Techniques from the Standing Position:

As a beginner, much of your
practice will be isolated to one specific
area of concentration for a particular
class period. Since the focus
of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu for beginners is
on groundwork and the body positioning
that occurs there, much of
your "sparring" or free practice with
resistance will occur with both participants
starting on the knees. There
are many reasons for this that you will
come to understand over time, but to
provide you with a simple understanding:
the more comfortable you are on
the ground, the more relaxed you will
be about engaging in the practice of
Jiu-jitsu with full resistance. Many
participants are also initially hesitant
due to a natural feeling of cluster
phobia that occurs while someone is
pinning you on the floor. This hesitation
is relieved by the separation of
specific positions during training and
practice. Another reason for this
separation is to "force" students to
move away from areas of natural skill
in order to develop their weaker
areas. This complete development of
Jiu-jitsu's basic techniques is important
before moving on to more
advanced techniques. Some students
who may not be very proficient
on the ground may choose to stay
standing if given the opportunity
while "sparring" starts standing. This
may occur due to a natural fear of
"losing" or elevated ego. Therefore,
instructors of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu will
usually start free sparring sessions
on the knees and standing at separate
times.

INTRODUCTION

This book is not a replacement for a qualified instructor. This book does not contain all of the moves that
make up the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Only the core moves from each position are shown.
This E-book is intended to give readers a sample of certain areas within Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, The Master
Text and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Basics. As you read, you will notice that pages have been taken from different
sections and are put together (re-arranged) in this E-book in an order according to the title of the E-book, not
the order of the book the pages originally came from.
After reading this text, you may purchase another E-book from us or purchase the book itself. There is so
much material in The Master Text that even if you purchase all of our online E-books, you will still not have
all the material in the original text itself. Some text and content has been left out in this file due to the fact
that it is on one subject area and is acting as an overview.
Enjoy this material and thank you for your patronage and support.
"From a technical perspective, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, The Master Text, by Gene "Aranha" Simco, is the best book
about the popular grappling art I've seen to date."- -- Lito Angeles, Black Belt Magazine (6/2002)
What really sets this book apart from any other grappling book on the market is the fact that it really represents
where mixed martial arts is today. It explains Jiu-jitsu grappling and its different styles better then any
other book on the market." - 5 Stars
-- Bill Lewis (12/2001)
"One of my students got your book (The Master Text) and I personally think that is a great book. Very good
technique and also good pictures. You are just making easy for people to learn."
-- Gustavo Machado (BJJ Black Belt) (12/2001)
Standing Techniques Chapter Outline
Closing Distance Punch Defense Kick Defense

JIU-JITSU

Samples from Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, The Master Text and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Basics By Gene "Aranha" Simco
WARNING
The techniques presented in this book are dangerous. Before you begin your Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training, you
should consult a physician. You and your partner should always communicate with each other and stop
when the other signals. All techniques should be practiced under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
The author of this book shall not be held liable for the misuse of any information contained within.

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful
beyond measure. Is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves,
who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be.
You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing
enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are
all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that
is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from
our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Nasrudin and a Dervish

Nasrudin was walking along a lonely road one moonlit night when he heard a snore
seemingly directly beneath his feet. Suddenly he experienced fear and was about to flee
when he tripped over a dervish lying in a pit which he had dug for himself, partly
underground.
"Who are you?" the Mulla stammered.
"I am a dervish, and this is my contemplation place."
Nasrudin replied, "You will have to let me share it. Your snoring frightened me out of my
wits, and I cannot continue any further this night."
"Take the other end of this blanket, then," said the dervish without much enthusiasm,
"and lie down here. Please be quiet, because I am keeping a vigil. It is a part of a
complicated series of exercises. Tomorrow I must change the pattern, and I cannot stand
any interruption."
Nasrudin fell asleep for a while. Then he woke up, very thirsty.
"I am thirsty," he told the dervish.
"Then go back down the road, where there is a stream."
"No,I am still afraid." replied Nasrudin.
"I shall go for you then," said the dervish. "After all, to provide water is a sacred
obligation in the East."
"No, please don't go for I am still afraid to be alone!"
"Take this knife, to defend yourself then," said the dervish.

Get Rid of Fear

"How shall I rid myself of fear?"
A SAMURAI AND A ZEN MASTER
Get any book for free on: www.Abika.com
3
"How can you rid yourself of what you cling to?"
"You mean I actually cling to my fears? I cannot agree to that."
"Consider what your fear protects you from and you will agree! And you will see your
folly."
Anthony de Mello, SJ
"One Minute Wisdom"

Zen

Table of contents
•A Samurai and a Zen Master
•Get Rid of Fear
•Nasrudin and a Dervish
•Our Deepest Fear
A Samurai and a Zen Master
A samurai, a very proud warrior, came to see a Zen Master one day. The samurai was
very famous, but looking at the beauty of the Master and the Grace of the moment, he
suddenly felt inferior.
He said to the Master, "Why am I feeling inferior? Just a moment ago everything was
okay. As I entered your court suddenly I felt inferior. I have never felt like that before. I
have faced death many times, and I have never felt any fear -- why am I now feeling
frightened?"
The Master said, "Wait. When everyone else has gone, I will answer. "
People continued the whole day to come and see the Master, and the samurai was getting
more and more tired waiting. By evening the room was empty, and the samurai said,
"Now, can you answer me?"
The Master said, "Come outside."
It was a full moon night, the moon was just rising on the horizen. And he said, "Look at
these trees. This tree is high in the sky and this small one beside it. They both have
existed beside my window for years, and there has never been any problem. The smaller
tree has never said to the big tree, 'Why do I feel inferior before you?' This tree is small,
and that tree is big -- why have I never heard a whisper of it?"
The samurai said, "Because they can't compare."
The Master replied, "Then you need not ask me. You know the answer."
Author Unknown
Found at: Parables, Stories from Around the World

A SAMURAI AND A ZEN MASTER

(Nelson Mandela, 1994 Inaugural Speech)
Our Deepest Fear was used in Nelson Mandela's speech, but it was written by Marianne
Williamson. You can find it in her book "A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles
of a Course in Miracles," pages 190-191, 1992 publishing.

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful
beyond measure. Is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves,
who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be.
You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing
enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are
all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that
is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from
our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

A SAMURAI AND A ZEN MASTER

While he was away Nasrudin frightened himself still more, working himself up into a
frenzy, which he tried to counter by imagining how he would attack any demon who
threatened him.
Presently the dervish returned.
"Keep your distance, or "I'll kill you!" said Nasrudin.
"But I am the dervish," said the dervish.
"I don't care who you are-your maybe a demon in disguise. Besides, you have your head
and eyebrows shaved!" The dervishes of that order shave their head and eyebrows.
"But I have come to bring you water! Don't you remember-you are thirsty!"
"Don't try and ingratiate yourself with me, Demon!"
"But that is my hole you are occupying!" said the dervish.
"That's hard luck for you, isn't it? You'll just have to find another one." replied Nasrudin.
"I suppose so," said the dervish, "but I am sure I don't know what to make of all this."
"I can tell you one thing," said Nasrudin, "and that is that fear is multidirectional."
"It certainly seems stronger than thirst, or sanity, or other peoples property," said the
dervish.

Nasrudin and a Dervish

Nasrudin was walking along a lonely road one moonlit night when he heard a snore
seemingly directly beneath his feet. Suddenly he experienced fear and was about to flee
when he tripped over a dervish lying in a pit which he had dug for himself, partly
underground.
"Who are you?" the Mulla stammered.
"I am a dervish, and this is my contemplation place."
Nasrudin replied, "You will have to let me share it. Your snoring frightened me out of my
wits, and I cannot continue any further this night."
"Take the other end of this blanket, then," said the dervish without much enthusiasm,
"and lie down here. Please be quiet, because I am keeping a vigil. It is a part of a
complicated series of exercises. Tomorrow I must change the pattern, and I cannot stand
any interruption."
Nasrudin fell asleep for a while. Then he woke up, very thirsty.
"I am thirsty," he told the dervish.
"Then go back down the road, where there is a stream."
"No,I am still afraid." replied Nasrudin.
"I shall go for you then," said the dervish. "After all, to provide water is a sacred
obligation in the East."

Get Rid of Fear

"How shall I rid myself of fear?"
A SAMURAI AND A ZEN MASTER
Get any book for free on: www.Abika.com
3
"How can you rid yourself of what you cling to?"
"You mean I actually cling to my fears? I cannot agree to that."
"Consider what your fear protects you from and you will agree! And you will see your
folly."
Anthony de Mello, SJ
"One Minute Wisdom"

Samurai and a Zen

A Samurai and a Zen Master
A samurai, a very proud warrior, came to see a Zen Master one day. The samurai was
very famous, but looking at the beauty of the Master and the Grace of the moment, he
suddenly felt inferior.
He said to the Master, "Why am I feeling inferior? Just a moment ago everything was
okay. As I entered your court suddenly I felt inferior. I have never felt like that before. I
have faced death many times, and I have never felt any fear -- why am I now feeling
frightened?"
The Master said, "Wait. When everyone else has gone, I will answer. "
People continued the whole day to come and see the Master, and the samurai was getting
more and more tired waiting. By evening the room was empty, and the samurai said,
"Now, can you answer me?"
The Master said, "Come outside."
It was a full moon night, the moon was just rising on the horizen. And he said, "Look at
these trees. This tree is high in the sky and this small one beside it. They both have
existed beside my window for years, and there has never been any problem. The smaller
tree has never said to the big tree, 'Why do I feel inferior before you?' This tree is small,
and that tree is big -- why have I never heard a whisper of it?"
The samurai said, "Because they can't compare."
The Master replied, "Then you need not ask me. You know the answer."
Author Unknown
Found at: Parables, Stories from Around the World

If a wound does occur,

seek the best medical attention
possible immediately. Apply direct pressure first. If that is
not effective, apply indirect pressure and elevate the wounded
portion of the body (except in the case of head wounds). A
true Ninja should be familiar with the types of wounds
which throwing knives can possibly cause, and how such
wounds should be treated. Any serious Ninja will know
advanced first aid and will never be without an emergency
first aid kit to deal with both major and minor injuries.
Some misinformed people believe that the knife is the
favorite or even the preferred weapon of the Ninja. This is
not true. Although a knife is the first weapon, outside of the
weapons of mind and body, that a Ninja trains with, to say
that a knife is the favorite weapon of the Ninja is erroneous.
Ninja do not have favorite weapons. They are capable of
using all weapons and are free to use no weapons. Knife
throwing is just one facet of Tanto-jitsu (knife art), which is
in turn only one facet of The Way.

Catching

Snatching a thrown knife out of the air without harm
requires the utmost mastery, and is not recommended to
anyone but Ninjitsu masters. This technique should not be
practiced until one’s dodging and blocking skills are flawless.
Evade the knife first, and try to pinch or snatch the spinning
handle out of the air as it goes by.
Treating Throwing Knife Injuries
Whether in practice or in actual combat, throwing knife
injuries may result. A Ninja must be prepared for any
situation, even for the eventuality that despite all his
training, he may become wounded. Treat any wound
seriously and take care of it as soon as possible. Even with
small wounds there is always the chance of poison or
infection. Remember that the best treatment is prevention;
avoid becoming a casualty. Safety must always be main-
tained to the highest degree possible.

Blocking

Thrown knives can also be knocked down, blocked, or
otherwise deflected out of the air with weapons, everyday
objects, or even by hand. Always evade the knife first, if
NINJA KNIFE THROWING
possible. In this way, if the block fails, no injury will result.
With a sword or staff, for example, a Ninja can simply sweep
the knife out of the air. If a weapon is not handy, then any
object (such as a book or even a kitchen post) can be used.
Timing is important. Y
Swatting knives out of the air by hand is dangerous and
not recommended to anyone who is not a highly trained
Ninja. This should be practiced with caution and with safe
practice knives. Concentrate on slapping the knife away
with the hand or the firearm. The tell-tale training blood will
tell how successful the attempt was.

Defense Against Thrown Knives

A Ninja needs to be prepared to defend him or herself
against thrown knives. There are three basic ways to
accomplish this:
1) Dodging
2) Blocking
3) Catching
These are listed in order of their difficulty to perform.
Dodging
In order to successfully evade thrown knives, a Ninja must
understand how a knife flies when it is thrown. Once this is
accurately understood, a Ninja can effectively judge how a
knife will come at him. Fortunately, a thrown knife is
committed to its path of flight once the thrower releases it. If
the Ninja can time his actions just right, he will move just a
split second before the knife is released. At that point the
thrower is committed and cannot take back his action. By
the time the knife reaches its target, the Ninja is no longer
there. A knife is not a guided missile; it will not actively seek
out its target if the target moves, but will continue along its
path of flight. Once a Ninja understands this, he or she can
duck under, sidestep, or otherwise evade a thrown knife.
This should be practiced with safe practice knives only. Such
knowledge will prove invaluable to attacker and defender
alike.

A Ninja

may intentionally throw a knife so that it lands
flat or strikes a target with the butt of the handle, in an
attempt to subdue or stun an opponent. This is a difficult
technique to master, but it can be used to capture enemies
alive or simply to render them unconscious. Such stunning
blows are usually to the head.
Special Uses
Ninja may attach small blinding dust bombs, smoke,
explosive, or incendiary grenades to throwing knives in
order to increase their effectivenss of lethality. A simple
flaming knife, used to start fires, can be made by wrapping
strips of cloth soaked in flammable liquid around either the
handle or the blade (depending upon how the knife will be
thrown). The strips are ignited just prior to throwing the
knife.
Poisoned knives are another special use. Even a nick or a
scratch from a poisoned throwing knife can prove fatal.
Poisoned throwing knives can be made by coating the blade
with poison paste. It is best to throw poisoned throwing
knives by the handle. Avoid coming in direct contact with
the poison.

To Kill

To kill an opponent with a knife throw is the most difficult
purpose to achieve. The best lethal target is the throat or
neck. An accurately thrown blade can sever the windpipe,
one of the jugular veins, or even the spinal cord. Other lethal
targets are:
The Eyes
The Temples
The Open Mouth
Of course all of these targets are difficult to hit. Contrary
to accounts on television and in the movies, thrown knives to
the upper torso are seldom fatal. Most people cannot throw
hard enough to pierce the muscle and bone of the rib cage in
order to damage the major internal organs. A fortunate
throw is always possible, but should not be counted on or
expected in actual combat. The result of a thrown knife to the
upper torso will most likely be a wound of varied seriousness.
Secondary Uses

To Wound

To wound an opponent is more difficult. The best chance is
to strike the softer areas of the lower torso, such as the
abdomen and the kidneys. The upper portions of the torso
are protected by bone. The thighs are a good wounding
target. A throwing knife in the muscle of the upper leg makes
running difficult or impossible. Such a wound will give
pause to any enemy. It may only slow him down, or it may
drop him or even strike the femoral artery and cause death
from blood loss in minutes.

Knife Throwing in Combat

In actual combat, Ninja throw knives for three primary
purposes:
1) To Distract
2) To Wound
3) To Kill
There are other secondary and special uses, but these are
the three most basic purposes.
To Distract
Most people are easily distacted by something thrown at
them, especially if it is thrown at their face. There is a
natural reaction to protect the face and eyes. To effectively
distract an opponent, throw a knife as quickly and as
accurately as possible at his face. Usually an opponent will
try to avoid or dodge the knife. This will gain the Ninja time
to escape, create an opening for an attack, or perform some
other action. It doesn’t matter if the knife hits the target or
not, but if it does, so much the better.