Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Basics (Mastering the Essential Techniques) [Paperback]

Gene Simco (Author)

Book Description

Series: Mastering the Essential Techniques | Publication Date: January 1, 2005

Learn It Here. Learn It Right. Over the last decade, the growing popularity of mixed martial arts competitions has brought international attention to the powerful and practical art of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. BJJ fighters have taken title after title in championship after championship, and now, with Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Basics, you can learn the techniques that have made BJJ the dominant style in the world of mixed martial arts.

Author and acclaimed instructor Gene Simco teaches his students that a solid mastery of the fundamentals is essential in creating a foundation upon which the more advanced techniques can be built—and that’s where this book comes in. With photos and step-by-step instructions, Simco shows you all the moves you’ll need to master to take your training to the next level, including:

Primary positions: the Guard, the Mount, the Back Mount, side control, standing techniques, and Passing the Guard

Submissions: Armbars, Triangle Choke, Collar Choke, Kimura Lock, Guillotine, Mata Leo, and Omoplata

Defenses against punches, kicks, take-downs, and more!

Escapes from chokes, grabs, bear hugs, locks, and clinches

Plus warm-up exercises, tips on choosing a school, and Dojo etiquette Whether you’re a novice interested in self-defense or a more experienced martial artist looking to raise your ranking, compete in mixed martial arts events, or supplement your current martial art with BJJ techniques, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Basics is the book to take when you’re taking it to the mat.

The Experts Agree ...

"Gene Simco is one of the most Technical Jiu-jitsu instructors on the East Coast. His students are a testement to that." - Brian Cimmins, Grapplers Quest Tournament Director

"I've been training bjj for 35 years and Gene's book is one of the best books in the market. I strongly advise everybody that practise jiu jitsu to buy it."

-- Romero "Jacare´" Cavalcanti (founder of Alliance Jiu-jitsu and one of 5 Rolls Gracie Black Belts)

"I am an old man and a martial arts grandmaster and I thought I knew a lot. I am physically disabled but I practice that which I can practice and even someone with physical infirmities like me can easily learn these straight forward common sense techniques that I somehow missed along the learning trail. But little did I realize how little I really knew until I read the 162 page book BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU BASICS. This is without a doubt the Cadillac, the Rembrandt, the Leonardo De Vinci, the Bruce Lee of jiu jitsu books at the lower belt level." Professor Kenneth L. Haugland

Grandmaster, Soke, Ph.d., 10th Dan

American Combat Judo and Jujitsu Association

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gene Simco is an internationally recognized author and martial arts instructor who has devoted himself to the study and practice of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. He is the founder and principal instructor of the NYMAG Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Academy in New York, where he has produced champions of all ages and from all walks of life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Citadel; Pap/DVD edition (January 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806526637
• ISBN-13: 978-0806526638
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #427,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beginners Look Here First, August 18, 2005

By 

TexBJJ - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Basics (Mastering the Essential Techniques) (Paperback)

Every Martial Artist Knows that there is nothing more important than the Basics. Simco hits the nail right in the head with this book and really serves up a good deal with an included DVD.

The book is exactly what all newcomers to BJJ should know and what all of us should be working on.

Clear and detailed explainations, good photos, great DVD.

This should be the first book in everyone's BJJ library.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy This Book!, September 4, 2005

By 

SanFran Student - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Basics (Mastering the Essential Techniques) (Paperback)

Unlike a lot of other BJJ publications, Gene Simco is able to explain how to do Jiu-jitsu to normal everyday people like you and me. It seems as if most people writing books have been doing it their whole lives and don't even remember what its like to not know it. If you are naturally gifted, born into a martial arts clan or a champion, you don't understand or remember what its like to struggle with the learning process of martial arts and should stick to fighting, not writing! This book is the most helpful publication in the world of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to the student looking for a clear and solid foundation.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Student Manual, September 4, 2005

By 

The Judo Man - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Basics (Mastering the Essential Techniques) (Paperback)

I've been practicing the art of Jujutsu for 27 years in a variety of forms, including Judo and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. For 14 years of that time, I have been a professional martial artist. There are hundreds of books for beginners that I recommend to my students for the art of Judo and traditional martial arts, but until now, there was absolutely nothing on the market that I would consider useful for someone starting out in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

Mr. Simco does a fantastic job of breaking down the essential basics of BJJ for a beginner by position, starting with standing techniques for self defense. In this chapter, everything is clear and sound, including his detailing of necessary 'ukemi' or breakfall techniques, of which he does a fine job describing. From there, he details the finer points of guard passing, hold downs from the top, guard work (sweeps and submissions) and escaping technques.

For the beginner, there is no other book out there that will send a white belt on their way to blue belt better or describe the essential techniques of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu more clearly, because of this, there isn't a student in my school who does not own a copy.