Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique

by Renzo Gracie, Royler Gracie, John Danaher

While most martial arts deal only with the initial punching and kicking stages of combat, Brazilian jiu-jitsu concentrates on ground combat. This guide shows how to use Brazilian jiu-jitsu to increase combat effectiveness. Photographs and step-by-step instructions show how to master the techniques used in this exciting new form of combat.

Genres: Martial Arts, Nonfiction, Sports, Health

255 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Renzo Gracie is a world-famous and championship-winning MMA fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner.

Reviews

[Craig Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

In addition to all the work I do in higher education, I also love and practice Jui Jitsu. I have been a student of Gracie Jiu Jitsu for many years. I bought this book back in 2002, early when it first came out. I love it, and still read it. In fact, the other night, I was reading it again. I have brought it with me in training sessions with many of the Gracies, including Royler Gracie, Rorion Gracie, and the Late Great Grandmaster Helio Gracie. All of them have also signed my copy of this book. It is a training manual, so you never just read it once, but I am so glad that I have a signed copy, by several members of the Gracie Family, and that the book has travelled with me on many great training sessions with the Gracie family. I love this training book, and the serious of Kid Peligro, Gracie Training books, and I enjoy them thoroughly, and page through them refining techniques in them all of the time. GREAT BOOK. IF YOU ENJOY JIU JITSU, AND YOU DO NOT HAVE THIS BOOK, STOP SURFING THE NET, STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW, AND GO BUY THIS BOOK!!!

[Bhakta Kishor · Rating 3 out of 5]

BJJ employs a wide range of take-down techniques to bring an opponent to the ground such as "pulling guard", for example, which is not used in other combat sports such as Judo or Wrestling. Once the opponent is on the ground, a number of maneuvers (and counter-maneuvers) are available to manipulate the opponent into a suitable position for the application of a submission technique.

Achieving a dominant position on the ground is one of the hallmarks of BJJ, which includes effective use of the guard position to defend oneself from bottom (using both submissions and sweeps, with sweeps leading to the possibility of dominant position or an opportunity to pass the guard), and passing the guard to dominate from top position with side control, mount, and back mount positions.

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[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great way to improve on your technique when you're not learning in class. I consider it the Cliff Notes of Brazilian JJ. The pictures are detailed and clear and the written instruction is easy to understand. However, just like Cliff Notes, you're not going to become a Jiu-Jitsu master by just studying the book. The real technique comes from hands-on lessons. The book also contains the history of BJJ that is garnished with many pictures. I would recommend this guide to anyone taking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

[TΞΞL❍CK Mith!lesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mixed martial arts have come to signify the epitome of self-defense. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most popular self-defense styles among American security professionals. This traditional guide to the fighting methodology sums up the dynamic range of this martial arts method. Diverse security operators can unite over the content of this publication, which can also be used to synchronize their skills.

[Muhammedkh · Rating 3 out of 5]

the art of Submissions

[Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was somewhat suspicious about what an old book like this can teach me about a constantly evolving martial art, but as it turns out, it taught me quite a lot. While you won’t find any fancy-pants berimbolos or ninja rolls in its pages, it does provide an excellent introduction to the art of BJJ, a great overview of its principles, and a most wonderful photographic reference collection of techniques for both street self-defense and sport jiu-jitsu. The explanations of individual techniques contain just the right amount of information that, coupled with the detailed photos, they serve as an invaluable reference for anyone looking to expand and diversify their game, especially as a beginner who doesn’t want to annoy the hell out of their professor with thousands of questions about tiny details in technique. The only issue with the book is that it shows its age a bit in the use of outdated names for techniques (e.g. side control is called “across-side position”) since it was written at a time before the jargon has had time to become standardized.

[Girassol. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thought-out book that guides you through a grand variety of techniques for fighting on the ground in order to improve your skills when you're not training. I'm slightly disappointed over the fact they introduced colourful photographs but you can hardly distinguish the two Gracies as they're both wearing white Gis. I also would've preferred to have the techniques arranged by position or categories, instead of belts. Overall, it's a great book for beginners who are just getting started into the art of BJJ. OSS. x

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the techniques here are a little dated, but the base this provides from such a direct source makes it a must-read for anyone doing BJJ.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice book- the pictures are useful, going step-by-step, with handy little notes and categorized by what belt level should be trying them. One downside though- since grappling is a very close contact sport, some of the pictures are a little confusing because both men wear the same colored gi, so occasionally it's hard to tell whose leg is stuck up in the air or what have you.

Other than that, one of my favorite martial arts technique books I've read so far.

[Kurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started in Jiu Jitsu, I was helpless. I was at the mercy of men much smaller than I am. Then...I got this book. The concepts that are conveyed and the techniques that are displayed will prepare you for the most experienced grapplers' tricks. However, you must practice Randori if you want the real "feel" of BJJ. This book is a great start though!

[Jorge Reyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunque relaciona las artes marciales a conveniencia y se olvida de la tradición y ciertas reglas (como tal cual nacio el JJ), el presente libro es de lo mejor que he leido en lo referente a grappling y jiu jitsu, pragmático, como se ofrece, y con ilustraciones y explicaciones muy bien logradas, mostrando los puntos críticos para la enseñanza del BJJ.
Altamente recomendable.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all martial arts books it's great when used in conjunction with actual training. It's good for getting a sense of things when starting out and for a mental refresher when you are returning to training after a long break.

[Richard Ty · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good book if you just started jiu jitsu or are a beginner. This was my first book i bought about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu years before i started training. I bought this one just out of curiousity. It did help me out a bit getting my blue belt, because it's so easy to understand.

[Rustam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical martial arts instruction book, but very high quality. Also, goes into some depth about the history and theory of Brazillian Jiu Jitsu. I'll be studying this book for a while.

[Zack Haddon]

Great reference for learning/teaching the art of Brazilian/Gracie JiuJitsu.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

YEAH! My first BJJ book. Good reference text for basic techniques.

[Hugo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good.

[Jerome Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for beginners who want to improve their ground work!

[Marco Tyrtl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must have for Jiu JITSU practitioners

[Chris Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that got me training.

[Adam Vine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid techniques. This book has helped me a lot.

[Dominic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for beginners and more advanced students alike.

[Hugo Silverberg-Rajna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Jim Anan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great instructional book

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renzo and Royler teach the basics of BJJ. Full of great technique and very detailed.