Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique

This book is wonderful. I use it everyday after class to see what I could have done wrong and what are the little things you can do to truly lock a submission or gain the sweeps you need. For example: I always had a problem quickly executing the "Americana." I would always end up getting it but not quick enough. I flipped through this book and discovered that if you rotate your opponents wrist slightly while applying the lock like you would reve a motorcycle, you create a much more painful lock causing the opponent to tap immediately. That tip alone helped me to actually master not only the Americana, but has helped my Kimuras as well. And that is just one of hundreds of little pointers that can help your game. I have been doing BJJ for a few years now but I know that I will always refer to this book even if I reach Black Belt. Also check out Carlson Gracie's book, "For Experts Only." It is another must own.

This is arguably one of the best books on the subject. As an author of 13 books on the martial arts and a collector of over 300, I feel it's money well spent if I can learn one technique or concept from a book or video. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory & Technique contains dozens of techniques that are easy to understand and easy to follow. The photography is clear and the descriptions are easy to grasp. If you train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu you must have this book, and if you follow one of the many punch/kick arts, you will find this an outstanding text that shows you what to do when the fight turns to grappling. I highly recommend this one.

I've got a few BJJ books, but this one takes the cake. It's a virtual bible of technique, clearly explained and demonstrated (hard in a book sometimes) and with a typical Gracie attention to detail. You won't be able to learn BJJ from a book, but if you're a student--like me--you'll LOVE this because how many times have you learned a new technique and then forgotten it? Or at least a key element to it? You've got it just... up... to... this... point... and then you can't remember the finish.That's why this book rocks: go look it up! You'll find yourself saying "AHHHH... dammit! THAT'S it! That's what I forgot!" It's awesome for that reason.It's not particularly loaded with super-advanced techniques, but you ought not be worried about those until you've mastered all these--and this will keep you busy for a long, long time.I saw this book at my BJJ school and came home to order it ASAP. This is as good as it gets. I know the Grappler's Manual is also supposed to be incredible, too, but I have not yet seen that.Buy it. You'll be using it for years.

I have been involved in the martial arts for most of my life and I teach both Judo(black belt) and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu(blue belt) and this is the best book I have every seen on Brazillian Jiu Jitsu. In fact this is one of the best martial arts books I have ever read, period! The quality is top notch, color pictures, great background information, theory, excellent explanations of over a hundred techniques, and authored by two members of the Gracie family. Since the Gracies created Brazillain Jiu Jitsu you can't get a better source.I am at a satellite school under Rickson Gracie and I do not always have a black belt to ask questions so this book is an excellent reference. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu or grappling. If you are a Brazillian Jiu Jitsu practitioner then this book is a Must! Usually I do not write reviews but this book is so good I thought I should.The only drawback to this book would be if you just want to learn grappling without a kimono(uniform). All the moves are based on using the Kimono. Although there are explanations on what you would do to modify some of the techniques to be used without the uniform. I would still recommend this book even to those who just care about kimono-less grappling(no uniform). Most of the moves can still be used without the uniform you just have to know how to apply them.Brazillian Jiu Jitsu has the changed the face of the martial arts. This book will teach you what makes this art so effective.

This book is a MUST HAVE for any BJJ practitioner. It's filled with hundreds of color photos and crystal-clear descriptions of techniques. These, in and of themselves, make the book a necessity for students of BJJ. There are also, however, eye-opening sections on theory that clarify, among other things, BJJ's built-in strategy for achieving increasingly advantageous position to the detriment of the opponent. Probably the best-written martial arts book on the market today (certainly, the best one that I've read). If you're a student of BJJ or are otherwise interested in achieving a greater understanding of the art that revolutionized MMA competitions, buy it. You'll be happy you did.