Rafael "Formiga" Barbosa is one of the most dynamic bjj players in the game today. This week he shows us a nice way to achieve the x-guard position. This works even with the heaviest of opponents. The key is to create the leverage you must turn your body and use your bottom leg as a lever to extend your opponent. Try it!

Emyr is a master of the guard and has an answer for every position. This week he shows us how to handle your opponent when they stuff your leg. Emyr never lets his opponent settle in and uses their own momentum to set up this very dynamic Pretzel Sweep. Timing is everything here. Make sure you practice doing this on time!

An article for Competitive BJJ players.

This article may seem a bit disconnected at times but it will all come together in the end. This is part one. Partly it’s me free-associating things I have experienced or learned, and putting those thoughts down. It’s written for those looking to push their game to the next level and hopefully help with the puzzle we call BJJ.

I've heard many people say "it's all out there", meaning that BJJ is basically free for the taking. That any technique, submission, sweep is readily available and that all you have to do is crack your newest BJJ instructional, hop over to bjjweekly or just do a quick search on YouTube. The thing is, there is so much more than meets the eye. I'm not talking about transformers, but instead the transformation of BJJ you will experience as you grow in the gentle art.

The web is filled with great video content, awesome moves, great matches and high-flying tricks and submissions. There are also plenty of technical basics. How to escape mount, pass the guard and choke your buddy out. And in the abyss there are some real gems, but it's like finding a needle in a haystack. How do you know what to look for? How do you know if it's a high percentage move? How do you plug into your game?

The dynamic Rafael Formiga Barbosa rolls with Pete in this Rolling Reflections. This video was shot in late 2010 and the voice over was cut over a year later. Pete reflects back on the roll with Formiga and it's a roll filled with some great technique and a good pace. You don't want to miss it!

Emyr displays a series of sweeps this month but starts us out with a couple of nice high-percentage tripod sweeps. These sweeps can be applied very fast and are extremely effective. Don't wait for your opponent to hit the ground before you come up, and make sure that you use the momentum of your opponent falling to pull yourself up.

This week, Nic Gregoriades demonstrates to us the concept of "powerpoint and base". In two different applications, Nic teaches us how to get the most out of your base. you need to put yourself in a position that will allow you to create leverage, allowing your powerpoint to work more efficiently.

For the past four weeks, Pablo Popovitch has been working off his back. This week he demonstrated another technique when your opponent tried to pass. This kimura can easily be turned into an armbar if your opponent rolls. Pablo uses his foot on Cyborg's hip to create leverage, separating Cyborg's arm from his body. Once that hapens, the fight is over.

Phil Migliarese is a 4th degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt. He has been studying Gracie Jiu-Jitsu since he was 11 and yoga since he was 9. Phil demonstrates a sport specific yoga position this week to help open up your hips. Phil also has a dvd called "Yoga For Fighters" which we will be reviewing in a future issue of BJJ Weekly.

Pablo Popovitch continues this week addressing one of the most uncomfortable positions to be put in. It can be suffocating having your guard passed and having your opponent settle his chest or stomach on your face. Pablo stresses that you need to stay round, shoulders off the mat. Most important detail is to keep your elbows connected to your knees to keep your opponent's weight off you. This technique works great with or without the gi.

A lot of eyes have been on BJJ Weekly supporter Origin BJJ, especially after they ranked #5 on the bjj gi survey out of 200+ brands last month. Origin just launched their 2012 gear lineup in style with a very contagious video. Just a little eye candy for all you bjj gear addicts out there. They are running a facebook contest and giving out a new 2012 COMP 550 gi, check it out at www.facebook.com/originbjj