{"id":632,"date":"2019-06-09T00:26:49","date_gmt":"2019-06-09T05:26:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/?p=632"},"modified":"2023-01-09T14:23:12","modified_gmt":"2023-01-09T20:23:12","slug":"jiu-jitsu-principles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/jiu-jitsu-principles\/","title":{"rendered":"Jiu Jitsu Principles: The Complete List [51 BJJ Concepts]"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Here\u2019s a complete list of Jiu Jitsu principles. These are the BJJ concepts that will help you improve:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>How you apply specific Jiu Jitsu techniques.<\/li>\n<li>Your approach to rolling.<\/li>\n<li>Your overall approach to <em>LEARNING<\/em> Jiu Jitsu.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>I went to 3 expert sources because I wanted to get a better understanding of how Jiu Jitsu really works:<\/p>\n<p>Some of these were \u201c<em>aha!<\/em>\u201d moments and instantly changed what I was doing&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;and others I\u2019m still working on.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;ve summarised them all here:<\/p>\n<h2>BJJ concepts that will improve your technique effectiveness<\/h2>\n<p>Jiu Jitsu techniques all have some underlying physics and biomechanics at play. Rob Biernacki illustrates these with 11 core <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2K4onMp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BJJ concepts<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/j5RaxEV9fx8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s my attempt to summarise them in 1-2 sentences:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The <em>right<\/em> base allows you to apply and absorb force without compromising your mobility. But without proper alignment and structure you\u2019re weaker (and you\u2019ll fatigue more quickly).<\/li>\n<li>Use skeletal strength vs. muscular strength&#8230; and use the end of the lever to gain a mechanical advantage<\/li>\n<li>If your post isn\u2019t perpendicular to the force, it won\u2019t be as effective. And vice-versa.<\/li>\n<li>Sweeps are about taking advantage of shifts in centre-of-gravity and uncontrolled momentum (that you\u2019re been given or created).<\/li>\n<li>A dominant position isn\u2019t necessarily dominant until you\u2019ve broken your opponent\u2019s alignment (base, posture, structure).<\/li>\n<li>A mechanical advantage can (sometimes) be gained by controlling your opponent\u2019s clothing, rather than the limb directly.<\/li>\n<li>Use the end of a lever to create a more powerful turn. Or prevent one from happening.<\/li>\n<li>You gain greater control by moving from grip-to-grip rather than jumping between positions.<\/li>\n<li>To achieve a submission, there also needs to be something in place to maintain the position.<\/li>\n<li>To make a choke more efficient, create a triangle and a backstop&#8230; using the backstop to create pressure into the triangle.<\/li>\n<li>Joint locks are caused by extension, compression, or rotation. When combined, they can be more effective.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The examples shown in the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2K4onMp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BJJ Concepts videos<\/a> do a great job of bringing these to life.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/87iEYcT724U\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>(You&#8217;ll be able to see how techniques usually fail because of a failure to address one or more of these key concepts)<\/p>\n<p><strong>See<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2K4onMp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The BJJ Formula with Rob Biernacki and Stephan Kesting<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Grapplearts-Formula-Biernacki-Stephan-Kesting\/dp\/B01DAXAZO4\/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&amp;linkCode=li3&amp;tag=rollingaround-20&amp;linkId=df0788ad69fa4f7bca30166a9d35a616\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ASIN=B01DAXAZO4&amp;Format=_SL250_&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=rollingaround-20\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=rollingaround-20&amp;l=li3&amp;o=1&amp;a=B01DAXAZO4\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>21 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu principles that will change your approach to rolling<\/h2>\n<p>While the BJJ Concepts changed how I look at applying individual techniques&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;I&#8217;ve changed how I&#8217;m putting it all together because of Paulo Guillobel\u2019s book <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Xyexp9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mastering The 21 Immutable Principles Of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s my attempt to summarise each chapter in 1-2 sentences:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Unless you master the first step of a technique, the rest will be much more difficult.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><em>[This has changed how I approach <strong>EVERY<\/strong> escape, pass, sweep, or submission]<\/em><\/p>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li>Chess strategies like controlling the centre, forcing a decision, and thinking ahead also apply to Jiu Jitsu.<\/li>\n<li>Like a wet rug, you\u2019re harder to move when you\u2019re relaxed.<\/li>\n<li>Getting to the stage where you can execute a technique like it\u2019s second nature comes from countless repetitions.<\/li>\n<li>Always take the path of least resistance and look for the easiest way to apply a technique.<\/li>\n<li>If you avoid directly engaging with your opponent you won\u2019t find their weakness (and you\u2019ll just tire yourself out).<\/li>\n<li>Jiu Jitsu is about incrementally gaining ground until you reach the end zone (a submission); like American football, only take 1-step back to move 2-steps forward.<\/li>\n<li>Your first priority in defence is addressing the thing that gives your opponent their greatest leverage.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><em>[Slowing down and thinking about this one has helped heaps\u2026 especially escaping leg locks]<\/em><\/p>\n<ol start=\"9\">\n<li>Keep everything close because when you overreach, you compromise your balance and you\u2019re vulnerable to attack.<\/li>\n<li>The guard is like a fortress\u2026 if it\u2019s open, you need to have a good army of sweeps and submissions.<\/li>\n<li>Your goal is to be aware of your opponent\u2019s possible reactions, and use them to plan your next move.<\/li>\n<li>Every part of your body has different strengths and weaknesses&#8230; understanding these will change your game.<\/li>\n<li>A good defensive game allows you to rest and conserve energy while your opponent wastes their\u2019s.<\/li>\n<li>You should master the 10 fundamental escapes from positions and submissions before you start chasing new shiny objects.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><em>[It was good timing when I read this chapter: because it helped prioritise the order of things I put on <a href=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/bjj-techniques-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">My BJJ Techniques Checklist<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n<ol start=\"15\">\n<li>The best way to get someone\u2019s weight off you is to push it off to the side (or move out from under it).<\/li>\n<li>Success comes from finding the fine line between being too early and too late to execute a technique.<\/li>\n<li>Learn how to conserve energy because, all else being equal, the first person to become exhausted&#8230; loses.<\/li>\n<li>To avoid being controlled, you must protect the area of real estate between your waist and shoulders.<\/li>\n<li>You feel heavier by focusing your weight on one side, and by driving with your feet and\/or hands.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid using a smaller and weaker limb against a bigger and stronger one; make it <em><strong>AT LEAST<\/strong><\/em> an even fight.<\/li>\n<li>A good base comes from having at least one part of your body solidly planted on the ground to be your support and one part of the body ready to post if you need it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>I got my money\u2018s worth in just the first chapter&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and this was just the first P of \u2018The 7 P\u2019s of Guard Passing\u2019<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Xyexp9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mastering The 21 Immutable Principles Of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Mastering-Immutable-Principles-Brazilian-Jiu-Jitsu-ebook\/dp\/B0798X115V\/ref=as_li_ss_il?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1560001390&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=li3&amp;tag=rollingaround-20&amp;linkId=aa1c362f1d9b05822abe5890cb6fbbdb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ASIN=B0798X115V&amp;Format=_SL250_&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=rollingaround-20\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=rollingaround-20&amp;l=li3&amp;o=1&amp;a=B0798X115V\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Principles that will help you master your approach to learning Jiu Jitsu<\/h2>\n<p>The biggest takeaway I got from Paul Kindzia\u2019s book <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2K3t4WT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Master Jiu Jitsu Master Life<\/a> is:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>There\u2019s no shortcut to getting better at BJJ&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;but there is such a thing as taking wrong turns and taking a route that\u2019s longer than necessary.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Here\u2019s my attempt to summarise some pretty deep principles in a sentence or two:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>No-one is born good at Jiu Jitsu. Growth comes from a mindset of using training as an opportunity to learn, not to prove how good you already are.<\/li>\n<li>The key to long term success is momentum: start with very small habits that may even appear to be insignificant or too easy.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><em>[I\u2019m applying this off the mats &#8211; and have made<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yogaforbjj.net\/pages\/social-landing?rfsn=3498308.f4c7d4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yoga for BJJ<\/a> <em>one of my daily habits]<\/em><\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>Success is not about learning one move, one technique, or one position. It\u2019s about doing all the little things correctly and consistently.<\/li>\n<li>Improvement ultimately comes from having the discipline to get on the mats consistently.<\/li>\n<li>You will have more success by focusing on improving the process of what you\u2019re doing, rather than constantly focusing on the desired outcomes.<\/li>\n<li>The things that work now may not be enough to get you to the next level &#8211; if you want more success, you must be willing to change and adapt.<\/li>\n<li>Learn through experience what works and what doesn\u2019t&#8230; then minimise and simplify. This is more effective than collecting one million unusable techniques.<\/li>\n<li>Tracking and benchmarking, using a documented stage-by-stage road map, can be an incredibly valuable tool&#8230; so that you aren\u2019t fooling yourself about your progress (or lack thereof).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Read<\/strong>:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/bjj-techniques-checklist\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">My BJJ Techniques Checklist [Fundamentals for White Belt to Blue Belt]<\/a><\/p>\n<ol start=\"9\">\n<li>More efficient learning occurs by challenging yourself through trial and error (and making mistakes while taking risks).<\/li>\n<li>You can train volume, or you can train intensity. But when you combine the two simultaneously for extended periods of time&#8230; eventually bad things happen.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cYou want to upgrade the software without damaging the hardware\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; John Kavanagh (Connor McGregor\u2019s coach)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<ol start=\"11\">\n<li>It\u2019s just as important to find out \u201cwhat not to do\u201d when learning something new&#8230; so you can avoid those mistakes which cost precious time and energy.<\/li>\n<li>Learn to set and chase short-term goals which feed into your long-term goals.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><em>[My current short-term goals are REALLY mastering escapes from mount, side-control, and back&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/mmaleech.samcart.com\/referral\/gw1qGUAt\/wMQOGcYKiM81zFmm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Ace of Escapes<\/a> has been an awesome resource for this]<\/em><\/p>\n<ol start=\"13\">\n<li>Use visualization. Not just to imagine success&#8230; but to see all the steps that must be mastered. Then you\u2019ll know the strategies and training that will be required to get there.<\/li>\n<li>If all you think about is over-powering your training partner, winning, and getting the tap then you sacrifice working on technique.<\/li>\n<li>If you want to upgrade your game, figure out which habits are needed and allocate the time required to implement them. Now.<\/li>\n<li>There are no unrealistic goals, only unrealistic timelines that you set for yourself.<\/li>\n<li>Successful individuals start with identifying their \u201cwhy?\u201d, then they move outwards to \u201chow?\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Understand that it\u2019s normal to have your biggest improvements at the beginning, then your learning curve will flatten out. But with persistence you will continue to improve.<\/li>\n<li>Longevity is needed if you want to get really good. So to win, you should establish the following priorities in the correct order of importance: safety, fun, learning&#8230; and then winning will come naturally.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>There\u2019s actually more in this book&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and if you re-read this list, you\u2019ll find each of these principles are applicable off the mat too!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2I1N0r0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span id=\"ebooksProductTitle\" class=\"a-size-extra-large\">Master Jiu-Jitsu Master Life: How To Create An Extraordinary Life Through Jiu-Jitsu<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Master-Jiu-Jitsu-Life-Extraordinary-Through-ebook\/dp\/B07HQVHZQ8\/ref=as_li_ss_il?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1560001557&amp;sr=8-1&amp;linkCode=li3&amp;tag=rollingaround-20&amp;linkId=35ca3571b8cbff9f63bad2e8a576f282\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;ASIN=B07HQVHZQ8&amp;Format=_SL250_&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=rollingaround-20\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=rollingaround-20&amp;l=li3&amp;o=1&amp;a=B07HQVHZQ8\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Applying these Jiu Jitsu principles: focusing on 1-2 BJJ concepts at a time<\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s a few things on this list that immediately changed my approach to training and learning BJJ&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;but the intro to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Ir1XSp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The 21 Immutable Principles of BJJ<\/a> sums it up best:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8230;I strongly suggest that you read this book more than once as you develop your skills. There may be principles in this book that you are not ready to understand yet, but if you consistently reference these concepts as your BJJ game evolves, you will soon connect to ideas you didn\u2019t connect with previously.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>This is the book I&#8217;d recommend starting with because it&#8217;s easy to read and it\u2019s definitely worth reading more than once.<\/p>\n<p>Well&#8230; is this the complete list of Jiu Jitsu principles?<\/p>\n<p>Comment below if there\u2019s any missing? Or were there any that stood out for you?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The complete list of Jiu Jitsu principles: BJJ concepts that&#8217;ll help improve how you apply specific techniques and how you approach your time on the mat<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":668,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[20],"tags":[],"wppr_data":{"cwp_meta_box_check":"No"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/632"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=632"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/632\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":888,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/632\/revisions\/888"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=632"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=632"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=632"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}