These are Grappling Insider’s suggestions for the highest 10 finest books available on the market for the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) grappler.
Avid BJJ practitioners know that studying the artwork doesn’t cease when class is over. Fairly the alternative, most grapplers like to eat BJJ content material outdoors of the health club – whether or not or not it’s instructionals, free YouTube method movies, podcasts, or anything they will get their arms on.
Immediately we’ll be taking a look at good old style books. From detailed technical instructionals to philosophical writings on the virtues of BJJ, there’s a variety of books written about this artwork or books that any grappler would discover helpful.
Clearly, some are higher than others. That will help you slender down your BJJ studying listing, we’ve picked out our high 10 favourite books for the jiu-jitsu fanatic.
Books about BJJ historical past
#1 Opening Closed Guard and The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Robert Drysdale
Sure, we’re properly conscious that the number-one spot in our listing accommodates two books, however we couldn’t decide only one. For an extremely thorough, unbiased have a look at the typically mysterious origins and progress of BJJ, there may be maybe no higher storyteller on earth than Robert Drysdale.
A former elite competitor (he’s an ADCC and IBJJF world champion), Drysdale can also be a really severe historian. For his first e book, Opening Closed Guard, he spoke to quite a few people who have been proper there for the start of BJJ. His detailed historical past of the beginnings of the game makes for eye-opening studying and obliterates numerous misconceptions about how the artwork got here to be what it’s immediately.
We spoke to Drysdale about this e book and his motivations for writing it. Try that interview here.
His second e book, The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, dives into how BJJ grew from the streets of Rio to a world phenomenon. But once more, Drysdale units the file straight on a number of frequent misconceptions which can be prevalent immediately. What’s extra, he offers loads of consideration to lesser-known characters like Carlson and Rolles Gracie who had an enormous impression on BJJ.
Store Robert Drysdale’s books on Amazon.
#2 Breathe: A Life in Flow by Rickson Gracie
For a extra private, firsthand telling of BJJ historical past, Rickson Gracie’s Breathe: A Life in Flow is a fascinating page-turner.
A legendary, larger-than-life determine, Gracie pulls again the curtain on among the inside workings and conflicts of his iconic household. From his rough-and-tumble childhood and upbringing that noticed him defending his household identify on the streets to his work spreading the gospel of BJJ in America, to his undefeated MMA profession, Gracie particulars all the important thing moments of his unbelievable life.
What’s extra, Gracie ties all of it collectively along with his distinctive philosophy of dwelling that emphasizes the mind-body connection and dwelling in concord (“stream”) along with your circumstances.
Store for Rickson Gracie’s memoir on Amazon.
BJJ method instructionals
#3 Jiu-Jistu University by Saulo Ribeiro
Legendary black belt world champion Saulo Ribeiro has written maybe essentially the most complete and extensively learn BJJ educational ever revealed. Though this e book was initially revealed in 2008, the entire methods stay related immediately, and numerous black belts all over the world maintain Jiu-Jitsu University on their bookshelves.
With over 200 totally different methods and a whole lot of colour photographs, Ribeiro outlines crucial strikes and techniques for each belt colour from white to black. As a result of he’s such a seasoned competitor, Ribeiro is ready to describe frequent errors or pitfalls of sure methods, offering that added stage of element that units this e book aside.
We’d advocate this educational for each BJJ freshmen and skilled academics seeking to fine-tune their method.
Store for Jiu-Jitsu College on Amazon.
#4 Mastering the Rubber Guard by Eddie Bravo
For the no-gi specialists or any grapplers seeking to elevate their general guard sport, tenth Planet founder Eddie Bravo’s Mastering the Rubber Guard is a must have. The sheer quantity and mass of knowledge contained on this basic educational is spectacular in its personal proper, however what we love most about this e book is how clearly each method is laid out alongside almost 1,000 colour photographs.
Far more than simply rubber guard methods, this e book covers frequent positions like butterfly guard, half-guard, and the dogfight place. These methods are pieced collectively in a scientific, logical approach that makes implementing them in observe fairly simple.
As a result of so lots of Bravo’s teachings could be considered as unorthodox, these methods are usually efficient proper from the bounce and might change a grappler’s perspective on strategy the guard.
Store for Mastering the Rubber Guard on Amazon.
#5 Mastering Jujitsu by Renzo Gracie and John Danaher
Legendary competitor Renzo Gracie and legendary coach John Danaher teamed as much as write a transparent and concise e book that particulars not solely efficient grappling methods but additionally the important thing ideas and techniques behind all main positions. Mastering Jujitsu is greater than only a technical educational, it’s an extremely useful information to understanding the overarching ideas in BJJ and the way they apply throughout totally different fight situations.
To make certain, the methods on this e book are nice and confirmed on the highest ranges – and the authors embody quite a few case research of sure methods being utilized in competitors. However past these methods, we predict this e book is a must-own due to all of the BJJ idea that’s included, in addition to the well-written introduction that outlines the historical past and evolution of the artwork.
This e book is ideal for each freshmen seeking to get a greater understanding of BJJ general, however we additionally assume veteran grapplers would get loads out of the higher-level discussions.
Try Mastering Jujitsu on Amazon.
Books for BJJ well being, efficiency, energy, and conditioning
#6 Ultimate Conditioning for Martial Arts by Loren Landow
Loren Landow is likely one of the most revered names within the energy and conditioning area. Earlier than he was the Director of Soccer Efficiency for Notre Dame and earlier than he was the energy coach for the Denver Broncos, Landow was the energy and conditioning coach to quite a few elite MMA fighters and grapplers.
He brings his almost unmatched experience to this detailed but simply accessible e book that outlines particular exercises for particular athletes relying on the stage of coaching they’re in. Ultimate Conditioning for Martial Arts not solely describes carry out these exercises but additionally offers the explanation for every train.
Whereas Landow designs exercises particularly for grapplers, he additionally acknowledges that crucial a part of grappling is, properly, grappling. With that in thoughts, the workout routines and protocols he outlines are designed to help your time on the mat, quite than change it.
Store for Final Conditioning for Martial Arts on Amazon.
#7 Martial Arts Nutrition by Teri Tom, MS, RD
Sports activities nutritionist and energy and conditioning coach Teri Tom brings her immense quantity of scientifically confirmed data and experience to this extremely helpful e book. Because the nutritionist for a lot of elite athletes like Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan, and Andrei Arlovski, Tom definitely is an skilled amongst consultants.
For grapplers, we love Martial Arts Nutrition as a result of the main focus is on fueling your physique for higher efficiency within the coaching room and in competitors. You received’t discover any fad diets or fast tips to vitamin right here. Fairly the alternative, Tom outlines the science behind what it is best to eat, when to eat it, and why you’re consuming it.
The e book is a should for any severe grappler, whether or not you’re attempting to shed weight, reduce weight for competitors, or just maximize your potential on the mat. We’ve personally adopted the plans outlined in Martial Arts Nutrition and might verify that we’ve seen extra vitality on the mat and sooner restoration afterward.
Try Martial Arts Diet on Amazon.
#8 With Winning In Mind by Lanny Bassham
You could be shocked to see a e book written by an Olympic gold medalist in rifle capturing on a listing designed for grapplers, however after studying and implementing the ideas described in With Winning In Mind, we’re assured that any BJJ competitor can and can profit tremendously from Lanny Bassham’s recommendation on creating an unbreakable competitors mindset.
Intimately conversant in high-pressure competitors, Bassham focuses not simply on optimistic considering and visualization however combine these ideas into your each day life. The e book is straightforward to learn and stuffed with each high-level, philosophical concepts and sensible recommendation which you can begin following instantly.
When you’ve discovered your self missing in confidence or doubting your capacity to carry out when the stress is on, we will’t advocate this e book sufficient.
Store for With Profitable in Thoughts on Amazon.
Miscellaneous BJJ books
#9 The 32 Principles by Rener Gracie
With a lifetime enmeshed in BJJ, Rener Gracie exhibits how the important thing ideas of the artwork might be utilized to each day life on this insightful page-turner. Merely put, any BJJ-obsessed grappler will love The 32 Principles for its thought-provoking have a look at how what we be taught on the mats can assist us in enterprise, relationships, and life on the whole.
Utilizing necessary ideas present in grappling, Gracie supplies a information to raised dwelling and decision-making. Coming in at below 250 pages, we love that this e book is well digestible and full of concepts which you can implement in your life immediately. And even after studying it, we discovered ourselves returning to re-read sure chapters when confronted with a troublesome choice – this e book is the reward that retains on giving.
Store for Rener’s e book on Amazon.
#10 5 Rules for White Belts by Chris Matakas
Chris Matakas is probably going essentially the most prolific writer within the BJJ house, and his 5 Rules for White Belts is a foundational textual content that definitely doesn’t disappoint.
Clearly, the e book is written for freshmen to BJJ, designed to assist these new grapplers get essentially the most out of their coaching, retain extra data from every class, keep motivation when issues get powerful, and develop a deeper understanding of the artwork. Concise and proper to the purpose, the e book supplies each technical data and philosophical ideas which can be certain to make BJJ much less intimidating for any new white belt.
Try 5 Guidelines for White Belts on Amazon.
