Advanced BJJ by Marcelo Garcia

[yaelwrites]

Reviewing this book as a n00b was a bit intimidating, but I took a shot.

Http://yaelwrites.com/2012/01/02/book-review-advanced-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-techniques-by-marcelo-garcia-with-marshal-d-carper-glen-cordoza/ - Book Review: Advanced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques by Marcelo Garcia (with Marshal D. Carper & Glen Cordoza

[slideyfoot]

Short review (my full review here):

This is a book aimed at competitors, presenting a methodical breakdown of Garcia's tactics for a jiu jitsu match. You'll learn takedowns, counters and re-counters, along with a well-structured path to certain submissions, particularly attacks from the back. Although Garcia makes a point of working on techniques that don't require strength, he does expect you to have speed, athleticism and aggression.

The selection of techniques reflects that ethos: Marcelo Garcia may be known for his big smile, but there is nothing friendly about attacks like the 'throat crush'. He also isn't directing his tips at beginners: after all, this is advanced jiu jitsu, so if you don't already have the basics, spend some more time developing your BJJ before you pick this up.

Reviewing this book as a n00b was a bit intimidating

Heh - yeah, as per what I just wrote, I would not recommend this book for beginners (though fair enough in your case, as it was a review copy sent by Victory Belt).

[locnguyen]

It looks like arm drags make up a good portion of the book. Do you guys have other suggestions for learning resources on that particular set of techniques?

[FiveRingRonin]

This is a decent book but I kind of expected more from Marcelo. His X Guard book is fantastic especially for the Butterfly Guard section that I was looking for more than his takedowns which are fairly basic if you've wrestled before and his back attacks. Where are the side control subs, escapes etc. Look at Saulo's book. It's a masterpiece. All Books should look to that one as inspiration. Marcelo's new book is pretty good but nothing special.

[henno]

Originally Posted by FiveRingRonin

This is a decent book but I kind of expected more from Marcelo. His X Guard book is fantastic especially for the Butterfly Guard section that I was looking for more than his takedowns which are fairly basic if you've wrestled before and his back attacks. Where are the side control subs, escapes etc. Look at Saulo's book. It's a masterpiece. All Books should look to that one as inspiration. Marcelo's new book is pretty good but nothing special.

I agree with you on JJ University, however Marcelo's latest is probably my new fav. He's not trying to cover everything, but give you a great breakdown of his game and his moves. I have got a huge amount out of this book and I have really noticed improvement in my own game from this.

[FiveRingRonin]

Originally Posted by henno

I agree with you on JJ University, however Marcelo's latest is probably my new fav. He's not trying to cover everything, but give you a great breakdown of his game and his moves. I have got a huge amount out of this book and I have really noticed improvement in my own game from this.

You can certainly learn some good stuff from his new book, I just expected something more innovative. I already know 90% of what he shows here. I think I respect him so much in his ability that I thought he would show some crazy stuff I never saw before but that wasn't the case here. By using Advanced in his title I didn't think he'd show basic wrestling, guillotine adjustments and stuff like that. I thought we'd get some cutting edge submissions, sweeps or something innovative like inverted guard or something but this stuff just feels basic, not advanced to me. This is a book I had high hopes for but fails to live up to the hype considering how good a grappler he is. Maybe if he didn't include the word Agvanced and just called it his top game I would have appreciated it more but I'm not too impressed by the best grappler in the world's ability to teach what he calls Advanced bjj. It's not advanced at all, it's just his top game with wrestling takedowns and no side control techniques. Not a bad book but not a great one either and it is basically begging you to subscribe to his website. Not impressed by this one...

[Jasculs]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

[henno]

Originally Posted by FiveRingRonin

You can certainly learn some good stuff from his new book, I just expected something more innovative. I already know 90% of what he shows here. I think I respect him so much in his ability that I thought he would show some crazy stuff I never saw before but that wasn't the case here. By using Advanced in his title I didn't think he'd show basic wrestling, guillotine adjustments and stuff like that. I thought we'd get some cutting edge submissions, sweeps or something innovative like inverted guard or something but this stuff just feels basic, not advanced to me. This is a book I had high hopes for but fails to live up to the hype considering how good a grappler he is. Maybe if he didn't include the word Agvanced and just called it his top game I would have appreciated it more but I'm not too impressed by the best grappler in the world's ability to teach what he calls Advanced bjj. It's not advanced at all, it's just his top game with wrestling takedowns and no side control techniques. Not a bad book but not a great one either and it is basically begging you to subscribe to his website. Not impressed by this one...

Did you really expect something like inverted guard from Marcelo? Sounds like Caio Terra's latest would be more up your alley.

[FiveRingRonin]

Originally Posted by henno

Did you really expect something like inverted guard from Marcelo? Sounds like Caio Terra's latest would be more up your alley.

I just wanted something Advanced from his advanced book

[Aesopian]

What do you consider advanced? Marcelo is showing what works for him at the highest levels of competition.