The moves that Carlson Gracie has taught to such stars as Vitor Belfort, Amauri Bitteti, Murilo Bustamante, Wallid Ismael, Mario Sperry, Kevin Costner, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Mickey Rourke are revealed in this book on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu style of martial arts. One hundred and one positions that provide a complete game of guards, sweeps, and submissions are detailed. Students will find more aggressive techniques that expand their game in all directions, and advanced practitioners will learn the tips and secrets that make the difference between competence and greatness.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: The only book by Carlson Gracie Comment: The Carlson Gracie style of BJJ is an "aggressive" style which differs from the BJJ taught by those under Helio Gracie. Due to its more aggressive nature, there are more pictures in this book than most other BJJ book to show the techniques more clearly. Of course, there is no replacement for time spent on the mat but this book serves as helpful reminder to the different techniques taught by Carlson Gracie Sr to such champion like Mario Sperry(BJJ Champion),Vitor Belfort(Former UFC Champion)etc. This is the only book written by Carlson Gracie, the insight into the techniques of the Grand Master of BJJ is priceless. Customer Rating: Summary: Undisputed Master Discloses the "Secrets" Comment: If, by secrets, we mean quality, high percentage techniques for BJJ, submission wrestling and MMA, then this is true. As well as being an elder statesman of the legendary Gracie family and well recognised master of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Carlson is also the coach of many top BJJ, submission wrestling and MMA champions.
Names like 'Ze' Mario Sperry, Murillo Bustamonte and Rodrigo Medeiros are just a few of Carlson's fantastic stable of students. In this book, we see why they're so successful.
The book is in three parts and starts with Carlson demonstrating techniques for sport Jiu Jitsu. This section covers takedowns, guard work, sweeps and reversals, chokes and cranks, and arm bars and ankle locks.
Carlson demonstrates (or has his students demonstrate) simple and effective techniques. Often, you'll see something done slightly differently to what you're used to. IT's a little light on description. That's a bit of a pain, but it's also part of the reason this is for "Experts Only".
I especially liked the section on the "Jello Guard". Some open guard techniques you've seen before at the big competitions, but performed by the guy who developed them and refined them, giving you details on how to make them work.
The submission wrestling section covers guard work, escapes and defences, chokes and cranks, and arm bars and wrist locks. This section is mostly demonstrated by Carlson's students, but Carlson demonstrates a number of techniques.
Same comments as the previous section. Great, simple, effective techniques. Light on description, but those with some exerience will be able to pick up plenty of detail. Perhaps you'll even pick up a great technique you haven't seen before to add to your arsenal.
The MMA section is my favourite. It covers the clinch, takedown defence, guard work and side control/knee on stomach. The first two are subjects you don't usually see in Jiu Jitsu manuals. The other two parts are covered in a way I've only seen covered by Mario Sperry in his Vale Tudo series.
The standing techniques incorporate strikes that are simple enough for any grappler to use. The takedown defences and clinch techniques are simple and very high percentage.
As I said earlier, this section reminds me of Mario Sperry's Vale Tudo Series. The techniques are simpler and different, but you can see where Ze Mario developed his philosophy.
This section includes THE ABSOLUTE BEST coverage of guard use in MMA/NHB I have seen in a book.
All in all, the photography is good, the techniques are great. The book doesn't teach you how to string techniques together very well, though. They're more a set of ideas to add to your game. The book loses a star because I thought it needed more detailed descriptions in a lot of areas.
Don't let that deter you, though. Especially if you're a somewhat experienced grappler who wants to add to his or her gam or to see how to implement your existing game into MMA/NHB. Customer Rating: Summary: Don't let the title scare you: any level BJJ practioner can benefit from this text. Comment: An excellent book showing the Carlson Gracie method of Brasilian jiu-Jitsu. He does have a unique style all his own, and when mixed with the traditional techniques show in the Renzo/Royler book, you have a great set of books in which to refer to for your class.
This book has helped me immensely, especially the nogi section. I personally prefer and compete mainly in gi divisions, but I do train regularly in nogi once a week. That is where I have really noticed this book helping my game, but it has helped my gi game as well.
Great book that should be found on any Brasilian Jiu-Jitsu practioner's bookself. Customer Rating: Summary: Develop A complete game Comment: Just Got this great book, and it is amazing. It covers several aspects of grappling - GI, No Gi, MMA. I would recommend that you purchase this book, only if you have experience as a grappler......although it can be of some use for non experienced grapplers as well. Customer Rating: Summary: Solid techniques, indeed from the master Comment: It's hard to argue that Carlson Gracie is a master - he's produced more champions in jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts then the next three or four top coaches combined. This is his first English language instruction manual, where you can see the master and his students executing numerous techniques. Sport jiu jitsu (with Gi), submission wrestling (No Gi) and self defense are all covered. While the material is not an encyclopedia of all the techniques out there, it is well organized and easy to follow for most any audience - even the non-experts.
