Let's take a look at what happens when a deep half guard player utilizes a solid reversal attempt, the turkish get up from deep half, popularized and used extremely effectively by 5 time world champion Bernardo Faria and in the process of the...

At the beginning stages of our BJJ voyage, we often get away with haphazardly jumping on top of our training partners with zero skill or technique in our attempt to achieve the mount position. This will serve you, for a little while. Then...

With the 4th of July holiday upon us, many academies will be cancelling regularly scheduled classes and replacing them with the traditional holiday open mat.  There are a number of positive things that these training session can provide.  They can be a nice...

This past weekend the jiu jitsu stars aligned when 8 time world champion Michelle Nicolini joined forces with the ever popular Tom DeBlass at a three day Beach Camp in Cocoa Beach, Florida hosted by Off the Grid BJJ and black belt Frank...

Can you practice BJJ as a hobby and still become a proficient player? Everyday our Facebooks and Instagrams are packed with content revealing intense and grueling training sessions, workouts, and new and innovative techniques. It’s inspiring, but it can also be overwhelming. It...

Jake MacKenzie is one of the most successful Canadian jiu jitsu athletes in history.  This prolific competitor is a black belt under Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu and has built a extremely deep competition resume specializing in half guard and reverse half guard. In the...

The “seat belt” grip. It’s one of the most familiar terms in BJJ, referring to the method of controlling the back-mount position. It’s the standard for successful control of the back. Although its importance can not be ignored, there are many factors that...

Besides the debate between what's better Gi or No Gi jiu jitsu, few topics polarize the jiu jitsu community as much as the debate between training with a self defense focus or having a sport oriented agenda.  On one hand, you have the...

The 50/50 position can be a real nightmare. Both combatants have the same exact body configuration. It can be awkward to escape, especially when, at first, we begin landing in 50/50 on accident with no real plans for attack or advancing. Often times...

Are you the little person at your BJJ academy? Many pint-sized practitioners may see their small stature as a disadvantage. I agree, it can be difficult especially in the beginning. It seems anyone can really just do whatever they’d like to you. And...

Two practitioners start training BJJ at the same time. They are close in age. They both attend a similar number of classes, and each student shows a tremendous amount of interest in the art. They are now 6 months deep into their study...

How important is the use of the under hook in your training? Is it something you over look, or is it already an integral part of your game? The under hook was introduced, drilled, and reinforced over and over again in my early...

The deep waters of BJJ.  We've all felt them.  Whether we are brand new practitioners first starting to roll or veterans which thousands of matches under our colored belts, that feeling that comes over you as you are trying desperately to catch your...

The arm bar from mount. One of the classic submissions in BJJ. When trying to apply the arm bar from the mount position, do you find that your opponent is sometimes able to thwart the attack by getting to his/her side and beginning...

The landscape of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training has been evolving since the 80's when the Gracie family first came to America and helped set the Ultimate Fighting Championship as a phenomenon into motion.  Not since that time three decades ago has the jiu...