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.