Mastering Jiu-Jitsu in 2024: Expert Tips from Jordan Teaches Jitsu

Focusing on Understanding Over Collecting Techniques

One of the most important things to focus on in 2024 to improve your jiu-jitsu is not just learning more techniques, but truly understanding the ones you already know. Jordan emphasizes that at a certain point, you should stop trying to collect new techniques and instead work on mastering the fundamentals.

"I think people should focus on not just learning more techniques and if anything I would try to stop learning more techniques altogether," Jordan explains. "If you've reached a certain point, I would just work on getting better at the techniques you do know."

He gives the example of a knee slide pass - many blue belts will attempt it without proper understanding, leading to their back being taken. Instead of learning more moves, focus on perfecting the details of core techniques like the knee slide:

• When to go for it
• How to set up grips
• The grips needed to execute it properly

Jordan compares jiu-jitsu techniques to learning a new language: "Learning a bunch of phrases is great for sure and there's phrases that are going to be very important to learn to get around, but you need to truly understand the language to be able to communicate."

The goal should be to increase your overall understanding of jiu-jitsu concepts and principles, not just memorize more moves. This allows you to problem-solve and adapt in live rolling situations.

Some ways to build deeper understanding:

• Ask your instructor lots of questions about the "why" behind techniques
• Watch multiple instructional videos on the same technique to pick up different details
• Focus on understanding concepts like inside position, wedges, and layers of defense
• Think about what's actually happening when you roll, not just trying to "win"

The Importance of Inside Position

One of the key concepts Jordan emphasizes is understanding and maintaining inside position. This refers to controlling the space between you and your opponent.

"Inside position is just within the door," Jordan explains, using the analogy of keeping a door open or closed. "If you get past someone's knees, they can't push off with anything past their knee."

Some key points on inside position:

• Your knees and elbows form a "door" that you want to keep closed defensively
• Getting inside your opponent's knees/elbows puts you in a dominant position
• Frames and grips help maintain inside position
• In turtle position, keep everything tight to prevent opponents getting inside

Jordan notes that many beginners don't focus enough on inside position: "Blue belts will go for a knee slice and then they'll give up the underhook, they'll give up the inside position on it and then you'll just take their back."

By understanding the concept of inside position, you can start to see jiu-jitsu positions as a battle for control of this critical space, rather than just a collection of unrelated techniques.

Using Wedges Effectively

Another important concept Jordan discusses is the use of wedges in jiu-jitsu. He compares wedges to a doorstop - they allow you to "keep the door open" and maintain advantageous positions.

"What a wedge is, it's think of it like a door stop. You put something, you put a wedge underneath the door to keep the door open and that's what you need to do in jiu-jitsu," Jordan explains.

Some examples of wedges:

• In dope mount, using your knee between their legs
• An underhook grip to keep space
• Putting your hand on the mat from an underhook
• Incrementally improving position in an arm triangle

Jordan notes that wedges are about making incremental improvements in position: "Every crawl is like bringing the wedge higher and higher and higher."

Understanding wedges allows you to maintain dominant positions and slowly work towards submissions or sweeps. It's about creating and maintaining space in advantageous ways.

Layers of Defense

One of Jordan's key teachings is the concept of layers of defense. This involves understanding the different barriers between you and your opponent.

The main layers of defense are:

1. Feet
2. Knees
3. Elbows
4. Hands

"The first layer of defense is your feet in front of them," Jordan explains. "I don't want them to come close and get past my feet and then I only have my knees in front of them."

Understanding these layers allows you to prioritize your defensive efforts. For example, when rolling with bigger opponents, Jordan focuses on guards that keep his feet engaged to maintain that first layer of defense.

This concept applies to both standing and ground positions. On the ground, your knees on the mat can provide a layer of defense in turtle position, for instance.

Jordan emphasizes that you should always be aware of what layers of defense you have in place: "While you're rolling do I have any layer of defense in front of my partner?"

Short vs Long Frames

Related to layers of defense is the concept of short vs long frames. Long frames keep more distance, while short frames work in closer quarters.

For example:

• A straight arm frame is a long frame
• An elbow frame close to your body is a short frame

Jordan notes that you generally want to use the longest frame possible for the situation. However, you may need to cycle through different frames as the position changes.

Understanding short vs long frames helps you maximize your defensive capabilities in any position. It allows you to always have some form of frame, even as your opponent works to break them down.

The Importance of Grips - Especially with Your Feet

Jordan emphasizes the critical role of grips in jiu-jitsu, including often overlooked foot grips:

"Every guard is just the way you position your feet...Using your insteps - just say okay someone breaks a grip on you, like they take your foot off of them, well get your insteps somewhere else on them."

He notes there are three main ways to grip with your feet:

1. Using your instep (most common)
2. Using the flat of your foot
3. Using your heel (less common, mainly in single leg X)

By thinking of guards in terms of foot grips rather than distinct positions, it becomes easier to flow between different guards and maintain control.

Jordan observes that many people neglect foot grips: "How often do you watch people roll, they're in their guard and they're not doing anything with their instep?"

Focusing on maintaining active foot grips can significantly improve your guard retention and offensive capabilities from bottom positions.

Having Fun and Maintaining Perspective

Perhaps Jordan's most emphatic advice is to keep jiu-jitsu fun and maintain a healthy perspective:

"The main thing is I just like to preach this so much is just have fun and I know it's just such a generic advice but it's just the truth - like people take jiu-jitsu way too serious."

He notes that unless you're aiming to be a world champion, losing matches or progressing slowly shouldn't diminish your enjoyment. Jiu-jitsu should be a positive "third space" in your life, separate from work and home.

Some key points on maintaining perspective:

• It's okay to take breaks if you're not enjoying jiu-jitsu
• Consider trying other martial arts like Muay Thai to keep things fresh
• Don't let your ego ruin your enjoyment of training
• Focus on learning rather than always trying to "win" rolls
• Be kind to your body - train intelligently to avoid injuries

Jordan shares from his own experience of being too hard on himself earlier in his journey. He advises newer practitioners to avoid making the same mistakes and to prioritize long-term enjoyment and health.

Conclusion

By focusing on these key areas in 2024, you can significantly accelerate your jiu-jitsu development:

1. Build deep understanding rather than collecting techniques
2. Master the concept of inside position
3. Use wedges effectively to maintain dominant positions
4. Understand and utilize layers of defense
5. Employ short and long frames appropriately
6. Maximize your use of grips, including with your feet
7. Maintain perspective and prioritize having fun

Remember, jiu-jitsu is a lifelong journey. By focusing on these fundamental concepts and maintaining a positive mindset, you'll set yourself up for long-term growth and enjoyment on the mats.

To learn more from Jordan, check out his YouTube channel "Jordan Teaches Jitsu" and his other social media platforms. His in-depth Jiu-Jitsu Theory course is also available for those looking to dive deeper into these concepts.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxMKooSr84o