TFS#72: Flip Their World

Everyone wants to be good at Jiu-Jitsu.

And if you want to stand out and truly get ahead, you’ll have to seek out a game that most people have a hard time dealing with.

Sounds obvious? Well, it is.

You have to be different.

You have to stand out from the rest of the gym. Your Jiu-Jitsu has to be distinctive.

It doesn’t have to be completely unique of course, at this level you’re still honing fundamental skills.

The Berimbolo

You might have groaned when you read that subsection title there.

But the Berimbolo is a great system.

Okay, I’m biased and I like playing this particular system because it’s just so useful.

The reason for it is because it connects to so many options.

There are so many entries to it…most people don’t even see it.

You can attack from HQ, open guards, and various passing techniques.

​But here’s something to get you started​.

A System For All

Bigger people might say “it’s not a system for big people at all.”

Here’s one extremely easy ​“big guy technique” you can use here​.

If you don’t even play open guard much, ​then try this one​.

I will say this though, in those two previous links above, both show the attacker inverting and tucking their head underneath.

If you have neck pain or simple can’t invert, you can use a barrel roll: meaning you instead roll using your forehead.

​Here’s one that avoids inverting​ and is played from open guard.

Just A Sprinkle

If it’s truly not part of your game, make it a secret weapon you pull out when you find yourself in the position.

And if Berimbolo becomes more than just a sprinkle in your Jiu-Jitsu game, you’ll start to see all the openings to enter this position.

It’s like a new game.

And guess what, not a lot of people like to defend when you’re attacking their back.

Not a lot of people will be comfortable defending an inverted position. It’s a whole new world to them.

…But you’ll be right at home.

Closing Words

This newsletter is primarily to help the day-to-day hobbyist expand their minds.

But this Berimbolo system is extremely useful in the competition setting as well. Adding it to your repertoire might be the difference between 4th place and making the podium.

And usually people who don’t like playing it are also bad at defending it!

It’s a system that takes some time to really get comfortable with so I suggest starting early as a lower belt (even if you look goofy)…but don’t abandon your fundamentals.

P.S. Controlling your state of mind is the secret to success. ​Learn these 7 benefits to "being in the moment."