The closed guard is one of the most popular guards in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA.  There is good reason for this popularity.  The closed guard has long been considered the foundation of the guard.  We recently wrote an article breaking down why...

The closed guard has long been considered the foundation of the guard, there are several reasons that people perceive the closed guard as the foundation.  The closed guard is one of the most versatile positions, you can have success with it in both...

If you train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu then are probably familiar with the closed guard.  The closed guard is perhaps the most popular guard in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and it is considered by man, “the foundation” of the guard.  Closed guard is the guard...

The longer you train BJJ and the more techniques, positions, and styles you are exposed to, you will notice an interesting phenomenon.  And if you aren't noticing it, step back and take a look.  Your first few months will be a blur of...

We start training BJJ for a wide variety of reasons. Maybe we want to get into better shape, lose weight, and improve our health overall.  Perhaps we are looking to learn some self defense concepts and techniques, increasing our overall confidence.  Whatever the...

We have been exploring half guard lately here at BJJ Fanatics and looking at all of the elements that make up a strong, basic half guard game that every BJJ student can implement TODAY to begin diversifying their guard game.   The creation of...

When done right, bottom half guard can be a safe haven where the person on the bottom can withstand a crushing amount of pressure from their opponents with relative ease.  It can also serve as a sanctuary from which to focus all of...

When it comes to training or competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, there are few cardinal sins worse than having your guard pass.  Your guard, or legs and hips is your first line of defense and if you're able to keep the enemy at...

Have you heard of Kurt Osiander?  If you haven’t you may have been living under a rock.  Kurt is one of the biggest faces and names in bjj.  He is one of the few bjj competitors and teachers to put Jiu Jitsu on...

The baratoplata is one of the least popular and the most underrated submissions in bjj.  You may not have even heard of this position.  The barataoplata was invented by Rafael Freitas, a competitive Gracie Barra black belt but was quickly adapted by legends...

So 2018 is well under way and maybe your New Years resolutions are not going as well as planned.  If the whole "New Year, New Me" hype fizzled out for you not long after the ball dropped in New York City, there is...

The cross choke has long been one of the most popular submissions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the gi.  This choke utilizes the lapels on the kimono to constrict the corroded arteries of your opponents.  This has long been one of the most...

Tom DeBlass has been a black belt for over 9 years now.  He recently received the third degree on his black belt, awarded to him by his longtime instructor Ricardo Almeida, himself the very first black belt from the legendary Renzo Gracie.  Not...

We spend a lot of time working techniques in the laboratory that is the training mats at our academies against training partners who are essentially allowing us to work out technique.  Very rarely does the execution of a specific technique or submission look...

5x Adult Black Belt World Champion, Bernardo Faria has finally opened his new academy in Bedford, MA.  This academy is one of the most unique academies in the entire world and will surely become one of the most popular training destinations.  Bedford, MA...