Continue reading »]]> I was in the market for a pair of grappling shorts for no gi jiu-jitsu, and I heard that Sprawl makes some great shorts. I have also seen them used in plenty of UFC fights. I decided to go with the Sprawl Fusion Fight Shorts in the White/Black/Gray color. These shorts also come in a variety of other colors (see all the colors for Sprawl Fusion Shorts). Note that this is review written from a BJJ perspective, as I only use these fight shorts for grappling as I don’t do any stand-up MMA (yet).

Upon initial inspection, I noticed that these shorts weighed more than other fight shorts I have used. At first this was a concern, because I equated heavy with cumbersome and easy to slip off or shift. However, once I put them on they felt lighter than any pair of MMA shorts I have ever put on. This is because the weight is all around the waist, as part of the rubberized channel-lock system and elastic material that keeps the shorts from slipping off during grappling. Since all the weight was on the waist and secured tightly to your body, and the rest of the shorts was made from very lightweight material, they felt like the lightest and most comfortable MMA shorts I have ever worn! Part of the reason they stay very light during sparring is because they wick away all the moisture instead of absorbing it.

So they look and feel great, but how do they perform? To be honest, I haven’t paid too much attention to how they perform because when I am on the ground I am focused on my Jiu Jitsu game. However, I can say after using them in 15+ no gi sparring sessions, these shorts have not slipped off once. They haven’t even come close. They have also never shifted to the point of limiting my movement. Truth is, I never even noticed they are there. I almost feel kinda naked, especially when compared to wearing gi pants. Also, they have never got in my way and they have never given my opponent anything to grab onto (not that you are supposed to in no gi). One feature that helps make the Sprawl Fusion shorts flexible is the spandex material that lines the inseam and lower crotch area (see pic below), allowing the shorts to stretch where needed most.

As for durability: again, after 15 uses, not a sign of wear and tear and no loose threads. I must say that I am very impressed with the high quality of the construction.

Review Summary:

Features:

• Slitted leg to allow room for mobility when rolling and kicking
• Rubber grip system around the inner waist to prevent shorts from slipping
• T-shaped velcro enclosure on waist and down fly
• Spandex on inner inseam and crotch for increased flexibility
• Tie-string on inner waistband for additional securing
• Inner pocket for holding a mouth guard, ID, MP3 Player, etc.

Pros:

• Stays on due to channel lock technology
• Very lightweight – feels like you are wearing nothing!
• Does not hold onto moisture
• Very high quality all around – waistband, material, embroidery, etc.
• Very clean look (as opposed to the “in your face” design of some other MMA shorts)
• Great set of features for the price

High quality embroidery and stitching

Front of the waistband with the Sprawl logo embroidered

Shot of the inner waistband with the Channel Lock rubber grip, inside pocket, and drawstring.

'T' shaped velcro enclosure runs along the waistband and down the front (where you usually have a zipper)

Slotted out seam allows for more mobility both with grappling and kicking

Stretch material (like Spandex) inseam that allows for greater mobility. The high contrast of this image is so that you can see the stretch material as it is very close in color to the rest of the shorts. No excuses for the blurriness - sorry!

Continue reading »]]> I was in the market for a budget jiu jitsu gi so I decided to give the Bad Boy Standard Single Weave gi a try. At a price point of $120 it is considerably cheaper than some of the other gis I have. Naturally I was worried how much quality would suffer but I had to know if you really get what you pay for with bjj gis. I decided to get the Bad Boy gi in Blue size A3.

Upon first inspection and trying it on, I was quite impressed with this Bad Boy gi. The single weave on this gi was noticeably thicker than any other single weave I have seen (and I have seen quite a bit rolling with a variety of people at my academy). Single weaves tend to be much thinner and less durable than other weaves, generally speaking (see my article that explains the difference between gi weaves). However, the weave on the Bad Boy single felt thicker and harder to grab – a pleasant surprise.

Another thing I liked about this gi was the relatively low-profile and clean design. The shoulder patches added a nice touch, while the lack of the chest patch keeps the front of the gi jacket looking very clean and leaves room for your own patches. I also love the “eyes” Bad Boy logo that is on the front of the gi pants (on the bottom), instead of the typical woven patches down the side of the gi pant leg. This added a touch of uniqueness and the embroidery quality was impressive, given the low price point.

My impression stayed well with my first roll too. The gi felt comfortable and others complimented on the looks and they were surprised when I told them it was only $120. I wish the collar was more firm but I was not surprised as it is made of 100% cotton as opposed to the rubber / EVA foam used in the more premium gis.

The only thing I didn’t like became apparent after my first wash. To put is bluntly, this gi will shrink dramatically. I washed it in cold water and hung dry it. With that, I lost about 3 inches off the sleeves…and we all know how crucial the sleeve length is on a BJJ gi. The length of the jacket also decreased but I was okay with that. So this gi went from a perfect fit to less-than-perfect-but-still-wearable. I was really bummed, but it was my fault because I did not do my research beforehand. Had I known, I would have ordered a size up, then shrunk it in a controlled way until it hit my ideal size (stay tuned for an article on exactly how to do that).

Another thing that I noticed that makes this different than a Pearl Weave (or other hybrid weaves) is the softness and looseness of the weave. I don’t mind the softer feel, but after many washes you can see the weave fraying a little bit. I imagine that if I put this thing into the dryer, the lint trap would be quite full of blue fuzziness. This is a stark comparison to a Pearl weave gi, which (for the most part, depending on brand) has a much tighter weave that stays looking new much longer, apart from the color fade. Which brings me to another point – the color on this gi was very rich and stayed longer than most of my other bjj gis. So the fraying of the weave has made it look a little fuzzier, but it hasn’t becomes less functional…yet.

All things considered I am still happy with my purchase of the Bad Boy Single Weave gi. I just wish that I had ordered a size up…it may have quite possibly been perfect.

Summary

Specs:

• Weave: Single Weave
• Includes: jacket, pants, belt
• Lapel: 100% Cotton wrapped in canvas
• Pants: Canvas
• Drawstring: Canvas (flat, not like a round rope)
• Patches: shoulder, jacket bottom, right pant leg bottom/front
• Shrink-to-fit

Pros:

• Thick weave, especially for a single weave gi
• The blue color looks great, and the color stays longer than other gis
• Great price point
• Very comfortable with fit and softness of the fabric
• Comes with a white belt

Cons

• Shrinks more than expected, even with cold wash and hang dry. If you have a perfect fit right out of the box, then return for a larger size!
• The fabric weave is looser than others…so expect some fraying. It won’t effect how functional the gi is, just will make it look fuzzy.
• Collar is not as firm as most competition gis

Recommended: Yes! The pros outweigh the cons, especially considering the price point. Higher price points will get you a better weave, which eliminates both of the cons. Overall, this is a great gi for everyday jiu jitsu training.

Gallery

Gi jacket and shoulder patch

Single Weave and Collar Detail

Embroidered Logo on Gi Pant

Patch at the bottom of the jacket

Continue reading »]]> I have seen about a dozen different ways that people tie their BJJ belts – some awesome and some just flat out ridiculous. I developed my own method a while back by trying (and failing) to do what my instructor showed me. The end result was my own unique style of tying a BJJ belt, which has worked for me thus far.

I was curious about the official way to tie a BJJ belt, and how close I was, so I did some research. Rather than trying to re-invent the wheel with my own video, this one says it all. Plus, there is no way that I can one-up Rener Gracie – that guy is so fricken entertaining to listen to regardless of what he is talking about. Enjoy!

Continue reading »]]>

I think wearing a mouthguard in BJJ is very important. Even though there is no punching/kicking/striking of any sort in BJJ, it is very possible to get accidentally struck in the mouth by a passing knee, arm or leg. I have personally been knee’d, slapped, punched, and kicked in the face on accident, and I have been able to shake it off without thinking about it – probably thanks to my mouth guard.

There are two mouth guards I have tried: the Shock Doctor Gel Max and the Shock Doctor Gel Nano. Let’s start with what is similar about them. First, the fit is great. This is thanks to the custom fitting process. Both of these mouth guards are made with a gel substance that you soften by boiling. Long story short, once softened you bite into it to get a snug and custom fit, then let it harden. The entire process is very easy and takes less than 3 minutes once you have the water boiling.

Custom Gel-Fit

I started with the Gel Max given the great reviews and price point ($10). Although the fit was great and I felt very well protected – I could not completely close my mouth. Due to the size, my upper lip had trouble closing over the front of the mouth guard. This was because the mouthguard protruded too much. Everything else about the mouth guard fit fine and felt low profile. Having your mouth open when rolling and coming into contact with the mat, your opponent’s gi, chest, etc. was not ideal, so I wanted to find an even lower profile mouth guard.

Enter the Gel Nano, Shock Doctor’s lowest profile mouth guard. Let’s just say I was very happy with the result. I felt a good amount of protection (perhaps slightly less than the Gel Max), and I was able to close my mouth comfortably. Also, it does not feel like an obstacle when I am rolling. Well worth it even though it is double the price at $20. I have now been rolling with it for over a month at 4-5 times per week, and it is working just fine. I highly recommend the Shock Doctor Gel Nano mouthguard for use in BJJ.

I also recommend Shock Doctor’s Antimicrobial Mouth Guard Case to accompany your mouthguard. It is a very convenient way to store your mouth guard as you can attach it easily to the outside of your bag so it can air dry and it also has a drip slot for saliva. In any case, I always wash it after each use with soap, but this makes sure it doesn’t get all yucky before I have time to wash it.

All that said, I promise I don’t work for Shock Doctor! I just went with them because after a little research, they seemed to be the most cutting edge in terms of the technology that goes into their protective gear.

Continue reading »]]> The Vulkan Pro Light Gi seems to be a very popular BJJ Gi, so I wanted to check it out for myself. I went ahead and purchased a white one in size A3. After a couple months of usage I must say that I am impressed. The Vulkan Pro Light is very light (go figure) and breathable, but it also feels very durable. A few of my sparring buddies have noted how the collar is difficult to grab – complements of the rubber-filled collar that Vulkan uses in their jiu jitsu gis. I do wish that the material (weave) of the Gi was as thick and hard to grab as my Koral MKM Competition Gi, but I don’t think that is possible without sacrificing the light weight and breathability.

Another (completely subjective) observation is that the Pro Light Gi fits like a glove! I feel very comfortable wearing it, and the sleeves and jacket are perfect length (I have a 35-36″ arm on dress shirts, and the A3 was perfect). And by comfort I also mean how maneuverable I am inside this gi – it does not feel like it is restricting my movements at all. To me this is more important than having a super thick gi that makes it difficult for both you and your opponent. My game is focused on not letting my opponent get good grabs or using technique to loosen their grab, rather than relying on thick material to aid me. In fact, maneuverability is important to me in terms of applying the correct technique.

If you are on the fence in terms of size, go with the larger one! Based on the Vulkan Gi size chart I could have gone for an A2 or A3, but the A2 was very tight on me. Also, the gi is truly pre-shrunk – I wash it after every use (at least 25 times so far) and it hasn’t shrunk a bit. The stitching around the seams and the badges are fully in tact. Note that I have not dried this Gi in the dryer – you can try that at your own risk

The only problem (and it is a minor one) I have about this Gi are the pants. They are too lightweight, which I like because it is breathable but it makes it very easy for your opponent to grab and manipulate. I know there is a balance between lightness and thickness, but I feel that these pants could have gone a little more in the way of thickness. Also, I fear that the gi pants will not last very long given how thin they are, but they have held well up so far. The reason this is only a minor problem for me is that the jacket is much more important. You can always purchase gi pants separately. Further, gi pants never last as long as the jacket, no matter how solid they are.

So here is the summary of my Vulkan Pro Light BJJ Gi Review:
Pros:

• Very lightweight and durable
• Fits very nicely – comfortable and maneuverable
• Does not shrink in the washer (although it may in the dryer – try at your own risk!)
• Rubber-filled collar makes it hard for opponent to grab. Also makes it dry faster and resists bacteria more than cotton.

Cons:

• Pants are very thin
• You may want a thicker gi for competition (depends on your preference of thickness vs. maneuverability)

Notes:

• If you are on the fence in terms of size (or even near the fence), I would go with the larger size.

Check this out for more on the Vulkan Pro Light Jiu Jitsu Gi

Continue reading »]]> This is a review on my favorite Instructional DVD for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – Cesar Gracie’s Gracie Jiu Jitsu Instructional DVD. Before I get into what I like about it, I have a caveat on instructional DVDs for Jiu Jitsu – they are a great supplement to jiu jitsu training but should never replace actual training in a BJJ school with real opponents. You can watch the moves all you want and even understand the physics and technique, but you will never fully grasp it until you practice it repeatedly and build the muscle memory. But like I said, a highly recommended supplement as you will learn moves not taught in class while still being able to practice it in class with other students. They will be impressed, and then they will ask you to teach them. Not only will this build good camaraderie (and street cred), teaching is the best way to solidify your own understanding of jiu jitsu technique, and teaching BJJ becomes important as you promote through the different belt ranks.

So here is what I like about this instructional series:

• Great for all levels: the series teaches you anything from beginner to advanced moves, but the entire series is relevant to all levels. I found that it is good for the advanced student to review the beginner moves because even if you know how to do it, it never hurts to reinforce what is important about the technique (what works and why, what not to do, etc.) to improve your game and make your moves even tighter. For the beginner watching the advanced moves – you may not be able to pull off the moves but at least you will gain an understanding of some of the moves being pulled off on you. Also, you will also build an overall understanding of BJJ technique.
• Cesar’s teaching approach is great. He fully explains the technique (in a way that makes sense) as he goes through the same move repeatedly from different angles. A key part of this is not only explaining how to do it right, but also how to do it wrong. He teaches you how not to lose the advantage when executing by having his opponent show the type of reversals that can be done if you execute the technique wrong. He gets into the level of detail of explaining exactly where each part of your body should be, and more importantly, he explains why through demonstration.
• Cesar is very easy to understand. Don’t get me wrong, I wish I had a cool Portuguese accent, but it is sometimes hard to understand. Cesar sounds more American than not.
• The ordering makes sense, and he goes through a wide range of jiu jitsu technique: takedowns, guard passing, guard attacks, mount escapes, side control, open guard, sweeps, back mounts, full mount, etc.
• It covers a good amount of no-gi BJJ technique through both separate instruction as well as factoring it into his instruction on BJJ technique with a gi (as he is going through the technique he will show you how to vary it for no-gi).
• It even goes a step further and factors in real-life fighting situations, where there will be strikes and defending from strikes. I now feel that I know how to defend from punches whether from the guard, mount, etc. Not only that, I know how to kick the crap out of somebody (literally – kick the crap out of their kidneys) while having them in guard and preventing them from doing much damage to me. Great stuff to know.

Give this instructional DVD a try and you won’t be sorry!

Continue reading »]]> There are many reasons to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I already discussed some of them here. Another reason is the answer to what the Gracies refer to as the fundamental problem of martial arts – “How can one successfully defend oneself against attack by a bigger, stronger, and more aggressive opponent?”

Jiu Jitsu enables you to dominate a larger and stronger opponent through the use of technique. Just take a look at the below video. This BJJ technique called a flying armbar. The guy performing the flying armbar (in the white gi) is about 5’6″ and 135 lbs. The other guy in the blue gi is about 6’3″ and 205 lbs. Without technique, the little guy would not stand a chance. But you can see what he can do to a much larger opponent using jiu jitsu technique. If he kept hyper-extending the arm, it would have broken very easily. Granted that this was practice and the larger guy wasn’t resisting, but I have seen this move pulled off in competition as well.

There are plenty of other examples of how jiu jitsu technique can be employed to dominate a larger opponent. In many cases, you can use their strength and weight against them. That said, if the larger and stronger opponent knows an equal amount of Jiu Jitsu technique, he would have the advantage. This is the reason why there are weight divisions in IBJJF competition.

Continue reading »]]> Here are some tips for getting started with BJJ training. When I started I wish somebody would have told me these things – it would have saved some confusion and perhaps a little embarrassment too.

Be sure to also check out this beginner’s guide to BJJ gear.

How to choose a BJJ School

• Make sure your school has at least 1 Black Belt instructor. The reason this is important is that Black Belts are not only better instructors, they also tend to keep the students more disciplined. Trust me when I say that this is important, because when students are not disciplined they can be over-aggressive – and that is how people get hurt. Even if you don’t mind the pain, remember that learning technique is more important than kicking ass.
• Always make sure you do a trial-run at multiple places before signing up. Most schools will let you participate in one class session for free so that you can get a feel for things. You should get a feel for the instructor(s), other students, class schedule, etc.
• Make sure they offer both Gi and No-Gi BJJ. If you want to be well-rounded, you’ll want to learn technique from both types of BJJ. I prefer places that don’t have separate curriculums for Gi and No-Gi, where you can take either form depending on what day of the week it is. Switching back and forth frequently helps keep your game well-rounded.
• Curriculum versus come-as-you-please – some schools have set curriculums where you have to attend training on a set schedule. Others have schedules but you are welcome to come to any class and it is okay if you skip classes. This is good for those with hectic schedules.
• Do you want to become an MMA fighter? If so, you may want to consider schools that also have Muay Thai, boxing, etc. However, as a Jiu Jitsu purist, I recommend learning your BJJ craft at a school dedicated to it.

What to expect – Typical BJJ class format

• Warm-ups. I have found that these are usually pretty intense. Combination of running, jumping jacks, push-ups, squats, crunches, repeat, neck warmups, repeat, etc, etc. I have also found that instructors may also do specific drills depending on the technique they plan on teaching that day.
• Technique instruction – you usually go through 2-3 different techniques. Each starts with the instructor giving a detailed demonstration, followed by pairing up with a partner and taking turns executing the technique. When practicing, it is important to take it slow and make sure you get the details of the technique correct. During these exercises, your opponent will only do minimal (if any) resistance to make that easy.
• Open Sparring / Rolling – this is where you apply everything you know in sparring with a fully resisting opponent. You should try to apply what you learned in class that day.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Etiquette

• First and most important, although BJJ tends to be much less formal than other martial arts, always show respect to the instructors and fellow students. No exception.
• Never walk on the mat with your shoes – this is highly frowned upon as it leads to the spread of skin born diseases like ringworm
• Always bow before you enter and leave the mat. This is usually done by slapping both hands on the side of your legs (where your hands hit when you arm is resting) and bowing at the same time toward the center of the mat or the instructor.
• Always help the other guy up when rolling and practicing technique
• Before sparring, usually a combination handshake and fist pump is used (or one or the other). Once the fists touch, it’s go time!
• When learning technique, take it slow! The important thing is to get the mechanics down right, not just doing it fast. Your focus should be on learning technique, not kicking ass (that part comes in tournaments and when you are a little more experienced). When doing open sparring / rolling, you can take things at whatever speed you are comfortable with.
• If you are rolling and start to run into other people who are rolling, the lower level belts should always stop and get out of the way of the higher level belts. Belt levels go in this order from beginner to master. For Adults: White, Blue, Purple, Brown, Black. For Kids (16 and under): White, Yellow, Orange, Green. There are also up to 4 stripes between belt levels to indicate progress.
• You should be ‘nice’ with people where you train – meaning don’t use brutal (painful) techniques on them even if they are competition legal – save that for the competitions.
• Don’t be afraid to ask fellow students and the instructors questions if the technique is not clear to you, and don’t be afraid to let other students know what is working and not working with their execution of a technique.

Continue reading »]]> Choosing a BJJ Gi is a fun but sometimes confusing experience. It helps to be educated on exactly what you should be looking for. Here are the things you should consider when buying a gi:

Gi Weave
Probably the most important thing to consider when buying a Jiu Jitsu gi is the weave that it uses. The weave of a gi determines the durability, weight and thickness of the gi. There are a few standard types: single weave gi, double weave gi, gold weave gi, as well as many proprietary ones. Rather than repeat myself, check out my article on the difference between gi weaves.

Gi Collar Fill
Probably something that is a little less known. BJJ gi collars/lapels either use cotton or rubber to fill them (it is always cotton on the outside). Cotton gi collars are more traditional, but rubber collar fills offer certain advantages, such as lighter weight, more difficult to grab (less flexible), and faster drying as it does not absorb sweat. I always recommend a rubber collar fill for training and competition.

Gi Color
Gis come in many colors, such as white, blue, navy blue, black, red, purple, pink, yellow, and camouflage. White and blue are the traditional colors and black is gaining popularity – these are the only colors that are approved for use in tournaments (IBJJF). When choosing a color, it is important to check with your school/gym on any restrictions they have, as it might be considered rude or inappropriate to wear certain colors.

Gi Sizing
BJJ Gis usually come in sizes A0 – A5. The ‘A’ stands for ‘Adult’ sizing and the number just represents different sizes for adults, with the higher number being for the bigger size. What makes this sometimes confusing or difficult is that each manufacturer uses these sizes differently. For instance, I am an A3 with the Vulkan Pro Light Gi but and A2 with the Koral MKM Competition Gi. Never tie yourself down to a certain size – always check the sizing chart specific to the Gi you are buying.

Shrink-to-fit versus Pre-shrunk
Jiu Jitsu Gis these days are usually made with pre-shrunk cotton, which means you don’t have to worry about them shrinking. However, there is the option out there for shrink-to-fit gis. For these you wash them and dry them until they fit just right, after which you never dry them again (periodically take the gi out of the dryer and try it on for size). If you want a gi that is more exact to your size, go with shrink-to-fit. However, this is a bit higher maintenance and you run the risk of over-shrinking!

Hope this explains it well and have fun choosing your BJJ gi! For a more comprehensive guide, check out BJJSports.com’s BJJ Gi Buying Guide.

Continue reading »]]> When I started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, I did a ton of research on what BJJ gear I needed. What I found is that there is no single place out there that puts together a comprehensive list of Jiu Jitsu gear for beginners. This post and future posts as well will be my attempt to do so. Here are the different items you will need for BJJ (I am talking about traditional BJJ with a gi, not no-gi BJJ):

The basics (and the required)

1. Jiu Jitsu Gi – it needs to be a gi made for BJJ, not Judo or any other martial art. For instance, Judo Gis have much wider sleeves to make throwing easier. Trust me, you don’t want to give your opponent more to grab! Further, they will not be approved for IBJJF competition. For info on how to choose your Gi, click here.
2. BJJ Belt – for beginners that will of course be the white belt. Note that a majority of gis do not come with a belt.

Optional but highly recommended (especially during training)

1. Rash Guard – popular for no-gi BJJ and MMA as they limit skin-on-skin contact, which will help prevent the spread of skin born diseases like ring worm. Additionally, they don’t hold onto moisture so you won’t be soaking wet and smelly. I like to use them with a gi also because it helps limit the rug-burn like effect of the rough gi on your body, especially your elbows.
2. Mouth Guard – I know at least one person who got accidentally hit in the face and his tooth punched through his lower lip. Ouch! Easily avoided with a mouth guard.
3. Groin Cup – see my article on Groin Cups for more info.
4. Knee pads – ever get rug burn? You will spend a ton of time on your knees when rolling, and your gi is made of rougher material than most carpets. I had my knees bleed quite a few times before I got smart. You’ll want something lightweight, flexible, and tight so it does not move easily.
5. Head Gear / Ear Protectors – see my article on cauliflower ear and how to avoid it. You’ll want headgear that does not stick out too much as you don’t want to give you opponent extra to hold onto when it comes to preventing you from escaping chokes.

For a more comprehensive guide, check out this BJJ Beginner’s Gear Guide. Good luck finding the right Jiu Jitsu gear for you. I personally had fun putting together my arsenal!