Thinking Outside the Box...

For those of you looking for different tactics you can use for catching your opponents off guard, I've got a recommendation that will interest you.

Hopefully you are thinking outside the box when it comes to strategies you can implement in your game.

The recommendation I'd like to make is a DVD called The Art Of The Wristlock, by BJJ Black Belt, Roy Dean.
What's so different about this 2 DVD set is that it incorporates wrist locks taken from Japanese Jujitsu and Aikido and demonstrates their effectiveness against resisting opponents in a BJJ setting.
It gives a clear framework for adapting and using these wristlocks to surprise your opponents and take them off guard.

The beauty of these techniques is that many grapplers don't expect them therefore they aren't usually prepared to defend them.

There is also an excellent segment on footlocks and lower body submissions on the second DVD.

I can highly recommend this DVD set to all Grapplers who are constantly seeking to improve their game as well as add unconventional approaches to their skills.

The BJJ Notebook Coming Soon... FREE For Subscribers

Hi, just a quick note to let everyone know I'll be sending out my newest product called the BJJ Notebook to all my subscribers for FREE in PDF. format.

So keep a lookout in your email over the next week.

It will features several interviews including such BJJ greats like Dave Camarillo and more, a biographical article on Rickson Gracie, called The Flowing Wave Of Jiujitsu, and many other articles.

Also, feel free to send in any questions or comments.

To Gi Or Not To Gi?

This seems to be the age old question in Jiujitsu.

The funny thing is that there are proponents of either method that are often very convinced that their way is the ONLY way.

The truth is that both methods have their pros and cons.

For the record I train in BOTH methods and although I do train primarily in no-gi Jiujitsu, I feel that the gi is VERY important to training.

The pros to no-gi training are that the lack of a gi forces you to use grips that don't depend on clothing.
Underhooks, overhooks, and neck/head control allow you to control your opponent regardless of what he's wearing.
To me this is a little more realistic in terms of habits and skills to develop.

Now yes it is true that people often wear jackets and that developing gripping skills with the jacket allows for more chokes and points of control than training without the gi does. This is why I feel that Jiujitsu practitioners should at least have some gi experience if they choose to train without the gi.

The cons to training only with the gi are that if the gi is taken out of the equation, the gi fighter will have to adapt his skills on the fly to the lack of grips he has available and if he has no experience at all without the gi he could have serious problems adapting.

In the end, regardless of what method you choose to train in, I can sincerely advise you to train in the other side as well. This can only be beneficial for you in the long run and will make your game more complete.