We’ll start with a near-perfect breakdown of the sport/art as articulated by Greg Souders of Standard Jiu Jitsu in Rockville, MD.
Jiu Jitsu/Submission Grappling is the game of immobilization as it leads to strangulation and breaking. In Jiu Jitsu or submission grappling, we attack the periphery so we can gain access to center mass. We immobilize center mass so we can isolate and re-attack the periphery.
The foundational engagement in all grappling situations are that we make and maintain connections to control distance through destabilization, isolation, segmentation and immobilization.
If our first skill is to make and maintain connections, in our practice design we create task focuses with live resistance games where a player gets to experience the effects that making and maintaining those connections have in the relative resistance of their partner.
They can use those connections to destabilize (kazushi) an opponent and make them fall down (sweeps) or destructure their limbs (passing). We use connections to segment or bypass what’s in front of you going from feet, and knees to hips or hands, elbows, shoulders.
We can use those connections to isolate limbs from everything else. We can use those connections to hold the body still as you strangle or break it.” - Greg Souders
So, what are the main concepts as it relates to a one-on-one grappling exchange?
Make and maintain a connection
Manage distance
Destabilize/off-balance and destructure
Segment and isolate
Strangle or break
Concepts we need to keep in mind as it relates to the coaching of grappling:
People learn through function, not options (ocean of “moves”)
Novelty will always emerge (kiss of the dragon, bolos)
Manipulation of stable regions for advantage as it relates to isolation and immobilization
Keep it “Live”
Jiu Jitsu is a zero-sum game.
What is good for me is bad for you. What is good for you is bad for me, etc.
If efficiency is the core tenet of Jiu Jitsu then our movement solutions must adhere to that tenet in all things grappling.
No right or wrong, just effective.