have in BJJ – connecting passes with leg locks.

He begins by covering the threat of heel hooks to open up guards, something most of us have used so far. What really surprised me, in a very positive way, was Jack’s toe hold/kneebar/heel hook submission chain that he launches off of leg drag passing threats.

Plenty of details on the finishing mechanics of all the leg locks covered so far in the instructional feature in this volume as well, as Jack wraps up with a different set of transitions – going from one leg lock finish to another without relieving tension on the leg.

The Value of Leg Control in BJJ

All it takes is one leg. No matter what position you’re in, from standing to grounded exchanges, if you can control and manipulate one of your opponent’s legs, you can pretty much impose your game any way you want.

For example, let’s say you need to pass. Sit on one leg, and you’ve taken all but one guard away from the bottom person. Or, grab one of their feet and make sure it can’t touch the ground or post anywhere on your body. Now, you’re in the driving seat.

You can do the same from guard, trying to move your opponent in a way that makes them have one leg on the ground before you sweep or submit. Pins, escapes, and takedowns, all offer plenty of options using one single leg control.

Leg locks, of course, are the epitome of this, providing a finish based on using your entire body to control a leg. The one thing people tend to miss is that you can do so much more in BJJ than simply hunt for leg locks.

For the most part, the only thing you really need to understand is how to transition from leg lock attacks to sweeps or passes using the same controls. A lot of that stuff is in the Leg Lock Strategies Navigating Entanglements Jack Stapleton DVD.

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Leg Lock Strategies

If you want to do leg locks these days you can’t just jump on a leg, Gokor Chivichyan style, and hope to get taps. You need to strategize, utilize different Ashi positions, and know your transitions. The Leg Lock Strategies Navigating Entanglements Jack Stapleton DVD offers a great way to understand the dynamics of hunting for leg locks and using leg control to dominate.

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Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced Dan Manasoiu DVD Review [2024]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced Dan Manasoiu DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A four-part No-Gi DVD instructional teaching you how to learn leg locks as systems.
Features a straight Ashi, cross Ashi, and 50/50 system, and ways to connect them.
You’ll learn how to enter and control positions and finish various submissions.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 9 out of 10.

LEG LOCKS FROM BEGINNER TO ADVANCED DAN MANASOIU DVD HERE

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What’s your favorite leg lock system? Nope not a leg lock finish, not your favorite Ashi Garami position, but a complete system? You know, entires, control, finishes, transitions, and ways out. Nope?

Then, you need the Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced Dan Manasoiu DVD. If you stop reading now and pick it up immediately, you’ll learn everything about leg locks that you need to start organizing them in systems. If you keep reading, you’ll learn how this DVD is going to teach you everything about leg lock systems. Your choice.

Best Time to Learn Leg Locks

Now. Today. Start immediately. I don’t care if you are a black belt who has trained for 20 years or if you discovered BJJ 20 days ago. You need armlocks, leg locks, and chokes to succeed in this sport, and you need to start learning all as soon as possible!

It doesn’t matter if you practice ankle locks, heel hooks, or calf slicers. It would help if you started getting aware of where leg locks are, how you can attack them, and how people will look to attack them against you. The same as every other submission in BJJ.

When you decide to jump on the leg locks bandwagon, keep an open mind and try them all. The Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced Dan Manasoiu DVD is a great resource if you need an introduction, but also if you are already experienced but lacking a competition system that works. Whatever the case, start leg-locking today!

“Big” Dan Manasoiu

Leg lockers come in many shapes and sizes these days, and one of the larger humans that can tear off your lower limbs from many different positions is Dan Manasoiu. The New Wave representative is one of the most feared people in pro grappling circuits, and he’s only getting better.

With a weight of 300 lbs and standing at 6’7, Dan is a very imposing figure at first sight. Add to that the fact that he trains with Gordon Ryan, Bodoni, and Meregali daily, and is being tutored by John Danaher and you have the recipe for one scary grappler right there!

Born in 2001, Dan has plenty of time on the mats in front of him. Already, the purple belt has won pro tournaments such as Sub Hunter Pro, has 2 ADCC Trials titles and two more silver medals, as well as a bronze in the 2024 ADCC in the +99kg division. His intricate system of attacking legs is now available in the Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced Dan Manasoiu DVD.

Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced Dan Manasoiu DVD Review

The Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced Dan Manasoiu DVD is a four-part No-Gi instructional that offers three mini-systems of Ashi Garami-based leg locks that tie in together into a bigger system. It features all kinds of finishes and is perfect for everyone, beginner to expert:

Part 1 – Single Leg X

The quintessential leg locking position, the Single Leg X-guard, a.k.a. the Straight Ashi Garami is the first subject that Big Dan covers in the Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced Dan Manasoiu DVD.

He doesn’t just go over mechanics and countless entries but rather explains what the main issues you’ll encounter are. Of course, he offers seemingly easy solutions to all of them. Submissions follow along, with Dan covering how to create exposure against half-kneeling and standing opponents.

Heel hooks and figure four ankle locks dominate this portion, as Dan introduces entries towards the end of the volume, covering basic leg locking principles and connecting the dots from initial contact to finish. This is the part that is ideal for people with no prior leg lock or BJJ experience.

Part 2 – Double Leg Cross Ashi Garami

The cross Ashi Garami position comes next as Big Dan dedicates an entire volume of the Leg Locks Dan Manasoiu DVD to controlling the Cross Ashi Garami position. He begins with problems again, offering troubleshooting options for common entries.

He uses the false reap to set up an entry, immediately focusing the attention on the secondary leg. Dan likes to set up his leg-locking positions by going for the secondary leg as early as possible, creating sound control even before he arrives at the cross-Ashi position.

I liked that Manasoiu offers control points even if you can’t get control over the second leg, as well as offering high-percentage heel hook setups and finishes. He ends the second part by covering the turning problem and ways you can prevent it and capitalize on the motion.

Part 3 – Cross Ashi Attacks

Once the control details are out of the way, it is time to finish from the position. Building on the double trouble, part three of the Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced Dan Manasoiu DVD offers control and speed-based attacks, offering versatility that will lift anyone’s game.

There’s a lot of leg lacing in this volume, which is not surprising seeing as Big Dan loves torturing people from the position. All of his favorite attacks feature here, from heel hooks to ankle locks.

In fact, Dan spends quite some time on heel hooks, covering both outside and inside options, while retaining double trouble control of the cross ashi or transitioning back to the outside Ashi.

Part 4 – Footlocks from the 50/50

The final part of the Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced Dan Manasoiu DVD takes a route toward the 50/50 position, starting immediately with submissions. The Z-lock opens the account, followed by a bunch of toe holds and different foot locks, most of them of the twisting variety.

There is a solid portion in this part covering how to split the legs of the opponent in 50/5 which tends to be the most common problem. In fact, Dan covers several different strategies for gaining an advantage while tangled in the 50/50 position, offering slick finishing options at the end of each.

Develop A System

The best way to make leg locks work is to figure out how to organize them in a system. That said, the Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced Dan Manasoiu DVD as a whole is probably not going to work for most people out there unless they’re both black belts and seasoned leg lockers.

The good news is that each volume can work as a system on its own, or a mini system if you will. That means you can pick whether you like to work from the 50/50, cross Ashi, or straight Ashi and start exploring. Dan offers plenty of different attack options both in terms of submission finishes and types of attacking.

If you have an instructor who is on board, you will learn leg locks and develop a system using this DVD really fast. If you have to do it on your own, or with friends from the academy, it will still work, but it’ll take more time and drilling. However, once you do, you can think about expanding on it using one of the other volumes to keep evolving it constantly.

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Milk The System!

You can always opt to follow the 12-hour-long Danaher leg lock system. You’ll need years just to make sense of the information. You can also try specialized instructionals and learn 10 ways to finish a heel hook or toe hold. Alternatively, you can pick up the Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced Dan Manasoiu DVD and get the best out of both worlds – a focused and concise way of developing leg lock systems for BJJ. Proven at the highest level!

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No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD Review [2024]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD Review

Key Takeaways

An eight-part No-Gi DVD providing a complete blueprint for learning the K-guard.
Features positional details, entries, retention strategies, and attacking combinations.
Contains drills and plenty of narrated rolling in each section of the instructional.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 8 out of 10.

NO-GI OPEN GUARD K-GUARD LACHLAN GILES DVD GET HERE

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Should the No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD be the next addition to your BJJ DVD collection? Given the subject matter it covers, I’d say yes, even before I went through the entire instructional with a fine-tooth comb.

After seeing what Lachlan has to offer in this DVD, my stance remains the same – the K-guard is like the closed guard of open guards (feel free to read that again) which means everyone should know how to play it. Even if you think you know the K-guard, you should see what this DVD has to offer. I bet you’ll find something you had no idea existed. I know I did.

Introducing a New Letter to Your Guard Alphabet

So open guard and how we name them in BJJ… that is a subject we can debate for hours. I am the first to confess that I am not entirely sure whether using letters from the alphabet helps us categorize guards in a smart way, or just mixes things up more. But that’s beyond the point.

Z-Guard, Y-Guard, X-guard(s)… We have our fair share of letter-named guards in BJJ these days. I intentionally left out a major letter guard because, well, that’s what we’re going to talk about today. The K guard is not just another letter in the alphabet of open guards – it is a letter you absolutely need to add to your grappling vocabulary. The sooner – the better.

Before we go any further looking into other No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVDs let me make one thing clear – the K-Guard is great for leg locks, but that doesn’t mean that is the guard’s only purpose. Even if you’re not a leg locker, you should consider this open guard for your game.

One of the Best – Lachlan Giles

The most popular Aussie coach (nope, Danaher is from New Zealand) is undoubtedly Lachlan Giles. Taking over the mantle from Kit Dale, for all of you training longer than 20 years, Lachlan methodically became the biggest BJJ name Down Under.

And with good merit. The 38-year-old initially got worldwide recognition as Craig Jones’ first coach, who put Craig on the grappling map. However, he later took on competitive efforts of, going on a legendary run through the ADCC absolute division in 2019, earning himself the title of giant slayer and ending up with the bronze medal in the hardest division of the biggest BJJ competition in the world.

Apparently, there’s something that makes Aussie grapplers approach BJJ as if it were a logical puzzle to be solved in a university setting. Danaher, Dale, and Giles are great examples, with the latter using his physiotherapy knowledge to rewrite some staple positions of BJJ, making them better in the process.

The 50/50 springs to mind immediately, along with the inverted North-South position. While I have no idea who came up with the K-guard nor do I need to look for that information, I know who made it popular – it was Lachalan. Let’s see how deep his knowledge goes by carefully dissecting the No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD

No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD Review

The No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD is a long instructional, consisting of eight different volumes and lasting upwards of six hours. Lachlan is an exceptional coach and does a stellar job of organizing the material and delivering the key points.

Part 1 – Guard Strategy

Lachlan begins his No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD with quite a lengthy introduction of not just the subject, but also how he organizes the material in this instructional. He shares key ideas about the open guard, Gi vs No-Gi, offers common problems people face, and gives directions on how to watch the DVD and train using the material.

After about half an hour, he narrows his attention to the open guard, talking a lot about retention and leg positioning relative to the opponent. He likes to launch attacks from a position of safety, which emphasizes retention, which is where the K-guard delivers.

Part 2 – Game Plan

In a Danaharesque fashion, not really common for Lachlan Giles instructional, the Melbourne native spends the entirety of the second volume of the No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD discussing open guards from a broad perspective, still not touching the subject of the K-guard.

The subject of guard retention is still the focus, with Giles dissecting it by sharing the key tasks you have against opponents standing across you at different levels of passing. After outlining retention duties for each of them, Lachalan gives an overview of guards that help you achieve them, presenting the De la Riva guards, X guards, 50/50, and finally, the K-guard.

Part 3 – K-Guard Essentials

As the K-guard earns its time in the spotlight, Lachlan opens with the positional hierarchy of guards based on distances, giving the K-guard a very specific spot. Once the reasons why this guard works so well are out of the way, Giles begins covering more technical aspects, with entries up first.

The first set of techniques in the No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD offers several ways into the K-guard, without too much specificity. At this point, Giles still goes over angles, grips, distance management, and how to invert. I felt that the material was drawn more than it needed to be, honestly.

Practically speaking, the pummeling chapters and crossface prevention are the most important parts of this section.

Part 4 – Entries vs. Kneeling

The closed guard is the first launching pad for K-guard entries that Lachlan covers in the No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD. Armbars help seal the deal with this transition quickly wrapping up a subject I thought would get more attention.

Instead, Giles focuses more on open guard entries, beginning with a kneeling opponent. He goes over the 2-on-1 grip setup, offering entries even against opponents who decide to be heavy, as well as those trying to flee or sprawl. The volume ends with narrated rolls featuring lots of the entries covered so far.

Part 5 – Entires vs. Half-Kneeling

Luring opponents in combat base to your K-guard is what volume number five of the No-Gi Open Guard Lachlan Giles DVD is all about. Control and positional details come first, paving the way for connecting the De la Riva guards to the K-guard in a variety of ways.

Lachlan also briefly covers entries versus standing opponents in this part of the instructional, once again utilizing the Reverse De la Riva Guard to set up a K-Guard game. He ends this part with a narration of rolls featuring the subject as well.

Part 6 – K-Guard Follow-Ups

This is where things hit an advanced note, but Lachlan really manages to pull it off in terms of connecting all the key dots. It is not easy to work off of dynamic concepts such as guard retention, but Giles somehow succeeds.

This portion of the No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD addresses how to get back into guard after someone almost passes your guard, as well as how to stay on guard using the K-guard principles already covered. It is a great way to give meaning to entries and provide defensive pathways into the K-guard as opposed to solely covering offensive ones.

Lachlan also begins his coverage of offensive options from the guard in this section, introducing the subject by presenting key grips and the super important position of both your legs in the K-guard configuration.

Part 7 – Attacking from the K-Guard

The K-guard is prominently a leg-locking launchpad and that is exactly where Lachlan starts his attacking lessons. Backside 50/50 heel hooks are the primary attack Giles offers, with plenty of finishing variations and details that we’ve already seen in Lachlan’s 50/50 DVD.

X-guard follow-ups also feature in this volume of the No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD helping blend leg locks together even better with K-Guard setups. He wraps up by offering an alternative attack chain featuring the lateral closed guard.

Part 8 – Troubleshooting

The final part of this very long instructional is all about solving common problems that you’ll encounter playing the K-guard. Most of the chapters cover reactions that you’ll face often, such as people trying to clear your legs or fleeing away from your K-guard.

Lachlan also covers all relevant guard passes, such as leg drags, which might present a danger to your K-guard, as well as back takes, crab rides, and foot locks from the top. A set of drills and more narrated rolls conclude the No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD

The Best Open Guard in BJJ?

This debate is one we can’t really settle. With new guards, alphabet named or not, emerging constantly, I can’t claim that the K-gaurd is the end-all and be-all of all guards, but it does offer one of the best, if not the best option for playing open guard these days.

First of all, the guard doesn’t require any particular athletic abilities to set up and play. Secondly, it offers a great balance of retention qualities and attacking options, which not many open guards do. Finally, it is perfect for both Gi and No-Gi, but really favors No-Gi a bit more which is crucial, as most people have no idea what open guard to play without the Gi anyway.

The No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD is not just an introduction to the K-guard. It provides everything and the kitchen sink in terms of the guard and doesn’t require you to watch the full instructional in succession. This means that you can pick apart those bits that provide the information you need for your game only and use them immediately.

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K-Guard Mastery!

It is about time you mastered the guard every No-Gi competitor in the world is becoming proficient at! The K-Guard is going to help your BJJ, whether you’re a competitor or not, and it will improve your games regardless of belt level or experience. The No-Gi Open Guard K-Guard Lachlan Giles DVD is the only resource you’ll need (to date) to reach a K-gaurd mastery that transforms your game.

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Grappling Greats Collide: Garcia vs. Imanari at ONE Championship

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Grappling Greats Collide: Garcia vs. Imanari at ONE Championship

Is the BJJ world ready for Garcia vs. Imanari? In a highly anticipated announcement, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Marcelo Garcia has revealed his return to active competition. Garcia, widely regarded as one of the greatest BJJ competitors of all time, will face off against Japanese grappling icon Masakazu Imanari at ONE Championship’s ONE 170 event on January 24, 2025.

Marcelo Garcia’s Remarkable Journey

Garcia, who turns 42 just a week before the match, has been out of competitive BJJ since 2011. During his hiatus, he focused on coaching and overcoming a battle with stomach cancer, which he successfully beat in 2022.

His return to the mats is a testament to his resilience and enduring passion for the sport. “I just want to be a part of this,” Garcia said in an interview. “I still feel like I have age, I have desire, I feel good in my body.”

Imanari’s Anticipation

Masakazu Imanari, known for his mastery of leg locks and the famous “Imanari roll,” is equally excited about the matchup.

“It’s going to be a good fight,” Imanari commented. “I’m looking forward to testing my skills against one of the best.” The match will be a 10-minute, one-round, openweight grappling contest at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Both fighters bring a wealth of experience and accolades to the table, making this a must-watch event for BJJ enthusiasts and grappling fans alike.

Training and Preparations

Garcia has been intensifying his training regime in preparation for this comeback. Reports suggest that he has been focusing on blending traditional BJJ techniques with modern grappling innovations.

His training camp, based out of his renowned academy in New York City, has been buzzing with activity as he fine-tunes his skills for the upcoming battle.

Similarly, Imanari has been rigorously training, sharpening his signature leg locks, and developing new strategies to counter Garcia’s formidable ground game. The Japanese grappling wizard is known for his unpredictability, and fans can expect him to bring his A-game to the match.

Anticipation Among Fans and Pundits

The announcement of this match has generated significant buzz in the martial arts community. Ever since news broke out of the Marcelo Garcia comebacks, everyone has been wondering who the legend would face first.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Garcia’s refined techniques will match up against Imanari’s unorthodox grappling style. Many view the Marcelo Garcia vs Masakazu Imanari grappling match as a clash of titans that will offer insights into the evolving strategies within the sport.

Garcia vs. Imanari: History in the Making

The Garcia vs. Imanari bout is expected to be a historic event in the world of grappling. As two of the most respected figures in martial arts, their clash is not just a competition but a celebration of skill, perseverance, and the spirit of combat sports. The event promises to deliver high-level grappling action that will be remembered for years to come!

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Jiu-Jitsu Pastor Fends Off Axe-Wielding Burglar with BJJ Skills on Thanksgiving Day

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Jiu-Jitsu Pastor Fends Off Axe-Wielding Burglar with BJJ Skills on Thanksgiving Day

Antioch, CA – On Thanksgiving Day, Pastor Nick Neves of First Family Church in Antioch faced an unexpected challenge when an axe-wielding burglar broke into the church early in the morning. The Jiu-Jitus pastor, trained in BJJ, used his martial arts skills to subdue the intruder until the police arrived.

Jiu-Jitsu Pastor Saves the Day

The incident occurred around 2:00 AM when Pastor Neves responded to a security alarm at the church. Upon arrival, he discovered a shattered window and a man inside the building with an axe. The burglar attempted to flee but was confronted by the pastor.

“I shouted at him to stop and told him the police were on their way,” Pastor Neves told NBC News. “He ran, and I grabbed hold of him, and we ended up wrestling in the parking lot of the church.”

The pastor’s Jiu-Jitsu training proved invaluable as he managed to restrain the burglar for about 12 to 15 minutes until the police arrived and took the suspect into custody. The Antioch Police Department praised the Jiu-Jitsu Pastor for his quick thinking and bravery.

“I was just hoping to keep him from getting away so that justice could be done and our church could be protected,” Pastor Neves said. “It was never my goal to hurt the man or do him harm.”

The Aftermath

The burglar, whose identity has not been disclosed, is facing charges of burglary, robbery, and battery. The Jiu-Jitsu pastor, who walked away from the altercation uninjured, expressed forgiveness and hope for the suspect’s future.

“I don’t have hatred towards him,” Pastor Neves said. “Hopefully, he’ll have to sit and think about this, and it’ll change his heart and mind.”

The church suffered around $2,000 in damages, primarily from the broken window. Despite the ordeal, Pastor Neves remains committed to his community and the church’s mission.

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Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD Review [2024]

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A four-part Nо-Gi DVD offering differnt ways of finsihing ankle locks.
Includes the Aoki lock, Cloverleaf, Woj Lock, reverse toe hold, and Estima lock.
Contains several Ashi Garami and top positions entries and setups.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 9 out of 10.

WOJ LOCK THE WORLD CHRIS WOJCIK DVD GET HERE

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Remember ankle locks? If you’re one of the masses who forgot about ankle locks the moment you could legally do other leg locks, then you’re missing out. But, then again, most people are.

For the few who stayed true to ankle locks, it comes as no surprise that the submission evolved over the years, providing highly reliable and efficient options. Some of them feature in the Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD along with Wojcik’s original variation that he has used against some of the best in the world.

Corkscrew Ankle Lock

Ankle locks have a very unfair ranking among leg locks. Manu people see them as a poor man’s version of heel hooks, only to be done under rulesets that restrict other types of submissions.

For example, the moment people get the chance to mix up leg locks under IBJJF rules past brown belt, they tend to forget about the leg lock they’ve used more than any other at that point. The new toy is always going to be a lot more interesting, that’s expected, but that doesn’t mean that you should give up on the move you’ve spent years working on.

To begin with, if you’re interested in ankle locks, start exploring the different types of ankle locks you have at your disposal. Achilles locks, foot locks, reverse ankle locks, the Aoki lock, and, my personal favorite, the corkscrew ankle lock are all perfectly viable options to use at any level.

In fact, the corkscrew ankle lock is one of the strongest leg locks in existence in all grappling martial arts. Jsut because you don’t see it in daily reels it doesn’t mean it is ineffective – nobody did heel hooks ten years ago until the DDS.

So, checking out the Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD, which features a lot of corkscrew ankle locks is a great idea if you want to become an expert leg locker.

No-Gi Aficionado Chris Wojcik

Chris Wojcik is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who specializes in No-Gi. He has been training and competing for a good while, boasting 4th place in the 2022 West Coast ADCC Trials, a World Champion title in No-Gi (as a purple belt), and plenty of local tournament accolades and victories.

The future is very bright for Chris, who only recently got his black belt from Jeff Serafin in the Megaton Dias lineage. Drawn by No-Gi, Chris has been terrorizing the lightweight divisions as part of the B-team, which means he is more than well-placed to shine the next time huge events such as the CJI and ADCC come along.

Chris has had a lot of success employing a fairly unusual game plan that surprises opponents with plenty of innovative submission holds. Also very experienced in playing offensive guards, Chris now explains how he organizes his lower body attacks in the Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD

Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik DVD Review

The Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD follows the standard four-volume structure most Jiu-Jitsu instructionals feature these days. It is a No-Gi DVD, covering several different ankle locks and how to use them from different leg-locking positions.

Part 1 – Outside Ashi Ankle Locks

Chris kicks the Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD off with a short overview of the outside Ashi Garami position as a launching position for ankle locks. There is no time wasting as Wojcik jumps straight into Aoki locks against opponents on different levels.

Out of all the ankle locks in this part, with me being a huge Aoki lock fan, the short Achilles was an absolute revelation. Utilizing the Y-gaurd top provides transitional outside ashi options Chris teaches how to set it up, finish it, and follow it up. He also shares key principles of defending these locks, so that you can recognize when an opponent is utilizing them early.

Part 2 – 50/50 Attacks

Some of the ankle locks in this instructionals appear in every volume, which provides lots of consistency. Chris switches to the 50/50 for part two, providing the details that are different when it comes to finishing the Aoki, reverse ankle lock, and Achilles lock.

This is also the portion of the Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD where he explains what the Woj lock is. Essentially it is a corkscrew ankle lock, done with a few things that Chris has adjusted to fit his needs better. They significantly improve the efficiency of the lock.

I particularly enjoyed the shin snapper, but it was also fun seeing him do some ankle locks even I had forgotten about, such as the Panza lock and the reverse toe hold.

Part 3 – Cross Ashi Woj Locks

Exploring one of the most powerful leg locking positions in BJJ, Chris launches into cross-Ashi attacks in the third portion of the Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD. He opens up with the Aoki lock once again, and then builds on the threats based on the opponent’s reactions.

The Cloverleaf (a classic), Woj Lock, and a few straight ankle lock variations also feature, before Wojcik switches attention to defense. This portion goes over plenty of defense options from the honey hole, covering the honey stick and Philyl saddle in the process.

Part 4 – Ankle Locks from Top

Rounding off the ankle lock system that Chris uses in the Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD is a volume outlining how he approaches setting up his leg locks while passing, or better said, instead of it.

This is where another devastating lock I really like appears, which is the Estima lock. Wojcik does a good job connecting failed passes to the ankle locks he covered earlier, and vice versa. He finishes this DVD with some key concepts on transitioning between Ashi positions and how to practice leg locks in a way that helps you master them super quickly.

Why Ankle Locks are Better than Heel Hooks

So, knowing what’s inside this Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD are you still hell bound on only hunting for heel hooks? Don’t forget that ankle locks provide a submission option that’s very close to a heel hook but works in the opposite direction.

In other words, ankle locks and heel hooks are a one-two punch combo that is going to help you get more taps because you keep your opponent in a loop defending them. And that is where the ankle lock can actually make all the difference.

You can finish heel hooks with several different grips. We all know that. But, you can finish ankle locks not just with different grips, but also using different mechanics and foot positions. This translates to more variety, which means a lot more problems to cause the person you’re trying to submit. Mix in heel hooks and you have a deadly finishing combo!

Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD Free Sample — FREE TECHNIQUE SAMPLE: Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD

DOWNLOAD HERE: WOJ LOCK THE WORLD CHRIS WOJCIK DVD

Go for the Ankle!

Give ankle locks the attention they deserve. Pick up the Woj Lock the World Chris Wojcik Ankle Locks DVD to get a great systematization of all the most effective ankle lock finishes first. The instructional is meant to teach you leg locks fast. Then, you can go back to your heel hook/toe hold/kneebar combos, knowing that when they start failing you have options. Or better yet, stick to ankle locks.

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Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD Review 2024

By

Ognen Dzabirski

-

Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A four-part Gi DVD delivering a very clear breakdown of essential guard concepts.
Features direct examples such as spider guard, De la Riva, X-guard, and others.
Offers details on distance, timing, space management, and creating safe zones.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 10 out of 10.

BREAKING RHYTHM MARGOT CICCARELLI DVD GET HERE

Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD Preview — WATCH FULL TRAILER: Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD

Conceptually BJJ DVDs always come with a question mark. It is not easy to teach concepts, as I have found out the hard way. Unlike direct moves, they’re kind of open to interpretation, which sometimes leaves people focusing on things that are not important and ending up with useless information.

Somehow, though, Margot Ciccarelli managed to crack this puzzle. The Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD is a resource even a first-week white belt can pick up, and develop a much more in-depth understanding of the underlying concepts of the guard. IT is one of the best conceptual DVDs I’ve seen in a long time!

What’s BJJ All About?

Understanding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can only come after a certain amount of time spent gathering the pieces that help you put together the big picture. That is why people only start looking at the puzzle as a whole around the brown belt level – they don’t have all the pieces yet.

That said, it is not difficult to figure out what all the exchanges in grappling are all about if someone delivers the information in a way you can easily understand. In such a scenario, you begin knowing what the game is all about, and all the techniques, moves, and tactics that you pick up along the way add to your options.

Remember that looking at BJJ concepts can be a double-edged sword, as there are probably just as many of them as there are techniques. Unless you can figure out the ‘string theory of BJJ’ a.k.a. the crucial concepts behind the game, you’re actually better off collecting techniques than concepts.

The Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD offers an in-depth analysis of the key concepts that make guards in BJJ work. She sticks to the big picture using practical examples that will benefit both guard players and guard passers.

Free Flow Specialist Margot Ciccarelli

The story of Margot Ciccarelli is a very interesting one. With a degree in mechanical engineering, Margot was always driven by a curious and innovative mind, which were qualities that made her impossible to deal with on the mats. If you’ve seen her compete, you’ve seen her move seamlessly between bolos, lapel guards, inversions, and rides, staying aggressive at all times but never overcommitting.

Margot’s unique style caught people’s eyes during her colored belt days, when she seemed to cut through competition as a hot knife through butter, resulting in a bunch of World, PAns, European, and similar top-tier titles.

After her promotion to black belt by Murilo Santana in 2021, after 9 years of active training. Always the nomad, Ciccarelli started training at the famous Mill Hill gym in Londen, where she grew up, but her constant travels allowed her to learn from many high-end names in BJJ such as Rodrigo Caporal, Gui Mendes, Jude Samuel, and the tough crew at Unity in NYC.

Her understanding of mechanics along with her fascination with movement led her to co-create Jitz-jamming, a one-of-a-kind creative art form that is like Ginastica Natural, but done with a partner and much more BJJ-oriented.

IF you haven’t been to a Margot Ciccarelli seminar or seen many of her DVDs, there is no better place to start than her final one – the Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD. Read on to learn why.

Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD Review

The Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD is a four-part BJJ instructional that features about 3 hours of super useful material on the underlying concepts behind BJJ guards. Margot uses the Gi to present her material, but the principles she delivers work regardless of apparel:

Part 1 – Building a Safe Zone

This incredible DVD begins with a unique approach to understanding BJJ, one that rarely features in instructionals – the psychologer. Margot begins by talking about concepts we’ve heard of and use daily, such as distance and space management, but she does it from a very interesting perspective.

After talking about the usual three distances of guards in Jiu-Jitsu, Margot goes on to present the concept of a safe zone, something that takes us past just simple guard retention tactics. She offers the mental framework first, setting the tone for the rest of the material in the Half Guard Evolution Rodnei Barbosa DVD.

The first volume also contains a few chapters on the subject of timing, and how windows of opportunity work in BJJ. I found this first volume so informational and inspirational I actually watched it two times before proceeding with the others.

Part 2 – Connecting Guards

One of the toughest things to do in BJJ successfully is get out from one guard to another when you’re under pressure, without giving away passing opportunities. Margot has a foundational concept to share on these transitions that ties in with the window of opportunity principle, and she delivers it in this p.art of the Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD.

Ciccarelli uses the spider guard to explain a few nuances of guard retention that relate to the safe space concept, before providing easy blueprints to allow you to seamlessly change from the spider to the seated guard, X-guard, Tripod guard, and a bunch of others. As transitions start to flow, Margot introduces the best time to launch sweep attacks, offering plenty of examples.

Part 3 – Understanding Timing

As we reach the third part of the Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD the subject of timing gets a lot more attention. Margot shares her approach to following people from open guards and the cues she relies on to transition into attacks or other guards.

While the principles are fairly simple and not something unheard of, Ciccarelli manages to offer an innovative way to practice them. She offers a way to make a grid based on your bpms, with reactions corresponding to any rises in rhythm.

Once again using double sleeve guards as the starting point, Margot offers examples of sweeps and transitions, and even upper body submission attacks using the system she developed. She wraps this volume up with a great chapter on the importance of knowing what the person on top is trying to achieve.

Part 4 – The Underhook De la Riva

The final volume in the Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD is filled with more examples, this time featuring a guard that doesn’t rely on direct upper body control as much. The underhook De la Riva has been popular lately, especially among leg lockers, but Margot demonstrates how you can use it for a lot more than just lower body attacks.

Using the grid matrix Margot launches an unstoppable array of submissions, back takes, and sweeps, which explains what she did that left people confused as she moved seamlessly from position to position during her matches. Once again, she wraps up with an overview of the top person’s DLR objectives, making it easy to understand where your safe and hot zones are.

Mastering The Predictable

The Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD offers a wealth of crucial concepts that help you better understand what makes guards work. During her demonstrations, Margot constantly refers to timing as a key aspect of everything you do from the guard.

Timing has a lot to do with the success of your attacks and your blocks, but there is a bigger underlying benefit to figuring it out than simply knowing when to sweep or launch ha triangle choke. Understanding timing means you can predict what the other person is going to do.

Think of it as a dance that comes with a preset combination of steps – number 2 is always going to come before 3, and number 4 is always going to follow 3. It is the same with creating motions from the top, particularly against the guard, allowing you, as the guard player, to set up your attacks beforehand and simply allow your partner to lead… until you decide to take over.

Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD Free Sample — FREE MOVE: Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD

DOWNLOAD HERE: BREAKING RHYTHM MARGOT CICCARELLI DVD

Next Level Half Guard!

Playing guard can be very different from simply remembering a bunch of multi-step submissions and sweeps and trying to throw them at your opponent without any regard to what they’re trying to do or who the moves you’re doing connect.

The Breaking Rhythm Margot Ciccarelli DVD is the perfect fix for this issue which is widespread throughout the white to purple belt ranks in BJJ. The best part is that Margot covers things so clearly that anyone can understand what the guard is all about, even at white belt. A highly recommended addition to your BJJ collection!

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Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD Review 2024

By

Ognen Dzabirski

-

Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A two-part No-Gi DVD providing a fresh perspective on the Octopus Guard
Features basic attacks such as sweeps and Kimuras as well as lockdown setup and plenty of leg locks. 4
Demonstrated entirely by students as Bjorn explains everything next to them.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 7 out of 10.

OCTOPUS HALF GUARD BJORN FRIEDRICH DVD GET HERE

Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD Preview — WATCH THE TRAILER: Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD

Time to talk Octopus Guard…again. This wacky guard that most people thought was a waste of time is definitely making a name for itself lately. Our latest focus is on whether the Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD can shed some more light on it or is it just the same old information over and over again. Let’s see.

Unorthodox but Reliable

Why would you play a guard such as the OCtopus Guard when you have so many other guards to choose from, some arguably much more effective than it? It all comes down to tactics, and how well you can use unorthodox positions to get what you want.

In the case of the Octopus Guard, the advantage you gain is in the angle and it is twofold. First, you get a great and unusual angle to attack, opening up a direct route to the back with quite a few submissions along the way. Second, you mess up the top person’s passing and submission angles.

Understandably, such a versatile position comes at a price which is why the Octopus Guard is not as widespread as the Butterfly or De la Riva Guard. The price in this case is entry – it is fairly difficult to get to the Octopus Guard from half or closed guard, and it is equally as hard to stay there against a savvy opponent.

The Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD offers interesting solutions to these conundrums, mostly by drawing on classic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu staples that help introduce basics in an otherwise unorthodox position.

Reality-Based Jiu-Jitsu with Bjorn Friedrich

Octopus guard and reality-based, self-defense BJJ probably don’t go well together in the same sentence, but Bjorn Friedrich has somehow managed to make it work. With one of the most extensive material arts pedigrees in the world, Bjorn does have the background and knowledge to pull something like this off.

Friedrich started training in traditional martial arts, mainly Karate and Kung Fu during his childhood years. For a while, he taught Kung Fu as a teenager before discovering BJJ in the 90s. The story form there is the same old – BJJ took over.

Initially learning from Richard Braga during his visits to Germany, where Bjorn was based, Fruedruch did not shy away from diversifying his knowledge, seeking out different instructors such as Royce Gracie, Roy Harris, and Joe Moreira. It was Moreira who awarded Bjorn his BJJ black belt in 2010.

Bjorn kept training and competing in BJJ actively, while also exploring Sambo, Chinese boxing, catch wrestling, and all other combat sports he could find. All of this mixed grappling knowledge is reflected in the Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD.

Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD Review

The Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD features two volumes and has a fairly short length of just over an hour. What it lacks in running time it makes up for in content quality, especially the way Bjorn catches the essence of what is most important about each of the moves he covers:

Part 1 – Octopus Guard Basics

In the opening part of this instructional, Bjorn begins by laying down the essential concepts behind the Octopus Guard. Most of the moves in this part are fairly common in terms of position, with some simple but super-effective moves such as the hip bump sweep and rollover sweep.

A really useful part of this first part of the Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD is the one covering the relationship between the Kimura and Octopus Guard, which makes the aforementioned sweeps possible, providing an extra submission threat in the process.

Part 2 – Leg Locks and Lockdown

Volume two of the Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD moves on to more advanced and creative ways to attack from the position. There is a heavy focus on leg locks in the first half of this part, mostly heel hooks and toe holds. Back takes also appear in this portion, providing a very safe route to the back, that is useful for both BJJ and MMA applications.

The final stretch in the DVD goes over the lockdown position, and how to integrate it as a safety net when you play the Octopus Guard. This is a testament to the practical mindset Bjorn has, offering elective chair sweep options and dogfight entries as a backup to the Octopus Guard.

Why You Need the Octopus Guard?

Because you want a versatile guard game. Closed guard covers outside guards. Butterfly guard covers inside guards. Half guard is bang in the middle. But what happens with side guards?

Instead of trying to modify an existing guard such as the closed guard to fit your side guard needs why not utilize a guard that was designed to keep you on the side of your opponent?

The gains from such a position are plentiful – you get a great angle to attack and retain, as we already covered. You also end up exploding the opponent’s inside space at all times – think of the Octopus Guard as the guard that comes after you successfully arm-drag somebody from the bottom.

Then there is submission access. The Ocopus guard provides a chance to attack both upper and lower body submission at the same time without leaving the position. No other guard can really offer this in BJJ when I come to think of it. So, the Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD seems like a smart investment. I know I am happy to have made it.

Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD free-technique — FREE TECHNIQUE: Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD

DOWNLOAD HERE: OCTOPUS HALF GUARD BJORN FRIEDRICH DVD

Take ‘Em Deep!

I’d say that this instructional helps put the Octopus Guard firmly on the map of reliable and effective guards to use in BJJ. Since it’s applicable both in Gi and No-Gi, and world champions seem to be using it more and more, why not grab the Octopus Half Guard Bjorn Friedrich DVD and try to add this versatile attacking guard position to your game? I can confirm that it helped improve mine.

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Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD Review 2024

By

Ognen Dzabirski

-

Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD Review

Key Takeaways

A single-volume Gi DVD covering lockdown half guard uses and variations.
Features plenty of attacks and just as many follow-ups and backup strategies.
Extends to include standing, passing, and transitional aspects.
BJJ World Expert Rating: 6.5 out of 10.

ERIC SILVER HALF GUARD LOCKDOWN DVD GET HERE

Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD Preview — WATCH FULL TRAILER: Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD

A half guard lockdown instructional that is meant for Gi Jiu-Jitsu? The Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD offers exactly that, putting a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu spin on a classic 10th PLanet move. I never thought I’d write a sentence like this in my life.

The lockdown remains one of the best half guard variations to play and provides a great way to stave off passing by way of mechanics that work like quicksand. The position and all assorted attacks and transitions are anything but easy to figure out though. Can Eric Silvver help you make sense of it? Read on!

Half Guard’s Final Frontier

The one thing every coach yells out when you end up being flattened while playing half guard is to keep your back off the mats. Well, that’s easier said than done, especially when the top person has any sort of underhook control. That, however, does not mean that the half guard is dead.

If your back is on the mats, you actually gain access to one of the best half guard variations that exist in the sport – the Lockdown half guard. Pioneered by Eddie Bravo in his early days of developing the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu System, the lockdown emerged as one of the best ways to stop people from passing and to launch a deadly combo of sweep-submission attacks that’s extremely difficult to deal with.

Bravo pulled it off against Royler Gracie in their second match, and countless high-level grapplers have used it in BJJ and MMA over the years. The lockdown represents the last half guard frontier before the top person can pass without worrying about attacking threats.

As such, it is designed to help you keep the top person stuck, as you battle for the grips that allow you to completely turn the tables and expose the top player’s weak points. The Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD offers a different take on Bravo’s original position, but is equally as effective, if not more.

Eric Silver: When Karate Meets BJJ

Inspired by Bruce Lee, Eric Silver started training martial arts in the 1970s with Judo providing an introduction to the world of combat sports. He followed that up with Karate practice, which he found interesting on account of the full-contact sparring back then, and remained with it.

Eric stumbled upon BJJ in 1994 when a friend asked him to visit a Rickson Gracie seminar in Atlanta. After seeing what Rickson could do to a human being, Eric immediately signed up and ended up as one of Rickson’s early US students.

These days, silver has a 6th-degree black belt in Wado Ryu Karate and a 4th-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He was promoted by Rickson in 2009 and remains one of the most dedicated Gracie Jiu-JItsu instructors in the US.

You can find Eric at his Zanshin Dojo in Nashville, or try to understand what his Jiu-Jitsu is all about from the Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD. Let’s see what this DVD has to offer.

Detailed Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD Review

This instinct strikes you as strange the moment you see it. It addresses the lockdown position, which was popularized by Eddie Bravo as a No-Gi half guard. In this instance, a Rickson Gracie black belt who likes to teach Gracie Jiu-Jitsu covers it with the Gi.

Don’t let first impressions fool you though, as the material inside it is very useful and organized in a systematic way. I only wish this DVD offered more content, as it barely lasts minutes. Let’s move on to the section-by-section Eric Silver DVD review:

I. Standing Tactics

you wouldn’t expect a lockdown instructional to begin standing, but Eric likes to be through and that is exactly why this Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD starts with takedown tactics. Eric shares the concept of base and connection immediately, setting it up as the foundation of all the material that follows.

He also covers optimal grips and precise movement to set up attacks, along with addressing ways in which you can defend common takedowns. Most of the attacks are rooted in Judo, with Silver providing a way to combine attacks as you leverage the double collar grip.

II. Getting to the Lockdown

In the next section of the DVD, the lockdown starts to appear, as Eric guides us toward guard entries starting with the open guard. He then offers a few direct attacks before covering entry points to the lockdown. A bit of guard passing, or, more precisely, failed guard passing followups also feature in this section.

III. The Nashville Lockdown

Eric’s own version of the lockdown, dubbed the Nashville lockdown dominates the central portion of the Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD. Silver outlines the ‘classic’ lockdown first, before moving on to explain how the East/West Nashville variation works and how you can attack sweeps and chokes directly.

True to the title of this instructional which also promises follow-ups, Eric then goes through some useful options to revert to if your sweep-choke combo fails. Speaking of sweeps, he also ties in a lockdown sweep with an Americana follow-up, showing you how to bundle the attacks very effectively.

IV. Lockdown Attacks

As this Eric Silver DVD draws to a close, the focus is completely on offense. Silver provides a different direction for your lockdown attacks by offering back takes that complement the sweep-submission combos he already covered.

He also addresses the turtle’s position, and how the lockdown can help you dismantle and attack it fairly easily. He uses the lockdown not just to break the turtle down, but to follow up with immediate pins, like the reverse knee on the belly, which offers plenty of toe holding options.

Prioritize Guard Retention

There is no point in playing guard if you can’t stay in that guard for as long as you want. That’s the one skill that needs lots of time on the mats and dedicated practice, and people often skip assuming the guard structure is somehow going to help them achieve it without any effort.

Let me put it this way: there is no complete BJJ game that doesn’t involve a guard or two, and there is no way to play guard without mastering guard retention. The Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD is a great resource to help you figure out how to use one of the best half guard variations to lock up and keep the top person stuck.

Touching briefly on the subject of stalling, utilizing retention tactics is not going to get you penalized, as long as you use them to block your opponent from advancing before you use them to set up attacks of your own. The Electric Chair sweep works because you end up tangling someone up with the Lockdown – it won’t work from a loose half guard.

Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD Free Sample — SEE FREE SAMPLE: Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD

DOWNLOAD HERE: ERIC SILVER HALF GUARD LOCKDOWN DVD

Dominate Half Guard!

In any BJJ roll or match you’ll do, you’ll end up playing closed or half guard at least for a little bit. These two guards somehow emerge when you end up being under real pressure from an experienced opponent.

They both obviously work well, which is why we revert to them automatically, making it very important to master variations of each. The Eric Silver Half Guard Lockdown DVD is a great way to introduce the lockdown to your Gi half guard game, taking most of your opponents by surprise.

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BJJ Black Friday Sale – Prices Slashed On The Best BJJ Instructionals

By

Ognen Dzabirski

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2024 BJJ Black Friday Sale - Prices Slashed On The Best BJJ Instructionals

Key Takeaways

A top list of all the best BJJ DVDs to get for Black Friday 2024!
We included multi-volume instructionals and entire DVD bundles that people loved learning from in the past 12 months!
Our selection covers all positions, from guarded and standing to pins and submissions!
Top coaches and competitors feature as expert instructors in each DVD!

GO STRAIGHT TO THE BJJ BLACK FRIDAY SALE HERE

Time to make the most out of the one day in the week where you can grow your BJJ DVD collection as much as it grew throughout the past 12 months! The 2024 BJJ Black Friday Sale is upon us and there are more BJJ DVDs than ever to consider!

So how do you make your selection? We decided to make things easier for you by offering you the ultimate list of the top DVDs to get this Black Friday, based on our expert opinions and reviews, as well as the feedback from those who bought and used them. Let’s go!

Building a BJJ DVD Collection

Learning BJJ solely by training in an academy is not nearly enough these days. A couple of decades ago, this was the only choice and it is still an integral part of actually mastering some aspects of the Gentle Art. However, If you truly want to challenge some of the best in the world, you’ll need to expand your learning horizons.

While I am a strong advocate for cross-training, not all gyms are open to ‘swapping members’, and sometimes, only one gym is available at a specific location. Camps and seminars are awesome resources as well, but they’re costly and require extensive travel.

That leaves us with video instructionals, or better said, BJJ DVDs. These have become a staple of learning specific areas of BJJ over the last few years, offering a way for everyone who specializes in any move or concept to deepen their knowledge and gain valuable instructions from world-class coaches and competitors.

The titles in your BJJ DVD collection matter almost as much as how many open mats you had in the past year, and there’s hardly a better time to grow it a lot at once than the end of November. Why? you didn’t forget about this year’s huge BJJ Black Friday Sale, did you?

The Best BJJ Instructionals To Get in 2024

A BJJ Black Friday Sale can be as exhausting and frustrating as it is exciting! There are simply too many options to choose from, even if you are a specialist in a very specific field of grappling martial arts. Allow us to take you through the best Black Friday Sale Best BJJ Instructionals for 2024:

Just Pass Jay Rodriguez DVD

Modern guard passing at its best! ADCC Trials winner and silver medalist Jay Rod demonstrates his favorite ways of getting mast most modern-day No-Gi guards in this 3 part instructional. Some of the key subjects covered include the super-popular rumble passing, butterfly guard passing, drags, and high steps.

GET IT HERE

Jay Rod also covers different ways in which you can organize all of the passing sequences in a system that allows you to beat any No-Gi guard with ease. Includes Jay’s signature distance drags in great detail!

Compass Kneebar System Charles Harriott DVD

The man with the leg lock plan(s) is back with a very impressive take on how to improve you kneebars! Charles Harriott, a seasoned leg locker with a proven pedigree in the field, and with one of the coolest jobs in the world – traveling BJJ coach unveils his brand new kneebar system!

GET IT HERE

This is one DVD every leg locker needs to go for during this BJJ Black Friday Sale! Charles goes over kneebar fundamentals, breaking down the Russian Cowboy double kneebar position first. He then uses it to launch us into his compass kneebar system that offers kneebars in any direction you choose to fall toward. The cherry on the pudding is the connection Charles offers between kneebars and armbars!

Trip Throw Dilemma Michael Pixley and Heath Pedigo DVD

The Daisy Fresh team comes together to deliver one of the best standing instructionals that came out in 2024! The moves are demonstrated by both the head coach and team founder Heath Pedigo, and the wrestling coach,h and after the last ADCC, legendary, purple belt who beat Meregali, Michael Pixley.

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The pair organize their instructions in two volumes, targeting how to combine throws and trips rather than going deep into the mechanics of specific throws. The usual suspects such as inside leg trip-ankle pick combos are joined by creative chains featuring attractive drop throws, headlock entries, and bundled trips.

Filthy Brutal No Good Attacks Neil Melanson DVD Bundle

It wouldn’t be a true BJJ Black Friday Sale if Neil Melanson didn’t feature in it. The thing with Neil is that he releases instructionals almost as often as Danaher, making it hard to pick the best. Luckily, you can now get his work organized in themed bundles.

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The Filthy, Brutal, No Good Attacks bundle is pretty self-explanatory, especially if you know Neil. It contains six instructionals, covering headlock attacks, neck cranks, a crazy cradle system, catch wrestling guillotines, attack chains from top side control, and a very detailed and unorthodox Kimura system.

Darragh O’Conaill Crucifix Encyclopedia DVD

What’s better than the back mount? The crucifix, of course, especially if you are a smaller framed grappler. That is exactly what this in-depth Darragh O’Conaill instructional covers in three material-rich volumes.

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Initially, he goes into extreme detail teaching how to control the position, offering tips and tricks even seasoned crucifix players will find useful. I know, because I am one. One of the best features of this instructional is that you’ll learn how to deal with common reactions and escapes, turning them into submission options! Once that is covered, a bunch of different entries and transitions follow!

Mastering Takedown Prevention Steve Mocco DVD

An instructional that covers a skillset that everyone needs in BJJ, but is rarely practiced – takedown defense. Mocco is a two-time NCAA National Champion and Olympian, which means he can teach you how to stop takedowns better than any BJJ coach who doesn’t match his background can!

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And indeed he does in these four-part instructions, starting with explaining what defense is in terms of standing exchanges and what you’re goals are. Almost all of the prevention and defense tactics in this DVD end up wit ha counter option that lads to a takedown, submission, or a back take for yourself! The single and double leg get lots of attention in this part!

Assassin Choke Baret Yoshida DVD

Gi lovers, this BJJ Black Friday sale is the perfect opportunity to learn some new Gi chokes! The assassin’s choke might not be new, but the legendary Baret Yoshida offers plenty of new details and tricks on everything related to this brutally effective choke hold!

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The instructional consists of two parts, with the first focusing mainly on attacking with the paper cutter and crucifix chokes, laying a foundation of attacks that are easy to pair up with the assassin’s choke. Part two of this DVD is all about getting the assassin’s choke from everywhere, and ensuring you get the tap with plenty of follow-ups!

Systematically Attacking The Crucifix Gordon Ryan DVD

A BJJ Black Friday Sale without some of Gordon Ryan’s work? Not possible. Since you’re going to look at Gordon Ryan DVDs, and plenty of them came out in 2024, let us suggest the best one – Gordon’s Crucifix Attacks instructional.

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Released recently, this 8-part No-Gi BJJ DVD helps resurrect (pun intended) a position that people seemed to have forgotten for a while. just like with any other Gordon Ryan DVD, this one covers everything and the kitchen sink, but it does provide a system you can follow to improve, or more likely, develop, your crucifix attacks. It contains the mandatory Ryan-narrated rolls as well!

Crush The Guard Vagner Rocha DVD

If you want to learn proper pressure passion, then see what the OGs in the game have been doing! Vagner Rocha has been putting in impressive performances on the mats for about two decades and has one of the most devastating passing games, right up there with the king of brutal passing, Rodolfo Vieira.

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Unlike Rodolfo, Vagner is still very much active in the BJJ competitions scene, and he offers plenty of different ways to crush the most popular guards and kill off all their threats in this three-part instructional. He offers interesting grip controls that lead into pressure that collapses all frames against seated and supine guards and opens up multiple passing or back-take options.

Dubious De La Riva Dominique Bell DVD

Dubious Dom is always entertaining to watch, but when decides to break down his super impressive guard game, people stand at attention like possums. This instructional will teach you how Dom plays his devastating De la Riva guard, starting with control and offering a lot of attention to guard retention and defense.

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Once he helps you develop a solid guard trap, Dubious Dom goes on to provide all the attacks you’ll need, from an array of multidirectional sweeps to impressive rolling backtakes and all kinds of bolo integrations. He relies heavily on the Gi to make the techniques he offers in four different volumes work so efficiently.

Upper Body Submission Assault Kade And Tye Ruotolo DVD

The most popular brothers duo’s contribution to this year’s BJJ Black Friday Sale is their Upper Body Submissions Assault manual, detailing some of the crazy ways in which we’ve seen them finish their opponents.

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The instructional is No-Gi, centered around the signature moves of both Tye and Kade Ruotolo such as the Darce choke, buggy choke, crazy armbars, plenty of different guillotine finishes, and rear naked coke variations. The brothers alternate throughout the four volumes as they show how talented they are as coaches in addition to being the most feared competitors these days.

No-Gi Pressure Mastery JT Torres DVD

JT Torres is always fun to watch, although lately, his DVDs are much more entertaining than his matches. The legendary World Champion has a true wealth of knowledge, and he somehow manages to compress all of it related to the art of pressure in this six-part instructional.

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Condensing the material does not mean he skips over anything, as JT teaches us how to leverage pressure when passing the guard. He covers all directions you can pass to, with particular focus on passing outside and through the legs. All the material is tried and tested against the best in the world, and you’ll see some of JT’s signature moves broken down to the tiniest detail inside!

Miko Hytonen Lapel Chokes From Everywhere DVD

If you thought Baret Yoshida’s Assasin’s Choke DVD was interesting, wait till you see what Miko Hytonen has in store in this one! The choke machine offers an overview of every reliable lapel choke you can pull off in BJJ, systematizing them over the course of two hours and four different volumes.

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Miko offers not just a variety of lapel chokes, but also plenty of different positions to set them up from! He starts with the closed guard, showing how you can easily finish people with classics such as the Ezekiel choke. More variety comes from top side control with Brabo strangles and the mount with Miko’s crazy lapel fiesta choke series.

A Blueprint For Smeshing Khabib Nurmagomedov DVD

Any self-respecting grappler needs to study Khabib Nurmagomedov. You can watch his octagon performances, but nothing beats learning from the man himself, which is now possible through this DVD. If you want to learn how to smesh, Khabib style, then you should simply put in the time to watch this instructional over a few times and test out its contents on the mats!

Khabib’s top game blueprint revolves around the concept of pressure, which he masterfully teaches you how to apply when standing and on the ground. Lots of mount attacks feature in the ground portion, all resulting in submissions, while the standing part covers how to chain together effective takedowns.

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The final part goes over cage wrestling techniques, which, given the rise of pro grappling in ONE FC, the UFC, and CJI will definitely come in handy. This instructional is an opportunity you should not miss out on during this BJJ Black Friday Sale!

Efficiently Executing X-Guard Giancarlo Bodoni DVD

In this one, two-time ADCC winner Giancarlo Bodoni guides you through every aspect of the X-guard, teaching you how to develop your own, high-percentage game. Bodoni sticks to the standard model of grappling DVDs structuring the information in four parts with a running time of almost 4 hours.

He starts off laying a foundation of concepts that will help you keep the X guard infinitely, before exploring different ways in which you can attack from it. Sweeping is the first attack direction Giancarlo goes over, providing shortcuts to mastering the most effective sweeps in different directions, and from different X-guard variations.

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Leg locks feature heavily as well, as you’d expect from a New Age Jiu-Jitsu team member. Bodoni demonstrates how you can easily connect overhead sweep threats with Ashi Garami entires to offer plenty of different dilemmas to all your opponents.

Jeff Glover Deep Half Revolution DVD Bundle

Rounding off our top BJJ Black Friday Sale picks for this year is another bundle, since the man behind it loves to release a large number of instructionals each year. Since it is Jeff Glover we’re talking about here, more of his DVDs are always welcome!

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This particular bundle caught our attention because it offers an ultra-detailed insight into one of Jeff’s most used positions and one of the best slow-game guards in BJJ – the deep half. Glover offers fundamentals of the guard for both Gi and No-GI, as well as an entire DVD filled with Jeff’s best moves and original tweaks!

Don’t Miss Out On The Biggest BJJ Black Friday Sale!!!

If you’ve been doing BJJ for a while, you’ve probably been looking forward to the Black Friday BJJ Sale! We’re glad we can help by cutting through the sheer volume of DVDs available and offering the very best picks according to our expert opinion and the feedback from grappler who have already improved their games and ranks massively by getting these instructionals! No better time to grow your collection than Black Friday!

CLICK HERE TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE BJJ DVD BLACK FRIDAY SALE

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