Customer Reviews

The Essence of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

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

 

 

This is a great book to add to your collection but it does not stand on its own. The complete emphasis of this book is on submissions from various positions. There is a tremendous amount on leg and foot locks that you won't find anywhere else. The "no gi" section is also valuable and unique. This book is not meant for a BJJ beginner since it does not cover positions, sweeps, escapes, or anything else except submissions. There is also not a lot of detail in the photography or the written explanation of the moves and a prior knowledge of BJJ would be required to fully understand everything. Despite the shortcomings, this is a very good and inexpensive book that will definitely add to your knowledge of submissions with and without a gi.

This book is good for a supplement to what you already know. It is a great reference for lots of submissions. It also has a great section on no gi training. The one thing I think this book suprisingly lacks is a section on sweeps. I think the book would have been much more complete with such a section. I think this book is very good to own and can increase your skill with study. However, you still need to have a base knowledge of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to make up for the lack of explanation to the pictures. If you are looking for another good book on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu I would have to recommend Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Theory and technique. It was put together on a much higher budget and the amount of things shown in the book is definately influenced by this. Once again though Rigan's book is a good selection to add to your library.

Though the book is kind of small, it does have probably the greatest variety of submissions for the least amount of space. Most of the book is devoted to submissions with a gi, but there is a chapter on non-gi hooks. The book is organized, chapter-wise, into the part of the body the hold works (legs, chokes, arms). It's not as detailed as other works, and covers only submission holds (instead of throws, strikes, possitions, reversals), and in that, I think the title is misleading. But if you're going to be using a gi with your submissions, go ahead and pick up this book.

This, like the other Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) books which have come onto the mass market in the last year, are loooong overdue (by about 10 years!). Rigan (Hee-gan) Machado introduces the theory of BJJ, his family's history (the Machado brothers studied under Carlos Gracie and are cousins to the Gracies), and then goes right into applied ground techniques: Arm locks (chapter 2), followed by Leg Locks (chapter 3), Chokes (Chapter 4), and grappling without a gi (Chapter 5).

The best place to learn grappling is from a teacher, but for those without an extensive range of ground techniques who haven't the time or money to find a teacher, or anyone who just wants to see the differences down on paper this volume focuses almost entirely on the ground applications of techniques which many arts lack. Those who already have backgrounds in judo or wrestling will enjoy the BJJ variations of techniques with which you will, for the most part, probably be familiar with, in theory if not practice. Another excellent volume to consider is "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Practice" by Renzo and Royler Gracie.

Rigan Machado shows why he is respected worldwide as a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter and teacher. This book is clear and concise and will undoubtedly up your ground game. Rigan reveals a host of techniques that are not covered in other grappling books. The section on leg locks is unparalleled. I have read a variety of books on grappling and this one is by far the best. In short, GET THIS BOOK!

The book is a bit small, (we always seem to want more of a good thing). It is, however, an outstanding addition to any martial arts library. There are plenty of techniques and entries for most people to be satisfied with.

While it is primarily a technique reference, Rigan does a good job of distinguishing the gi from the no gi game and gives strategies for both. He describes the many benefits of Jiu Jitsu for everyone from professional fighters to folks, like me, who just want to have fun, stay in shape, and enjoy life.

Most of all, the Machados are great instructors whose efforts contribute greatly to the continuing development and popularity of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. My advice is to buy the book and get training!...

I belive this a very instructional book. An image for each move in each technic. Lots of arms, legs and choke technics.Also, lots of tips. Its a litle short on take downs and counter attacks. Anyways, very good book. A must have if your a serius practitioner of BJJ.

Rigan has produced the worst book I have ever encountered. It has many photos but it is very difficult to decipher whats he is doing from step to step. That along with the rediculously short explanations to accompany them makes studying the techniques almost impossible unless you already have a good grasp on grappling techniques in which case you wouldnt need this book anyway. I myself have written to Rigan expressing how dissapointed I was. Pick up the Gracies book if you want a jiujitsu refrence.

This is by no means a book for the beginner. There are far too many small details Rigan chooses not to discuss. Why he does not discuss them is beyond me, but he sure skips right over them. There is little that is mentioned about weight, space, or proper technique. His arm bar form is not what I would expect from someone of his caliber. In many photos his legs aren't squeezing the arm tightly, his heels aren't close to his buttocks and the leg that crosses the chest is just hanging out over the top (this is a reference to one of his standard armbar from knee on the stomach, or mount or side control). those are all important details. Why doesn't he address them? Perhaps it was space considerations, I don't know. What I do know that if you are not an advanced player, don't think you will be pulling anything off in this book
That being said, the basic techniques are great, and worth the cost of the book. For the more advanced practitioner there is a wealth of good stuff in this book.
Good training to you!

This book was with out a doubt one of the best ive looked at on BJJ! This book contains chapters on ,sport jujitsu moves, vale tudo moves(anything goes), and even a breif family history(keep in mind he is related to the gracies)! i highly recamend it as although it IS A SHORT BOOK, it packs some good knowledge on these pages.if you are more advanced then this may(keyword being MAY) not be the book for you. goes into very precise detail about the "keylock" from many diff. angles. also more on leglocks, chokes,etc. Rigan Machado is a VERY skilled BJJ instructor! the machado's have a very good name for themselves and this was a good reason why. highly reccomended !!!