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...

Throughout the history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, there are stories of smaller, weaker people overcoming insurmountable odds against larger, stronger opponents.  Helio Gracie weighed in at around 140 lbs and is famous for taking on opponents who were much larger.  The story goes...

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...

Jiu Jitsu training teaches one to explore and find the most efficient way to use one's body against another body to control and ultimately submit one's opponent.  Strength is typically eschewed as not the most important element of one's arsenal when learning, but...

Leg locks are quickly becoming the most popular choice of submissions in both the gi and in nogi, they are even becoming more prevalent in MMA.  What makes the leg lock such a popular choice of submission?  Why is it becoming a necessity...

 One of the most frustrating positions an opponent or sparring partner can assume is the turtle position.  Think about it, they are perfectly balled up and if they're smart they are keeping their elbows tight and behind the thighs.  Though generally frowned upon...

The journey to black belt is a long and winding road that will find you having many moments of frustration and many more of ecstatic joy and move through the various color belts achieving what few people ever attempt.  You participate in one...