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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book, July 3, 2006
"The Path to Black Belt" is the best Jiu-Jitsu book on the market and is a must for anyone who wants to become a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. The typical instructional book reads like an encyclopedia of technqiues, but this approach only gives the reader a cursory idea of how to master the art. In Jiu-Jitsu, knowing dozens of techniques is only the first step in becoming proficient. The coveted jiu-jitsu black belt only comes after years of smart training. Being consistent, avoiding injuries and understanding how to develop a complete game over several years are the factors that will separate a black belt from an aspiring black belt. Rodrigo's book covers all of these areas, articulating the fundamental concepts in Jiu-Jitsu in a way that only a life-long practiioner and ADCC champion can do.
"The Path to Black Belt" gives the student guidance on every aspect of learning Jiu-Jitsu, from choosing the right instructor to developing a personal style, from transitions to why so many students quit along the way. I have not seen another book that comes close to giving the complete approach to training that is outlined in this book. As an instructor myself, I believe that the mechanics of individual techniques are the easiest part of the art a student can learn, but smart training methods are very difficult for most students to grasp. However, Rodrigo manages to address this topic in a way that everyone will find accesssible.
This book is worth the money just for the section on training, but Rodrigo also includes a series of drills and techniques from every position. The drills break down some of the the fundamental concepts in Jiu-Jitsu, such as balance and leverage, in a way that will refine the understanding of both beginners and seasoned vets. The techniques shown are high-percentage moves that anyone can execute with the proper training. Rodrigo teaches basics while clearly and realistically demonstrating how they will play out in an actual match. He covers complementary techniques from every position, so the reader is not simply learning moves in isoloation, but is learning how to put together a complete game of moves that work in conjunction with one another.
I can't think of a better Jiu-Jitsu book to purchase, and this is THE boook for anyone wishing to reach the highest levels of Jiu-Jitsu.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent resource for beginners, October 8, 2007
Invisible Cities Press and Kid Peligro deliver another top-notch Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructional book with _The Path to the Black Belt_. In this manual, Peligro co-writes with Rodrigo Gracie to deliver an impressive text that is part student training manual, part self-instruction book. Every drill and technique is demonstrated with numerous photos and step-by-step explanations to help students master the moves on their own.
So, what makes this book different than the other jiu-jitsu manuals published by Invisible Cities Press? To begin with, this one contains numerous training drills instead of just the techniques. The book also covers a broad selection of techniques for all levels of training rather than a subject focus (Ultimate Fighting Techniques (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu series) by Royce Gracie and Peligro, for instance, features techniques from the top positions). You're getting an entire course of study here rather than a book that will only help you with one aspect of jiu-jitsu.
The following chapters are covered in this book:
- Introduction. The first 43 pages are devoted to an introduction that covers the basics of being a student. From mindset to belt advancement and on to which techniques you should focus on for your body type, this section is one many will probably skip but that all should read.
- Basic Drills (14 pages). Almost every jiu-jitsu school practices drills at the beginning of a class - if you are studying on your own, shouldn't you be doing these drills, too? Drills such as the Hip Escape (shrimp crawl) and break falls are covered.
- Advanced Drills (18 pages). Most of these drills need to be done with a partner, but they will help your overall "feel" for the sport when you are actually in a match. The drills include side-to-side transitions, passing the guard chains, and guard replacements.
- Basic Techniques (14 pages). These are the moves you need to not get submitted. These moves focus on transitioning/escaping (bridging, side control escape) and maintaining distance.
- Dealing with the Stiff Arm (2 pages). How to deal with the stiff-arm tactic learned in Basic Techniques. This really should have been included in the previous chapter rather than being its own section.
- Chokes (11 pages). Some of the signature submissions of BJJ are covered here, including the triangle and rear naked chokes.
- Joint Submissions (14 pages). The basic join submission of BJJ, including the Kimura, Americana, foot lock, and arm lock.
- Takedowns (18 pages). Drills and tecniques for getting your opponent either 1) down on the ground from the standing position or 2) submitted from the standing position. This is a VERY important aspect of jiu-jitsu, though it is often ignored.
- Guard Defense Basics (24 pages). When you are "in the guard," you are on your back. In some grappling sports, this is not where you want to be (ask any wrestler), but in jiu-jitsu, it is just another position. The techniques in this chapter focus on defending position from the back (how to not get mounted), a few transitions, and a few submissions.
- Sweeps and Reversals (30 pages). These techniques focus on moving from your back to a more advantageous position (such as the mount).
- Half-Guard Sweeps (8 pages). How to move from your back and into a better position when in the half-guard.
- Half-Guard Passes (6 pages). How to get past your opponent's defenses when their back is on the ground and they have you in the half-guard.
- Passing the Guard (20 pages). How to take advantage of the situation when your opponent is on their back. Includes some submissions.
- Knee on the Stomach (5 pages). Knee on the stomach is an excellent technique that can be used either as a submission in its own right or to transition to a submission.
- Mounted Position (9 pages). How to take advantage of (if on top) or escape from (if on the bottom) one of BJJ's most dangerous positions.
- Escaping the Back (8 pages). If your opponent "takes your back," you are in trouble. This chapter deals with escaping from the most vulnerable position you will ever be in during a jiu-jitsu match.
This book has a lot to offer those interested in learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Still, it is not perfect, and has two major flaws. The first flaw is that, while most techniques get a thorough explanation with pictures, a few are not described in enough detail. Take, for example, the Americana on page 39; while many of the other techniques in the chapter are shown with numerous photographs, the Americana only gets two - even though the technique is described in its entirety in the page's text (and there's room for at least one more photograph if the text had been formatted properly). The second flaw is that the book is poorly organized and somewhat difficult to follow (why did "Dealing with the Stiff Arm" get its own section, while information on the arm lock/bar is scattered throughout numerous sections).
In conclusion: I recommend _The Path to the Black Belt_ to anyone interested in learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and only looking to buy a single book. More advanced students, however, will find that there is not a whole lot of new information in this text, and so might want to pick up some of the more specialized manuals instead (Ultimate Fighting Techniques, Ultimate Fighting Techniques Volume 2: Fighting from the Bottom, Gracie Submission Essentials: Grandmaster and Master Secrets of Finishing a Fight, and Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge are all excellent).
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Holy Cow! Its Details!, May 16, 2006
I had this book back ordered for around 6 months and I just got it they other day. I have to say it was well worth the wait. This book is loaded with drills and small details to pick your game up where a shabby instructor may have left off. I highly recommend this book not only for beginners because of its clearity but to intermediate and advanced Jiu-jitsu players as well. There is no fancy moves in here, just basic "staple" moves that formed the backbone of Gracie Jiu-jitsu a long time ago. This book is about refining your basics and strengthening your fundamentals. So if thats what your looking for I highly recommend this book as well as Royce's Top Game book and Kid Pilegro's Guard book.
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