Each week Kroyler Gracie discusses Brazilian Jiu Jitsu concepts, techniques, history and culture with co-host Andrew Desimone. This podcast aims to explore all aspects of Jiu Jitsu while increasing practitioners’ appreciation and application of the art on and off the mat.
Kroyler Gracie and Andrew Desimone
We've mentioned this legend before and this week we finally devote an episode to Fernando Augusto, aka Terere!
This week Kroyler is forced to talk about himself. Consider this a forced unofficial autobiography.
In this episode we discuss: How realistic are gi techniques on street clothing? What ratio should a beginner have for time spent on basic techniques vs advanced techniques? We discuss who would win a hypothetical grappling match between Khabib and Nate Diaz What is Sambo? Have you seen Vladimir Putin shirtless on a horse?
Thanks to listener Alexy for asking questions that consume all of the conversation in this episode. We cover: Why do you see more kimuras than americanas in jiu jitsu and MMA? How do you attack a large joint like a hip? Is the Suloev stretch damaging the hamstring or knee? What is Kroyler's opinion of Nick Diaz's ground game?
We cover a little bit of everything in this episode: Listener correction John Danaher moves to Puerto Rico How is COVID affecting the current state of jiu jitsu Has Kroyler ever felt like hanging up his belt What muscle groups are most important for bjj
To wrap up our Anatomy of the Attack series, the last episode covers the spine, hips, knees and ankles.
It's part two of our attack series and this week we're focusing on elbows and wrists!
All of the submissions in jiu jitsu target areas of the body that have their own physical traits and mechanics. In this episode we discuss the importance of understanding the neck and shoulders.
This week we discuss: Are you too old for jiu jitsu? What is Helio doing in that flying kick picture? What is Kroyler's philosophy on teaching and how does he structure his classes? What are differences between jiu jitsu schools in Brazil and the United States?
This week our Triangle talk consists of: Where did the triangle come from? When did the triangle start to be used offensively? What are the risks of the triangle and what do you do when the triangle fails? Triangle fundamentals
In this episode we discuss: Khabib Nurmagomedov's last fight Issues rolling as a big man What to do when you have a falling out with your gym Are online training videos beneficial
In this episode we talk about the man who not only had a successful fighting career, but has also coached and mentored some of the biggest names in jiu jitsu.
Under the large umbrella of Half Guard, can be found four sub categories: Basic Half, Deep Half, Knee Shield/Z Guard, and Hybrid Half Guards.
Half Guard is an underrated and under-appreciated guard. In the next couple episodes we will discuss how this guard can sweep, submit, and protect.
We conclude this series by focusing on trends in jiu jitsu.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been around long enough to have techniques come and go. Some arrive in an explosion of popularity, then die as quickly as they were born. Others explode on the scene and have long-lasting effects on the art. Both life cycles can be categorized into fads and trends. In this episode we focus on fads and how to handle them.
This episode we discuss: - overcoming the fear of judgement and how to train when you're overweight - the relationship between competing and advancing in rank - moving schools when you're a higher belt - challenges of training as a white belt
The only thing more devastating than the bow and arrow submission is a literal bow and arrow. Most tournaments don't allow the ranged weapon, so in this episode we'll cover the vicious choke. If you've ever been submitted by the bow and arrow choke then you know it can be executed in brutal fashion. This technique that is often initiated from the back, has many moving parts that are important to properly finishing an opponent. In this episode we discuss setting up and finishing it.
If you have suffered through our terrible audio for the last couple months, then you'll be thrilled to hear that we're finally back in the studio! This week you can hear us through crystal clear audio (relatively speaking) talk about self defense concepts.
Mount is a position that allows you to go in so many different directions. Imagine it as the captain's seat and you get to decide how the roll proceeds. If you find yourself in the advantageous position of mount, the last thing you want to do is ask “what now?” In this episode we discuss how to maintain mount and what to do once you have it.
If you're always working with the same five to ten techniques because they work well for you, then you aren't getting better. Learning alternative techniques will help your game continue to evolve. It will make you better prepared to face people of all skill levels. In order to do this you have to be ready to fail. Strengthening your weak areas of jiu jitsu will involve being tapped by many opponents, but the end result will be you adding an effective new skill to your repertoire.
If you're always working with the same five to ten techniques because they work well for you, then you aren't getting better. Learning alternative techniques will help your game continue to evolve. It will make you better prepared to face people of all skill levels. In order to do this you have to be ready to fail. Strengthening your weak areas of jiu jitsu will involve being tapped by many opponents, but the end result will be you adding an effective new skill to your repertoire.
If you want a slick submission that will work in many different scenarios, try the omoplata. If you want a smooth sweep that will setup numerous submissions or beneficial positions, try the omoplata. If you want an all around versatile technique that will make you dangerous, try the omoplata! By now you should understand that this episode is about the omoplata.
All of the topics in this week's episode focus on recent happenings related to jiu jitsu. Behold, the topics of the week! We review a submission from UFC ESPN 12 What a would a match between Gordon Ryan and Roger Gracie look like? Chokeholds and law enforcement Is it better to know one technique very well, or have an average understanding of many techniques?
The Gracies and Jiu Jitsu were well known in Brazil through most of the 20th century. However, it took someone with exceptional drive, foresight, and charisma to introduce the rest of the world to an obscure, yet effective martial art. This episode is about Rorion Gracie. Besides being a red belt, he is cofounder of the UFC and responsible for bringing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to a mainstream audience.
While this is still a Zoom episode, we're back to our old format: a central topic…and a little roleplaying. In this episode we talk about many of the different kinds of guillotines. Kroyler explains the benefits and downsides of each variation and when to apply them.
Enjoy this last Quarantine episode because next we're back to our old format! This week we discuss: Being too passing when rolling Relying too heavily of offense Size discrepancy in a fight Human vs the animal jiu jitsu
In an all new addition of The Quarantine Chronicles: What does training look like as people start to go back to the gym? Andrew talks about preparing for his purple belt test, which leads to a broader discussion on belt progression. Which competitors are the most fun to watch? Andrew tries to get Kroyler to host a gym talent show.
This week in The Quarantine Chronicles: A new segment is born that pits Andrew and Kroyler against each other in a heated battle of the minds Kroyler and Andrew's top 3 combos A discussion on jiu jitsu movies, or lack of
This week in the Quarantine Chronicles: Transferring an opponent's energy/momentum Reacting to confrontations Andrew gets a haircut And more listener questions!
This week in The Quarantine Chronicles: What kind of long term effect will this prolonged break have on jiu jitsu? Kroyler talks about his very first competition as a child. We discuss a John Danaher statement on leg locks. Also, listener questions!
In this episode we discuss sex, drugs, and murder! Ok, that's a lie. We actually discuss topics that are far more interesting like problems with lasso guard, Nino's Pass, and video learning. Ok, maybe the original topics would have made a much better epsiode.
Breaking grips, takedowns for giants, and knee on belly are all topics of conversation in this qurantine episode. Enjoy this episode while sitting in your living room, wearing your go, and drinking a glass of wine.
Link to competition video: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1POKb3MZ2PEvdDGL5O6GD_3hVZAHXjNmP
As you stare at your dusty gi hanging in the corner, you can feel jiu jitsu fading ever so slowly away in your mind. Fearing regression, you put it on and tie your belt. However, it has been so long that your fingers fumble and your belt knot is a mangled mess. This isn't good. By the time you can start training again, you might forget how to roll and that annoying new white belt may kick your ass the next time you train together. Fear not, friends! Just Jiu Jitsu is here to keep jiu jitsu fresh in your minds by providing technical knowledge in a mildly entertaining manner. In this episode we take questions from listeners and Kroyler answers them with as little disdain as possible. Thanks for listening and stay safe!
It has been three weeks now since the Corona virus shut down gyms around the world. Without jiu jitsu we are all slowly succumbing to the cold embrace of insanity. Structure and format are things of the past. In this new world, aimless banter about jiu jitsu, disney characters, and tasteful nudity reign supreme. Lower your standards and get ready for another installment of The Corona Diaries.
Week 2 of Corona lockdown and we're forced to record over Zoom. This episode is on Marcio Stambowsky, an eighth degree coral belt and mentor to our very own Kroyler. He is one of six people to have received a black belt from Rolls Gracie. With massive contributions to the triangle and closed guard, Marcio has established himself as an important figure in jiu jitsu.
Just because every gym has shut down doesn't mean Just Jiu Jitsu has closed its doors. During a time when you can't train with the idiots at your school, find solace in listening to two idiots talk about jiu jitsu. This week we talk about life after one week without training. Consider it our first diary entry after one week without jiu jitsu. We discuss how to use this time to continue moving forward in your development. Finally we end the show with a very special horoscope.
Part 2 of the Stand-up series delves into aspects like wrist/head control, angles, feints, and using momentum. Hopefully by the end of this episode you'll be able to take down the most experienced black belt at your school. If not then please direct all complaints to Kroyler.
In jiu jitsu it's easy to be comfortable on the ground, but what about on your feet? A lot of the jiu jitsu community today isn't confident in their ability to fight on their feet. Why is this? What caused this and how can we learn to embrace engaging while standing up?
If you are here for a film analysis of the thriller Speed, starring Keanu Reeves, you might be disappointed. The topic of discussion in this episode is about how and when to rely on speed. Speed can be a devastatingly effective tool, but it can also be used as a crutch to mask poor technique. Kroyler talks about the different types of speed and how they should be ultilzed.
Few chokes are as quick and powerful as the Baseball Bat Choke. This choke uses an opponent's eagerness against them. By baiting them to pass your guard, they happily progress to the trap. By the time they realize they're at risk, it's too late. In this episode we breakdown the choke in order to understand what makes it so potent.
Carlson Gracie, the eldest son of Carlos Gracie, showed that grit and skill are a dangerous combination. A talented fighter responsible for coaching legends in jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts, Carlson is known as a prolific figure in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Still coming off the high of our one year episode, we decide to answer some listener emails. We touch on topics like retaining information while rolling, jiu jitsu in modern day MMA, and how to escape side control as a big person.
This episode marks one year of the Just Jiu Jitsu podcast. In honor of our special episode we change up the format. Instead of focusing on a particular topic, our conversation is all over the board. We reflect on the past year, look forward to the future, role-play, and take a quiz. If you prefer our usual format, fear not, it will return next week. Thank you for listening to our first 52 episodes!
If last week's episode was a super hero, it would be Spiderman. That means this week's episode is Captain America: strong, composed, understated, and great for passing guard. Wait, has Marvel ever confirmed that Captain America is good at passing guard? Moving on, this week we talk about the less flashy, but equally effective Pressure Pass. This style emphasizes control and strategizing. If movement passing isn't your style, then pressure passing may be your jam.
We've walked through Kroyler's first two stages of passing: good control/nullification of the opponent's hips and creating an opening in their guard. This episode is on stage three: passing the opponent's guard. We talk specifically about movement passing. This is a subcategory of passing that emphasizes finesse, agility and craftiness. It involves techniques like long stepping and weaving. If you enjoy keeping your opponents guessing and pretending like your Spiderman dodging enemy bullets then this is the style for you.
A listener says she is small and can't do much on top, which makes her avoid top mount and spend all of her time on bottom. She asks if she should focus more on her top game. How can she feel heavy and control larger opponents? After discussing some ways to improve top positions, Kroyler uses this topic to talk about going out of your comfort zone in order to work on your weaknesses. A new segment debuts in the last half of the show: Kroyler's Competition Corner! A listener sent a video of one of his competitions and Kryoler analyzes it. To follow along with Kroyler's analysis go to the Just Jiu Jitsu Podcast facebook page for a link to the video.
Levers and fulcrums. Sound familiar? We talk about these often when referencing submissions like arm bars. Well this episode is about knee bars and how we can use the concepts we've learned from other positions to better our understanding of this wickedly efficient leg lock.