Progressive Jiu Jitsu: It's All About The Basics!
Sunday, 11 July 2010 08:24 | 
Author: Vinicius "Draculino" Magalhaes |
As you'll quickly find in your jiu jitsu training, the amount of techniques and situations you have to process is overwhelming. People are getting you in bad positions and you are stuck and unable to get out - eventually leading to submission.
As you'll quickly find in your jiu jitsu training, the amount of techniques and situations you have to process is overwhelming. People are getting you in bad positions and you are stuck and unable to get out - eventually leading to submission.
Don't get discouraged, because you can survive!
A great aspect of jiu jitsu is that it is a super equalizer. The strong or speedy may likely lose against a trained jiu jitsu practitioner. The key is lasting long enough in your training to become skilled.
The key is right there for anyone to take: learn the basics. If you can get down the jiu jitsu fundamentals, you can typically prevent yourself from getting in bad spots but also handle yourself if you do end up there. You'll want to practice these at home and reinforce them during your usual classroom time. After a month or so you'll have a skill level that'll let you focus on learning and applying your newly taught techniques instead of constantly getting stuffed.
What are the important basics?
Hip Escapes
The grand daddy of all jiu jitsu techniques is the hip escape. When you train, you should always have "loose hips". Switching from side to side and using hips for generating leverage is critical. This really bears repeating. Being able to hip escape - shrimping - is always needed to create space for attacking submissions and defending to recover guard.
Breathing
Another basic you need to get down is breathing. If you tire out in training or a real life fight, you're dead. You CAN relax and you need to slow down and breathe while you work your game. If rolling/sparring becomes a sprint for you, you'll be done in 30 seconds. In a typical 5-7 minute training round, that would be miserable! So slow down, take your time, breathe deeply, and relax.
Open Mind
Many people come to train thinking that their strength is going to get them through whatever challenge they face. And just as quickly they are proven wrong by some 120 pound-when-soaking-wet kid with a bit of experience. To learn the fastest, open your mind to a new way of doing things. Learn and use the techniques properly and without strength. Accept that you are going to have a learning curve and don't try to power your way through things.
Ego
Most BJJ practitioners are men and as such have nice sized egos. Leave the ego at the door. You have to enjoy the journey of learning BJJ and understanding all of the nuances. If you have to be the guy that never taps, you are going to get hurt early and often. And if you are hurt, you really can't train then. Instead, be open to losing to others in your class. Help each other get better. Become a family. Enjoy the journey!
Of course these basics aren't a complete list of everything you need to master while training. But they provide a fantastic start for your journey. Come to class eager to learn, help your classmates, and train with enthusiasm. This is an really special martial art and it will change your life - if you allow it.
- Draculino
As you'll quickly find in your jiu jitsu training, the amount of techniques and situations you have to process is overwhelming. People are getting you in bad positions and you are stuck and unable to get out - eventually leading to submission.
Don't get discouraged, because you can survive!
A great aspect of jiu jitsu is that it is a super equalizer. The strong or speedy may likely lose against a trained jiu jitsu practitioner. The key is lasting long enough in your training to become skilled.
The key is right there for anyone to take: learn the basics. If you can get down the jiu jitsu fundamentals, you can typically prevent yourself from getting in bad spots but also handle yourself if you do end up there. You'll want to practice these at home and reinforce them during your usual classroom time. After a month or so you'll have a skill level that'll let you focus on learning and applying your newly taught techniques instead of constantly getting stuffed.
What are the important basics?
Hip Escapes
The grand daddy of all jiu jitsu techniques is the hip escape. When you train, you should always have "loose hips". Switching from side to side and using hips for generating leverage is critical. This really bears repeating. Being able to hip escape - shrimping - is always needed to create space for attacking submissions and defending to recover guard.
Breathing
Another basic you need to get down is breathing. If you tire out in training or a real life fight, you're dead. You CAN relax and you need to slow down and breathe while you work your game. If rolling/sparring becomes a sprint for you, you'll be done in 30 seconds. In a typical 5-7 minute training round, that would be miserable! So slow down, take your time, breathe deeply, and relax.
Open Mind
Many people come to train thinking that their strength is going to get them through whatever challenge they face. And just as quickly they are proven wrong by some 120 pound-when-soaking-wet kid with a bit of experience. To learn the fastest, open your mind to a new way of doing things. Learn and use the techniques properly and without strength. Accept that you are going to have a learning curve and don't try to power your way through things.
Ego
Most BJJ practitioners are men and as such have nice sized egos. Leave the ego at the door. You have to enjoy the journey of learning BJJ and understanding all of the nuances. If you have to be the guy that never taps, you are going to get hurt early and often. And if you are hurt, you really can't train then. Instead, be open to losing to others in your class. Help each other get better. Become a family. Enjoy the journey!
Of course these basics aren't a complete list of everything you need to master while training. But they provide a fantastic start for your journey. Come to class eager to learn, help your classmates, and train with enthusiasm. This is an really special martial art and it will change your life - if you allow it.
- Draculino
About the Author:
Draculino's online training site is known for the best in BJJ training. Also check out his jiu jitsu forum and talk with others around the world.
