Close to three years ago, I was becoming so sore from training that it would take me several minutes to an hour after waking up, to walk upright. I would remain in a hunched state of pain until my body loosened up...

Why is half guard so popular?  Why would athletes choose to pull half guard rather than work for a takedown? There are many reasons an athlete may choose to pull half guard or prefer to go to half guard over other options that...

Ah, the omoplata.  In my first competition, I lost to an omoplata.  Since then, I’ve been obsessed with the omoplata.  I figure that I didn’t really lose if I can get something out of the experience.  And what I got out of it...

What would you say is the most frustrating thing that happens to you in Jiu Jitsu?  Is it when you are stuck in a submission that is almost there and they can’t seem to finish it but you also can’t seem to escape? ...

Anyone that has participated in Jiu Jitsu, whether for recreation or competitively, has experienced the importance of guard retention. The ability to prevent your opponent from passing your guard and getting into a position to secure a submission or pin is a crucial...

  Chael Sonnen is the Bad Guy. He’s also got the biggest guns in West Linn, Oregon. You know who he is. What you might not know is he isn’t just a wrestler turned MMA legend. He also is in fact a Black...

Do You Have Trouble Setting Up the Omoplata? Throughout our time as a BJJ practitioners we will be exposed to many different methods of gripping our opponents. There are hundreds of different ways to maintain our control over our opponents, may of them...

  The triangle. An essential classic, this cornerstone technique of BJJ is one the pillars of fundamental knowledge. We’re exposed to the triangle early and often and though it may not be everyone’s favorite move, it’s critical that we know its inner workings...

Did you watch the BJJ Fanatics Brown belt tournament?! Last night we were able to watch some amazing talent on the mats in multiple nogi matches without any black belts in the mix. Gordon Ryan was the guest commentator and did a great...

  The "magic" of Jiu Jitsu is its ability to turn a problem into a solution.  It's an optimistic sport in that there always seems to be a solution to every tough situation--even if you don't know what those solutions are yet. Joel...

  I will admit that the one position that never made any sense to me was the Butterfly Guard. I simply saw it as an imaginary position that might only happen if the match started on our knees, but even then, it seemed...

It’s no secret that the ability to sweep or submit when you are on the bottom is crucial to your game and honestly just a fundamental part of Jiu Jitsu.  We start out learning the basics, the sit over sweep, the scissor sweep,...

Do you remember the first time you tapped to a toe hold?  My guess is you likely do, maybe not specifically, but you remember the feeling, how quickly it came on, all of those details.  I’d be surprised if you remembered who tapped...

There is a lot that goes into a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training session in order for it to go smoothly. There are the materials on you, such as the Gi (or rashguard, spatz etc) and the belt, you can argue for the inclusion...

In the ever evolving sport of Jiu Jitsu it seems we are always looking for the edge.  How can I find an attack that no one will see coming? Within the last few years the leg attacks have grown in popularity and for...