Championship Techniques: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu - A Review

Author: Glyn Powditch
Date Posted: January 23, 2008

Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu is THE book for combining Judo and BJJ - GO BUY IT NOW!

For those still not convinced, then read on.

Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu caused a storm in the Judo and BJJ world when it was published in 2006 and has been a major reason for the production of this website! Written by Dave Camarillo (and Erich Krauss), it remains the definitive work so far on combining BJJ and Judo. The book begins by explaining that there are three main sections:

1) Incorporating Judo and Jiu-Jitsu

2) From Throws to Submissions

3) Flying Attacks

Dave explains that a BJJ student should effectively progress their development in this order when incorporating Judo into their game.

"The Birth of Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu"

Here we learn that Dave Camarillo and his brother Dan have practiced Judo for nearly their entire life. After a knee injury prevented Dave from stand-up training, he visited Ralph Gracie's academy having seen BJJ in the UFC. In his first session, Ralph triangled Dave into submission using only his legs. Dave was hooked!

With BJJ now added to an already impressive arsenal of Judo skills, Dave began to dominate competitions in both sports. He now coaches the UFC veteran Sean Sherk and UFC fighters Josh Thomson, Jon Fitch, Mike Swick, Forrest Griffin and Josh Koscheck. We also learn that Dave fell out with Ralph Gracie and some of his run-ins with Judo coaches who refused to acknowledge his skills and viewed Jiu-Jitsu as a threat. To understand the level of dominance Dave exerted over many of his opponents, its best to buy the DVD Dave Against The Machine -akin to watching a young Tyson battering his opponents senseless! I believe its still available from On The Mat.

The first section of Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu can be divided into:

i) Rolls and Falls

ii) Grips

iii) Throws

iv) Meshing techniques

This first section is probably the one that I use the most. Rolls and falls are covered to a level of detail unseen in any other Judo book and the relevance of rolls and falls goes beyond just saving your back. Any newby to a Judo club will appreciate having taken the time to learn how to correctly brake a fall and Dave highlights that a break fall prevented serious injury from a motorcycle accident.

The Grips section is sufficient and more pragmatic than Neil Adams excellent but slightly disorganised "Grips" book. The throws and meshing sections are beautifully photographed with excellent detail and even now, I discover new gems that I'd previously missed.

From Throws To Submissions

I really like the 2nd section entitled "From Throws To Submissions". Dave emphasises some quick "kill" armlocks (ironically my own BJJ Blackbelt Coach has already highlighted that some quick kills were needed in my game) and some combinations from the failed armbar section where an opponent grabs his own arm- what Eddie Bravo calls "the Spider's Web" although Dave doesn't tend to hold the nearside leg.

He then details his "Impact Control Variables." This shows 5 different post-throw positions dependent upon your original grip, and shows various armbars and chokes to immediately finish with a submission. These positions can also be used in regular knee on stomach practice having passed the guard. Armlock finishes from kouchi-Gari, foot sweeps, half guard, tomoe nage, and as counters to firemen's carries are all detailed. Dave then shows some specific Judo counters to BJJ (two guard passes vs. BJJ guard players just pulling guard) and an Anti-Judo counter which shows a way of armlocking Judo players who turtle up.

Dave also shows two guard passing techniques designed to pass guard immediately when an opponent just jumps to his back. For competition Jiu-Jitsu, I have not witnessed anyone else cover this area in an instructional.

Flying Attacks

This is the most spectacular section of any martial arts book. To really appreciate Dave's ability here, you must view the incredible "Dave Against The Machine" DVD. He hits people so hard in flying armlocks that it really is like watching a Tyson of BJJ and Judo combined. I cannot think of another worthy comparison. Another factor that a book cannot convey is how quickly Dave Camarillo finishes fights against top notch opponents in competition, whether BJJ or Judo. Once you have witnessed footage of Dave in action, the importance of the methods he shows becomes really apparent.

Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu once again demonstrates the usual detail and nearly every scenario of flying armlock available, and a number of counters based on your opponents reaction. I found that I was quickly landing flying armbars in practice but I must recommend that you use a crash mat to begin with. I also advise that when a partner is practising a flying armbar or drilling, that you do not attempt to soften their fall. Its a quick way of injuring your back! Overall

I recommend this book above any other out there. If you train Judo or BJJ, then you should train the other. This is not only the first book of its kind, but its revolutionary.

There have been a couple of criticisms around the web that I have come across. Firstly, some have emphasised Guerilla jiu-Jitsu's lack of BJJ fundamentals. To this, I say the clue is in the subtitle: "Revolutionising Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu". Therefore it assumes that you already have a basic appreciation of BJJ fundamentals and the last thing the BJJ market needed was another "this is a shrimp" type book. Secondly, its been argued that Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu just shows lots of moves. AAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! It does not; the problem is that even now, very few people cross-train Judo and BJJ. Some of the details on Judo I have not seen anywhere else in even the entire Ippon series, or any of the other Judo books or DVDs around. They are not blatant and sometimes only very subtle such as the "hip-in throws counter" with the arm on the back of the collar and the elbow down which is shown as part of a Flying attack.

From a publishing perspective, Victory Belt have developed a reputation for the best photographs in the industry. The pictures are detailed where required and I think I read that there are over 700 photographs.

THIS BOOK IS SUPERB. GO BUY IT!!!

About The Author

http://www.judobjj.com/id2.html

Article Source: JKD Street Combat - online collection of Book Review articles.

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