MMA Training Book Review: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Techniques by Jean Jacques Machado
Written by Mike on September 29, 2008 – 10:44 am -This reviewer is not aware of the history for Jiu-Jitsu instructional materials. A few years ago however, the first two books on the art I’ve seen were “Theory and Technique” by Renzo and Royler Gracie and “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Techniques” from Jean Jacques Machado with Kid Peligro. These were among the few books out there available for those training bjj or mixed martial arts.
A 6th degree black belt, Jean Jacques was one of the dominant grapplers from the 1980’s to the early part of this millenium. He won several titles in the sports of bjj and sambo. He is most famous for his wins in the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships. This makes him very qualified to author such an instructional book that can help many training in mma or bjj. In addition, he has done all this with a deformed left hand.
The book itself, published back in 2003, is in full color, adequately displaying Jean Jacques’ techniques. When needed, alternate views or close ups are utilized to emphasize grips and general hand placing. This is a great trend that would be repeated in most mma-related, written instructional material that came out in the following years (that have also been reviewed here on mma-gear-news).
In Black Belt Techniques, Machado shows 112 of his techniques, 85 in gi and 27 for no gi. Most of the first 85 moves can be translated for use in no gi although Jean Jaqcues does not actually show ow that is done. There are several submissions, guard passes and immediate submissions off a guard pass in the book that can be done securely or by moving quickly or in a flashy manner to surprise one’s training partner. Personally I think the gems of the book are Jean Jacques’ passes. Submissions he shows include armlocks, chickenwings, chokes, kneebars, footlocks, toeholds, calf crushers, the Twister (the move made famous by his student Eddie Bravo) and even heelhooks.
As the title of the instructional material implies, Black Belt Techniques are for somewhat advanced students. An adequate knowledge of basic moves is needed because Machado does not show how submissions are finished not does he explain some basic hip movements needed. To add, some of his movements are better seen on video, rather than exlained in text format. (That’s where YouTube becomes very useful.) Nevertheless, this is a good, organized book to get for those into bjj for sport grappling or for training mma.
BJJ Black Belt Techniques cover
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