21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent technical manual on BJJ, 20 Jun 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Practice: Theory and Technique (Paperback)
This is the book that I have been waiting for, and it did not disappoint. If only all martial art books were up to this standard. It is a well conceived, well executed treatise on the basics of Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu, one of the most effective fighting systems ever designed.
The level of detail on technique is excellent, never too much, always concise and to the point. One of my main gripes with most martial arts manuals are the poor or non-existent photos/illustrations. This is not the case here however, the photos form the perfect counterpart to the excellent descriptions, with zoom in detail shots of the more subtle intricacies of the technique an inspired touch.
The book is well indexed and finding your chosen technique is never a chore. As the book suggests pick a technique, practice, practice, practice and you have added yet another extremely effective technique to your defensive/offensive arsenal.
The selection of techniques is very comprehensive considering the huge variation of BJJ techniques around. You should be able to find a technique for any situation or readily adapt any of the techniques chosen within. If I had to recommend any one source for self-defence, it would have to be this book (most people in this country at least don't have access to a good BJJ school).
The book also contains advice on the basic theories on which BJJ is based, such as position, when to attack, how to adapt to different fighting styles e.t.c. These are not covered in a great amount of detail and perhaps could have benefited from a more thorough treatment.
Obviously nothing comes close to actual training, but whilst training in Vale Tudo I have found this book indispensable as a training aid and I've developed a new found respect for the Gi! Highly recommended to anyone interested in Self-defence, submission fighting or martial arts in general. If you are a gracie fan then you shouldn't even need to read this!
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring book, 4 April 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Practice: Theory and Technique (Paperback)
As a single source of inspiration, this book was it for me. I bought it out of curiosity, and it fired me up enough to join my local BJJ gym and now I train there regularly.
Renzo and Royler offer a wonderful insight into this powerful combat art and Kid Peligro's writing is a joy (I've seen too many poorly written martial art books).
The authors are clear to point out that the techniques on offer are not there as museum pieces, to be followed to the letter, rather, they offer techniques which are simply one of a possible many for a given situation. Practitioners should learn to move from one technique to another, always looking for the best position.
The 'chapters' are divided into belts, but they stress that the BJJ system of awarding belts is not like other martial arts where superior technical knowledge does not necessarily make a superior fighter.
I would say that this book is the closest one can get to learning BJJ without actually going to a class. Having said that, my experience has shown that nothing beats live training.
Buy it, you won't regret it.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
bjj, 8 Aug 2002
This review is from: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Practice: Theory and Technique (Paperback)
Receivieved this book last week and was amazed with the finishing techniquies.I've done ju jitsu but this book amazed me.Well recommended.Its a big book and lots of easy to understand photo's.If you fight on the floor,this book is a must.
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