Killer Butterfly & Human Crucifix by Nino Schembri Review

I start this review about a month ago and just now am I finishing and it's not because I feel madly in love with it either. The style is kind of cool, with the old style horror movie look, but it soon becomes nothing more the a static camera shot and a "put you to sleep" voice over.

Here is the description from Budo Videos: The always innovative Nino Schembri returns with a 3 DVD set covering submissions from the crucifix and butterfly sweeps.
Contents are:

Disc 1: Getting to the Attack Position

In this DVD, Nino shows you how to fluidly transition from the sitting up guard to the crucifix. Whether your opponent is pushing in, stalling, or trying to pass your guard, you will learn 8 different ways to move - depending on your opponent's reaction - from defense to the attack position. Most of these transitions appear on DVD for the first time. Bonus training footage also included.

Disc 2: Submissions

Now that you know how to get to the attack position, Elvis shows you 10 innovative submissions to surprise and tap your opponent. Nino will show you subs you couldn't even imagine like the americana and kimura from the crucifix, rolling triangle crucifix, full nelson neck crank, and more! Bonus training footage also included.

Disc 3: Sweeps

Nino finishes off the set with 9 unique sweeps to put your opponent on his back and put you on top. Wherever your partner moves you'll have an answer for it after learning these innovative sweeps. As a bonus, Nino shows you his stretching routine to help you develop a flexible guard.

Learn Nino's new techniques and take your grappling to the next level!

Nino "Elvis" Schembri (1974 - ): Brazilian Jiu-jitsu world champion, ADCC veteran and active MMA fighter, Nino is respected worldwide as one of the greatest grapplers of all time. Always the innovator, Nino has a unique way of fighting. He received his black belt from Carlos Gracie, Jr and later went on to train with Chute Boxe. Now independent, Nino continues training and innovating his jiu-jitsu in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Here is my breakdown:

Disc 1: Getting into Position

Transition into the Crucifix 1 – start in sitting up guard. Nino demonstration how to get into the Crucifix position from sitting guard. For the first couple of minutes Nino explains the philosophy of control with the sitting guard and the importance not to be on you back. He shows the move from two different angles and then he shows the move once more in real time.

Transition into the Crucifix 2 – Nino goes into get detail explaining the most important part of this move. This move has a very small difference compare to the last move. In the first move he had his hand on the back of his opponent’s head in this move he grips his opponent’s arm pit. He again demonstrates it form two angles then again once more at real time.

Armdrag to Crucifix – Once again Nino starts off in sitting guard. The only difference in this move compare to the others in that he arm drags the opposite side arm, but this also gives you plenty of options as well. You can go to the crucifix or take his back. It appears to be a high percentage move. Nino also explains that these three moves should be used in combination of each other, so you can go for the crucifix with transition two but if your opponent defends the go to the armdrag.

Face plant to Crucifix – Nino is in sitting guard, but his opponent is too heavy to move with just one arm, so he uses both arms on one shoulder to force his opponent to the opposite side. Nino warns you that placing both hands on one side leaves you open for a pass, so you must perform the move quickly. The rest of the sets are the same as the last moves.

Inside roll to Crucifix – this move is going to be hard to describe, but it’s one of the most stylist moves I’ve seen. Nino starts in sitting guard. Nino slides under his opponent’s arm twisting around and under his body ending with his opponent’s arm between his legs and in the crucifix position. Nino mention that a lot of people will tell you this move doesn’t work, but he believes if you train it hard you will be able to get it. I myself don’t think I will be doing this move any time soon.

Crucifix to the opposite side – Nino starts in sitting guard. He the tries to set the crucifix up using the first two moves showed. Put his opponent reacts and places his hand out on the opposite side to catch his weight; he then swings his hips out to get the crucifix on the far arm. I would image that it would take sometime to get the timing down on this transition.

Crucifix from guard pass defense – Nino starts in sitting guard. His opponent is able to get Nino’s back on the mat and start to pass. Nino places his far hand on his opponent armpit. He takes his inside arm and puts the elbow on the mat. He uses this momentum to twist his body towards his opponent and going to his knees while trapping the far arm of his opponent between his legs.

Inside roll to Crucifix variation – Nino Starts in sitting guard. I gain this will be hard to explain in words, but at of all the moves I really like this one and it appears to be very innovative. Nino himself states that this move is difficult to pull of and that he himself can’t do it 100% right now. He uses both hand to grip one arm and then shoots both legs to the side as he rolls his body with his opponent’s arm trapped on his chest. If you opponent has a good base you will sweep him, but if not you will be able to get into the Crucifix position.

Disc 2: Submissions

Basic of the Crucifix Position (attacking the turtle) – He doesn’t actually showing anything in this chapter, which was a little weird for me. He just describes what he going to be showing on this Disc. To me that is intro and the Chapter title throws me off.

Americana from the Top Position – Nino goes from the Crucifix position. His opponent’s arm is bent between his legs. He drops his but to the floor and he twists his legs up into the arm for the shoulder lock. He only uses his legs to get the tap. Interesting position but I would worry about losing my base and having my opponent be able to reverse the position. Nino does talk about this and how to avoid losing your base.

Arm Bar from the Top Position – Nino goes from the Crucifix position. Opponent straightens his arm between Nino’s legs. Nino places his weight on the other side of his opponent and rises on leg to get the tap out. It’s a very simple submission.

Kimura from the Top Position – Nino goes from the Crucifix position. Opponent bends his arm in the opposite direction so that his hand is facing his feet. Nino switching his base by placing his but next to his opponent’s head, so that he is now facing towards his opponent’s legs. Nino then lifts one leg to get the Kimura.

Shoulder Lock/Neck Crank from the Top – Nino starts from the Crucifix position. He figures four his opponent’s far arm and places in outside elbow on the back of his opponent’s head. He pulls up on his opponent’s arm while putting pressure on the back of his opponent’s head to get the tap out.

Rolling Triangle Crucifix – Nino starts from the Crucifix position. He takes inside arm and grabs his opponent’s head. Then he brings his inside leg over his opponent’s head. Now Nino mentions that you can either roll backwards of forwards. He rolls backwards at this point and as he does and figure fours his legs together. He then squeezes his legs together to get the tap out.

Full Nelson Neck Crank from the Top – Nino starts from the Crucifix position. He reaches both arms under his opponent’s arm-pits. Nino briefly mentions that a lot of people think this position doesn’t work, but he mentions that you must train this position a lot to feel comfortable here. He then allows his opponent to try to escape as he puts pressure on the back of his head for the neck crank.

Half Nelson Shoulder lock for the Top – Nino starts from the Crucifix position. He places his far arm on the back of his opponent’s head. He then grabs his opponent’s far wrist with his other hand and pulls his opponent’s arm towards the back of his head to get the shoulder lock. Again he mentions that a lot of people think this wont work, I’m one of them.

Rolling Neck Crank – Nino starts from the Crucifix position. He takes his right arm and goes under his opponent’s far arm-pit. He then falls to his back while keeping control of his opponent. He then leans forward to get the neck crank.

Choke/Arm-bar from top position – Again Nino starts from the Crucifix position. Nino uses both hands to grab his opponent’s far wrist. Then his left hand pushes his opponent’s elbow so that he arm goes across his face. He keeps he legs tight on his opponent’s trapped arm as he leans back a little to get the arm bar. He really never covered the choke so I can’t really describe it for you.

Disc 3 – Sweep

Butterfly sweep to mount – This is the basic fall to the side and end in mount butterfly sweep. Even Nino states that it’s the most basic sweep for the butterfly or situp guard.

Butterfly overhook sweep to mount – It’s the same sweep but only he overhook his opponent’s arm rather then place his arm around the back of his neck….

Butterfly sweep defense counter – Basically he shows what you do when your opponent shifts his weight back, and basically he just pushes his opponent to make his fall on his back.

Butterfly overhook sweep variation – Nino goes for the first overhook sweep, but his opponent post his hand so he can’t finish the sweep. He just changes direction by fall back to his back and moving his hook to the other leg. He still ends in mount.

Butterfly double overhook sweep to mount – This the same sweep, but the only difference is…..you guessed it…Nino has two overhook.

Butterfly double overhook leg kick sweep – Nino goes for the double overhook sweep, but his opponent post on his leg. Nino then places his foot on his opponent’s ankle and kicks it out to finish the sweep.

Butterfly double overhook sweep variation – the variation is that he goes in the other direction.

Butterfly overhook sweep variation – Final a sweep worth watching here. Nino tries to do the basic overhook sweep, but his opponent posts out his leg out to get his balance. Nino reaches with his other arm to grab his opponent’s ankle. He then rolls to the opposite direction to get the sweep. I have seen this done as a half-guard sweep.

Wrist control leg push sweep – Nino control the wrist and the same side shoulder. He arm drags across his body as he pushes his opponent’s knee with his foot and sweep his opponent to that side.

Stretches for Jiu-Jitsu – Nino and his brother show a series of stretches.

Overall: Disc 1 is good, but the rest is nothing to talk about. I've seen every move that he shows on Disc 3 on youtube and I've gotten more detail from there as well. I won't spend any money on this DVD which is said, because I'm a big Nino fan and like his first series.

Tinguinha The Cross Guard

(From www.fightlife.com)

TINGUINHA'S ULTIMATE OPEN GUARD SERIES
THE CROSS GUARD

Part 1 – The Cross Guard
A revolutionary new style of guard designed to effectively control and submit your opponent.

Mauricio “Tinguinha” Mariano is known worldwide for his dynamic open guard skills and techniques. In his latest DVD – the second in the Open Guard Series - Mauricio covers two sections: THE CROSS GUARD – a revolutionary new style of guard designed to effectively control and submit your opponent, & COUNTERING THE SPIDER GUARD PASS – provides counters to the techniques Mauricio demonstrated in the first DVD of the Ultimate Open Guard Series, THE SPIDER GUARD. With over two hours of action-packed content, consisting of 34 exciting techniques, this DVD is a must for anyone looking to improve their game. Mauricio owns and operates the Tinguinha Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Anaheim, California. Now you can learn the highly effective techniques that have made him one of the world's best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters.

A Fightlife Production.

Details:
Format: DVD
Region: All
Language: English
Running time: 86 mins.
Release Date: 2005

Techniques:

1. Getting to Cross-guard from Close Guard: Tinguinha does it a little different then what I’ve seen before, he moves his hips out and places a foot on his opponent’s hip bone to create the space, then he moves his hips out again and under-hooks his opponent’s leg to pull himself towards his opponent. He shows a second variation if his opponent is really close to him in his close guard. This variation Tinguinha places his foot on the mat instead of the hip bone to create the space.

2. Cross-guard control when your opponent has one leg up: I haven’t seen this set up before; he uses the cross-guard against an opponent who has his front leg up and between my legs, and is also sitting back on his back leg which is bent on the mat (military position).

3. Cross-guard control when your opponent is standing: He shows two controls positions from here, one I’ve used before and the other is very similar to De La Riva Guard. The first options I can see would flow nicely when the opponent moves from one leg up to standing. The placement of your feet would still be the same.

4. Cross-guard control while dropping the leg: this is a very interesting control position, he switches his hand from outside on your opponent’s ankle to the inside while dropping his leg to the outside so he can grab his own ankle.

5. Combination of all of the control positions: Here he shows the flow between each control positions; I find this to be very helpful so that you understand the concept of each position and how they work together.

6. Getting to Cross-guard position when both are standing: He starts standing then controls the sleeve has he goes to the ground, he basically end up in the same control position as if your opponent is still standing and you’re in cross-guard. It’s pretty easy set up.

7. Cross-guard drills: First drill is similar to the spinning arm-lock drill, where you switch from side to side raising your hips. Second drill you do the same motion as the last drill but this time you continue going over you shoulder and plant both knees on the mat. Third drill is a solo drill with you back on the mat and your feet on a wall.

8. OmoPlata from Cross-guard: He starts from close guards then progress to cross-guard and then demonstrates the OmoPlata from here. He shows it different then I’ve seen it done, but it does appear to be a better, easier, and faster set up.

9. Leg over shoulder sweep: This is one of the first sweeps I learn in Cross-guard. If your opponent keeps his elbow in,you wont be able to get the OmoPlata, so just transition with the same movement to the over the shoulder sweep and you will end with your back towards your opponent with his arm between your legs with sleeve control.

10. Transition from leg over sweep to OmoPlata: After you do the over the shoulder sweep you can continue to roll over your shoulder for the OmoPlata. He breaks this move down in fine detail. It’s a great combination.

11. Leg over shoulder to OmoPlata: He goes for the sweep but his opponent bases out so that he can’t finish, he then rolls back forward for the OmoPlata.

12. Armbar from the Cross-guard: This move seems to be high percentage. He really breaks this move down and I can’t wait to try it in the gym.

13. Triangle from Cross-guard: He does this move when his opponent starts to open his closed guard, it appears to me it’s not really a Cross-guard technique but rather an option to use when your opponent opens your close guard, from this point you just transition to open guard.

14. Sweep while Opponent has one knee inside: This sweep is very similar to the over the shoulder sweep, except for your opponent is very tight and it’s hard to get your cross leg over his back. It also is done when your opponent is passing your close guard.

15. Fake sweep to OmoPlata: This is a continuation from the last move. It is done when your opponent is just about to do the knee over pass and you don’t have the hip power to do the sweep. Instead you try the sweep to get your opponent to react and then go for the OmoPlata.

16. Cross-Guard sweep to knee bar: He does this sweep to knee bar when his opponent is try to do the leg under pass. After watching this I can’t wait to try it on the mat. Even if you miss the knee bar you will be in side mount anyways so you still have a dominate position.

17. Reverse Helicopter sweep: He does this sweep when his opponent has open his closed guard and has one knee up in the middle, but his opponent isn’t really driving forward. The sweep is really cool and I would love to add it to my open guard game. Once again not a real cross-guard technique but rather and open guard technique.

18. OmoPlata while opponent is standing: He starts in close guard and then his opponent stand to open his guard. He opens his legs as he grabs the cross grip and arm around the ankle. He uses both hands to control the sleeve. This is a very GI oriented technique because you need the sleeve to control your opponent.

19. Rolling OmoPlata sweep while trapping the arm and leg: This technique is performed when your opponent counters the last move by placing his knee on your chest. You just sweep your opponent by rolling to your side.

20. Over the shoulder ankle sweep while opponent is standing: He starts in close guard and then his opponent stand. He does the sweep when the opponent keeps his elbow in. I’ve seen this on Fabio Gurgel’s DVD as well. It’s a good sweep when some tries to do a standing pass on you.

21. Sweep to knee bar while your opponent is standing: Amazing, I love this sweep. Again he starts in close guard and his opponent stands to pass. His opponent then moves one leg back. The motion is very fluid and the knee bar is right there for the taking.

22. Sweep while your opponent is standing: Interesting and high percentage sweep. It continues from the last technique and is an option for you if you don’t or can’t go for the knee bar because your opponent is driving his knee forward.

23. Arm-bar while trapping the leg: A different take on the classic arm-bar from closed guard. You control the same side sleeve with your hand and then instead of using his other hand to go underneath the opposite side leg to help you spin, he uses the far hand to grab under his opponent and trap the leg on the same side of the arm you are going to arm bar. By doing this, he sweeps his opponent to his back so he can easily finish the arm-bar.

24. Trapping the leg sweep to mount: Same position as the last technique except for that his opponent is defending the arm well so he just does the sweep and ends in the mounts position.

The production of this DVD is great; you can see and hear everything that is going on without a problem. I recommend this DVD for blue belts and above. All the techniques in this DVD are GI oriented and I only saw a few that can easily be adapted to NoGI.

Jacare DVD from BJJTAPES

“(From http://www.otane.com/) Ronaldo "Jacare" de Souza was the most dominating fighter of his time. Having won 2 World Absolute Jiu Jitsu titles (beating Roger Gracie twice) he was probably the greatest BJJ competitor of his time and this DVD will show you why. Jacare's Jiu Jitsu is something exceptional and is also very deceiving. I have seen him teach many privates, and almost everyone has said that they were surprised that he used little strength and almost all technique. I think many people thought he used only strength to submit his many opponents. Once you study his game, it shows how efficient his technique and game really is. Well, if you lived in the middle of the Amazon, there is probably not a lot of things to do anyway. God bless Manaus!

In this limited DVD set, you will learn his winning guard passes, guard techniques, effective sweeps, and devastating submissions. No other fighter in the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been more dominating in worldwide competitions.

Included in this special DVD set are over 2 hours of his fights from the Mundial 2002, Mundial 2003, Mundial 2004, Brasilian Nationals 2004, and Pan-American 2004.

Watch as he defeats the top grapplers in the world such as Marcelo Garcia, Roger Gracie, Braulio Estima, and many more.

Availability: Ships within 48 hours
Length: Approx. 4 hours
Format: DVD”

Below is my quick write up each section on the DVD:

First Section: Takedowns:

1. Setting up the hip throw. Opponent counters put placing a hand on the mat and then you counter by taking his back.
2. Ankle Pick – Very interesting take down. I’ve seen Jacare pull this off several times in competition. It’s almost like a fake hip throw to ankle pick.
3. His stance for double leg and the counter to your opponent’s double let attempt.
4. Ankle Pick variation – other nice takedown. This involves your opponent grabbing your lapel first. Then you trap his arm and kick his ankle towards you and then take it for the takedown.
5. Morote Seoinage throw – I’ve also seen Jacare pull this off in competition a few time. You use both hand on his lapel and pull him towards you hard three times before performing the throw.
6. Counter to the single leg takedown ending in side mount.
7. Counter to when your opponent sprawls during your double leg attack to taking his back.
8. The Fireman throw – I learn this technique I long time ago, I find it really hard to pull of in a live situation, but Jacare has some interesting detail that I will try.
9. Variation of the Fireman throw – this cover the counter that your opponent places both hands on the mat to avoid the take down.
10. Foot on hip throw – pretty interesting throw.

Second Section: Guard Passing

1. Passing the butterfly guard – simple pass when your opponent only has one hook in.
2. Passing the butterfly guard 2 – he shows a couple of variation of this pass, but it deals with an opponent who has both hooks in. I’ve been using this pass as my bread and butter pass against the butterfly guard.
3. Passing the butterfly guard 3 – more variation of the last pass
4. Passing the spider guard – interesting pass that involves kicking your opponents hand so he lets the grip go.
5. Opening the Closed Guard – It’s a standing pass and he goes into great detail on where you should be griping your opponent.
6. Variation of the last pass – uses the same grip and motion as the last pass, but the actual pass is different. He hopes over with both legs.
7. Knee in the middle to Omoplata – passing someone in sitting guard, who then reacts by trying to get a single leg and you roll to the Omoplata.
8. Other pass for the sitting guard – He does this pass from the knees.
9. Passing the Half Guard – hands in your opponent’s armpit and push him back while you sprawl your legs back to open his legs. Then pass to side mount.
10. Passing the Open Guard – placing one of your hands under one of his legs and then grab the pant leg of the other leg to isolate one side for the pass and hope over the other side.

Third Section: Sweeps

1. Sweep from Closed Guard – a variation of the flower sweep.
2. Arm Drag Sweep – from the butterfly guard you arm drag your opponent then roll over your shoulder to get the sweep.
3. Sweep from Sit-up guard – very affective sweep, use your foot to block his leg and your sleeve grip to isolate that side.
4. Sweep from turtle – Your opponent is in turtle position. You grab his knee and roll underneath him to get to side control.
5. Sweep from turtle 2 – One hand is on your opponents back then you place your leg on his head rolling him over this head for the sweep.
6. Sweep from the Butterfly 2 – Using your butterfly hook and then hooking the leg with your arm you can sweep your opponent ending in side mount.
7. Sweep from butterfly guard 3 – Fake the hook sweep and then slide your opposite leg under your hook and roll with your opponent’s arm forcing him to roll and you end in side mount. Very interesting sweep.
8. Variation of sweep from butterfly guard 3 – You opponent defends that last sweep by moving and mounting you. You grab his ankle, then bridge and roll over your shoulder (same shoulder as the ankle you grab) to finish the sweep ending in side mount.
9. Sweep form Closed Guard 2 – you opponent is standing, you reach to grab one of his ankles, roll over you shoulder forcing your opponent to fall back ending in side mount.
10. Sweep from the Sit-up Guard 2 – Having wrist control and using that same hand to trap the leg, you place it between your legs (half-guard) and roll (I’ve done this sweep from half guard).
11. Sweep from Spider Guard – Both feet are on his hips, your opponent is standing. You have cross grip on his wrist; your other hand grabs the same side ankle. You have a foot across his waist and the other behind his other ankle sweeping him to his back.
12. Sweep from the Sit-up Guard 3 – going under you opponent’s leg to grip his sleeve. Kick the opposite leg out and sweep in that direction.

I’ve actually had this DVD for awhile and just started to watch it and study it. Jacare is amazing and I’ve watch several of his competitions and he is just super athletic. This DVD is jammed pack with amazing techniques. While I have other DVDs that are my favorite because the instructor give more detail, Jacare does show this techniques in several different angles and then reviews them in full speed. This DVD is GI oriented but you can adopt some of the techniques for NoGI training. This is one of the those DVD that you can watch several times and pick up something new each time, the only issues I have is that you have to watch and pick it up for yourself, because Jacare doesn’t really go into great detail.

Dean Lister's Real World Submissions

(From www.budovideos.com) Travel the world with champion submission master, Dean Lister. Learn the secrets that have submitted the who's who of the grappling globe. This inside look at the angles to strangle will take your game to the next level.

The DVD is 73 minutes in length and contains the following:

-

- A stop in Holland to train Muay Thai.

o Lister works on pad drills and combinations

o This segment is interesting to watch as a pro-fighter works on the weak part of his game.

- Next stop Sweden for a NoGI seminar.

o Shoulder roll off your back to regain position.

o Same movement to arm-bar then to Omaplata depending on your opponent’s reaction.

o A variation of the last technique from a different angle.

o Preventing you opponent from standing during the Omaplata.

o Other option when your opponent tries to stand up.

- On to Germany for a super match.

o The match is against Andreas Schmidt.

o It’s a slow match but it’s still fun to watch.

- Final Stop at Lister’s Gym.

o DLR guard sweep.

o DLR guard sweep to heel hook

o Variation of the last sweep to heel hook or foot lock.

o Triangle choke from guard.

o How to enter the triangle choke

o Top position half guard to knee bar. (favorite technique)

o Straight foot lock.

o Attacking both legs when your opponent defends one leg.

o Long range Kimura (another favorite)

o Transition from long range Kimura to Omaplata.

This was a very entertaining DVD. While it wasn’t full of techniques it was nice to see a different approach to an instructional DVD. There was plenty of insight from Mr. Lister about his approach and thoughts on training. Also the half guard to knee bar and the long range Kimura techniques make this DVD worth the 30.00 bucks. I think people at all levels of BJJ or grappling could pick up a few new things from this DVD.

Gustavo Machado Half-guard and quarter guard DVD

THE HALF GUARD AND THE QUARTER GUARD
BY GUSTAVO MACHADO

Part 1 – The Half Guard

Part 2 – The Quarter Guard

(From www.fightlife.com) In his first instructional DVD, renowned black belt Gustavo Machado demonstrates Half Guard & Quarter Guard techniques he has been teaching for years. In the HALF GUARD section, Gustavo teaches sweeps, passes, and submissions sure to improve your game. In the QUARTER GUARD section, Gustavo will show you how to counteract your opponent stalling on the Top Half Guard with sweeps and submissions. This exciting DVD contains 30 techniques in over 80 minutes of footage! Gustavo is a black belt under Roberto Correa and owns the Gustavo Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Here are the techniques shown in the half-guard section of the DVD:

- Half-guard to full guard using a butterfly hook

- Half-guard to back mount using a butterfly hook

- Half-guard sweep by grabbing your opponent’s ankle (Bravo’s old skool)

- Half-guard sweep by grabbing the lapel to trap his leg. Variation of the last sweep

- Half-guard sweep with the lapel to opposite side. Other variation of the last sweep.

- Half-guard sweep using the lapel to trap the arm

- Getting the back from the half-guard and finish with a loop choke

- Armbar from half-guard

- Controlling the lapel to pass the half-guard

- Passing the half-guard with head on mat

- Getting the back from top position

- Pressuring the head pass

- Choke from top position

- Inverted Ezekiel choke from top position

He shows each technique twice slowly with great detail and then he shows it at full speed. I find this way of demonstrating a technique to be very helpful. He gives you two different angles of the technique then he demonstrates what the technique should look like during a live roll.

The half-guard techniques are progressive and are also for beginners to advance levels. While it doesn’t look like much there are a lot of techniques here, 40 minutes worth to be exact. The DVD is very GI oriented but someone who trains NoGI should be able to adapt most (not all) of the techniques above.

Here are the techniques shown in the quarter-guard section of the DVD:

- Half-guard to quarter guard

- Close guard to quarter guard

- Kimura from quarter guard

- Wrist lock from quarter guard

- Bicep lock from quarter guard

- Omoplata from quarter guard (really nice move)

- Triangle from quarter guard (other really nice move)

- Calf lock from quarter guard

- Sweep from guard finish on top of half guard

- Inverted armbar from quarter guard

- Lapel choke from quarter guard

o Another variation of this choke

- Sweep from quarter guard finish on top of half guard

- Taking the back from quarter guard

- Somersault sweep going to the back

- Arm drag going to the back (my favorite move)

This section is 43 minutes long. He demonstrates each technique in the same manner as the half guard section. I’ll be honest I wasn’t too familiar with the quarter guard until this DVD. While he shows a lot of option from this position I still feel like it’s for intermediate to advance BJJers. Again this section is very GI oriented and people who train NoGI might not be able to obtain the quarter guard position, but with a strong wrist control you might be able to control and use this position effectively.

I wasn’t too aware of Gustavo Machado until this DVD and I must say he seems like a very good instructor. He is very detail oriented and describes each technique clearly and effectively. The production of this DVD is very high like most of the fightlife DVDs. I would recommend this DVD for anyone interested in learning the quarter guard, but I do believe there are better half-guard DVDs on the market today. Both section work nicely together and I fully understand why they put half-guard and quarter guard techniques on one DVD. If you do decide to purchase this DVD I don’t think you will be disappointed at all.

Barulio Estima - (2007)

When I heard that Barulio Estima was putting out a DVD I was excited and they I heard it was on his guard game which made me even more excited. Barulio Estima’s guard game is one of the best out there right now.

The set is on two DVDs and the categories are:

Disc One –

Closed guard

Collar choke

Collar choke to armbar

Collar choke to triangle

Lapel choke

Lapel choke to armbar

Lapel to choke

Triangle choke

Armbar from Opponent standing

Closed guard II

Sweep

Preventing posture

Omoplata attack

Foot on hip sweep

Hip bump sweep

Open guard

Preventing the pass

Recovery from the pass

Recovery from the pass II

Hook guard sweep

Sit up guard sweep

Barulio’s sweep

Helicopter sweep

Disc Two –

Open guard II

Omo Plata from hook guard

Triangle from hook guard

Sweep from hook guard

Helicopter sweep from hook guard

Taking the back from hook guard

Hook guard summary

Preventing the pass

Sit up guard variation

Sit up guard variation II

Open guard III and Passing

Sit up guard variation II

De La Riva sweep

Spider guard sweep

Spider guard variation

Strategies from the cross collar guard

Passing the guard

There is so much information on this DVD that it’s sometimes overwhelming. I have gone over the first couple of sequence and have taking notes. I was able to hit the collar choke to arm bar the first time I tried it. Lately I’ve been working on open guard and this DVD is full of information that can help anyone on all level of BJJ. The only issues I have with this DVD, is that it’s strictly a GI DVD. There isn’t too much on here that will cross-over to NoGI, but that’s all right with me. This DVD is a must have for any BJJer that wants to improve their GI guard game.

BJJ 201 by Roy Harris (2005)

I recently received a copy of this instructional a few months ago from Roy Harris himself. I was excited to get it because I heard good things about this DVD, so when I received it I immediately sat down and watch it from start to finish in one shot.

The DVD is broken down into the following categories (below is from Budo Videos):

1.Review 21 Basic:
Review what you know: begins with a quick review of twenty-one (21) basic techniques. Not much time is spent on the details because I assume that all beginning level students know these techniques. However, for those beginners who are curious about intermediate level Jiu Jitsu, these twenty-one techniques will help you understand where you should spend your time. These twenty-one will get you off to a good start and are shown to help you focus your training.

2. Refine and polish what you know:
Once the basics have been practiced, memorized and fully understood, the student should make an effort to refine what he or she knows so a more precise and well rounded game can be developed. For example, when the student understands there is a top and bottom game, they can examine each area of training and find out which one needs more work. Another example would be a larger, stronger and more athletic student who feels proficient with guard passing and side mount hold-downs, but knows his side mount escapes and guard control are lacking. With the awareness of a deficiency in his game, a plan can be made to strengthen the weaker areas. Students will be asked to know why they do what they do. They should know why they perform a movement in a particular way. Student should also know that each movement makes them vulnerable to another movement. Having this level of awareness is a requirement for intermediate level Jiu Jitsu.

3. Common mistakes:
I will share with you the most common training mistakes that beginners make. I will also explain why these errors inhibit their growth.

4. Theory:
Theory helps students understand the end from the beginning. I will explain intermediate level theory to help you understand how the basics lay the foundation for intermediate level, know what comes next, as well as how to make the basics work.

5. Counters:
Even though this is not a "counters" instructional, I will share some counters to the basics.

6. Combinations:
I will explain combinations: what they are and how to train them. I will also explain the different between arbitrary combinations and combinations based on positioning and pressure.

7. Timing:
This is THE MOST important area of training. This is the focus of intermediate level training. Developing a good sense of timing is what consumes the intermediate level player, not technique. Technique is no longer important. So, the journey of accumulating more and more technique ceases! In this portion of the instructional, I will explain what it is and how you should train it.

8. Positioning:
This is the SECOND MOST important area of training. I will explain what good positioning is, as well as how to train it. This section will blow your mind (because it's not what you think). Positioning has little to do with the mount, side mount or guard positions. Rather, it has everything to do with attention to detail on the precise positioning of your limbs in relation to your opponent's positioning. In order to accomplish such precise positioning, your level of awareness to your own movements must be very high, and, your awareness to your opponent's movements must also be high.

9. Grappling matches:
These matches will help exemplify the lessons taught in this instructional.

10. Extras:
I've added a few extras to make this instructional a little more informative and entertaining! I think you will like this section because it adds a personal touch to the whole project.


At first glance I wasn't really impressed with this DVD, I've seen others that had more techniques in them, but after I watched it again I fall in love with it. This DVD isn't to show you the latest and greatest techniques; no it's to show you the mindset that is needed to take your game up to the next level. That's not to say you won't pick new stuff up. During the review of the 21 basic techniques I was able to gather some pointers here and there to help me refine my technique. Also the counters to those 21 basic help my game out a lot. There is a lot of useful information in this DVD and I highly recommend this to any BJJer that is a Blue to purple belt.