Guard retention could be the absolute most important skill in all of BJJ. Of course, opinions may vary, but you can’t deny the need for solid guard retention on your game. The guard is wall between ourselves and our opponents and if...

  The first emotion that most new practitioners feel when confronted with the long mat and the opening warm-ups is bewilderment. You want me to do what my body? Shrimping? Pummeling with my legs in what directions? Invert so that my feet and...

John Danaher is one of the most sought after coaches in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu today. His ability to break down concepts and techniques into systematic and easy to understand elements sees both his athletes performing at unbelievably high levels and his online tutorials in...

We might have heard the saying that we can’t build a house without foundations and that’s also true for many other creative projects, including training in a martial art.  It can be easy to think of foundations or fundamentals as something that we...

We may have many personal reasons for practising jiu-jitsu, fitness, lifestyle, a social activity, or a sport, but the main attraction to and roots of BJJ is a system that an individual can use to protect themselves from attack.  Understanding the jiu-jitsu philosophy...

  “The best fighter is someone who can adapt on any style.” ~ Bruce Lee We were never taught wrestling in school. In the land of ice hockey and poutine, Canadians completely lack the mat experience that our neighbours in Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania...

Right now the BJJ Fanatics team are hot off the back of an incredible performance at ADCC and we have a great video here of Bernardo Faria, Craig Jones, and John Danaher breaking down the submissions game.   For a start we have...

  The Crucifix had always seemed like a cool position. I had never seen it taught in classes and frankly, as a white belt, getting near the back position was so exciting that it generally ended with a failed attempt at a rear-naked...

As you are starting to develop your Jiu Jitsu game a natural progression is to progress from the traditional closed guard that we all learned when we started out to another form of guard.  I think there are two fairly natural and rather...

When it comes to the battleground of competition, most competitors aspire towards the appearance of invulnerability and of a battle-tested warrior in the classical sense. We envision ourselves strutting around the periphery of the competition mats with the nonchalance of George C. Scott’s...

Even as a brand new student you have something to give back, believe it or not. We talk a lot about all of the incredible things Jiu Jitsu can do for you from a physical perspective, a mental health perspective, meeting goals, changing...

When you first start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the terms being thrown around can get rather confusing and intimidating. Over time you start to become more familiar with the terminology in your gym and what your professor means when he is explaining a move...

From one of the best instructors on the planet! Do you remember starting out as a white belt?  Are you considering starting but haven’t yet? Maybe you are in this phase of your Jiu Jitsu career right now.  The reality is regardless of...

I hope you have been taking advantage of the “Go Further Faster” series that is available in the BJJ Fanatics store. Using the different releases you will get the advice and guidance of John Danaher to help you address your approach and follow...

Why is half guard so popular?  Why would athletes choose to pull half guard rather than work for a takedown? There are many reasons an athlete may choose to pull half guard or prefer to go to half guard over other options that...