Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Basic Techniques [Paperback]

Fabio Gurgel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2007

This comprehensive guide to “the gentle art” by one of its foremost practitioners and teachers helps readers master the fundamentals on which a confident self-defense or professional competition career are based. The book covers the history and theory of jiu-jitsu; contains extensive sections on practical techniques such as strikes, holds, locks, throws, and evasions; distinguishes Brazilian lineages such as ground fighting and sudden attack techniques from other traditions; and shows readers how they can overcome any attacker, with as little effort and physical strength as possible.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Fabio Gurgel was the first fighters to earn a black belt from Jacare, and under the tutelage of both Jacare and Rickson Gracie became a champion across fighting sports and generations. In Brazilian jiu-jitsu he has earned countless accolades, including eight World championships. Gurgel was one of the forerunners in mixed martial arts, competing and winning in this arena numerous times. He currently heads a chain of schools in Brazil, and travels and teaches around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Blue Snake Books (May 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583941657
• ISBN-13: 978-1583941652
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 0.4 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #394,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely one of the best BJJ book I own., October 18, 2007

By 

Agustin Donis - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Basic Techniques (Paperback)

I bought both the basic and advanced books and the techniques represented actually work! I train at a Relson Gracie Academy and Fabio's techniques are simply easy to follow and effective. He presents self defense and competitive BJJ techniques. My instructor is very harsh on most BJJ books but approves of Fabio's techniques. Again, you will not find flying arm bars or flying triangles in these books. What you will find are solid core BJJ techniques that were developed and taught by the Gracie Family. I believe Fabio has trained with both Rolls and Rickson. It's also cool to see Marcelo Garcia in the advanced book with Fabio.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabio Gurgel is an eight-time martial arts world champion, October 6, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Basic Techniques (Paperback)

Fabio Gurgel is an eight-time martial arts world champion and co-founder of more than forty academies around the world. He is president of the Professional League of Jiu-Jitsu which is based in Brazil and continues to teach at his own academy in Sao Paulo. Fabio therefore writes with a very special expertise in "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Basic Techniques", a superbly organized and presented, step-by-step, illustrated introduction to a very special and effective form of the martial arts. Fabio begins with a brief history of jiu-jitsu, a martial art that originated in India more than 4,000 years ago as a self-defense technique employed by monks. Ideal for the absolute novice, "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Basic Techniques" is a confidently recommended instruction manual. Also very highly recommended is the companion book by Fabio Gurgel and also published by Blue Snake Books, "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Advanced Techniques (97815893941669, $19.95) which goes on to instruct the reader in additional self-defense techniques including passing the guard, sweeps, side attacks, mounted attacks, rear attacks, guard attacks, mounted escapes, and throws. Together, both volumes of "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu" comprise a complete and comprehensive course of do-it-yourself instruction.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Well Done Basic Guide to Basic Jiu-Jitsu Techniques, June 10, 2009

By 

Shawn Kovacich "Shawn Kovacich" (The Greatest Little City in the World) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Basic Techniques (Paperback)

I was pleasantly surprised at how well done this book actually was. The author did an outstanding job at covering a lot of the basic jiu-jitsu techniques in a very well thought out and easy to understand manner. This book was never intended to be a highly detailed examination of any particular technique, but more of a basic guide to the basic techniques that one would most often learn when first starting to learn the martial art of jiu-jitsu.

Now I will admit that I felt there should have been a bit more detailed text to go along with the exceptionally well done photographs, but when I remembered that this was meant to be a basic guide, I understood why the detailed explanations of the techniques were missing.

This may not be your first choice for a jiu-jitsu book to learn from if you already have an extensive background in the art, but if you are a beginner or someone who would just like to check things out and see what jiu-jitsu is all about, then this may very well be the book for you.

Shawn Kovacich
Creator of numerous books and DVD's.