Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu is THE book to combine Judo and BJJ – BUY IT NOW!

For those who are not yet convinced, read on.

Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu caused a storm in the Judo and BJJ world when it was published in 2006 and has been one of the main reasons for the production of this website. Written by Dave Camarillo (and Erich Krauss), it remains the definitive work so far on the combination of BJJ and Judo. The book begins by explaining that there are three main sections:

1) Incorporation of Judo and Jiu-Jitsu

2) From launches to shipments

3) Flying attacks

Dave explains that a BJJ student should effectively progress their development in this order by incorporating Judo into their game.

“The birth of Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu”

Here we learn that Dave Camarillo and his brother Dan have practiced Judo for most of their lives. After a knee injury prevented Dave from training on his feet, he visited Ralph Gracie’s academy after seeing BJJ in the UFC. In his first session, Ralph subjected Dave to a triangle using only his legs. Dave was hooked!

With BJJ now added to an already impressive arsenal of Judo skills, Dave began to dominate competitions in both sports. He now trains UFC veteran Sean Sherk and UFC fighters Josh Thomson, Jon Fitch, Mike Swick, Forrest Griffin and Josh Koscheck. We also learned that Dave got into a fight with Ralph Gracie and some of his clashes with judo coaches who refused to acknowledge his abilities and saw Jiu-Jitsu as a threat. To understand the level of dominance that Dave exercised over many of his opponents, it is best to buy the Dave Against The Machine DVD, and watch a young Tyson beat up his foolish opponents! I think it’s still available on On The Mat.

The first section of Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu can be divided into:

i) Rolls and falls

ii) Cuffs

iii) Releases

iv) Meshing techniques

This first section is probably the one I use the most. The twists and turns are covered in a level of detail not seen in any other Judo book and the relevance of the twists and turns goes beyond saving your back. Any newcomer to a judo club will appreciate taking the time to learn how to properly brake a fall, and Dave points out that a leaking fall prevented serious injury from a motorcycle accident.

The Grips section is sufficient and more pragmatic than Neil Adams’ excellent “Grips” book, but a bit disorganized. The pitches and tights sections are beautifully photographed in excellent detail and even now, I discover new gems that I had missed before.

From launches to shipments

I really like the second section entitled “From Releases to Presentations”. Dave emphasizes some quick “kill” arm locks (ironically, my own BJJ Blackbelt coach has already highlighted that some quick kills were needed in my game) and some combinations of the failed arm section where an opponent grabs his own arm, what Eddie Bravo calls “the Spider’s Web”, although Dave does not tend to hold the leg on the nearest side.

Then it details its “Impact Control Variables”. This shows 5 different post-launch positions depending on your original grip, and shows various bracelets and chokes to immediately end with a submission. These positions can also be used in regular knee-on-stomach practice after passing the guard. Kouchi-Gari armlock finishes, foot sweeps, half guard, tomoe nage, and as firefighter carry counters are detailed. Dave then shows some BJJ-specific Judo counters (two guard passes against BJJ guard players by simply pulling the guard) and an Anti-Judo counter that shows a way to block Judo players who collapse.

Dave also demonstrates two guard passing techniques designed to immediately pass guard when an opponent simply jumps on his back. For Jiu-Jitsu competition, I have not seen anyone else cover this area in an instruction.

Flying attacks

This is the most spectacular section of any martial arts book. To really appreciate Dave’s skill here, you must check out the amazing “Dave Against The Machine” DVD. It hits people so hard in flying armbands that it really is like watching a Tyson of BJJ and Judo combined. I can’t think of another worthy comparison. Another factor that a book cannot convey is how quickly Dave Camarillo finishes fights against top-tier opponents in the competition, be it BJJ or Judo. Once you’ve witnessed footage of Dave in action, the importance of the methods he displays will really become apparent.

Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu once again demonstrates the usual detail and almost every flying armband scenario available, and a series of counters based on the reaction of your opponents. I found out that I was landing quickly with flying armbands in practice, but I must recommend that you use a crash mat to begin with. I also advise that when a partner is practicing a flying arm or a drill, do not try to soften their fall. It’s a quick way to injure your back!
general

I recommend this book above any other. If you train Judo or BJJ, you must train the other. This is not only the first book of its kind, it is groundbreaking.

There have been a couple of criticisms on the web that I have come across. First of all, some have emphasized the lack of BJJ fundamentals in Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu. To this, I say that the clue is in the subtitle: “Revolutionizing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu”. So it assumes that you already have a basic appreciation for the fundamentals of BJJ and the last thing the BJJ market needed was another “this is a shrimp” type book. Second, it has been argued that Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu only shows many movements. AAAAAGGGGHHHHHH !!!!! It is not like this; the problem is that even now, very few people train Judo and BJJ. Some of the details about Judo I have not seen anywhere else, not even in the entire Ippon series, or in any of the other Judo books or DVDs out there. They are not cheeky and are sometimes just very subtle, like the “hip counter” with the arm on the back of the neck and the elbow down, shown as part of a flying attack.

From an editorial perspective, Victory Belt has earned a reputation for having the best photography in the industry. The images are detailed where necessary and I believe I have read that there are more than 700 photographs.

THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENT. GO BUY IT !!!