How to evolve in Brazilian jiu-jitsu: 4 essential fundamentals!

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a complex martial art with a vast array of techniques and strategies. It is often compared to the game of chess, as it requires a high level of technical skill, strategy, and mental toughness.

If you are looking to improve your BJJ, there are four essential fundamentals that you should focus on. These fundamentals are the foundation of BJJ, and mastering them will give you a solid base to build upon.

Start the fight successfully!

The beginning of a BJJ fight can be a window of opportunity for a quick victory. There are two main ways to start the fight successfully:

• Perform a takedown, landing in a favorable position.
• Pull the opponent into your closed guard, a position that is advantageous for you.
• Practicing these techniques extensively will give you a significant advantage at the start of the fight.

So, practice them a lot, until you are able to execute them successfully most of the time. And then, practice them even more!

Maintain your base, posture, and control!

If your opponent is on his back and you are in his guard, you will have a significant advantage if you can maintain your base, posture, and control.

Keep one hand on your opponent’s chest and the other hand on his hips to prevent him from moving. This will allow you to wait for him to make a mistake, opening up an opportunity for you to counter.

The same base + posture + control principle can be applied in other positions on the ground or standing up.

The key to controlling your opponent is to use your hands, feet, and other body parts to neutralize his movements without destabilizing your own base and posture.

It is also important to avoid using brute force when controlling your opponent. Use technique to control him, rather than strength. This will help you conserve energy and stamina, and allow you to last longer in the fight.

Gracie Barra River Oaks: Experience a new beginning on your Jiu-Jitsu journey!

 

 

Stay calm in choke positions!

According to Carlos Gracie, confidence in your technique is what brings emotional control and calmness when you are in a disadvantageous position.

When you are calm, you will waste less energy and will be able to focus on finding the right moment to make the right move to escape the vulnerable position.

The window of opportunity opens up when your opponent makes a mistake. And if you are smart, you will be able to induce your opponent to make that mistake.

Rickson Gracie tells a story about a time when he was young and fought a match in which his opponent put him in a desperate position for a long time. After losing the match, he went home and decided to end it once and for all.

He asked his brother to wrap him up in several thick towels from head to toe, on a hot and humid day in Rio de Janeiro, until he was able to get used to being calm even in that agonizing situation. He stayed in that position for a long time.

Prioritize actions and fight objectively!

Winning a fight requires caution, strategy, and patience. And because BJJ is a grappling martial art, it is normal for the fight to be stuck at times.

Gi fights tend to be slower, leaving more time for fighters to think before acting effectively.

However, it is important to be objective in your application of techniques, aiming to end the fight as soon as possible. The great masters recognized this, and they developed a fundamental that, if taken seriously and practiced, leads to the opponent’s submission.

To apply this fundamental, we can start from two situations!

Situation A: You are in your opponent’s closed guard, on top of him.

Action 1: Position yourself to break the guard.

Action 2: Break the guard.

Action 3: Pass.

Action 4: Immobilize.

Action 5: Finish.

Situation B: You are in your closed guard, underneath your opponent.

Action 1: Try to finish the fight from the position you are in, without opening the guard.

Action 2: Try to get the back, immobilize, and finish.

Action 3: Try to sweep your opponent to get on top and take the actions of Situation A.

By training these four fundamentals extensively, and improving your ability to act and react in these situations, your BJJ will improve incredibly.

In addition to this fundamental training, which should be the biggest part of your training, also practice important techniques that fit perfectly within these fundamentals.

Getting Started at Gracie Barra Is Easy: SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CLASS!

Gracie Barra River Oaks: Effective martial arts programs for kids of all ages!

 

 

 

Gracie Barra River Oaks: A Premier Martial Arts Academy in Houston!

Gracie Barra River Oaks is a premier martial arts academy located in Houston, Texas. Founded by Professor Ulpiano Malachias, a world-renowned Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, the academy offers top-notch training in Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts. Professor Malachias has been involved in athletics and martial arts from a young age, beginning with Judo at the age of 4 and then transitioning to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at 17.

Under the leadership of Professor Malachias, Gracie Barra River Oaks has grown and expanded to a new, larger 10,000 sqft location in 2016. The academy offers a wide range of training programs to suit students of all levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners.

One of Professor Malachias greatest achievements is his success as a black belt competitor in the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) competitions. He has won multiple championships and medals, including the Asian Championship in 2006, American National Championship in 2004, 2005, and 2008, and Pan American Championship Silver Medal in 2010, among others. He is also the 2022 IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship Open Gold Medalist.

Gracie Barra River Oaks: Experience a new beginning on your Jiu-Jitsu journey!

Professor Malachias is committed to continuously improving his teaching skills and his own knowledge and skill in Jiu Jitsu. He is a certified IBJJF referee and has served as a referee in countless IBJJF tournaments, including some widely watched finals.

At Gracie Barra River Oaks, students have access to over 700 Gracie Barra Schools worldwide, professional-quality Jiu-Jitsu gear, and online resources to further their training. The academy promotes a holistic perspective to Jiu-Jitsu, including physical and mental wellness. All GB Schools are supervised by a Gracie Barra certified instructor, who supports students and helps each one achieve their potential through challenging training programs. Each class at Gracie Barra River Oaks is customized to offer maximum benefit for the students in attendance.

In summary, Gracie Barra River Oaks is a world-class martial arts academy with a strong commitment to excellence and dedication to Jiu-Jitsu. With Professor Ulpiano Malachias at the helm, students can expect top-notch training and support in their journey to becoming skilled practitioners of Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts.

Gracie Barra River Oaks: Effective martial arts programs for kids of all ages!