Bráulio Estima against Ronaldo Jacaré in ADCC 2011 supermatch / Photo by Dan Rod/GRACIEMAG

On October 12, Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in the Brazilian Northeast will get a rare chance to learn from Bráulio Estima. For the first time in Fortaleza City, the ADCC 2011 superchampion will be sharing tips on Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu at a two-hour seminar costing BRL 70 for Gracie Barra students and 90 BRL for representatives of other teams. For those signing up by the 5th, though, the price is substantially less—BRL 60 and 80, respectively.

The seminar will be held at Mundo da Luta academy in Barra do Ceará. For further information, call (85) 8845 5116.

As an appetizer for what’s to come, check out Carcará teaching the following reverse triangle. Notice how he starts opening up room from below using his arms, and with his hands he pushes his opponent back to guard.

With his left ankle “in guard” and right hand on the biceps, his defenses are safe. Now, he sneaks his leg up over the back of the head and fastens the lock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lb3hAV52os

Carcará and his famous reverse triangle

Recently, GRACIEMAG.com posted a video of Renzo Gracie training for a fight at Pride FC 2, in 1998. The reverse triangle he performs in the video is one that has gained a lot of fanfare in recent times with Bráulio Estima’s successful use of the move in winning the ADCC.

If on one hand it is now evident the move is no novelty, it is still only fair to credit Estima with the evolution of the submission hold. With his tricks and tweaking of it, one can safely say “Carcará” renovated the move, these days using it in unprecedented situations.

On the video, the black belt from Gracie Barra Pernambuco had the following to say:

“(Laughs) I can’t say I invented it anymore! He (Renzo) went from the reverse triangle to the kimura and I went from the kimura to the reverse triangle (more laughs)!”

But that proves I’m on the right track. If I come close to knowing what Renzo does by forty-four years of age, I’ll be happy!” he says in closing.

Check out Renzo locking up the reverse triangle:

Bráulio gets his coils around André Galvão. Photo: John Lamonica

Bráulio Estima shocked the world at ADCC 2009 in Barcelona, when he won his weight division and the open weight division submitting stalwart competitors like André Galvão using his deadly reverse triangle. After winning his weight group, “Carcará” used the move yet again, to make life hell for Alexandre Ribeiro in the absolute final, ending with Ribeiro pulling out due to injury after freeing himself of the hold.

So is Bráulio the submission hold’s inventor?

The truth is that the reverse triangle is a basic and traditional position, which doesn’t mean it’s not effective. “Carcará” just adapted the hold to his game, adding some details, and proved the maneuver’s might.

In the video below shot in 1998, Renzo Gracie shows how he’s good at the reverse triangle, too, while training for a fight at Pride FC 2. The black belt sinks the position to follow up with the kimura finish, in an effective double attack. The images shot by Alex Shum were recovered by GRACIEMAG newsroom director Luca Atalla.

Watch and learn some of the finer details behind the move:

Carcara and his triangle, in a photo by Craig Bush

GRACIEMAG.com posted this one a while ago, and is now publishing it again on the new website.

So in the end, what’s the secret to the reverse triangle that helped Braulio Estima lay claim to the absolute division at the last ADCC?

According to the champion, there’s no mystery to it at all.

“It’s a really simple hold, to be honest. It’s all a question of timing the position, which is why it requires a lot of practice, so you’ll know when the time is right to attack.”

“The secret, if there is one, is to let the guy think he’s alright. And, when he least expects it, he falls in the trap. My aim is to make him slip on the banana peel, let the guy get fascinated by the flicker of the flame and end up getting roasted,” says the La Fontaine of Jiu-Jitsu drawing comparison. Coming up, he teaches how to set the trap step by step.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBrtHN7EMDI

1 – “In a match, there are things going on before the said attack begins, hence you should stay alert and bring your opponent into your game. It’s like hypnosis, but it’s Jiu-Jitsu! First be sure you’re in a safe position, maintaining control of the guard and securing both your opponent’s arms.”

2, 3, 4 – “Now is the main part, when you kick your left leg up over the neck. The trick is to get your crotch as close to the enemy neck as possible. Although it might not seem close enough, this proximity is fundamental.”

5, 6 – “So, now you just kick your right leg under and close the lock, holding his right arm with your left hand the whole time. This grip is the last one I let go of,” teaches Carcará.