When we start training we want to make sure we are doing everything by the book.  Learning all of the right techniques and executing them with flawless detail (white belt level flawless, let’s not be too critical).  It’s important to build a foundation...

Ashi garami, aka single leg X, is a position that has gotten very popular over the last few years due to its effectiveness in sweeping and acquiring submissions from, especially leg locks.  Before its use as a position to attack the legs with,...

There are only a few submissions used by grapplers that are considered impossible to defend. Sure, every submission can be defended, but comparing the difficulty of defending an armbar from closed guard with a fully locked rear naked choke proves that there is...

Whether you have been training for a long time, just started or are currently thinking about taking up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, it is likely you experienced a bit of “sticker shock” when you first researched how much a monthly membership at a local...

 As a former Iowa State DI wrestler, coached under legends, Cael and Cody Sanderson (currently leading the Penn State dynasty) BJJ training was critical to my success in winning five No Gi World Championships in the Black Belt Division.  Adding BJJ training will...

Taking the back, the ultimate positional goal in jiu-jitsu. Once there, victory is usually easily obtainable. With that in mind, opponents will fight to the bitter end rather than letting you have the position. There is nothing more annoying than trying to break...

Braulio Estima is a multiple time black belt world champion, multiple time ADCC champion and of the greatest grapplers to ever compete. This is a clip off of his new instructional series "The Lapel Cradle Formula." Braulio is infamous for being one of...

Omoplata, Portuguese for scapula, is a great submission that uses legs and hips to extend the opponent’s shoulder joint past a normal range of motion. It is similar to a kimura but legs are used instead of a figure 4 hand hold. Not...

The Darce Choke is typically a no gi choke set up by using your arms to form a triangle around your opponents neck and using them to cut off blood flow. One arm is placed in front of the neck trapping the shoulder,...

We’ve all seen it.  Or, actually, we stop seeing it.  A teammate gets a new belt wrapped around their waist and promptly disappears.  At the blue belt level, it’s called the “Blue Belt Blues,” and it’s the source of a million memes on...

The guard is easily one of the most important positions in Jiu-Jitsu. The name implies defense, but anyone that has become crafty off of their back know how offensive it can be. So why train your guard? One way or the other if...

Keeping your distance is crucial in a street fight self defense situation, but how do we manage it. Self defense is likely one of the things people are most cocky about, and feel most confident in their ability.  I would argue that the...

Well, it’s likely that your answer would be a question itself.  What kind of pressure are we referring to? How well can you execute your Jiu Jitsu technique while someone has you mounted, or in bottom side control?  Again, this would likely be...

Neil Melanson and Ricky Lundell discuss Why BJJ Practitioners Should Consider Adding Wrestling to their Training using the Principles in the Snap Guard DVD. Ricky Lundell: Neil, Why did you add wrestling to your BJJ training? Neil Melanson: I gravitated to wrestling because...

What’s your favorite position in Jiu Jitsu?  Is it mount? Or maybe you like side control?  Generally speaking, your favorite position is most likely the position you perform the best in.  I know that it took a long time before I could admit...