Product Description
This essential guide provides new practitioners with a thorough grounding in the ancient art of jiu jitsu and advanced students of any martial art with an effective method for integrating jiu jitsu techniques into an existing practice. The book begins with the origins of jiu jitsu in 16th-century Japan, explaining the subsequent rise of judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu to give a complete introduction to the history of the art. Next, training requirements, procedures, and equipment are outlined, preparing the reader for training and combat. The practical section of the book begins with the essential principles governing jiu jitsu, and continues with combination maneuvers; specific positions and their advantages in competition; basic submission techniques; the concept of joined centers; training tips; and a glimpse into intermediate positions and their functions. Full-color photo sequences with expert demonstrations supplement the meticulous descriptions. A glossary, index, and a list of useful international jiu jitsu contacts round out this informative guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

JIU-JITSU
A GOOD BOOK IF YOU ARE A BIGGINER IN BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU.
NOT IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE TRADITINAL JAPANESE JU-JITSU

Good, but not great...
This book might serve someone well as an introductory or overview text, but it's not really for intermediate or advanced practitioners, at least in my opinion. It really glosses over Classical Jiu-Jitsu, and concentrates mostly on the Brazilian version of the art.

Moreover, the author seems to think that BJJ is the be-all and end-all of martial arts for MMA fighting, when, even at the time this book was written, the purported "invincibility" of that style had long since been proven to be false.

A superbly presented and highly recommended instruction manual
A very nicely illustrated martial arts instruction manual, "Jiu-Jitsu: The Essential Guide To Mastering The Art" by professional martial arts instructor Hans-Erik Petermann begins with a brief historical overview of how Jiu Jitsu developed as a martial art, then goes on to take the reader through the basic elements of Jiu Jitsu training, providing a 'student friendly', step-by-step instruction into essential Jiu Jitsu techniques, self-defense skills, and even world wide contacts for students, competitors, and practitioners of Jiu Jitsu. A part of the Blue Snake Books' 'The Martial Arts Series', "Jiu-Jitsu" is a superbly presented and highly recommended instruction manual that is the next best thing to being able to study Jiu Jitsu in a dojo. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (12)

Clear pics, not sure about organization
Good techniques, but not quite as well organized or complete as JiuJitsu University from Saulo Ribiero, or the top/bottom game books from Royce Gracie.

Great Book...as expected with anything Gracie!
The Gracies, along with that Kid...what's his name...Peligro, have put out another great book.A must have for beginners to advanced.I add advanced in there because it is a great tool for Instructors and/or for those who have forgotten "where they came from".The only reason it didn't get five stars is because the books are produced with pages that are only slightly thicker than tissue paper.I wouldn't mind paying a little extra for for the type of pages the Gracies have used in previous books.

Excellent drills in this book
This is definitely a must have for jiu-jitsu players interested in tightening up their game.While it mostly goes over the basics, the real value in this book are the drills.I have found the drills immensely useful and they supplement jiu-jitsu practice perfectly.I usually have a friend or two from my school over to the house and we run through the drills when we aren't at the school.I know a lot of jiu-jitsu players don't or can't afford to train at a school every day, so being able to practice and train using the drills found in this book have been invaluable.

excellent
i conside this my textbook for jiu jitsu. all of the techniques are shown very clearly and often with multiple angles. my only complaint is the standup/takedowns is horrible. there re only 3 takedowns are shown. i sujjest judo unleashed if you are serious about standup. if you own them both you have a full grappling reference.

Excellent resource for beginners
Invisible Cities Press and Kid Peligro deliver another top-notch Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructional book with _The Path to the Black Belt_. In this manual, Peligro co-writes with Rodrigo Gracie to deliver an impressive text that is part student training manual, part self-instruction book. Every drill and technique is demonstrated with numerous photos and step-by-step explanations to help students master the moves on their own.

So, what makes this book different than the other jiu-jitsu manuals published by Invisible Cities Press? To begin with, this one contains numerous training drills instead of just the techniques. The book also covers a broad selection of techniques for all levels of training rather than a subject focus (Ultimate Fighting Techniques (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu series) by Royce Gracie and Peligro, for instance, features techniques from the top positions). You're getting an entire course of study here rather thana book that will only help you with one aspect of jiu-jitsu.

The following chapters are covered in this book:

- Introduction. The first 43 pages are devoted to an introduction that covers the basics of being a student. From mindset to belt advancement and on to which techniques you should focus on for your body type, this section is one many will probably skip but that all should read.
- Basic Drills (14 pages). Almost every jiu-jitsu school practices drills at the beginning of a class - if you are studying on your own, shouldn't you be doing these drills, too? Drills such as the Hip Escape (shrimp crawl) and break falls are covered.
- Advanced Drills (18 pages). Most of these drills need to be done with a partner, but they will help your overall "feel" for the sport when you are actually in a match. The drills include side-to-side transitions, passing the guard chains, and guard replacements.
- Basic Techniques (14 pages). These are the moves you need to not get submitted. These moves focus on transitioning/escaping (bridging, side control escape) and maintaining distance.
- Dealing with the Stiff Arm (2 pages). How to deal with the stiff-arm tactic learned in Basic Techniques. This really should have been included in the previous chapter rather than being its own section.
- Chokes (11 pages). Some of the signature submissions of BJJ are covered here, including the triangle and rear naked chokes.
- Joint Submissions (14 pages). The basic join submission of BJJ, including the Kimura, Americana, foot lock, and arm lock.
- Takedowns (18 pages). Drills and tecniques for getting your opponent either 1) down on the ground from the standing position or 2) submitted from the standing position. This is a VERY important aspect of jiu-jitsu, though it is often ignored.
- Guard Defense Basics (24 pages). When you are "in the guard," you are on your back. In some grappling sports, this is not where you want to be (ask any wrestler), but in jiu-jitsu, it is just another position. The techniques in this chapter focus on defending position from the back (how to not get mounted), a few transitions, and a few submissions.
- Sweeps and Reversals (30 pages). These techniques focus on moving from your back to a more advantageous position (such as the mount).
- Half-Guard Sweeps (8 pages). How to move from your back and into a better position when in the half-guard.
- Half-Guard Passes (6 pages). How to get past your opponent's defenses when their back is on the ground and they have you in the half-guard.
- Passing the Guard (20 pages). How to take advantage of the situation when your opponent is on their back. Includes some submissions.
- Knee on the Stomach (5 pages). Knee on the stomach is an excellent technique that can be used either as a submission in its own right or to transition to a submission.
- Mounted Position (9 pages). How to take advantage of (if on top) or escape from (if on the bottom) one of BJJ's most dangerous positions.
- Escaping the Back (8 pages). If your opponent "takes your back," you are in trouble. This chapter deals with escaping from the most vulnerable position you will ever be in during a jiu-jitsu match.

This book has a lot to offer those interested in learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Still, it is not perfect, and has two major flaws. The first flaw is that, while most techniques get a thorough explanation with pictures, a few are not described in enough detail. Take, for example, the Americana on page 39; while many of the other techniques in the chapter are shown with numerous photographs, the Americana only gets two - even though the technique is described in its entirety in the page's text (and there's room for at least one more photograph if the text had been formatted properly). The second flaw is that the book is poorly organized and somewhat difficult to follow (why did "Dealing with the Stiff Arm" get its own section, while information on the arm lock/bar is scattered throughout numerous sections).

In conclusion: I recommend _The Path to the Black Belt_ to anyone interested in learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and only looking to buy a single book. More advanced students, however, will find that there is not a whole lot of new information in this text, and so might want to pick up some of the more specialized manuals instead (Ultimate Fighting Techniques, Ultimate Fighting Techniques Volume 2: Fighting from the Bottom, Gracie Submission Essentials: Grandmaster and Master Secrets of Finishing a Fight, and Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge are all excellent). ... Read more

Product Description
Brazilian jiu-jitsu has turned the martial arts world upside down by emphasizing real-life situations and results over the dramatic kicks and throws of formal competition, making it also one of the most effective self-defense techniques for non-athletes. This guide to the self-defense techniques taught in the classes of Royce Gracie, one of the biggest figures in the world of jiu-jitsu, provides lessons that anyone—regardless of strength or size—can learn to neutralize an attacker in seconds. It offers a variety of defenses to use against knife and gun attacks, as well as escapes from headlocks, choke holds, and other situations that attackers use on the street. Advice on practicing, falling and rolling, and following a specific diet make this book the next best thing to taking the classes that are popular with the United States military, police academies, and women's self-defense schools. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (44)

Finally!
The whole purpose of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in the UFC was to make people feel safe by knowing the martial art they practice makes them feel safe.
The contents inside this book are as follows:
1)Defenses against street strikers-14 moves.
2)Defenses against street grapplers-19 moves.
3)Defenses against grabs-17 moves.
4)Defenses against chokes-16 moves.
5)Defenses against headlocks-15 moves.
6)Defenses against weapons-19 moves.
Overall this book could've been better.It was published early in the invisible cities press series,therefore it wasn't as well organized as today's books.The book also lacked common street attacks like groin kicks,biting,getting shoved,headbutted,multiple opponents,how to avoid a fight,and why fights happen,etc.I'm just glad they put this book out though-it's what Grandmaster Helio Gracie wants to see taught first.

Some techs will save you. Others will kill you.
While I respect the Gracie family and its contributions to martial arts, I feel like the self-defense element that originally existed in the BJJ of Helio and Carlson's generation has been chipped away by its posterity. As the "sport" of BJJ gains popularity, the "martial" aspect of BJJ - and its useful techniques - are disappearing.

Nowhere is this trend more evident than in this book. My reaction to the techniques in this book ranged from, "Wow, I never considered that one before," to, "Holy $@!%, that will get you killed!" I have black belts in TKD and aikido, and I have been training in Muay Thai, catch and sambo for a few years now. My brother is ranked in Penjak Silat, and he, like me, agrees that the techniques, especially the knife defenses, will leave you dead. For example, in several of the knife techniques, Royce begins by using a karate- or TKD-style block to stop the knife attack. Someone skilled with a knife, or even some half-sober punk, will be able to slash through your forearm. If you don't believe me, watch the demonstrations in which someone slashes at a side of meat. The gashes are too deep for even the best fighter to "tough out." In aikido and other aiki arts, you're taught to capture the limb and maintain control of the weapon until you can remove it or until you've incapacitated your attacker. You'd have better luck with a simple kote-gaeshi wrist turn against a knife than with any of these techniques.

The grappling, however, was excellent and representative of what we've come to expect from the Gracies. If you skip the knife and gun defenses, you'll have a few slick moves for the street that resemble BJJ before the "sport" folks watered it down. That said, you can save yourself $30 and pick up these techniques by spending a few minutes in the bookstore.

With any hope, BJJ practitioners will one day go back to the martial source and get back to real fighting.

Just my two,

Concise Text and Excellent Step- by- Step Photos make it easy to follow
Simple, to-the-point language and superb photography enable the reader to learn, remember and absorb. Includes basic moves, and also some very advanced moves. Use your judgement, use what you understand (only if necessary, of course!).Re-read what you don't understand...until you get it.This book opens your mind.You start to be able to predict the next step; what you could do next to defend yourself. Some of the images remain engraved in your mind- and then can be recalled and applied, if need be. This book enhances one's existing self-defense arsenal.You realize you can combine some steps and moves... A little of this, a little of that...It all helps, and THAT'S THE GOAL!

Good for th practitioner, difficult for a normal person.
This is a good book from one of the legends of the UFC, Royce Gracie and shows some great techniques for crisis situations and general technique. Most of them time, even as a practitioner of jiu jitsu, if an attacker has a weapon, I'm giving that person my wallet and going on my merry way. That's the best advice for self defense. If you get attacked, then that's another story. Here you can learn how to defend yourself in a simple manner, which is what is usually necessary. A good book for the collection.

Good, But disorganized
The techniques in this book are decent, great to add to your arsenal, but I wouldn't necessarly use them as a first choice.However, I would it is great knowledge in case the situation calls for you to use some of these techniques.
The photography and explanination is very good.Although it is disorderized, with knife attacks seemingly randomly put in various sections of the book.
I would recommend this book if you are already have clinch fighting or grappling intensive martial arts experiance. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (6)

"What if"
While this book's photo are all black and white, and no indexing etc... may be those things mattered most for beginners, but what really mattered are the number of practical techniques that are covered in the book and the "what if your partner resists scenario" as 9 out of 10 times, the first choke or lock will not sink in, and this book has both.
Why no 5 stars - price.

RIGANS Jiu-jitsu Works plain and simple!!
Everything Rigan shows in his books works, the guy is a jiu_jitsu genius!!! Great book, easy to follow, nothing flamboyant in this book. Exactly what you would expect from the best Jiu-JItsu fighter on the planet. Check out Jean-jacques book too!!!! AWESOME!!!

Good visual and Memory Prompt
Good guide for beginners to intermediates. Pictures help with stimulating memory to recall moves during training, but inevitably nothing is better than a good teacher and mat time.

A fantastic book in a great series
This series is an essential addition to your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu library, if you don't own it you should.

No Index
This book could have been great. The information is well written and well laid out.
BUT:
IT DOESNT HAVE AN INDEX! What was the author thinking when he wrote an "Encyclopedia" and didnt include an index????

It also doesnt name the techniques, so imagine a class where you are discussing "Technique number 37" this does not lend itself to learning or teaching.

Frustrating to read
... Read more

Product Description
Royce Gracie has teamed up with James Strom, fitness coach for Keyshawn Johnson, Serena Williams, and the University of Southern California Trojans, to create a customized program for martial artists. This unique program of strength training, cardiovascular routines, flexibility exercises, and nutrition includes step-by-step, full-color workout plans for beginner, intermediate, and black-belt practitioners. Provided are guidelines for working out solo or with a partner, information on complete nutritional programs for different body types and martial art styles, and injury-prevention tips. This book is appropriate for beginning martial artists wanting to sharpen their bodies and minds, black-belt instructors looking for new ways to improve and motivate their students, or anyone interested in building a body of extreme effectiveness. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

Not what I thought
I purchased this book with the idea of learning more about the Gracie diet and nutrition.The diet and nutrition section was extremely short, and I didn't really get much from it.From all the years of Carlos' studies of health, fitness and dieting, this book brought none of it to light.

The fitness part of the book is very substantial.However, the exercises and routines are primarily for a person who has a trainer or knows someone with alot of time to kill.The majority of the exercises involve a second person assisting you.

Maybe I just expected something much different, but the book is more for someone who is really training for MMA or BJJ competitions.People who compete at a higher level are probably much more likely to have "people" to help train them.I'm just a regular guy trying to get an edge.

I did learn one thing from this book...I need to be more discriminating on my BJJ book selections.Just because it's written by a Gracie doesn't mean it's worth buying.

Fit for life
This book will give you the essentials to handle anything from everyday life to an all out fight or training session at the dojo.

Excellent for adding to your current workout!
This book is a very good way to add some variety to your workouts, stretching and overall fitness. Good luck with your training.

Lightweight
Unfortunately, I think I lot of other reviewers are smitten with the Gracie legacy and not judging the book on its own merits. If it were written by John Q. Nobody, they'd probably be more inclined to give a dispassionate and fair review. As a martial artist with 10+ years experience, I was looking for a training program that would help me prepare for competing.

Pros:
The Gracie Stretch routine is a nice set of stretches to do on a daily basis. It has a lot of stretches specific to hip flexibility which is important for fighters. Though a lot of the same information and positions can be found with much greater details in the book, "The Martial Artist's Book of Yoga". Whether the GSR alone is the price of the book depends on you.

There is some nice information on plyometrics, isometrics, tapering which are some modern concepts that would be of interest to someone looking to take their workouts to the advanced level. Though by no means is the detail on these topics extensive.

Cons:
The 'meat' of this book could be condensed to a pamphlet. (In fact, I photocopied the GSR and shrunk it down to fit on a single page so I could use it in the gym without looking like a newbie.) Most of the book is dominated by oversized glossy photos of Royce performing the various stretches and exercises, which for most intermediate and advanced athletes could be sufficiently listed by title alone. The ratio of pages devoted to photos to text is easily 12:1. The few pages devoted to the "Gracie diet" are laughable (12 oranges for breakfast?) and not nearly sufficient to tailor to your body type and specific nutritional needs.

Most lacking is any talk of actual fight training. Bag work, pad work, and sparring are never mentioned. Not even once. Where do these all fit in to the Superfit program?

Summary:
My opinion is that this book suffers the same watering down effect of many books that attempt to appeal to too broad an audience. By broad I don't mean beginners and advanced fighters, but non-fighters as well. Replace all the photos of Royce with those of any other recognizable athlete and it would be the same book. Even then it is only a cursory overview of a professional athlete's training regimen. I suspect that Royce, still competing, isn't going to give away all his secrets just yet. Maybe he'll release a better edition after he retires.

OUTSTANDING BOOK!!!
This wasn't just a great book for me but I let other people who aren't fighters look at it and they thought it was great as well. Not only does it provide you with some great workout routines but it also develops a concious mind about different types of excercise effects and drawbacks as well as nutritional aspects to really peak your physical fitness. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (4)

great mma book
Rodrigo gracie is one of my favorite Gracie family martial arts author, his book the path to blackbelt is one of a kind, not just showing the proper basic of how to do most basic tachnics but also add the combination in case our opponents have some answers in their defenses, smooth flowing and really works. This book will open our eyes abut how to think as a real BJJ practitoner. In this book, No Holds Barred, it's not as complete as the path to blackbelt, but this is purely for no gi fights, which is greatly customed to MMA fight (or no holds barred just like the title). Some basic great BJJ technics are explained here, too, have a pretty good portion of measuring distance and utilize both grappling and striking. His striking is very simple compared to Anderson Silva's Striking Manual of course, but for this one book overall, it has a great value of MMA basic technics.

I should know!
I am experienced in BJJ and have taken Muay-Thai for years.That being said this book is awesome.The striking sections absolutly suck but gues what...this is not a striking book.He does good for someone who knows nothing about stand-up.As far as BJJ.It is great.Espesially for someone who is trying to learn MMA.All the tachniques are no-gi so it aplies to MMA.If you want to learn some cross-collar chokes or scarf-holds then look them up online...or use your imagination.This book shows you almost every relivant technique that you need for MMA or street fighting.Why else learn this stuff.IF you buy this book you will be very happy.I return to it all the time to refresh on stuff for training.Great job Rodrigo.

Great book, no pajama wrestling!
First of all this book has nice crystal clear glossy photo's, to me that doubles the value right there! I have another book with black and white picture on regular paper and while the content is quite good it just doesn't beckon me to read it like this one. Second of all while the cover shows him wearing a Gi there is no freakin Gi's in the book thank goodness!! If you are sick and tired of every single move being explained...and reach and grab his Gi this is the book for you! No Bath Robe wrestling in here! Third of all this book is easily a $20 book and one of the sellers is selling it new for $9.50, snatch it up before they come to their senses! The other reviewer talked about it like he was going to give it 5 or 4 stars and then gave it 3 for some reason? Great prodution quality, no Gi, all the good moves you need to know, seems like 5 stars to me.

Another good Gracie book
Pride Fighting veteran Rodrigo Gracie presents BJJ's approach to MMA fighting in this book.It starts, like most Kid Peligro books, with an introduction in which Rodrigo addresses mental and physical preparation, teaching and learning techniques, adjusting grappling for MMA, picking a strategy and a team.Though each section is brief, I believe their inclusion in this book is a smart move, especially to those who are new to the MMA game.Next, the majority of the book is on techniques.The author basically looks at MMA through the eyes of a jiujitsu specialist, and his choice of techniques and strategy reflects this.His stand-up techniques, for instance, focus primarily on getting into clinching position and taking the opponent down, though he does have some nice distance drills and defenses that lead right into takedowns.He then moves on to groundwork, and spends roughly half of that time addressing the guard.He has separate chapters on attacking from the closed guard, attacking from the open guard, and passing the guard.After guard work he talks about side control, the mount (including back mound), and the knee-on-stomach.Those last two sections were noticeably small compared to the others.The positives of this book were the clear, color pictures (as in most Gracie-Peligro works), the fact that Gracie didn't neglect the striking-as-a-compliment-to-grappling aspect of MMA, the order the moves were in (often a follow-up move was shown immediately after a primary move), and the very clear strategy that was followed throughout the book.I really can't find anything wrong with this book, though nothing particularly special jumped out at me.If you know BJJ, and can figure out that you can hit, most of the ground stuff would be common-sense.I'd recommend this book to fighters, primarily to BJJers getting into the MMA game (to make the transition easier) and to fighters who's primary base is striking (to both address the ground game, and to learn how to use their strikes on the ground as part of an overall strategy). ... Read more

Product Description
"The Twister" is a neck-jarring, spine-torturing submission hold refined and mastered by
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu superstar Eddie Bravo.
Early in his jiu-jitsu career, Eddie Bravo dominated dozens of jiu-jitsu competitions with this unorthodox move. When the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation banned his trademark move, he proved the effectiveness of his entire grappling style by defeating the legendary Royler Gracie without "The Twister".
In Mastering the Twister: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition, Bravo uses over 1,200 color photos and descriptive narrative to illustrate snaring an opponent in the infamous Twister from virtually every control position. Also revealed is the entire Twister Side Control game, dozens of submissions from the mount, numerous routes to take your opponent’s back, highly effective ways to pass your opponent’s guard, and the secrets of "The Truck"—Bravo’s patented control position.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

The Twister.
Wow! What a read ( not just looking at pictures). Bravo's Jiu Jistu is off the planet-hence the name 10th planet. For lighter Bjj players you have to read and understand his leg riding style, for heavier guys you too must understand the twister and truck etc. so you don't keep getting caught by the smaller guys. Bravo is a revolutionary, his style his revolutionary and has paved the way for much of Bjj's continuing success in MMA. Understanding his principles will make your game better, no doubt.
This book offers more than Jiu Jistu. Bravo is a philosopher, and the insight he provides on how a Bjj/MMA player should think, I don't think there are many out there who offer their secrets so freely. This book forces you to think outside of just techniques, what this book does is forces you to think of how they are arrived at them the first place.
A well laid out book, easy to read, but not so easy to implement.

Fun learning if your serious about grappling
My title expalins it.If your a serious grappler and take the time to learn the techniques in this book, your bound to have some serious fun, especially in competitions and surprising your classmates.That aside, your being learning a lot of moves that tie well together and anyone you train with will benefit as well from this, by learning to defend against the moves and possibly learning to use them as well.

If your going to use it, it's great, if not. Don't waste money on something you don't intend to use or have discipline and plan to use.

rubber guard
good book,I got more from the first book mastering the rubber guard.

flexibility is a must.

Awsome Book!!
This book is awsome. It is very detailed and gives you submissions, passes and control positions for every move or counter move your opponent can throw at you. So no matter what your catching them in something. It is a very great Jiu Jitsu system and would be a great wepon to add to your arsenal.

GREAT TECHNIQUES GREAT BOOK
I'VE TRAINED IN BJJ FOR YEARS I FOUND THE LITTLE TIPS GIVEN IN THIS BOOK HELPED ME OUT MORE THEN ANYOTHER BOOK ON JUJITSU .. THERE ARE ALOT OF VIDEO FROM EDDIE [...] ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (9)

A fantastic historical important book on early Jiu-Jitsu.
It is true this book does not really cover Kano's Judo as it was developed for sport.Nevertheless, the importance of this book is that it contains techniques and tactics of early Jiu-Jitsu with an emphasis on self-defense application.I would not call it a complete text on early Samurai Ju-Jitsu; however, the value of this text is its historical importance.In conclusion, anyone involved in the grappling arts will find this book interesting and informative.Rating: 5 Stars (For Historical value). Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Martial Art Myths, Season of the Warrior, Never Trust a Politician, The Shotokan Karate self-defense Manual: Practical karate for the street, Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, PR-24 Police Baton Advanced Techniques).

Kano Ryu Jiu-Jitsu -- Pre Kodokan Judo +++
It seems to this reviewer that "The Complete Kano Jiu-Jitsu" is indeed a complilation of Kano Ryu Jiu-Jitsu as the title claims -- indeed not yet Kodokan Judo -- certainly not post-1960 Modern Judo. By the way -- this reviewer sees great value in each and all of those three phases. Yes, there is a lack of systematic clinching into kuzushi off-balancing play into grappling play -- as in Modern Judo. Rather, counter-attack entry angles are used to go directly into kicks, blows, throws, chokes, locks and pins. Indeed, the techniques totally lack a division into sports-play versus self-defense -- and are quick and pragmatic solutions to particular attack-positions.

There is no hint of Nage no Kata, Ju no Kata, Kime no Kata and Gokyo no Waza, as others have noticed. Rather, we seem to be seeing a personal variation [likely with some Tsutsumi Hozan Ryu] of Kano Ryu -- a blend of Kito Ryu, Fusen Ryu, Tenshin Shinyo Ryu, and other Jiu-Jitsu with modern jiu-jitsu adaptations. Such a blend was later formally re-organized into Kodokan Judo. As far as overlap between pre Kano Ryu Jiu-Jitsu and post Kodokan Judo goes -- in Japan before World War II there were still fairly large independant jiu-jitsu schools and Kodokan Judo was still growing into its leading influence. There were numbers of hybrid jiu-jitsu blends with Kodokan -- even within the judo circles. Afterall, Jigaro Kano aquired a team of jiu-jitsu adepts [18 of them, including of the schools noted above] to help create Kano Ryu Jiu-jitsu and Kodokan Judo. Folks search far-and-wide for "the jiu-jitsu which became judo" [such as Kito Ryu] -- and here it is in public view in "The Complete Kano Jiu-Jitsu" +++

Kano Jiu Jitsu
This book is an excellent reproduction of the 1927 original print, which we have at our Judo club in Canterbury Kent UK. The original would cost around £300 no counting for the fact its signed by jui jitsu players of the time in 1930. The original techniques or tricks as they are called in the book are still extremely relevant today. For the Jui Jitsu player whether kano or Brazillian there are many techniques you will probably not have seen which are well worth trying. It is a must for the book shelf of the committed grappler.

History Alive
Actually this is a historical tome of some note.Interesting but very hard to learn from.The point of this book is to show training as it was when Judo was first developed.Every JuJutsuist and Judoka should have this in his/her library.
Worth the price and the time.

The roots of modern Jujutsu
Many people know Kano created Judo, but few know of his contribution
to Jujutsu.

The roots of modern Jujutsu began at the end of the 19th Century
when Kano Jigoro was given the task of taking the old, separate schools
of Jujutsu, taking the best of what was, and creating a hand=to-hand
combat school befitting the new, modernised Japan. This new art,
Kano Jujutsu was adopted rapidly by schools and military, as well as
progressing overseas, gaining practitioners and advocates such as Theodore
Roosevelt. Kano Jujutsu still survives in martial arts schools, albeit in
very few, and as hand-to-hand combat in many modern militaries.

The Complete Kano Jujutsu is a reprint of the classic text, demonstrating
many techniques, as well as an introduction to Kuatsu (healing and first
aid techniques).

This is not a book for beginners, as requires knowledge of techniques,
but serves well to augment training. A must have for people want to
delve deeper into martial arts. ... Read more

Product Description
This second edition is a must have for owners of the first edition and fulfills the continuing demand for the out of print original. Devoted exclusively to the range of skills needed for passing the guard, the second edition includes over 60 guard passing techniques, plus submissions, submission counters, and drills. In the Grappling Arts Publications' style that revolutionized the way martial arts books are made, techniques are shown from multiple angles, key points are illustrated, and photo sequences are laid out in intuitive, easy to follow patterns. Text supplements the photos and provides insights on application, timing, and strategy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great bookfor BJJ
This book is sort of the basic 101 of jiu jitsu. It's a very easy book to go through. Lots of pictures and examples from different angles on how to do the move and then counter the move. I am a purple belt and I still use this book as reference once in a while. Had it for about 5 years.

The Best book for BJJ of All levels
No book is a substitute for solid instruction. But this book can make every time you step on the mat more effective. The biggest difference between this book and others is the abundance of pictures and the words are presented in such a way that you could adapt the move to slightly different situations. Another thing that makes this book so effective is acknowledging what your opponent is likely to do and how to combat that. As a white belt just seeing what an upper belt might do when faced with these passes is also helpful. Each section is relatively short and comes with a big flow chart type of map that summarizes what you can do from just about ever position you find yourself in and what page to refer back to for more detailed instruction on how to get out. As the title suggests the content is mostly about how to pass the guard and a secondary focus is given to submissions,but other positions are covered to a lesser degree in this book as well. If you want the same great format and instruction level but are looking for submissions I would suggest their second book "The Guard"

A strongly recommended instruction guide and reference for students and practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Now in a newly revised and expanded second edition, "Passing the Guard: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Details and Techniques" by martial arts experts Ed Beneville (a student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 1996 and studied under 7th Degree Black Belt holder Joe Moreira for the past eight years) and Tim Cartmell (Shen Wu Academy of Martial Arts in Southern California) continues to be an ideal instructional introduction and reference with this new edition including more than sixty guard passing techniques, submissions and submission counters, as numerous drills. Of special note is how the showcased techniques are viewed from different angles with each key point fully illustrated, including photo sequences demonstrating such relevant factors as application, timing and strategy. Expertly organized and superbly presented, "Passing the Guard" is a fundamental and strongly recommended instruction guide and reference for students and practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Offense, Counter-Offense, Re-counter-offense...
Utilizing the guard position in Brazilian JiuJitsu is a dynamic attack posture, whereby, the player is continually attempting to either offensively dominate the opponent who is within the guard, or where the guard-player is attempting to sweep his opponent who is in the guard for an even more dominate mounted position.Due to this dynamic environment of the guard, passing the guard is, likewise, a proactive proposition for the passer.Enter the necessity of: Passing the Guard!

This second updated edition of Passing the Guard has addressed this situationally active position with the same, superior photographically enriched directness that Ed Beneville revolutionized when the Grappling Arts Publications LLC, released the first edition of this book in 2002.

Utilizing multi-camera angles to capture both the technical nuance of the application and the full action sequence of the movement, the reader is provided a detailed analysis of the technique, akin to watching a frame-by-frame video revelation.Nothing is left to speculation with the way the photos unfold and unwrap the technique with the accompanying text.The pages are oversized, glossy and of the highest quality.The photographs themselves are clear and well-taken.With my aging eyes, this is a plus.

With over one-hundred additional pages, encompassing over seventy different methods of passing the guard, ranging from the most fundamental to the more elaborately mastered passing methods, the manual diligently demonstrates and explains just what the guard is and what one must master in order to actively defeat this highly offensive position.

Divided into eight color-coded chapters, the author stresses that this book is primarily for those who will engage in Brazilian JiuJitsu-type sports competition.The reader must then understand that in such competitions, the idea is for one adversary to defeat another adversary with a submission or choke.There are no strikes permitted, and actions are very strictly controlled.One who is the guard is constantly seeking to reposition in order to gain a submission while the one who is generating the guard is highly offensive, attempting to also engage a submission.There is very little NON-movement in such competitions, where movement, counter-movement, and recounter-movements are chronic in their applications on both sides.

The first chapter reveals the importance of fully understanding the basics--both the basics of the various guard positions (this book states seven possibilities of the guard position) and the fundamental requirements needed for establishing a solid, yet active, balanced base within a guard, explicating proper body alignment, hand and head placement, gripping and breaking the closed guard.

I am fanatical about mastering the basics, and this first chapter, alone, details specifics about both guard and passing the guard I have not found in other pictorially-rich manuals addressing the same topic.If we do not have a firm grasp of the fundamentals, then we cannot hope to master anything more advanced.This chapter thoroughly dissects the essentials for passing the guard into its most important common denominators, upon which the rest of the book's passing the guard problems are resolved.

The second chapter specifies how to pass the guard from attacking the knees while both players are grounded.This is an elaborately composed chapter with numerous ways and means of passing the guard are included.

Chapter three provides many safe and viable options for a player who is standing in one's guard posture, attempting to get around this guard to gain control over the player for submission.

Defense and counters to offensive guard actions are covered in chapter four.This chapter, as all the chapters of this book, stresses the importance of maintaining a solid base and adjusting one's balance in order to assist off-setting an attack before the attack is completed.Several of the common attacks addressed, with the appropriate counters, include: the Triangle, the Kimura, the Guillotine, Cross Choke, Armbars, Omo Plata, keylock, and various sweeping actions, to name just a few.

Chapter five covers the half-guard in detail along with the attacks one can implement while in the half-guard.I personally see the half guard as the half mount, so the importance of this chapter must not be taken for granted.

Attacks from inside the guard are explicated in chapter six, which are quite diverse in their applications, but always stressing the need for a strong position before that submission is attempted.We will find numerous attacks to the articulations of one's leg (knee, ankle, foot) here, as well as the Sode Jime.

I found chapter seven quite interesting in that in BJJ competition, as in Judo competition, a competitor will slip into a "turtle posture" so as not to be scored upon.This often occurs when a strong counter-fighter is getting the better of an opponent.Interestingly, this chapter demonstrates what a player can do to negate this protective posture--in effect--to crack the turtle's shell most abruptly and soundly.If one's opponent decides to slip into this default turtle posture, the information and illustrations found in this chapter will offer an aggressive player the how-to for dispatching the passive opponent.

Drills--simple, basic, and challenging drills are located in chapter eight, and all good skills become superior skills through proper and persistent drilling.The material here helps one integrate basic skills through drilling paradigms in order to improve proficiency of one's specific skill set.

At the end of all chapters are what I call an after action summary.What is covered in that chapter is amalgamated into a type of unique flow chart that makes sense of each independent action.This summary creates a unified chaining of the independent parts into a functional whole that extrapolates from the training experience into actual experience.This helps the player to shore up any technical loose ends and offers correct application for said player when he or she attempts movements within diverse situations.

Passing the Guard: Volume One: Revised and Expanded (2009) stands alone in its presentation of the technical expertise, both in its visual instruction format and the wisdom found in the written text pertaining to this subject matter.This text, as well as the other two manuals: The Guard: Volume Two (also Revised and Expanded) and Strategic Guard: Volume Three are required reading and recommended text books for those students who frequent the Hikaze Learning Corner's, Diversified Combat Arts and Sciences Curriculum.


Rev. Arthur Bodhi Chenevey, RM, DD
Hikaze Learning Corner
Wooster, Ohio

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Product Description

Product Description
In this manual, the author demonstrates hundreds of techniques including warm-up exercises, courtesy rituals, how to fall safely and a wide range of skills that students must learn and aim to perfect to ensure progress in this martial art. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Bad karate, worse judo
This is not the Jujitsu I've experienced.If Clark is the grand pooba of Jujitsu in England, I'm disappointed.

Good material, sub-par formating
This book is a valuable asset for those wishing to learn the basic techniques of Japanese-style Jiu Jitsu, or how to defend themselves.The text includes a number of throwing and locking techniques which can be used both with the gi (jacket) and without.There are also several self-defense combinations presented, including defense against strangles from the feet and on the ground, escapes from full- and half-nelsons, and ground defense against a standing opponent.Standard lapel grab and bearhug defenses are also shown.The photos are black and white, with good quality, which helps when looking at the technique.The techniques are shown in the order of belt syllabus, covering white, yellow, and green belts.There is also a brief introductory section which includes warmups, breakfalls, ettiquete, bowing, and certain World Jiu Jitsu Federation regulations.On the down side, some individual techniques aren't covered before they're shown in combination (for example the first technique shown involves a combination punch, throw, and jointlock), and there seems to be no apparent order to the techniques, other than all choke defenses, etc. are shown together.Basic striking isn't even discussed until the Green Belt Syllabus, and never demonstrated as individual technique.Also, the principles behind the throws are never discussed, which takes away some from the overall value.In conclusion, a very good book, but it could have been much better organized and explained.

Excellent training manual
My first book on jiu-jitsu was over 40 years ago with the great E.J. Harrison's classic book on the subject in an early 60s or late 50s edition. Jiu-jitsu books have come a long way since Harrison's time, and sensei Clark follows in that great tradition with this very well-written and beautifully illustrated and photographed instructional book on this phase of the curriculum. Very clear photos illustrate the techniques, accompanied by clear and concise descriptions in the text.

One of my main interests is hold and lock reversals and counters, and I was pleased to see seven of them included in this syllabus, four for armlocks and three for choke holds. I tend to come at this from the Chin Na end of the spectrum but I have great respect for the jiu-jitsu aspects of it as well, and they should be taught more often than they are.

One other thing that is different from many jiu-jitsu and judo books of the past is the emphasis on classical karate kicks, punches, and strikes. Sensei Clark must have some training there, over and above the usual atemi-waza training since he has quite nice classical technique, being a karate instructor myself. No doubt the pervasive influence of karate and TKD have had some effect over the years on jiu-jitsu training as well.

Students of the art, especially those in the WJJF, should find this a useful companion to their training with many helpful tips and info on all the white belt to green belt techniques.

A clear, competent and concise instruction book
This book, like the others in this series comes highly recommended.

Robert Clark is one of the biggest names in British ju-jitsu. This book illustrates the moves required to pass his "World Ju-jitsuFederation" grading scheme.

Since he was one of the first on thescene in the UK it has had a great influence.

This book provides a solidfoundation for any jitsuka.It is clearly illustrated (with the authorperforming the moves) and well presented.

A "must have" book.

Excellent instruction manual for ju-jitsu enthusiasts.....
Earlier works by Robert Clark have suffered from the 'dark photograph'syndrome found in many martial arts books.

This publication shows theimprovement that can be achieved with first-class camera work and properuse of placing Tori and Uke in light and dark Gi (clothing forpractise).

Anyone who is making a serious attempt to improve their rangeof techniques for grading purposes etc. would do well to purchase this bookas it is an easy reference to throws, ground techniques and finishes.

Ihave also purchased the White to Green Belt and the Black belt publicationsin the same series, which are equally high quality publications.

Buythese books, they are worth every penny in saving your practise time andimproving your rate of progress. ... Read more

Product Description
Rigan Michado, one of the most knowledgeable Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioners in the world, introduced for the first time in published form his famous "Machado Jiu Jitsu" techniques.This book encompasses an enormous variety of techniques, including arm locks, chokes and leg locks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Very instructive
I belive this a very instructional book. An image for each move in each technic. Lots of arms, legs and choke technics.Also, lots of tips. Its a litle short on take downs and counter attacks. Anyways, very good book. A must have if your a serius practitioner of BJJ.

Save Your Money
Like other reviews have stated, this book was a HUGE disappointment.The pictures are of poor quality and the descriptions are worthless.The way this book is setup it's impossible to capture any of the details of the moves.As anyone who has studied BJJ knows, the details are key.

I wish I could get my money back for this garbage.

Warning: Not for beginners!
This book assumes that you already know the basic mechanics of BJJ and therefore, it jumps right into the techniques. This books could be used more as a reference to someone who has BEEN learning BJJ for sometime. This book is definitely not for the beginner. The explainations are very vague. A beginner would most likely execute the techniques improperly if not supplementing this book with an actual BJJ course. I would not recommend this for a beginner nor an advanced student.

Best bang for your buck, where submissions are concerned.
Though the book is kind of small, it does have probably the greatest variety of submissions for the least amount of space.Most of the book is devoted to submissions with a gi, but there is a chapter on non-gi hooks.The book is organized, chapter-wise, into the part of the body the hold works (legs, chokes, arms).It's not as detailed as other works, and covers only submission holds (instead of throws, strikes, possitions, reversals), and in that, I think the title is misleading.But if you're going to be using a gi with your submissions, go ahead and pick up this book.

leg locks
It has not nice pictures like Gracies' books but some useful techniques which are absent in their books, so it can complement them. In addition, the face of Machado may give you an inspiration for practicing harder, it is like seen Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Colombus developping their muscles in some basement without proper lighting, old jeans etc. ... Read more

Product Description
This official training manual of the World Jiu Jitsu Federation covers the black belt grade. The third in a series of three, this book builds on and extends the instruction covered in the two previous books. It presents in detail all the techniques needed to gain the black belt. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good Overall Guide, Nice illustrations
I found to my surprise that this book actually did contain all of the moves i expected, with good illustrations of the techniques being performed. Although this book did fulfill its purpose of illustrating the black belt syllabus, i felt that because of the nature of the belt it was representing it could of done with a little more explanation as to what it means to be a black belt, what the next step is, etc. Apart from that i though this book was worth the money, as are the other books in the same series.

Better books out there
I recomend spending your money on Winning Wrestling Moves or the Fighter's Notebook.

Fantastic!A step by step introduction into the way of JuJi
I found this book to be an excelent way to introduce Jui Jitsu to my students and I myself became familiar with the finer points of grappling and submission fighting.

I highly recoment it for the begining Jui Jitsustudent! ... Read more

Product Description
This guide to grappling presents jiu-jitsu practitioners with 112 advanced positions thatwill give them the tools they need to excel in the sports of submission grappling and no-holds-barred fighting. Master grappler Jean Jacques Machado reveals the minute adjustments in holds and positions that can make the difference between victory and defeat at the championship level. With these tips, high-level competitors will be able to fortify their arsenals with devastating moves that will catch their opponents off guard and end fights quickly, efficiently, and emphatically. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Finally: THE Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Book!
What I have been wanting is a book that treats the full sport of gi BJJ. While BJJ is such a complex game that you can never really encompass all of it in a book, you certainly can select the most important movements and cover all of them in detail. This is what this book does: it has 83 fighting moves and 12 solo drills, covering everything you really need to know. Because of decades of experience under BJJ rules, which were devised in the 1970s, and an acceleration of skill very recently due to Jiu-jitsu's popularity soaring exponentially, the techniques found critical for competition nowadays are not quite those classic movements relied upon twenty or thirty years ago. The pivotal moves in today's world are quite fascinating and often counterintuitive and complex. Since overly simplistic movements are often easily stopped with simple defences, the moves that tend to be effective in high level fighting today are those that are less predictable in their development, are easily altered in the middle, and involve changing the angles of pressure on your opponent through a series of shifts and grip changes.
The single-minded sport focus of the book is very reassuring for any buyer looking for a full treatment of the sport of Jiu-jitsu, as I was. Also it is wonderful that the book does not deal with MMA or no-gi submission wrestling. It is very focussed on what it treats, and it treats it as fully as any book could ever be expected to.
This is a masterpiece of a book and I think it could serve as an excellent model for books treating any other combat sports.

Extremely well put together...
I first saw this book in Barnes and Noble and ended up buying it here. I looked at some of the other books on BJJ and they seem a bit empty. This book was very detailed on transitions and technique.

I would have to rank Championship Techniques right up there with Judo Unleashed which is a terrific book.

Championship Techniques Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
I think "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship Techniques" is a good reference book for anyone practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, that wants techniques that can improve their game. I like the layout of the book, it's easy to read and the photos are clear.This is a good book for any Martial Artist to have in their collection.

Excellent presentation of moves
While this book is like many other grappling books it does a very good job of depicting the moves and capturing the key positions of each move. I tend to read/view the book in key areas and then practice these moves during training sessions. This works well for me.

David

Another winner from Machado
Championship Grappling is essentially the prequel to Jean Jacques Machado's other book "Black Belt Techniques", and provides a solid basis of jiu jitsu movements, techniques, combinations and concepts.

As usual, Kid Peligro lays out a series of techniques with excellent easy-to-understand pictures and explanations.

This book is geared towards teaching the basics, but even advanced level jiu jitsu students will find many concepts, techniques and combinations to explore on the mats.





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Product Description
Bible of Ju Jitsu- 200 pages filled with everything you ever wanted to know about Brazilian Ju Jitsu.Taught by 9th Dan Francisco Mansur one of the most respected masters in the world today.He shows you all you want to know and lots more.You will learn so much you will truly be amazed as he teaches the ins and outs of passing the guard, takedowns, locks, chokes, falls and so much more you will not know where to start on it all. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Guide or Handbook maybe, but Bible it is not
This is primarily a picture book that covers basic positions and moves. There is a short prologue, which is actually reprinted on the back cover, that gives a brief intro of Master Mansur, and reviews the making of the book. It also contains a brief but informative history of Brazilian Jujitsu and Mansur's relationship to Julio Gracie. It lists the belt levels within the system and lists the numbers of lessons within each level, but does not identify what they are. The remainder of the book contains pictures of various positions and moves, with the name or title of each listed in 3 to 6 languages. There is no explanation of any of the moves or positions. There is no discussion of theory, strategy, application, finer points, or the methods of teaching or training each position or technique. The photos are all black and white and most are quite grainy. Most if not all of the finer points of each technique will be lost on any inexperienced person. This may serve well as a guide to beginning students or intermediate students who are beginning to teach and need a memory aide for what they have already been taught. This is not recommended for non-martial artists or beginners, or even advanced students for that matter. Your money would be better spent on other resources.

Not For Beginners, But Vital For Experienced Players
Grand Master Francisco Mansor is, with the passing of Helio Gracie, the highest-ranking BJJ instructor in the world.A student of Helio's for more than 50 years, Mansor has been a part of the development of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and it was his association with the Tijuca Tennis Club in Rio that led to that establishment being the home of BJJ competition.

Having just experienced a seminar with Grand Master Mansor, I absolutely recommend this book for BJJ players looking to refine their games.As mentioned in other reviews, this book is set up as simply as they come - it's a series of photos with very little explanation.Consequently, I can't recommend this as the first book someone should buy to learn BJJ - I'd opt more for something like Saulo Ribeiro's "Jiu Jitsu University."That said, the techniques Mansor demonstrates in this book are flawless, focused very specifically on basics, and rely on leverage and positioning.

Like I said, an absolutely fantastic reference to supplement an existing library.

Excellent
A true master of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu 9 degree red belt Francisco Mansur.A must have for any practioner or anyone who want to learn the history and basic techinque that is used all over the world today.

good for visual learners
This book is good for visual learners. The details are excellent(moves)and this book would go well with his videos.However, this book is of great value if you study jiujitsu,or judo. You can't go wrong but please get the videos and you will see the value of this book.

For Visual Learners Only.
I think that this book is good for people that are good visual learners. Like a previous reviewer said it has no explainations to the techniques. It has the name of the technique in six different languages but no descriptions. But this book is also really cheap and it does have some good pictures so if you got an extra 15 bucks and don't mind carefully studying pictures instead of text buy it. Im glad I added it to my collection considering he's a 9th Degree Black belt under Helio Gracie. ... Read more

Product Description
A first-class introduction to the techniques of the fighting art, Essential Brazilian Jiu Jitsu includes over 250 full-color images along with detailed descriptions on performing every move and countermove.

Marc Walder, an accomplished black belt trained by the legendary Gracie family and Mauricio Gomes, illustrates the techniques to attack, respond, defend, and control any match.

Through high-quality full-color photo sequences and step-by-step instruction, you will learn proven techniques for these skills:

• Submission techniques from various positions
• Controlling the top position
• Arm locks and other attacking maneuvers
• Defending from the bottom position
• Effective escapes and counters

Customer Reviews (1)

excellent introductory text
I purchased this book to help me & my son learn more about BJJ.It has met all my expectations.It covers the history of BJJ, the physical & psychological benefits of martial arts, the belt system, then gets into basic positions and techniques.There are more detailed texts out there, but I prefer this book's organization and brevity.I skimmed several books before deciding on this one and feel confident I made the right choice.Expert instruction is, of course, preferred but this book makes a great companion reference. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Kosho Ryu Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu +++
The Kempo [or Kenpo] Arts from Hawaii -- branch-off from Kosho Ryu Kempo -- founded and presented by James Mitose in Hawaii. There are a number of Kosho Ryu books and DVDs out now that present this Art. They are complex [and "deep"] in comparison to "What is Self-Defense? [Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu]". It is sometimes claimed that James Mitose was somehow pressured into presenting this clearly self-defense oriented variant of Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu. In this "Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu" manual we clearly DO have a self-defense type of Kenpo Jiujitsu -- that however DOES touch-upon some of the history and philosophy of Kempo [or Kenpo] Arts. Followers of the now large number of Kempo, Kenpo, Kempo Jujutsu, Kenpo Jiujitsu, Kenpo Karate, Kara-Ho Kempo, Kajukenbo and a number of offshoots of these -- may be interested in such a rare "raw" streamlined Art [fluid, clear, sharp and COMPACT]. Sure, the further-on presentations of "Kosho Ryu Kenpo Jiujitsu" [my quotes] may have amazingly ingenious further aspects of this Art -- and they DO so -- as well as other Kempo [or Kenpo] Arts. But sometimes an Art's character is shown WELL via it's "raw" primary-base -- in it's starting-place in recent history.

In any case the actual self-defense practice and applied methods in this manual DO appear as "raw" Kenpo and Jiujitsu -- even like a "Combat Karate" and "Combat Judo" blend -- with percussion and grappling applied to defend and counter various likely attacks. Even in this "early release" of "Kosho Ryu Kenpo Jiujitsu" we see a humanely-intended but VERY effective Art of Self-Defense. The compact sections of this compact work are logically organized by topic and tactic -- so it does NOT seem "rushed" by James Mitose. The main PROVEN APPLIED strategy is on display in direct view via this first book [the title itself] -- Defend-your-Self-via-Kenpo-then-Jiujitsu [deflect, strike and grapple to down-your-foe]. With such a foundation of "Combat Karate" and "Combat Judo" one can ADD further aspects such as further variation and inspiration -- even in a Kosho Ryu "Aikido-like" direction +++

An old classic on early Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu(Karate) by the late grandmaster James M. Mitose
This edition was published in 1980 from the original text published in 1953.From a historical aspect, this book is an important document.This was the first book ever published in America on the Kenpo system.James M. Mitose was the official granmaster of this system and had many famous students; however, politics have made this great system controversial in some circles.Ed. Parker's Kenpo Karate System was developed from his training in Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu.This occureed in Hawaii in the 1950s.This volume covers the basic history of the art, the basic techniques and the application of Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu in self-defense situations.In conclusion, this is a book that has historical importance and if you are lucky to get a copy, treasure it.Rating: 5 Stars.Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Shotokan Karate Self-defense Manual, Martial Art Myths, Never Trust a Politician, Season of the Warrior, Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, PR-24 Police Baton Advanced Techniques).

Historical Value for Hawaiian Lineage Kenpo People
Originally published in 1953, "What is Self Defense? (Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu)" was reprinted in 1980 by the Kosho-Shorei Publishing Company.The second edition includes introductions from James Mitose's post-conviction students, Bruce Juchnik and Rick Alemany, and advisor Arnold M. Golub.

Most noteable as a historic work showing some of the earliest students of Kenpo demonstrating techniques including Mitose himself, there are also sections on Mitose's version of his art's history.Although research in recent years has shown that some of the pictures in James Mitose's book were taken directly from earlier published volumes on Okinawan Karate which were available to Okinawans on Hawaii at that time.Included among these would be a photo of Choki Motobu on page IV taken from the second plate in Motobu's book "Watashi no Karatejutsu", and Fusetsu Nakamura's painting of Daruma on page I taken directly from the second page plate of Mizuho Mutsu's book "Tode Kenpo" (Japanese).Most of the techniques Mitose demonstrates on the makiwara likewise are identical in their demonstration to earlier sequences shown in Motobu's books from the 1930's.

Many of the physical demonstrations of technique show a number of people well known in kenpo history circles, including Thomas Young (practical mentor to Bruce Juchnik and Mitose's designated successor of Kosho in Hawaii when he left for the mainland) and William Chow (Teacher of Kajukenbo's Adriano Emperado and American Kenpo's Ed Parker as well as Bill Chun, Sam Kuoha, and others).Young and Chow demonstrate a technique together in a particularely clear sequence on page 42, with Chow as Uke.

Virtually every technique demonstrated is identical to other schools of Jiu Jitsu common to Hawaii at the time, especially Okazaki's Danzan Ryu.The exceptions to this are the makiwara (striking post) techniques Mitose demonstrates on pages 2-13.These appear to have been staged as to make them appear nearly identical to the Makiwara sequences Motobu showed in his already mentioned book, "Watashi no Karatejutsu" on pages 14-18.

It is really too bad that with all of the effort going on in both Okinawa, Japan, China, Taiwan and the United States to preserve and reprint books of historic value pertaining to Karate and Jujutsu, this one has fallen victim to bad publicity, political fighting from different Kosho factions, and apparently, indifference.Regardless of James Mitose's personal life, this book is a treasure for collectors.To learn more about James Mitose in Hawaii during the 1950's, please see Charles Goodin's Hawaii Karate Museum website.There is also a detailed article about this book written by Goodin in the magazine, "Classical Fighting Arts" #3 (19-24, 59).

The Mitose saga and the evolution of Mitose-lineage kenpo is really deserving of a book in and of itself.Maybe some day we'll get our wish!Early Hawaiian Kenpo deserves at least that. ... Read more

Product Description
The guard is the quintessential Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighting position. Other martial arts assume that once someone is on their back that the fight is over. But that assumption is unfounded. Fights don't end just because they hit the ground; for the jiu-jitsu man the fight has only just begun. The Guard is a detailed analysis of core concepts, details, and techniques, key to success for ground fighting from the guard position. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

very good and comprehensive
great book, very detailed and lots of pictures from different angles.
specially loved the variations and strucure of the book, with a logical flow of techniques.

only downside a small percentage of the pictures were a little blury. but otherwise very good book, will last a BJJ life time

fantastic book on the gaurd for BJJ!
This is an excellent book for someone wanting to learn about the Guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The thing i have found in this book (and the other 2 in the series) are that they are not just a compilation of different moves from different guard positions, but it also goes into great detail about what to do if this fails. It shows the importance of being able to do things from several different positions, and what to you can do if you are unsuccessful. For example if you attempt a triangle choke, and the opponent defends in one way, it shows how to move to another submission attempt, and if he defends the triangle a different way, how to move on from THAT position, and so on.

This book caps this excellent style of showing effective flowing attacks, with all the moves having multiple angle shots, good explanations, and descriptions from various positions and is very easy to follow and understand.

As far as instructional BJJ books go this is probably the best i have seen. You won't be disappointed, I wasn't!

A reference for all levels
All of the books in this series are meant to last you a long time. From the quality paper and printing right down to the tactics. I shared this book at my academy and all level of students were able to get something out of it and I know some ran home to order their own set of secret weapon books. The material is so dense you will consistently look to it for solutions to your grappling puzzles and the answers are always there. I spent some time out on an injury and casually read through these books with no mat time and still came back better in some ways. My classmates thought I had been sneaking to practice until they saw my cardio. One of my favorite things about this book is the flowing cause and effect way of instruction. Never are you able to execute a technique without interference from your opponent and this book gives you the tools to move on from your first tactic and immediately into the next which usually catches your opponent by surprise. Each short chapter is summarized by a flow chart outlining all of the methods presented to deal with a certain situation such as a stalling opponent,dealing with submission counters and attacking and upright posture from the guard. I would say this book has greater value to practitioners with a least a month or two experience so you can fully understand how each position usually plays out.

BRILLIANT
A BRILLIANTLY organised and depicted book,with an in depth focus on the theory.
After purchasing the book i was a little overwhelmed by the amount of technique involved, but with the bigger picture review at he end of each chapter everything flowed beautifully to memory and application on the mat.
I cannot even begin to explain the impact this series of books(i bought all three)has had on my technical knowledge and application on the mat, and has left me with the question of, if only i had known earlier.
ESSENTIAL

Spot on
This is definitely a top of the line book.The symbols and layout is a little wonky at first, but once I adjusted to it it was very nice and very very detailed.I think that is what makes this book a step above most others - the sheer number of photographs, details, and angles given for every technique.That and the very nice layout for flowing from one technique to another. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent guide to Bruce Tegner's System of Self-Defense.
The late Bruce Tegner was a prolific writer when it came to judo, karate and jujitsu. Though many traditional martial arts masters ignored his contributions, but Bruce Tegner took the mystical aspects out of the martial arts.

He presented his material in a clear and objective way.I have bought and read most of his books and though I certainly did not agree with some of his approaches; nevertheless, he introduced a practical and non-mystical look at the martial arts and self-defense.

This book is one of his best. He organized his self-defense system (JUKADO) by combining techniques from judo, karate and aikido.In conclusion, this book will be of interest to anyone involved in self-defense and the martial arts.

Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author:Monadnock Defensive Tactics System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, Police Yawara Stick Techniques, PR-24 Police Baton Advanced Techniques, Martial Art Myths, Never Trust a Politician). ... Read more