Mastering BJJ: How to Choose and Develop Your Best Techniques

Choosing Your BJJ Techniques: A White Belt's Guide

As a white belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), you might find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of techniques to learn. From armbars to chokes, the options seem endless. But how do you decide which techniques to focus on? Let's dive into this crucial aspect of your BJJ journey.

The Dilemma of Choice

Many beginners face the same challenge: they try to learn a bit of everything, unsure of what they're naturally good at. You might like the look of triangles but struggle to execute them effectively. Perhaps you're improving with armbars but only from certain positions. This uncertainty is normal and part of the learning process.

The Truth About "Right" Techniques

Here's a fundamental truth in BJJ: there's no such thing as universally "right" techniques. What works for one practitioner might not work for another. The key is to understand that the way you use and train a technique is what makes it right for you.

Two Possible Outcomes:

1. You develop the technique and become proficient at it.
2. You learn that it doesn't suit your style, allowing you to move on without regret.

The Poker Hand Analogy

Think of developing your BJJ game like building a poker hand:

• In poker, you're dealt cards and try to assemble the best hand possible.
• In BJJ, you're "dealt" various techniques and positions.
• Just as in poker where you might discard and draw new cards, in BJJ, you can discard techniques that don't work for you and pick up new ones.

The difference is that in BJJ, you can keep exchanging "cards" (techniques) as long as you're training.

Don't Fear Making the Wrong Choice

Many beginners worry about choosing the wrong techniques to focus on. However, this fear is unfounded. Here's why:

• You learn from every technique you try, whether it becomes part of your core game or not.
• The process of trying different techniques helps you understand your body and preferences better.
• Even techniques that don't become your go-to moves can be useful in specific situations.

The Importance of Personal Experience

While advice from instructors and peers can be valuable, your personal experience should be your primary guide. Here's why:

• What works for others might not work for you, and vice versa.
• Your body type, flexibility, and natural inclinations play a significant role in determining your best techniques.
• Sometimes, the techniques that suit you best might surprise both you and your instructors.

Examples of Unexpected Successes

Let's look at some real-life examples of BJJ practitioners who found success with unexpected techniques:

1. The Tall Practitioner's Kora Success:

   • Despite being tall and lanky, which typically suits triangle chokes, this student excelled at kora (armlock) techniques.
   • Even though it seemed counterintuitive due to his body type, his dedication made it work.

2. The Shorter Practitioner's Triangle Mastery:

   • Despite not having exceptionally long legs, this student became proficient at triangle chokes.
   • He could finish opponents quickly in tournaments using this technique.

These examples illustrate that preconceived notions about which techniques should work for certain body types don't always hold true.

How to Choose Your Focus

Now that we understand the principles, let's discuss how to actually choose techniques to focus on:

1. Follow Your Interests:

   • If a technique looks appealing to you, give it a try.
   • Don't be discouraged if you're not immediately successful.

2. Commit to Practice:

   • Dedicate at least four weeks to a technique before deciding if it's right for you.
   • Consistent practice is key to improvement.

3. Listen to Your Instincts:

   • Sometimes, a technique will feel naturally right for your body.
   • This intuitive connection can be a strong indicator of a technique worth pursuing.

4. Embrace Versatility:

   • Don't limit yourself to one type of technique.
   • A well-rounded game includes various submissions, sweeps, and positions.

5. Seek Feedback:

   • Ask your training partners and instructors for their observations.
   • They might notice strengths in your game that you haven't recognized yet.

The Four-Week Focus Method

When trying to develop a new technique, consider adopting a four-week focus method:

1. Week 1: Introduction and Basic Practice

   • Learn the fundamental mechanics of the technique.
   • Practice the movement slowly and deliberately.

2. Week 2: Refinement and Repetition

   • Focus on improving your execution.
   • Increase the speed and smoothness of your movements.

3. Week 3: Application in Specific Training

   • Start incorporating the technique into specific training scenarios.
   • Practice with a cooperative partner who gives increasing resistance.

4. Week 4: Live Application

   • Attempt to use the technique during live rolling sessions.
   • Analyze your successes and failures.

After four weeks, evaluate your progress and decide whether to continue focusing on this technique or move on to something else.

Recognizing Natural Affinities

Sometimes, you'll encounter techniques that just "click" with your style. This natural affinity can manifest in several ways:

1. Immediate Comfort:

   • The technique feels natural and comfortable from the start.

2. Quick Progress:

   • You find yourself improving rapidly with minimal instruction.

3. Frequent Success:

   • You're able to apply the technique successfully in live rolling more often than other moves.

4. Enjoyment:

   • You genuinely enjoy practicing and applying this technique.

When you experience these signs, it's often worth investing more time in developing that technique.

Building Your BJJ Game

As you progress in your BJJ journey, you'll start to develop your own unique game. Here's how to approach this process:

1. Core Techniques:

   • Identify 3-5 techniques that form the core of your game.
   • These should be moves you can rely on consistently.

2. Complementary Techniques:

   • Develop techniques that work well with your core moves.
   • For example, if your core technique is a triangle choke, learn setups and transitions that lead to it.

3. Defensive Skills:

   • Don't neglect your defense.
   • Ensure you have solid escapes and counters for common attacks.

4. Positional Awareness:

   • Understand how different positions relate to your preferred techniques.
   • Learn to guide your opponents into positions that favor your game.

5. Continuous Refinement:

   • Regularly assess and refine your game.
   • Be open to adding new techniques or modifying existing ones as you progress.

Overcoming Plateaus

As you focus on specific techniques, you might encounter plateaus. Here's how to deal with them:

1. Seek Detailed Feedback:

   • Ask your instructor or advanced training partners for specific critiques.
   • They might notice small details you're missing.

2. Cross-Train Complementary Techniques:

   • Sometimes, improving related techniques can indirectly enhance your focus area.

3. Study High-Level Practitioners:

   • Watch videos of BJJ experts who excel at the techniques you're working on.
   • Pay attention to their setups, timing, and small details.

4. Temporary Shift in Focus:

   • Sometimes, taking a break from a technique and focusing on something else can lead to unexpected improvements when you return to it.

5. Increase Your Rolling Time:

   • More mat time often leads to breakthroughs, especially with techniques you're actively working on.

The Role of Body Type in Technique Selection

While we've seen that body type doesn't always dictate your best techniques, it can play a role in your initial choices:

1. Tall and Lanky Practitioners:

   • Often find success with triangles, spider guard, and long-range controls.
   • However, don't let this limit you – as we saw, success can come from unexpected places.

2. Shorter, Stockier Practitioners:

   • Might naturally gravitate towards pressure-based passes and close-range submissions.
   • Again, this is just a starting point – be open to all techniques.

3. Flexible Practitioners:

   • Often excel in guard positions and submission holds that require significant mobility.
   • Can often surprise opponents with unexpected escapes.

4. Strong, Athletic Practitioners:

   • Might find early success with power-based techniques.
   • Should be cautious not to rely solely on strength and neglect technique.

Remember, these are general tendencies, not rules. Your unique combination of attributes will shape your ideal game.

The Importance of Fundamentals

While exploring various techniques, never underestimate the importance of fundamental skills:

1. Proper Posture and Base:

   • Essential for both offense and defense in any position.

2. Efficient Movement:

   • Learn to move your body as a unit, conserving energy.

3. Breathing Control:

   • Proper breathing helps maintain composure and endurance.

4. Gripping Techniques:

   • Understanding when and how to grip is crucial for control and submissions.

5. Pressure Distribution:

   • Learn to use your weight effectively, whether on top or bottom.

These fundamental skills enhance every technique you learn and often make the difference in successful application.

Balancing Offense and Defense

As you develop your game, strive for a balance between offensive and defensive skills:

1. Offensive Focus:

   • Develop a series of attacks from your preferred positions.
   • Learn to chain attacks together to keep your opponent reacting.

2. Defensive Skills:

   • Ensure you have solid escapes from common bad positions.
   • Learn to recognize and counter your training partners' favorite techniques.

3. Transitional Abilities:

   • Practice smoothly moving between positions.
   • Learn to capitalize on your opponent's movements and mistakes.

4. Mental Game:

   • Develop the ability to stay calm under pressure.
   • Learn to think strategically during rolls, not just react.

The Journey of Continuous Learning

Remember, BJJ is a lifelong journey of learning and refinement. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. Patience is Key:

   • Developing proficiency in any technique takes time.
   • Don't get discouraged if progress seems slow.

2. Embrace Failure:

   • Failed attempts are valuable learning experiences.
   • Analyze why a technique didn't work and adjust accordingly.

3. Stay Open-Minded:

   • Be willing to revisit techniques you previously discarded.
   • Your understanding and physical abilities will change over time.

4. Seek Knowledge Beyond the Mat:

   • Supplement your training with instructional videos and books.
   • Attend seminars and learn from various instructors when possible.

5. Teach Others:

   • Explaining techniques to others can deepen your own understanding.
   • Often, teaching reveals aspects of a technique you hadn't considered before.

Conclusion

Choosing and developing your best BJJ techniques is a personal journey. It requires patience, experimentation, and self-reflection. Remember these key points:

• There's no universally "right" technique – what works for you is what matters.
• Don't be afraid to try different techniques and discard what doesn't work.
• Commit to focused practice periods to truly evaluate a technique's potential for you.
• Listen to your body and instincts – sometimes a technique will naturally feel right.
• Balance your game with both offensive and defensive skills.
• Never stop learning and refining your techniques.

By following these principles and staying dedicated to your training, you'll develop a BJJ game that's uniquely suited to you. Embrace the journey, stay curious, and enjoy the process of becoming the best BJJ practitioner you can be.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph5kwkK5xO8