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Jiu Jitsu Essentials: Master The Basics! |
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Written by Vinicius "Draculino" Magalhaes
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Sunday, 11 July 2010 08:16 |
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As your jiu jitsu journey begins, you'll quickly realize the amount of techniques and situations you have to deal with is overwhelming. Getting stuck in bad positions is the norm, and you will be submitted often.
by Vinicius"Draculino"Magalhaes
As your jiu jitsu journey begins, you'll quickly realize the amount of techniques and situations you have to deal with is overwhelming. Getting stuck in bad positions is the norm, and you will be submitted often.
Don't worry, you can survive!
The neat thing about jiu jitsu is that it is a great equalizer. The big and strong may actually be at a disadvantage against a skilled jiu jitsu practitioner. The question is how do you last long enough in training 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 these basics?
Hip Escapes
On the technique side, this is the grand daddy of jiu jitsu basics. During training you should always have "loose hips". Being able to transition from side to side and use your hips for generating leverage is critical. This cannot be said enough times. Being able to hip escape (aka shrimping) is important in creating space between you and your opponent for defense 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 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!
These basics aren't a fully exhaustive list of everything you need to master. But they provide a great foundation to build upon. Walk into class ready to learn, guide your classmates where you can, and train hard. This is a special martial art and it can change you if you let it.
- Draculino
About the Author:
Check out Draculino's online training site for BJJ techniques demonstrated by a champion and trainer of champions. Also visit the free jiu jitsu forum while there and participate in the community. |
