Resident A-hole said:Try "Brazilian Jiu-jitsu: Theory & Technique", by Renzo & Royler Gracie. It is a big book with tons of info/pics & is perfect for a beginner. I reference it all the time. It covers all the basic positions, sweeps, submissions, escapes, counters, everything. I think "Mastering Jiu-jitsu" is a little more advanced.
I also have Eddie Bravo's book, I think most of the stuff is way too advanced for a beginner. It will probably be of no use to you until you are very comfortable with the basics of BJJ.
i checked out "mastering JJ" - renzo gracie from the library and wasn't impressed..... the things taught it in it were very basic things you could learn from watching any grappling match on tvJayOliver said:What's the best BJJ/grappling book to supplement a beginner who's just started? I've heard from somewhere on here that Mastering Jiu-jitsu by Renzo Gracie is good. Any suggestions or reviews of something you have?
scorcho said:Eddie Bravo's JJ Unleashed is great. Perhaps not the best thing for a beginner, as many techs in it are pretty advanced, but I think a beginner would benefit as well.
wOg said:I've got a few bjj books. Most of them I like more as I learn more in class, which makes me wonder if they are ideal for a beginner.
A book I just picked up is The Essential Guard by Kid Peligro. Not only is it the best organized bjj book I own (I've got Volume one of Rigan's Encyclopedia, Renzo & Royler's, JJ Machado's Black Belt Techniques and Carlson's Experts Only), but I think it is by far the best "written." Peligro does a great job of focusing on one of the most important things for beginners and novices: learning what the guard is all about.
It's a newish book, I think. So maybe a lot of people haven't had a chance to check it out. But it is my Bible right now. I even take it with me if I think I might have to wait in a long line or something somewhere. I can't recommend it enough.
GracieStudent said:- you've convinced me to buy the The Essential Guard. i've been looking for a book that focuses on guard and kid peligro is the man so i'm purchasing it right now online- thanks
wOg said:I hope you like it. I like Rigan's Encyclopedia because it's just got move after move and the first book/volume is all about closed and open guard. But after one read through some of the first few chapters of The Essential Guard, I finally feel like I understand what I'm SUPPOSED TO BE DOING. Truly, it was like a light came on.