Diary > Base, Space and Pace.
01/12/2010
Especially with beginners, itīs hard to understand the concepts of BJJ, so I always try and make it as simple as possible. One of the main concepts is base, space and pace.
Whether playing guard and trying to off balance your opponent or trying to maintain your balance as you pass, you are looking at base. We require three main points of contact with our opponent and/or the ground to keep our balance (a car or three wheeled bike can stay upright without a kick stand but a two wheeled bike cannot). So look at how many points you have and where your weight is distributed amongst them.
With space, as the person on top your job is to restrict the space around your opponent forcing them use too much energy when escaping. You dont have to be heavier, just smarter with how you position yourself. Think of the hardest part of a bench press or push up, itīs when your hands are closest to your chest. So, as the person on top, you need to lie your weight on their arms and as close as possible so they will burn out their arms in trying to move you. This means that they will give you less resistance when you´re attacking them as their arms are prematurely fatigued.
Finally, we donīt know how long a fight will last. In the street there is no time limit and no referees. You have to be smart with your use of energy. Always pay attention to your opponent´s breathing and sounds as they will alert you to their levels of fatigue. Sure, in competitions we know the maximum time limit, which is why competition fighting - while good practice for control of emotions and stress - isnīt realistic. In the academy we often donīt time our matches as it teaches students to conserve their energy and wait for the right time to attack or submit. You must control the pace of your half of the fight or you may not get to use your superior technique as youīre too tired to do so.
