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The Best BJJ Books You Need to Read in 2023 | BJJ Success

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Skip to contentWhen you’re not on the mat there are still many ways to improve your jiu jitsu. One way is through a good book. There are plenty of books about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu written by members of the Gracie family and other notable BJJ athletes and teachers. Some of the below books are even free!The Black Belt Blueprint was written by Nic Gregoriades, Roger Gracie’s first black belt and a well known BJJ teacher and podcaster. It’s a holistic guide to BJJ, and includes information on most aspects of the art including a full chapter on concepts like breath control, the use of angles and how to attack joints effectively.&nbsp;There are also chapters covering techniques such as essential movements, defenses and attacks; “invisible” jiu jitsu, how to improve your jiu jitsu off the mat, and the jiu jitsu lifestyle. There’s something for everyone in this book.Buy on amazonBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique was co-written by BJJ royalty, including Renzo and Royler Gracie, John Danaher and Kid Peligro. It’s an overall written guide to the art, including theory, history, BJJ’s role in MMA and the belt system. The bulk of the book is dedicated to techniques structured according to the belt system.&nbsp;Buy on amazonMastering The 21 Immutable Principles Of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a concise guide covering the main principles of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Some principles are straight forward, like the 7 P’s of Guard Passing and energy management, and others are analogies, like the “Wet Rug” analogy, and the “Big Rock” analogy.&nbsp;At just over 100 pages, this isn’t a long book. It’s a great weekend read which will teach you lessons about BJJ you’ll appreciate forever.Buy on amazonThis free ebook is invaluable for beginners confused by the numerous positions and principles of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It’s basically a primer for your first months of BJJ, and includes a run-down of the six major positions in BJJ, plus a hierarchy to help you put them into perspective.It then goes through some concepts and sample illustrations showing what a possible game strategy might look like. It finishes off with more detailed information about each of the six major positions. Overall this book is great for newbies and those looking for some clarity into the basics of BJJ.This is another free but excellent ebook for those serious about improving their jiu jitsu. It includes tips and tricks for all aspects of BJJ, including diverse topics like guard passing, leg locks, gym etiquette, fitness and wellbeing. All tips are presented in a concise way so there’s no padding or filler.If you’re looking for an unbiased and comprehensive history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the Choque series by Roberto Pedreira is a great option. The three lengthy books cover the history of BJJ from its adaptation from judo in Brazil, to its inclusion in live fight bouts against capoeira and luta livre practitioners, and its global rise after Royce Gracie won the first UFC. It’s a deep dive into the historical side of the art, so it’s more of a resource rather than an entertaining novel.&nbsp;Buy on amazonIf you’re interested in finding out more about the founding myths and true history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Opening Closed Guard will be an interesting read for you. It includes research and interviews that author and BJJ legend Robert Drysdale conducted in Brazil to respectfully explore the history of jiu jitsu.It should also be noted that this book serves as a companion for the “Closed Guard” documentary by Robert Drysdale that is being released soon.Buy on amazonThis book explores five key concepts useful to those starting BJJ. It’s written by Chris Matakas, a black belt jiu jitsu instructor under Ricardo Almeida, and the author of five other books about BJJ. The book is short at just over 100 pages, and the rules include:Buy on amazonRichard Bresler is Rorion Gracie’s first student in the USA. His memoir talks about his time during BJJs first steps in the USA, and his experience training with Rorion and the Gracie family. It also explores the beginning of the UFC, and Bresler’s falling out with Rorion, and subsequent patching up of their relationship.&nbsp;The book also highlights Bresler’s personal struggle and journey from being in a depressed rut and taking drugs to receiving his black belt and helping to create Krav Maga’s “Krav Ground” system, which is based on Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.Buy on amazonThe Zen Jiu Jitsu series consists of five books exploring many facets of jiu jitsu including how to train for 40 year olds, competitive psychology for BJJ and more.The second book in the series White to Blue, is a book covering important concepts to help white belts understand the concepts that a blue belt would have after a number of years.&nbsp;Some of the concepts covered include:The information is designed to help white belts get to blue belt as quickly as possible, and so it covers important concepts rather than individual techniques.&nbsp;The book is written by Oliver Staark, a second degree black belt under the legendary Roger Gracie.Buy on amazonThere are few BJJ and MMA pioneers as well known and respected as Rickson Gracie, son of Helio Gracie.Breathe: A Life in Flow is Rickson’s memoir, covering not only his early family life and heritage but his career and life in MMA in the USA and Japan. It also covers the birth of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.It includes numerous photographs of Rickson and the Gracie family, and even has a foreward written by Jocko Willink, one of the other authors featured in this article.Buy on amazonOn Jiu Jitsu is another book by blackbelt and author Chris Matakas. It explores how and why jiu jitsu improves and shapes an individual. It’s a concise read at just over 100 pages, so it’s another great book to finish over a weekend.Buy on amazonJiu Jitsu on the Brain is a collection of jiu jitsu musings written by Mark “West Side”Johnson, a black belt under the legendary Pedro Sauer. The book is quite short at under 80 pages, and is broken up into five sections which signify the five stages of learning jiu jitsu. It’s irreverent, entertaining, and covers all the real, non-technique based aspects of jiu jitsu.&nbsp;The topics of the musings are incredibly diverse and down-to-earth, and include farting while sparring, ringworm, gi selection, daydreaming about jiu jitsu, jiu jitsu as a mistress and much more. This is a great book to give to someone starting out in jiu jitsu.Buy on amazonEver wondered what drives and motivates someone to obtain a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? Author, coach and former police officer Chuck Rylant did, so he interviewed 12 black belts to find out:As with many of the books on this list, it’s short at just over 100 pages but it’s a great read. It goes into the various stories, challenges and rewards associated with obtaining a black belt.Buy on amazonRoy Dean is a well known black belt teacher in the BJJ community with a great online training platform. Becoming the Black Belt is his second book after The Martial Apprentice, and it details his journey learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The book is not only a description of Roy’s journey as a lifelong martial artist, but also describes the lessons he learned along the way.&nbsp;Buy on amazonMaster Jiu-Jitsu Master Life talks about the journeys of many of the big names within BJJ including Roger Gracie, Marcelo Garcia and John Danaher through the lens of self-improvement. It is broken up into 22 chapters, with each one exploring a different success principle, with examples including visualization, ego and discipline.Buy on amazonThe Fighter’s Mind explores the mindset and mental performance of modern martial artists. The book is a collection of interviews with some great grapplers and thinkers like Ricardo Liborio, Marcelo Garcia, Josh Waitzkin, Renzo Gracie, Dan Gable and more.Buy on amazonWhile technique books are still very useful, many of BJJ’s elite athletes and instructors now publish video technique content on various websites. You can read a full comparison of these sites in our guide to online BJJ training platforms.&nbsp;Jiu-Jitsu University is a comprehensive technical manual showing the key positions and techniques of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It’s broken up into five key sections covering survival, escapes, the guard, guard passing and submissions.&nbsp;Each section has a large number of individual techniques demonstrated with numerous photos and written instructions. Jiu Jitsu University was created by the great competitor and teacher Saulo Ribeiro. It also features the well respected teacher John Danaher as a technical editor. Saulo’s online training library BJJ Library features much of the same content in video form.Buy on amazonEddie Bravo is one of the great innovators within BJJ, famous for his 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu system and techniques, and his innovation of BJJ competition rulesets. His style of no gi jiu jitsu is detailed in this book, including his “rubber guard” system. Techniques are illustrated using photos of Eddie demonstrating with famous podcaster and UFC commentator Joe Rogan.Buy on amazonRigan Machado is one of the pioneers of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and has contributed to the development and popularity of BJJ around the world. His book The Essence of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a short book which starts with Rigan answering some frequently asked questions such as the difference between gi and no gi. It then goes on to show images of techniques broken up into arm locks, leg locks, chokes and no gi.Buy on amazonMastering Jujitsu by Renzo Gracie and John Danaher is a comprehensive theoretical and practical guide to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) perspective. It starts with the history of BJJ and a short history of Japan and martial arts.&nbsp;It then goes on to explain the core concepts of BJJ during the various stages of a fight including the free movement phase, the clinch, ground fighting, the bottom position and the top position. The concepts are explained and illustrated with core BJJ techniques and positions. These techniques are explained with instructions and photos.The book also includes chapters on competition and self-defence. There’s something for everyone in this book, and if you’re looking for the reasoning behind the various aspects of BJJ you’ll enjoy this.Buy on amazonThe Grappler’s Handbook is a lengthy technical book by Jean Jacques Machado, a BJJ pioneer. The book mostly includes techniques with high quality photographs and instructions. It’s broken up into chapters which include:Buy on amazonFollowing on from the first Grappler’s Handbook, the second volume by Jean Jacques focuses on defensive techniques. It’s broken up into the following chapters:Buy on amazonNonstop Jiu-jitsu is a competition-themed book written by Brandon Mullins, a black belt world champion, and Stephan Kesting from the popular website Grapplearts.The book focuses on giving the reader gameplans to control opponents from open guard, sweep them, pass their guard and establish top position.&nbsp;It’s organized into three main sections:It’s a highly visual book with 256 full color pages showing each technique with full details. There’s also a video version of the course for those who prefer to see their techniques being played out in real time.Buy on amazonBJJ competitions are intense. In addition to refining your physical skills before competing, successful competitors should also refine their mental skills. The books below aren’t specifically for BJJ practitioners, but are still very useful for those looking to upgrade their mental game.With Winning in Mind was written by Lanny Bassham, an Olympic gold medalist sports shooter. It focuses on helping you perform under pressure through Lanny’s Mental Management system. The system is based on growing three parts of your mind: your conscious mind, your subconscious mind, and your self-image. Some of the strategies include affirmations and rehearsal (mental practice).Buy on amazonSports Psychology for Dummies is a highly actionable, clearly written book for those interested in doing their best jiu jitsu under competition pressure. It introduces sports psychology, and then focuses on the most important areas for competitors to improve. This includes mental toughness, motivation, focus, confidence, imagery, self talk and much more. You can also hear Dr Leif H. Smith, one of the authors, talking about some of the book concepts on BJJ teacher Stephen Kesting’s podcast.Buy on amazonIf you’re looking for a simple way to increase your mental performance, 10-Minute Toughness is a good book to consider. It guides you through creating your own personalised mental training and performance routine which only takes a total of 10 minutes each time you train or compete.Buy on amazonThis is a beautifully illustrated book which tells the story of Leo, a Shih Tzu, who learns jiu jitsu in an effort to combat bullying. It not only touches on BJJ and bullying but also confidence.Buy on amazonJiu Jitsu and Me tells the story of Bobby, a boy who learns jiu jitsu after hearing stories about it from his school teacher. Like the other kids’ books on this list, it tells a story not only of jiu jitsu but also trying new things, facing fears and overcoming obstacles.Buy on amazonWay of the Warrior Kid is a children’s book about positive transformation through hard work. It tells the story of Marc, a fifth grade student who isn’t having the best time at school because he finds some subjects difficult and is being bullied. This all changes when his Navy SEAL uncle Jake comes to visit, introducing Marc to fitness, healthy eating and jiu jitsu.Buy on amazonThe Brazilian Jiu Jitsu GlobetrotterThe Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Globetrotter is the real life story of Christian Graugart, the founder of BJJ Globetrotters, an BJJ travel community. This free ebook is Christian’s account of his journey travelling around the world and training BJJ, meeting interesting people, working through injuries and adversity, and much more.Kodokan Judo: The Essential Guide to Judo by Its Founder Jigoro KanoBrazilian Jiu Jitsu was adapted in part from Kodokan Judo. This book is a deep dive into Kodokan Judo, including basic judo concepts, techniques, forms and health and fitness which may be of interest to some BJJ practitioners.Buy on amazonThe books below relate to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but weren’t included in the list above either because they didn’t fit in clearly with the sections above, were too difficult to find or were prohibitively expensive at the time of writing:Did we miss a great BJJ book? Let us know below!I’m Marc, the guy behind BJJ Success. I’ve been learning BJJ for over five years and have a purple belt. You’ll usually find me on the mats several times each week, in addition to pursuing my other obsessions of health and fitness. BJJ Success is designed to provide useful information and resources for those pursuing their love of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.BJJ Success participates in the Amazon Associates affiliate program, which allows websites to earn commissions by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. BJJ Success also participates in affiliate programs with ShareASale and other sites. When you click a link for a product or service we might receive a commission in return for you making a purchase.

Skip to contentWhen you’re not on the mat there are still many ways to improve your jiu jitsu. One way is through a good book. There are plenty of books about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu written by members of the Gracie family and other notable BJJ athletes and teachers. Some of the below books are even free!The Black Belt Blueprint was written by Nic Gregoriades, Roger Gracie’s first black belt and a well known BJJ teacher and podcaster. It’s a holistic guide to BJJ, and includes information on most aspects of the art including a full chapter on concepts like breath control, the use of angles and...

The Best BJJ Books You Need to Read in 2023 | BJJ Success

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