Once you start BJJ and fall in love with the seemingly endless road to black belt, you will change as time passes into a different practitioner.  As with any long-term endeavor, such as high school, a career or marriage, you are not the same...

The half butterfly is one of the best hybrid guards there is.  It is one of the most simple and effective guards.  The half butterfly is an extremely versatile position;it works very well in gi, nogi, and MMA. Why is the half...

The kimura is one of the most dynamic submissions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Entire systems have been developed using the kimura grip as their base.  It is a mainstay in every high level competitors aresenal. If you want to further understand the versatility...

Anyone who trains BJJ knows that it is an amazing workout.  The average class at every BJJ gym and academy typically begins with a short (or sometimes long) warm-up that could include light jogging around the edges of the mats, calisthenics, stretching, and...

Knowing how to attack from the back is one of the most important elements of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  If you get to someone’s back you have a massive advantage so it would be a shame not to capitalize on it.  Before learning back...

X-guard is one of the best guards in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  X-guard is predominantly used in sport Jiu Jitsu and is an excellent tool for sweeping opponent’s in competition.  Although this guard is not the best for submitting, it has a multitude of...

Training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is always difficult.  Some say it can be more difficult for the smaller people, some say it’s more difficult for the bigger guys.  No matter what your build, age, fitness level, or health, bjj is going to be difficult. ...

For anyone that follows the career of the inimitable Tom DeBlass, you know that he is most well-known for his No Gi competitive grappling, winning three ADCC North American Trials and multiple IBJJF titles.  But he also has a solid foundation in gi...

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, one of the most frustrating spots to find yourself stuck is in a good closed guard.  We all have faced those training partners and opponents with the endless Keenan Cornelius-like legs...

One of the most underrated submissions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the wrist lock.  It is not commonly taught, and severely underutilized.  If you put time into learning this incredible submission you will find that the wrist lock presents itself from so many...

Plateaus are periods when little or no progress or improvement is being made.  The classic example of a plateau that many of us have experienced is when we are trying to lose weight.  We will be diligently counting calories, performing our exercise routines...

Tom DeBlass is no stranger to the role of pressure in one's life.  Tom DeBlass is curently a world-class jiu jitsu competitor, a former multi-title Ring of Combat champion, Bellator and UFC veteran, a successful business owner and a leader of a growing...

The underhook is a very powerful technique that when achieved can change the course of an entire BJJ match if done properly.  The underhook allows you to control the direction and weight distribution of your opponent's body and can set up an endless...

The half guard is one of the first guards many bjj practitioners are introduced to.  Half guard has long been one of the most famous guards and has been proven effective at the highest levels of competition by the likes of Bernardo Faira,...