When becoming a guard player, it is crucial to have a wide arsenal of attacks from different guards.  One of the most important elements to becoming a tricky guard player is learning back takes from the guard.  Learning back takes from the guard...

The ability to pass an opponent or training partner's guard is something every practitioner starts to think about from the very first time they are placed in their partner's closed guard during their first intro class.  In those early days, our thoughts are...

Smash Passing has long been one of the best ways to pass someone’s guard in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  What is smash passing?  Smash passing is the strategical implementation of pressure and weight to pass the guard.  To smash someone, you need to maximize...

Developing a good guard passing game is one of the most difficult things to do in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Guard passing is one of the most tiring, and difficult parts of bjj.  If someone has a good guard, it can be next to...

The standard mount and back mount positions are usually seen as the most dominant of all positions in jiu jitsu.  Both afford a wide variety of attack options for chokes and various limb attacks.  These two positions have the most value in terms...

For many of us jiu jitsu practitioners, BJJ becomes so much more than a hobby or a workout.  It can become an obsession.  We think about it in the morning as we are waiting for our coffee to finish brewing, driving to work...

Takedowns are a critical part of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  In order to be a well-rounded bjj practitioner, you have to be able to take your opponent down.  Bjj is widely criticized for having “butt scooters” or “guard pullers.”  Takedowns are important to know...

In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu today people typically train both gi and nogi.  In order to develop a good bjj game in both gi and nogi, you have to develop your game so that it transfers from one to the other.  In order to...

Back mount is arguably the most dominating of BJJ positions that exists.  From a self defense perspective, the person who's back has been taken has arguably the least amount of weapons or counters against the position.  Sure I can try to grab or...

Knee on belly is one of the most dominant positions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Having a diverse arsenal from knee on belly is going to enhance your bjj game as a whole.  Knee on belly is one of the best positions to attack...

 In the mid-90's comedian Jeff Foxworthy built a career with a seemingly endless series of jokes that poked fun at his Southern origins.  "You might be a redneck if" made him famous and poked fun at some of the stereotypes he faced as...

Former Navy Seal, author and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, Jocko Willink approaching every aspect of his life with a 'Will Do', not a 'can do' attitude.  Typically up every morning at or before 4:30am, he starts most days in his home gym...

Does footlock experience make you a better BJJ player? The foot lock is one of the most underrated submissions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Many people assume that the foot lock does not actually threaten a break, but is a “pain” submission.  This is...

We all know what it is like to get paired up with bigger guys in the academy. When approaching a roll with someone who has a substantial amount of weight on you, it is important to have strategies in place. Typically bigger opponents...

At the end of the day, to pass someone's guard means to simply avoid and get around an opponent's legs.  Pretty simple and straight forward, right?  If only.  Just as there are countless ways to use one's legs or one's guard to control...