Beginning

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Handbook

by

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt

Ken Primola, J.D.

Table of Contents

Introduction:................................................................................................... 3
About the Author:.......................................................................................... 5
Chapter 1: A Brief History of BJJ................................................................ 6
Chapter 2: Gi, No Gi, Attire, and Ranking................................................. 8
Chapter 3: Hygiene Skin Infections........................................................ 14
Chapter 4: Academy Fees, Programs, and Schedules.............................. 16
Chapter 5: Rules of the Academy............................................................... 18
Chapter 6: How to Learn BJJ Effectively.................................................. 20
Chapter 7: How to Spar............................................................................... 28
Chapter 8: Private Lessons......................................................................... 33
Chapter 9: Tournaments & Competitions................................................ 37
Chapter 10: Staying the Course................................................................ 41
Chapter 11: Follow up & Special Thanks................................................................................. 43
Extra.................................................................... 45

Introduction
Flow with the go - Rickson Gracie
Jiu-Jitsu translated means the Gentle Art. This book is for anyone interested in learning
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) as a beginner and for anyone who is already doing Jiu Jitsu but wants to excel.
This book is meant to make the often-times complex and daunting process of learning BJJ easier on the
mind and body.
BJJ is quickly growing throughout the world. What was once a martial art (or sport) that had a
small, cult-like following is becoming increasingly well-known, especially with the rise of the
extremely popular Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), an organization that pits professional
fighters from all disciplines against one another in a sport known as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
Before MMA developed, Western fighting had strongly focused on what are called the
standing and clinching aspects of fighting. When Jiu-Jitsu was introduced by Royce Gracie,
understanding the ground aspect became integral to success in MMA. Royce Gracie, a man of
average build, dominated the first UFC in the early 1990s primarily by using Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to take his
opponents to the mat and submit them. At about the same time, the Gracies introduced a video called
Gracie in Action where they challenged other martial artists from various disciplines to no-holds-barred
combat and convincingly proved its efficiency by continually coming out on top. Based on this and
even more evidence, some have come to believe BJJ is more efficient than many other modern martial
arts, and after Royce Gracie showed the world Gracie Jiu-Jitsus effectiveness, it became an essential
element of any well-rounded fighters arsenal. BJJ is also highly realistic and efficient for real life
street situations.
In its primitive state, BJJ is pure and honest. BJJ allows one to express him or herself both

physically and mentally while sparring against another. Although rather chaotic at times (to the
untrained eye), BJJ is a highly intellectual and complex martial art that provides undeniable benefits.
Many will lose weight, feel better, and make new friends. BJJ will also help you perform better
mentally and physically off the mat because BJJ is not just a sport or art; BJJ is a lifestyle, and the
beauty is that anyone determined can learn and benefit from it.
I hope after you are finished reading this book, you will be empowered, on a journey to attain
prosperity through BJJ and feel great while doing it. I can assure you that if you do BJJ long enough
your life will change, and BJJ will provide you with a community of happy, intellectual, and kindred
minds. I hope you will read this book carefully and let it act only as a guide and not as holy writ for
what will become your unique journey.

About the Author

Jiu-Jitsu is a state of mind -Ken Primola
Ken Primola, J.D., is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under the Relson Gracie Lineage. Ken's
direct instructor today is 10 x World Champion Caio Terra due to Ken's relocation to San Jose,
California. Ken received his black belt from Relson Gracie Black Belt Phil Migliarese. Ken began BJJ
more than fifteen years ago. Since beginning, Ken taught for many years at Phil's main academy and
now teaches at various academies through Caio Terra. Ken has accomplished much as a competitor,
including winning the Masters World Championships in Brazil and winning the Adult Pan Am
Championships in America, among other regional titles.
Ken has a unique perspective in this sport because he began his grappling career as a wrestler at
the young age of twelve and continued with it until graduating from college (ending up a Division I
varsity competitor). Wrestling encompasses a lot of grappling elements similar to BJJ, and it enabled
Ken to transfer over to BJJ quite easily. Studying BJJ also helped him better understand his wrestling.
Although his wrestling background also caused some setbacks, such as encouraging the use of too
much aggression, it was, overall, a great start.
Coming from this background, Ken's authority on BJJ comes as an expert competitor,
experienced practitioner, and global teacher. For many years Ken has examined the learning process of
BJJ. Ken believes starting BJJ is a delicate stage for most students, and this can determine their future.
To help newcomers and veterans alike, Ken has authored a number of tutorial downloads, designs
fashionable BJJ wear, and often records techniques that can be found at his website:
www.BJJimmersion.com and You Tube. Alone, Ken's You Tube channel (www.youtube.com/
kenprimo) has over 5 Million views worldwide and is rapidly growing.

Chapter 1: A Brief History of BJJ

The Jiu-Jitsu that I created was designed to give the weak ones a chance to face
the heavy and strong. -Helio Gracie
Grappling arts, standing up or on the ground, have been around for more than a millennium.
BJJ is a modality of grappling (highly focused on the ground fighting aspect) and has been around
since the early 1900s. Many theories exist with respect to BJJ's origins. One of the most widely held
views regarding BJJ's evolution claims that a man named Mitsuyo Maeda came from Japan to Brazil to
demonstrate and teach his style of Judo. Gastao Gracie, a Brazilian, had a son named Carlos who
enjoyed a demonstration by Maeda and sought to learn it. Maeda taught Carlos and Carlos passed this
knowledge to his brothers. A great video examining this is found here:
http://www.bjjimmersion.com/mitsuyo-maeda-mr-impossible-the-gracie-jiu-jitsu-origins/
Carlos taught his brother Helio, who was frail in stature and could not perform many of the
techniques. Helio adapted the movements for his frame and eventually began teaching. The name of
what Carlos and Helio were teaching became known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Helio's style of Jiu-Jitsu
catered more toward ground movements and self-defense than modern day Judo, which seems to focus
more on stand up. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Judo are very similar in nature, but differ in objective.
As the story goes, Helio competed against other martial artists of different styles and defeated
many until he met a heavier Judo practitioner named Masahiko Kimura. Kimura won their match, but
Helio's courage gained him Kimura's utmost respect. Helio continued to develop his style of Gracie JiuJitsu, and eventually it branched off into another form of Jiu-Jitsu simply called Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Some today use the terms interchangeably.
One key difference between GJJ and BJJ today is that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is commonly taught for

self-defense, not just sport. Helio Gracie stated The Jiu-Jitsu that I created was designed to give the
weak ones a chance to face the heavy and strong. However, regardless of this philosophy, many
students do use Gracie Jiu-Jitsu for recreation and sport and, when used this way, it is hard to
differentiate from BJJ.
Having studied both Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu personally, I can affirm that Gracie
Jiu-Jitsu focuses on more self-defense applications with very deep fundamentals and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
seems more focused on sport applications with evolving principles. A new practitioner should choose a
school or program based on their individual needs. Many schools will intertwine both forms of Jiu-Jitsu
without even knowing it, but it is best to talk with a schools program director or head instructor to see
what programs are available.

Chapter 2: Gi, No Gi, Attire, and Ranking

A belt just holds up your pants Royce Gracie
Upon entering into the sport of BJJ, you will have many questions which may or may not have
easy answers. You will want to know why you wear a gi, the difference between Gi and No Gi,
what to wear, how ranking goes, and so forth. The reputation of traditional martial arts begs these
questions.
A gi (also called a kimono) is a formal uniform used in many traditional martial arts, which
you will wear during most of your lessons. Many forms of martial arts provide soft, thin gisothers
such as Judo and BJJ provide a thicker type of material for gripping, holding, and applying finishing
holds (submissions).
Gi grips and/or holds can become an important factor in sparring. The gi usually makes for a
slower, methodical type of sparring. The gi, and grips in particular, make it difficult to slip out of
positions and submission holds, which can be used for you or against you. Some complain that gi
gripping may even be used to kill time for the purpose of resting or holding on to a lead in a
competitive BJJ setting.
No Gi grappling is very similar in principle to Gi grappling, but put into practice it is commonly
a faster-paced game. Practitioners of No Gi typically wear shorts and what is known as a rash guard
(a tight fitting, sweat absorbing shirt). Typically, in No Gi you can do all of the techniques you can do
in Gi (literally, but not competitively) except you cannot grab the clothing to help you in any fashion.
No Gi competitions currently allow for different methods of leg locks that you are not usually allowed
to practice with a gi on (see rules for each specific tournament or academy you attend). No Gi is what
is becoming more commonly used in MMA events; the majority of MMA events do not allow for use

of a gi at all. My suggestion is that you find a school that provides both Gi and No Gi training. The arts
are one in the same in many respects.
Not everyone shares this exact view, however; a few notable practitioners have their opinions
on what they prefer. I asked seven-time World Champion Robson Moura his thoughts on this subject,
and he said he is able to understand a lot of positions in No Gi from practicing with a gi. Shawn
Williams, a famous black belt under Renzo Gracie, has suggested that after many years of studying at
Renzo's world famous academy in NYC, the people who studied both Gi and No Gi performed better
than those who only studied No Gi. Marcelo Garcia, perhaps the worlds best BJJ fighter, mentioned in
a film called Arte Suave that he spends most days training with a gi even for his No Gi events. Eddie
Bravo spurned a lot of interest via No Gi and also is a Gi Black Belt. Either way you go, one, the other,
or both, studying in general will compliment your jiu-jitsu because many submission and position
principles hold true in both modes.
In searching for a BJJ gi (kimono) you should look at a few things. First look at the sizing that
the company uses. In fact, if you were to size a gi, a suggestion I would make is to call the company
from which you are buying your gi or write to them asking for specific information that has to do with
your body type, their washing recommendations, and potential shrinkage tendencies. Sizes vary widely.
Your academy may also have some in stock and your fellow students should be able to help guide you.
Sizes usually start with a letter and number. Typically A is the adult size depending on how you
shop, and then it follows with a number (typically 1-5). Prices range from about $50-$200, fit may be
loose or tight, and the feel may be soft or rough. Another consideration is color. Some colors may not
be allowed according to the IBJJF (a BJJ competition organization mentioned later in this book).
If you train with a gi on, you will either purchase or be supplied with a belt when you purchase
or are given your gi. It is important to know how to tie your belt for many reasons. First, you may feel
awkward not knowing how to tie your belt. Second, it will hold your gi top closed. Finally, it is also

used sometimes as a tool to hold onto or manipulate or set up positions in BJJ. No, you cannot tie
someone up or use the belt to submit someone, but it can be grabbed and pulled during many positions
that are intertwined with sweeps, holds, and submissions.
Belt rank and/or belt grading in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu may differ along some lines. Commonly the
belt color and rank scheme goes as follows: white, blue, purple, brown, and black. Black/Red (coral)
and Red Belts are nothing you have to be immediately concerned about; they are handed out many
years after you receive your black belt. Some schools offer other belts in between white and blue,
depending on their particular program's criteria or at the instructors discretion. Kids belt colors differ
and you will have to see exactly what your schools kids curriculum offers. According to one
governing body recommendation, the IBJJF, a blue belt cannot be given unless you are sixteen years of
age, you cannot receive a purple belt until you reach sixteen, a brown belt until eighteen, and a black
belt cannot be given until you reach the age of nineteen.
In between each color of belt levels are what are commonly called stripes. Stripes are usually
a piece of medical/sport tape your instructor will give out from time to time by wrapping it around the
width of your belt. You can get one or a few at a time depending on your skill level and your
instructors discretion, or the criteria of your specific program. Four stripes are typically needed before
you can advance to the next level belt level.
A common question I get is How many years does it take to get a black belt? First, there are
different ways to test for each belt depending on your program; formal testing is becoming more
commonplace as the sport continues to grow. A formal test may consist of a set of movements or drills
that you may need to memorize and perform to near perfection. A test may consist of sparring with
your fellow classmates or both sparring and demonstrating techniques. As you move through the ranks,
standards often rise.
Many say a white belt is a like a newborn to the sport. A white belt may be developing body

awareness, remembering names of positions, recognizing positions, finding balance within positions,
and developing survival skills.
A blue belt starts to get a more comfortable handle on the positions and should be able to do
better than the majority of white belts while sparring, provided they are of a similar weight range.
Technical ability should increase and overtake natural instincts. I truly believe a well-seasoned blue
belt should be able to handle a brand new beginner quite easily.
When you reach the purple belt stage, you should be at a point where you know and understand
the positions and techniques and have come to your own understandings to develop your own game.
You should be able to teach basic techniques efficiently to other students. A purple belt will typically
demonstrate a recognizable superiority to white belts and most newer blue belts.
A brown belt is the stage where you have developed your style to the point where you can
enforce it upon another of lower rank and effectively test a black belts level while sparring. Many will
not be able to differentiate between a brown belt and a black belt; their differences are usually more
mental than physical. A black belt will usually have more time and study in the sport than a brown belt.
I also believe from experience that typically a black belt will spar more smoothly than a brown belt.
As a black belt in BJJ, you can understand the finer principles of the sport; you should be able
to spar with anyone using technique as the focal point, and you are able to understand or at least adapt
to any style before you. Black belt is a goal for many, but when reached it is just the beginning of
understanding the deeper aspects of BJJ. A black belt typically will not change their whole stylethey
will likely become more efficient at their style and should be able to adapt and change when necessary.
A black belt should be able to independently examine their game and the game of another with a higher
level of understanding. A white belt may look at two black belts sparring and see two whole bodies
moving, while a black belt may see the details of individual hand or a foot placement or look deeper
into the strategy at hand. As a black belt, I feel I can look at less and see much more than I could have

at other belt levels and the deeper I look at the smaller details, the more I understand its correlation to
the bigger picture.
Each school or affiliations belt ranking test will vary to some degree. Some schools may also
want you to know street self-defense principles. Belts don't matter to some people but to many others
they do. Belts can be a form of currency for instructors and their programs. What I mean by this is that,
generally speaking, everyone wants to learn any type of martial art from a black belt and ultimately
would like to become a black belt himself. Having a higher belt will typically earn you more students.
Yet, it does not necessarily matter what belt you are when you are on the mateveryone is measured
by skill. So, to finally answer this age old question regarding how long it takes to get a black belt, as
best as I can, it will take you likely between six and twelve years depending on your affiliation and
your dedication level.
One more consideration that should be highlighted is competition. Some affiliations want their
students to compete and may rank students according to how well they do at certain competitions. I do
not believe this is essential, but it certainly can be a factor depending on your programs criteria.
There may be rituals or ceremonies at your BJJ program upon receiving your belt and moving
up in rank. Some affiliations may conduct a positive speech about the student and talk about why they
deserve to be at the rank they have been awarded. As crazy as this may sound, some schools have a
procedure where they will whip you with a belt as you go down a line of people in a group. This
resembles something known as a Gauntlet.
More and more academies are making curriculums rather than relying on an instructors
discretion and will have you perform a set of movements to test your efficiency and knowledge and
thereafter you may receive your belt in ceremonial fashion. I would not spend too much time
concerning yourself on what belt rank you are, just worry about learning and getting better at BJJ. But
again, do as you choosesometimes motivation such as a belt may give you incentive to become

better.
In No Gi, belts may or may not be awarded. Some No Gi programs may also offer a colored
rash guard ranking order which denotes their BJJ belt system. In terms of attire for No Gi, tight fitting
shorts and short or long sleeve shirts can be worn. More typically, a long or short sleeve rash guard will
be worn on top, similar to a surfing rash guard. For your bottom, you will likely wear grappling shorts,
which are similar to beach board shorts. Specific grappling shorts often allow for crotch room or
elasticity to move around and not rip your shorts. You cannot grab clothing in No Gi grappling, so
sleek fitting clothes work well. Some will also wear sweat pants or Gi pants while grappling in No Gi.
It seems some schools are trending to make you wear their own attire for uniformity.

Chapter 3 Hygiene - Skin Infections

In many close contact sports, hygiene is at the forefront. When hygiene is a concern, it can have
a staggering effect on you and your sparring mateshaving good hygiene keeps your training
uninterrupted. Many bacteria live on people, gear, and the mats, but skin infections are not a huge daily
concern if you and your teammates keep good hygiene and if your mats are swept and mopped
properly. Washing your hands is essential prior to training and after, sometimes during. Shower as
quickly as possible after training. I recommend using flip-flops in a community shower. If you cannot
shower right away, a useful prevention method is an after workout body wipe. Some companies
provides body wipes and soaps for people after they work out. We used the wipes at my gym, and they
seem to really help prior to taking a shower, especially for those who drive a long distance from home
to their academy. When you get home, wash your gi after every training session. Gis and gear can
contain bacteria that may linger and affect you.
I also highly recommend having brushed your teeth and having used mouthwash prior to
training. Obviously, appropriate use of deodorant can help as with other normal good hygiene
practices. This may be on or off topic, but farting purposely is not cool. Now obviously it may
happen when you least expect it. It has happened to me once or twice when I have gotten hit in the
stomach, but I usually act like nothing happened (Ha-ha, but seriously, not a cool thing to do to other
students if you can help it.).
You need to make sure your instructor or school owner understands that you want good hygiene
in your facility. Training partners need to be well-kept in order to prevent skin-to-skin or mat-or-gearto-skin infections. I am not writing this to scare you away from one of the most fulfilling martial arts on
Earth; I just want you to know that prevention is a great method for avoidance. If you ever feel you
may have an area of skin that may not look or feel right, do yourself and your sparring partners a

favor and ask your coach prior to training if something looks suspect, or don't train at all until it goes
away. If you feel something enlarging, painful or questionable use good judgment and see a doctor
right away.

Chapter 4 Academy Fees, Programs, and Schedules

Academy prices, the programs, and scheduling may affect where you want to train. Jiu-Jitsu
school prices typically range from $100-150 dollars per month. I did a survey at
www.facebook.com/iLoveBJJ in 2012, and this was the price range that was most common. The
second price range was under $100 and the third most common price range was over $150. Obviously,
price may depend on where you live and what the school offers. Many schools today offer multiple
pricing programs with multiple time slots. It is no surprise to see schools in some higher income areas
reaching close to $300 per month for multiple programs. Is it worth it? Worth will depend on what you
are looking for.
Jiu-Jitsu can be either recreational for you or a full-time commitment. If you are or plan on
being very dedicated, then you obviously want to take as many classes as possible. My school was a
one-stop shop currently; I offered seven days a week for $125 dollars. The area I taught in was nice and
well kept, and I consider myself a good instructor with good credentials, so the price is quite reasonable
to learn a skill set such as Jiu-Jitsu.
Some schools offer beginner programs at a cheaper rate. Some programs have you sign a
contract or an 'agreement. Make sure you read the agreement carefully. Some of these agreements say
they are for a certain amount of FREE time. Sometimes this is on the back end of the agreement. This
means if you sign up for a year the last month may be free or something to this effect. Some gyms
require a sign up fee and may give you a uniform in the package.
Some other factors you may consider are insurance and media material. Some students do not
like being seen on film or print media for professional purposes. Many schools today also use a third
party collection agency that will collect for your school if you cannot pay the bill. If this is the case, be
aware of it so you can make sure you have the necessary funds in your account.

Many schools offer multiple programs, like I mentioned. Schools are really starting to add more
structure in terms of separating classes to fit different students needs (beginner through advanced).
Some programs also offer other aspects of MMA that will be held at different time slots. Hopefully
your program is not too stressful or complicated. Karate and traditional martial arts models work and
are very successful, so this trend is really starting to carry over into the BJJ sphere.

Chapter 5 Rules of the Academy

Different academies have different rules (obviously). Let me just state that a lot is changing and
developing in the world of Jiu-Jitsu at a pleasantly alarming rate due to its popularity, effectiveness in
MMA, and its universal application and benefits for just about anyone. Each academy and instructor
may feel differently in how they implement their rules.
Some schools may also cater to traditional martial arts and this crowd is usually a little bit
stricter when it comes to local rules. A school that is mainly Jiu-Jitsu will likely have some similar
rules to mine. The rules I have implemented at my academy are as follows:
1.

Bow upon entering the mat and take off shoes.

2.

Be on time for class (try to arrive 10 minutes before class begins).

3.

The assigned instructor is in charge of the class regardless of age or rank.

4.

All changing of clothes will occur in the locker room (must have shirt on or gi top on mat area).

5.

Absolutely no cussing at any time.

6.

Treat all others, including yourself, with the respect that you would like to be given.

7.

Students must wear uniform (gi and belt).

8.

Keep all uniforms and gear clean.

9.

No Gi classes require shorts or gi pants and a tight fitting tee shirt or rash guard.

10. Proper personal hygiene is a must.

11. Remove and take care of all jewelry.
12. Keep finger nails and toe nails cut short at all times.
13. Open cuts must be covered at all times.
14. Line up against the wall according to belt rank as the class begins.
15. Give higher ranked belts preferred space during sparring.
16. Shake your opponent's hand before and after each sparring session.
17. Headgear is available to all students during sparring upon request.
18. Mouth guards are encouraged during sparring.
19. If you are sick, please stay home.
20. If you have any existing injuries notify your partner and the instructor prior to training.

21. NO:
a.

striking

b.

hair pulling

c.

eye gouging

d.

finger and toe locks (small joint manipulation)

e.

neck cranks

f.

heel hooks (unless partner agrees)

g.

knee locks (unless partner agrees)

h.

slamming of any kind, including from the guard or when caught in a submission.

In summary, follow your schools rules. If you break the rules, then the standard at your school
will fall, and eventually it will be a place of no respect. Not following the rules in many instances will
get you or someone else hurt. I have had to kick out a few people, but at first I was the nice guy and let
things slide for a bit. But then I warned, warned, and warned and people still broke the rules
sometimes. Don't be that guydon't be that guy who thinks he runs someone elses studio and believes
everyone should bow down to him, and he is never to blame. No one is more important than anyone
else, try to become a pleasure to be around.

Chapter 6 How to Learn BJJ Effectively

This chapter is definitely one of the most important regarding learning BJJ. I will start off with
the story regarding Tiger Woods that I like to tell. It was said at one point in his golf career, he decided
to make a change in his style of swing. He knew the new swing would make him better, but to learn
this particular swing he knew he may have to lose a bit in the process. When he grasped the new swing
fully he believed it would ultimately make him a better golfer for the long-term. For someone to take
that risk at such a high level tells me he is a perfectionist regarding golf technique, and he sees
technique as an integral part of his golf game.
Learning Jiu-Jitsu is like anything else in life: if you work hard and smart at it, then you will get
good at it. My understanding of how best to learn BJJ is very personal to me and may differ from
student to student in many respects. I am a very impassioned learner who is curious regarding the
how and why of everything that I do. Having said this I do believe there are some universal truths I
have come to as the result of my many years practice and teaching. Before I talk about how best to
learn, I will discuss studying BJJ with injuries, common backgrounds some of you may be coming in
with, and steps to learning, intertwined with stories or analogies demonstrating what I have witnessed
and what you might likely expect.
First and foremost, if you have an injury or medical condition I suggest you consult your doctor.
Jiu-Jitsu is termed the gentle art, but it can be very brutal on your body. Mostif not allof your body
parts are engaged during many instances of BJJ drilling and sparring. It is very naive to believe you can
start something new such as BJJ and expect to partake in sparring or even drilling with any type of
serious injury. I am not saying an injury will completely stop you, but just take the necessary
precautionary measures that your doctor advises you to take.
If you are injured but still want to learn BJJ, you can certainly go to class and take notes. The

only problem with this is that many want to train and do, and when they do they often aggravate their
injury. Know your limits. Be smart. It is better to be safe and train for the long haul by holding off until
your injury has fully healed.
Some of you may come in with certain advantageous attributes. Being a good athlete may help
you have an edge on the rest of the beginners and often even some of the experienced people in your
class. Obviously, athletic ability and functional strength will help you in many areas when it comes to
sports. Being athletic and in shape can make you less injury prone and potentially give you more
wind. Many also believe that having a strong grip can help you. I believe being in great shape,
athletic, and having a strong grip are beneficial, but let me tell you a brief story to show you the
potential downsides of not understanding how to balance your attributes.
I know a guy who came into BJJ with a high-level wrestling background and kicked everyone's
ass until he became a purple belt and actually had to teach BJJ. The sad part is he did not know what he
was doing most of the time because it was so fast and hard. So when he started teaching he really did
not know or understand the moves. He wasted so much time being so tough that he missed out on the
learning process and had to re-learn it all over again. This may not be the case for you, and you may be
able to hold back your strengths to learn technique or even balance it out better than I did because, yes,
that story is about me. Moral of the story is don't always choose to rely on your incoming strengths as
your staple; if you do it can impede the process of learning BJJ. Include what you have to start with,
but let your mind and technical prowess lead the way.
BJJ should obviously be viewed as new to you when you begin, so respect the fact that there is
a lot to it, otherwise everyone would be at the top instead of a few that are separated from the pack.
Most top-notch BJJ champions have a certain technical skill-set that allows them to achieve their
greatness on the mat. They just did not wake up one day and become black belts. A new white belt does
not just start tapping or dominating a legitimate black belt the first day of class. Jiu-Jitsu is one of the

hardest martial arts to become a black belt in. In BJJ you have to demonstrate your skill while sparring
on a daily basis. A lot of people make the mistake of going through the motions when they are learning
techniques, just thinking, When can we spar? This is not going to prove wise to you because learning
the techniques properly will allow you to spar more efficiently.
Having another martial arts background similar to BJJ such as wrestling or judo may also help.
Obviously, my background as a wrestler had strengths, but it also hindered me as you read above.
Assuming you do not make this mistake as I have, any discipline learned that has any physically
coordinated type of learning should help you become more at ease when it comes to learning BJJ
techniques. For example, I have one student who studied a striking style of Korean martial arts, and he
is very detailed and disciplined in his learning approach. His approach carries over well to BJJ.
Although he never studied any type of grappling prior, his study enabled him to grasp some concepts a
little easier than the norm. From my vantage point, in comparison to other beginners, his quality of
training was a bit ahead because of his prior study of body mechanics in his other martial art.
On the other end of the spectrum, some of you may not be strong, athletic, or have had any prior
martial arts experience. You may be frail, you may be fragile, you may even be disabled. Have no fear.
The one thing that, in my mind, is so great about BJJ is that it is for everybody and anyone can learn it.
I often find the smaller, weaker ones to be the more technical.
Similarly, if you are heavy and out of shape, you are still in the right sport. I have more than six
students who have lost over twenty pounds in less than six months; two of them were over three
hundred pounds and in their forties when they started. Trust me, if done safely and correctly, BJJ will
whip you into shape. You will likely start living a healthier life for the rest of your life. Remember,
Helio Gracie lived to the age of ninety-five and trained the same week he passed away.
When my students ask me about getting good, I try and relate it to their life. I said to one who
was an auto mechanic: If I started working as a mechanic and knew nothing about cars, it's nice to

want to be the best mechanic, but I'm not naive enough to think I can rebuild an engine my first week.
And then I asked him How would you advise I begin? And sure enough he said I would need to learn
the basics first.
In this, I find striking similarities between BJJ and learning a language. In learning a language I
would suggest starting off with the alphabet, and then vocabulary words, grammar, et cetera.
Eventually after much time you should be strong at the language you study if you are taught correctly.
It also helps if you have a native qualified teacher around you to help with the more intricate and
deeper parts of the language. And when you become immersed or go to that country where the
language is spoken, you will be more adept at speaking, one would naturally assume.
The same goes for BJJ, learning the basics (the ABCs), learning the simple movements, and
then learning the transitions and deeper complexities. What are worthwhile results? Whatever you
believe them to be. I believe results mean daily forward progress, and not falling into the same traps as
yesterday. A simple and short sentence speaks volumes within a certain context, as does a well
performed, simple, efficient movement done at the right time during a BJJ match or spar session.
Eventually, those ABCs will become poetry in motion.
Additionally, how you learn is equally as important as what you learn. If you go into your first
lesson not knowing much of anything, then do yourself a favor and try and find a partner who has
greater experience than you, someone who can guide you through the motions and movements. Your
instructor should help you with this. Ask questions if you need to, as the old saying goes: no question
is a stupid question, so do not be shy. My better students ask me the most questions and usually show
up the most. But don't just ask questions to ask questions either, there are other students paying to
learn, too.
On the other hand, if it is a beginners-only program try and set yourself up with someone about
your size or smaller and preferably with someone who seems to be calm and patient. BJJ may at times

be dangerous if you do not understand your body. Having a patient and egoless partner who is
concerned with safety is an important part of your settling in and learning process.
The likely scenario of a lesson or class will be this: you may have a ten to fifteen minute warm
up, then your teacher will likely show a move on a student about three to five times and then set you up
with a partner to practice the movement for five to fifteen minutes. Your partner is not supposed to be
resistant, nor are you when learning a move, especially a new move. My most frequent criticism of
students goes to those who do the movements too quickly or with too much strength. Another pet
peeve I have is when a beginner student starts to do other moves ahead of what I am teaching. If I am
showing an armlock, my student should be trying to perfect the armlock, not learning a leg-lock that is
wholly separate. I am not suggesting not expanding your transitions or options, but you need to know
the particular move I am showing well before you transition to the next move. How can you perfect a
technique if you have moved on from it in under a minute?
Listen, I truly believe anyone can learn BJJ at any level and with any body type. You should
also believe in this. Sometimes angles need to be shifted to get the movements correct, sometimes your
partner or instructor needs to actually place your body in the position where it should be. Take the time
necessary and don't get ahead of yourself.
Having said this, make sure again to focus on going rather slow. Make sure you perfect each
and every detail of every movement. I am not saying you go so slow that you never finish the move,
but make sure you do each movement at least a dozen times as slowly and as correctly as possible. If
you are fast and correct, that is also fine, but BJJ is very technical, usually more than meets the eye and
immediate senses, so I highly recommend learning each movement slowly and asking questions of your
partner and your teacher. I would ask the partner if the move feels right. Where do they feel the
movement? For example, if you do a choke, it should usually affect a certain area of the neck and not
simply just hurt your opponent or crank on their neck. I would also ask your professor if the move

looks right or even try it on them. Ask if there is anything that can be done to make it better. Why not?
You are there to get better and pay your hard-earned money to learn, so take full advantage of every
opportunity to put your best foot forward. As my old wrestling coach would say, you can do twice the
work tomorrow if you don't do it today, but you will never get today back.
Again, make sure to spend at least ten to fifteen minutes per movement. In fact, I would ask the
professor about their teaching style before you sign up so you are aware of what is in store. Obviously
spending more time doing it will make you better, as long as it is correct. Again (I continue to
emphasize this for a reason), make sure you ask questions of your professor or training partner, or ask
if they see or feel any flaws with your technique or the mechanics of the movement. It has taken me
years to understand the basics at a deeper level and to be frank, after close to fifteen years I still have a
lot to learn. If it was easy, everyone would be the best. BJJ is not easy, which is why it is so rewarding
to learn. And because our bodies and perceptions are so deeply personal and complex, we have to
respect the subtleties and precision of each movement. I often tell my students do it slow and correct
rather than fast and incorrect. You can make it faster once it's done correctly. BJJ is about timing and
inches. Smooth is fast.
This is an arguable point but a common scenario I see: I often see a beginner doing a new
movement from both sides on their opponent. I understand and get the importance of being
ambidextrous. The thing about this is that it is not always realistic that you will learn the move well
enough within a ten to fifteen minute time span to seriously understand the move enough on one side to
be able to do it correctly on both sides right away. Now of course, if you have extra time after class, go
ahead and do as you choose.
Let's take a look at another topic to consider for the few BJJ nerds (hopefully you) regarding
learning: note-taking. I suggest taking notes after each class. If you can stay after on a bench and write,
or if you can write them while in your car, do it. Even type it in on your phone's notepad. Any method

you use to internalize information is useful. If you take notes then try and write specific details of the
techniques you learned. Write about what you liked or did not like; write about what you feel you need
to focus on more. Study BJJ like you study anything in life you that want to get better at, and be
consistent and committed to the task. It's a lifestyle you are partaking in, not just a hobby, so live
richly, live deeply.
Beyond your academy, there are many other tools that can help supplement your learning
process. Some people look at YouTube, some learn from DVDs, phone applications, or even look at
both pictures and video at blogs. There are plenty of great teachers out there online teaching BJJ.
Personally, I feel there is no replacement for live instruction. Why? Because when you physically train
with another human being, you can ask for help in real time, feel the positions out, and have someone
help you adjust your body position when needed.
I'll close this chapter out with two stories. One of my student's named Zach came to me with no
athletic background, no idea about what BJJ was, and had horrible coordination. Coupled with the
physical training, Zach watches YouTube videos, reads books on BJJ, and studies DVDs. He takes it
seriously and he seems to have a very present mind when he is training. He never really seems to care
about the praise I give him but focuses more on what he needs to do to get better. He isn't a hardcore
competitor or anything of that sort, but he is very good and continues to get better because he comes to
class, takes things slowly, asks questions as needed, and when he learns something he usually does not
forget it. He makes it personalized for him and I notice he remembers moves better than some of the
others.
Further, I liken Zach to a copy machine (though any machine will do the trick). Paper goes into
the printer and then comes out with ink. There is little emotion involved. It's just a process. Zach has
little ego. He is just present each day and gets better moment by moment. I watch it happen every day.
Do not let moments go by where you are unaware of what you are doing. Stay in tune with what's

going on right in front of you or you may miss out on the process.
I am not suggesting that you cannot show the emotion of happiness for doing something good
or disappointment for doing something not so good. I am just letting you know that BJJ is like anything
else in life. Getting better at BJJ happens as a result of the quality and quantity of time spent learning
thinking about it while you are doing it, not just going through the motions and hoping it will click.
The second story concerns an athlete from another sport. A few years ago I remember listening
to a video clip from arguably the greatest American wrestler of the past 20 years, named John Smith
(six time world champion, two time Olympic gold medalist). He believes when you analyze matches or
a performance, a very important part of the development process has to do with understanding your
emotions and your thought-process during the time period spent sparring or competing. When he got to
a higher level of learning, he would think not just about his technical mistakes, but about what he was
thinking at given moments in his matches. Most people analyze their technique alone.
The next chapter focuses on learning from another angle: sparring. I hope you will take what I
said in this chapter very seriously. This book is not about specific techniques and movements, it was
written with a different goal in mind in terms of learning. I don't care what you know or how much
information you know. If you cannot perform it correctly and efficiently you will one day have to
backtrack and learn it all over again as many have before you. Do yourself a favor in becoming a solid
BJJ student, do your best to learn it right the first time.

Chapter 7 How to Spar

If you want to train when you are 80, start today. -Carley Gracie
This chapter may be as important as the chapter about learning. You want to be successful, and
being a truly successful always seems to come out during sparring more than anywhere else. I cannot
begin to count the number of times I have met someone, found them to be very cool, and right after we
shook hands they immediately tried to kill me while we sparred. Albeit, not always happy about it, I
am mentally prepared for these people because they are a dime a dozen.
In reality, sparring is not always about who is better or who is tougher. Sparring is a great way
to learn and get better at BJJ. Sparring is something many schools will offer from the start. However, as
mentioned previously, some schools may make you learn a certain set of skills before you spar. Also
mentioned earlier, developmental skills programs are slowly becoming the trend; you may in fact
choose a school that makes you take a beginner course before you engage in sparring. Sparring is
always at your instructor's discretion. I am all for waiting to gain the necessary skills in order to spar,
and I am also okay with being thrown into the fire from the get go; it comes down to what type of
learner you are and what type of program you enter into.
My approach, and the choice I was given, was to be thrown into the fire from the beginning.
What I mean by this is that I sparred with everyone, no matter what rank or level they were at. I
enjoyed this approach because I am competitive by nature, but I understand it is not for everyone and it
can be dangerous. Some may feel discouraged when getting tapped or beaten from the outset.
Discouragement from the outset can be detrimental to a student and they may quit. This is a common
mistake I made when I started teaching: I did not introduce BJJ to people properly, and I did not
explain it well enough to make them understand how difficult it was to just come in off the street and
be good at it. Like anything else, it takes time and effort to develop your skills. No matter which

approach you take or what approach is thrown upon you, do take sparring seriously because a lot of
learning can take place during sparring if you are not just using thoughtless energy.
I also advise you to try something called flow rolling. Flow rolling, as I use the term, is going
about 50-70% while actually sparring. When I flow roll I go very light, soft, and exchange a lot of
positions. I put myself, or allow my opponent to put me, in predicaments I may not usually be in. It is a
smooth way to train without putting your ego on the line in terms of who submits whom or who
dominates which positions. I personally recommend slow rolling to some degree and do it in some way
shape or form about 75% of the time I spar. I am not saying you should always let people beat you in
positions, but I look at BJJ as a lifelong commitment to learning the most efficient technique possible. I
also like BJJ to be fun, and when I go extra hard all the time it becomes work, and I have found when
we are stressed many injuries occur.
Make no mistake; I don't steer away from going hard out of laziness. A friend of mine put it to
me like this in terms of how the body gets beaten up by BJJ. He said, Why go 100% three days a week
when you can go 70% and train seven days a week? I do not have a choice but to train seven days per
week, so for me this works out just fine, and my 70% does not mean I don't go hard, it just means I
watch myself and make sure I am not going balls to the wall when it's not necessary. I just try and
make sure I know what I am doing at any given moment and not doing BJJ haphazardly. I don't care
about doing something with luck; I want to be able to do it again and again, properly.
One more time: sparring is a time to learn, not always to compete. Sometimes I have my
sparring partner in a position which I know is ultimately checkmate. When I find this happening, I
usually allow my partner to work out of it, and sometimes I even guide them so that they remember
what they did wrong. By doing this, I usually will find another scenario that I may not have seen had I
just ended the process there. Sometimes when you do this while going 100% you will lose in the short
term. But when you spar with the goal of increasing technical awareness, you will often learn more

long-term, and that is the focus: to get better technically and to be more efficient for when you do have
to go 100%. And I want your 100% to be technical and strong, though how you view strength is also
important. I am not here to tell you to never use strength, but use it wisely. Don't always
overcompensate for your lack of technique by using strength. It happens; just make it happen less
your body will be thankful. I go super hard if I need to, but when I find myself going that much harder
it is oftentimes because I lack the appropriate efficient technique. I'm only human, just as you are. But
the technical game is my main focus. I believe when strength and athletic ability are taken away, which
it will be if I do Jiu-Jitsu for life, then technical ability will likely stay longer. It all depends on how
you perceive the game and how you want to play the game.
Again, I am not suggesting that being strong or athletic is inherently negative in sparring or for
any aspect of BJJ. In fact, it can obviously be a huge advantage. I train with weights often, and I also
enjoy doing sprints. The main concern I have is that those who have strength or size often come to rely
on their strength and/or size. It is obviously easier to use tools you already have to work for your
advantage. When this occurs I notice that it is difficult to make the same people understand that
technique should also be a focus. If you can balance both, then have at it, but if you don't, there may
come someone who is stronger than you and has better technique. Anyone can get stronger, but to get
better technically happens in BJJ class and that takes a long time. (I understand being strong does not
happen over night either, but I hope you get my drift.) Basically, you are learning BJJ to learn BJJ;
many of the movements are not strength-based.
When it comes to applying technique, I categorize two sets of BJJ fighters: pattern fighters and
adaptive fighters. A fighter who has a pattern will usually learn techniques, use them well, and
transition with them well. Some BJJ fighters are great at this, but an adaptive fighter is one who may
not know the patterns but can adjust and adapt to the situation at hand. I like to believe that if I am not
coaching my students at a tournament, they will be able to function without having to rely on me. What

does it say if I am the one helping them win, or winning for them, in a sense? I understand it is always
great to have a coach for support and technical guidance. But I think being an independent, adaptive
BJJ fighter is of utmost importance and it is truly what leads you to understanding your game. Your
coach is just there to help you along but should not always hold your hand.
Lets look at it like birds. When a bird leaves its nest it has to spread its wings and fly on its
own; it will be hard for another bird to simply carry it. You want to fly on your own. When it is your
time to spread your wings, you should spread them your way. And when you are in mid-flight you may
need to adjust your speed, distance, and height. If you are hurt or have a broken wing, you may have to
adjust your path to survive. If your game is intelligent and you are a calm fighter, you will find the right
movement. If your positions are not working and you run out of movements, you have to use what you
do know to create something useful to advance your game.
You can also take a look at Russian wrestler Buvasaer Saitiev. He is a not a big, quick, or
particularly strong athlete. He is a just an exceptionally technical athlete. I have watched short clips of
his training methods and he seems to focus on the technical aspect at a very soft and intellectual pace.
He has competed in four Olympics and is a nine time World Champion (including three Olympic gold
medals). I think this says something for his longevity and the type of athlete he is. He is a cerebral
wrestler. He uses his mind and understanding of his technique to adapt and win. He is certainly tough
in many ways, but what makes him so special is his wrestling skill coupled with his adaptive
tendencies. He is present in his matches; when something difficult or complex happens against him, he
reacts quickly and creates countering methods on the spot that turn into his offense.
A final note. When you tap someone during sparring, do not brag about the tap or tell your
friends who you tapped. Often, this person wasnt going 150% against you anyway because sparring in
the gym is not a competition, so bragging that you beat a guy who was going easy on you makes you
look foolish and puts you in line to get a rude awakening later on. And dont keep score every time you

roll, people will get annoyed at this type of behaviorjust have fun. Having fun and earning your
training partners trust and respect is key.

Chapter 8 Private Lessons

Private lessons are a great way to get ahead in the art of BJJ. Private lessons typically range
from approximately $50 to $200 an hour. The price range will usually depend on who the instructor is
or what the going rate is within the area at his or her belt level. In some cases it may be random. You
have to understand that BJJ teachers usually spend a lot of time and money to become what they are, so
you are paying for their skills and their strategies.
I spent a lot of time and money on private lessons as I progressed through the ranks. I have
taken lessons with many different people on both coasts and even in other countries. I suggest you have
a game plan or a strategy for what you seek. Typically, the more experience you have, the more
specific your questions will be. I would often take notes during, before, and after my lessons. Just like
most subjects you seek to get better at, you need to ask questions about what you do not understand and
diligently review.
Three people in particular I spent a lot of time with were: Roy Rutter, Michel Porfirio, and
Robson Moura. None were part of my main instructors affiliation, yet he was okay with me spending
time with other teachers. Make sure you ask your instructor if it is okay. It should not be a problem, but
some are picky and take it personally, so it is always a nice gesture to communicate your intentions.
Roy Rutter introduced me to BJJ. He was a very close study under the Gracie Academy and had
a lot of instruction from both Royce and Rorion Gracie. This was back in the late 90s to early 2000s, so
BJJ was less widespread than it is today. Roy kept asking me if I would do BJJ with him because he
knew I was a wrestler. At the time I was working at his small bar as a bouncer.
Roy had a background in traditional martial arts and had studied a formal style of Karate in
Japan for many years, so he was very disciplined and thorough in his approach. Roy taught me for free
at a local high school where I taught wrestling. We would meet once or twice a week. He needed a

workout partner and wanted to teach me so I could train with him. Roy had a very soft and detailed
approach. I had no idea exactly what Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was all about, so I did whatever he told me.
Roy would spend about one hour on one or two moves, and we would spar for approximately
ten minutes at the end of each lesson. I only knew the way that Roy showed me, and he made sure I did
every move correctly. I remember doing a choke from the mount position, and he literally spent a half
hour with me on just this one movement so I had it perfect.
We would also spar and do what I termed above as flow rolling. We would train very soft and
light and technically. If he ever caught me with a submission, he would end the session by teaching me
the defense or telling me what I did wrong. I was not aware of other ways to do movements beyond the
way he taught me; YouTube did not exist and there were no local teachers within a 20-25 mile radius.
In retrospect, Roy's mentorship was one of the best experiences I had ever gone through. Roy
helped me to understand Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as an art and as a form of self-defense. Roy taught me the
subtleties of techniques and how to roll properly and not injure myself. He taught me the importance of
slowing down and looking at the finer details. He essentially taught me how to learn. Now, I also gave
the story about my having a hard time up until the purple belt stage when I taught, so I must confess
Roy's teachings did not affect me right awayI was too stupid to appreciate him. But today, years
later, I understand and look to his approach as the standard. I go back to his teachings often. Don't
make the mistakes I made; that is one of the reasons I wrote this.
Michel Porfirio, also known as Buiu, was someone I encountered through a friend about five
years later. He came from the Carlson Gracie lineage and was a third degree black belt at the time. I
sparred with Buiu at the school where he was helping teach. I was a bit heavier and stronger than him
and would often use it to my advantage. Although I felt I sparred fine with Buiu, I noticed he always
had a different answer when I tried to do the same movements more than once on him. I started to
realize more and more, asking question after question, that Buiu knew a lot more about BJJ than I could

have dreamed at that time period in my life. He seemed to have five answers to every question I asked.
Every new situation or move I presented to him, he knew another detail I did not.
For this reason I chose to take two to three private lessons from Buiu per week. He was new to
the states and was only asking for $25 per session. I told him I could not pay any less than $50 per
lesson. I felt this was a very good deal, and I would not pay any less than this out of respect for his rank
(he was a third degree black belt). In retrospect, I would have certainly paid more if he had asked.
Buiu was very patient with my style. I was in need of someone of his mind-set. I was always
trying to be technical but often found myself using strength and got away with it on most people. Buiu
taught me a lot of movements; he had a plethora of answers to any question I had. What he taught me
most, similar to my experience with Roy Rutter, was how to teach myself. Sometimes when I would
ask questions, he would ask me what I thought, imposing what I would call a Socratic method of
teaching.
With Buiu, I learned to set myself apart, study other people's games, break them down, come up
with a game plan, and get better. Without his help I am not sure if I would ever have learned to be
where I was today. To this day he is my friend and a mentor who I look up to in the art of BJJ.
During my brown belt period, I was living close to a man by the name of Robson Moura.
Robson is a world-renowned BJJ practitioner who has won eight world championships at the lighter
weight divisions and is considered one of the best competitors in BJJ history.
Robson had a small program in Newark, Delaware, and I had known that he was teaching there
for a while. I never stopped in because it was a rather far trip from where I lived at the time, and I
figured he had a lot of guys to train with. I was surprised to learn that there was not much interest in
him at the time in the small state of Delaware, largely because BJJ was not as popular as it is today
during that time period.

In any event, I spent a lot of time with Robson. I saw him about twice per week for about one
year. Robson was a nice guy and he had a wealth of knowledge. Whenever I asked a question Robson,
would fire off answer quite rapidly, so I had to understand and control the amount of information I was
learning. I would sit at my cubicle in my office each day and think of all the questions I had for him. I
would often watch videos of potential opponents and try and picture myself in those positions for
which I had no answer.
Eventually I slowed Robson down to a few moves per lesson, and after we sparred I would ask
him about our session and if he could offer me any tips. Robson helped me more with the what rather
than the how. He would show me movements I had never seen or thought of. Robson exposed to me
a lot of his game, including how and why he used certain techniquesI am very grateful for his trust in
allowing me to use what he gave me. I felt this was very egoless and humble of him. He wasn't just
looking to try and beat me; he was trying to make me a better training partner for both of our sakes.

Chapter 9 Tournaments & Competition

Albeit not a necessity, a small amount of you will compete at one time or another. Tournaments,
or any form of competition, should be a benefit to your BJJ game because you will often see flaws in
your game you may not normally see in a low-pressure sparring session. And competition will also
give you a chance to test your game against other people you may not normally get a chance to train
with. If you desire to challenge yourself outside of your gym, there are many events that are available
for you. The prices of many of these events are a bit steep depending on whom you ask. I believe the
prices range from about $50 to $200 depending on what event and how many divisions you compete in
(many allow for you to compete in more than one category be sure to read up on the registration
form).
In most tournaments you will be grouped with your belt class, and your weight class will likely
range within about 8-17 pounds; more disparity usually occurs at the heavier weight classes. Age
categories will also vary from tournament promotion to tournament promotion. As a white belt, the
time frame for many tournaments will be between about four to six minutes and will likely go up to
approximately ten minutes for the higher belts such as black, advanced or expert (typically No Gi).
Some tournaments like US Grappling will occasionally do submission-only events. This means the
tournament will have no time limit and will end only by submission.
For No Gi you will usually start out at a novice or beginner division and end up in your later
years at the advanced or expert division. Determining which division may be a bit tricky; grappling
experience such as Judo or wrestling may count for years trained grappling. Belt rank with the Gi may
also count as time spent on the mat. And some tournaments will have you compete No Gi according to
your belt rank, especially if the promotion follows IBJJF rules. It will likely be discretionary from
tournament promotion to tournament promotion so I recommend reading the rules for each promotion

carefully.
The absolute division or open class is usually run by division or belt rank. In some
tournaments all are welcome to compete. In any case, assuming it is run by belt or division, you will
have to face anyone who enters in any weight category within your belt rank or division. This means
someone who weighs 125 pounds may face someone who weighs 275 pounds. In some events, cash
prizes are awarded. Like I said: read the rules carefully. And if you do not understand something, ask
your instructor to help interpret it for you.
Of note is a term you may hear called sandbagging. Sandbagging is a common term used to
describe when someone is held back in rank or someone is fraudulent regarding the division they have
signed up for. Some and many promotions do not do background checks on each competitor so it is
easy to be dishonest and falsify your years of experience in order to compete in a class with people who
have less experience than you. For the most part sandbagging is rare, but it does occasionally happen.
Do not get all caught up in the commotion of sandbagging as others may. What I mean by this
is you can only control you and what you do and how you are. If you have integrity, as most do in our
sport, everything should work out fine in terms of what division you enter. Some people progress at a
faster pace, some schools take longer to promote. You may face a white belt with less skill than
yourself, and you may potentially face a white belt that has more skill. It is impossible for event
promotions to police and makes no sense getting hot and bothered about it.
Tournaments promotions are popping up all over the world and quickly growing. Some
common tournament promotions within the United States are the Grappler's Quest (GQ), NAGA
(North American Grappling Championship), US Grappling, and IBJJF events.
Grappler's Quest is usually a large, well-run event that often gives away cash prizes for
advanced belt levels and No Gi divisions. It is well respected and has been around for many years.
Winning this event is no easy task; often the best within the region will show up for this event. World

champions have entered and lost, as have many UFC fighters. For beginners, the divisions are for the
most part as appropriate as can be. Grappler's Quest also gives heavily to an Autism foundation that I
also support. They are doing great things for the sport and are going places for sure.
NAGA is often similar to Grapplers Quest in appearance but has a slightly different set of rules.
Winning either of these events at any level is quite prestigious. Personally, I suggest planning to make
a day out of each event. Weigh-ins typically run the day of or the night before, so make sure you do
your due diligence prior to entering.
US Grappling holds events that are smaller than Grappler's Quest and NAGA but are steadily
growing. They cater to a smaller crowd (not for long it looks like) and give you a more personal feel.
These events should not run as long as many other tournaments, at the moment, due to their size
disparity. These events offer very experienced referees and great customer care.
One major difference at US Grappling Events is that once in a while they hold submission only
events. This means exactly what it says: you win by submitting your opponent. The match will go on as
long as it needs to before a submission occurs.
IBJJF is a very prestigious promotion. This promotion holds perhaps the two most noteworthy
events with the Gi. One event that is likely the most prestigious of all is called the Mundials, a
Portuguese term that means worlds. Any weight division or belt level will be filled with worldwide
competitors. The events that the IBJJF holds are usually very strict. You weigh in right before your
match and your weight and gi are inspected. Your gi and patch work has to fit according to their
specifications, and your weight has to be beneath the limit or else you are disqualified without
hesitation. The IBJJF usually holds the Mundial event in June and the Pan Ams in March or April.
Many great practitioners do the Pan Ams, yet the Mundials seems to bring the best of the best in the
world. I recommend viewing the IBJJF rulebook at www.ibjjf.com.
Another event of equal mention and of rising popularity is the ADCC, often termed the Abu

Dhabis. This organization holds a very prestigious No Gi event every two years for a high cash prize
in various parts of the world. The best of the best are either invited or try out during a trials period. Abu
Dhabi is also engineering Gi events that offer large cash prizes.
I guesstimate I have had close to 400 combined wrestling and or grappling matches. I have won
the Pan Ams, NAGA, and the International Masters Worlds, among many other regional events. I will
now tell you some tips that have worked for me that may also work for you.
First and foremost, I suggest you train regularly for about two months before the particular
tournament that you seek to enter. You can always jump in and be successful, but I have found that I
have had much more success when I am adequately prepared. If you seek to be at the top of the top in
this sport, you will have to train almost full-time according to Roger Gracie (who currently has the
record for most black belt world titles). The competitions and numbers are definitely growing, so it's
only a matter of time before the competition gets even stiffer.
I also recommend a healthy diet if you seek to compete. I will not get into the finer details of
what I think is the best way to lose weight or if weight loss is necessary, but often people will cut more
weight than they can handle prior to a tournament and it may affect them. Discipline is crucial when it
comes to dieting and making a proper training regimen.
Another suggestion is to make sure you warm up prior to your matches. I think warming up is
much better than going into a match totally cold. I know a world-class wrestler who would often have a
warm up match with a teammate about thirty minutes prior to competition so that he could feel warm
before he even stepped on the competition mat. How you warm up is solely up to you.
Most of these tournaments have your specific weight class and division on one mat. Then more
than likely you will enter what is called a bracket and you will work your way through your opponents
continuously until your division is done and a winner is declared. If I win my first match I usually like
to watch the next person I will be facing if they have a match after me (or even before me). I like to

scope out what they do well and what they don't do so well so I can make good decisions when I go
against them. Some people do not like to do this because it may make them nervous. This suggestion,
again, is solely up to you.
When you become a more seasoned competitor, you may also begin to study potential
opponents on YouTube and other various video outlets. I like to break people's games down online and
find common denominators in their matches and see what they are good and bad at. I find this to be one
of the better ways to get better: to study as intensely as you would any other subject.
A final note, if you win, be humble, and if you lose, be gracious. Do not be that guy cursing at
the referee; never lower yourself to this. There will be calls you may not like, but a competition is
something you chose to enter and the risks of losing and human imperfection are inherently there. I am
not saying do not ever contest a calljust have decency when doing so. Also be prepared, be on
weight, arrive in shape. BJJ is a contact sport and it can be very dangerous, especially if you are ill
prepared or come in with an injury.

Chapter 10 Staying The Course

A black belt is a white belt who never gave up.
BJJ is not just a sport or hobbyit is much more than that. My eating habits and lifestyle have
changed because of it. It is hard to eat badly and train effectively, for me. I can get away with it at
times, but I feel much better keeping my system feeling fresh and clean. I never really sought to change
my diet, but naturally I have changed my approach to eating and living. BJJ has expanded my mind,
and it is much of what I think about during my days and nights. This is often the case for people that
partake in BJJ. I am not saying it needs to be your life or you need to devote something extra to it, but
because it is such a different and challenging art, most people who have the energy and enthusiasm to
keep attending class and to compete tend to really internalize it.
Further, BJJ can help you lose weight, add years to your life, make you look and feel better.
Some people do it as a stress relief, a mental challenge, or even as an empowering vice to help them
figure things out in other areas of their life.
No matter what, stick with it, and if you can't physically do it, then experience BJJ from a
mental point of view. This view is getting better at something by taking the time to mindfully
understand and humbly embrace all the challenging endeavors ahead of you. I truly have found that
getting better at BJJ will affect every other area of your life positively.

Chapter 11 Follow Up
Most of what I wrote is based on experience and some is theory. Any questions that you have
for me I want you to ask away. I will do my best to respond within one week, depending on your
question. You can contact me at kenprimo@yahoo.com. You can be add me at
www.facebook.com/kenprimo, www.Instagram.com/kenprimo. I also am the owner of
http://www.bjjimmersion.com and a well-known Facebook fan page at facebook.com/ilovebjj. Be sure
to check out our other books focused on techniques.

Sponsors & Friends:

Current sponsors or organizations that I personally support are Storm Kimonos, Submission
Fight Company, Da Firma Kimonos, The Grapplers Guide, BJJ Weekly, Balance Studios, Caio Terra
Association and any other organization I forget to mention who supports BJJ.

Extra
Below you have a link to try a great system getting in great BJJ shape exclusively because you
have this ebook. The BJJ Abs & Nutrition System has helped over 150 grapplers get in tip top shape
specifically for grappling. This link below will allow you to try the course for 4.95 for 14 days and
after that you can continue to pay the remainder or cancel at anytime.

Click http://www.bjjimmersion.com/bjj-abssale/ so you never Gas Out again!