Key Takeaways
- A No-Gi BJJ instructional covering the subject of sliding entries into Ashi Garami leg locking positions.
- Features a bunch of guard and standing engagements that set up sliding entries.
- Contains both Ashi Garami attacks, and follow-ups based on the same entries.
- BJJ World Expert Rating: 7 out of 10.
SLIP N SLIDE INTO VICTORY JULIAN ESPINOSA DVD GET HERE
While finishing actual leg locks from Ashi Garami positions that opponents can’t untangle should remain your priority when you’re looking to be the next big thing in leg locks, you can’t oversee entries. You’ll always struggle with finishing, but if you can’t get into position in the first place, it won’t really matter.
The Slip N Slide Into Victory Julián Espinosa DVD is a short and precise instructional that looks into one very specific method of entering Ashi Garami entanglements. Sliding is highly effective, easy to use, and doesn’t require any particular athletic abilities – perfect for the lazy BJJ hobbyist looking to introduce some leg locks to their bi-weekly physical activity.
Sliding Leg Lock Entries
Ever since we saw Ryan Hall scare the living daylight out of professional UFC fighters by spinning into heel hooks, the BJJ world has been curious about learning them, and wary of falling victim to such attractive leg lock entries.
Danaher managed to put a method to the madness, sharing a foolproof way of practicing Imanari Rolls and similar entries such as the Jackie Chen. That made them more accessible to everyone, taking focus away from a whole set of entries that are arguably the most useful Ashi Garami gateways for guard players – sliding entries.
While you can spin and invert into leg locks with a great degree of success, or bait your opponent to step over by gifting you an Ashi entry, the most reliable method remains sliding under their center of gravity and relying on good old Kuzishi to get an Ashi, or complete a sweep.
This aspect of leg lock entries tends to get lost in the visual appeal of spinning and inverting entries, which is part of the reason why some really useful leg locking attacks end up labeled as one-off moves. The Slip N Slide Into Victory Julián Espinosa DVD sheds some light on how you can use sliding for both ‘boring’ and attractive leg lock entries.
Costan Rican BJJ Black Belt Julián Espinosa
Arturo Wesson black belt Julian Espinosa has one of the most exciting styles of BJJ in the world. Before I discuss him or his Slip N Slide Julián Espinosa DVD any further, let me tell you that you won’t be able to emulate him unless you have a strong gymnastics background.
That, however, doesn’t mean you can’t learn a lot from the young grappling champion. Aged 24, and already the holder of the European Champion title in No-Gi, IBJJF JJ CON No-Gi Champion, and plenty of super-fight victories, there is a lot that we’ll be seeing from Julian in the near future.
Espinosa started grappling fairly young, discovering Jiu-Jitsu when he was 9 years old. He went through all the kids’ belts, followed by the adult belts, training with Juan Barrantes and Javier Valenciano. He moved to Wesson’s Renzo Gracie Costa Rica academy as a brown belt, earning his black belt in 2022 at a ceremony led by Rolles Gracie.
Slip N Slide Into Victory Julián Espinosa DVD Review
I actually liked that the Slip N Slide Julián Espinosa DVD is a single-volume DVD. Espinosa did a solid job organizing the material, and in the hour of information he had to share on the subject, he really does address every important bit of sliding leg lock entries.
Plus, I found it easier to move through the material when searching specific aspects with everything available in just one volume. This No-Gi instructional is very specific, and if you’re expecting plenty of leg lock details from it you’ll need to manage your expectations.
Julian manages to stick to the subject of leg lock entries without going into huge tangents (apart from the odd backflip here and there). He opens with a short intro, using it it segway into the underlying concept of concentric circles, and how they help guide sliding leg lock entries.
Plenty of underhook attachments feature early in this Julián Espinosa Leg Lock DVD, allowing Espinosa to get into the backside 50/50 position (mostly) and expose the heel.
Espinosa offers plenty of standing entries into leg locks using sliding methods, relying on clinching to create opportunities. The usual culprits such as arm drags and collar ties also feature, with a more athletic version of some of Danaher’s entries available from there.
I found the follow-ups to failed leg locks useful, as they help present further options than simply looking for the Ashi once you decide to slide under an opponent. That said, some setups, such as the Twister seem exceedingly far-fetched to ever work against a resisting opponent.
Hitting a 50/50 entry from a rear body lock position, on the other hand, is something I’ve been using for a while, and I did appreciate the details Espinosa shares as he concludes this BJJ DVD.
Sliding Past Leg Locks
What exactly does sliding offer apart from Ashi Garami? I know that all your leg lock specialists out there have no real interest in that, but since I was once one of you, let me tell you that the time will come when you wonder if there is anything in BJJ past leg locks.
The answer is ‘Yes’ there is plenty, and you can still use your favorite bag of leg lock tricks to do the rest of Jiu-Jitsu. Sliding is one great example of an entry method for leg locks that can improve your overall guard game, from retention to attacks.
By sliding into position without hunting from leg locks, you’ll begin recognizing other attacks, such as sweeps, or even upper body submissions, while retaining the option to revert back to Ashi if you want to.
The material provided in the Slip N Slide Into Victory Julián Espinosa DVD also provides different guard pulling and back taking methods from standing, which all share sliding entries as a common precursor.
FULL DOWNLOAD: JULIAN ESPINOSA LEG LOCKS DVD
Slip ‘N’ Slide!
Time to go for the attractive, but without sacrificing position and the health of your neck and upper back. Pick up the Slip N Slide Into Victory Julián Espinosa DVD and start exploring how reliable leg lock entries can improve your entire guard game while constantly providing the threat of Ashi Garami to your opponents.
Leg Locks 101: A Guide to Positions, Submissions, Dangers, And Rules
