About Us

Ari Bolden: Shogun (President) Email Ari here

Submissions 101 is run by the resident Shogun and El Presidente Ari Bolden. He started the website back in 2007 after he noticed that there wasn't a good resource for jiu jitsu that was totally free and open to all. After catching arrows one day, he thought "why not make a site where the explanations are clear and easy to follow." Submissions 101 was born and he hasn't looked back. Ari is the owner of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Victoria (Home of Submissions 101), and direct student under Eddie Bravo. He holds a purple belt under Eddie and he is also a Japanese Jujutsu and Aikido Black Belt. He's been 'doing the martial arts thing' since 1984 and is currently the President of the Jiu Jitsu BC Society.

In less than 2 years, Submissions 101 has become one of the most viewed jiu jitsu resources on the Internet and the most viewed JJ videos on You Tube. He has authored a couple books and still can be found leaning in a doorway in his cities largest nightclub having been a bouncer for the past 13 years.

Tom Gavrilos : Spartan Vice Prez email Tom here

Tom Gavrilos is a guy whose life story is so amazing that you wouldn't believe it if we wrote it down. Having said that, he has a professional MMA record of 3-0 and has the only official DDT knock out in MMA history (that is when he fought 295lbs and 6'5'' of Raging Redneck-see video!). He has been involved in MMA on many different levels from owning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gear to having co hosted TapouT Cage Side Live Radio. Tom was also a bouncer at ASU's largest dance club for many years.This Chicago native has been involved in the fight game for many years and we look forward to his adventures being released in an autobiography real soon.

"Watching the Gracie Family in the very first UFC sparked my interest in MMA. I never realized I knew so little about what happens in a real street fight until that day.I have met many of the most Elite fighters in the world of MMA and have studied everything from Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling,to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and consider myself very much a student of the sport. My passion is ground fighting & Jiu Jitsu. My current goal is to learn & master the 10th Planet system."

To learn more about Tom and to see pics from his fights visit: http://www.myspace.com/mortgagemaker

Dan Phillips : Samurai (The other guy in most of the videos)

You'll notice that in most of the videos that Ari get's to beat up on a guy with dark hair. That's Dan, one of Ari's first students. Dan is valuable resource to the Submissions 101 team and has black belts in Japanese Jujutsu, Tae Kwon Do and is a blue belt in 10thPJJ.

Once and a while, Dan get's to demonstrate in the videos as well but seems to beat the crap out of Ari when he does so (maybe its payback for all the abuse he's taken over the years).

Our Mission: To create a free online video resource for Jiu Jitsu students, martial artists, grapplers, and those who have an interest in Jiu Jitsu techniques. We wanted to create a site that didn't require you to sign up, fill out a form, or pay for videos.

Before any 'purists' get their feathers in a ruffle, we'd like to remind you that this site will focus on submission grappling/sport/competition based jiu jitsu and also self defense forms and techniques (NO rules apply!).

Our Vision: To create a website that is laid out in a simple and easy to navigate format. Our aim is to become one of the internets leading Jiu Jitsu Video resources. Our goal is to keep this site FREE and increase awareness of the amazing art of Jiu Jitsu.

Special Thanks to: Eddie Twister Bravo for opening my eyes to the endless possibilities in grappling. My game got a whole lot better after embracing your teachings. Thanks Bro.

Dan P, my number one student, who has supported and had faith in me over the last years.

Dave "Sugar" Guindon: For telling me that there was a "market" for it and helping me with all my crazy technical questions!

Finally, to my students, who have taught me so much and let me submit them a 1000 times in order to make my game better.

FAQs

1) Why are your videos only 1 or 2 minutes long?

We realize that there are many different types of DVD instructionals out there. We wanted to keep each move basic and allow you to replay the video as many times as you wish in order to get the subtleties of the techniques. We tried to avoid long drawn out explanations. Our videos are for those people who ever asked "What does that move look like again?"

2) Is Jiu Jitsu better than "X" martial art?

Listen, we aren't interested in style comparisons or my art is better than your art discussions. In reality, we can all learn a little from everyone.Our site is dedicated to jiu jitsu and grappling.

3) What is jiu- jitsu101.com?

Jiu jitsu 101 is our other name for the site (which links back to Submissions 101). We just like the name Submissions 101 better.

4) How do I get better at jiu jitsu?

Train. Videos and books are guides to help you with training. Personal instruction however, is the main source for learning. Only mat time will make you better.

5) Sport Vs Reality?

Okay, some techniques are better left to the ring or competition. There is a time and place for everything. Pulling guard in the middle of 3 guys and trying to submit him with a triangle choke is a bad idea. You're going to get stomped and possibly killed in the process. Reality has no rules. Be prepared to defend yourself with anything and all tools available to you. If you think kicking someone in the groin isn't cool, try telling that to the street thug who just punted you there.

Be smart and train for all eventualities and all ranges. Know the difference between SPORT Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense Jiu Jitsu.

6) I do a technique differently. Is yours wrong? Is mine?

Nope. There are many different variations to techniques. Some people may grab the GI differently. There may be different hand placement or strikes involved. Every style or instructor will have their own variations. As you get better, you figure out what works best FOR YOU.

7) Are you a BJJ blacbelt?

Nope. I am a Japanese Jiu Jitsu black belt.I sometimes wear my JJJ black belt in my videos however. What many people don't realize is that JJJ has grappling as well. I've also learned a lot from many people over the years so our style is really a hybrid one.

8) Do you do seminars?

Yep. Send us an email and we'll give you the info.

What is Jiu Jitsu?

Jiu Jitsu (or Jujitsu/Jujutsu) is a martial art that originated in Japan well over 1000 years ago. It was developed to aid the samurai in unarmed combat, should they be without their weapons on the battle field. The literal translation of the word means "Pliable (gentle or flexible) Fighting Art". In other words, it has the ability to apply its techniques depending on what type of attack it encounters.

While Jiu Jitsu practitioners are known to excel in grappling based combat (grabs, holds, and throws), the art can also include: sweeps, joint locks, submissions, arresting techniques, chokes, cranks, strikes, pressure point attacks and even weapons work. It is one of the worlds most sought after and complete martial art forms.

Note: There are many styles of jiu jitsu, each with its own focus. These may includes styles like: Gracie Jiu jitsu (BJJ), Daito Ryu, Fusen Ryu, 10th Planet, Goshin, Small Circle, Danzan Ryu, Hakko Ryu or any other type out there today. We at Submissions 101 are not focused on just one style of Jiu Jitsu. It is our intention to share Jiu jitsu and submission techniques regardless of their origins. If it is jiu jitsu related, we'll share it.

Grappling or Ground Primary Arts
	Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) Submission Wrestling Judo Fusen Ryu Sambo Catch Wrestling 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Free Style of Greco Roman wrestling

Traditional Japanese and other Jiu Jitsu Systems
Daito Ryu Takenouchi-ryu Can Ryu Small Circle Danzan Ryu Araki-ryu Goshin Ryu Hakko Denshin Ryu