Old Grappler Handbook: How To Thrive In Jiu Jitsu Over 40 Paperback – January 8, 2026

Old Grappler Handbook: A Complete Training Guide for the over-40 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu AthleteBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu doesn't come with an expiration date—but training like you're twenty when you're over forty certainly does. The Old Grappler Handbook is your comprehensive guide to sustainable, high-level BJJ practice designed specifically for the mature athlete who refuses to choose between longevity and excellence.What This Book CoversThis isn't a watered-down approach to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for "older" practitioners. It's a technically superior methodology that prioritizes mechanical efficiency, strategic thinking, and intelligent training design over youthful athleticism. Inside, you'll discover:Old Guy Jiu-Jitsu Defined: Learn why the mature grappler's game isn't a compromise—it's an evolution toward pressure-based, positional dominance that younger athletes often miss in their rush to be athleticThe Long Game Philosophy: Understand how to redefine success metrics, balance training variables through the Training Triangle (frequency, volume, intensity), and build a sustainable practice that improves year after yearMovement Quality First: Master the foundational movement patterns that must precede strength work, with practical warmup routines designed for bodies that need proper preparationSmart Strength Training: Discover the specific strength qualities grapplers need—isometric strength, grip endurance, and explosive power—with protocols adapted for recovery constraintsCompetition Mindset: Mental preparation strategies and visualization techniques from real tournament experience, helping you perform when it mattersTraining Smart vs. Training Hard: Learn to distinguish productive intensity from destructive ego, managing the unique challenges of training in a young person's sportWho This Book Is ForWhether you started BJJ in your forties like the author, or you're a longtime practitioner watching younger training partners heal faster than you do, this handbook is for you. It's for the grappler who understands that mat time is precious and injuries are expensive. It's for the competitor who wants to step on the tournament mat with confidence. It's for the school owner balancing teaching responsibilities with personal training. Most importantly, it's for anyone committed to the long game—those who measure success in decades, not semesters.About the AuthorRick is a second-degree black belt under legendary Professor Roy Dean, former school owner, and founder of Old Grappler Summit retreats. He started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age forty-one and has spent years developing training methodologies specifically designed for the mature athlete. His approach combines practical wisdom from decades on the mat with scientific understanding of movement, recovery, and skill acquisition.The Old Grappler Handbook is the definitive resource for anyone who believes their best jiu-jitsu is still ahead of them, regardless of what the calendar says. Read more