The omoplata is a fundamental jiu-jitsu submission that looks flashy, but will become relatively simple with time and practice. While the mechanics of this submission lead some BJJ athletes to claim that the omoplata is low-percentage, elite athletes like Clark Gracie have proven that it can actually be an effective technique at even the highest
Boosting T levels is a topic that arises for most athletes due to the incredible host of benefits that come with higher testosterone levels. This is especially so for men over 30 who may start to notice the effects of declining T levels. For those who practice BJJ, a sport that requires a lot of
The ‘arm-triangle choke’ is a core submission of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that is simple to learn but is also incredibly effective and powerful. This technique is taught to white belts early on in their training but can take a long time to grasp all setups and variations fully. However, this choke carries a high submission
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the journey from white to black belt is a long one, typically taking at least a decade to achieve. Belt color isn’t just a symbol of your progress in BJJ, though — it’s also an indicator of the expectations and responsibilities that jiu-jitsu students take on after they get promoted. As much
The gi is synonymous with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), among other martial arts. Most commonly seen in white or blue, the uniform is one of the first things you will receive upon joining a dojo. To receive your gi and belt is a form of initiation and is regarded with great respect and honor. Purists and
The triangle choke is one of the most common and effective fundamental submissions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA. Many students learn it within the first few weeks of starting BJJ, and both beginners and elite athletes alike often use the triangle to submit their opponents from a variety of positions. Whether you’ve never seen a
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most effective grappling martial arts and one of MMA’s most successful styles. In fact, the UFC wouldn’t be what it is today without the contributions of Hall of Famer Royce Gracie, one of the most influential figures in MMA history. BJJ is a grappling system based on takedowns, submissions,
Once a controversial submission subset in jiu-jitsu, leg locks are now becoming part of the norm in the grappling world. Though leg locks have been a part of BJJ and submission grappling for ages now, they’ve been popularized in recent years by the success of athletes like Eddie Cummings, Lachlan Giles, Garry Tonon, and Gordon
The armbar is one of the most ancient and powerful submissions known to man. Dating back thousands of years, this arm lock variation is one of the most used in the UFC and has a high submission success rate. Also known as a cross arm lock in Judo, or Ude Hishigi Gatame in Japanese, it
Having a developed guard is crucial for a well-rounded skill set in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. A good guard game is beneficial for both defense and offense, and practiced guard players can simultaneously work on defending themselves while moving toward transitions and submissions that can help them defeat their opponents. The problem, of course, is that many
The rear-naked choke (RNC) is one of the most dominant techniques in submission grappling. A fundamental of BJJ, it is widely considered to be one of the most effective chokeholds ever. Its increasing fame is mainly due to it being the single most common submission used in the UFC, finishing twice as many opponents as
Trying to lose weight is a struggle that many people are familiar with. In fact, 49 percent of adults surveyed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 2013 and 2016 had tried to lose weight in the previous twelve months, whether for health, appearance, competition, or other purposes. While there are many
The martial arts belting system can be traced back to Kano Jigoro, the founder of Judo. The belts, or obi as they were known in Japan, were much thicker back then, and only consisted of two colors: black and white. It was his student, Mitsuyo (later Otavio) Maeda, that traveled to Brazil in 1914 and
Although rarely spoken about, most fighters, including those at an elite level, encounter pre-fight nerves. The biggest difference between an amateur and a professional (besides experience, of course) is how they deal with it. Feelings of self-doubt, fear, anxiety, and nervousness are completely normal, especially high-pressure situations, such as competitive sports. They exist as a
“A house built on a shaky foundation will eventually collapse.” – Toni Payne. Every martial art has a primary stance that each student must master before any real progression can begin. Having the right stance can improve power, speed and defense. Ignoring its importance can mean slow defense and movement as well as making you
The suplex is one of the most exciting but dangerous moves in wrestling. It is an offensive move, allowed in both amateur and professional circuits. It involves flipping an opponent over the head, and onto their back. They can be performed from all angles, but the most common are either a ‘front facelock’ or ‘belly