BJJ DVD Review: Rafael Lovato JR Guard Mastery

Rafael Lovato JR Guard Mastery DVDs Review:

Short Review: This is a sport gi jiujitsu set. This is not universal for no gi, self defence or MMA. Having said that, it is an excellent one at that. If you are brand new beginner, this set will be overwhelming. I personally think this is a great set for the competition oriented purple or brown belt or even higher but not necessarily the first set to buy as a white / blue belt grappler.

Disc 1: 1hour, 25 minutes

The DVD starts with Rafael explaining how he morphed from a strong guard player to the pressure guard passer, raised under the prodigees Saulo and Xande Ribiero, that we now know him to be. This is a much appreciated segment as viewers get to see a different side of the black belt and not just technique after technique. We get a sneak peak into the mind and the evolutionary journey of this jiujitsuka.

1. Xande Sweep: Xande used this flower sweep to defeat Marcelo Garcia at the 2004 worlds. Rafael does a good job of sharing all the grip-hip-move-timing details that are so vital to jiujitsu.

2. Follow-up: Rafael acknowledges that posting isn't always enough to stop the sweep, but nonetheless shows how to take advantage of the post and shows a very smooth back take and a bonus mount technique. The grip he uses is not NoGi friendly, but adjusting it shouldn't be too difficult. The instruction is, ala Saulo, very detail rich.

3. Arm bar: Building off the opponent's natural reactions to the danger of the back take, Rafael shows how to isolate and lock the opponent's nearside arm. Again, I'm very impressed with Rafael's ability to articulate everything he's doing. Jiujitsu instruction extraordinaire.


4. Pendulum Sweep: 2008 Pan Ams. Rafael Lovato Jr v Roberto Tussa Alencar. If you haven't seen it yet, watch it:

BJJ / Grappling / MMA DVD review: UFC coach Nathan Leverton Super Grappling Seminar - The Turtle

Nathan Leverton is a great grappling and MMA coach with several fighters from his team, Leicester Shootfighters representing on a scale of MMA shows from local events to the UFC.

I was recently contacted by Nathan to review his latest product:  A DVD instructional on the turtle position, which is a huge part of grappling, jiujitsu and MMA so I was more than happy to oblige. As I am very busy with school at the moment, I told Nate it'd go in the queue and I finally got an hour or two free so here it goes.

You can download Nathan's Turtle Top MMA curriculum here.

Here is a great example of Nathan's MMA / grappling coaching skills: Here he is teaching the Front Headlock - 3/4 Nelson - Darce Choke chain.

BJJ DVD Review: Nic Gregoriades & Kit Dale Concepts.

Review Nic Gregoriades and Kit Dale Concepts DVD

Two funny guys presenting concepts and techniques that will turbocharge your jiujitsu. Nic and Kit are both very comfortable with the camera and with working with each other. The sound quality is crystal clear and the two black belts wear white and black gis respectively, working on light and dark grey mats so the HD quality of the picture is very high.

Where to buy this DVD:

In DVD format ($59.99) or digital download ($49.99) at: http://www.gobeyondtechnique.com/

Disclosure

I have never met these gentlemen but I have known Nic online for a few years. This review is based solely on my own opinions.

Here are a few words from Nic himself:



You can purchase the BJJ Concepts DVD here.

The DVD starts with the two black belts discussing how the contents will become tools for the learners to develop their own jiujitsu, with technique examples of course.

BJJ / Grappling DVD Review: Dean Lister - leg locks in the K.A.T.C.H. System

I honestly can't remember
who's foot this is

Dean Lister is the man. He's one of the most accomplished grapplers out there, but he's also much more, more on that in a future post.

When I saw the opportunity to review his latest DVD set centering around his system of leg attacks I jumped at it. I loved the content, which was expected, but I also believed that it had nothing to do with where I am in my grappling journey. In other words, I didn't think I liked it because I'm a brown belt, but rather because it was good. To prove a point, I asked my good friend and training partner Mr Don Barr to do the review. Don is a blue belt with a great game but, in his own words, is no foot locker. The result was a very thorough and beautifully written BJJ / grappling DVD review:

Dean Lister’s K.A.T.C.H Leg Lock System - review by Don Barr

When Liam suggested I review this DVD set I initially told him to get stuffed. Although we’ve covered basic foot locks in class plenty of times, I’ve never really took to them. I patiently explained that I was probably one of the least qualified people to review this as I can count the number of people I’ve submitted with a foot lock this year on one hand, and under IBJJF rules I can’t even use most of the techniques Lister shows in competition anyway (at the time of writing I’ve been a blue belt for just over two years). Right now it makes sense to concentrate more on guard passing, I said. However, he insisted that it’s aimed at people like me so I relented because it’s Dean Lister.

You can buy the K.A.T.C.H. system DVDs here.

Ralph Gracie Beating Up Lloyd Irvin and a bunch of other people

In this blast from the past Vale Tudo instructional, we see Ralph "The PitBull" Gracie demonstrate techniques of Gracie Jiu Jitsu to defend against and defeat punches, knees, headbutts and headlocks. His demo partners are a blue belt Lloyd Irvin and three others I've not heard of before (which doesn't mean they are not awesome practitioners by now!)



One More Time: Bye Bye Baby!

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ZHOO ZHITSU IS FOR EVERYONE!

BJJ DVD review Von Flu Choke by The Fight Hub

I was very pleased with the Leg Drag DVD that my friend Mr Tim Sledd sent me to review and soon after I published that review, I came in contact with the man behind that production company The Fight Hub: Mario Roberto Black Belt Mr James Clingerman. We got talking and I really liked his work ethics and he liked the thorough job I did on Tim's DVD so he sent me three volumes to review for the Part Time Grappler readers. I reviewed the first (The Peruvian Dozen 2.0) back in October but since then, university happened and I've had to do the work, if you can call it that, piecemeal by piecemeal. Here is my review of the second one:

Mastering the Von Flu Choke

This is a good production and well worth the humble price ($39). More importantly, James is one of the good guys with a lot of great jiujitsu to teach so support him and his community. Why do I know this? Because he's been gracious enough a LOT of material on YouTube. 

Here's a taster of what you expect to learn (not actual DVD footage):

You can buy Mastering the Von Flu DVD here.

BJJ DVD Review: Roy Dean Black Belt Requirements

Roy Dean: Black Belt Requirements:

Please purchase this volume here.

Disc 1

What does it mean to be a black belt?: 
A beautiful and very poetic expression of how Roy sees the art of jiujitsu and the black belt milestone of it. (3min28sec)

Stand up: 
Here Roy demonstrates a few expressions of the principles of jiujitsu in the standup phase. This is modern jiujitsu with grip fighting, armdrags and throws / takedowns transitioning straight into submissions on the ground. It's not judo as the new rules of judo have moved away from the method of grip fighting Roy advocates nor is it wrestling as Roy uses the gi to connect his weight to the opponent's spine in most techniques. Very interesting segment and the focus on ending with a submission is, in my opinion, what earmarks this as a black belt DVD. (7min14sec)

Tripod Sweep:
Roy alluded to the idea of taking a technique then building a sequence of techniques / scenarios around it and he starts us off with the tripod sweep building all the way to the top position and finishing with an array of submissions. As usual, Roy's articulate explanation makes these sequences useful to anyone from white all the way to black belt. A nice bonus, Roy looks at counters to the tripod sweep and a tight bow and arrow entry that I've not seen before. (7min38sec)

BJJ DVD Review: Peruvian Dozen 2.0 by James Clingerman

What a great DVD! I was very pleased with the Leg Drag DVD that my friend Mr Tim Sledd sent me to review and soon after I published that review, I came in contact with the man behind that production company The Fight Hub: Mario Roberto Black Belt Mr James Clingerman. We got talking and I really liked his work ethics and he liked the thorough job I did on Tim's DVD so he sent me three volumes to review for the Part Time Grappler readers. Since then, university happened and I've had to do the work, if you can call it that, piecemeal by piecemeal. Here is my review of the first one:

The Peruvian Dozen 2.0

James builds this DVD in segments:

1. The Peruvian Necktie as a finishing attack and how it sits with other finishes.
2. The Peruvian Necktie as a defined positional strategy and your position and submission options from there.
3. The Peruvian Necktie as a quick, transitional position and where you can go from there.

The Peruvian Dozen 2.0 is a great production and well worth the humble price ($39). More importantly, James is one of the good guys with a lot of great jiujitsu to teach so support him and his community. Why do I know this? Because he's been gracious enough a LOT of material on YouTube:



You can get the Peruvian Dozen from here.

BJJ DVD Review: Leg Drag Seminar with Andre Galvao black belt Mr Tim Sledd

"The sooner you learn that jiujitsu is mechanics, not magic, the better your study of it will be" Tim Sledd, Head instructor at Andre Galvao's first American Affiliate: Small Axe Jiujitsu.

The first thing that strikes me about this BJJ DVD is how professional this whole package is. The Fight Hub really did a great job on this one. I first heard of Mr Tim Sledd thru an BJJ interview about changing affiliation with the Fightworks podcast (listen to it here) and I contacted him on Facebook and we've been in touch since. He's a very approachable and knowledgeable jiujitsu practitioner with a lot passion for the sport and the community.

You can buy the DVD here.

The DVD starts with a short 2 minute introduction by Tim himself and then we are treated to 3 sections: Seminar I at IU, Seminar II at GZ and Bonus Material.

BJJ DVD Review: How to defeat bigger, stronger opponents II? Brandon Mullins shows the way

So How DO YOU defeat a bigger, stronger opponent?! Stephan Kesting teams up with Brandon “Wolverine” Mullins (BJJ world champion) and bring us a great sequel to "How to defeat the bigger, stronger opponent" but this is not any old sequel. These 5 DVDs (4 instructional plus 1 bonus) are a turbo charged BJJ set that should guide any blue belt and above through the treacherous world of surviving (and perhaps defeating) the big grappling bullies.

In the first DVD (1hr 40min) Brandon covers the top game from every position: How to survive in the guard, how to grip fight from standing and (my favourite) how to work with an opponent who has the opposite lead (orthodox vs. south paw!). We are introduced to takedowns; guard passes and mount stabilisation tactics. I was also happy to see that there was no overlap with the brilliant first series which featured Emily Kwok.

What are the 50 most common mistakes to avoid in BJJ?

I recently received the a BJJ instructional DVD from the uber talented Mr Adam Adshead, BJJ brown belt under the flag of Combat Base BJJ and head instructor at Factory BJJ in the neighbouring Stockport / Reddish area. The title of the DVD, as you can see from the picture above, is "50 common mistakes to avoid in BJJ". Immediately, I'm excited and really looking forward to watching and reviewing this material for the following reasons:

1. Adam is a skilled practitioner of the art of BJJ
2. Adam is a skilled competitor in BJJ and NoGi grappling (see below match from The Manchester Open from when he was still a BJJ purple belt)
3. Adam is a skilled instructor of grappling
4. Adam does not rest (ever, I believe) when it comes to furthering his knowledge in all the above three fields
5. Most importantly (IMO), Adam is a very nice person. I dig nice people.

I suggested to Adam that before publishing the BJJ DVD review that I would conduct a quick interview with him about it. I have a few good questions but I would rather get your questions and field them to him so here is your opportunity.

Click on the envelope on the right, leave a comment here or where this article is published on Facebook or Twitter and send me your questions for Adam and I will try to get as many as possible incorporated.




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Liam "The Part Time Grappler" Wandi

Proudly sponsored by Predator Fightwear: Built for the kill and Brutal TShirt: Made By Grapplers For Fighters

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BJJ and Brazinglish: The Language of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

The jiu jitsu we all love and enjoy is Brazilian and there is no hiding from that fact. It’s evident in the relaxed atmosphere on the mat and in the close relationship between the subcultures of BJJ and surfing. However, there is no place where the Brazilian flavours are as inescapable as in Brazinglish: The official language of BJJ instructional media. Here are my favourite expressions, I know you have yours:

1. Momento

Momento is not an English word. In Portugese, the word “Momento” actually means time, a moment or an instant. Anyone who’s ever watched BJJ instructionals will tell you that in Brazinglish it’s used to mean “timing”.

Example: Planning to attend a BJJ seminar on your anniversary weekend is terrible Momento

BJJ DVD: Brown Belt Requirements Review - Roy Dean hits another home-run

As I promised here, this is my review of Roy Dean's latest volume: Brown Belt Requirements.


"After all, this is your personal expression"

The music-lead voice of Roy Dean introduces this giant volume. The brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is quite an advanced rank and rolling with a solid brown belt is quite a humbling experience and that's exactly the feeling you get from watching the 3 minute flow of techniques that starts off this DVD: humbled. Humbled by the skill of presentation but also by the amount of effort and production quality that Roy invested in this product. We are treated to a variety of Roy's personal expressions of the usual techniques of jiu jitsu. Triangles, chokes, sweeps, leg locks and armbars are not just performed, they are expressed.

Roy doesn’t instruct as much in this volume. Rather, he shares. He shares his (and in some cases his instructor’s Mr Roy Harris’) experiences and expectations for the brown belt. I have tried to outline my review to reflect this.

BJJ Review: 'How to Defeat the Bigger, Stronger Opponent' by Stephan Kesting and Emily Kwok

In a recent email from Stephan Kesting he said:

“If you've already purchased 'How to Defeat the Bigger, Stronger Opponent' then CONGRATULATIONS! You've made a great decision and will be getting a ton of great information that can totally transform your game.”

I tell you what, the man is not lying!

The people behind these BJJ instructional DVDs are highly qualified:

-Stephan Kesting (BJJ black belt under Marcus Soares and the man behind Grapplearts.com, Beginningbjj.com and a number of great BJJ & grappling educational products)

-Emily Kwok (BJJ world champion, No Gi world & PanAm champion, MMA fighter and currently a student of Marcelo Garcia)

The name of this BJJ instructional set of DVDs is "How to defeat the bigger, stronger opponent" and it stretches over 5 DVDs (3 instructional plus 2 bonus ones)

BJJ DVD review: Coming very soon!

This is just a teaser. I have received and reviewed what's probably the hottest BJJ instructional set of DVDs at the moment. I will publish the review later on today. Anyone want to venture a guess which on it is?

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Liam "The Part Time Grappler" Wandi

Proudly sponsored by Predator Fightwear: Built for the kill

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BJJ DVD Reviews: The Ground Never Misses: "Xande" - DVD Review

The Ground Never Misses: "Xande" - DVD Review: "Arguably the most anticipated DVD tutorial to ever hit the market, Alexandre 'Xande' Ribeiro has finally released his 5 disk cannon simply ..."

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BJJ DVD: Alexandre "Xande" Ribeiro Releases BJJ DVD Set!

This is Amazing News!

2 time absolute BJJ World Champion (Black Belt Level)
4 time Heavy Weight BJJ World Champion (Black Belt Level)
2 time ADCC Champion (Read more about Xande on Wikipedia)

Mr Xande Ribeiro talks to Caleb of the Fightworks Podcast and share his vision for the upcoming set of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu DVDs.

This is the set we've all been waiting for. If you don't own and watch (on a regular basis) the 3 sets released by the legendary Saulo Ribeiro (Xande's older brother), not to mention the amazing encyclopedic book that is Jiu-jitsu University then you are truely cutting your BJJ / Grappling short. I can't wait to see what Xande has put together.

Here is one of many Highlight Reels of the Ribeiro Brothers:




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Understanding BJJ: Linking Grappling Techniques

“See Construction”

Please read the above phrase 5 times in your head.

Now please read it again 3 times loud enough for you to hear your own voice (but not necessary loud enough to alarm innocent bystanders, or sitters)

What does it mean?

Do you want me to help you a little? OK, I will put it in a sentence that has Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Grappling / MMA context:

“As a BJJ athlete, I have travelled the world to see construction!”

I’m sure most of you fine; intelligent people have figured this out by now. If you haven’t, it’s not your fault. It’s a trick. Pesky me!

Now read this:

“As a BJJ athlete, I have travelled the world to seek instruction!”

“See Construction”
“Seek Instruction”

It’s an easy mistake-a to make-a.

Now take that and think about all the moves you’re struggling to make work in BJJ / Grappling. Have a think about that flower sweep you just can’t pull off or the armbar that people seem to escape at will. After you’ve examined it properly and ensured all the technical details are adhered to (and you still can’t make it work) then start thinking about the set-up or the move you do just before.

1. Are you breaking their posture before entering your technique?
2. Are they stationary or are they in motion, generating momentum that you can perhaps use?
3. If you’re linking two or more BJJ manoeuvres, is it very obvious that the first one is just a fake? My Karate sensei always stressed that the first move should always carry enough of a threat to warrant their reaction.

Before initiating the flower sweep, break their posture then release so they posture up and raise their centre of gravity.

If you can’t keep the arm in place to armbar, attack with a deep; threatening palm-up palm-down cross choke and watch them chase you with that arm trying to block the choke.

Basically, if you can’t see the construction, you should seek some instruction.



Here is Gracie Humaita black belt Mr Raphael Lovato Jr. talking you thru the Flower Sweep. Watch and learn from the best!



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BJJ Tips: More on Approaching the Opponent

My previous post was inspired by the awesome three-hour seminar with Royler Gracie black belt Mr Eddie Kone on Sunday at his Rotherham affiliate EKBJJ North. Eddie didn't necessary spend too much time on the topic of approach and grip fighting, but one thing that struck the first time I visited his BJJ and MMA academy in London (The Ultimate Fitness Centre) a few months back was how quick all his students were to establish grips, both from standing, when playing guard and also when working the guard pass. Coming from Karl's heavily MMA-influenced style of underhooks and overhooks, I was very taken aback the first time and as I struggled to grip fight, Eddie's students were 3-4 steps ahead of me. That highlighted a weak area to my attention and I've been working on that from every position and in every roll over the past few months. I was pleasantly surprised on Sunday when we rolled after the seminar that I was better prepared.

To be clear, the biggest improvement was in my approach. It's not that I was grip fighting more, but I was approaching them in a way and at an angle that gave them much less to go for, allowing me to be more proactive with my own grip hunting.

At the request of Allie and Georgette in response to my previous post, I made a quick video addressing the Approach side. In it, Mr Andy Rhind, who was kind enough to drive the two of us to the Eddie Kone seminar, helps me demonstrate my stance and which arm I use to protect my collar and which arm I reach with both from an open (opposite lead legs) and closed (same lead legs) stance.

It's important to notice that while it's all done in standing, the same concepts can just as easily be applied on the ground. Also, the video was shot at the Labs right after 2 x 1hr BJJ sessions so the lens kept steaming up. While that did give the shot a dreamy, Barbra Streisand-y kind of mist, it was not the original intent, just an added bonus :o)



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BJJ Tips: Approaching Your Opponent

The correct approach is very important in any activity, BJJ / grappling is no exception. I learned a long time ago that early mistakes can quickly escalate, snowball and totally throw you off your course. I still remember Mr Robinson my high-school maths teacher shaking his head as I discover that the reason my answer at the bottom of page 3 was way wrong was a simple mistake I made at the top of page 1.

In BJJ / grappling, the first time I heard someone talk of the approach was on a Saulo Ribiero DVD. I was a newly graded BJJ blue belt and up to that point, I never really thought about it. To my simple, inexperienced eyes you just started from the handshake and just somehow went on with the roll, either pulling guard or working the pass. It took Mr Ribiero's well honed attention to the intricate details of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to open my eyes.

Saulo Ribiero masterfully teaching grip fighting on Jiu Jitsu Revolution 2

By the way, by approach I don't mean grips or grip fighting. It's even earlier than that. Just before or immediately after you shake hands with someone, you shape and turn your body and stance in a way that blocks your opponent's advantageous grips. If you are starting from standing for example, you stagger your feet to prevent an easy double leg takedown, you bend your knees and stay mobile, protect your leading arm and collar and keep your back hand active.

This isn't an extensive list by all means but it's a start. This is your BJJ platform from which you tip the scales in your advantage. Anything you do from here, while it may or may not work 100% successfully, will at least be built on a solid BJJ / Grappling foundation.

How do you approach the roll?

Ps. One of the best articles I’ve read about the approach in Stand-up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is this one by my friend Glyn Powditch. Glyn is an awesome brown belt in both Jiu Jitsu and Judo and he taught me 90% of my stand-up strategies, approach and grip fighting.


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