Best DVDs or VHS for beginning Grappleing/BJJ

[verzejd]

I am relatively new to grappling/BJJ--say half a year--nothing formal, but roll with people about 2-3 times a month. I want to improve...what DVDs or videos are worth it out there? I have trouble passing the guard & launching anything from that position. Not sure what to but basic pass (shelf opponents leg---stack his hips & go to side control)... Want to get DVD/video/book that can help with just basic---low intermediate level stuff. Thanks for any help.

V

[sub wrestler]

I am relatively new to grappling/BJJ--say half a year--nothing formal, but roll with people about 2-3 times a month. I want to improve...what DVDs or videos are worth it out there? I have trouble passing the guard & launching anything from that position. Not sure what to but basic pass (shelf opponents leg---stack his hips & go to side control)... Want to get DVD/video/book that can help with just basic---low intermediate level stuff. Thanks for any help.

V

There are a ton of useful resources on the market to help you in your goals. For beginners, I recommend videos over books. I think it really helps to see the techniques done and to hear them explained at the same time.

I've seen so many instructionals...I think they are one of the greatest training tools there is. Well worth the money.

I would start with Matt Thornton's Functional JKD series 1 and series 2. These are hands down, the greatest instructionals I've seen. He teaches from a BJJ/Wrestling perspective. He not only shows technique, but teaches principles which will help you more than the actual technique. www.straightblastgym.com

For a variety of submissions, the next set of tapes I would get is Bas Rutten's Extreme Pancrase video series from Panther videos. He holds nothing back when it comes to submissions and entries into submissions...and he shows a ton of them.

Please ask any questions you may have......I'm leaving out a ton of good videos, but I think these two video instructors will help you the most.

[verzejd]

Sub Wrestler,
Thanks for the advice. I just checked out the SBG site...which has 2 different Functinal JKD tapes series; Matt Thornton's Functional JKD Series Two (tape #1-The Ground/Top game & tape #2-The Ground/Guard game)
& Matt Thorton - Functional JKD (tape #1-Aliveness & tape #2-The Clinch). I'm thinking you are recommending Series 2. Just let me know. Thanks alot for your help.

Eric

[sub wrestler]

Yes, I was referring to his series two tapes. I haven't seen his first series set. However, I have heard many great things about it. Matt's second series is a stand alone tape set....meaning you don't have to have the first to understand the second. I will say that I wish I had Matt's clinch tape from series one.

The guard tape, escapes tape, and the top game tape from series two are worth the price of the entire set. The top game tape is probably one of the greatest instructionals ever produced. Matt breaks down how to hold some in side control, turtle position, etc and then shows some very high percentage submissions from there. Great stuff.

Check e-bay for the Bas Rutten tapes....theres a guy on there that sells the entire series unopened for 150.00.....which is a steal. It's not always listed, so check back.

Another great set you might want to check out is The Practical Grappler. www.thepracticalgrappler.com (at least thats what the web address used to be). It's a submission wrestling syllabus. It sells for about a hundred bucks. It covers everything on the ground..guard passes, submissions, position protection and positional control.

Roy Harris has some really good tapes...bjj 101, takedowns from knees, and two of the best arm lock tapes made. He is a phenominal video instructor.

Before I go overboard with tape choices, I highly recommend you get Matt's second series first. Watch it with your training partners and utilize the drills shown, and hard wrestle as much as you can. You can then purchase additional tapes as you wish....they are addicting though as my tape library has definetly grown over the last few years.

If you have any additional questions please ask....technique questions, training suggestions, conditioning, etc....I will be glad to help. I will always pay back to others what people took the time to help me with when I first started.

[jules]

Mario Sperry tapes take the cake.

[jubaji]

Are tapes really the way to go for learning grappling? I dunno...

[jules]

Are tapes really the way to go for learning grappling? I dunno...

I agree but i guess there aren't any BJJ schools where he lives.