If you're talking about sport jiu-jitsu tactics then pulling guard and fighting an entire match from the bottom position can make total sense. But in a real fight, where punches, kicks, and stomps are being used, you definitely DON'T want to spend one second more than necessary in the guard position. You want to submit, sweep or standup as fast as possible! Today's … [Read more...]
New Release: The Self Defense Guard with Elliott Bayev and Stephan Kesting
I've been working on it for a LONG time, but the 'Self Defense Guard' is finally live at Self Defense Tutorials! This is a really in-depth instructional about how to use the guard in a self defense situation. In a real fight there is always the chance that you're going to end up on the bottom. And if that happens the guard could save your life. But fighting off your … [Read more...]
Escaping One of the Worst Positions for Ground and Pound
The ground and pound strategy in MMA is one that relies on getting on top, staying on top, and then beating your opponent into unconsciousness with your fists, forearms and elbows. In other words, it's a slightly more sophisticated version of your basic street fighter's approach to groundfighting... One of the worst ground and pound positions is the so-called 'giftwrap' … [Read more...]
Clothing Chokes, Sweater Slams, and Techniques to Use During the Holidays
If you're a normal human being leading a normal life and you suddenly have to defend yourself, then most of the time you're going to be wearing some sort of clothing. (If you're wandering down the street naked and get in a violent confrontation then it's likely, as BJJ black belt Kurt Osiander likes to say so bluntly, that "Son, you f**ked up a long time ago...") Now … [Read more...]
The Fastest Way to Stay Safe on the Ground
If you’re interested in self defense in the modern era then it’s absolutely essential to have at least some BJJ skills. While no one wants to start a fight on the ground, the fact is that ground happens. A larger opponent could tackle you to the ground… A wannabe tough guy who has watched too many UFC fights might take you down… You could get your legs kicked out from … [Read more...]
Self Defense Against a Lapel Grab
Today we're going to talk about self defense vs a lapel grab, a classic problem that every martial arts student needs several solutions to. Notice I said 'several solutions', and that's because any one technique can never be equally applicable to all situations. If a crazed serial killer is coming after you with a hatchet then morally (and, in most places, … [Read more...]
Navy SEAL and BJJ Black Belt Jocko Willink on Which Martial Art to Learn First
Jocko Willink is a former Navy Seal with his own podcast (The Jocko Podcast), but he's also a high level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. In the following segment he talks with Echo Charles about why Jiu-jitsu is the most important martial art to learn first. Just click play on the video below to start the conversation at the correct point, but for your convenience we've … [Read more...]