Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu - A Review

Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu is THE book for combining Judo andupon your original grip, and shows various armbars and
BJJ - GO BUY IT NOW!chokes to immediately finish with a submission. These
For those still not convinced, then read on.positions can also be used in regular knee on stomach
Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu caused a storm in the Judo and BJJpractice having passed the guard. Armlock finishes
world when it was published in 2006 and has been afrom kouchi-Gari, foot sweeps, half guard, tomoe nage,
major reason for the production of this website!and as counters to firemen's carries are all detailed.
Written by Dave Camarillo (and Erich Krauss), itDave then shows some specific Judo counters to BJJ
remains the definitive work so far on combining BJJ(two guard passes vs. BJJ guard players just pulling
and Judo. The book begins by explaining that there areguard) and an Anti-Judo counter which shows a way
three main sections:of armlocking Judo players who turtle up.
1) Incorporating Judo and Jiu-JitsuDave also shows two guard passing techniques
2) From Throws to Submissionsdesigned to pass guard immediately when an
3) Flying Attacksopponent just jumps to his back. For competition
Dave explains that a BJJ student should effectivelyJiu-Jitsu, I have not witnessed anyone else cover this
progress their development in this order whenarea in an instructional.
incorporating Judo into their game.Flying Attacks
"The Birth of Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu"This is the most spectacular section of any martial arts
Here we learn that Dave Camarillo and his brotherbook. To really appreciate Dave's ability here, you must
Dan have practiced Judo for nearly their entire life.view the incredible "Dave Against The Machine" DVD.
After a knee injury prevented Dave from stand-upHe hits people so hard in flying armlocks that it really is
training, he visited Ralph Gracie's academy havinglike watching a Tyson of BJJ and Judo combined. I
seen BJJ in the UFC. In his first session, Ralph triangledcannot think of another worthy comparison. Another
Dave into submission using only his legs. Dave wasfactor that a book cannot convey is how quickly Dave
hooked!Camarillo finishes fights against top notch opponents in
With BJJ now added to an already impressive arsenalcompetition, whether BJJ or Judo. Once you have
of Judo skills, Dave began to dominate competitions inwitnessed footage of Dave in action, the importance
both sports. He now coaches the UFC veteran Seanof the methods he shows becomes really apparent.
Sherk and UFC fighters Josh Thomson, Jon Fitch, MikeGuerilla Jiu-Jitsu once again demonstrates the usual
Swick, Forrest Griffin and Josh Koscheck. We alsodetail and nearly every scenario of flying armlock
learn that Dave fell out with Ralph Gracie and some ofavailable, and a number of counters based on your
his run-ins with Judo coaches who refused toopponents reaction. I found that I was quickly landing
acknowledge his skills and viewed Jiu-Jitsu as a threat.flying armbars in practice but I must recommend that
To understand the level of dominance Dave exertedyou use a crash mat to begin with. I also advise that
over many of his opponents, its best to buy the DVDwhen a partner is practising a flying armbar or drilling,
Dave Against The Machine -akin to watching a youngthat you do not attempt to soften their fall. Its a quick
Tyson battering his opponents senseless! I believe itsway of injuring your back!
still available from On The Mat.Overall
The first section of Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu can be dividedI recommend this book above any other out there. If
into:i) Rolls and Fallsii) Gripsiii) Throwsiv) Meshingyou train Judo or BJJ, then you should train the other.
techniquesThis is not only the first book of its kind, but its
This first section is probably the one that I use therevolutionary.
most. Rolls and falls are covered to a level of detailThere have been a couple of criticisms around the
unseen in any other Judo book and the relevance ofweb that I have come across. Firstly, some have
rolls and falls goes beyond just saving your back. Anyemphasised Guerilla jiu-Jitsu's lack of BJJ fundamentals.
newby to a Judo club will appreciate having taken theTo this, I say the clue is in the subtitle: "Revolutionising
time to learn how to correctly brake a fall and DaveBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu". Therefore it assumes that you
highlights that a break fall prevented serious injury fromalready have a basic appreciation of BJJ fundamentals
a motorcycle accident.and the last thing the BJJ market needed was another
The Grips section is sufficient and more pragmatic"this is a shrimp" type book. Secondly, its been argued
than Neil Adams excellent but slightly disorganisedthat Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu just shows lots of moves.
"Grips" book. The throws and meshing sections areAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! It does not; the problem is
beautifully photographed with excellent detail and eventhat even now, very few people cross-train Judo and
now, I discover new gems that I'd previously missed.BJJ. Some of the details on Judo I have not seen
From Throws To Submissionsanywhere else in even the entire Ippon series, or any
I really like the 2nd section entitled "From Throws Toof the other Judo books or DVDs around. They are
Submissions". Dave emphasises some quick "kill"not blatant and sometimes only very subtle such as
armlocks (ironically my own BJJ Blackbelt Coach hasthe "hip-in throws counter" with the arm on the back of
already highlighted that some quick kills were needed inthe collar and the elbow down which is shown as part
my game) and some combinations from the failedof a Flying attack.
armbar section where an opponent grabs his ownFrom a publishing perspective, Victory Belt have
arm- what Eddie Bravo calls "the Spider's Web"developed a reputation for the best photographs in the
although Dave doesn't tend to hold the nearside leg.industry. The pictures are detailed where required and I
He then details his "Impact Control Variables." Thisthink I read that there are over 700 photographs.
shows 5 different post-throw positions dependentTHIS BOOK IS SUPERB. GO BUY IT!!!