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Books
Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu by Dave Camarillo
Rated 10/10
This is THE book for combining Judo and BJJ - GO BUY IT!
Guerilla jiu-Jitsu caused a storm in the martial arts world when it was published in 2006 and has been a major reason for
the production of this website! Written by Dave Camarillo (and Erich Krauss), it remains the definitive work so far on combining
BJJ and Judo. The book begins by explaining that there are three main sections:
1) Incorporating Judo and Jiu-Jitsu
2) From Throws to Submissions
3) Flying Attacks
Dave explains that a student should effectively progress their development in this order.
"The Birth of Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu"
Here we learn that Dave Camarillo and his brother Dan have practiced Judo for nearly their entire life. After a knee injury
prevented Dave from stand-up training, he visited Ralph Gracie's academy having seen BJJ in the UFC. In his first session,
Ralph triangled Dave into submission using only his legs. Dave was hooked!
With BJJ now added to an already impressive arsenal of Judo skills, Dave began to dominate competitions in both sports. He
now coaches the UFC veteran Sean Sherk and UFC fighters Josh Thomson, Jon Fitch, Mike Swick, Forrest Griffin and Josh Koscheck.
To understand the level of dominance Dave exerted over many of his opponents, its best to buy the DVD Dave Against The Machine
-akin to watching a young Tyson battering his opponents senseless!
The first section can be divided into:
i)Rolls and Falls
ii)Grips
iii) Throws
iv) Meshing techniques
This is probably the section of the book that I use the most. Rolls and falls are covered to a level of detail unseen in any
other Judo book and the relevance of rolls and falls goes beyond just saving your back. The Grips section is sufficient and
more pragmatic than Neil Adams excellent but slightly disorganised "Grips" book. The throws and meshing sections are beautifully
photographed with excellent detail and even now, I discover new gems that I'd previously missed.
From Throws To Submissions
I really like this section. Dave emphasises quick "kill" armlocks and combinations from the failed armbar section - what Eddie
Bravo calls "the Spider's Web". He then details his "Impact Control Variables." This shows 5 different positions you can implement
when having completed a throw dependent upon your original grip preference. These positions can also be used in regular knee
on stomach practice having passed the guard. Armlock finishes from kouchi-Gari, foot sweeps, half guard, tomoe nage, and as
counters to firemen's carries are all detailed. Dave then shows some specific Judo counters to BJJ (two guard passes vs. BJJ
guard players just pulling guard) and an Anti-Judo counter which shows a way of armlocking Judo players who turtle up.
Flying Attacks
This is the most spectacular section of any martial arts book. To really appreciate Dave's ability here, you must view the
incredible "Dave Against The Machine" DVD. He hits people so hard in flying armlocks that it really is like watching a Tyson
of BJJ and Judo combined. I cannot think of another worthy comparison.
Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu once again demonstrates the usual detail and nearly every scenario of flying armlock available, and a number
of counters based on your opponents reaction. I found that I was quickly landing flying armbars in practice but I must recommend
that you use a crash mat to begin with. I also advise that when a partner is practising a flying armbar or drilling, that
you do not attempt to soften their fall. Its a quick way of injuring your back!
Overall
I recommend this book above any other out there. If you train Judo or BJJ, then you should train the other. This is not only
the first book of its kind, but its revolutionary.
There have been a couple of criticisms around the web that I have come across. Firstly, some have emphasised Guerilla jiu-Jitsu's
lack of BJJ fundamentals. To this, I say the clue is in the subtitle: "Revolutionising Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu". Therefore it
assumes that you already have a basic appreciation of BJJ fundamentals and the last thing the BJJ market needed was another
"this is a shrimp" type book. Secondly, its been argued that Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu just shows lots of moves. AAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!
It does not; the problem is that even now, very few people cross-train Judo and BJJ. Some of the details on Judo I have not
seen anywhere else in even the entire Ippon series, or any of the other Judo books or DVDs around. They are not blatant and
sometimes only very subtle such as the "hip-in throws counter" with the arm on the back of the collar and the elbow down which
is shown as part of a Flying attack.
From a publishing perspective, Victory Belt have developed a reputation for the best photographs in the industry. The pictures
are detailed where required and I think I read that there are over 700 photographs.
THIS BOOK IS SUPERB. GO BUY IT!!!
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Instructional DVDs
Position Impossible
by Dave Camarillo
Position Impossible, although not titled "Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu" is essentially the accompanying DVD.
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No Gi Books
Master The Rubber Guard
Eddie Bravo
Mastering the Rubber Guard is excellent 9/10
Increasing your gripping strength using Captains of Crush and Ironmind Grip Equipment:
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