Did You Lose at Jiu-Jitsu Tournament? No Big Deal!

Competing in a Jiu-Jitsu tournament is fun! You get to do a road trip with your team members, you get to see different cities and you get to win medals. Sounds like the deal of a lifetime. Well, it can be so, when you win. However, when you lose at a Jiu-Jitsu tournament, things do not seem so joyful. In fact, the more you’ve been winning, the harder you’ll deal with losing. And lose you will, that is for certain. So how do you get out of a defeat at a Jiu-Jitsu tournament with your head held high?

A Jiu-Jitsu Tournament is the ultimate test for any grappler. You get to work against people of a similar skill level and similar build, with the simple and clear goal of beating everyone that you slap hands with. Lots of people enjoy competing at Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, but not all that enter enjoy the outcome. Every match has to have a clear winner, and oftentimes in BJJ you’re going to be on the losing end. This can take a real toll on people, especially if you’re in a bad run and have a few losses back to back. You need to cope with your loss the right way in order to deal with it as fast as possible.

Most people that compete often are fairly used to the whole Jiu-Jitsu tournament experience. The multiple mat spaces, the lights, the noise, etc. You’re trying to figure out if you’ll really be competing at the prescribed time, doing your best to make out what the announcer is saying. You’re warming up in a corner, still not sure if your weight is exactly on point. And on top of it all, you need to step on the mats and showcase what you got. Now imagine getting out of all this with a loss. It can be a hard experience, especially for people new to the scene. There are, however, certain things to focus on in order to get right back into the game.

Give yourself every chance to get out of a tournament without a loss. Get Dean Lister’s “Worry Free Escapes” DVD and never get caught in a submission again! Positional escapes are included, as well as great tips on how to act when deep in a submission! Top material from one of the best in the game!

Common Excuses For Losing At A Jiu-JItsu Tournament

So, you went to a Jiu-Jitsu tournament and you lost. Big deal, right? Well for some people it turns out that it is a very big deal. Or at least the make it one. The fact is that nobody likes to lose. It is in our nature as humans to always strive to be better than others in different areas. BJJ is no different. However, people coming out on the losing end often do not want to accept the loss as it is. In turn, they come up with a plethora of excuses to justify their lack of grappling success.

Some of the classic examples include the “it wasn’t my fault” approach. Finding someone to blame is the easiest thing to do in order to transfer responsibility away from yourself. These usually include the referees (often unjustly), your corner, your diet, your inexperience….. the list goes on and on. While in certain situations some of these might actually be the fact of the matter, stop using them as excuses constantly.

Furthermore, you have the “every defeat is a lesson” approach. You either win or learn in BJJ, but somehow, all that learning doesn’t feel too good. Also, you weren’t really acting as a teacher last time you subbed everyone at a Jiu-Jitsu tournament, were you? Drop this stupid line and focus on what really occurred on the mats prior to the opponent’s hand getting raised. Analyze instead of crying and you won’t have to use the same line again in the future.

And please stop blaming that old injury for your loss. Either do not compete until fully healed or accept that you’re competing injured. Whatever you choose, do not keep it in your back pocket as a ready-to-go excuse.

Tips On Overcoming A Hard Loss

So, now that we decided excuses are out of the question, let’s see how you can overcome a competitive loss. Mind you, losing is never easy and getting beaten at a Jiu-Jitsu tournament is even harder. However, if you truly want to get back on the horse, then you need to get over it lightning fast.

The trick with a loss is treating it with no more respect than the minimum required(see below). Losing is not a big deal, as for the majority of grapplers it isn’t a question of income. Losing once, or even a few times in a row doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to win. Look at a loss the same way you look at tap in practice. Brush it off, smile and slap hands again.

Next, make sure you understand why you lost. This is different from the excuse that you win or you learn. Figure out why you lost and make sure you do not lose the same way again. The more you know where you went wrong, the better you’ll be at the nex Jiu-Jitsu tournament. Furthermore, working on the specific problem that got you tapped is a great way to directly address a loss and not dwell on it.

Going forward, try to jump back into competition as soon as possible. Bar any injuries, a loss is no reason to stop competing for six months. You’ll find out much more about your Jiu-JItsu on the competition mats rather than in training. Accept that loses are inevitable, figure out what you did wrong and sing up for the next Jiu-JItsu tournament.

Finally, accept that sometimes, you’re simply going to get caught. Just like you get lucky sometimes, so can your opponent and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Effective Coping Mechanisms

Finally, let’s look at a few ways you can approach your latest Jiu-Jitsu tournament loss. Despite the technical tips for overcoming a loss, there are a few very important mental ones as well.

First and foremost, it’s pressure. there’s no need to put pressure on yourself before you go out to compete. Go out there and compete for yourself, without any mental pressure whatsoever. Of course, do all you can to win, but do not raise the bar of expectation so high it backfires on you. Too much pressure is going to freeze you up and end up with yet another loss.

Stress management is another great coping mechanism. So you wnt out to grapple and you lost. That’s no reason to feel all jittery and stressed out afterward. In fact, this strategy works just as well before the competition as it does after. Make sure you relax and really think about the point of it all. You compete for fun and you should have fun while you’re doing it. Losing shouldn’t prompt you to spend the rest of the day stressing out like you’ve lost your job.

Finally, forget about controlling every variable. BJJ competition is a chaotic experience. There’s no way you can predict every possible outcome so do not even try. But, what if I did this instead of that? If only I reacted a second sooner! Do not even let thoughts like this enter your mind. At a Jiu-Jitsu tournament, you need to try to control your opponent. If you fail, don’t look at other uncontrollable variables and make them the focus of your anger. Instead, improve how you control your opponents and get back out there!

Do You Have The Best BJJ Style For Your Body Type?
Jiu-Jitsu Techniques For A Complete Competition Gameplan
How To Prepare For Your First BJJ Tournament and Maximize Your Chances of Winning it

Balance In Jiu-Jitsu As The Ultimate Sweep Defense

BJJ World

Balance in Jiu-Jitsu is very often an underrated skill among grapplers. Poor balance in Jiu-Jitsu can be a deciding factor in the outcome of a match. In fact, it very often is one. All those close fought matches resolved by a single sweep we so often see are all down to balance. OR, more precisely, the lack of balance in Jiu-Jitsu terms. So, let’s look at how balance affects BJJ along with some great ways to improve yours.

Balance in Jiu-Jitsu is the ability to remain upright in the face of a force acting in an opposite direction. This ability to resist going down translates int next level sweep defense capabilities. Wherever you find yourself when on top, you’ll need balance in order to stay there until you improve position, or finish. Very often, we take balance for granted. However, balance in Jiu-Jitsu needs to be a conscious ability. Instead, fo looking how to counter and defend sweeps, it’s better if you learn to anticipate them. In that sense, recognizing when your balance is in danger is the first step to becoming more stable on your feet.

Passing the guard is a skill that requires the most balance in Jiu-Jitsu. As such, Craig Jones is one who is really aware of the importance of balance. Use his DVD set “How To Pass Guards Quickly And Easily” to improve both your balance and your passing skills.

What Is Balance For Jiu-Jitsu

We all know what happens when our bodies lose balance. We fall down. But how exactly does balance for Jiu-jitsu work, in the first place? Well, it all starts with our body’s ability to coordinate. There are multiple systems in the human body that work together in order to maintain balance.

To begin with, the vestibule system is the one in charge of equilibrium. Simply put, this is all down to your inner ear and how good it is at recognizing changes in your surroundings. Following suit is the somatosensory system or the part of our nervous system tasked with figuring out how our body behaves in space. Finally, there’s the visual system, i.e. the eyes. Now, when all three of this work together seamlessly, you most likely have good balance, to begin with.

Balance for Jiu-Jitsu is where things get tricky. It’s one thing to maintain balance on a daily basis. It another to maintain it on a boat that’s violently rocking. And with Jiu-Jitsu, it is a completely different animal. You’re trying to stay in balance in some of the most awkward positions a human body can be in. As if that wasn’t enough, people are constantly trying to force you to topple over, using everything at their disposal to do so. This is where some specialized balance training can go a long way to making you notoriously difficult to sweep.

Training Balance For Jiu-Jitsu

So, in order to sweep someone, you need to disrupt their balance first and foremost. This is done by extending someone beyond their center of gravity. Once we’re outside of our base, going down is not very far away. You see, the further you are away from your center gravity, the easier it is to fall down. This is exactly what a knowledgeable partner is going to do when they attack your balance in Jiu-Jitsu.

In terms of preventing this, there are three bases to cover. First, you need to recognize your opponent’s attempts to get you out of balance. Next you need to make sure you can keep your center of gravity. The main method for this is maintaining good posture. Furthermore, you can look to directly counteract gravity by becoming stronger in certain specific areas. The posture and specific strength are highly trainable qualities. Recognizing when your opponents are attacking your balance in Jiu-Jitsu is down to experience and understanding of the game,

#1. Step Ups

This one is fairly easy. Use a box, stairs, or even an unstable surface for this exercise. Bosu balls or stability balls are the props of choice for unstable step ups. The idea is to step one leg on the elevated surface and use it to go all the way up. When you have full extensions, go down the same way. Now repeat on the other side. 10 reps per leg are the sweet spot.

#2. Lunges

Lunges are one of those exercises that are good for multiple different athletic qualities. Balance happens to be one of them. No matter which direction you’redoing them in, lunges are a great way to help you stay on your feet. Once again, you can use an unstable surface with the leg you’re working. It’s the same as step ups, only on a flat surface instead of an elevated one.

#3. Pistol Squats

Stay off the unstable surfaces for this one. As easy as they might look, you’re in for a surprise once you freest trey them. Start with the very basics and use progressions in order to achieve full pistol squats. They’re a magnificent tool for balance in Jiu-Jitsu and every grappler should be able to perform them, For the pistol squat, you start standing. Raise one of your legs straight in front of you, as close to hip level as possible. now go down all the way with your other leg, keeping the leg straight. three sets of ten are going to make you unsweepable.

#4. One Leg Jumps

This is where things get a bit more dynamic. Simple jumps are a great way to test your balance. Now, try doing them with one leg only and you’re really going to have to focus. As with pistol squats, unstable surfaces are not a great idea here, unless you’re really comfortable with jumping on the floor. Even then, make sure you’re careful and do not force things.

#5. Stability Ball Exercises

The stability ball is a favorite of many grapplers around the world. It is a frat tool to use for balance in Jiu-Jitsu, but remember to stay careful. Go slow and use common sense with this one.

First, go for learning how to balance on the ball. Start slow, with one leg on it at the beginning. Slowly progress to keeping both your knees and ultimately your arms on them all. When you can hold this position comfortable for a minute, you can think about moving to more difficult things. The next step is getting your torso upright and your hands on your hips or wide by your side. You can even play around with getting one leg on the foot.

Finally, the goal is to be able to stand on the ball without any assistance. Once that is easy for you, add in a squat. Once you have this mastered, your balance in Jiu-Jitsu si going to be second to none.

Bonus Hint

Finally here’s a very BJJ specific hint. Whenever you’re looking to improve your body’s coordination a good idea is to roll with your eyes closed. That the body needs input from at least two of the three systems that help control balance. When you block one (the eyes) it sharpens your awareness of the remaining two. Remember to be careful when doing this and only do it with experienced partners. Rolling wight your eyes closed against the academy’s spaz is never a good idea.

Check Also:

No Equipment BJJ Workout Ideas For Grapplers
Do You Have The Best BJJ Style For Your Body Type?
The 6 Exercises To Develop Insane BJJ Strength
How To Advance In BJJ With Flow Rolling

High Percentage BJJ Takedowns – The Russian Tie System

BJJ World

Wrestling moves are highly favored by Jiu-Jitsu players due to a few important reasons. First, they are very diverse and versatile. Second, they’re highly effective. Third, some of them do not take ages to get the hang of or even master. And finally, they work equally as well in both Gi and No-Gi. Among the BJJ takedowns with a wrestling origin, the double and single leg takedowns are by far the most common. There is, however, one more wrestling-based system that is a perfect fit for BJJ – the Russian tie.

Also known as the Russian two-on-one, the Russian tie is a wrestling position that is tailor-made for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. If you’re looking to improve your BJJ takedowns, this position is going to offer you a complete game plan. To begin with, it is a very effective takedown of its own. Furthermore, it opens up doors for a multitude of other BJ takedowns like ankle picks, fireman carries, and some wicked rolling throws. And last but not least, it opens up direct submission options thanks to its proximity to the front headlock.

In terms of BJJ takedowns, the Russian tie ticks all the boxes. It is fairly easy to learn, it’s applicable to all levels, and offers huge control over the opponent. Specializing in this move is going to make you better at all assorted BJJ takedowns as well. This is due to the fact that the Russian tie can work as an entry point to other takedown moves. Even better, entering into the position itself is arguably easier than entries for other types of BJJ takedowns.

–> Wrestling For BJJ DVD by Hudson Taylor

The Russian Tie System For Jiu-Jitsu

The Russian tie is, in essence, a high control position offering submission or takedown options. This is highly similar to most BJJ positions where you have control and transition and/or finishing opportunities. Why this move is not among the first choice moves for Jiu-Jitsu layers is unclear. Although originally a No-Gi move, the Russian works just as effectively in the Gi as well.

With the Russian tie, you basically want to establish complete control over one of the opponent’s arms. This, in turn, leads to control over their torso and posture, which allows you to manipulate them easily. The two main aspects of the Russian tie are grip placement and finding the correct angle. The move works best when you are placed in the perfect position.

Gripping for the Russian tie is nothing new, as the principle is a basic two-on-one grip. You use two of your arms to control one limb of your opponent. Furthermore, you’re going to use all your body weight against their arm, placing it completely under your control. To get the Russian tie, one arm needs to go around the opponent’s forearm and grip their biceps from the inside out. The other arm goes low on the wrist, controlling the end of the lever.

In terms of angling, you need to be angled slightly to the outside of your opponent, your shoulder right below theirs. Paired with the grip, this position is really hard to get out of. For total control, you need to place the top of your head under the opponent’s jaw. From there, just lean forward so that your bodyweight breaks its posture.

Finishing the takedown is as easy as two steps forward, one step back, and a pull. You’ll end up in the front headlock against a turtled opponent.

Entries Into The Russian Tie

Entering the Russian tie is arguably easier than with most other BJJ takedowns. The basic entry works off the most usual hand placement position when standing. The collar tie in No-Gi or the sleeve and collar grip in GI are the usual starting points. That said, anytime your opponent has an arm behind your neck or high on your collar, you can think about getting the Russian tie.

Remember this one thing if you hope to become successful with the Russian tie system – hunt for an extended arm. If your opponent has a collar grip on you to push you away, they’re inviting the collar tie entry. In case of a collar tie, you’ll need to make sure you cause the extension yourself. This is fairly easy to complete – simply open your body to the direction opposite of the arm you’re attacking. It’ll both open up the correct angle and allow for easy grip placement.

When gripping, go for the wrist grip first. Grip with the thumb near the side of their palm to guide their arm downwards. As you shift slightly towards their back, place the second grip (on the biceps). You’re now in the Russian tie. All you need is to push their head and distribute your weight.

Another great option to get to the Russian tie is off arm drags and as a counter to certain Judo throws, Once you understand how the position and the basic entry work, you’ll be able to obtain it from anywhere. Even from the guard.

BJJ Takedowns From The Russian Two-On-One

The whole point of the Russian tie for BJJ is to get you control. Once you’re in the position you are going to be able to control your opponent without any risk of counters. The Russian tie takedown itself, as discussed previously is the easiest and fastest option. However, there are lots of other BJJ takedowns up for grabs from there too.

One top option is a simple ankle pick. As your opponent reacts to the Russian tie, often times they’ll try to pivot back in front of you. This is going to open up an easy ankle pick takedown. Your best bet is going for the opposite side leg. You can also set the ankle pick up by faking an Uchi Mata from the Russian tie.

Another great option that ties into the previous two is the fireman carry. Whenever the opponent attempts to counter your pull from an original Russian two-on-one takedown attempt, what you’re looking for is an extended ner side leg. You can also cause them to extend it by forcing them to step back. Once the weight is on the rear leg, you just duck under and you’re all set for a fireman’s carry.

The Russian tie opens up much more than just BJJ takedowns. As you can see from the positioning, getting to the front headlock is as easy as throwing an arm around the opponent’s neck. You can do it from the turtle after a takedown or straight away. As far as match-ending moves go, once in a front headlock from a Russian tie, you can always roll under your opponent. That’ll send them straight over your head an lend you into mount. That’s six points right there and a mounted guillotine ready to go.

Check videos of setups and Takedowns from the Russian tie:

How Elite Wrestlers use the Russian Tie for BJJ / MMA
2 on 1 takedown by BJJ JOE
Russian Tie Throw by DJC WRESTLING
How to Secure 2 on 1 for more Takedowns
10 Russian Tie Up Set Ups, and Counters in About 2 Minutes

Very Effective Takedowns for People Who Suck at Takedowns
Throws And Takedowns For BJJ That Really Work

The Best Drills For Kids Jiu-Jitsu Classes

BJJ World

Kids Jiu-Jitsu classes are very different than adult classes. Kids require a different approach since they start off fairly early in BJJ. To that extent, drills are of the utmost importance for kids Jiu-Jitsu classes. But all BJJ drills are not appropriate, nor effective in this case. there’s a very specific set of drills aimed at developing very specific abilities in children.

Do you see yourself as a complete Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor or coach? Well, unless you have experience with kids Jiu-Jitsu classes, you’re not as well rounded as you might think. Teaching adult classes is quite an easy feat to accomplish. Even juvenile classes are not much of a hassle in BJJ since the art is so entertaining. Kids Jiu-Jitsu classes, on the other hand, are a completely different ball game. Kids, in general, are quite difficult to manage when in large numbers. Add to that age and the complexity of Jiu-Jitsu as a sport and you have quite the task on your hands. However, with the right approach, planning, and curriculum, you can turn kids into BJJ beasts. Not only that, but you’ll also become a better coach for it as well.

The reason why kids Jiu-Jitsu classes are so difficult to teach is mainly due to a few main reasons. For starters, age. Kids classes include children with a very large age span, which means you get lots of kids at different stages of growth. Not only that, but the number of kids per class is also a huge factor. The more kids you have, the more potential there is for unrest. Furthermore, there’s the issue of attention. Older kids usually are able to stay focused for longer. With younger children though, getting them to stay on course requires patience and tactics. Finally, there’s the technical part of it all. Children need to stay safe, yet learn a martial art. They also need to be physically active and learn new motor patterns correctly. This is where kids Jiu-Jitsu drills come in.

The Demography Of Kids Jiu-Jitsu Class

Let’s start with the basics first – who should you expect to see in a kids Jiu-Jitsu class? to begin with, you’re going to have kids ranging from the age of 4 to the age of 12. That is an 8 year age difference which, in kids terms, is huge. With kids, even a year makes a difference, let alone 8! This usually translates into two things. First, you’ll have to manage class discipline by making sure kids behave themselves and that there’s absolutely no form of bullying! Secondly, you need to make sure you work the correct body mechanics with each age group. The fact that separate kids groups are not always available makes this even more daunting.

There’s also the issue of a number of kids. Once you have more than 6 – 8 kids, there’s little chance of you running an effective class. if the age difference between kids is also huge and varied, you’re in for a long night. The first thing you need to do is find yourself some help. either a fellow instructor for an advanced enough adult student is enough. If you’re all alone, with a dozen kids, forget about getting the most out of class in a technical sense. You’ll need a different approach to keep everyone happy and still accomplish to teach the kids something.

Which brings us to another really important point of a kids Jiu-Jitsu class. Attention. This one is actually pretty simple – the younger the kids, the smaller the attention span. That means you’ll need to discover ways to keep discipline, provide a fun experience for the children and still manage to teach them some Jiu-Jitsu. Might sound impossible, but it is actually quite easily achievable.

Optimal BJJ Class Structure For Kids

The ultimate goal of the class is for the kids to learn while having fun. Given today’s propensity for computers, tablets, and a generally indoors life, kids are way back when it comes to movement. Rediscovering what their bodies can do should be the first goal of a good instructor. That said, movement learning should start from the first minute. The warm-up is the perfect time to get kids in the mood for the class through talking, while also doing BJJ specific movements at an appropriate pace.

Forget about free rolling at any point of the class. Furthermore, the technical part of the class needs to be short, concise and fun. Otherwise, kids are going to lose interest at the speed of light!

Immediately following the warm-up should be a session of practicing movement. This is the first point of introducing drills. The animal-type movement seems to resonate greatly with kids, provided you hype them for it. The aim should be to make sure kids execute the drills as perfectly as possible since this is where kids are going to get eth most benefit.

Following drills, you have a couple of options. Either give the kids a game, which is essentially, just drills in disguise or goes for the technical part. This depends largely on the time you have at your disposal. When demonstrating technique keeps things simple, interesting and understandable. And avoid submission holds at all costs. Make sure kids understand that an armbar position, for example, is where they win.

Finally, always end class with a game, again focusing on BJJ specific movements. To conclude class, make sure you leave 5 minutes at the end to talk. There’s always a message for kids in martial arts and you should use every opportunity to convey it.

The Best BJJ Drills For Kids

The best way to approach BJJ drills for kids is in three distinct categories. First, you have solo drills that are intended to develop the correct movement patterns in children. Secondly, there area partner drills which are both highly specific to BJJ and the kids how to interact with partners. Finally, there are games, which are in essence group or partner drills, that promote teamwork as well as teach kids how to become competitive in sports.

1. Animal Drills

Animal movements are a great way to check all the boxes of a successful kid’s Jiu-Jitsu class. They offer different levels of complexity, they’re fun for kids and they engage they’re bodies as well as their minds. The best way to approach animal drills is to take them from the easiest towards more complex ones. Pay close attention to the youngest in class, since it is most important for them to get every little detail of the movement right. If needed, look to modify a move to fit a kid’s needs and abilities.

The best manner to do animal drills is lengthwise in the gym. Put the kids in two or three lines and call out a kid to the front of each. next, have them do a “trial run” just take their time to get to the opposite end. Once they run back, have them line up at the back. when their turn comes up again, tell them that the goal is to get to the end first, while still moving correctly. That way you add both intensity and a competitive drive to the drill. Kids will love it.

2. BJJ Specific Movements

BJJ specific movements are another great addition to animal drills. You could introduce them before, after or mixed in with the animal drills. Pay close attention to the execution of the move. Here, instead of going for a race, make sure to single out the kids that do it the best. This is going to encourage other kids to improve their technique because it gets them a reward. it is still a competitive environment, but this time, one focused on the quality of movement.

In terms of a specific movement, there’s no beating shrimping. Get kids to shrimp in every possible direction so that the really get the hang of the movement. Break falls are also essential movements that need to be approached with the utmost care. The technical standup is another one that is a must for a kids Jiu-Jitsu class.

3. Partner Drills

Executing a given exercise with a partner provides kids with the experience of working with another child. Furthermore, they can work on specific BJJ moves at the same time. For the youngest members of the class, partner drills can take the place of traditional technical demonstration.

There are a whole bunch of drills that fit this description perfectly. What needs to be at the forefront of your mind as an instructor here, is safety. Make sure kids are performing the drills in a safe manner. Next, make sure they’re going about the drill as technically correct as possible.

The top drills of choice here include judo throw entries (without actually throwing), guard passing (simply stepping to the side of a static partner’s knees) on each side, opening the closed guard or very simple sweeping patterns. Even retention drills such as staying in the mount or keep hold of someone in side control are a good idea.

4. Games

Games are very often the highlight of a child’s experience in a BJJ class. If you have the opportunity, try to include a couple of games per class. If not, just go with one per class, but make sure the kids earn it. Seeing the game as a reward for good behavior in class promotes the development of good values in children. Furthermore, it makes them even more hyped for the game itself.

A game in a kids Jiu-Jitsu class still needs to be related to learning the art. You could look to promote competitiveness, athleticism, strength development, tactics, etc, depending on your desire. Pulling rope (or a belt), racing in a crawling manner, the great wall of China, carrying each other and a whole other host of games are a perfect fit for a kids Jiu-JItsu class. Remember to keep it fun and effective, while providing a safe environment for the kids to learn.

BJJ Kids Training: How To Develop Key Positive Virtues

Jiu-Jitsu Techniques For A Complete Competition Gameplan

BJJ World

So now that the craziness around the IBJJF worlds has settled, it’s time to think about the upcoming competition season. The next round of worlds is a year removed, so you have the time to get a foolproof game plan ready. While there are many aspects to a competition gameplan, the technical aspect is, of course, the most important. So before we even think about conditioning, mental toughness, and strategy, let’s discuss Jiu-Jitsu techniques.

Whenever you’re preparing for competition, you need to be able to grasp the bigger picture. That means that getting ready for competition should have you looking at all possible aspects of the game. The Jiu-Jitsu techniques you choose to center your plan around cannot be the only ones in your arsenal. At a beginner level (senior white belt / early blue belt) you need to learn how to widen your technical horizon. it’s time to think about connections and having an ace for every usual position, good or bad.

That said, a solid gameplan consists of much more than Jiu-Jitsu techniques. However, without them, there’s no plan. The most important thing to consider in building a gameplan is the balance. Too few techniques and you’ll end up short at a certain point. Too many Jiu-Jitsu techniques and you’ll be overwhelmed and end up overthinking things. When you’re working on a technical gameplan for competition, simplicity and drilling are your two best friends. Today, we’re going to lay out the basic structure of a solid gameplan for any blue belt out there looking to compete. Once again, this is only the most basic part of a gameplan, with upcoming articles aiming to focus on mindset, nutrition, and conditioning.

The Concept Of Comfort And Discomfort

To begin with, you need to understand one very important premise. You need to know how to act in every given situation during a match! There’s no way around it! What this means is that you need to have at least one move that you know, have drilled and are comfortable with from everywhere. Skipping takedown training just because you aim to pull guard might end up with you flying through the air against your will. Do not assume that you’re good enough to brush away an opponent’s game simply by going for what you like.

This is where the concept of comfort and discomfort comes into play. The broad notion behind the concept is that you need to turn discomfort into comfort for your self, and the other way around for your opponent. For example, ending up mounted shouldn’t have you panicking like a drowning man. Instead, you should be calm, breathe and have the correct Jiu-Jitsu techniques ready to get you out. This translates to being comfortable in a potentially uncomfortable position. It’s not that your opponent can’t make you miserable. it is about knowing you can escape and doing it despite their best efforts.

Your overall knowledge of the game (or apparent knowledge) should turn even the most comfortable positions of your opponent into uncomfortable ones. This is going to suck away their confidence, leaving you with a clear path to go for your favorite Jiu-Jitsu techniques.

Systematization Of Jiu-Jitsu Techniques For Competition

If you’re at a blue belt level, or close to it, you most likely have competition experience. So, you know that forcing single moves doesn’t go down well on the mats. Even when rolling, forcing things makes you tense and easy to defend against. That means that you should always look to combine your best Jiutechniqueschniqes with other relatable moves.

For example, thinking about an armbar from the mount should mean you’re firmly in the mount. Furthermore, you should always have a backup move to go to in case the armbar fails. No matter how good you are with it, in the that of battle you’ll probably make an error or simply be off with your timing. Knowing that you have a follow-up means that you won’t be worried about an attack failing and you won’t be forcing it.

Apart from forcing moves, you need to make sure you’\re not rushing them as well. Looking for an armbar straight off a scissor sweep is going to get you in a scramble. You’re much better off establishing mount and looking for a collar choke before thinking about an armbar. Yes, even if you’re not good at collar chokes, you need to at least use them as a threat to set up what you really like.

So, in terms of systematization, we’re going to divide Jiu-Jitsu techniques into three distinct categories, each with three subcategories of its own. Within those categories are moves and techniques that easily connect to each other, resulting in an easy to execute, complete gameplan.

The Defensive Game

Staying safe is a priority in BJJ. Attacking is always the preferred course of action, of course, but without defense, you have nothing to fall back to. Al lit takes is an eager and faster opponent and you’ll be forced into discomfort. Instead, make sure you know how to defend and escape every bad position in BJJ. Contrary to popular belief among beginners, this is the aspect of your game you really need to learn for competition. Conversely, here are the best Jiu-Jitsu techniques to help you feel comfortable when defending.

Standing

Every BJJ match starts standing. Even if you absolutely hate takedowns, you need to know how to stay on your feet long enough to pull guard properly. For that, you’ll need to get comfortable in two major aspects of grappling: Judo and wrestling. Now, since both of those are complex grappling martial arts of their own, you just need to know how to stay safe until you get what you want.

In terms of countering wrestlers, you need to know that they’re the ones that’ll go low the moment you slap and bump. Furthermore, once someone like that starts touching your head, you”re certainly up against a wrestler. Head touches are a popular way of measuring distance. No matter the attack remember that you need to be ready to sprawl in an instant. even pulling guard needs to be fast and decisive, so don’t expect much time to settle your grips. In terms of Jiu-Jitsu techniques, learn to sprawl fast and hard. It’s going to get you out of many wrestling-related messes on the feet.

Against a Judoka, expect an iron gripping rapper that stands tall and upright in front of you. The thing with Judo is that attacks are most likely to come in form of hip throws or foot sweeps. That said since both have different mechanics and countering is quite complex and requires judo experience, you need to cut them at their root. Your best defense against a Judo player is grip breaks. Yes, their grips are strong but with proper technique, you can restrict the opponent from establishing them. When you drill Jiu-Jitsu techniques, spend time braking Gi grips. It’ll be worth it!

Staying On Top

Although the top position is seen as a dominant one in grappling martial arts, BJJ is a very different story. Namely, open guard players are very dangerous, having attacks lurking where you least expect them. Having top position is going to do nothing for you if you get swept or submitted. So, staying on your feet long enough to make sure you can be dominant is key.

When working against open guards, sweeps are the obvious major threat. Once again, grips play a huge role here. Whenever you’re on top, go fro grip breaks again, whether it is Gi or No-Gi. This is going to allow you to maintain a posture which is the backbone of a solid defense on top. Next, make sure you know how to maintain a strong base so that your opponent can’t manipulate your center of gravity. This means drilling sweep defense by shifting base and/or learning to get back on your feet instantly before your opponent completes a sweep.

Finally, in terms of specific Jiu-Jitsu techniques, you’ll need to have your submission defenses ready. Armbars, triangles, and Omoplatas are the most usual suspects although you need to work on collar chokes and guillotine defense as well. One of each should suffice but remember to always connect an escape or counter with a transition to a better position. Making techniques chains is key to a solid competition gameplan.

Bottom Escapes

When on the bottom in BJJ, unless you’re in a guard variation, you’re most likely in trouble, Whether it is side control, mount or back control, you’re going to have to fight your way out before thinking about anything else. So, make sure you do not dread these position and instead train regularly how to escape and counter them.

Your best bet to escape any given position is to have at least one solid escape. Although it is preferable to have two different ways out, one will suffice if you drill enough. Let’s say you’re stuck in bottom side control. The best way out is the simplest – bridge and shrimp. However, you need to be able to use this escape against any and all side control variations, which is often impossible. Until you think about frames. When drilling the basic side control escapes make sure you start with building frames. This is going to improve your escapes and it also translates to escaping other positions, like the mount.

Getting out of bottom mount is not an easy task. When you’re considering Jiu-Jitsu techniques for this purpose, look no further than the UPA, or bridge. have an explosive bridge ready to go before your opponent settles. Drill the exact timing of the escape and make sure you do not panic. Once out, you can go straight into transitions to attack.

The back is the worst position to get out of, and you need to make sure you have at least one escape down. No matter which escape, remember to always make sure you grip fight to stop the choke from being set up. Only then can you think about escaping the hooks and the whole position.

Transitional Jiu-Jitsu Techniques

Under transitional Jiu-Jitsu techniques, we don’t just mean moving between dominant positions. Sweeps and guard passes are also transitional moves rather than attacking ones. In those terms, the three categories of transitional Jiu-Jitsu techniques include sweeping, passing as well as your usual inter-positional transitions.

Sweeping Jiu-Jitsu Techniques

With sweeps it is easy. MoOst sweeps depend on the guard you’re playing so you’re already probably adept at sweeping from there. generally, when sweeps are in question, you need to beardy to sweep from two major positions, no matter how little time you spend in them. Those are the closed and the half guard.

You simply have to know a sweep from the closed guard if you think about competing in BJJ. No matter which one you choose, make sure you can execute it to perfection, as it’ll you’ll most likely need it in every match. Best contenders are the scissor, pendulum and sit up sweeps. All of these are going to ensure you get on top, but even proficiency in one is enough for competition.

Form the half guard, there’s nothing that can beat the regular underhook sweep. First, it keeps you in a perfect position to be safe in the half guard, as you have to be on your side. Next, it keeps you close to your opponent, so they can’t launch an attack. And finally, sweeping is as easy as trapping their free leg with your arm. Learn, it drills it and uses it!

The Passing Gameplan

In terms of passing the guard, once again you need to know which Jiu-Jitsu techniques apply to a given situation. You can’t hope to use a standing pass against half or an open guard, so you’ll need variety in your passes.

Against the closed guard, I think that standing passing is the best bet, especially at beginner level. You can opt for passing from the knees as well, but standing is easier to drill land execute. Make sure you can do it in your sleep so that nobody can bother you from the closed guard.

Half guard passing is once again going to revolve around the underhook. This gives you an easy system to follow. When in half guard, top or bottom, go for an underhook. This is going to allow you to pin your opponent back to the mat while you choose your pass. You can either knee slide or go straight into mount. Remember to drill on both sides as you can’t know which side your opponent prefers!

Finally, the most complex types of passes are against the open guard. Since there are some any open guard variations, you need to make sure you have a couple of passing systems that cover most. Your best bet is to have a pressure pass (knee slice or over-under, for example) and a circular pass (torreando or leg drag) in your arsenal. Choose your favorite and learn it good. You’ll discover which to use when in rolling and in conversation with your instructor.

Or, you could pick up Craig Jones’ latest DVD series “How To Pass Guards Quickly And Easily”. It is going to provide you with all the essential guard passing Jiu-Jitsu techniques for competition.

Positional Transitions

Positional transitions do not require a lot of explanation. You already know that in BJJ, you need to be in a correct position in order to make sure you can control and/or finish an opponent. This means progressing through the hierarchy of position until you reach your favorite.

To that extent, you’ll need to know what to do once you pass, sweep or escape a position. When in side control, you have the option of going to mount or back control. Make sure you have a way to both so that you cover every direction your opponent goes to. IN terms of the mount and back, these positions are interchangeable between themselves, although back control is preferred. WWhen in mount it is not hard to transition to the back. The same goes for back control, although going to mount should only be an option when an opponent is close to an escape.

The goal is to never allow an opponent to return you from mount to side control, or further back like half or full guard. Once you get a position you need to know how to stay there or transition towards your favorite one.

Attacking Jiu-Jitsu Gameplan

Finally, we arrive at the cherry. This should be the last part of your gameplan, despite common practice. Yes, submissions are fun but they’re also really hard to get in the competition. So, when you prepare your gameplan, make sure you have all your defensive and transitional Jiu-Jitsu techniques ready before you move on to attacks. In terms of attacking, submissions are the obvious focus, although taking an opponent down is also a part of this category.

Essential Takedown Skills

In terms of takedowns, we already covered the defensive aspect. If guard pulling is your forte than by all means, practice it as an attack. after all, it is a great way to take the fight to the ground, which is the essence of a takedown.

If you want to shake things up a bit, make sure you choose a specific takedown or family of takedowns to practice. Your best bet is to go for either Judo throws or wrestling takedowns, instead of trying everything together. That said, your focus should be directed towards high-percentage techniques only. Judo foot sweeps or with double and/or single leg takedowns are your best bet. They require a lot of drilling but aren’t too difficult to learn.

Top Position Attacks

First and foremost, let’s make one thing clear. Attacking from top positions means attacking from either top side-control, mount or the back. Half guard is also an option but you’re better off passing before you attack.

From side control, your best bet is to attack with moves that don’t require a lot of movement. The paper cutter choke, baseball choke and bent armlocks (Kimura / Americana) are your best bet. That said if you prefer to go for an armbar, by all means, drill the move and go for it! Remember that you can also always transition to the back or mount as well!

Form the mount it’s always best to keep things simple. Leave the mounted Ggogoplatas for later and focus on the highest percentage BJJ submissions. Those are the cross collar choke and the armbar from mount. My advice is to learn them as a system so that you use both with equal efficiency when you attack. In terms of attacking from the back, there’s not much to talk about. Go for a choke. Pick a collar choke and master it, but do not forget about the rear naked choke as well. It offers different options in the Gi and is essential for No-Gi.

Bottom Attacks

Attacking from the bottom is the defining characteristic of Brazilian Jiu-JItsu. there are plenty of Jiu-Jitsu techniques that fit the bill here, and if you try to learn them all, you’ll fail at all of them. Instead, as a still somewhat beginner in BJJ, as a blue belt, you should look to perfect the three best moves from the bottom. Those are the triangle choke, the armbar, and the Omoplata. As you can see, those are the same three you need to know how to defend against.

These moves are the high percentage at every level of Jiu-Jitsu. they also tie together perfectly in a system and are easily accessible from plenty of guard variation. These are the holy trinity of submissions and you should drill them every time you train!

However, it is always prudent to have a few surprises down your sleeve. To that extent, pick up Danaher’s leg lock DVD and throw in a few butterfly guard leg lock attacks as well. While you’re looking to keep things interesting, spend some time experimenting with the Kimura as well. It can be a very powerful submission as well as a gateway for sweeping. And finally, make sure you at least know that the Guillotine choke exists as a weapon from the guard. turn to Lachal Giles and his “High Percentage Chokes” DVD series for detailed advice.

Source Videos: Mount escape, Pendulum sweep, Half Guard Pass, Single Leg, Triangle Armbar, Sweep Counter, Sprawl

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Lockdown, Electric Chair Sweep And The Nastiest Submission In BJJ

BJJ World

Once again we look to the “alternative” Jiu-Jitsu world for an effective technique. As far as the 10th Planet Jiu-JItsu system goes, people are either for or against. There’s rarely someone who doesn’t have an opinion about Eddie Bravos BJJ system. So far, we can safely claim that there are things that are as likely to work as someone getting a black belt in a year (without paying for it). What we also know is that some of his moves are unstoppable, even if the opponent is of the highest level. One of these universally potent moves coming out of 10th PLanet is the electric chair sweep.

The electric chair sweep is actually much more than just a plain sweep. But so are most of the things Eddie Bravo teaches as part of his system. With the electric chair, you get a sweep, you get a dominant top position, you get transitional options as well as some awesome submissions. However, all of that stems from the electric chair sweep. And to be successful with it you have to be comfortable with another key 10th planet move – the lockdown. Know the lockdown and look for the electric chair sweep – it is a foolproof way of sweeping from the half guard.

In case you’re wondering about the effectiveness of 10th Planet moves, there’s a way to put your mind to ease. Remember that famous 2014 Metamoris rematch between Eddie Bravo an Royler Gracie? Well, there’s hardly any better testament to the effectiveness of the lockdown and electric chair sweep than that match. He managed to pull it off on the legendary Royler Gracie multiple times during the match. In turn, plenty of !0th Planet students find regular success with it in high-level competition. It’s time you start thinking about adding it to your gameplan as well. At least if you want to be successful at sweeping from the half guard, that is.

Deepen your understanding of the half guard, especially in No-Gi. Use one of the best in the sport to lead you through every step of mastering this position. Bernardo Faria has a DVD dubbed “The No-Gi Half Guard”. Its techniques are as effective as the title is simple. Go for it!

The 10th PLanet Jiu-Jitsu Lockdown

As far as half guard variations go, there is certainly something for anyone in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. No matter what your game is, you can find a half-guard variation to suit you. While some are very specific to a certain game (like the tornado guard) others are pretty much generally effective. One such position is 10th Planet Jiu-JItsu’s lockdown.

When you think about it, the lockdown is just a way of controlling an opponent’s leg via a system of wedges. Basically, the goal is to triangle your legs around an opponent’s leg, and then proceed to hide the shin of the leg that’s on top. Let’s get deeper into this.

For the lockdown, you start on the bottom of half guard. You need to have your outside leg go on the inside, trapping the opponent’s shin. This is generally contrary to most other half guard positions. Once you have the leg inside, you use your other leg to build a triangle. The second leg is the one that goes on top of the one you used to trap the shin. Once you have this wedge though, you need to look to reinforce it. To do so, sneak the foot of the leg that’s on top of ht triangle under the opponent’s trapped leg, as low on the ankle as possible. In order to stay in the position, be sure to flex both your feet and keep them there at all times.

Despite a path to the electric chair sweep, the lockdown offers a great amount of control with minimal effort. A very useful application is off your back, which in most other half guard variations is a no-go position.

Setting Up The Electric Chair Sweep

The electric chair sweep requires a bit of work in order to work 100%. Once you have the lockdown you’ll need to manipulate your opponent into position for effortless sweeping. That’s why the lockdown control is crucial to setting up the electric chair sweep.

From a basic lockdown, you need to find both underhooks. As a general rule of thumb, the first underhook you look for is on the side of the trapped leg. To open up space from your back simply pull both your knees toward the opponent’s butt, then extend the legs upwards as far as possible. You’ll notice that the hips of the opponent lift up as a result and their balance is in jeopardy. From there. swing the extended legs to the side you’re planning to underhook. This is going to force your opponent to base out, which opens up space for the underhook. Once you have it, return with your back on the mat.

Now it’s time to get the second underhook, this time though, under the opponent’s thigh. In order to get it, repeat everything you did, only swinging to the opposite side this time. Remember to keep the underhook you got in place the entire time. When the opponent bases, underhook their thigh as deep as possible. Now, you’re all set for the electric chair sweep.

Finishing the sweep involves you repeating the knees in, legs extended and swing once again. Since you’re already on your side, you’re going to do it swinging to the opposite side (the side of the trapped leg). When you finish, you need to make sure you have the opponent’s underhooked thigh on your shoulder. Only when this is in place, you can pull yourself up, getting on top with the opponent’s legs in a split.

Attacking Options Form The Electric Chair

AS far as sweeps in BJJ go, not many end up in a really tight pressure passing position. Well, the electric chair does. In fact, inflexible opponent’s are often going to tap to the pressure alone. Once you complete the electric chair sweep though, you have many options apart from passing.

First of all, you have a very stable position as long as you don’t let the thigh slide off your shoulder. So you can just extend your legs and project your weight forward, torturing your opponent. Passing options involve letting go of the lockdown to go over the trapped leg, or getting the top leg across your body and ending up in a leg drag.

When you pass, your opponent is going to be so grateful that there’ no more pressure that’ll get submissions for free. Actually, you can finish a fight directly from the completed sweep position. Simply twist the top side leg of the opponent toward teh other leg and apply pressure forward. You’re going to get a crotch-ripper submission with absolutely no effort. However, keep in mind that this move is illegal in some competition formats.

From the same position, you can also get the leg over (like for the leg drag pass) and hit a slicer. Once the leg is over, turn back, grab the foot of the trapped leg and roll over the shoulder. This is the “Vaporizer” as Eddie Bravo calls it and is the nastiest slicer in BJJ.

Finally, you can also hit any submission you want off the pass. Often times, passing via the leg drag route is going to open up D’arce choke opportunities. You could also go straight for mount the back off the pass. The opportunities are endless.

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Four Full Mount Escapes Every Grappler Needs

BJJ World

Getting stuck at the bottom of the mount is one aspect of BJJ nobody enjoys. There’s hardly a more uncomfortable position than the mount. Luckily, there is a way out of this position. Actually, there is more than one way out. However, the thing you need to understand about mount escapes is the selection. You need to know which escape using in which situation. If you go for the wrong one…well, you already know what happens. However, if you get it right you have options and lots of them!

Discovering a way out of mount is a trap for most beginners in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The thing with the mount is that you’re both bearing the weight of your opponent and are at risk of submissions at the same time. NO other position offers the same amount of combined threat and discomfort as the mount. Such is the power of the position that even when you discover a basic escape, you’re still at risk. You see, doing just one escape against the mount is a trap that’s going to get you stuck even worse. To escape this spiderweb of traps, you need to have a variety of mount escapes at your disposal.

The correct approach to developing an arsenal of effective mount escapes is not via the accumulation of different techniques. The more techniques you look for, the more confused you’re going to get. Instead, you need to simplify the process. Since one escape rarely works, you need to have fallbacks. In order to e effective with escaping, you have to understand the mount position. And finally, you need to base your escapes around the concepts of the mount rather than individual techniques. This is a proven way of successfully getting out of the mount.

Make sure you never struggle to escape any position in Jiu-Jitsu ever again! Tom DeBlass is a BJJ black belt who is unsubmittable thanks to the fact he doesn’t spend any time in inferior positions. His secret is in lighting fast and simple scapes. Now, he shares his defensive knowledge with you in his “Submission Escapes” DVD set”. Get it and never fear an attack again!

The Mount Position

The mount position revolves around fairly simple mechanics. That doesn’t make it any less uncomfortable and difficult to escape. With the mount, you have a person riding on top of you, while you’re on your back. From there an opponent that knows how to hold mount can move in one of two main directions to make your life hell.

The first version of the mount is a low mount. This is what most people associate with the mount position as beginners. In a low mount, the opponent’s hips are right over yours, and their torso is lying on top of yours. Their arms are usually involved in controlling your arms and head or setting up attacks. Their feet can be grapevine in between your legs or kept tight against the sides of your hips. The opponent’s hips often drive down into yours, making it virtually impossible to get out. Unless you know the right mount escapes, of course.

The second most common version of a mount is the high mount. This position can make an opponent unbearably heavy. even worse, it opens up plenty of submission options for them. At the same time, it is notoriously difficult for you to defend yourself. In the high mount, an opponent is literally sitting on your sternum, their legs on either side of your chest. From this position, your arms are most likely trapped out wide due to their knees digging into your armpits. An experienced opponent is really difficult to budge from the high mount.

The S-mount is a whole different can of worms, so we’re just going to mention it here. A complete article on how to escape it safely is planned for the future.

Basic Principals Of Mount Escapes

So, what do mount escapes have to focus on in order to get you out quickly and easily? Well, it depends on the type of mount your opponent has. Escapes that work against the low mount are not effective against eh high mount, and vice versa. that said, if you understand the principles behind both mount variations, you’ll know how to escape the theme as well.

First and foremost you need to understand the concept of direction. In terms of mount escapes, you can either move your opponent over you, or you can move under the opponent. These main directions work for both mount variations but are applicable in different situations.

One more thing you need to be certain off when in the mount is safety. There’s no point of looking for mount escapes if there’s a choke or an armlock incoming. SO keeping your neck and arms safe is your primary concern. keeping your arms as tight as possible to your torso, palms on the neck/collar is the best way to stay safe. Once everything is tucked in place, you can look to employ mount escapes.

The “Upa” Escape

The very basic mount escape is the “Upa” or bridge escape. This one is really effective against the low mount and can work at every level. It is based on one of the most essential BJJ movements which you most likely drill every time you step on the mats. IN order to be able to utilize this escape, though, you need to make sure you follow a checklist.

First and foremost, stay safe as we already discussed. next, You need to choose the side you’re going to tilt the opponent to. As a rule of thumb, if they have an arm under your head, that’s the side you go to. First, you’ll use an arm to trap their arm, so that they can’t post when you go for the escape. Next, you’re going to use one of your feet, to trap the same side leg from the outside. This serves the same purpose as trapping the arm. Only when you have one side completely isolated, you can think about bridging as high as possible and then turning onto your shoulder. The goal here is to end up in the full guard.

The Armpit Escape

This is an escape that is really attractive and does require certain flexibility. Worry not, though, as even completely inflexible grapplers can add it to their mount escapes with ease. All it takes are some angle adjustments.

This is primarily a high mount escape. Every time an opponent is high up your chest, they’re sacrificing direct control over your hips for added pressure. The freedom of your hips is the logical tool to use in order to escape. What you need to do is lift your hips as high as possible, inserting both your feet into the opponent’s armpits. From there, the goal is pushing as hard as possible into the armpits in the direction over your head. Remember to also roll over in order to end up on top. A key thing here is to keep your feet in the armpits. Do not cross them all the way in front of the opponent as you can get leg locked.

The Sliding Hip Escape

The previous two escapes were all about moving your opponent in order to go for mount escapes. This escape is one in which you’re going to focus on moving yourself under the opponent. It is an escape that works from both the high and low mount. It opens up certain risks of attacks, so you need to be quick with it.

The basic idea is to use both your arms to create a frame against the opponent’s hips. Prop the elbow of one arm on the mats and use the other as a cross frame. Once you have the frame it’s time to go to one side, so that you can hip escape. While you shrimp out, push back on their hips in order to prevent your opponent from following you. You’ll end up in half guard or full guard, ready to work.

The “Marcelo Garcia” Escape

This one is a real gem among mount escapes. It is a very tricky, very easy escape to do. In essence, you just build a frame with your legs and lay on the ground. Your opponent is going to end up in your half guard no matter what. This one is perfect to use against larger opponents. It is a low mount escape so avoid using it in the high mount, when you don’t have access to the opponent’s legs.

For this escape, you either need a frame on the hips again or just to push on them with your palms. The idea is preventing the opponent from coming forward. Once that’s done you completely extend one of your legs and return it up. The goal is to use your knee to push on the inside of their shin while you get the leg back. Once you have it bent sufficiently, use your other leg, foot on the ground, to reinforce the frame. All that’s left now is to wait. No matter where your opponent moves, they’ll end up in your half guard, since you have their leg isolated. It is a really cool and efficient mount escape to have in your arsenal.

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How To Advance In BJJ With Flow Rolling

BJJ World

Sparring in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, AKA rolling is the reason most people get hooked to the Gentle Art. There’s no disputing the fact that rolling is both fun and a great learning tool. Rolling is where everything we learn gets tested and polished for competition. However, it is also the reason most people stall at a certain point. Well, not rolling per say, but a certain kind of it. Competition rolling is a high-stress affair that has us going on autopilot. IN order to ensure progress in Jiu-Jitsu, you have to open up your game. The best way to do so is to begin flow rolling.

Flow rolling is nothing new in BJJ. the trouble with it is that not many people do it. Even those that do it, often do it wrong. The main issue with flow rolling is that it is seen as useless for “real-world” application i.e. tournaments. Nothing can be further from the truth. Flow rolling is going to get you ready to both destroy people at tournaments and achieve significant and constant progress in BJJ. This is not to say that faster paced rolling has no place in BJJ. the trick, as with everything else in grappling is finding the right balance.

Adopting flow rolling into you regular BJJ training is going to ensure you do not hit a plateau. It offers countless benefits and has virtually no negative side-effects on your game. Flowing is, in general, contrary to our nature, given that grappling is a fighting affair. COnquering this means that you’ll be able to be much more efficient in BJJ. Not to mention a massive ego check, as you’ll learn that no position is worth holding on to for dear life. Let’s look at the point reason for flow rolling before we move on to some key benefits.

Flow Rolling 101

Everyone involved in grappling martial arts is familiar with the Gracie moto “keep it playful. Well, when you’re in a gold medal match against a heavier opponent in the absolute division, it’s next to impossible to “keep it playful”. Or is it? There’s a reason that even Bruce Lee was a great proponent of the “be like water” philosophy. Relaxation is the friend of a grappler, as opposed to constant tension and contraction.

When we roll hard, we tend to go with our best moves only. The high-stress environment offers very few opportunities for thoughtful work. Instead, we fall back to automatic responses, which in grappling, means favorite moves. there’s nothing wrong with this, however, it’s hard to introduce new techniques when you’re stuck repeating old ones over and over again. Flow rolling is a surefire way to ensure your game develops constantly, even when you go for competition rolls.

Flow rolling is a way of slowing down BJJ sparring, without affecting the effectiveness of the techniques. On the contrary, it is a great way to enhance them. The whole point of flow rolling is to be as relaxed as possible and not cling to any given move or technique. No matter the outcome you mustn’t find yourself holding on to a move with tension. If you get all sweaty and panting and catch yourself clenching your jaw during flow rolling, you’re doing it wrong.

Are you on point with all fundamentals of BJJ? There’s no flow rolling without sound fundamentals and Kurt Osiander is here to help you with them. Check out his “Fundamentals Of A JiuiJitsu Renegade” DVD set and arm yourself for a flow roll.

How to Flow Roll

As already discussed, the most important thing during flow rolling is letting go. In order to stay relaxed when fighting you’ll have to work around the body and mind’s natural instincts. For one, tension in the human body is often displayed through tension in the jaw muscles. the best way to make sure you are relaxed enough for flow rolling? Smile. This doesn’t mean laughing out loud or grinning like an idiot. Instead, just smile slightly, enough to relax your jaw. You’ll be amazed at how this little trick is going to allow you to flow better.

Another really cool and completely counterintuitive technique to relax is rolling in the dark. This doesn’t mean turning the lights off and going all out. All it takes is to close your eyes so that you can feel more than you see. Of course, add in the smile we already talked about and you should be in that perfect flow state.

The arguably most important thing during flow rolling is consciously giving away moves and techniques. To clarify this doesn’t mean allowing a partner to move around doing whatever they want. Nor does it mean digging into a defensive position and remaining solid as a rock. It means allowing a partner to execute a technique without resistance so that you can think about going straight into a new move yourself. You’ll notice that thinking ahead instead of focusing on stopping a move is a far better strategy for Jiu-Jitsu. Learn to adapt and avoid scrambles by thinking about linking defensive, offensive and counter move together constantly.

Finally, a crucial part fo successful flow rolling is having a partner with the same mindset. Ther’s no point flowing when a partner is going all out. Make sure your training partner is on the same page.

What You Get Out OF Flow Rolling

Honestly, there are too many positive benefits fo flow rolling to ever fit into an article. However, there are those that really stand out in terms of importance, so we’re going to focus on these major ones.

First and foremost, the goal of flowing is constant improvement. In order to do so, you must make sure you try to do as many new moves as possible. Actually, it’s best if you completely forego all your fall-back highest-percentage moves. And also, consider adopting a catch-and-release policy for submissions. Constant restart due to tapping is not really flowing, is it? So make sure you give as much as you take from your opponent. This is where you perfect all those little nuances and you plug any holes you might have in your technique.

The next big thing is awareness. What you learn when you go light and slow is to notice everything about certain positions, moves, and transitions. You get to think about what you’re doing and, with enough repetition, you expand your go-to arsenal. That’s how progress is made in grappling.

Furthermore, flow rolling is going to teach you one of the most valuable lessons in BJJ – how an opponent reacts. The more you flow roll, the more experience you get with the way opponent’s react to certain situations. That experience translates directly into how you react when the pace is higher. This experience is going to make you look more fluent and efficient when you compete or roll hard.

And, last but not least, flow rolling is a great way to keep training when injured. Whenever you’re too injured to roll but not to practice technique, flow brings you all the benefits and none of the risks. Once again, pick the right partner and keep learning.

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