No Rules Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Techniques for Mixed Martial Arts and Self-Defense [With 1 CDROM]

by Gene Simco

Includes free DVD. The first book to bridge the competitive aspects of BJJ and its non-sportive aspects, especially Vale Tudo', or no-holds-barred. No Rules focuses on the techniques of Vale Tudo, the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806526963
• ISBN13: 9780806526966
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Citadel Press
• Length: 185 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.5" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Fighting Reference!

There are a few things that Simco does as an instructor that *most* others in BJJ don't. He was the first to come out with a book that breaks BJJ down into which techniques worked best for different sports. If you want the Bible of BJJ, go get the Master Text. If you are looking for just the Vale Tudo side, this book is great because it will show you what moves you should be concentrating on for that type of thing. The book is broken down into positions and this makes it easy to reference. The main pictures are large and clear with accompanying exploded versions where needed, he then places all the pictures in the form of thumbnails on the sides of the first page where the technique starts for easy referencing or quick overview. The DVD is also excellent. I have most of Simco's previous work, so I wasn't expecting anything new, I just got the book to check out the DVD, which was worth the fair price I paid online.

Well Written & Easy to Learn from

Gene Simco has been around for years now as a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu author and probably the first to write not only a complete volume on the art, but more than one. I think this release is an effort to give consumers a taste of what he offers at a very low price. Most of what the Gracies offer is out there is all they have and always has been, but Simco tends to release much larger and more complete instructional products, which means that at times, they are more expensive (you get what you pay for, though). For the person wondering if anyone besides the Gracies can teach Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, but are hesitant to spend a little more on someone without the name, this book is your starting point. I think the Simco is confident that once you buy this, you'll be hooked, just like me! He teaches in clear English, holds nothing back and knows what its like to learn Jiu-jitsu since he wasn't born into it. I think his competition is made up from some very talented fighters, but they lack the understanding of what it is like to be a beginner and often take certain details for granted. The Gracies are great fighters, but Simco explains what they do better, having to LEARN it like you and me.

BJJ for the Real World

Being in Law Enforcement for nearly 20 years has taught me two things about survival in a street situation, 1. that most of what is traditionally taught doesn't work and 2. the absolute importance of grappling knowledge. For fights between men, it is either an immediate knockout by one opponent far more skilled than the other and if it goes past that, it goes to the ground. For women defending themselves, it is a grappling situation 90% of the time where a female is pinned on the ground without the use of her hands to employ the traditional eye poking or groin grabbing techniques. In Simco's Self Defense program, he offers realistic solutions to these problems that can actually be applied in stressful situations easily by showing students which techniques might work best for multiple attacks, which saves time and costly decision making. I am not a big MMA fan, but did find the techniques presented to be useful for the street and felt that his suggestion to use MMA training to most realistically prepare to be intelligent. The MMA techniques presented in his book are all NEED TO KNOW moves for any serious martial artist and will certainly help anyone in a "No Rules" situation. He clearly addresses and explains each move, broken into categories: standing, different positions on the ground and so on and explains how to deal with the opponent who isn't `playing by the rules'. He shows how the techniques of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu can be applied to both MMA and Self Defense situations intelligently and realistically. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

Get this book and R E A D it!

First, I'll say that I really enjoyed this book and the DVD set. Useful, practical, no BS. Second, I have to say that the reviewer called the 'gifted writer' has misquoted the author and has not understood what he is reading. I won't take the time to address everything, because I have better things to do, like train, but I will say that the reviewer is completely incorrect about Simco not addressing surfaces on the DVD - HE DOES & quite extensively. On his No Rules set, he actually talks about some very practical solutions to groundfighting situations in uncertain environments. The other thing is that his "Self Defense Made Easy" series is just that - it isn't an "if you have the time to learn to punch exactly the right way" series. Simco does a great job of showing a set of techniques (common denominator moves) that will apply to several different situations and chooses these over others because they have a BETTER chance of working, instead of learning different sets of techniques for different circumstances. Also - the eye-gouge WILL NOT stop a determined rapist, especially if he is much stronger and pinning a woman's arms down. It is a much better idea to use your legs properly to defeat the attacker. There is a lot more involved in his self defense dvd than chokes and hold downs. The other reviewer has obviously NOT watched the DVDs and is misquoting the author. And finally, get the title right - it says techniques for MIXED MARTIAL ARTS and Self Defense and the author does a very good job of explaining how the practice of MA will HELP you to train for street fighting, he doesn't say they are the same. My advice to consumers is to BUY THIS BOOK, then READ it.

Get the DVD

For those on a budget or want a taste of Simco's work for cheap, get this, then put the complete DVD set on your christmas list! I don't think you can post links here, but you can find the No Rules BJJ dvd set pretty easy on an internet search for "Brazilian Jiu-jitsu" or by buying this book. The book and video does stand alone as a complete work, but are really parts of monster products that the author makes available on the net. It makes sese to make smaller, more affordable products for the masses or if you are a beginner, you'll like this, but for real martial artists, Simco makes some really kick a$$ stuff. The DVD set that follows this book is by far the best out there for no rules BJJ fighting and covers how to deal with people striking, biting, groin attacks, REAL fighting. Simco shows some really cool things I've never seen anywhere else. Get this book if you are low on cash and just can't wait. Otherwise, save up and check out the No Rules BJJ set and if you like to read, The Master Text.