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About The Gentle Art Guide.
ABOUT THE GENTLE ART GUIDE & JIMMY ROSE
I'm Jimmy Rose - and I'm a lifelong martial artist. My first martial arts lesson was way back in 1984, following the massive success of the original 'The Karate Kid' movie, I took a bus across town to try Karate. I ended up in a Judo class by mistake, got concussed by landing on my head a few minutes in and I have been loving martial arts and combat sports ever since. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is for me the ultimate combat sport and martial art. It is both endlessly fun, but also endlessly challenging in so many ways. I started this website to share my love and knowledge of this noble (Gentle!) art, especially with white belt beginners. Don't take what we write here as the gospel - please listen to your instructor and use your own care and due diligence. Jiu Jitsu is one of the most rewarding things you can do - and so many of the benefits are not to be found in the actual techniques you learn, even though BJJ techniques have been heavily pressure tested and therefore do work - the trick is to put in the time to discover what works best for your body and your ability to absorb and execute multi-component techniques - enjoy your BJJ journey, and we hope to be a valuable resource for your along the way ...OSS!!!
The Basic Physics of Leverage in BJJ
The Basic Physics of Leverage in BJJ Leverage is one of the foundational principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). It explains why a smaller, weaker person can often control, sweep, or submit a much larger and stronger opponent. Instead of relying on brute muscle power, BJJ uses mechanical advantage, applying force efficiently through body positioning, angles, fulcrums, and long levers, so that a little effort produces a big result. The Basic Physics of Leverage in BJJ In simp
The Gentle Art Guide
Apr 94 min read
Obscure BJJ Techniques: The Serbian Foot Lock
Obscure BJJ Techniques: The Serbian Foot Lock The Serbian Foot Lock is another hidden gem in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that flies under the radar for most practitioners. It is a specialized variation of the straight ankle lock, or foot lock, that uses a unique entry and grip to make the submission far more reliable than basic toe holds or standard straight ankle attacks. The move originated in Eastern European grappling circles and gained wider attention through creative players l
The Gentle Art Guide
Apr 74 min read
Obscure BJJ Techniques: The Squirrel Lock
Obscure BJJ Techniques: The Squirrel Lock The Squirrel Lock is one of the most unusual and under-the-radar submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is essentially a kimura shoulder lock, but instead of using your arms to apply the torque, you use your legs while stuck on the bottom of side control. This sneaky technique catches opponents completely off guard because almost no one trains defenses against a leg-based armlock from that position. The move is closely associated wit
The Gentle Art Guide
Apr 74 min read
The Ultimate Almanac Of BJJ Chokes & Strangles
The Ultimate Almanac Of BJJ Chokes & Strangles Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is often called the gentle art, but when it comes to submissions, few things are as decisive—or as feared—as a well-applied choke or strangle. These techniques finish fights by restricting either airflow (air chokes) or blood flow to the brain (blood chokes/strangles), leading to taps or unconsciousness in seconds when done correctly. In modern BJJ, blood chokes dominate the highest-percentage finishes because
The Gentle Art Guide
Mar 104 min read
Detailed Heel Hook Drills
Detailed Heel Hook Drills Heel hooks remain one of the most effective yet dangerous submissions in modern BJJ, especially in no-gi. The rotational torque on the knee can cause serious injury with minimal warning, so drilling them safely is non-negotiable. The focus here is on controlled, progressive drills that build mechanics, control, and awareness without risking taps from pain or sudden damage. Always drill with trusted partners, communicate clearly (e.g., "catch and rele
The Gentle Art Guide
Mar 103 min read
How To Practise The Leg Game In BJJ Without Being On Crutches All The Time
How To Practise The Leg Game In BJJ Without Being On Crutches All The Time How To Practise The Leg Game In BJJ Without Being On Crutches All The Time The leg game in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has exploded in popularity over the last decade. Once seen as the domain of a few specialists like Dean Lister or the Danaher Death Squad crew, it's now a core part of modern no-gi and even gi competition. Leg entanglements, heel hooks, knee reaps, toe holds, and the whole ecosystem of ashi ga
The Gentle Art Guide
Mar 104 min read
Pressure Passing Renaissance: Why Headquarters and Body Lock Systems Are Dominating Gi Competition Again
Pressure Passing Renaissance: Why Headquarters and Body Lock Systems Are Dominating Gi Competition Again Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the gi has always cycled through eras of innovation and counter-innovation. For several years, dynamic, inversion-heavy guards—think berimbolos, lapel entanglements, and flexible lasso variations—ruled the competitive landscape, forcing passers to chase speed, precision, and creative entries. But as we move through 2026, a clear shift is underway: pr
The Gentle Art Guide
Mar 93 min read
Berimbolo Counters in 2026: How Top Players Are Shutting Down Inversion-Heavy Guards
Berimbolo Counters in 2026: How Top Players Are Shutting Down Inversion-Heavy Guards The Berimbolo remains a staple in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, especially among guards that rely on inversion like De La Riva, reverse De La Riva, and lasso variations. In 2026, with the meta still favoring dynamic, leg-entanglement-heavy games, inversion-based attacks continue to catch opponents off guard. Yet top competitors have evolved sophisticated counters that shut these systems down be
The Gentle Art Guide
Mar 94 min read
Bernardo Faria Techniques: Mastering Pressure, Half Guard, and a Simple, Effective Game
Bernardo Faria Techniques: Mastering Pressure, Half Guard, and a Simple, Effective Game Bernardo Faria is a 5-time IBJJF World Champion known for his relentless pressure-based style, heavy top game, and mastery of half guard. Often called the "King of Half Guard," Faria built his success on a minimalist approach: focusing on a few high-percentage positions and techniques rather than chasing endless moves. He emphasizes building a core system around what feels natural to your
The Gentle Art Guide
Mar 53 min read
How To Do The Marcelotine Submission
How To Do The Marcelotine Submission Traditional guillotines often use a low-elbow or arm-in position with the choking arm wrapped loosely around the neck, relying on arm strength or pulling the head down. The Marcelotine shifts to a high-elbow configuration where the choking arm's elbow is positioned much higher—often near or above the opponent's shoulder level. This creates: Extremely tight carotid artery compression with minimal space for escape. Better mechanical advantag
The Gentle Art Guide
Mar 23 min read
Why Your Guard Keeps Getting Passed — And the 3 Habits That Will Fix It
Why Your Guard Keeps Getting Passed — And the 3 Habits That Will Fix It It's one of the most frustrating feelings in BJJ. You're on your back, working your guard, and then — before you even know what happened — your training partner is in side control. Sound familiar? You're not alone. Guard is one of the most unique aspects of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — the idea that you can be effective, even dominant, from your back is what separates BJJ from almost every other martial art. But
The Gentle Art Guide
Feb 275 min read
Attacks From Half Guard: How to Turn a Defensive Position Into a Weapon
Attacks From Half Guard: How to Turn a Defensive Position Into a Weapon Half guard has an identity problem. For a long time it was considered a position of last resort — something you ended up in when your closed guard got passed, a desperate attempt to prevent full side control. A holding pattern. A survival mode. That reputation is now thoroughly, definitively obsolete. Modern half guard — built on the foundations laid by masters like Bernardo Faria, Lucas Leite, Tom DeBlas
The Gentle Art Guide
Feb 278 min read
BJJ Training Tips: How To Retain Back Control Long Enough To Start Attacking
BJJ Training Tips: How To Retain Back Control Long Enough To Start Attacking Taking someone's back in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu feels incredible — right up until the moment they escape and you're left wondering what went wrong. Back control is widely considered the most dominant position in grappling, yet it's also one of the most commonly lost. You spend energy getting there, and then within seconds your training partner has turned into you, nullified your hooks, and you're back t
The Gentle Art Guide
Feb 278 min read
How to Build an Unstoppable Closed Guard: The Fundamentals That Actually Matter
How to Build an Unstoppable Closed Guard: The Fundamentals That Actually Matter There's a reason the closed guard has been a cornerstone of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since Hélio Gracie was refining the art in Brazil. It is one of the most positionally dominant positions in all of grappling — when used correctly. The problem is that most people treat closed guard like a holding pattern. They lock their ankles, hang on, and wait for something to happen. Then they wonder why their gua
The Gentle Art Guide
Feb 276 min read
Mastering the Ezekiel Choke in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Comprehensive Instructional Guide
Mastering the Ezekiel Choke in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Comprehensive Instructional Guide Among the vast array of submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), few carry the deceptive simplicity and high-percentage reliability of the Ezekiel Choke. This gi-based technique, known for its ability to surprise opponents from seemingly dominant positions, uses the practitioner's own sleeve as leverage to compress the carotid arteries and trachea, forcing a quick tap or unconsciousness.
The Gentle Art Guide
Feb 205 min read
Mastering the Asylum Choke in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: An Instructional Guide
Mastering the Asylum Choke in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: An Instructional Guide In the intricate and ever-expanding universe of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), where grapplers constantly seek edges through innovation and technique, the Asylum Choke stands out as a testament to creative problem-solving on the mats. This submission, often overlooked in mainstream curricula, combines elements of control, leverage, and surprise to force an opponent into an uncomfortable and inescapable posi
The Gentle Art Guide
Feb 207 min read
Mastering the Peruvian Necktie in BJJ: A Comprehensive Guide
Mastering the Peruvian Necktie in BJJ: A Comprehensive Guide In the dynamic world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), submissions come in all shapes and sizes, but few combine raw power, technical finesse, and a touch of flair quite like the Peruvian Necktie. This choke, a staple in modern grappling arsenals, targets the opponent's neck with a vise-like grip, often leaving them no choice but to tap or risk unconsciousness. Originating from the front headlock position, it's particul
The Gentle Art Guide
Feb 205 min read
Mastering the Donkey Guard in BJJ: An Unorthodox Approach
Mastering the Donkey Guard in BJJ: An Unorthodox Approach In the ever-evolving world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), where guards like butterfly, De La Riva, and X-guard dominate discussions, there exists a quirky outlier that turns heads—literally. The Donkey Guard, a position that defies conventional wisdom by presenting your back to the opponent while inverted, has sparked both admiration and controversy since its debut. Created by the innovative Jeff Glover, this guard isn'
The Gentle Art Guide
Feb 205 min read
Overcoming Claustrophobia in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Guide to Gradual Exposure Therapy
Overcoming Claustrophobia in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Guide to Gradual Exposure Therapy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that demands close-quarters combat, where practitioners often find themselves in positions of extreme physical constraint. From being mounted by a heavier opponent to enduring side control or knee-on-belly pressure, the sport inherently involves situations that can trigger feelings of entrapment and panic. For many, this manifests as claustrophobia—
The Gentle Art Guide
Feb 206 min read
Mastering the Cross Collar Choke: Your Ultimate Guide to Dominating in BJJ
Mastering the Cross Collar Choke: Your Ultimate Guide to Dominating in BJJ Hey there, BJJ enthusiasts! If you're rolling on the mats and looking to level up your submission game, few techniques pack as much punch—or should I say squeeze—as the cross collar choke. Also known as the "juji jime" in its judo roots or simply the "cross choke" in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu circles, this gi-based submission is a staple for white belts learning the fundamentals and black belts refining thei
The Gentle Art Guide
Feb 86 min read
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