Reddit reviews Jiu-Jitsu University
We found 66 Reddit comments about Jiu-Jitsu University. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Jiu Jitsu University
We found 66 Reddit comments about Jiu-Jitsu University. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Good resources for white belts:
Free Books:
Stephan Kesting's A Roadmap for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Free Videos:
Learning Strategies for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Stephan Kesting's 16 Most Important Techniques for the BJJ Beginner
John B. Will's 36 Core Techniques
Matt Serra's four-volume BJJ Basics
For Pay Books:
Saulo Ribeiro's Jiu-Jitsu University
For Pay Videos:
Jason Scully's Grapplers Guide
Rener and Ryron Gracie's Gracie Combatives
Roy Dean's Blue Belt Requirements, Samples Here
I highly recommend Jiu Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro. Practice what your instructors show you, but focus on the white belt stuff in the book daily. At this point, you're basically just wanting to learn to survive.
Focus on the [positional hierarchy] (http://www.beginningbjj.com/BJJ%20Roadmap%201.3.pdf) for strategy (thanks awesome redditor Stephen Kesting for the ebook,) hip escapes, re-guarding, and threatening basic submissions for like the first year, and you'll lose 80% of the anxiety
I found Jiu Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro to be very helpful when I first started.
In before Saulo Ribeiro's Jiujitsu University
Everyone who is new to bjj hates Side Control. My instructor gets asked how to escape that position more than anything else lol.
Best piece of advice I can give you is to buy this:
Jiu-Jitsu University
It's like the bjj bible man.
Everyone always recommends Jiu Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro http://www.amazon.com/dp/0981504434/
I don't have it myself but I was able to get it from my local library once (people always have it on hold), and it's pretty great.
> Could you give a simple checklist of things to remember in order to survive in each position for as long as possible.
Dude, you need Jiu Jitsu University. The entire white belt section is exactly what you're asking.
https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
http://www.grapplearts.com/the-16-most-important-techniques-for-the-bjj-beginner/
http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452780727&sr=8-1&keywords=university+of+jiu+jitsu
Buy this book!
http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
It seriously should be issued to all new white belts. It'll teach you techniques to survive when you first start. I found it extremely helpful!
I re-read your original comment -- "zero grappling experience" and "I don't always know what I'm looking at or what it means."
You should buy Jiu-Jitsu University.
You start with survival. Get through your training rounds without tapping (i.e., without getting caught; if you get caught, tap of course!). Keep your elbows tight, protect your collar, keep your back to the mat.
But that book -- Jiu-Jitsu University -- will really help you.
Free: Stephan Kesting's Roadmap to BJJ e-book (requires newsletter sign-up)
For monies: Jiu-jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro
Hello new convert, have you read the good book? It's a great place to start when you want to save your sweet neck from being strangled by sweaty strangers.
Keep your arms close to your body and learn to shrimp like a mofucka. Also, take tips/advice from other whitebelts with a grain of salt, except for me of course.
Jiu Jitsu University is a really good reference book, it helped me pickup some terminology and make some improvements in my noobie defensive game so I didn't get crushed nearly as much.
https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
It walks the reader through many different BJJ Terms, escapes, guard types, and submissions a lot of people assume everyone know about. It seems to be a pretty good supplement to actually seeing the days/weeks moves, drilling and in general hitting the mat in my opinion.
I have definitely had a few items worth sharing with other newbies that no one ever brought up to us. The most basic but never discussed tip I've found so far was, "look at the elbow of your attacker when someone has you in a cross choke". Everyone always talks about how effective a cross choke is to get someone to relieve pressure, but this simple adjustment negates a huge amount of discomfort, gives you their arm, and blocks the second lapel grip.
Saulo Ribiero and Kevin Howell's Jiu Jitsu University is almost required reading. Click on "Search inside this book" under the book's cover pic to check out the contents.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Theory and Technique (by lots of big names) is also very well done.
Online, Stephan Kesting's Grapple Arts BJJ Techniques are very diverse and broken down incredibly well.
Cane Prevost's 20 week curriculum is some of the best fundamentals instruction I've seen. The focus on and details about posture alone are worth it for people of any rank.
In the end though, ask your instructor. He/she can explain it and then hopefully tell you how to drill a technique to integrate it into your game.
Side Note:
>Ari Bolden is a proven fraud
His early videos were a source of controversy. His newer videos feature big names (Keith Owen, Piet Wilhelm, others) and good technique breakdowns. I'm not defending his earlier actions in the least (I do not like people who misrepresent themselves either intentionally or through a smoke-screen), but I'm also willing to give him a some credit if his recent material is honest and productive for the community as a whole. The BJJ community never forgets, but that shouldn't get in the way of Keith Owen sharing his immense knowledge to a large existing audience. I'll defer to Keith if he has made the decision to give Ari some leeway.
/Side Note
Side Note 2: I just had a delicious sandwich.
Nah man, just get the tap if you can get it. Just don't over think it. As a white I also tapped a lot of people who, as a blue now, I can't tap anymore. They lowered their game to allow me to develop my own. No more playing now, however.
When I started out, the first 3 months were hell while rolling. If you are doing better, that's good for you man! I just remember from my own experience that I had to survive against everyone but the higher belts gave me advice to get better. You should not give up on offence but you should also built a great foundation of defence. http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434 Is a great book. The white belt chapter is completely about surviving. I like it a lot. I believe Slideyfoot (look at the faq) has a complete review.
A couple ideas:
Jiu-Jitsu University ~$25 ( http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434 ) One of the best overall BJJ books around. Very detailed, and useful at a number of levels of the game.
If you know what size your person is, you could go the mystery rashguard route: ( http://www.budovideos.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=32101&cat=417&page=1 )
You can also keep an eye on bjjhq.com - sometimes they have sick deals on rashguards or other bjj related accessories.
Jiu-Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro
It's an excellent resource for beginners and advanced students that shows a progression of techniques from novice to expert. Even though it is centered on sport (gi) BJJ, I highly recommend it for developing BJJ or any ground game.
For strength training, Easy Strength by Pavel and Dan John. There is something in there for anybody.
For cardio training, it's not a book, but Lyle McDonald's series on methods of endurance training, also pretty much anything by Joe Friel.
For diet, Ruhlman's Twenty. It's not about nutrition, but it can teach you all the techniques you need to cook your own healthy (and on occasion not so healthy) foods so that you won't be tempted to go off the reservation and order a double deluxe pizza and chili fries when you don't know what else to eat.
Edit: For something very sport specific, there's also Jiu-Jitsu University by Saulo Ribiero and Kevin Howell. It's pretty much the beginning BJJ bible.
haha. welcome to the grind my friend. there is so much to learn. yes, your experience is totally normal. get a copy of BJJ University.
it's a great book to help you get started.
Two books to buy:
One of the best things you could probably do for yourself is start increasing your motor control and mobility. It helps tremendously to learn how to brace your spine and position your shoulders into a stable position. Once you learn that you will understand how to create the most force off your movements through torque and maintaining tension in your body.
A lot of "good technique" in bjj or lifting or any sport starts with good bone/joint/spinal/body positioning. When you start practicing these proper body position and maintaining them through a full range of movement (i.e. the basic squat), you learn where your joints/muscles/spine need better range of motion and how to train that--your bjj technique will probably improve. An understanding of basic human movements translates into any physical activity through better performance.
That being said...I would say you don't really need weights or kettlebell swings until you've built a good base of physical strength/conditioning. Start with some general physical preparedness (GPP), bodyweight squats, pushups, situps, planks, chinups and pullups + add a little bit of good form running.
It's called Gracie University. Sounds like a reasonable plan.
Alternatively, you could get a great video or book and follow the lesson plan in that. Something like Jiu Jitsu University or the Gracie Barra Fundamentals video ($50 for a 16 week curriculum on 4 DVDs).
Get ready to feel like you've been dropped in molasses. But once you get over the initial frustration you'll hopefully start enjoying the technical gripping game, and the chokes of course. Gi training is also helpful if you train with self defense in mind.
Book wise, Saulo Ribeiro's Jiu-Jitsu University is a really good blueprint.
I really hate the whole "just show up to class" argument.
If you're struggling with something like escaping the armbar, it could be months before the professor does a lesson on it.
For now, buy jiujitsu university (https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=jiu+jitsu+university&qid=1571404783&sr=8-1) and watch YouTube videos from trusted resources.
After a few months and you realize you're committed, look into grappler's guide.
...I don't think it is - I just checked:
https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434/ref=sr_1_1?crid=SS7TAS1J1XCS&keywords=bjj+university&qid=1568894251&sprefix=bjj+un%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-1
as of posting, its $22.83
Jiu Jitsu University not written by a Gracie but a fantastic "first BJJ book", pretty much a must have
I started BJJ a few months ago and recently discovered this sub. This is the first I'd heard of this book, so thank you for sharing, /u/Khulo! A quick search for it revealed a lot of praise, so I ventured over to Amazon and ordered it immediately. For others interested, the paperback version is currently at its lowest price ever on Amazon ($20.27). Figured that was worth mentioning!
Check out the Jiu-Jitsu University book, it has a whole section on survival and what to do (and what not to do) in situations
EDIT: Link to book https://www.amazon.com.au/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
Woo the price has certainly increased, it used to be like $25
Going to class as often as you can and drilling more than you want to. But this http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434 helped me to fill in the "What am I supposed to do here?" holes when I started.
Saulo Ribiero's Jiu Jitsu University is a great resource for all things BJJ. It goes through many many individual moves, and also covers the general theory so you can adapt to whatever situation arrises.
https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
some of the pictures aren't the greatest but the really cool part is they go over a lot of common mistakes in the beginning chapters, more so than anything offensive.
Jiu-Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro
Almost a must read for any new student imo. The focus on positional postures and whys is especially under taught imo.
Also you can take it to the mats and look at it while drilling. Also it's cheap.
(But for dvd series Saulo's early series and Demian Maia's Science of JiuJitsu are both amazing.)
There's no definitive source of fundamentals, b/c you'll never get a variety of people to agree on what constitutes fundamentals.
That said, Jiu Jitsu University is a good place to start.
Also, you can do searches on youtube for things like "jiu jitsu mount basics", "jiu jitsu guard basics", etc.
The best answer is to ask your instructor what he/she thinks are the fundamentals.
https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
Jiu-Jitsu University By Saulo Ribiero has a very in depth guide to escapes and survival positions this book is a MUST for beginners
1)
3)
>Mobility:
>Conditioning:
>Study
How early are we talking? Helio wrote a book, but it's incredibly expensive.
http://www.amazon.com/Gracie-Jiu-Jitsu-Helio/dp/0975941119
I like Renzo and Royler's book. It's the first BJJ book I bought, and while I think it's poorly organized, the details are solid, but not overwhelming. My favorite part about the book is John Danaher's preface. Worth getting.
http://www.amazon.com/Brazilian-Jiu-Jitsu-Theory-Technique/dp/1931229082
Not written by a Gracie, late or early, but the best intro to BJJ I have found:
http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
Two resources that helped me, and continue to help me are:
Jiu Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro: When I started out, I read this a few times a week to make sure that my defensive posture was right, and it's helped prolong a lot of my rolls. Even as a blue belt my sub game is still pretty dire, but I feel confident in my ability to defend against people at my level.
Blue Belt Requirements by Roy Dean: This probably won't be of much help for someone starting out, but this helped supplement what I had learned in class in an easy-to-digest video. I bought this as a rough guide for training after my first comp at white belt, and it helped me realise some holes in my game to work on.
When I first started I bought this book to help me get past the awkwardness of being a noob.
A few key points I took away, that have really helped me:
Each belt has a purpose, white you learn to be invincible. You focus on learning out to defend each position. Then you learn to escape those positions. So you should be focused on survival.
Learn to get comfortable in uncomfortable positions.
Learn to tap early, and tap often. There's no sense hurting yourself.
And outside of sparing, never be afraid to ask questions. Even during sparing you can say, "hey that was awesome, can you show me that after class?"
I recommend getting Saulo Ribeiro's Jiu Jitsu University.
The only thing I can think of to explain this at multiple levels is the intro in the book Jiu Jitsu University.
Books could be cool.
Jiu-Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro is relatively cheap and a great resource.
http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
Boy, do I have a surprise for you.
The Jiu-Jitsu University is the most comprehensive book to date on BJJ.
Touching many topics of Newaza along the way.
People have been grappling since the beginning of time. This would be the intro volume. I recommend BJJ University
edit: grammar
Just take up another hobby and try not to obsess about mat time you're missing out on. I started playing DnD, that is a great time. I read BJJ University. I've been back about 2 months now. Just being patient and diligent about physical therapy is tough. I've since transitioned to more of a overall strength and conditioning focus. There is this magical time after you get going at physical therapy where you'll feel really good. You'll be back to drilling and it'll be going great, you'll have all your range of motion back and you'll probably feel like you can do a light round. Just take it slow dawg.
PS. The time off actually I think has helped my game. Time off isn't so terrible.
Could I get one or two more recommendations? I'm still on the fence...
Just kidding. I'm buying the book today. It sounds awesome. Link for anyone else interested: The book
> What's a good resource to learn the nuts and bolts
Time and a good gym.
I'd love to say you could buy Jiu Jitsu University or Jiu Jitsu Revolution and learn everything you need from them, but that's not the case.
What kind of foundational work are you looking for though? After 6 months I'd suspect you've probably seen how to survive, if not escape, the basic bad positions and maybe have a couple of reliable sweeps/transitions and submissions for when you're going with other white belts. That's normal and good.
http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367553325&sr=8-1&keywords=saulo+ribeiro
It's a great book, although it's entirely gi-focused (I do no-gi roughly three to five times as much as I do gi). Chapters are broken down into belts, and each belt is themed.
White Belt is survival.
Blue Belt is the guard.
Purple Belt is sweeps.
Brown Belt is top game or something.
Black Belt is submissions.
Obviously Jiujistu isn't really taught like that in class (if you don't learn sweeps until purple belt, you are probably not at a good gym), but I think that the way the book is organized nicely outlines Saulo Ribeiro's philosophy on what to prioritize in each skill level.
Jiu-jitsu University
by Saulo Ribeiro might be helpful if it's not a bit too stylistically specific.
Focus on the basics, you won't be able to get the advances fancy stuff until you master the basics.
Pick up Jiu Jitsu Univeristy by Saulo Riberio. It's $25, and will the best thing to ever happen to your BJJ game. The white and blue belt section will be helpful RN and will save frustration. It'll tell you how to position your body so that you can survive (bc you will be on bottom a lot), tells you common mistakes to avoid, and then goes into escapes. http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
Drill a lot, drill what you learn in class, (hopefully your school has a beginner program, so you'll be learning relevant stuff to your skill level) Ask for feedback after every roll, anything you could work on, or ask them watt they felt that you did good.
Roll with higher belts, ask for help. They've been doing this for a while, pry their knowledge and maybe ask what some basic escapes are from a certain position that you keep getting stuck in.
Go to Open Mat. Open mat is the best time of the week, you get to roll for 2 hours straight. You can drill, roll, or just hang out for a couple hours, working on some part of your game. This is probably where the most improvement will happen as you are putting in some solid mat time here.
For Gis? Don't go all out and buy the $420 Lucky Hemp Gi. http://luckygi.miiduu.com/lucky-gi-hemp-tzar
Hell, don't ever but that actually.
Stay cheap, if the academy has an affiliate or a school GI, ex. Gracie Barra, then you should buy that, if not then I can recommend Killer Bee GIs. They are cheap, high quality, great customer service.
http://www.killerbeegi.com/
I recommend the Scutellata GI Top, and the Drill Cotton Gi Pants. For a total that will be $125. That's a steal considering the quality of the GI, also Jessi usually has some sort of promotion going on, so you can find a coupon code for some even extra cash off.
Overall, just keep showing up to class, more mat time equals more improvement RN. Don't be a spaz, and slam someone in guard..
The first rule of being a jiujitsu beginner- and make no mistake, I am still very much a beginner- is to make your parameter for success showing up to class.
I cannot emphasize this enough. If you make it to class, great! Everything else is gravy. I would probably try to keep this outlook through to your blue belt, although it will definitely be a difficult attitude to maintain (but hey, you're in this to learn discipline, in my best Eric Cartman voice, right?).
Part of the reason for this is because you've got a long, frustrating road ahead of you, and you want to make the long haul. On the wall of my gym are HUGE letters spelling out, "a black belt is a white belt who never quit." At first I thought that was kind of cheeky, because, like any gym, my not quitting is lining someone's pocket... but now I get it; training is always frustrating, at any level. You think the frustration ends at blue belt? Well, now you have purple belts kicking your ass in ways you don't even understand yet. You think after purple the road is clear? A black belt will LOL at you. Part of what makes the experience and the journey so incredible is learning to deal with the frustration.
You'll have great classes, where you walk out with a goofy smile on your facing thinking, "I'm finally getting it!" ... and then the next class you feel like it's your first day again. You'll have to endure long periods of stagnation, or seeing people who joined after you progressing faster. But did you make it to class? Mission accomplished.
Even in the short time I've been at my school I've seen guys come and go within the amount of time you've been training (three to four weeks). I totally understand this; one month is just about the honeymoon period where you've picked up the basics, feel a little shine, and then see the long road ahead of you and say FUCK IT.
This will not be you. Why? Because your parameter for success is getting to class.
Try to find value in your shitty moments. You get thrown around for a half hour by a college wrestler (cheating bastards, that's NO FAIR lol), and a judoka who started BJJ to kick even more ass- which was my Friday night- embrace it. In the very least, getting your ass kicked makes you a tougher son of a bitch in the long run. Can't get a new technique down? I'm just starting to feel confident in my arm-bar/triangle/omoplata skills and it's been six months and 5-6 classes where we covered it. Very few people learn a new technique once and can implement it in rolling, much less remember it the next day.
Here are a few odds and ends off the top of my head:
I hope this helped! Good luck, and feel deep, horrifying shame if you quit! :)
The first thing I think of when I hear about people getting nauseous is dehydration. If you are not drinking in the 6-7 hours before class then you are certainly going to be dehydrated. Try drinking a lot more water during the day (I keep a glass next to me at work). And yeah, eat closer to class.
For reading: the go-to recommendation is always Saulo Ribero's Jiu Jitsu University: http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
Best of luck!
here's a good one for grapplers
Practice makes perfect. As you said you only have 2 lessons behind you, upper belts having their way with you is par for the course. If you keep going you will get better. In the meantime order this book, it'll point you in the right direction.
Get this book: Jiu-Jitsu University
https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434/ref=sr_1_1?crid=A2PG8M8L4R5C
And practice everything in the white belt chapter. It is appropriately titled "Survival". The blue belt chapter is "Escapes".
Yes, each technique is presented as a sequence of pictures, sometimes from two different angles. Take a look here. You can click on 'LOOK INSIDE' to see some sample pages.
I have and throughly recommend the following:
Jiu-Jitsu University
Drill to Win
Advanced Brazilian Jiujitsu Techniques
You need to buy Saulos book:
http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
It will explain a lot. It is a go to encyclopedia of bjj. I really wish I had bought it sooner. You should just study the first and second chapter for now.
https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
I just got Jiu-Jitsu University and absolutely love it. And you are correct, the white belt section is just survival positions.
I don't really know what the other sections are focused on as I am not going to read them until I have the corresponding belt.
What I find helpful:
http://www.bjjlegends.com/maps/whitebeltmindmap_files/whitebeltmindmap.html
https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
http://secure.gracieacademy.com/categories/dvds/GSD-GCDVD.html (they catch a lot of flak for various reasons, but I like this a whole lot to supplement class).
Came here to make sure this was mentioned. Derp, of course it is. It's a nice big book, textbook size with clear photos and great techniques.
Good deal on Amazon, 22 bucks and change. https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
Pick up a book called BJJ university. Its fantastic and will give you all the essentials you need to survive on the ground.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jiu-jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
hmmm. Not sure about videos for beginners, but this is what I give all of my friends I convince to start BJJ https://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434
Checking it out now, thanks.
http://www.amazon.com/Jiu-Jitsu-University-Saulo-Ribeiro/dp/0981504434