When Saulo speaks, the jiu-jitsu world listens. When he writes, they study.
[White Belt: Survival] ➔ [Blue Belt: Escapes] ➔ [Purple Belt: Guard] ➔ [Brown Belt: Passing] ➔ [Black Belt: Submissions] 1. The White Belt: Survival
Since its release in 2008, Jiu-Jitsu University has consistently topped the BJJ book charts. On Goodreads, it holds a stellar rating with over 65% of reviewers giving it the full five stars, praising it as a "bona fide textbook" on the subject. On Amazon, it maintains a 4.8 out of 5 rating across thousands of reviews. jiu-jitsu university by saulo ribeiro
Focuses on basic postures and defensive positions to minimize risk and avoid being finished.
The book features a recurring "Do Not Do" photo section. These images explicitly show common mistakes where practitioners try to use brute strength instead of proper leverage and skeletal alignment. When Saulo speaks, the jiu-jitsu world listens
Ribeiro details standard, high-percentage escapes from the worst positions on the mat. He emphasizes timing, bridges, and hip escapes (shrimping). The primary objective here is to transition from a defensive, bottom position back to a neutral position or into the guard. 3. Purple Belt: The Guard
To build a strong foundation, Ribeiro recommends drilling basic techniques repeatedly until they become second nature. This approach allows you to develop muscle memory and frees up your mind to focus on more advanced techniques and strategies. The White Belt: Survival Since its release in
Ribeiro argues that a white belt’s primary job is not to submit opponents, but to survive their attacks. This chapter is a masterclass in defensive posture. It teaches you how to position your body under mount, side control, and the back mount so that you do not get tapped out. By mastering survival, you remove the fear of being crushed, which gives you the confidence to navigate bad positions. 2. The Blue Belt: Escapes
But fundamentals don't age. The mount escape on page 78 works just as well today as it did in 2008. The cross-collar choke from the back is still the great equalizer. You don't learn Jiu-Jitsu University to be trendy; you learn it to be dangerous .