MMA Training Book: Mastering The Twister by Eddie Bravo
Written by Mike on October 31, 2008 – 11:26 am -For those who don’t know, the Twister is a neck crank or spine crank that look similar to the abdominal stretch in pro-wrestling shows. Although it appears to be too complicated, Eddie Bravo makes it look easy and actually used it several times during many tournaments.
MMA/ BJJ training book: Mastering The Twister by Eddie Bravo (cover)
Mastering The Twister is part of a set of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt Eddie Bravo’s instructional books. Mastering The Rubber Guard was his first full color book that covered his bottom and guard game. This book for review on the other hand, tackles Eddie Bravo’s just-as-unique top game.
One thing that is taught in basic bjj is not to give up one’s back. Eddie’s twister side control however, is a side mount wherein one turns his back to his opponent, facing the legs instead. From there, Eddie Bravo presents so many options that are likely not taught outside his academy, 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu.
Eddie also teaches his variant on the mount and back mount. For example, Eddie may step on an opponent’s hips during the mount or figure four his legs around his partner’s waist during back mount. Several nonconventional submissions and transitions then follow that one can use on unsuspecting opponents.
Some may say that Eddie positions are unlikely to be encountered during live sparring. I say though that by adapting his gameplay, one’s partners can be forced into those positions at least some of the time. Twister transitions for example may seem too exotic for some training in bjj or mma. But one can do some of these off a basic position like back control by locking one of the partner’s legs with one’s own legs in a figure four. The Twister is then easily obtained via rolling from the previously described position.
As usual for a Victory Belt publication, full color photos, meticulous details and alternate angles (when necessary) are present.
Mastering The Twister is not for grappling newbies. Whether you’re new at jiu-jitsu or have only begun training groundfighting for mma, knowledge of the basics is required in order to properly use this book. Proper leg positions for armbars and triangles are not explained so it is best that the reader has had at least a few months of jiu-jitsu classes before reading Eddie Bravo’s instructional.
Because Eddie Bravo advocates no gi training for bjj, this instructional book will be very useful for those training mma in order to improve their grappling skills, specifically from the top.
The only negative aspect I found in a training book this thick and expensive is that there are no passes. To completely cover the top game during bjj or mma training, positions and transitions should be accompanied by effective guard passing. Even Eddie Bravo’s black-and-white book, Jiu-jitsu Unleashed had a few guard passes.
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