Welcome to Learn To Grapple!

My name is Brian McLaughlin, I’ve been grappling since 1999.  Back then grappling was nothing short of an obsession for me.  When I wasn’t on the mat I was thinking about grappling, I wanted to learn as much as possible as quickly as I could.  Unfortunately, there was no youtube, websites like BJJ.org and intheguard.com were a havens for me just because they had a few pictures of random moves.

Originally, I was just going to make a site for my students, so I could have a comprehensive curriculumn for them to refer back to, but as I began I realized with a little bit of effort I could do much more.  Although the internet and video technology has evolved there really isn’t a web site with a free cohesive ‘encyclopedia’ of grappling.  I’m hoping this site eventually become our sport’s wikipedia.  A spot where the first day white belt and the seasoned veteran competitor can both learn a few tricks.

So who the heck am I and why should you bother learning from me?  I started grappling in 1999 and bounced around between many instructors before finding a home with Rob Kahn (Royce Gracie Black Belt).  After about 11 years I finally earned my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. While doing BJJ I was fortunate to find some amazing wrestlers and Judokas to round out my game as well.  Along the way I competed everywhere I could.  From sport Jiu-Jitsu to submission grappling and professional MMA – I’m not the best in the world but I’ve been on the medal stand at the Pan Ams, ADCC North American Trials, Grapplers Quest Pro Divisions and NAGA World Championships.  As a fighter I’ve won titles for Ring of Combat and even fought on The Ultimate Fighter.  My real focus though is as a coach.  I teach at three different academies and have students ranging from timid elementary schoolers to blood thirsty cage fighters.

I definitely don’t know it all though and I’m hoping to make Learn to Grapple a place where experts from across the globe can share their knowledge with the world.  Selfishly, I’m even hoping I can pick up a few tricks.

More than just techniques, Learn to Grapple is going to include strategy, philosophies and everything else that makes up the grappling lifestyle, so check back often!