With all of the hype surrounding Saulo Ribeiro’s newest book, Jiu-Jitsu University, you would think that its a Nintendo Wii or Tickle Me Elmo. But is the book worth it? Does it live up to the exceedingly high expectations?
Before I review, here’s a warning - I’m a little biased, I’ve known Budo Blog contributor and Jiu-Jitsu University co-author, Kevin Howell for years, but I’m going to be objective. I just hope he doesn’t armlock me when he reads this.
This is a very special book on jiu-jitsu. Saulo Ribeiro’s made a complete and imaginative belt system. From white to black belt, Saulo guides through the key areas of jiu-jitsu that must be acquired to progress. I haven’t ever seen jiu-jitsu analyzed this way and I’m sure many will agree - this book is incredible. This system also follows the building blocks of grappling and flows from defense to offense, bottom to top.
Jiu-Jitsu University is also very detailed and it should be if its going to play the part of university textbook. I’ve watched all of Saulo’s DVDs and the book provides the same level of insight as the videos. In fact, I’d say it is Victory Belt’s most in-depth book yet and it’s great for learning the finer points of BJJ. A shortcoming of a lot of books is that they are good at showing many new moves, but aren’t as good at discussing the jiu-jitsu that you can’t see. Saulo breaks this trend; he discusses things that he feels and this helps when learning a move. This is the first time I have seen an author try to show the unseen elements - Saulo deserves my congratulations.
Technically, Jiu-Jitsu University has basic to advanced techniques and both Saulo and Xande’s styles really come through. If you like their styles, you will enjoy the book. The entire guard section showcases Xande Ribeiro’s techniques, and I thought that was a really good bonus. Because Xande showed some moves that he does in competition, I wonder if the guard was more his section and the passing was more Saulo’s. I think, in reality, the guard is more Xande’s expertise and passing is more Saulo’s. Either way, it made sense and I’m glad to see Xande’s footprint in the book.
In terms of overlap between Jiu-Jitsu University and Saulo’s DVDs, there is very little. I did notice some moves from all three DVD series in here (including Freestyle Revolution), but overall, I’d say there was a lot more I hadn’t seen him teach before. Even the moves that he has shown before (running escapes and back escapes for example) are worth reviewing in print. Most of the guard and passing moves, I haven’t seen before. Still, there’s a little overlap between his DVDs - but it’s a low percentage.
When Kevin was finishing up the project, he told us that this book was going to be the biggest that Victory Belt had produced. I thought it sounded like a good idea, but that it would be hard to keep a book that large interesting. I was wrong! Just like BJ Penn’s book is an MMA bible, Jiu-Jitsu University is a BJJ bible. If a student manages to master all of the moves and theory in this book, that student will be incredible.
Back to the hype - is it worth it? Does it live up to the high expectations? Yes. Actually, it exceeds them. I was expecting a big book that more or less did the same as usual (basic moves with a lot of pictures), what I got was a complete BJJ experience. In the beginning, Saulo says something about Rickson Gracie’s insight or teaching- I think a lot of that rubbed off on Saulo too.
All of us at BV want to congratulate Saulo and our very own Kevin Howell on their genre-redefining work. We look forward to reading and reviewing more from both of them in the future.
If you are interested in reading more from contributing author Kevin Howell before his next book featuring Andre Galvao, we suggest that you check the blog often for updates as well as his latest articles in this quarter’s Budo Catalog (featuring techniques by Leo Vieira and interviews with Vieira and Galvao)!
-Kurt Weber and the BV Staff
