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"It's Science" Videos

It's Science: Lucas Lepri

It’s Science: Lucas Lepri

lucas lepri
Our latest edition of It’s Science features Lucas Lepri. The full article will be published in the next edition of Jiu Jitsu Style Magazine. To see all the awesome graphics and full-data model be sure to subscribe or pick up the next issue. See all previous issues for past subjects.
Notable Study Stats:

  • 64% of his passes occurred from Half guard
  • 87% win percentage
  • 54% Submission percentage in wins
  • Scored first in 12 of 13 recorded wins in study
  • 2nd highest pass per match rate ever recorded (1.13)
  • His average match length was 7 minutes and 31 seconds
  • 43% of his submissions were chokes from the back
  • 30% of passes were knee through passes
  • Took his opponents back in 46% of wins

Abstract: All matches observed of Lucas Lepri, used in this small sample occurred at IBJJF events, inside his weight division, and in the years 2011-2014. Only techniques, occurrences, and outcomes that were recorded are displayed in the data below (i.e. if no butterfly sweeps occurred, there will not be a representation of that in the sample data charts). Matches were selected at random based on freely available matches. This is a limited sample – but given the estimated amount of matches in this time period – it is well above the percentage necessary to create a scientifically validated trend sampling.
The Breakdown: Lucas Lepri is one of the most accomplished grapplers still active today. A multi-time world champion, Lepri has proven himself a staple of consistency over the years. What’s even more impressive is Lepri’s dynamic ability to win tournaments using a wide-variety of strategy’s. In 2014, the world saw Lepri demonstrate his takedown and passing prowess to perfection as Lepri toke down and passed the guard of JT Torres in the world finals. In the past, it has often been Lepri’s stellar guard work and submission propensity that has earned him the world champion moniker. Ultimately, studying Lepri is a treat; as his abilities and skills are so consistent and precise that you immediately understand why he has been so successful to this point.
The Study: When you consider the top guard passers in the game today, a Lepri’s name is often brought up. Our study found that this is most definitely based in reality. Lepri averaged 1.13 passes per match, the second highest we’ve ever recorded (#1 was Gui Mendes). Approximately 64% of his passes occurred from top half guard with the vast majority of his passing finishes being of the knee through variety. This allowed Lepri to often setup one of his dynamic submissions which was the baseball bat choke (also a Gui Mendes favorite). This submission accounted for roughly 15% of his total submissions.
Speaking of submissions, Lepri had a submission rate in matches that he won of 54%. On top of that, his total winning percentage was 87%. Lepri preferred to finish his opponents from the back; as 43% of his submission victories were chokes from the back. Lepri often used his dynamic passing abilities to setup the back take. Half of his bake takes occurred from this type of scenario. Lepri often baits his opponents into defending the guard pass so dramatically that they dictate their backs to him. Lepri makes a living capitalizing on opponent mistakes.
One of the most impressive elements of lepri’s style is his ability to win almost every matchup (i.e. playing bottom or top – in various scenarios). Lepri’s guard game is surgical. He is not as specialized as former subjects like Rafa Mendes or Cobrinha, but he is equally mathematical in his setups and execution. His top sweeping position was sit-up guard (43%), and his top sweep type was a tomonagi style sweep. Lepri is the first subject we’ve studied with a tomonagi as his highest percentage sweep.
Ultimately, Lepri may be the most well rounded competitor we have studied to date. Not just technically, but in his complete application of jiu jitsu in a tournament setting. Lepri has demonstrated the ability to win matches in a variety of ways; top, bottom, by points, by submission, etc. He is a rare model of consistency and excellence that doesn’t show any tangible signs of slowing down any time soon.
 

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"It's Science" Videos

Jiu Jitsu Science: Braulio Estima

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Braulio Estima Statistics

It’s Science is back feat. the controversial Braulio Estima. To read this full artcle be sure to pick up of the upcoming issue of Jiu Jitsu Style Magazine. Here’s a taste along with some of the raw data.

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Notable Study Stats:

  • 60% of passes were from spider guard or X-guard
  • 93% win percentage
  • Scored first in 13 out of 14 winning matches
  • Submitted his opponent in 50% of wins
  • Highest sweep total in any study ever conducted* (“23”; *15 matches or less) – 1.53 sweeps per match average
  • His average match length was 7 minutes and 48 seconds
  • 71% of his submissions were chokes from the back
  • Had a 23/7 “sweep/pass ratio”

Abstract: All matches observed of Braulio Estima, used in this small sample occurred at IBJJF events, inside his weight division, and in the years 2011-2014. Only techniques, occurrences, and outcomes that were recorded are displayed in the data below (i.e. if no butterfly sweeps occurred, there will not be a representation of that in the sample data charts). Matches were selected at random based on freely available matches. This is a limited sample – but given the estimated amount of matches in this time period – it is well above the percentage necessary to create a scientifically validated trend sampling.
The Breakdown: There may not currently be a more controversial figure in competition jiu jitsu than, Braulio Estima. The multi-time world champion recently tested positive for DMAA, a banned substance; according to the World Anti-Doping Association, and has since been catapulted to the center of many discussions regarding jiu jitsu competition reform. It’s appropriate that someone like Estima is embroiled in this type of controversy; as he should be well recognized as one of today’s most accomplished competitors. Known for stunning technique and a sporty showmanship, Estima has a style that is completely his own.
While Estima’s style is unique, you will ultimately see some patterns in his game just like most of our other subjects. The primary difference in this is the variation in which he executes specific techniques. We recorded more positional variation in Estima than in any past studies of other competitors.
Estima had a 93% win percentage in our sample. Additionally, he scored first in 13 of 14 of those wins. He also recorded a high-mark for total sweeps among studies we have conducted of 15 matches or less (23 total). That’s an average of 1.53 sweeps per match. The highest we’ve ever recorded. You see this occurrence a lot with Braulio because he pushes the action. He’ll take an unstable sweep, come to the top position to capitalize – and with noting to take advantage of – ultimately concede the bottom position again to try his hand again.
There is a lot of spider guard and X-guard sprinkled into Estima’s notorious guard game. Approximately 60% of his sweeps and attacks came from a spider or X-guard variation. And while there are a lot of moving parts to Braulio’s bottom game, his top game is slightly less complex; something we’ve seen often among top competitors. Braulio prefers a heavy and compact style of passing; favoring a knee over or double-unders style of pass nearly 71% of the time. He recorded a measly 7 passes in the sample; however it’s important to note that Braulio beautifully uses the guard pass as an immediate transition to his opponents back. It’s common to see him use a double-unders pass to secure his opponents back.
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Top Competitor Braulio Estima
Successes Spider Guard, Back Chokes
Avoided… Standing Passes, The Mount
Top Technique 1 X-Guard Sweep
Top Technique 2 Back Take from Guard Pass
Number of Matches Observed 15
Submits Opponent 7
Wins by Points 7
Minutes of footage watched 118 minutes (avg. length = 7:48)
Scores First 13
Total Wins 14
Total Loses 1
Sweeps (Position)
De la Riva Sweeps 2
Spider Sweeps 9
Closed Guard 1
Half-Guard 3
50/50 2
X-Guard 5
Sit-up Guard 1
Sweeps (Type)
Ankle Pick sweep 1
Deep Half 1
X-Guard (or single X) style sweep 7
Tomanagi 5
Hook sweeps 1
Trips/Offbalancing 3
Sit-up and overtake opponent 2
Berimbolo 1
Collar Drag/Arm Drag 2
Total Sweeps 23
Passes (Position)
On Knees 3
Half-Guard 3
Standing 1
Passes (Type)
leg drag 1
knee over 3
leg-weave pass 2
Under the legs pass pass 1
Total Passes 7
Taking the Back
half guard (top) 3
from passing the guard 3
guard 1
Total Back-Takes 7
Submissions (Position)
Back 5
 Spider 2
Submissions (Type)
choke from back 5
leg lock 1
triangle 1
Total Subs 7
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"It's Science" Videos

Jiu Jitsu Submissions Reference Chart

By: Tyler Bishop
One of the reasons BishopBjj.com exists today in it’s current form is to bring some structure to the internal debates about jiu jitsu competition. Recently, the discussion around jiu jitsu competition formats has reached an apex. What is the truest form of jiu jitsu? Which type of format is most exciting? What rules should be applied?
All of this talk is healthy for the sport to grow and evolve. However, one of the biggest problems people fail to bring into the conversation is empirical data.  Jiu jitsu was built on the scientific principle of testing a hypothesis. If you think a move works, why not try it against a resisting opponent? Collect the data and try again. This is the foundation of science. Unfortunately, often the arguments that we are hearing around the rules and tournament formats are based in personal perception, not reality.
It’s not easy to compile data on jiu jitsu competition, nor is there much available outside of what our site has produced. Therefore these arguments are hard to be won on facts alone, so there will always be a level of personal bias inflicted upon these discussions until that changes. But I encourage everyone involved in these debates to continue to ask the tough questions, and always ask for proof. Below is a chart that highlights several major events and their submission history in the last 2 years. It is far from a study like we have done in the past, but it’s some basic info that I encourage you to share so that we all can at least have this as a starting point in these discussions.
Jiu Jitsu is deepy personal and we all enjoy it. We all want the best for the sport-side of things, that’s why everyone has a strong opinion about it.  As long as there is a demand to know the facts we will continue to work on providing it. #jiujitsuscience
jiu jitsu sub breakdown
 

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BishopBjj News

3 Things You'll See At The Pan Jiu Jitsu Championship (2014)

Everybody loves the Pan Ams. It has become the largest annual jiu jitsu tournament in North America. It provides a prestigious opportunity for everyone regardless of age or rank to compete in a fair and professional environment. Say what you will about the IBJJF. You will be hard-pressed to find anyone else o the planet that can run a tournament over 5-days as efficiently as they have for the past 10 years. This year promises to be another year filled with top competitors, exciting performances, and growing numbers.
The Pan began in 1995 and has since become one the major gi jiu jitsu tournaments in the world, and has featured illustrious absolute champions such as; Xande Ribeiro, Saulo Ribeiro, Marcio Cruz, Jacare, Rigan Machado, Roger Gracie, Andre Galvao, Rodolfo Vieira, and Marcus “Buchecha” Almaeda – to name a few. So what can we expect from the Pan this year? Every year brings new challengers, new techniques, and new story lines. The Pan has become the tone-setting platform for each jiu jitsu season. What can we expect to see in 2014?

  1. Lapels


    – The last few years we’ve seen a dominance and prevalence of guard work. Just like in many other sports, trends tend to see a backlash after a few years. We’ve started to see guard passing reemerge as dominant tournament style. Guys like Rodolfo Viera, Leandro Lo, and Lucas Lepri have reminded the world that no guard is a safe guard. Recent understanding and innovations to current guards have allowed these guard passers a new level in precision in their efficiency here recently, and in that vain I would expect to see the guard players begin adapting to these innovations. In response to this, look to see a lot more guard players exploring lapel-based guard techniques that can tie up opponents, and force them into uncomfortable scenarios.Keenan Cornelius may be beating the lapel guard drum now (see video), but it was actually Budo Jake on our podcast last year that pointed out that he was seeing this more and more among the top academies. Look no further than someone like Cobrinha, who played situp guard all last year with the same-side lapel fed between his opponents legs (see our breakdown). Guys, like Cobrinha are always way ahead of the curb, and typically where there is success, there is parody. I would expect to see a lot more of this style of guard in 2014 – starting with the 2014 Pan Ams.

  2. Science!

    its science graphic2
    Ever since we conducted our first study in 2012 there has been a rash of talk around statistically reliable tactics. We certainly are not ego-centric enough to assume this is solely due to work that we have conducted, but rather to a change in paradigm. Athletes and coaches look at competition holistically and over time that becomes more and more precise. Jiu Jitsu is beginning to evolve into a more complex sport than ever. Look no further for proof of this claim that the abundance of BJJ breakdown YouTube pages. Notable ones include BJJ Scout and Marcos Torregrossa.
    Just imagine what jiu jitsu analysis, commentary, and competition will look like in 10 years after this first wave has broken. Modern jiu jitsu is the simplification of time-tested jiu jitsu and the complexity of new athletes. How will athletes that are  currently 10 and 11 years old approach the sport when they enter adulthood? I believe we will start to see these large-scale analysis repercussions this year. Competitors have had a full year to analyze these perspectives. The access to jiu jitsu techniques grows everyday, and the availability in 2014 is unprecedented. So we expect to see unbridled growth occur this year like never before. That means that competition should grow more fierce at every level, as all information becomes more readily available.

  3. Fewer competitors?

    Perhaps it’s just me, but it appears that there are less competitors registered for the 2014 than in years past. How could this be? Jiu jitsu is growing and jiu jitsu competition is in a golden-age of sorts. So what gives?I would propose that the growth has actually attributed to the decline of participation in some of the larger tournaments. Whereas in years past many top purple, brown, and black belts could only find large pools of competitors at a handful of tournaments, now a host of IBJJF and other large tournaments regularly support large purple, brown, and black divisions.
    Could this trend possibly continue in the future? It seems quite possible with the addition of the new qualifier system proposed by the IBJJF in 2015. With more competitors needing to qualify for large tournaments like the World Championships, competitors may begin to migrate towards more local tournament engagements.

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BishopBjj News

BishopBJJ Podcast 12: Hillary Williams

Checkout our latest podcast featuring special guest, world champion Hillary Williams. We breakdown 2013, look forward to 2014, look at the IBJJF controversy, and discuss a wide array of unique and engaging topics.
Join us an find out what the jiu jitsu community is raving about. Hopefully you’ll enjoy our improved setup and sound quality.

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BishopBjj News

Are There PED's In Jiu Jitsu?

peds poll
 
By: Tyler Bishop
I am currently working on an article for a major jiu jitsu publication discussing PED’s in Brazilian jiu jitsu. It’s something that is usually talked about off the mats between confidants, but just how many competitors are using steroids, growth hormone, and the alike?
I need your help. Please fill out the poll below.
[polldaddy poll=7424608]
[polldaddy poll=7424611]
 
Also, I am soliciting anyone willing to go on the record and discuss their experience using PED’s while training jiu jitsu (benefits, side effects, etc.). Use the form below to contact me. Thanks, Tyler.
[contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

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Interviews

Podcast #10: Carlos Machado & More…

podcast 10 image
Check out our latest podcast featuring jiu jitsu legend, Master Carlos Machado.

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Live Technique and Perspective Videos

Live Jiu Jitsu Mistakes: Volume #1

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXAd_SGJk7c&w=560&h=315]
Check out this new video featuring some live training mistakes, and how to approach the situation differently. This is a great tool if you couldn’t make it into the academy at some point this week. Enjoy!
jiu jitsu mistakes
 

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BJJ Study and Statistics Articles

3 Tips To Improve Tournament Jiu Jitsu Performance

Jiu jitsu is so much more than just a sport, or a form of competition, but there is no denying that this competitive desire is the focus of many jiu jitsu practitioners. So when it comes to competition, study and analysis can become useful tools that can assist in
So when it comes to competition, study and analysis can become useful tools that can assist in tournament and physical performance. If you haven’t read or observed our study of the 2012 World Championships, I highly recommend starting your research there. However, there are a few tips that you can start implementing now to improve tournament performance…

1:) Build a gameplan

improve jiu jitsu performance
Guess what, the best in the world don’t just “see what happens”. The best in the world make it happen! You should do the same thing. If you haven’t checked out our series “It’s Science”, you should study up. One theme that comes across rather quickly is that the must successful competitors have a few things they are really good at, and then they put themselves in position to implement those strategies.
Building a gameplan is no easy task. In our book we will go into detail about how this can be done, but until then focus on a few important elements. Write down what you are best at (top 3), determine how you can get into these positions/scenarios, and figure out how you can go from your feet at the start of a match to one of these pre-determined positions. Once you have gone through this process, practice it religiously. If certain problems keep arising, make adjustments and move forward. A good gameplan is a series of events that you can put into place and seemingly fight above your normal ability level at.

2:) Focus on scoring (preferably, score first)

scoreboard
If one thing sticks out from the 2012 World’s study, its that people that score first win. Regardless of the circumstances that lead to this anomaly, scoring first should be a high priority.  Make this a strong element of your gameplan if you want to be successful in tournament jiu jitsu. This means fighting or approaching your opponent differently than what you might typically do in the academy. It means fighting with your brain as much as your brawn.
It makes sense that scoring is directly proportionate to winning, but this concept seems to be a hard lesson for many. Many fight conservatively and leave points on the table throughout the match only to become tired and unable to score late in the match. Take points whenever they are available, you can never guarantee another opportunity. You will never look back on a tournament and say, “I shouldn’t have scored all those dang points!!!”.

3:) Diversify your training partners

diversity
Why leave anything to chance? There is a time and place for everything, and while working with training partners of relative skill and size is best for building a gameplan, part of developing a complete gameplan is determining the multiple types of reactions to your strategy. Once you have developed a comfort with your style and gameplan, try testing it against training partners of all sizes, strengths, and abilities. Try to
Once you have developed a comfort with your style and gameplan, try testing it against training partners of all sizes, strengths, and abilities. Try to fully-understand the options your opponent has available them. What made our study of Rafael Mendes so amazing was how well he knew the options of his opponents. This lead to him dominating the competitive scene for a very long time. You won’t know all of the reactions until you have to account for the multiple body types and skill levels that are out there.
 

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Live Technique and Perspective Videos

Tanquinho: Beating The Open Guard (Knee-Forward Position)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8RJJ9MU9ng?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
Check out this great new video on Tanquinho’s knee forward style of passing. Maybe you will learn even more by watching!