You can also find the same Rowan Cunningham instructionals over on
Google Video, which is where I first saw them after I started BJJ in Nov 06.
I find books/videos etc work best when you're refining what you already know. For example, say you can't quite remember how that scissor sweep went last night in class, YouTube (or indeed Cunningham's vids) might well have something to jog your memory. However, even when going down that route, your instructor (or failing that, a senior student who's willing to help out) should always be your first port of call. That's because an instructor can correct your mistakes and modify their advice depending on your particular situation: bodytype, experience, strength etc. Not to mention the fact that you're paying them to teach you, so it would make sense to get the most out of your investment.
In terms of books, main one I'd suggest if you're a beginner is
Mastering Jujitsu by John Danaher and Renzo Gracie. It works well as an introduction to the sport, doing a good job of explaining the main principles and history. Its always cool to learn more about something you enjoy - I listen to podcasts (especially the
Fightworks Podcast) for the same reason. I find that personalising a sport through the acquisition of background knowledge acts as great motivation, which is exactly the function Mastering Jujitsu has served for me.
In terms of full-on instructional books, then Ed Beneville has produced three excellent volumes:
Passing the Guard,
The Guard and
Strategic Guard. That has plenty of material suitable for beginners, such as the stuff on shrimping at the start of
The Guard. The best feature of Beneville's work is that its very well laid out, with multiple angles and logical progressions. Interview with him
here.
You may often hear Eddie Bravo's
Mastering the Rubber Guard suggested as an instructional book, and like Beneville's work it is also well laid out, but I'd recommend you don't tackle that until much later in your BJJ training. Instead, get the basics down first. Bravo does have a few more fundamental techniques in there, like shrimping to escape mount, but it only makes up a small part of the book.
