The half guard is one of the most popular guards in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA.  The half guard is frequently utilized at the highest levels of both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Grappling, and MMA.  We see the half guard at Worlds, ADCC, and in...

Closed guard is one of the most popular positions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and in MMA.  Closed guard is one of the first guards that many people who try bjj are exposed to, and it is one of the positions that the casual...

Yoga for BJJ and stretching may be the most important things you can add to your Brazilian jiu jitsu training regimen.  Yoga and stretching can help you so much by increasing your dexterity, helping your low back and hip pain, and preventing injuries...

If you are not familiar with Neil Melanson and you are a fan of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or MMA, you have been living under a rock.  Neil Melanson is the coach of blackzillians and is infamous for training some of the best MMA...

Dean Lister is one of the best grapplers of all time.  Dean Lister won the most prestigious title ever; he won the ADCC open weight division in 2003.  Dean also went over ten years as a black belt without being submitted.  Dean has...

The over under pass is one of the most effective guard passes that should be in your arsenal.  By stapling your opponent's body to the mat with shoulder pressure in their diaphragm, while maintaining control of both sides of their hips with an...

Anyone who finds their way into a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy and onto those mats can speak to what a unique and life-changing activity BJJ can be.  Your first few classes may be a whirlwind of heavy breathing, confusion and fatigue but at...

The triangle choke is one of the most deadly and high percentage submissions in grappling.  It utilizes the powerful leg and thigh muscles to crush the opponents shoulders, neck and arm together with the hopes of cutting the blood flow off to the...

In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, there is one simple technique that opens up a collection of other techniques. One technique that can put you in a great position, regardless if you’re standing up or on the ground. That technique happens to be the arm drag. Arm drags work for everyone, no matter size or strength. The […]

When it comes to the half guard, people usually either love it or hate it. The most common issue I hear about it (usually from lower belts) is that the sweeps are too difficult to perform. While I do believe that half guard sweeps are a little more intensive than closed guard sweeps, I wouldn’t […]

The kesa gatame position…it can be tricky. It is a suffocating and uncomfortable position to be stuck in. While you do see it used by Jiu Jitsu competitors, it is huge with Judoka and Wrestlers. The name, kesa gatame comes from Judo. It is a position in Judo used for pins and some submission techniques. […]

The half guard is one of the most popular guards in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA.  One of the first guards that you learn and one of the last that you will use, the half guard is extremely effective, and when properly applied,...

Bernardo Faria is a 5x Black Belt World Champion and has won the open weight division.  Bernardo has long been one of the best competitors in the entire world.  Bernardo is infamous for his simple style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Bernardo has a...

One of the most effective chokes that does not get enough love in the BJJ community is the baseball bat choke. The baseball bat choke is a highly powerful choke that can be used by novices, advanced students, and even no gi competitors. The set ups are endless and it can be attained from a […]

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an amazing physical activity that can offer endless benefits to all practitioners regardless of age, gender or physical attributes.  But make no mistakes about it, the core of jiu jitsu is in the arena of self defense.  BJJ is...