No matter how long you’ve been doing something, if you don’t get the basics right, you’re not doing it well.
Sports, of course, are great examples of this, because without getting the underlying methods right, you’re never going to progress.
Some people take up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and never get past blue belt – and it’s not because they’re not fit or tough enough, but rather they haven’t mastered the basics.
Below are three BJJ fundamentals which you will learn early on, but if you don’t get them right, you won’t get much further.
SHRIMPING/SNAKING AND BRIDGING
Bridging and shrimping are fundamental mount escape techniques taught to all beginners.
These two movements are the glue that binds all the other positions together; whether it’s getting out of an opponent’s hold or setting them up for a submission.
They are so essential to the sport that every BJJ class starts off with a warm-up using these methods.
Getting them right is the foundation on which your entire BJJ career will be built, so practice, practice, practice!
BASIC BJJ POSITIONS
Position before submission!
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is basically physical chess – you need to get everything in the right place before the final move that results in checkmate.
The basic BJJ positions like the guard, half-guard, side-control, the mount, and taking someone’s back should all be drilled so often that you could do them in your sleep.
These fundamentals will come naturally after a while, allowing muscle memory to control your movements without you even thinking about it.
GRIPPING
The thing with grappling is, you have to grab your opponent.
Gripping is an essential part of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and knowing where and how to grip is more important than simply how hard you can grab someone.
Anyone who’s been practicing BJJ for a few years will have a grip like a vice, and that comes through constant grappling.
Gripping is the first step in any technique, and if you don’t understand how grips work, then you’re going to have a hard time implementing your moves.
Working on your grips is just as important as working on your submissions, and they’re all connected.
WE NEVER FORGET THE BASICS
Here at Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Belfast, we know how important the fundamentals are.
Even as Ireland’s oldest and most successful BJJ club, we always practice the basics of our sport – which is one of the reasons why we are Ireland’s oldest and most successful club!
Perfecting these elemental components will take time, hard work, and a lot of practice, but once you do, it will set the platform for everything else, including the more advanced techniques.
If you would like to learn these BJJ fundamentals for the first time – or for the hundredth – then contact us today and start your 14 day free trial.
Or if you’ve any questions for us, please don’t hesitate to give us a shout on +44 7926 917 909. +44 7773 522 706
Our friendly staff members and instructors will be happy to help in any way they can.
