BJJ Lesson 7: Our Goals From Bottom Position - An Introduction To Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Summary

This instructional video script delves into the strategic goals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) when in the bottom position, such as maintaining alignment and managing distance. It emphasizes the importance of disrupting the opponent's posture before executing techniques and highlights the concept of 'kuzushi' for off-balancing. The script also discusses various guard positions, the phases of guard play, and the necessity of guard retention to prevent being put on the defensive. It provides insights into transitioning from defense to offense and offers a foundational roadmap for BJJ practitioners to understand and improve their bottom game.

Takeaways

• 🧘 Maintaining alignment, base, and posture is crucial in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), especially when attempting any technique from the bottom position.
• 🛡 The primary goal from the bottom position is to manage distance and prevent the opponent from getting close without disrupting your posture.
• 🤺 Off-balancing your opponent, or 'kuzushi', is essential for creating opportunities to attack and is a fundamental concept in BJJ.
• 🌐 Marcelo Garcia's style of guard play is likened to playing judo from the bottom, emphasizing movement and creating opportunities to attack.
• 🔄 The process of achieving a sweep or submission involves maintaining range, off-balancing, and then capitalizing on the created vulnerability.
• 🚫 Focusing solely on the end goal of sweeping or submitting can be detrimental; the process and technique are what enable success.
• 🔄 The concept of 'kazushi' is vital for setting up techniques effectively and creating the necessary alignment breaks in your opponent.
• 🌟 When playing guard, consider it a range management tool with different guards suited for long-range, intermediate, and close-range scenarios.
• 🛑 Guard retention is critical; without the ability to retain and recover your guard, your offense will not be effective.
• 🔄 The three phases of guard are engagement, maintenance, and recovery, each requiring different strategies and techniques.
• 🤼‍♂️ From negative positions, the focus should be on maintaining alignment and capitalizing on the opponent's mistakes rather than aggressively breaking their alignment.

Q & A

What is the primary goal when in the bottom position in Jiu-Jitsu?

The primary goal when in the bottom position is to maintain alignment, base, and posture, and to disrupt the opponent's alignment before attempting anything else.

Why is managing distance important from the guard position?

Managing distance is crucial to prevent the opponent from getting close and breaking your posture, which could lead to your guard being passed or being subjected to chokes.

What is the term 'kuzushi' and how does it relate to Jiu-Jitsu?

'Kuzushi' is a Judo term that means off-balancing. In Jiu-Jitsu, off-balancing your opponent is essential to achieve an alignment break and create opportunities for attacks like sweeps or submissions.

Who is Marcelo Garcia and what is his style of guard play known for?

Marcelo Garcia is a renowned Jiu-Jitsu practitioner known for his guard play, which is likened to playing Judo from the bottom. He is adept at moving his opponents around to create opportunities for attacks.

What are the three phases of guard in Jiu-Jitsu as described in the script?

The three phases of guard are engagement, where grips are secured; maintenance, where the player off-balances the opponent to sweep or submit; and passing, where the player on top aims to solidify the position for points or to continue the attack.

Why is guard retention important in Jiu-Jitsu?

Guard retention is important because without the ability to retain and recover your guard, your offense will not come into play, and you could be left in a compromised position.

What is the difference between playing guard seated and playing guard on your back?

Playing guard on your back provides more frames for defense, while playing guard seated offers more mobility and makes it easier to wrestle up and maintain distance.

Why is it recommended to start with a closed guard when learning Jiu-Jitsu?

Starting with a closed guard helps develop hand fighting skills and keeps the opponent at a distance, which are fundamental for learning how to manage range and maintain guard effectively.

What does it mean to 'cement' an opponent in Jiu-Jitsu?

To 'cement' an opponent means to establish a solid guard position that is difficult for them to pass, allowing you to control the fight and look for sweeps or submissions.

What is the significance of the 'scaffold' in escaping from the bottom position?

The 'scaffold' is a framework created by the bottom player's body, which supports the opponent's weight and provides leverage for escaping, such as by elevating the opponent and re-establishing guard.