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I bought Eddie Bravo's Jiu-Jitsu Unleashed the week it was released, and after months of putting it to use, I figure I've had time enough to give it a review. I'm not going to really go into things like the black and white photos or moves not having enough photos, since I didn't have any trouble with these like some people. I found the text and descriptions clear and interesting, and the pictures served their purpose. What I really want to go over is what I've actually picked up from this book that I have been able to add to my game, since in the end, that's what really matters. I've read plenty of glossy and expensive BJJ books that I end up taking almost nothing from. So let's get down to it:
Probably the most significant addition to my game is the twister side control (a form of reverse scarf hold). I use it all the time now, even when I'm not looking to get a twister. The kimura from here is very handy too.
I use the twister half guard pass (where you face their legs) a lot now, and though I'd see passes like it before, the book got me to start using it more to go along with twister side control.
For a couple weeks after reading the book, I was getting a lot of twisters, banana splits, crotch rippers and calf crushes from The Truck (a control position when you're on your way to the twister), but I stopped going for them as much lately. I ran into some trouble setting up the twister roll and decided to work on other things.
I was already doing well with half guard before this book, but I started using Old School more, and I picked up some new moves like the Half and Twist, Half Quarterback sweep and a couple other ones where you go to your knees while still trapping their leg.
I get the kamizake calf crush all the time. I try for the Apolo (arm triangle from under half guard to sweep) often enough but have yet to finish it on anyone. I'll go for the electric chair (banana split from half guard) but usually just use it to go out the back or sweeping (which he says will happen, so no surprise).
I've made some use of Mission Control and New York and their triangle and omoplatas, but what's funny is that out of all the rubber guard moves, I use the Meathook (triangle setup) and Crowbar (omoplata setup) the most, and they aren't in the book (just Grappling Mag articles). I'll sometimes pull off stuff like the Invisible Collar (shoulder crush), the Duda (biceps slicer from guard), etc. but not as much as I probably could (I've been working on a different style of guard).
There are a couple other moves in this book that I use regularly (x-guard, double under pass, no-hand pass, triangle arm bar) but I can't credit it with them since I'd already been doing them before I read this book. They are still good moves regardless of where I got them.
Considering how much unique content this book contains, and how many of them fit into or added to my game, this is one of the best BJJ books out there, especially considering I spent less than $15 on it. Definitely pick it up.
Probably the most significant addition to my game is the twister side control (a form of reverse scarf hold). I use it all the time now, even when I'm not looking to get a twister. The kimura from here is very handy too.
I use the twister half guard pass (where you face their legs) a lot now, and though I'd see passes like it before, the book got me to start using it more to go along with twister side control.
For a couple weeks after reading the book, I was getting a lot of twisters, banana splits, crotch rippers and calf crushes from The Truck (a control position when you're on your way to the twister), but I stopped going for them as much lately. I ran into some trouble setting up the twister roll and decided to work on other things.
I was already doing well with half guard before this book, but I started using Old School more, and I picked up some new moves like the Half and Twist, Half Quarterback sweep and a couple other ones where you go to your knees while still trapping their leg.
I get the kamizake calf crush all the time. I try for the Apolo (arm triangle from under half guard to sweep) often enough but have yet to finish it on anyone. I'll go for the electric chair (banana split from half guard) but usually just use it to go out the back or sweeping (which he says will happen, so no surprise).
I've made some use of Mission Control and New York and their triangle and omoplatas, but what's funny is that out of all the rubber guard moves, I use the Meathook (triangle setup) and Crowbar (omoplata setup) the most, and they aren't in the book (just Grappling Mag articles). I'll sometimes pull off stuff like the Invisible Collar (shoulder crush), the Duda (biceps slicer from guard), etc. but not as much as I probably could (I've been working on a different style of guard).
There are a couple other moves in this book that I use regularly (x-guard, double under pass, no-hand pass, triangle arm bar) but I can't credit it with them since I'd already been doing them before I read this book. They are still good moves regardless of where I got them.
Considering how much unique content this book contains, and how many of them fit into or added to my game, this is one of the best BJJ books out there, especially considering I spent less than $15 on it. Definitely pick it up.
