Customer Reviews

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense Techniques (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu series)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Production value is first rate; pictures are clear and explanations are excellent. This book and it's predecessor, "Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:Theory and Technique" are arguably the best martial arts books ever produced in terms of overall quality.

Content is good but there is some of repetition of techniques that were shown in the first book, however this time performed without the gi. It is very thorough; responses to nearly any common attack are included- most are quite simple and easy to learn and remember. Defenses against common knife attacks and stick-ups (pistol) are also covered, as are a couple of stick defense and disarms.

Caveat to those looking to learn new grappling techniques: there are very few ground fighting techniques in this book other than escapes and counters to common headlocks and the like.

Why I gave 4 stars: The organization of this book is just plain bad. There seems to be no logical order that the techniques were grouped in; at least I can't see it. Similar techniques are randomly scattered through the book. If you want to find a particular technique, tou have to scan the list in the TOC or flip through the bok - no index! It would have been better to group similar techniques together into "chapters".

Overall pretty darned good, although I would recommend "BJJ:Theory and Practice" as being slightly better in terms of overall techniques and content.

This is a great book by the greatest fighter on earth. However, when I ordered this book, I did not read close enough, and I thought I had ordered a book on the competitive/sport side of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. However, when I received the book, I saw that it was self defense techniques for real life situations. It is still a great book with great techniques, but look for Renzo Gracie's book if you are looking for the sport.

I really like this book. Many of the self-defense techniques are from the true Gracie Jiu Jitsu curriculum. It's difficult and challenging to learn any Martial Art or Self Defense system from a book alone, but if you must, then this is the book to get. If you take lessons then this book is still a very worthy investment at such a small price. The layout and photos are awesome.

If you are going to execute these moves at home I highly recommend buying a rubber knife, rubber pistol, a stick, and lastly the official Gracie Grappling Dummy called Bubba. It's like having a 5'10 enemy with realistic joints that you can really practice the majority of the techniques. I have one and couldn't ever go back to shadow-practice. He even comes in a Gracie Gi uniform.

I am a POLICE use of force instructor. I have been a Martial Artist for over 30 years and currently hold 3 Black Belts. Now, I own most of Peligro's books on the Gracie family and their art. In fact, all the books have been personally autographed by Peligro himself. I teach survival against armed individuals (Gun, Knife & Clubs etc), and I have to say that this is the worst of the series of books. Many of the techniques would get you killed if not seriously injured. The people who have rated this book before me saying the same stuff are telling the truth. In fact, I sold my book on ebay saying that the book was very bad, and some Gracie fan still bought it for the cover price. Do not buy this book, Royce knows his stuff in the ring. A place with rules & no weapons. His street techniques will get you killed. Don't buy this book.

Excellent text on handling stand up aggresion with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Note: you DO NOT need to go to the floor! The book is divided into 103 sections or positions as the authors call them, each section on facing pages, so you don't need to turn the page to see the continuation of a technique. The grouping of the techniques is not really sequential.

The instructors wear colored clothing so that the pictures are clear and instructive (usually white gi clad instructors make it hard to see who's doing what).

The techniques are clearly explained with any subtlety noted. From the basics, palm and elbow strikes, how to fall, to advanced like club, knife and gun disarms (Yikes!) the book is fairly all inclusive (although the order of the techniques does leave much to be desired). This is a BJJ text on basic Standing Self Defense, so don't expect to see any new floor grappling techniques! The headlock escapes were novel though!

If you've studied traditional Japanese Jiu Jitsu the techniques are familiar. Note: if you ever read Combat Jiu Jitsu by D'arcy Rahming then this is nothing new.

These are techniques, epecially the restraints, that every martial artist should know. If you're from a striking art these locks are especially useful since striking may not always be appropriate. As your primary means of self defense though, relying on these techniques could be tricky. Just keep in mind it takes skill to use them and that requires diligent practice and good instruction from a qualified teacher.

Now to the real question, are the techniques practical and effective? It depends. If an opponent is of equal or lesser size and strength then yes, WITH proper training and GOOD JUDGEMENT on when to use these techniques. If the opponent is larger then most likely no. Not without exceptional skill. These are not moves that anyone can learn and apply just from reading a book, ESPECIALLY WHEN DEALING WITH WEAPONS. The authors clearly state that timing and speed are important, not to mention skill and practice. Don't believe that if the authors can make these techniques work then you can too! They've been training for decades, most likely you haven't.

Ignore all of those reviews by taijutsu/krav maga/anti-grappling students. This book contains many excellent applications of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but no serious practitioner of the art will tell you that this book is a substitute for training. It is a supplement. Meanwhile, many people telling you that these techniques are weak and dangerous do not realize this. Their training itself is little better than this book since they think compliant scenarious constitute effective training. That, and for all they talk about striking they probably hit like girlie wing chun fighters. Really they are just threatened by this book and the effectiveness of the techniques.

Buy this book if you want to see what the art of BJJ is about, but if you like what you see you should find a school in your area.

This book seems like an attempt from the Gracie's to respond to those who said that BJJ may work in the ring, but what about the street? I think that it would have been wiser for them to just say, "hey, BJJ is not for every situation. It's not primarily a self-defense art". Instead, after spending so many years of saying that BJJ is the best, they simply couldn't resist the challenge of addressing their critics but it seems to have back fired. This book truly shows the difference between competitive martial arts and self-defense.
The other thing that is interesting to note, is that after spending so many years stressing the importance of going to the ground in a fight, there finally seems to be an admission that this is not what you want to do in a self defense situation. Few of the techniques in the book go to the ground. I consider BJJ to be a great art and have great respect for it and its practioners, but it is not an art that is designed or primarily suited for street self defense situations. I would feel more positive about this book if there was not so much apparent arrogance that BJJ can 'do it all'. BJJ clearly works in the ring. This book, as it is written, shows BJJ's limitations on 'the street'.

Simple, to-the-point language and superb photography enable the reader to learn, remember and absorb. Includes basic moves, and also some very advanced moves. Use your judgement, use what you understand (only if necessary, of course!). Re-read what you don't understand...until you get it. This book opens your mind. You start to be able to predict the next step; what you could do next to defend yourself. Some of the images remain engraved in your mind- and then can be recalled and applied, if need be. This book enhances one's existing self-defense arsenal. You realize you can combine some steps and moves... A little of this, a little of that...It all helps, and THAT'S THE GOAL!

While I respect the Gracie family and its contributions to martial arts, I feel like the self-defense element that originally existed in the BJJ of Helio and Carlson's generation has been chipped away by its posterity. As the "sport" of BJJ gains popularity, the "martial" aspect of BJJ - and its useful techniques - are disappearing.

Nowhere is this trend more evident than in this book. My reaction to the techniques in this book ranged from, "Wow, I never considered that one before," to, "Holy $@!%, that will get you killed!" I have black belts in TKD and aikido, and I have been training in Muay Thai, catch and sambo for a few years now. My brother is ranked in Penjak Silat, and he, like me, agrees that the techniques, especially the knife defenses, will leave you dead. For example, in several of the knife techniques, Royce begins by using a karate- or TKD-style block to stop the knife attack. Someone skilled with a knife, or even some half-sober punk, will be able to slash through your forearm. If you don't believe me, watch the demonstrations in which someone slashes at a side of meat. The gashes are too deep for even the best fighter to "tough out." In aikido and other aiki arts, you're taught to capture the limb and maintain control of the weapon until you can remove it or until you've incapacitated your attacker. You'd have better luck with a simple kote-gaeshi wrist turn against a knife than with any of these techniques.

The grappling, however, was excellent and representative of what we've come to expect from the Gracies. If you skip the knife and gun defenses, you'll have a few slick moves for the street that resemble BJJ before the "sport" folks watered it down. That said, you can save yourself $30 and pick up these techniques by spending a few minutes in the bookstore.

With any hope, BJJ practitioners will one day go back to the martial source and get back to real fighting.

Just my two,

Collaboratively written by martial arts champions Royce and Charles Gracie (with the assistance of martial arts writer and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt holder Kid Peligro), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense Techniques is a superbly organized and presented martial arts self-defense resource offering direct, practical, "user friendly" instructions and effectively illustrated with numerous full-color photographs throughout. Techniques for protecting oneself when accosted in a wide variety of situations are carefully presented, along with cautions against common errors. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense Techniques is a strongly recommended instructional and reference guide, especially for those who already have some experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is the next best thing to taking a course from a certified instructor in person.