5 comments about Judo for Mixed Martial Arts: Advanced Throws, Takedowns, and Ground Fighting Techniques.

1. Karo has put a highly entertaining and instructional piece of work together in Judo for MMA. My family and friends have studied No-gi BJJ for a little over a year now. Having boxing backgrounds we were quite nervous about our ground game so we started studying Eddie Bravos work.We learned so much but i always felt misplaced with BJJ. Im a skinny man so wrestling has never really been my cup of tea. And then I found Karo's book and felt and excitement i didnt quite understand. That is of course until i dropped a friend into a scarf-hold and executed a near side arm bar. Karo's book is filled with a type of knowledge that can only be described as priceless. Seoi-nage seduced me. Because of this work I've come to a decision of studying this art form to a higher degree. On the feet Karo shows Judo to be such a visually remarkable system of martial arts and though the ground game isnt as flashy as BJJ it definetly gets the job done.
   Example: Of a group of six, three of us have greco roman backgrounds. Of course, the aspects of judo are quite familiar to them. But when i mixed judo with my boxing background, suddenly i wasnt shot down anymore. Kimora control, overhook head control, the osoto-gari techniques, and my new found love= the scarf-hold, brought a whole new aspect to my game. This book is a life lesson and Karo is a great teacher. Ive read the work over four times and refrence it constantly.
   Victory Belt put together a true blessing with judo for mma.



2. Karo Parysian is a great fighter and teacher. Uniquely, I didn't really respect him when I read the first couple pages of this book since he has a very bad temper and is kind of cocky (over confidence) because he knows and believes that he's way too good for any of his opponent then that caused him to be lazy and not well prepared.
   But after I read the overall story that he start changing his way of thinking and lifestyle, then I started to respect him more.
   
   Man, after I read and learnd most of the technics in this book, it opens my eyes that any people,, even me, if given this kind of a talent, might be as lazy or even lazier than him at that time ;p
   
   Crisp and great technics, great introduction for the whole book and every technics. It's even better since it's not just good for MMA, I believe if you master these technics pretty well, it would be a great judo technic for any kind of fight.
   great job, Karo, I really hope that you can get a title shot someday or a great match up with one lighter weight down's legend, BJ Penn. That would be so awesome, since both of you have a superior grappling skills (BJ Penn with BJJ and Karo with judo).
   Thanks



3. Gave this book to my husband as a gift and he absolutely LOVES it! Thanks!



4. This book is great for its purpose, which is to show guys how to pull of judo throws in mma and in no-gi situations. Karo Parisyan shows what he does best, for intermediate judo players who have a basic understanding of the throws and want to adapt them to no-gi, this is must have. While "Judo for MMA" has its strengths, it also has its weaknesses and in some ways feels like a rushed product.
   
   1) Beginners to Judo might not fully understand what is going on with the techniques.
   
   2) No instruction on proper falling for the person being thrown. I don't know anybody who would let you practice throws on them without you letting them also practice throws on you.
   
   3) No information on about how to use the cage, which is absolutely crucial for setting up Judo throws in MMA fights.
   
   4) Many filler techniques that just take up pages and that Karo Parisyan probably has never used in his fights(i.e. rolling kneebar, calf crush, not saying they are not good techniques). Every other book I have by Victory Belt is made almost entirely of techniques actually used by the fighters in their fights and examples given of the time they've used it in competition.
   
   
   I personally don't consider this the best book for beginners to Judo because I believe that it is best for someone interested in learning judo to first learn it in the context of the sport of Judo, by taking a Judo class, as oppose to trying to learn it for mma or no-gi without a clear understanding of the principles. The reason why I say this, is because Judo throws have so much subtle technique and so many intricate parts, that they need to be taught, learned, and practiced at a slow pace. This explains why Judokas traditionally train with and compete in the gi, because the added friction forces them to perfect technical and complex throws that they would have otherwise discarded if they were exclusively wrestling shirtless with all the sweat and slipperiness. Once the judo practitioner perfects these throws in the gi, his body remembers the movement when he takes the gi off.
   
   A better introduction to judo for complete beginners is "Guerilla Jiu Jitsu" by Dave Camarillo or "Judo Unleashed" by Neil Ohlenkamp, both of which happen to be books that teach you how to throw with the gi. In addition, Dave Camarillo's book teaches you how to fall, which absolutely important. "Judo Unleashed" is great overall introduction to actual sport of Judo. Of course, the best way to learn Judo is to join a local Judo club that hopefully has good instructor who has a creditable lineage, knows how to prepare guys for competition, knows how to slow down the training for beginners, and who respects you and your decision to cross-train in other arts(i.e. MMA or BJJ).
   
   While in the end, "Judo for mma" has a lot of great techniques that useful for MMA and no-gi fights, especially the throw setups that counter wrestling takedowns and throw setups off of the standing kimura. I personally use some of these techniques myself when I see the opening for them when I grapple without the gi. I recommend this book, just not for the completely novice.



5. Great book, it's very good.
   Good pictures, techniques are remarkebel !
   It's not expensif, so you must buy this book if you are a true mma fighter.
   Karo is a special fighter is the octagon, always very unexpected.
   
   ckmma team from Lint, Antwerp, belgium

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.

5 comments about Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu: Revolutionizing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

1. Really informative technical book. Right up there with Isao Okano's Vital Judo vol. 1 and 2 on a technical level. On a personal level, Dave's struggles to remain relevant in both sports as well as trying to follow the advice of both his Judo and BJJ coaches was one the best parts of the book. It was nice to read a brief history of a young man steeped in Judo tradition and how watching the first UFC led him to BJJ and how that art helped him develop the methods that makes him one of the most sought after pro MMA trainers today.
   I am thankful for Dave's book, because his honest and progressive attitude in Judo and BJJ promotes open-minded cross-training that I hope will bring people together rather than continuing the "closed door" mentality that is currently keeping people apart.



2. Before I begin I want to say what a wonderful time we live in for MMA. Truly MMA is living up to it's title(MIXED martial arts)and this book will most definitely help you to mix your martial arts.
   
   The book begins with an overview of Dave Camarillo, one of the best jiu-jitsu instructors in the world. And explains how he took the two sports he loved(judo was first till he turned 19 and was introduced to jiu-jitsu)and meshed the two together. In such a way that the resulting style is not only simple but incredibly effective.
   
   The photos and layout are, usual with the latest Victory Belt publications, of excellent quality and design. Multiple angles, full color photos, and step by step instruction are just about everything you need. If you are new to either judo and/or jiu-jitsu you will be just as surprised, and delighted, to find training exercises to help you hone your skills when not working with a partner.
   
   I can't forget to mention the "Flying Attack" section. Want to know how to do those crazy mid-air submissions? You can find out how! And how to defend against them too.
   
   Overall, the instruction and concept are excellent. Mixing both judo and jiu-jitsu is fantastic and fun. This book is excellent and if you practice either style you will learn alot. For the beginner, let me ask you this question, how would you like to be setting up that armbar before you even clinch? Exactly, buy the book and find out.
   
   To quote Dave Camarillo in the opening of this book,"Judo is more technical on grip fighting and throws, and its players develop strength and speed. Jiu-jitsu is far more technical on the ground. If you combine the two, you plug the holes in each. Having the ability to chuck and out-grip your opponent certainly won't hurt you in a jiu-jitsu competition, nor will being able to pull out technical submissions during a judo match. At the very least, it gives you options."



3. The title might be a little misleading. This is not a book about Jiu Jitsu ONLY, it is a book about Judo throwing techniques and Jiu Jitsu submissions. Camarillo is truly a master of the grappling arts.



4. Regardless of whether you practice Judo or Jiu Jitsu, this book is for you. Great approach to take downs and submissions. Pictures are good.



5. With advocates like Josh Koscheck, Forrest Griffin, and BJ Penn, there is no doubt the training and instruction of Dave Camarillo works. Bridging the gap between his extensive judo experience and his later love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has created an innovative fusion Camarillo calls Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu, a study of the flaws in each practice that, when linked, create a superior fighting style..
   
   A brief introduction invites readers into Camarillo's life, his competition domination, and his legendary flying attacks. Knowing beforehand the author's experience and skill has been vetted in the gi and on the mat makes it easier to dive into the primary content - called "Incorporating Judo and Jiu-Jitsu" - that starts out with some very simplistic movements like rolls, falls, grips that appear trivial upon first glance. If, however, these fundamentals led to Camarillo's success, then who's to argue?
   
   After the first section, the next two sections cover submissions and flying attacks; respectively, the latter being Camarillo's claim to fame. If you'd like to learn some of the basics of armbars, triangles, and various BJJ-oriented submissions, this may be a perfect supplementary addition to your resources. If you're looking for the absolute basics, however, this book may not be the best option. Absolute BJJ basics like the guard are overlooked...which is to be expected when a beginner wouldn't get into Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu.
   
   Nonetheless, this book is packed with useful information, is from an impeccable source, is relevant for both judo and BJJ practicioners, and has tons of full color photos to demonstrate each move in easy to follow steps. Highly recommended for those interested.
   
   The review title is both a joke and a nod to one of the most shocking finishes in MMA history.

5 comments about Mastering the Twister: Jiu Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition.

1. This is Eddie Bravo's follow-up to his "Mastering the Rubber Guard" book, explaining the top game of his unorthodox 10th Planet BJJ system. For those who don't know, the "Twister" is Eddie's signature hold. It involves hooking both legs around one leg of your opponent, reaching across his back and under the opposite arm, and wrapping up the head for a neck crank; a similar move is seen in professional (show) wrestling called the "abdominal stretch", and it's known in amateur wrestling as the guillotine.
   
   Like "Mastering the Rubber Guard", Eddie's introduction offers no real insight into martial arts or grappling, he's simply on his soapbox about his personal epiphanies about life. This may interest some people, but I'm not one of them.
   
   Once we get into the actual techniques, the good stuff begins. The majority of the book focuses on the Twister and the set-ups, transisions, trouble-shooting, and finishes from it. Chapter 1 is on "Twister Side Control", which is basically a reverse scarf hold position. Eddie uses this position as his primary means to set up and transition to the Twister. However, in this chapter he also includes other holds and transitions, including a variety of chokes, arm locks, and leg locks. The following chapter is on "The Truck", which is essentially a leg ride that creates easy transitions to the Twister and a few different leg locks. This flows together well with his first chapter. It's here where he starts troubleshooting the Twister. The next three chapters are on the Mount, Back Control, and the Sprawl position. Here, Bravo goes over basic controls and finishes. Some are very basic while some are unconventional. I feel that these chapters are where the easiest-to-learn material comes in. Finally, the sixth chapter shows how to transition to the Twister from a number of positions, including guard passes, mount, and back control.
   
   The book uses color photos, multiple camera angles, and color-coded chapter headings, like all Victory Belt books. The production is excellent, as always.
   
   So why only four stars? I'm a firm believer in knowing the basics before moving on to more advanced stuff. For the most part, this book is for intermediate and advanced students. Simply put, if you've never submitted someone with a Kumura from side control or an arm bar from mount, you shouldn't be reading this book yet. If you can't pass guard, the top game here will be useless to you. Also, many of the maneuvers related to the Twister involved taking rolls, which takes a degree of agility that not everyone possesses. So this book is definitely not for everyone.
   
   Still, overall, due to the production and unique techniques it contains, I must recommend this book to those with a year or more of grappling training. These techniques are becoming more and more common on the competition circuit, so if you don't have at least a familiarity with them, you're behind the curve.



2. 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 [...]



3. 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.



4. good book, I got more from the first book mastering the rubber guard.
   
   flexibility is a must.



5. 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.

3 comments about The Verbal Judo Way of Leadership: Empowering the Thin Blue Line from the Inside Up.

1. Dr. Thompson, the founder of the Verbal Judo program, has teamed up with Gregory Walker, to comment on the dysfunctional problems found in organizations and they propose some interesting solutions, unique problem solving tactics and effective success strategies. This is a somewhat idiosyncratic commentary on organizational politics, communications and leadership in today's world.
   
   
   A short book, 180 pages, it is divided into 15 topical chapters that range from the Tao of Leadership to the Art and Gift of Persuasion. The unifying theme is the need for improved leadership built upon honest and effective communication. The book addresses what went wrong, communication styles, principles for supervisory success and approaches to analytical thinking and effectiveness.
   
   
   With such a broad range of topics in a small book, there is a real risk of skimming the topics and leaving the reader confused. However; the authors skillfully handle the task often referencing their collective experience in the form of brief stories. Their overall approach is certainly less than diplomatic, for example at their discussion of the four levels of expertise, they write:
   
   
   To allow incompetence a berth in your organization is in itself a sign of incompetence at the highest level of responsibility. It is also a sign of a moral and ethical coward.
   
   
   While their approach may offend, it does cause the reader to actively engage in the discussion and consider both their primary points and supporting arguments carefully.
   
   
   Thompson and Walker are skilled teachers and seasoned practitioners, the time you invest reading this book will be enriching. Buy the book, read this book and more importantly put these principles into action.



2. Understanding what leadership is all about, the authors shed light on what it takes to develop an excellent workforce -- it takes non-egotistical, steadfast leaders, people who'll put themselves in the background to achieve the greater good! I'm hooked and have read this book twice and am implementing it daily in both my professional and personal life! A perfect supplement to the Verbal Judo way!



3. A great guide for dealing with difficult people! Although the book is directed at the Law Enforcement Community it has applications for anyone who regularly supervises subordinates, particularly in a chain of command type setting. Good read.

5 comments about Kodokan Judo: The Essential Guide to Judo by Its Founder Jigoro Kano.

1. This is an excellent book. It by definition being a book from Kano automatically makes it "true". You will find some of the pictures to be inconsistent with the write-up.
   
   I have found that most martial arts schools that teach Kodokan Judo have stylized it some so you may find some more inconsistency from teaching to book application.
   
   Overall it is a great book that explains it well I have not found a better book.
   
   Bernie Zanoni
   [...]



2. The pictures in this book are very dated just to be fair. But wouldn't you expect this being a book by the founder of Judo. So if you are looking for quality pictures, you should consider "Judo Unleashed".
   
   Certainly a great historical book and is an enjoyable read to Judo players and martial art fans alike.
   
   Judo has always been my favorite martial art, even know I am older then the kiddies, it can be quite hard on you. Bruises, pulled muscles, sprains, etc..
   
   Great way to get "toughened" up and in shape. I run 5 miles almost everyday. But that workout is nothing compared to 5 minutes of Randori.



3. I dont have a grappling or wrestling background, but a more karate/kung fu approach to Martial Arts and I never thought Judo could be so rich and full of technique. this book breaks down those techniques so one can learn to do the moves, then practice practice practice with a partner.
   this book is exactly what I needed to understand the basics of Judo, and enrich my martial arts training.
   Recommended to anyone who wishes to learn Judo from scratch.



4. This was a gift for my son, who had wrestled in H.S. and had also enjoyed learning Judo from a really great local instructor. Out of it for some years, he was interested in this book by Judo's founder. He is very pleased with the content.



5. This book was recommended to me by a martial artist with his 8th dan in Judo. If you are into Judo you know of Jigoro Kana....this is his book...history of Kodokan Judo and much instruction for the beginner or the expert.

5 comments about Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition.

1. Eddie Bravo is the man. His Jiu Jitsu system is very innovative and this book clearly outlines it in a way that a a jiu jitsuist at the blue belt level or higher will be able to replicate on the mat.



2. The techniques and the logical flow of this book are nothing less than spectacular. The intro and the move names are nothing short of dreadful. But then, we bought this book for the moves, right? Focus on that, and this book is an easy 5-star book.
   
   Although, I must admit, it is VERY hard to ignore someone of Eddies prominence using this forum to advocate illegal behavior. What was he thinking? Oh yeah, he wasn't, he was stoned.



3. Yes, Eddie smokes pot and advocates it quite a bit in the beginning of the book. Just skip it. Yes, Eddie has names for his moves that are rather moronic. Ignore them.
   
   Neither of these points detract from the quality of the content. There are plenty of reviews discussing the legitimacy of the techniques. I'll skip that and simply say that, with proper training the Rubber Guard can be a very effective tool in a ground game (although those with the long limbs might have some trouble). It is no gimmick.
   
   What impressed me most about this book was the layout. It has one of the most intuitive layouts I've seen. It is certainly the best progression of the Victory Belt family (and that is saying something). While some books feel like a catalog of moves this one actually builds off of each previous move. The sections build off of the previous sections. And it does it in a way that is very natural. Some books you could just skip around learning a technique here or there. In this book you simply start at the beginning and drill your way through the whole thing. You will have learned the fundamentals of the system in a very clear, concise, and logical way. In some of the previous VB books on grappling I've found myself wondering why certain moves were put next to each other-perhaps just because they originate from the same position despite being appropriate in very different situations.
   
   In MtRG, everything flows because the system is about achieving a goal using a set pattern. You simply work your way through the pattern. If you find yourself blocked you try the next technique and move on to the next segment of the list. It's a very cool and very simple way to get a grasp on a ground game. It isn't just a collection of techniques but an overall strategy that allows one to efficiently fight off their back and win. While much of it may seem quite unorthodox to traditional grapplers it is absolutely worth the try. Chances are it will only make you better. For beginners, I'd recommend something more basic, perhaps one of the Gracie books (Theory and Technique is a good start) or Jiu Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro. Because Eddie is unorthodox and bases much of what he does off of existing Jiu Jitsu structure it's good to have a solid base before jumping in to Rubber Guard.



4. !! NEEDLESS / GRATUITOUS OFFENSIVE MATERIAL ADVISORY !! Talk about a lack of full disclosure... Be advised this DVD's segments are intro'd by some deranged, psychotic, shirtless, overweight, 60+ year old slob hood-cussing an F-word/G.D.-word blue streak with sticky spit on his lips(complete with close-ups[one disk starts off with him shouting at the viewer, "Hey F###-O!"]), interspersed with the featured fighter blowing cannabis smoke into the camera, & cuts of him with his shirtless & saggy-pants angry-rant wanna-be rap group. The DVD has a 20min diversions into some kind of MTv "Real World", a few music videos, some lengthy into-the-lens dope-induced brain-damaged wandering & pointless cosmic introspection, an episode of "Punked", & more of the F(oul)-mouthed fat slob, & in between all that utter garbage and trash, oh yea, you get some glimpses of ground game instruction.
   
   He might be the alpha & omega of the ground fight, but had I been aware of the tone/topic/theme of the surrounding material, I never would've bought it. I don't understand the modern fascination of attention-getting through offensiveness. It takes no talent, only a willingness.
   
   I have no respect for this guy, his athletic talents notwithstanding, which is probably the only thing keeping him from some crystal meth'-fueled armed robbery with a stolen car if not doing his fighting in the state penitentiary.



5. So everyone is correct about the first 25 pages or so of this book being mostly about Eddie's love of smoking. If you are into that, then great read it and get his viewpoint. If not, don't whine and complain, just skip it and hit the jiu jitsu section. Pictures are easy to see from multiple angles, and the captions clearly explain the action. This is a great book to use in addition to more standard jiu jitsu instruction. Eddie does give you a different way to execute attacks using his rubber guard, which in todays training means you might just know a little more than the next guy.

5 comments about Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion.

1. I've been searching for Assertiveness Training books and this was the first one that I purchased. The stories were great and I immediately used them. I went throught this book quick. If you're looking for Assertiveness Training books then I suggest, When I Say No, I feel guilty. There are actually exercises in there that you can go over with a friend or relative. That book has impacted my life more than Verbal Judo.



2. Once I ordered this book it took 2 and a half weeks to receive it. That was horrible. I ordered other books about a week later through other sellers on amazon and received their books earlier. It was frustrating, I will never buy another book from this seller...never.



3. I work in customer service (used to work in Law Enforcement) and I always have had a difficult time dealing with difficult customers. My boss recommended this book to me, and it was a breath of fresh air. Basically by making people think it's in their best interest to do what YOU say, you can get people to do a lot! The author is great with efficient examples that let the reader know what the point is and how to mimic his actions.
   
   If you have trouble with disagreements, difficult customers, and trying to keep your cool, give this book a try.



4. This information will give anyone insight into every human encounter one can have. Teachers, cops, businessmen and even middle-management corporate peon-slaves like myself can use to my benefit. My wife is reading it now.



5. Very interesting concept on how to handle people with mere words. Good info for the workplace ... especially customer service.