Fighter

One of the most beautiful aspects of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is that it is always evolving. It seems like every month - every week even - someone has posted something new and fresh... some new entry into an arm bar, some new variation of a pass, and event a new guard!

So we thought we'd dedicated this blog to document some of the more modern guards out there in the BJJ world today. Check them out:

De La Riva ("DLR")

Although this guard had been previously employed in judo during the 1970s, the development of the De La Riva Guard in BJJ is attributed to Ricardo De La Riva during the 1980s. While not the most modern of the modern guards, it deserves note here because it is a foundation position for many of the modern guards that followed it.

Reverse DLR

Also known as the "Spiral Guard," the Reverse DLR Guard emerged in the early 2000's and is largely attributed to legendary rooster weight Caio Terra. Reverse DLR also serves as a foundation for a lot of other modern guards, and is the entry point to the Kiss of the Dragon back take.

50/50 Guard

An appropriately named leg entanglement, the 50/50 Guard is one in which your opponent is essentially in the same position as you are, with an equal opportunity for both fighters to execute techniques. This is a great guard for those who enjoy foot locks, heel hooks... or just stalling a match to win by advantages.

X-Guard

Largely attributed to BJJ legend Marcelo Garcia, the X-Guard is another foundational modern guard that has seen a ton of different variations - usually in the form of a hybrid X type guard. Predominantly used for sweeping or going to the back, some practitioners have found sneaky attacks from this position.

Single Leg X

A favorite guard of some of world's top modern BJJ practitioners, the Single Leg X is another guard that sees a lot of variations and hybrids. A strong guard for both gi and no-gi styles, when executed properly, the Single Leg X provides a ton of opportunities for sweeping, going to the back, attacking legs, etc.

Tornado Guard

Popularized by Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu, the Tornado Guard, or Inverted Guard as it is sometimes called, is not for the faint of heart... or the inflexible. But for those who can fold themselves like a piece of sandwich bread, the Tornado Guard provides some highlight-reel-worthy sweeps and attacks. 

Rubber Guard

An invention of the notorious Eddie Bravo, the founder of the 10th planet system and a pioneer in the intentional evolution of jiu jitsu, the Rubber Guard is another guard that requires just a bit of flexibility. This guard is great for those who like to play from closed guard.

Spider Guard

A guard that can only really be played in the gi, the Spider Guard is another modern guard that has become the foundation for a lot of other hybrid modern guard variations, like the Lo Guard, a hybrid of the DLR and the Spider, and Dom Bell's Tarantula Guard. The strength of this guard lies in its ability to manipulate the base of your opponent by controlling his/her upper body.

Lasso Guard

For those of you who aren't fans of the Spider Guard - like me, with my short legs - the Lasso Guard is great alternative that allows for just as much base manipulation without having to be as dextrous with your feet. Plus, the position opens up a lot of great triangle and omoplata attacks. 

Lapel Guard

These days, the Lapel Guard has become almost an umbrella term for a lot of different guard variations that use your opponent's lapel against him/her. You can't mention lapel guards without talking about jiu jitsu phenom Keenan Cornelius, the inventor of many highly effective lapel guards, such as the Worm Guard and the Squid Guard.

Whether you're an active competitor, or just a weekend hobbiest, it's important that you recognize the constantly evolving nature of jiu jitsu and keep abreast of all the new positions and techniques that are floating around out there. If you don't... you do so at your own peril when you find yourself facing some hotshot modern jiu jitsu player. 

Train on... and evolve. Oss.

Sorry guys and gals... there is no standard answer nor any magic algorithm that can tell you how often you should train Brazilian jiu jitsu. Everyone's life is different, and everyone's jiu jitsu journey is his/her own.

However, there are a few questions you should ask yourself to figure out how often YOU should train BJJ. Read on... 

How much do you want to? 

How often you should train will be dictated largely by your will; how much do you really want to train? Are you absolutely obsessed with the gentle art and want to train every day, all day, and only that for the rest of your natural born life? Or do you just love it and want to hit the mats a few times a week to get your adrenaline and endorphin fix, in between the days you do other things that you love? Either is fine, and completely normal, believe me. What's most important about this question is that you can answer it honestly and without any outside influence. Make sure you're training only as much as you want to, not as much as someone else wants or expects you to. When it becomes about what someone else wants, you'll quickly find your will to train deteriorating... and nobody wants that. 

How much can you? 

That first question will be significantly tempered by how much you can train. Maybe you have a full-time job and a family. Even if the will to train every day is there, your available "me time" is just not there. You have obligations, which is cool. Congratulations on being a successful adult. But because jiu jitsu is such an excellent vehicle for relieving stress, regardless of how busy you might be in your real life, you should make the time to hit the academy a few times a week... for your own health and sanity (which only has positive effects on your family and work relationships). Or maybe you do have the time, but you have physical limitations on how hard and often you can go. As someone in my 30s, I know that my ability to recover is not what it used to be, so instead of breaking my body to keep up with all these superhuman kids, I train less, but train smarter.

What are your goals? 

Then you have to factor in your goals. Do you want to be a world champion athlete? You're not going to do that by training just a few times a week. There are people out there busting their butts each and every day to make it to the top. You're not going to get there by cruising. Do you just want to stay in shape? You probably don't need to train seven days a week (unless you want to... or like me, you have a terrible addiction to sweets); four or five days a week is fine. Do you want to become a black belt in 8-10 years (that's pretty fast, btw)? Then you should be training often and consistently. If you don't really have any goals, and you're there just to have fun, you can train however often you feel like it. 

How do you feel? 

Which brings me to my final consideration: how do you feel? However often you decide to train, you should always listen to your mind and your body. Have you been training six to seven days a week, hard, and you feel like your 90-year-old grandpa when you get out of bed? Then you should probably tone it down a bit. Are you forcing yourself to get into your car because you feel like crap and you kind of dread going and getting smashed on? Don't go. If your mind and body aren't feeling it that day, you may not be able to perform as well as you can and you might get hurt, or worse, burned out. Of course, there have been times that I've felt a little "meh" and forced myself to go train, only to feel 100x better afterward and glad I did it. But there's a fine line, and you should make an effort to recognize where that line is for you. 

However often you train jiu jitsu, remember to always have fun.

Train on... often. Oss. 

If you're a jiu jitsu competitor, you've probably dreamed of landing a fat sponsorship from some big-time company, so that you can train full-time without a care in the world. That would be the life, right?

Well, not to be a buzzkill, but the percentage of BJJ athletes that can actually live off of sponsorships is depressingly low. That being said, until you become a celebrity jiu jitsu star, you can make your jiu jitsu journey a little easier - and cheaper - by seeking out a sponsor or two. It's possible... but you have to know how to go about it. 

Here are a few things to consider: 

Know Your Value

Bottom line: companies want athletes who will represent their brand in highly-visible ways, in order to attract more customers to their brand... basically, you're a glorified sales person. With that in mind, you have to analyze your value the way the company would. Are you active and visible in the jiu jitsu community? Do you regularly compete - and do well - at tournaments? Do you have a large social media following? Do you post regularly? These are all things a company will look for when considering their ROI ("return on investment") into your jiu jitsu career. When crafting your message to sponsors, you should be able to highlight your value to them, with numbers (of followers, of tournaments, of medals, etc.) if possible. Business people love numbers. 

Know Your Target Sponsor

It makes a huge impression on a potential sponsor if you know what their company and brand is all about. They can tell if you're just peppering the market with generic "Sponsor me please" messages. It's lazy, and it does nothing for your chances of landing a coveted sponsorship with that company. Instead, take some time and do your research. Aside from what they sell, what is their motto? What do they value? Do their values align with yours? Not only will this enable you to craft a more personalized message, it allows you to gauge whether or not you would be a good representative of their brand. 

Reach Out in a Professional Manner

Nothing makes my eyes roll more than when a "jiu jitsu athlete" posts a message in the comment section of a company's random instagram post asking for a sponsorship... usually misspelled and with poor grammar. And an emoji. Ugh. A sponsorship is a contract between you and the company, establishing a professional relationship in which you will represent the brand in exchange for money, gear, or services. Sometimes there is actually a physical contract involved. Does that sound like the kind of thing that can be initiated via Instagram? Granted, more and more companies are using social media to communicate with their customers, but you should at the very least send a well-thought, well-written and proofread direct message, either via email or the company's social media inbox (or both, for good measure).  

Follow Up

Companies, especially in the jiu jitsu industry, receive hundreds - if not thousands - of messages each day asking for sponsorships, or guidance on products, or returns, or any number of thing. Just because you took the time to send out a nice message once, does not mean they will see it and put it on the top of their priority list. It never hurts to follow up. Of course, don't be a pest about it... remember, they have a business to run, so they likely have a million things to do each day. But a friendly reminder a week or two later could mean the difference between not hearing back at all, and getting their attention. 

Think Outside the Box

We all want that fat, high-profile sponsor - like Kingz, Tatami, or Virus - but unless you're hitting it big at all the major IBJJF tournaments, the odds are slim that you'll land one of those. Of course, don't let that stop you from trying! But also consider some lesser known and up-and-coming brands, who would gladly trade some gear or services for some additional exposure. Also, consider brands outside the current jiu jitsu market. There are some companies that would love to step a foot in the door of a new and growing market like jiu jitsu. Don't be afraid to reach out to them. 

Sponsorships are out there, you just have to be willing to sell yourself and put the work in to get them. And always - ALWAYS - remember that once you do get a sponsorship, you are now representing the company. Be aware of what you say or do, because that could affect the relationship you have with your sponsor. 

Train on... Oss. 

Today I want to pay tribute to one of the most under-appreciated pieces of your jiu jitsu kit... the gear bag. Whether it's a backpack or a duffle bag - or even a combination of the two - having a reliable, well-constructed gear bag helps to keep you organized and prepared to get your train on. 

Here at Fighters Market, we've seen all kinds of BJJ gear bags pass through our warehouse, so we've decided to review some of our favorites: 

Kingz Convertible Backpack 2.0

You know Kingz Kimonos as one of the most premier gi brands in the industry today, worn by some of the top competitors in the sport, including Leandro Lo and Kaynan Duarte. When they came out with their first edition of their convertible backpack back at the 2017 IBJJF European Championships, it sold out almost immediately. This year, they made that bag even better. Offering the same awesome features that made the first version so popular, the Convertible Backpack 2.0 is more durable and is now available in three different colorways: black, red, and hunter green. This bag definitely tops are list, and here's why: it has a ton of intelligently designed pockets for all your needs; it has a separate ventilated pocket to put your wet gear (which helps to prevent that "gi funk"); and it converts easily from an already spacious 48 liter volume backpack to a 72 liter volume duffle bag. Essentially, this gear bag is one of the most intelligently designed sports bags we've come across... like ever. 

Fuji Sports Grapple Pack

Fuji has always pretty much dominated the market when it comes to jiu jitsu gear bags. If memory serves, they might have actually been the first brand to offer their own kind of bag. Remember their duffle bags and backpacks made of actual gi jacket pearl weave material? Yeah. Super old school. Their most popular bags have always been their duffle bags, which they've upgraded from time to time and added new features. However, their Sports Grapple Pack has taken a totally different turn from their usual... and we dig it. Basically, this gear bag is the illegitimate love child between a duffle bag and a backpack. Designed to be carried backpack style, it has a very interesting duffle bag-style vertical zipper that allows for easy access to your gis and gear when you're at the academy. It also has a nifty side pocket for your laptop or tablet, and a bottom compartment for your shoes or sweaty gear after training and which can be folded and tucked away when not in use. 

Scramble Kimono Backpack

The first two gear bags on our list definitely have the "look" of a gear bag. Scramble Brand decided to go a different route with their Scramble Kimono Backpack, which has a more subtle look, ideal for commuting from your swanky job in the city to your academy after work. Although this bag has a smaller capacity than the Kingz Convertible Backpack and the Fuji Sports Grapple Pack - with room for a single gi and miscellaneous training gear - it's definitely far more stylish, with nice grey finish, A-symmetrical design features, and a unique kimono lapel-style flap, containing a hidden pocket. The padded back and shoulder straps with the security clasp also make it an incredibly comfortable bag, perfect for your long subway ride to class. 

If you've been training long enough, you know the value of a good gear bag. We don't have to convince you of that. But what we can do is steer you in the right direction, toward a really great gear bag. 

Train on... Oss. 

Brazilian jiu jitsu is not one of these activities with a nice, shallow slope of a learning curve. On the contrary, you're going to get smashed for a good two or three months before you ever feel like you're getting a tiny little toehold of understanding. 

On the one hand, that's part of what makes being a jiu jitsu practitioner so special; because it is so challenging and so many people give up, sticking with it is a source of pride in and of itself. On the other hand, repeatedly getting beaten by anyone and everyone makes it hard to actually stick with it. When you're repeatedly getting smashed on the mat, it's less your body and more your mind that takes the real beating. If left unmanaged, this constant bruising of your confidence may set you on a path toward quitting jiu jitsu before you've even had a chance to realize how far you've come, and how much you have to look forward to in your jiu jitsu journey.

So here are some pointers on how you can manage your confidence when you're constantly getting smashed. Read on: 

Small Victories

Until you've gathered enough tools in your jiu jitsu toolkit, you're not going to be winning very many matches. Especially if your training partners are better than you are - and you should seek those out - you're going to be out-techniqued a lot. If you focus entirely on the outcome of the match, you'll easily get discouraged about losing time and time again. However, if you focus on the little things you do right - the "small victories" - you'll be able to see your growth, maintain your excitement about learning jiu jitsu and salvage your confidence. Finally passing the guard of a training partner that you don't normally pass, executing a perfect scissor sweep, or having the courage to throw up an arm bar from guard... those are all small victories; the things that you couldn't do before and now you can. That's progress, and you should be proud of that. 

Think Long-Term

Brazilian jiu jitsu is a marathon, not a sprint. If you're trying to become an expert BJJ practitioner as fast as possible, you are going to put a lot of undue stress on yourself to continually improve, and win, win, win. This creates unrealistic expectations, and when you don't meet those, you're going to become more and more frustrated, then maybe even quit altogether. If you remind yourself to think long-term, you'll be better able to take each day at a time and to keep yourself from obsessing about your perceived lack of improvement. With this long-term vision, you'll note that there will be ups and downs, but you're always moving forward, closer and closer to whatever jiu jitsu goals you might have. 

Choose Your Training Partners

As a female athlete, and usually the smallest person on the mat, I've spent many a training session - and still do - getting out-muscled. This is fine. No matter who you are, there will always be someone out there just a little bit - or a lot a bit - stronger than you are. That being said, I never shy away from rolling with stronger opponents, because it just forces me to be even more technical. However, there are some individuals on the mat that I just do not train with, because I know their goal is to win at any cost. They have no problem using their superior strength and/or technique to smash me mercilessly and without conscience. This kind of mentality is toxic for your growth, and death for your confidence. While they are under no obligation to just let you win, your training partners should acknowledge that you're just embarking on your own journey and have an interest in helping you learn. You are well within your right to choose those kinds of training partners, and say "no" to the others. 

Compete

Becoming a "competitor" is not for everyone, but I believe everyone should compete, at least once or twice in their jiu jitsu career. Win or lose, every competition is worth at least two or three months of training, because you come back with a better sense of how far you've come and what you have to improve on. It's hard to see your growth when you're always training with the same mat sharks day in and day out. When you compete, you face someone your own size and experience level, who may have never fought you before and doesn't know anything about your game. So the opportunities for winning - and therefore getting a nice little boost to your ego - are exponentially higher. Even if you don't win, you'll be able to see that, yes, you have actually been retaining some of this jiu jitsu stuff. Which is exciting and only helps to keep you coming back to the mat. 

Regardless of whether you've just started jiu jitsu, or you've been training for a decade or more, you'll continually have to manage your ego and your confidence. The beauty about Brazilian jiu jitsu is that no one is ever on top all the time. One day you could be the best in the world, and another day you could be tapping to a lower belt. It's important to keep in mind that it's "OK".

Hopefully, these tips help keep you moving forward on your jiu jitsu journey. 

Train on... with confidence. Oss.