Blog

How to train BJJ while traveling — finding a gym in a new city, drop-in etiquette, mat fees, what to pack, and why open mats are a traveler's best friend.

IBJJF rules in plain English — how points and advantages work, which techniques are legal at your belt, and the DQs that surprise first-time competitors.

ADCC is the world championship of no-gi grappling, held every two years. Its history, unusual ruleset, and why winning it matters more than money.

John Danaher went from philosophy PhD student to the most influential coach in grappling. How his systems, leg locks, and squad changed BJJ.

Rickson Gracie is the Gracie family's most mythologized fighter — invisible jiu-jitsu, Japan vale tudo, and why his ideas still shape how BJJ is taught.

Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida won more IBJJF world titles than anyone before him — here's how a kid from São Paulo became the greatest heavyweight ever.

Mikey Musumeci — first American-born male IBJJF black belt world champion, the famous pizza diet, the footlock game, and his rise to no-gi stardom.

Takedowns for BJJ when you hate standup — why gyms neglect it, wrestling vs judo entries, three high-percentage options, and honest guard-pulling talk.

Leg locks in BJJ, honestly — why they were taboo, what changed, where beginners should start, what's legal at your belt, and how to keep partners safe.

What does it take to earn a BJJ purple belt? An honest look at the purple belt in jiu-jitsu: the typical timeline, what skills it represents, and IBJJF age minimums.

A factual profile of the Ruotolo brothers, Kade and Tye: twin American grapplers and ADCC, ONE Championship, and Craig Jones Invitational champions redefining modern jiu-jitsu.

A factual profile of Roger Gracie, the 10-time IBJJF World Champion widely regarded as the greatest gi competitor in BJJ history: his record, ADCC titles, lineage, and MMA career.

A factual profile of Gordon Ryan, the American submission grappler widely called the greatest no-gi competitor of all time: his record, ADCC titles, team, and legacy.

Injured but don't want to quit BJJ? Here's how to keep training safely around common injuries, when to rest, how to communicate with partners, and how to come back smart.

Should you compete in BJJ? An honest look at the pros and cons of competing in jiu-jitsu, what you gain, what holds people back, and how to decide if it's for you.

Choose classes your real week can support, make a backup plan, and return after a missed session without creating training debt.

Should you play top or bottom in BJJ? An honest look at the pros and cons of top pressure vs guard play, and how to decide which game fits you as a beginner.

Guard passing is one of the hardest skills in BJJ. Here are the principles that make passing work — pressure, posture, grips, and patience — plus beginner mistakes to fix.

Which supplements actually help your jiu-jitsu? An honest look at the supplements worth considering for BJJ — protein, creatine, electrolytes — and the ones to skip.

Recovery is what lets you train BJJ hard, often, and injury-free. A practical guide to recovering after jiu-jitsu: sleep, nutrition, hydration, mobility, and soreness.

Mobility makes your jiu-jitsu better and keeps you injury-free. A practical guide to stretching and mobility for BJJ: what to focus on, when to do it, and key areas.

Does lifting help your jiu-jitsu? A practical guide to strength training for BJJ: what to train, how to avoid overtraining, the best exercises, and recovery.

More BJJ students quit at blue belt than any other rank. Here's why the 'blue belt blues' happen, the real reasons people leave, and how to push through the plateau.

Skin infections like ringworm and staph spread on dirty mats and gear. Here's how to prevent them in BJJ: showering, washing gear, covering cuts, and spotting issues early.