The butterfly guard is one of the most important guards to learn if you are interested in learning lower body attacks.  The butterfly guard is the guard that you are going to use to be able to transition into stronger leg attacking positions...

Humans. We’re meant to move. We are hardwired with the need to survive. Which means hunting, gathering, walking long distances, fighting, lifting things, etc. We all have these inherent instincts within us. Hunting and gathering? Maybe it looks a little different nowadays. We’re...

The elements that make jiu jitsu so valuable for every person, make it absolutely indispensable for the law enforcement professionals out there.  Whether the casual practitioner came to learn self defense techniques or simply get in shape, there will always be additional benefits...

Firas Zahabi of Tristar gym in Montreal is one of the most sought after MMA coaches in the world.  Training the likes of Georges St. Pierre and Rory McDonald amongst a stable of other students, Zahabi's combat coaching experience is second to none. ...

Being small in bjj can pose a problem sometimes.  When your academy consists of a bunch of giants every roll can be exhausting, no matter how much your train, you still feel tired and you can never catch a break.  Every roll you...

These days with so much content available on the web we see people trying to emulate other peoples game all to often.  This is not necessarily a bad thing, but there are better ways to improve your bjj.  Having access to all of...

Tom DeBlass is a multiple time ADCC competitor, having won the North American Trials on three different locations.  He is an IBJJF World Champion.  DeBlass also holds a 9-2 MMA record, having held titles in two different weight classes in the Ring of Combat...

A video surfaced recently of Rafa Mendes instructing at a seminar in Oregon. It’s an outstanding block of material. In the 8 minutes or so of footage Rafa explains in great detail, a very intelligent method of opening up the turtle position to...

These days, more and more we see people who are training bjj and neglecting self-defense.  There is nothing wrong with that, to each his own.  The problem lies in the fact that people may develop a false sense of security.  Self-defense is a...

Many of us are familiar with the rubber guard and its origin.  The famous position is a staple in the 10th planet system that was created by the infamous Eddie Bravo.  The 10th planet system has evolved along with the Jiu Jitsu world...

Kettlebell training can be one of the smartest thing you add to your weekly training schedule to supplement your BJJ.  There are very few fitness tools that can leave your heart pounding and lungs burning, while hitting more muscles than you knew you...

Recently at their Beach Camp in Cocoa Beach, Florida 8 time world champion Michelle Nicolini and UFC and ADCC vet Tom DeBlass shared the best elements of their respective games.  Over the three day camp, approximately 50 students were treated to over 9...

The stack pass. Tried and true, this classic guard pass is one of the foundational pillars of passing in BJJ. Most likely you’ll be introduced to this technique early on in your practice. In the beginning we get exposed to so much passing...

How important is your breathing? Do you think about it? Is it a priority to you when you’re training? It’s obvious that we need to breathe, but do you keep your breath under control, or do you let it dictate your pace, your...

Recently the world learned that long time Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu black belt and head instructor at Ralph's San Francisco academy, Kurt Osiander had relinquished his duties as an instructor there.  Initially being reported as a firing, with Kurt using that terminology during...