When I first got into BJJ, it was all about the submissions. Sweeps and escapes were something cool that were only necessary to know, if you ever got caught in a bad spot. If you had never been put in a bad situation, you didn't really want to spend the time preparing for it when until after it had happened.
A great majority of the time was spent scouring the internet and images in books for new submissions and the "how-to" videos on Youtube or in the newest issue of Grappling Magazine (now known as Ultimate MMA Magazine).
Forget about learning hook sweeps, or how to better control from knee on belly. Lets learn how to do the triangle to omoplata with modified toe-hold!!
Since I have gotten older, and hopefully a lot wiser, I have learned that one of the most beneficial tools to your game (second to escapes/defense), is positional control. This has become my most preached lesson, and my greatest asset in grappling practice/matches/police scenarios/and practical application in the street.
The problem with this is easily evident in the opinion of some grappling enthusiasts, who, when watching a video of someone doing this on Youtube (I am namely referring to a match of myself against a much larger - 6'6 320 lb BJJ blue belt), the critic went on an on about me not capitalizing on my dominant position. His argument was that if you are in dominant position, you are not actually winning and demonstrating real BJJ skill unless you submit the person.
COME ON PEOPLE!!
Lets not forget that if you are on top of someone in side mount or mount, moving to north south or knee on belly, you are winning! Gracie Jiu-Jitsu teaches us in its basic philosophies that you must first gain dominance to be effective. From that point, your goal should be to maintain that dominant position and not let the person get on top of you. The trade of in some cases are usually the BJJ practitioner in top position giving up his dominant position in favor of a failed arm-bar or another "forced" submission, in which the bottom man has now reversed you for a better position.
Remember these main points next time you are rolling:
- Position over submission
- Use your positioning and top game to exhaust the opponent
- Let him dictate the submission i.e. don't force the submission, instead, let him work himself into a bad spot and capitalize on his mistake
Incorporate this into a drill by getting with your partner and have him work from a bad position for 1 round, and do the top 2-3 defensive counters. At each counter, change position in a "slow roll" manner. If he can sweep you or get up, then you must be on the bottom for 10 minutes. If you get where you can maintain top control during transitions and position changes, then have your opponent on bottom start to give you "submission indicators". These can be as simple as putting the arm up that gives away an arm-bar, or turning belly down to give up the back. This should help foster good reactions to these movements, which are signs that you must be able to key-off on to capitalize on the mistake of the opponent.
Please leave comments and questions. Especially if you are having a hard time identifying the "cues" that your opponent is giving that signal when to attack the submission.
-Keep on The Path
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