Customer Reviews

Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

You're writing the definitive textbook on repairing transmissions for 1960's General Motors Muscle Cars. Your audience loves 1960's General Motors Muscle Cars, and they are anxious to learn about how you repair the transmissions so well. Now what kind of introduction would you write to prepare your audience for your brilliant and innovative transmission repair manual? How about 10 pages full or ramblings about your pet chihuahua?

Here Eddie told us all about his pet chihuahua, except Eddie's chihuahua is an illegal drug. The audience for his book does not care and does not want to learn about Eddie's hobbies un-related to the subject matter of the book they just bought. Although I applaud Eddie for coming out of his druggie closet, he failed completely in his choice of forum for it. If he so strongly wanted to spread his message about drugs, he should have written a book specifically about drugs to target an audience that cares about that topic. I care about grappling, and that's why I bought the book. If Eddie thinks that he "owes" drugs for his success, then he could do like every other writer and list drugs as one of his acknowledgements.

Now, about the rubber guard. This is much better than his Twister book in that this book is very focused on one position where the Twister book is focused on a general introduction to Eddie's system. The pictures are very good quality and in color. The paper is glossy high quality. Both the color pictures and paper quality are an upgrade from the Twister book.

There are a lot of moves and counters shown in this book, which makes it valuable to a grappler. The descriptions for the pictures are excellent, however they are in too small a font. Don't try reading this small print in dim light, or while in a moving car. The overviews before the pictures for each move, which are written in larger font than the descriptions, could be trimmed to about half as much text and still convey the same points.

The names for the moves don't mean anything to anyone except Eddie, which makes the names hard to remember and assimilate to anyone with a traditional judo, BJJ, sambo or wrestling background. "Old School" could better be named "basic half-guard sweep" or "half-guard foot sweep," and the Eddie-names for dozens of other moves would be more useful if the moves were named to describe what they do. The screw-driver in your toolbox was so-named because it drives screws, but Eddie might rename it an "Okatomo." What does Okatomo mean? Nothing, and that's the point with Eddie's names for these moves.

So, as big a fan of Eddie's BJJ as I am, the druggie rant, egotistical naming of moves, and small print for the descriptions brings his 5 star rating for the brilliance of his rubber guard game down to 3 stars overall for this book, Mastering the Rubber Guard.

SS Barra BJJ Seattle

This is not your average Jiu-Jitsu instructional book. Written by a heavily tattooed ex-musician, every aspect of the book seems designed to attack the traditional foundations of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From the firm no-gi stance of the author, to the open marijuana advocacy (even going so far as to recommend marijuana usage during training!) to the, um, rather colloquial naming of moves and positions ("Retard Control", "Crack Head Control", "Jiu-Claw", "Night of the Living Dead"), Eddie Bravo questions and overturns seemingly every established dogma in BJJ.

After deeper analysis, however, one realizes that behind the silly names and cannabis activism there is real and valuable martial arts research in these techniques. Transforming guard into an offensive position via Rubber Guard (especially when the standard 'triangle choke or arm bar from guard' sequence stops working) has the potential to COMPLETELY change your game. Bravo not only demonstrates Rubber Guard but beforehand explains how to turn half-guard into an equally powerful position, and outlines many sweeps and defensive counters. I found the Troubleshooting sections to be valuable, as they explain common errors and mistakes made when learning these techniques and how to overcome them.

The book is well laid-out with many clear color pictures with alternate angles, in a sensible sequence from stretching to half guard Lockdown, to Butterfly Guard to Rubber Guard and more advances techniques building on the prior sections. The writing makes the strategy and progression clear, instead of simply being a catalog of individual moves. I recommend this to any BJJ practitioner, from white belt on up, particularly if you train at a more traditional gi school. You'll have fun surprising and tapping your classmates with the unorthodox techniques, and that alone is worth the price of this book.

This has great jujitsu information from a guy who has made it a practice of making the unorthodox work for him. His photos and explanations are excellent, and make you want to try the stuff out. Some (I would say a lot) of his stuff requires you to drill it thoroughly before you are able to pull it off in randori or tournament, but some of the concepts are interesting enough to just tweak what you already do.

On the minus side, he spends way way too much time giving us his viewpoint on his pro-pothead lifestyle (a view apparently shared by Joe Rogan, his friend and training partner). Personally, I would like to see pot legalized, but the argument in favor of doing so is one I would rather see argued by someone a great deal more qualified than Eddie Bravo. Why spend time in a jujitsu text to go on and on (and he really does, by the way) about how great pot has been to him? Biographical sections can add to a martial arts text, but not when they're just polemics, and the stuff he's into makes him sound like a high school pothead constantly either toking or chasing tail, and consequently much less interesting. Who cares what he thinks about girls or pot? I sure don't; I could have gotten the same insight from those same high school potheads if I wanted.

Additionally, the names of his moves make no sense except to boost his bloated ego, which seems convinced that he's reinvented the wheel. It makes working the material a little tougher.

Oh, if you want to see how he teaches and talks (pretty much like a pothead, imho), check out some of his seminars on YouTube.

All that aside, though, his jujitsu instruction is excellent and for real, and easily propels this to 4 stars (5 without the pro-pot stuff). If you can skip over it, it's well worth the effort.

Most people in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu know who Eddie Bravo is. There's a pretty obvious "love him or hate him" feel around. I'm happy to note, though that I'm one of the less boisterous people who fall into neither category. I just like anyone who can explain a concept to me so that I pick it up. And Eddie does that for me in this book.

A quick word, firstly, on Eddie's first book - 'Jiu-Jitsu Unleashed'. I was going to give it a separate review until I received 'Mastering the Rubber Guard'. 'Jiu Jitsu Unleashed' was a reasonable book until the new one came along. 'Jiu Jitsu Unleashed' is a collection of techniques that Bravo uses in his game. It's got a good collection of anecdotes and shows Eddie's game and how it has come to be quite well. That said, the overlap with 'Mastering the Rubber Guard' is too much to warrant buying both - if you were wondering about that.

In fact, I felt quite disappointed in myself when 'Mastering' turned up. Why? Because I'd paid good money for 'Unleashed' just a couple of months before and this was so much better. Ultimately, though, I got a book that was twice as good, anyway. The exception is tht 'Unleashed' takes a bigger look at the Twister and Eddie's top game. Hold on, though. Victory Belt (the publishers) have 'Mastering the Twister' on the horizon.

Like 'Unleashed', 'Mastering' covers the main areas of Bravo's game. There are sections on the half guard and, obviously, the rubber guard. This time, however,we get sections on the butterfly guard, recovering the guard, Bravo's "Spider Web" control and a section on stretching.

Kudos to Bravo for realising not everyone has his flexibility and that they need to develop that attribute to make all the techniques work. Putting my S&C coach hat on (especially with my knees), I shake my head in disapproval of some of the stretches. Still, it's what Bravo does and they are all applicable to his game and the book. Just exercise some critical thinking. If you're in the group the stretches are likely to injure - don't do them.

I'm not going to get into details of the moves. What I am going to say is that they work for Bravo and his guys. They work for a lot of others, too. They might even work for you. The technique names have always been a bone of contention for some, too. Bravo is quick to explain that the names are devloped for coaching in competitions, so the opponent doesn't understand advice being given. I do the same thing with my guys to a large extent.

The book flows well, with a strategy for each position and a series of ideas to help achieve the techniques. For example, the "Whip Up" has been a bit of a boon for my half guard, depite it not being a technique, per se.

The book also contains a flow chart to help guide you through the Rubber Guard game. I've beeen flow charting for a couple of years now and can attest to the improvement and insights it gives you. Eddie gives you his own, personal flowchart.

I'm never going to use Eddie's whole game. I'm 6'7" and weigh the best part of 300 inflexible pounds. I bought the book to help my students and training partners. I've been pleasantly surprised to take some techniques and insights away, along with a better understanding of the 10th Planet system.

Insofar as production, it's good. It's colourful with good quality stock. Photographs are clear and plentiful. Since I'm a bit anal, I picked up some spelling and grammar errors and I hope they'll be picked up with better editing in future Victory Belt productions. But, ultimately, it's content I care about and this book has plenty of it.

Victory Belt's 'Mastering the Rubber Guard' Page

After giving this review to a couple of friends to look over for me, one pointed out the obvious philosophical differences between Eddie and myself and expressed surprise I'd give such a flattering review. Especially due to the drug references.

Let me say this..... Some of the language in the anecdotes is foreign to me and I find some analogies a little trite. I have never taken any illicit drug, including marijuana and am strictly anti-drug.

If you can't put these things behind you and they stand in the way of you buying the book, then too bad. You'll miss out on some quality instruction.

I'm not really a fan of learning things from books or videos, but THIS book changed all of that.

Eddie lays everything out in such a way that everything builds on the technique before it. From how to hold the position, to a number of attacks, to a number of counters.

I took the book one technique a week and just worked it each night after practice (it will take me a loooong time to get all the way through the book) but I will have a good understanding of all the techniques involved.

Another thing I like about Eddie's book is how he has his system layed out at the begining of the book so you can look at the position, what the situation is, and what to do next and based on that linear model look at the page number next to it and you have it.

A lot of new things to most grapplers, I'm more than happy with my purchase and have recommended it to many people in the gym.

Anyone who judges this book strictly on its merits as an instructional is likely to give it five stars. I personally don't agree with Eddie on everything he says in this book, but in life we must sometimes be confronted with viewpoints that don't necessarily jive with ours. Just absorb what you think is valuable and leave the rest on the pages. Some of you guys clearly have issues with thinking outside the box.

As an instructional for no-gi grappling, this book truly excels. Everything is clear and easy to understand. Important points are emphasized. After only a couple weeks I started to effectively pull off many of the techniques in class. Using the techniques in this book, I have substantially improved my no-gi game by turning my closed guard and half guard into more offensive positions.

I have read many Jiu Jitsu books in the past and I have to say that this book is the best on the subject that I have every had the pleasure to read. Eddie Bravo has a knack for simply explaining techniques and the transitions involved that other authors just do not. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject; even if you don't think you can do the rubber guard stuff. The book is in full color and almost every part of each technique is shown from at least two different camera angles. This creates a much more vivid idea of what you are supposed to do with the technique as opposed to other jiu jitsu books where you just kind of assume how to perform the technique. I can't say enough good stuff about this book, just buy it.

So you might want to get this book... why? well first off it has helped me transform my ground game. The techniques are very well laid out with good quality photo's and step by step detailed explination. Also are some stretches which will help you improve using rubberguard. I recommend this book if you need to improve your ground game, or are looking to expand your move palate. Since the introduction to this book is a little adolescent and contains graphic content I do not recommend it for any children or young grappalers. If you have a strong offense to the use of marijuana then this book may also strike a cord with you as it has with some reviewers. I give this book 5 stars because it did what it intended to do, and it did it very very well.

I currently practice and compete in MMA and have found this book truely amazing. This book is writen in such a way that every move is easy to follow. Everything that Eddie Bravo explains is then shown in clear, precise pictures and from different angles. If you only master one of the moves shown in this book it will be worth every penny. I have already used a couple of the moves when rolling with my training partners. I plan to tie them all up in my rubber guard and half guard with in months. Thats the plan anyway, I'm sure they will have other ideas

While this book does not contain a good amount of material for players who use a strong top-side/mount, etc. attack that is not its purpose. It's purpose is rather to find unique and systematic solutions to players who DO use that strategy thus forcing you to play from the bottom positions.

If you find yourself positionally dominated and forced to play from the bottom...well, you had better have mastered this material.

This is the most concise and effective system for fighting from the bottom that I have yet to see in my ten years of BJJ/MMA and when the dust settles years from now this will be looked at much as the Tao of Jeet Kune Do was before it.

This book opens the doors to what is possible.

I cannot recomend it highly enough.

...although, I wish these were my secrets and mine alone.

So don't buy it; that way, I will be able to use it on you when we meet in competition.