| Progressive Jiu Jitsu: It's All About The Basics! |
| Written by Vinicius "Draculino" Magalhaes |
| Sunday, 11 July 2010 08:15 |
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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 stress too much - you can survive! An awesome thing about jiu jitsu is that it is fantastic at leveling the playing field. The fast or strong can be at a disadvantage against a skilled jiu jitsu student, especially if they are untrained in ground fighting. The problem is lasting long enough in class to become skilled. The solution is simple: basics. If you're great at just the basics in jiu jitsu, you can usually avoid bad positions and can handle yourself if you end up there. You can practice these at home by yourself, and should remember them during your jiu jitsu class to apply them when needed. After a short time you'll have a basic skill level that'll allow you to learn and apply your techniques instead of a getting frustrated by your opponent constantly. What are the important basics? Hip Escapes Hip escapes are the grand daddy of jiu jitsu basic techniques. While training you should always have "loose hips". Transitioning from side to side and using your hips for positional leverage is critical. This can't be reinforced enough. Hip escapes (aka shrimping) are important in creating space allowing room for both defenses and attacks. 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 jiu jitsu students are male and as such have sizable egos. Check your ego at the door. Embrace the long journey of learning BJJ and learning all it has to offer. If you are the guy that doesn't tap, you will end up frequently injured. And if you are injured, you won't be able to train. Embrace losing just as much as winning. Help your classmates improve their skills. Become a family! The basics above are by no means a complete list of everything you need to master. But they are a good start for your journey. Walk into class eager to learn, help your classmates, and train hard. This is an amazing martial art and it will change your life if you let 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. |