Mario Sperry - Secrets of Submission Grappling

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CRAAAAAK!! Going!! Going!!! . . . Gone!! That is the sound of Mario Sperry hitting a homerun out of the park. Sperry has been on the longest running streak of outstanding tape sets in the history of grappling videos. This tape set is no exception.

This set is devoted to a relatively new style of grappling that has evolved from the rules created for the Abu Dhabi Submission Grappling Championships. If Submission Grappling is a new kingdom, Sperry is its reigning king. Sperry won the first Abu Dubai Championship in 1998 and has one the Abu Dubai Superfight each after that. One fact that stands out is that he has not had a single point scored against him. These wins come from both Sperry's grappling ability and ingrained knowledge of the rules.

So now that it is established that Sperry is more than qualified to create a tape set on submission grappling, some questions remain. You might be thinking, "Look, I have Sperry's sport BJJ tapes and I have Sperry's Vale Tudo tapes, what could he have left out that I have not seen." The answer is simple --- lots!!

This is not a vale tudo tape set; this is not a sport BJJ tape set. It is something very different. Just a few minutes into the first tape told me that I know little about the submission grappling game. You need very different techniques and strategies for submission grappling than you do for sport BJJ or Vale Tudo. Generally, there is no uniform, there are no punches, no kicks and of course a different rule system. Sperry's Vale Tudo tapes had you punching your opponent to pass the guard and wear him down. Sperry' sport tapes were completely based on using the uniform to control your opponent. Submission grappling is a different animal. As soon as you think you recognize a given move, Sperry put a different twist on it to adapt it to the submission game. Sperry delivers a brand new tape set that walks you through his techniques and strategies for winning submission grappling matches.

Tape 1 - Submission Takedowns
Length: 50 minutes
Number of moves: 20

This tape covers both takedowns and the standup strategy for Submission Grappling Tournaments. One of the familiar moves that is given a new spin is the guillotine. Mario does cover a similar version of the guillotine in his Vale Tudo tape set. This modified guillotine is more difficult to counter. So now I am thinking, "I know this." Sperry was quick to prove me wrong. Sperry melds the move to fit the new rules. Sperry uses his modified standing guillotine for a variety of takedowns that I have not seen taught.

Closing the distance and the whole jockeying for superior position is explained. Often opponents will grab the back of your head to gain control. Sperry shows how to counter this and how to use the same grab to gain control over your opponent.

Something that Sperry did not do on previous tape sets is mention specific matches where he used particular moves. This info could be helpful for those who want to see a move used in the real world. As with all Sperry tape sets, all the moves shown are connected together. That is what makes Sperry a cut above all others. There are no individual moves, all the moves flow depending on how your opponent reacts. This gives you a complete strategy.

Tape 2 - Guard Passing
Length: 46 minutes
Number of moves: 14

Sperry starts the tape by talking about the differences between Vale Tudo guard passing and passing the guard in submission grappling rules. Sperry's method of passing the guard in a Vale Tudo fight relies on punching the opponent. Sperry's main strategy for passing the guard in a submission match requires you to bait your opponent to go for an armbar or other submission.

This tape starts with Sperry in his opponent's closed guard. Sperry puts a hand on his throat and pops up to a standing position and starts to make pressure on one of his opponent's knees with his hand. This is where his opponent gets the idea to go from an armbar. Sperry is waiting for his opponent to do just about anything. As long as his opponent breaks his guard to go for a submission, Sperry is on his way.

Once the guard is broken, Sperry shows a connected series of guard passes. Sperry states that because there is no punching he is much more daring and aggressive. Many of these guard passes Sperry would not use in a Vale Tudo fight. Almost all of this material is new. Sperry puts some new spin on the cartwheel pass that you see used from time to time. In the end, half the tape is spent on breaking the guard and the strategies that surround this. The second half of the tape is spent on how to pass the legs. At the end of every tape Mario shows you that all the moves are connected.

Tape 3 - Submissions and Strategies from the Top
Length: 46 minutes
Number of moves: 15

This tape covers a whole range material. The first 1/3 of the tape takes off where the Passing the Guard tape leaves off. You have broken your opponent's guard and are now standing in your opponent's open guard. Instead of passing, Mario shows a series of submissions to launch into from here consisting of knee bars, heel hooks and leg locks.

The second 1/3 of this tape is devoted using the ½ guard to win your submission matches. Sperry points out that this is how he beat Enson in his super fight at Abu Dhabi. Essentially the strategy goes, put yourself into the ½ guard, pass the guard, get your points and repeat as often as necessary. There is more to it than that, but you get the idea. Anyone who is serious about competing had better watch this tape.

The last 1/3 of the tape walks through 7 submissions. Sperry states that most of these submissions will be familiar to most people (at least those that have his Vale Tudo tapes). However, Sperry makes an important point that the setups for the entering into the submission is different in submission grappling. You have no Gi and there is no punching. This section becomes most important, not for the submissions themselves, but for the setups. Mario uses throat pressure to get his opponent to react and from there sets up the submission.

Sperry has again created a great tape set. If you have other Sperry tape sets, you could happily own this tape set. Obviously, if you are even thinking about competing in submission grappling tournaments, this tape set is a must have.

What is not so obvious is that this is also a must have tape set for most people training without the kimono. When you think about it, the style of grappling on this tape set more closely matches how people really workout day in and day out. Most people don't practice by punching their opponent. My point, and I have a point, is that this tape set is more useful to the average grappler than Sperry's Vale Tudo tape set. The Vale Tudo tape set pivots around punching your opponent to do just about anything. If you can't punch your friend in the gym, then many of the moves on Sperry's Vale Tudo tapes will not help you. Sperry Submission Grappling tapes fill this gap for the everyday grappler.

Tape 4 - Submission and Strategies from the Bottom Part I
Length: 51 minutes
Number of moves: 24

Tapes 4 and 5 are the best tapes of this excellent series. This tape has all new and extremely useful moves. Like all the tapes, Sperry spins a web of techniques that accounts from most escapes and counters that your opponent will attempt. This tape deals with when your opponent tries to pass the guard kneeling. Tape 5, which is the second half of this material, deals with when your opponent tries to pass your guard while standing.

On this tape, Sperry assumes that his opponent will be able to break his guard. As a result, Sperry adopts what is often called the butterfly guard by putting both of his feet inside his opponent's thighs.

From here he pushes his opponent back, sits up, and hugs his opponent around the lower back. This position, which can be obtained in several ways, is the starting point for the majority of the tape's sweeps and submissions. No matter what your opponent tries to do, Sperry has an answer waiting from him. This tape sheds much needed light on a area that has been left dark by all other tape sets. Think about what strategy you plan to employ when you have some one in the guard and you can't hit them and they don't have a uniform on. Many people will draw a blank. Sperry walks you through the game plan. Very straightforward. In the background of all of this is Sperry walking you through how to best score the most points on your opponent. Points in submission grappling are just as important as submission. Most fights are won on points.

Tape 5 - Submission and Strategies from the Bottom Part II
Length: 51 minutes
Number of moves: 21

Like I said in the review of tape 4, this tape deals with when your opponent tries to pass your guard while standing. To be more specific, the focus of the tape is where your opponent is trying to pass your open guard while standing. I am not sure where else you could get this info. Sperry again puts together a whole game plan of interlocking moves. Sperry's strength has always been in controlling his opponents. You can only admire the thought and experience that Sperry brings to this tape set. Sperry puts together a series of connected takedowns, sweeps, leg locks and knee bars. Equally important is Sperry recognition of the points that are scored when moving from one position to another. This deep understanding of the rules will often be the difference between loss and victory. This is all new material from Sperry submission game plan. This is a great tape.

Tape 6 - Points - Winning Strategies
Length: 28 minutes
Number of moves: 16

For those competing, this tape is worth its weight in gold. Sperry explains and demonstrates the Abu Dhabi rules for Submission Grappling. It is one thing to read the rules, it is another to watch fights, but is quite another to have the rules explained to you. Sperry states that 80% of the matches are won on points. He shows how points are scored and walks you through areas that causes people confusion. To compete effectively in submission tournament you will have to have a deep understand how the rules define things like takedowns and passing the guard. It is very likely not exactly as you might envision it. The rules have very loose definitions of these things. I found this tape quite an eye opener. Submission events around the world have a variety of rules. This tape will give you a solid understanding from which you can adapt as each tournament requires.

Summery:

Sperry has another winner. If you grapple without a gi at your school or tournaments this is the tape set for you. You don't have to be competing in submission grappling tournament to gain the full benefit from this tape set. This tape set will actually be more helpful to those grappling without a Gi at their school than any other tape set on the market. Sperry's Vale Tudo tapes required a lot of punching to transition from position to position. You can't do that, for the most part, at your school with your training partner. This tape set really rises to fill this gap. Sperry creates a different game plan to solve the submission grappling puzzle. Sperry is the master of the submission grappling game. On this tape set we again get his well thought out and powerful game plan. Sperry delivers the goods with all new material. And in Sperry's own words "once again, the moves are all connected."

Bill Lewis BJJ33@aol.com
© Copyright Bill Lewis 2001 all rights reserved.