5 comments about Mixed Martial Arts For Dummies.

1. The MMA for Dummies book by Frank Shamrock was very easy to read with a lot of great photos of the exercises and moves. Very helpful for all levels. It isn't just jiujitsu or judo or wrestling but a mix of all the styles of martial arts and his way of thinking is very interesting. It takes you from beginning MMA all the way to being inside the cage, if that's your thing.
   
   I would definitely recommend it.



2. This book is very well writtten and very well organized. Frank's systems are very applicable and bulletproof. Money spent on this book would be money well spent for anyone looking to expand their knowledge on the art of mixed martial arts.



3. This is a very well written and laid out basic guide to MMA (mixed martial arts) for not only the fans, but also for aspiring MMA competitors. Written extremely well by noted MMA legend, Frank Shamrock, this book really leaves very little, if anything, to be desired for the average fan.
   
   Sure there are much better books out there on learning certain techniques, but that is not what this book is all about. Although I wouldn't necessarily agree entirely with the title, this book presents the world of MMA in a brief, yet very well done light and although the die-hard MMA fans may not find much new information in it, it would be very hard to argue that this book isn't "THE" book to get in order to enlighten yourself on a basic level to the world of MMA. And in that respect this book is outstanding.
   
   Shawn Kovacich
   Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.



4. frank shamrock did it again,this book is combination of frank unique fighting system . he shares his fightin secret whit all mma fans. good dan frank



5. If you're thinking of breaking into MMA as either a competitor or as a coach, add this book to your library. As a karateka I already had a pretty good stand-up and kicking game but a limited knowledge of ground work. Frank Shamrock takes you simply through the eight positions of power, giving submission holds for each position allowing the ground game novice to get a well rounded and effective knowledge of simple techniques. Equally, if you're a ground game specialist looking for a bit of advice on stand-up, some sound advice is given too. All the tutorial sections have easy to follow instructions with excellent step by step pictorial guides.
   
   Whilst this book doesn't go into a massive amount of detail, it really does give you all the basic information required to get you started. If you're a complete novice, don't forget that there is no substitute for good instruction so get out there and find an established school with experienced coaches and use the book to help expand your knowledge then hit the roads to increase your fitness. Hard work then more hard work is the only way to success.
   
   I highly reccommend this great book.

2 comments about Life and Death: Grappling with the Moral Dilemmas of Our Time.

1. The book, at its best, is easy to read for a philosophy book. I have it as a textbook for a Death, Dying, and the Quality of Life class. I am an A student. The concepts Pojman explores are not done justice by his writing. He misses the point in several places, or the view he gives is not widely accepted as accurate. If you are buying this book for pleasure, do yourself a favor and don't. There are plenty more books out there that will satisfy your quest for knowledge. If you are a professor who is considering using this, DON'T. Same reasons.



2. Text is informative, easy to understand, and interesting. Anyone taking an Ethics course in college will enjoy using/reading the text.

5 comments about Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na, 2nd Edition: Instructors Manual for All Martial Styles.

1. I am a teacher of Yoshinkan Aikido with 30 years of training in various martial arts, including Taichi and now Chin Na. I have been familiar with Dr Yang's works but never owned any of his books until last year. I finally had an opportunity to attend one of his seminars and now study with some of his students. I am also trying to collect as much of his works as I can.
   
   I found this book to be an excellent resource in my Chin Na studies and to help learn the techniques I am learning from the students of Chin Na and on the YMAA DVDs that I own.
   But, as the title suggests, this is for ALL styles.
   
   I am always looking at how martial arts are inter-related and share common techniques and principles. I also look for variations on techniques in my style and try to work them into my training and teaching.
   
   This book is not only helping me to learn Chin Na but has brought more depth to my Aikido.



2. The "Analysis of Shoalin Chin Na" is a great book. The author takes you throguh the beginning, starting with stretching and exercises to make the most of your chin na training. He goes through a complete chin na regime, beginning with the fingers, wrists, elbows and shoulder joints. The information taught in this volume, if studied intimately, can give the thoughtful martial artist enough insight and information to take what he learns about joints, to enable him to apply that knowledge in almost any situation. This is a fine instructional manual, written and explained in a very credible manner. I highly recommend it for any serious martial artist.



3. I believe that medium of a book form has certain limitations when it comes to explaining moving actions such as chin na techniques. I bought this book prior to buying the dvd of YMAA production on chin na. i would say that it is better to get a dvd than a book if one is more keen to understand the techniques than the related informations.



4. This was the first martial arts book I ever bought, I still learn from it. When you think you have a fair understanding of what is going on, and the book is mere basics, you find some true gold through practice and dedication, this is one of those must have books like that will be right there for you throughout your life as a martial artists. Here is wonderful instruction for beginners and advanced martial artists alike, I recommend a training partner to get the most you can out of this fine peace of work.



5. Chin Na means "seize and control" and is part of most Chinese martial arts.
   Many of the hidden techniques in the Taiji forms are actually Chin NA techniques.
   
   There is a DVD companion to the book "Analysis of Shaolin Chin NA".
   If you are reading the book, you should also get the DVD so that you can see demonstrations of each technique.
   which are shown in 1)slow motion 2)close up and 3)normal speed. Each technique in the DVD references the book numberings.
   The video demonstration is great when you are reading the book since the techniques need to be seen and experienced to be understood.
   
   You probably should watch the DVD with a remote control in one hand and the book in the other hand.
   The DVD demonstrates the techniques. The book describes why and how the techniques work. The book also describes escapes and counters which are not covered in the DVD.
   
   The book is divided into:
   1. Fundamental Training -- exercises to develop the hand strength and speed needed to effectively apply Chin Na techniques.
   2. Finger Chin NA.
   3. Wrist Chin NA.
   4. Elbow Chin NA.
   5. Shoulder, Neck and Waist Chin Na.
   6. Neck Chin NA.
   9. Muscle Grabbing Chin NA.
   10. Cavity Press
   11. Using Chin NA in a fight.
   12. Treatment of Injuries.

5 comments about Solo Training 2: The Martial Artist's Guide to Building the Core for Stronger, Faster and More Effective Grappling, Kicking and Punching (No. 2).

1. It's not a book for people who trains alone, but for teachers that want the best for their students. Both volumes are very complete!



2. I have the whole Solo Training Series and the DVD and all of them have been jam-packed with great information and practical advice. I wouldn't hesitate to buy anything Loren Christensen has written, it's all first rate. He has a great sense of humor and an easy writing style. But content is king and there's plenty of it in here. I was concerned that the classic Solo Training title had already said everything there was to say on this subject, but I actually like Solo Training 2 much better. It's full of great exercises, practical advice and a huge range of extra topics like coping with stress and injuries. He also handles the mental game better than anyone I have seen so far, probably because he's actually fought for his life using these techniques as an MP and Portland police officer and not just in the dojo or in competition. Buy it now, you won't be disappointed.



3. I am 29 y.o., 2nd degree black belt in shotokan karate and have been involved in martial arts since I was 18. I'm sure many martial artists are faced with the same problem -- you reach a point in your training where progress slows down or stops altogether and you need a new source of motivation.
   
   This book was a good helper in re-designing my training routine and schedule. I added a whole bunch of new exercises recommended by the author as well as employed a number of mind conditioning techniques (these are indeed very important).
   
   After just a couple of months, I'm noticing improvement. My body is much stronger and I am able to perform many techniques and kata better than before.
   
   Sometimes I'd overtrain and have problem sleeping afterwards. I picked up a few relaxation/meditation techniques from this book that help me to calm down after training and rest comfortably.
   
   "Solo Training 2" is the great source of information that will help you improve your physical and mental fitness. I cannot really find any faults with this book, hence the 5 stars.



4. I realy enjoy this book it's great for martial artist added some new exercise and just a great way to stay motivated about working out and stay fit. I've been trying some of exercises so far for the abs and push ups and love it. I would definetly recommend this book to others. Great Book! It's Awesome!



5. With Loren W. Christensen (Author) books, you can not go wrong. They are full of practical knowledge and useful ideals to help the martial Artist grow. Highly recommend his books.

5 comments about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Submission Grappling Techniques (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu series).

1. This book just like most in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu series can help improve your game tremendously. The book begins with a great theory section where Royler diverges secrets to training and becoming a champion among other great points. Sections on grips and drills are a great addition to the book. Grips are especially important to discuss when talking about grappling without a Gi since there is a whole new set. There is a good amount of techniques from any position that will work in Gi and no Gi situations. The authors credentials speak for themselves and this book is a great addition to any Jiu-Jitsu library it becomes a part of. Buy this book and you won't be sorry.



2. I bought this book as an experience white belt (read: about a year of BJJ), after reading the excellent, but light-on-technique "Mastering JuJitsu" (5 stars on it's own). Obviously you'll never truly learn BJJ from a book, but it certainly helps. Joyler is kind of a secret hero for me since we're both skinny little guys.
   
   If you're looking for a book with lots and lots of techniques, this is a great first step. Even if you manage to find a better one, this money will not be wasted. The pics are large and from multiple angles, in color, and match the descriptions. The explanations are clear and detailed, pointing out danger spots.
   
   At the risk of sounding crass (which I kind of am) I've stored this book in my bathroom and that works well. You can just open it to any page and start reading a technique.



3. This is the third and last gracie book I will buy. This book is not something for beginners, its a bunch random techniques as most of there books are and the grcies always seem to leave important postions/moves out of there books which keeps you buying more and more books to complete the puzzle. I personaly think Gene Simco products are much better and does not hold back on showing you counter moves. (Gene Simco Master text the most complete BJJ book and will save you money in the long run). I dont have anything personaly against the gracies I love there bjj its just that there out to make money, common they dont want to give everything away in one book.



4. this is a great no gi bjj book and actually a really good gi bjj book, too, since I believe that if you can utilize all our opponents limbs fluently it's gonna be much easier for us to utilize their gi and limbs. So this book is actually a great book since you can learn the higher level one but at the same time, of course, it's not for the beginner, especially when they are beginner who learn a gi bjj. Hey, there's always two side of a coin, isn't it? ;p anyway, if anyone is interested in learning a basic bjj (which usually start with the gi bjj) you can get that from Saulo Ribeiro Brazilian Jiu Jitsu University or Royler and Helio Gracie book for BJJ. But this book is great in a little bit higher level not as advanced as Marcello Garcia's X Guard, Eddie Bravo's Twister and Rubber Guard but this book need a basic understanding of grappling.
   
   Royler is a great BJJ competitor and teacher, two thumbs up. Thanks



5. I've been doing jiu-jitsu for a little over a year now, and I was looking for something to help expand my no-gi game. I finished this book in two days, primarily because a lot of the techniques are introductory (white belt level). As an example, I think there are 16 pages that cover a basic trap & roll mount escape, and the only difference between each "technique" was the grip setup. For me, pages 1-180 could have been completely left out of the book, as it was all very basic introductory stuff anyone with any submission grappling experience already knows.
   
   If it weren't for pages 180-260, I would have given the book 1 star. The last sections of this book have some good techniques, nothing groundbreaking or really beyond the blue belt level, but I found some techniques that I might be able to apply to my game, so 2 stars it is.
   
   This is the first book I've found specifically targeting submission grappling, but I really would not recommend this book to anyone. If you are looking for general jiu-jitsu knowledge, I would highly recommend Saulo Ribeiro's Jiu-Jitsu University, or the guard series books by Joe Moreira & Ed Beneville. If DVD's are more your style, you can't go wrong with the Roy Dean series.

5 comments about Strategic Guard: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Details and Techniques.

1. As the third installment it does wonders with teaching you things to overcome. nice little hints and secrets. Has improved my game. With this whole series you would be promoted.



2. 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



3. The trilogy of BJJ books by Ed Beneville is by far the best series of BJJ books on the market, which includes the Strategic Guard.
   
   Unlike many other BJJ books, you can ACTUALLY learn BJJ from these books; of course, I'm assuming you are practicing the moves with a partner and not merely reading it like a textbook. The photos are very detailed and presented from multiple angles. Key points are highlighted both visually and in the text. The author made sure that the participants used different gi colors so that the reader could tell what each person was doing and how his partner was reacting.
   
   There are certainly other good BJJ books on the market, but the Guard series (Passing the Guard, The Guard, and Strategic Guard) differs in many important respects. While the Kid Peligro books are visually appealing, they tend to lack detail and subtle nuances. Thus, a reader gets a glimpse of many techniques but larger conceptual ideas are often missing. Beneville's books are rich in both photos and concepts. Moreover, he often shows a few variations on a technique and how to deal with common opponent counters or reactions to an initial technique. He also includes useful drills in his books.
   
   There is easily something for every BJJ level, from beginner to advanced. There is years worth of material here all the way to black belt. No joke! I highly recommend his Guard series. It helped my Guard tremendously (but yes... you do have to actually attempt and practice the moves in class. Sorry to disappoint but kata just won't get you very far in BJJ).



4. As a smaller and weaker practitioner this book was particularly helpful. All of the books in this series are very good, but this one covers the detail of how to use proper technique at any size to be lethal when your opponent thinks he has you. Large full color photos show multiple angles and variations on each technique. The first half of this book deals with escapes and the second half deals with submission counters and how to keep from needing an escape in the first place. As a lower belt I felt the first part of the book was very applicable to me, but the second part more advanced than the other books and I would come back to the second half as I get better. This book has really helped me get out of dangerous situations and get back to attacking instead of surviving. All of the techniques are presented in the same way your teacher would show and provides multiple angles with basic applicable note. I think all of these books are far more helpful than a video or other books because of their level of detail and book lay out that builds one technique upon the other and factors in the typical areas a practitioner might lose position. There are usually three sets of photos for one technique and the subtle details that make them effective is clearly highlighted either in words or in the picture. Check out their website for an idea of how the books are laid out and a technique of the week. www.grapplingarts.net



5. I have been practicing BJJ for close to three years and it often seems like class flies by and the finer details of techniques get lost. The books in this series are huge helps to go back and examine techniques in great detail. The narratives and multi angle pictures let me dissect the moves and work towards perfecting them.
   
   The books also serve as a fantastic situational reference. If I find myself having problems dealing with a situation that comes up in class I can always look it up to find solutions to bring back with me for next time.

5 comments about Judo Unleashed: Essential Throwing & Grappling Techniques for Intermediate to Advanced Martial Artists.

1. This is simply not a book for advanced judoka, and likely will be old hat to the intermediates. While this text is probably one of the most visually appealing in terms of photos and layouts, many of the photos are simply fluff (tomoe-nage in the surf? Seriously?) The treatment of the various techniques is no more advanced than good ol' Kodokan Judo, and sometimes less so. I guess from the title (and the reputation of the author) I was expecting something more along the lines of the Masterclass series, not another rehash of the basics.



2. What a fantastic introduction to Judo. I have been doing jiu jitsu for 3 years now and I was hoping to increase my throwing knowledge, oh boy is this book a gold mine!!! I highly recommend this book!



3. Unleashed is an overrated word, nothing too technically difficult. I'm new in Judo, but not to martial arts and grappling. I found the breakdown of the basics very helpful and the fundamentals are well explained also, coupled with the excellent pictures the book is a must have for any martial artist. So even though its not "unleashed" I still give it a full 5 stars for its content.



4. I found this book to be a good introduction to Judo. It touches on a lot of topics like the history of Judo, what Judo is, how it works, self defense, sport, personal development, theory, and techniques. That's a lot to try to pack into one book but Mr. Ohlenkamp did a good job and has put together a book that he can be proud of.
   
   Pros: The book is very well laid out in a neat, organized manner. It's printed on high quality paper which makes the book easy to read and visually appealing. It goes over the official 67 throws that are recognized by the Kodokan and some of the moves have variations to help you out when you can't get a technique to work in the traditional way. Along with each move there is a little diagram that shows the ending position for your feet which helps in the understanding how to perform each technique. The part I found the most valuable is the Appendices. This section does many things; it translates the Japanese words for easier understanding. It goes over and explains sport rules and scoring. The appendix tells you which moves are recognized by the Kodokan and Judo Federation. Last but not least is my favorite part. It has a chart that tells you which moves are good to set up other moves and a follow up attack in case you miss the technique you were going for along with the most used counters to each move. As a beginner Judoka, I'm finding the appendix section of the book very helpful.
   
   Cons: Often the moves are described in about 3 pictures with a paragraph explaining the whole move. I felt this made it hard to tell when to apply the details within the move and sometimes it was hard to tell what was going on in the pictures. The Grappling section I found very weak. The book only had one picture per move and that was the ending position without any explanation of how to set it up or the mechanics of the move. I felt this section could have been skipped and I wouldn't have missed anything. The only other thing that I didn't care for in this book was that at times Neil gets a little long winded but that can also be a good thing depending on who's reading it.
   
   I'm keeping this book around as I found it to be a good reference book for my Judo needs. Overall, I felt this was a good book with a lot to offer people that are new to intermediate in Judo but it might be just the same old stuff or people that have been in the sport for a long time.



5. great master, great book , i have a lots of judo ,bjj books but this one is diferent not only for techniques self defence and tips for competition . This book talk about most important component of any martial art the way of life a very few books write about that. all colour, beatiful pictures, all the techniques complete, amazing book.

4 comments about Passing the Guard: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Details and Techniques (Revised and Expanded Second Edition).

1. 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



2. 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.



3. 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"



4. 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.

No comments about Total Defense: A Comparison of Grappling and Striking Defenses Against Common Street Attacks.

5 comments about The X-Guard: For Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, No Gi Grappling, and Mixed Martial Arts.

1. Have only read the first half and flipped through the second, but Marcelo does a great job showing his X-guard. If you liked the Eddie Bravo books you will really like this.



2. This is a must have for anyone willing to think outside the box when it comes to BJJ. The introduction itself is worth its purchase. Marcelo defines what it means to sacrifice for any goal or passion we all have inside. The detailed pictures and explaination leave no room for error. Get this ASAP.



3. It's no secret that I really enjoy Victory Belt's books. I think they've nailed the format for describing individuals' games and their specialities. They are definitely the market leader in the arena of working with a fighter to extract the information they need and put it into print.
   
   It shouldn't surprise any readers, then, that I really liked the X-Guard by Marcelo Garcia.
   
   The book has all the hallmarks of Victory Belt's previous works. The large format and detailed colour photography don't disappoint and actually go one better with this edition.
   
   Not resting on their laurels, the guys at VB have introduced detailed inset photos where warranted. This is not a completely original concept by any means, but it is done as well here as with any other publisher.
   
   One of the problems I thought I might have with the book is that I wouldn't be able to identify with Marcelo and the X-Guard. This was an issue with Eddie Bravo's books on the Rubber Guard. I don't really use the Rubber Guard and am not built well for it. I pretty much have had the same problem with the X-Guard.
   
   That was until I read through this book. You see, my butterfly guard is a little...... agricultural. And that, it seems , is my problem with the X-Guard. Not my long legs and extraordinary height - my previous excuses.
   
   The book is split into two sections. The first is on the butterfly guard and the second on the X-Guard, itself. Both are split into three subsections each. The butterfly guard section is the most detailed treatment I've seen of the topic in a book. The three subsections are titled "Basic Positioning & Grip Defense", "Sweeps & Transitions" and "Submissions".
   
   Now, Marcelo Garcia can work his butterfly guard in a way I find amazing. It's something I'd never been able to do terribly well. I could work it well enough against white belts, but always had to let it go against people nearer my own skill level. This book, though, gives solutions to most of the problems I'd encountered in the past.
   
   I had the same problem with the X-Guard. There was just no way known I was ever going to get my giant legs in position. It shouldn't surprise you to find I was doing it wrong, though. The details shown for the X-Guard helped me a great deal, but I believe it's my better understanding of the butterfly guard that has ealed the deal for me.
   
   The X-Guard section is is split up in a similar way to the butterfly guard section with subsections called "Establishing the X-Guard", "Sweeps" and "Submissions".
   
   All-in-all, I'd say this is one of those rare $24 books that have made a heck of a lot more than $24 worth of effect on my game.
   
   It just keeps getting better, too. Erich Krauss and Glen Cordoza have been getting steadily better at writing, too. In the past, I've criticised their spelling and grammar in the introduction sections. Is it better in this book? The truth is, I don't know. I got so engrossed in Marcelo's story, I never bothered to check.
   
   That's got to be a big tick in the box.
   
   After a review like this, I like to put a little disclaimer to it......
   
   I am no Marcelo Garcia fanboy. I've not watched his DVDs all the way through and I've seen maybe three of his matches. I have also been known to give Victory Belt some very pedestrian reviews, but they do impress me with their ability to improve with each publication. This book is the second of their catalogue to go in the Best of the Best category, but probably not the last if the quality continues this way.



4. If you want to add new dimension to your game, get this book. Better yet get his DVD as well.



5. I have flipped thru this book several times and came up with a major problem.
   
   This book is most definitely not for MMA. My class have tried the X-Guard and found it to be worthless. The setup for it is too long and leaves you too exposed to punches and kicks to make it feasible.
   
   If the title were changed to "The X-Guard: For Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and No Gi Grappling." I think it would be an excellent book for such.
   
   Truly none can deny that Marcelo Garcia is one of the best in the world of jiu-jitsu. And after reading some of the book have found the submissions to be excellent. But the X-Guard itself is too open for counters in MMA especially from a striker.
   
   I recommend this book for jiu-jitsu competition only.