Review: Rodrigo Medeiros DVDs

Underground BJJ Ground
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Review of 'Championship BJJ' By Rodrigo Medeiros

Opening Comments: I wanted to write this review for the Rodrigo Medeiros series for the same reason that I wanted to write the one on 'Ultimate BJJ', also by Island Martial Arts.

I get the feeling that Professor Medeiros is the type of a person who, when he does something, goes all out. The level of attention to detail and all-out sharing of information is remarkable.

Where this series is not as complete as other series that I have seen (the series gives no treatment to the superior mounted position, takedowns, turtle top or bottom, or superior north-south), the depth makes it a must-have.

One thing to note: Professor Medeiros' accent is very, very thick, but his English is very good (a strange combination, I know). Further complicating this is the fact that he talks very fast. Be prepared, you will have to pay close attention to what he is saying but once your ears 'warm up' you shouldn't have any problems.

Organization: Very good, no serious deficiencies in planning, etc.

Lighting/Production: Excellent.

Target Skill Level: Blue belt and above. I would say that this series will pick up where a series like the Pedro Carvalho I and II will leave you.

Final Thoughts/Comments: Let's do some math. Here you have a video series that has a total of about 205 techniques. I counted the 5-choke series in the back attacks DVD as 5 individual techniques. Now let's say I was sleepy or whatever, so I may have been a little off.

Let's round it down to 200 techniques, just to be fair. You are now paying about $0.50 per technique. Using Bill Lewis' old system of dollars per move, and looking at his prices vs. number of techniques from somewhere around 2000, we are still talking about a much better value for this video series than the average video series.

This DVD series, as of right now, is on sale for $99.00 on www.islandmartialarts.com, just in case you wanted to know.

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DVD #1: Passing the Guard

Comments: This DVD is a study of how to pass the closed, open, half, sitting and butterfly guard. I find this DVD to be a great follow-up to some of the fundamental guard passing DVD's out there.

Where many DVD's cover fundamental passes, this DVD takes the fundamental passes and shows you how to apply them against someone who is giving you the resistance that an intelligent and experienced grappler will give you.

The techniques on the DVD are mostly gi dependent, although there are concepts that are shared that go beyond the gi-only 'sport BJJ' into general grappling principles.

The amount of detail shared in the DVD is tremendous. Professor Medeiros holds nothing back.

Techniques:

  1. Foreword on posture and balance in the guard, placement of knees, angle of back, placement of head, etc.

  2. Some tips on gripping his lapel and sleeve, dealing with his cross grip, etc. Leads into proper way to stand up and break the guard, and performing the double-under guard pass from standing, finishing in cross-side position (very detailed!)

  3. Some points on which leg to stand up with first in reference to your grip, followed by more detail on how to stand when you have a lapel and sleeve grip, where to place your arms, etc (good information), followed again by the double-underhook guard pass, ending in cross-side position.

  4. Demonstration of technique in full speed.

  5. Breaking the cross-grip when opponent establishes it, followed by previous technique.

  6. Another method of breaking the cross grip with you having a different final grip, with a modified way of standing for this technique.

  7. Dealing with opponent hooking your leg when you stand up, passing and finishing in across-side.

  8. Kneeling guard pass: using pants grip (like Michael Jen's), a good method of breaking guard and following with a double-underhook guard pass. I like the base that he uses more than the traditional 'combat base', as the Straight Blast Gym and associates call it.

  9. Another kneeling pass, starting with method #8, ending with a knee slice (near knee) along with some great points on finishing the pass.

  10. Another kneeling pass, this time performing a knee slice pass with the far knee. More nice details are given here on finishing the pass.

  11. Another method of opening guard using his belt.

  12. Standing follow-up to #11 if it does not work, followed by far knee-slice pass.

  13. Passing the half-guard: nice pass with lots of details, ending in Kesa-Gatame.

  14. Variation of #13.

  15. Variation of #13.

  16. Another half-guard pass.

  17. Alternate to #16.

  18. Another half-guard pass.

  19. Passing butterfly guard when opponent has strong position (sitting up, with full underhook, etc).

  20. Another pass when his position is not as strong, ending in Kesa-Gatame.

  21. Another butterfly guard pass, demonstrated by Julio Fernandez.

  22. 21, demonstrated in full speed.

  23. 'Leapfrog'-type of butterfly guard pass.

  24. Another butterfly guard pass.

  25. Open guard pass.

  26. Variation of #25, responding to his grip variation.

  27. Another open guard pass.

  28. Another open guard pass.

  29. Passing open guard, opponent has a superior grip. Begins with grip breaking, follows with pass.

  30. Passing his sitting guard, ending with a collar choke.

  31. Passing his sitting guard, he has a very strong position.

  32. Passing the sitting guard with him in a very strong position again, ending in a collar choke.

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DVD #2: Side Control Attacks

Comments: This DVD is very, very good. The techniques are taught to be performed on someone who is resisting or has established good posture on bottom.

The techniques are taught individually but can be used in series.

Combine this with what you should already know about holding someone down in this position and you will be an animal.

Techniques:

  1. Basic points about arm and leg position when on top, and transitioning to different positions.

  2. Wristlock.

  3. Kimura.

  4. Kimura to triangle choke.

  5. Kimura attempt, he defends, switch to armbar.

  6. Kimura attempt, he defends, finish kimura (with some key points on gripping).

  7. Follow-up to #6 with armlock, americana and omoplata.

  8. Follow-up to #6 with triangle choke.

  9. Wristlock.

  10. Wristlock attempt to americana, with some finishing points.

  11. Another wristlock (looks nasty!) when he goes to pummel under your arm to begin escape attempt.

  12. Sneaky collar choke

  13. A series of three collar chokes with your lapel (very nice).

  14. Collar choke using his lapel plus a variation if he removes his arm.

  15. Armbar from kesa-gatame plus some kesa-gatame control points

  16. Follow-up to #15 with americana.

  17. Americana with legs from kesa-gatame, plus a follow-up if he defends.

  18. From kesa-gatame, he defends #17 by straightening arm, follow-up with a collar choke.

  19. Follow-up to #18 with an americana.

  20. 'Goose-neck' wristlock from modified kesa-gatame.

  21. Armbar from kesa-gatame when he tries to establish posture.

  22. Ezekiel choke from across-side

  23. Nice collar choke from across-side.

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DVD #3: Knee-On-Stomach

Comments: This is one of those DVD's where you sit back after watching the DVD and say 'wow'!. Where the half guard DVD was a bit confusing for me, this was a straightforward explanation of how to establish the knee-on-belly position and completely dominate and shut down your opponent any way you choose.

Before watching this DVD I thought I knew a bit of stuff from the knee-on-belly position, as I had really studied a few basics from other video series, etc. How little did I know.

Techniques:

  1. Basic points regarding the position, a general introduction to the proper way to establish and hold the position.

  2. Drill: opponent attempts to escape knee on belly, step around his head and re-establish position on the other side.

  3. Defense against opponent trying to roll you-move to mount, kesa-gatame, or prepare to attack.

  4. Point about placement of arm near his head.

  5. Opponent grabs your lapels and attempts to off-balance you, grab his arm and armlock.

  6. Armbar from same (opponent attempts to off-balance you, grabbing your lapels).

  7. Looping reverse 'baseball bat'-type choke from knee on belly, with two finishing positions.

  8. 'Baseball-bat' choke (standard), with sick follow-ups when he tries to defend.

  9. Previous techniques (#8) in full speed.

  10. Americana from him defending collar chokes.

  11. Armbar from him defending collar chokes.

  12. Variation of #11.

  13. Another armbar from him grabbing your lapels.

  14. Jumping far-side armbar (demonstrated by Julio Fernandez)

  15. Far-side armbar (standard)

  16. Far side armlock (brutal!)

  17. Kimura with a nice set-up

  18. Demonstrates kimura to armbar (pay attention!)

  19. Moving from knee on belly to S-mount (NICE!!!)

  20. Armbar from failing to establish full S-mount.

  21. Triangle choke from #20

  22. Establishing S-mount (other direction) to armbar

  23. Rolling toehold from knee-on-belly.

  24. Far kneebar from knee-on-belly.

  25. Near kneebar from knee-on-belly.

  26. Closing comments.

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DVD #4: Back Attacks and Counters

Comments: A very nice selection of techniques that ultimately revolve around two types of attacks: collar chokes and armbars.

I really like the way the DVD is organized. First, you are given some fundamentals on how to obtain, maintain, and attack from the back-mounted position, then you are given an arsenal of 5 different collar chokes and a multitude of different ways to set up a basic armbar (keep in mind that although I listed the armbar as a single technique (#3), Medeiros shows many different ways to set it up and use it in conjunction with the collar choke.)

Finally, he shows a number of ways to get to the back mount from different positions and finish your opponent with the chokes and armbars that you have been taught.

Keep in mind that it is the traditional superior back mount that is given treatment throughout the video, not top position on a turtling opponent.

Techniques:

  1. Control and posture tips when you have the person's back

  2. A series of 5 nice collar chokes from the back, starting with the basic lapel choke (okuri eri jime in judo), then moving to single wing choke (kataha jime in judo), then moving to 3 variations of the one-handed choke from the back (katate jime in judo). He goes into a great deal of detail on how to apply and finish these chokes.

  3. Armbar from the back when he defends collar choke (quite a few very nice set-ups for this!)

  4. He defends choke from back, flip him to side mount and finish with choke (3 choke variations)

  5. Proper way to get back mount from turtle position (3 variations)

  6. Getting back mount from side control.

  7. Taking his back when passing his guard (2 variations)

  8. Taking his back from you in his half-guard.

  9. Another variation of obtaining full back mount from turtle position with a few slight variations.

  10. Obtaining back mount from your closed guard.

  11. Obtaining back mount from your open guard (butterfly hooks in, he goes over a few slight variations).

  12. Taking his back from him in your half-guard.

  13. Taking his back from your spider guard (nice sweep!).

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DVD #5: Closed Guard Attacks

Comments: This DVD is a good overview of beginner/intermediate-level closed guard attacks.

There is not much treatment of the basic techniques themselves, just ideas on setting them up and successfully applying them against unwilling opponents.

Professor Medeiros introduces several positions that you should establish in the closed guard and how to attack from them. He covers attack patterns from those positions but also how to counter an opponent's defenses to your attacks.

All of the hypothetical defenses are sensible defenses that an experienced opponent will attempt.

Almost all techniques are shown twice.

Techniques:

  1. From sleeve control: flower sweep variation with armbar follow-up

  2. Use technique #1 as a set-up for a sweep on the opposite side. Follow up to mount.

  3. Use technique #1 as a set-up for an armbar.

  4. Use technique #1 as a set-up for an inverted armbar or an omoplata.

  5. Triangle choke when he defends omoplata.

  6. Armbar set-up from him grabbing your belt.

  7. Wristlock from same set-up as in #6.

  8. Armbar set-up from sleeve and tricep control.

  9. Establishing high guard (what the SBG calls the 'pit-stop', which is one leg high on the lat and the other over the shoulder).

  10. Shoulder lock from high guard.

  11. Nice armbar follow-up to when he attempts to grab behind neck to defend primary armbar attempt.

  12. Overhook to lapel grab, establish position.

  13. From position in #12, collar choke.

  14. From position in #12, armbar.

  15. From position in #12, omoplata.

  16. From position in #12, triangle choke.

  17. From position in #12, armbar on other arm.

  18. Establish an underhook on arm you have sleeve control on (more like a static armdrag)

  19. From position in #18, wristlock.

  20. From position in #18, shoulder lock.

  21. From shoulder lock in #20, armbar.

  22. From shoulder lock attempt in #20, collar choke.

  23. From position in #18, take his back and collar choke

  24. From position in #18, he attempts to defend by blocking leg, sweep him.

  25. Collar choke using his gi skirt

  26. Armbar with gi skirt.

  27. Wicked collar choke when he defends #26.

  28. Another nasty collar choke with gi skirt.

  29. 'Pick' sweep when he stands up in guard, with sleeve control.

  30. Handstand sweep variation when he stands in guard, keeping sleeve control instead of posting hand.

  31. Omoplata when he stands in guard.

  32. 'Flip sweep' when he stands in guard.

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DVD #6: Open Guard Attacks

Comments: This video opened my eyes to how intermediate to advanced players operate in the open guard.

The DVD is a collection of sweeps and submissions from the open guard, along with a great deal of detail on handling different types of resistance that your opponent may give you (such as passing pressure, etc).

Regarding the term 'open guard', it's not just a bunch of goodies from the general feet-on-hips open guard taught here. He doesn't, however, differentiate between De La Riva guard, spider guard, basic open guard, butterfly guard, etc, because he transitions so quickly between all of them.

One thing I like about this video is that he shows transitions between the different types of open guard and treats it all as one game.

Another thing I really like about this video is that he goes into great detail on how to finish your opponent with a submission, or end in a superior position.

The target level is the same as the others in this series so far, and this is gi-only, sport jiu-jitsu.

For the most part, he speaks a bit more slowly in this video than in others.

Techniques:

  1. Some opening points on controlling opponent in open guard, different types of hand and foot placement, obtaining different types of hooks, etc.

  2. Two drills, one for maintaining feet in biceps and the other maintaining open guard when he changes his hand placement, pushes on your legs to pass, etc.

  3. Some points about the butterfly guard, hand and foot placement, escaping to proper butterfly guard posture when he flattens you on your back, etc.

  4. Opponent attempts guard pass, arm under leg/foot on bicep sweep to side control.

  5. Variation of technique #4: uses as an offensive sweep instead of defense against a guard pass, finish with knee on belly.

  6. Another variation of technique #4: another offensive version of the sweep, with tips for finishing when he tries to prevent you from obtaining side control.

  7. Some tips on grip fighting for attacking when he tries to obtain a superior grip, plus finishing with a triangle choke (nice).

  8. Another sweep, starting with the gripping strategy in #7, ending with a variation of sweep #6.

  9. Omoplata from gripfighting in open guard (he is standing) plus some finishing tips for the omoplata.

  10. Another set-up for the omoplata, ending with a sweep when he defends by standing up straight.

  11. Another set-up for the omoplata, when he goes for the bullfighting-style guard pass, ending with the same sweep in #10, and finishing with an armbar, or a triangle choke when he defends, or finishing with a bicep crusher.

  12. Yet another omoplata set-up, sweeping him over to armbar, wristlock, kimura, some tips on controlling him in that position and ending with an armbar on the opposite side.

  13. Nice sweep starting from De La Riva guard.

  14. Follow-up sweep when he defends #13.

  15. A variation of the sweep in #14.

  16. Another variation of #14, beginning in the sweep position but ending in a triangle choke.

  17. Another sweep from the De La Riva guard.

  18. From butterfly guard, sweep beginning from lapel and knee grip.

  19. A variation of the position in #18, ending with a different sweep.

  20. From butterfly guard, armdrag to take the back or end in his guard.

  21. Another butterfly guard sweep, ending in an armlock.

  22. Variation of #20 into an armlock.

  23. Another sequence for the position at the end of #22, following it up with another armbar, armlock, hooking under leg to sweep him, hooking his arm to break his base and sweep, a kick sweep variation to mount to side mount and armbar follow-up, a triangle choke (!), and an armbar (set-up is almost the same as triangle choke).

  24. Another sweep, this one from an almost half-guard position, finishing in full mount.

  25. Another sweep from the starting position in #24.

  26. Another sweep from the starting position in #24, finishing in side control.

  27. A variation of position in #24, he is underhooking your leg as if to go for the single-under pass, finish sweep to kneebar or side control.

  28. Another sweep to omoplata.

  29. Variation of #28 to triangle choke.

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DVD #7: Half Guard Attacks

Comments: This is the shortest video, at about 32 minutes, where Medeiros' other DVDs are almost 50 minutes long.

There are fewer techniques on here than on other videos but some of the techniques are rather complex, so I would have liked to have seen some slower teaching with more emphasis on small detail, especially considering how complex the half-guard game can be with the gi.

The techniques are all from half-guard bottom, and a great number of these techniques are sweeps. I wish these techniques had names because for me to give a good idea of what is on here I either have to give the names of the techniques or write out all of the steps, which can be a mess.

He shows everything at multiple angles, which is good. Sweeps # 2-13 begin when you are up on one elbow and have a strong underhook and are on your side, by the way.

The video closes with him talking about using the half-guard in competition, fighting, that you have to constantly practice and drill it, etc.

The material on here is very good, and I would say most of it is intermediate, a few basic techniques and some advanced.

Techniques:

  1. Some tips on basic positioning in the half guard.

  2. Basic sweep from half guard.

  3. Reestablishing guard from half-guard.

  4. Another sweep from half-guard, with tips on establishing control & passing his guard immediately.

  5. Reversal from half-guard.

  6. #5 again with tips on establishing side control after completion of technique.

  7. Another sweep from half-guard when he applies forward pressure, ending in his half guard.

  8. A different sweep from half-guard.

  9. Different reversal from half-guard.

  10. Single-leg from knees when he defends #9.

  11. Reversal with knee and ankle grip (not the 'old-school')

  12. Another sweep-establish lockdown and grip his knee.

  13. Complex sweep from half-guard, starting when he has your back flat on the ground.

  14. Follow-up to #13 when he defends by stepping around your head.

  15. Kimura from half-guard when he tries to flatten you.

  16. Triangle choke from half-guard with some great details on establishing it.

  17. Another sweep, arcing knee away when he smashes down on you.

  18. Omoplata from half-guard.

  19. Nice collar choke from half-guard bottom.

  20. Americana from half-guard bottom.

  21. Another omoplata set-up from half-guard.

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DVD #8: Escapes and Defenses

Comments: The DVD covers a good number of basic and intermediate escapes that will help you tremendously when you find yourself in an undesirable position.

He adds a bit of flair and extra details to many of the common escapes that I have not seen before, which I am sure will make the techniques more effective.

Bottom line, it's nice to have options when you find yourself pinned and/or almost ready to tap.

Techniques:

  1. Some basic points on posture when mounted, wanting to avoid him riding high under your arms, etc.

  2. Mount Escape: basic elbow/knee escape.

  3. Mount Escape: 'upa'.

  4. Mount Escape: combining upa and elbow/knee escape.

  5. Mount Escape: upa variation plus safety tip.

  6. Across-Side Escape: proper posture when on bottom.

  7. Across-Side Escape: turning to the knees.

  8. Across-Side Escape: elbow/knee (shrimp) escape.

  9. North-South Escape: bridge and turn to knees.

  10. Knee-on-Belly Escape: posture tips and hip-shrimp escape.

  11. Knee-on-Belly Escape: push leg and establish half-guard.

  12. Knee-on-Belly Escape: grab pants while trapping foot, escape.

  13. Back Mount Escape: tips on preventing choke, with leg-hooking escape.

  14. Back Mount Escape: relieve pressure, switch his arm, release hook and establish half-guard top.

  15. Armbar Escape: grab your bicep and back of his leg, stack and escape from him armbarring you when you have superior position (you are on top, in his guard).

  16. Same technique, but when you are in an inferior position (bottom).

  17. Armbar escape from bottom, push his leg over your head and scissor your legs.

  18. Armbar escape from bottom, 'hitchiker' escape.

  19. Triangle Choke Escape: sitting back and looking up escape.

  20. Triangle Choke Escape: head in the ground escape.

  21. Kimura Escape: step up and grab back of knee.

  22. Omoplata Escape: raise hips and step over his head (opponent lets go of belt both times-why?)

  23. Omoplata Escape: opponent grabs around your waist.

  24. Clock Choke Escape (!): grab his pants and move into half-guard.

  25. Follow-up to #24 if opponent prevents you from sitting up. A very nice escape.

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Wow, that is an awesome and thorough review!

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I'm not finished...

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...okay, now I'm finished-enjoy!

13

This is one of my favourite sets. Very good, and the 2 guard tapes are excellent.

14

seriously how long did it take you to write this review... Very good and through review. I've been considering this set for a very very very long time. Do you guys recommend it to a white belt?

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nice review!

8waits for BJJprime8 to chime in! lol

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Benjitsaur, it didn't take that long really. I watch the videos to get a feel for what they are like, then I rewatch them with a laptop on my lap to record each individual technique. After each video I write the comments, then I cap it off with the introductory comments for the whole series, edit it for spelling, etc. and send it in to MMA.TV. I have been using this format for a while now and everyone seems to like it.

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If you are ever interested in having a review done, please contact me and I will see if I can work it in my schedule.

18

Benjitsaur,

Forgot this part: 'Would you recommend it for a white belt'?

I wouldn't recommend it to learn fundamentals from at all, I would go with Pedro Carvalho's set, Matt Thornton's FJKD2 for no-gi, I have heard Cesar Gracie's set is very good, and Roy Harris' BJJ 101 is very good. The Medeiros set is very submission-heavy and assumes that you have a good grasp on holding position, which you may or may not.

However, there's nothing wrong with grabbing it to take a look at it for a few reasons: 1) it gives you insight into how intermediate level players think and execute their techniques, and 2) it gives you 'vision' to get an idea of what you are striving to become as far as your game is concerned.

Keep in mind that as you progress, so will your game. Your fundamentals will become more concrete but the way you set things up will be more specific to you. The way different players set up their basic techniques varies quite a bit from player to player, and you are on your way to finding what works for you.

There's nothing wrong with looking ahead and having a reference for when you get there, however as a white belt I would continue to hammer the basics until I understood the physics behind them and could execute them relatively flawlessly (of course there is a limit to 'flawless' but you understand what I am saying).

Now is the time for you to build your positioning game, your escape game, your basic guard game, and fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. That's my best advice to you. Keep hammering on the things that I mentioned, train smart and regularly, and in due time you will begin to become a beast. Good luck with your endeavor!

Mark

19

I think that was the best review I have ever read.

Its nice to see one that is honest as well, not just a plug

20

I salute u sir!

Excellent review.